International Human Rights Day

TACLOBAN CITY- About 200 people representing from different progressive groups from this city joined on Monday (December 10) in the observance of the International Human Rights Day as they decried what they call the militarization under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The protesters burned a copy of Memorandum Order(MO) 32 issued by Malacañang on November 22 which was used as the legal basis for the deployment of additional soldiers and policemen to Samar and three other areas in the country.
The order states that these areas are affected with ‘lawless violence’ committed by members of armed groups.
Joshua Sagdullas, spokesperson of Bayan Muna-Sinirangan Bisayas, said that while they do not contest on the existence of lawless violence in Samar, in particular, these were committed by state enforcers.
“We agree that there is a state of lawlessness (violence) in Eastern Visayas, especially in Samar. But on our end, we know that the military and the police are the main perpetrators of this,” he said.
Based on their monitoring, about 62 human rights abuses have been committed in the region involving state enforcers committed under the Duterte administration.
The Armed Forces in the region has consistently denies that they have committed any human rights abuses maintaining that they respect the rights of the civilians.
Meantime, Captain Francis Agno, spokesperson of the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City, Samar, dismissed claims that the controversial order issued by Malacañang is already a de facto declaration of martial law.
‘The writ of privilege was not suspended under the MO 32? So why they claim that it’s a declaration of martial law?” he said.
Agno said that under section 4 of said order, it was stated that the constitutional rights of every individual shall be respected and given due regards both by the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police.
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines in the region has compared the issuance of MO 32 to a declaration of martial law as troops would be deployed in areas identified under the order which could result to rights abuses and crackdown of those who opposes the Duterte administration.
“Duterte’s MO 32 shows his intention to impose nationwide martial law other than Mindanao alone. It’s a declaration of de facto martial law in Eastern Visayas and an intensified crackdown against all opposition – armed or not,” the group said.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA, JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY- Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla said that he is bent in pushing his agriculture-related programs as a way to combat poverty incidence in the remote villages.
Petilla said that he is so serious on this mission that he already made ‘experiments’ in 2011 when he was not yet a governor.
Petilla was first elected as governor of the province in 2013 and is now seeking for another term in next year’s elections.
His agriculture-related programs are anchored on his program known as ‘More Income in the Countryside’ wherein, among other things, high-value production on vegetables are being promoted.
The governor said that he is committed to improving the economic conditions of the farmers in the province reason he’s been encouraging them to form into groups for them to easily access funds and assistance his administration could provide to them.
“Farming is not glamorous and profitable (job). If you are a son of a farmer, will you follow their footsteps? Certainly not but we are doing our best to make it profitable for them so that their children will also become farmers,” Petilla said.
Petilla led in the giving recognition to more than 40 farmers’ organizations in the province on Dec.4 for their achievements that resulted to better economic condition of their respective members and villages.
According to the governor, since he assumed office, about 210 farmers’ associations have been organized all over the province which resulted to improved economic living conditions of these farmers.
These farmers’ organizations represent conservatively about 15,000 families.
“By just looking to the condition of these people now, I think there is now an improvement on their respective lives. Hope we can sustain it,” Petilla said.
He added that because of the organization of farmers’ groups, malnutrition problem in the remote barangays in the province have been addressed and in fact, shown a decline.
He added that there were even barangays that have registered zero malnutrition incidence.
Petilla added that if all the 250 targeted barangays under the MIC program will be realized, he expect the poverty incidence of Leyte to decline.
Based on the report of the Philippine Statistics Authority (NSA), the poverty incidence of Leyte in 2015 stood at 46.7 percent.
The high poverty incidence was blamed to the negative impacts brought by the onslaught of super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ that pummeled Leyte in 2013. (JOEY A. GABIETA)

CARIGARA, Leyte- The Department of Public Works and Highways-Leyte Second District Engineering Office allocated a total of P85 million for the construction of a concrete road leading to Villaconzoilo Agri and Ecotourism Farm and Silawa Falls, both in Burauen town.
The project involves 3.5 kilometers with the width of 6.1 meters and thickness of .028 meters, including culverts, excavation and embankment.
District Engineer Carlos Veloso said that the project will provide convenient access for visitors who want to experience the natural forest atmosphere and the relaxing effect of the cool and clean waterfalls.
He added that this development will also open new opportunities to the community through the new income generating programs that will contribute to the growth of its economy.
At present, the road to Villaconzoilo Agri and Eco-Tourism Farm, located in Barangay Villaconzoilo, is now accessible.
However, the road leading to Silawa Falls, also located in the same village about seven kms away from the town center, is still underway.
Meanwhile, the Payapa at Masaganang Pamana (Pamana) has funded about P 9.85 million in addition to the road concreting works at Villaconzoilo leading to Silawa Falls.(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY-At least 39 children with cancer together with their siblings and families received their early Christmas gifts from various groups on Sunday (December 9).
The event was led by the Tingog Sinirangan party-list and joined by Philippine Toy Library, thanked Sirakwaraynon Eagles Club, Tacloban City Eagles Club, Lions International, Share Your Spare Singapore, Tacloban City Sangguniang Kabataan Federation president Thomas Diaz, and other individuals who collaborated with them for the event.
“This is our fourth party with them since April 2017. We give them two parties every year–the Summer Fun and Christmas Party,” said Bunny Culibar-Celebrado, the youth chairperson of Tingog Sinirangan party-list.
“We also give gifts to the siblings because we don’t want them to feel like they’re left behind. We understand that parents usually poured most of their time to their child who is a patient,” Celebrado added.
During the party, dubbed as “Winter Wonderland Christmas,” the children were entertained by magicians and showered with toys, gifts, balloon twist, and a bubble show.
Some children also performed special numbers for their parents and visitors. Also present were cancer-free children and the families and siblings of patients who already passed away.
“This is our thanksgiving program. We want our children to be always happy and remain positive,” said Irene Sudario, a parent.
The 39 young cancer warriors are under Dr. Joy Tobio of the Pediatric Oncology Ward at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center.
She also thanked the Kids of the Kingdom Region 8, a pedia cancer and chronic illness support group in the city.
“We provide support group where children and their families are drawn close to God and get to know the promise of His words. Cancer steals, kills and destroys. But Jesus has come to give life and have it to the full,” it said.
According to the group, they provide a “safe haven for children fighting for chronic illness such as cancer.”
For support and donation to Kids of the Kingdom Region 8, text/call Dr. Joy Tobio, 0927 691 3706 or Charo Bajado, 0933 854 2878. (RONALD O. REYES)