TACLOBAN CITY- The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has asked residents of Catbalogan City in Samar to stay indoors during midday this dry season as the city’s heat index soared Tuesday to 42.6 degrees Celsius, the highest this year.
The state weather bureau reported that among the six provincial capitals in Eastern Visayas, only Catbalogan registered a heat index above 41 degrees Celsius, considered a “danger” level. The city is among the 14 areas in the country with high heat index recorded on April 9.
Residents of “danger” level areas are likely to experience cramps and heat exhaustion while heat stroke is probable for individuals with continued activity, said PAGASA Tacloban station chief Mario Peñaranda.
“Our advice to the public is to stay indoors as much as possible from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and drink eight to 10 glasses of water daily since the body needs water to keep cool. We expect the heat index to increase due to dry season,” Peñaranda said.
Heat index are human discomfort index that gives the “apparent” temperature or what human perceive or feel as the temperature affecting their body. High air temperatures and high relative humidity will give high apparent temperatures or indices. Full exposure to sunshine can increase the heat index by eight degrees Celsius.
Other provinces in the region posted a lower heat index such as Borongan City in Eastern Samar (36.2), Catarman in Northern Samar (38.7), Maasin City in Southern Leyte (28.2), and Tacloban City in Leyte (32.7).
Peñaranda said despite the high heat index in Samar province, some parts of Eastern Visayas experience rains due to easterlies. (SARWELL Q. MENIANO/PNA)
Catbalogan residents warned as heat index hit dangerous level
CALABARZON gubs, execs vowed to support Bong Go
Governors of the vote-rich CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) on Sunday declared former Special Assistant to the President and senatorial candidate Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go an adopted son of the region and vowed to support his candidacy.
“Nangangako kami na pangunahan ang mga mamamayan sa aming mga probinsya para dahin sa Senado si Bong Go. Kaugnay sa ganitong layunin, buong karangalan naming idinedeklara si Bong Go, na isa ring Batangueno, bilang anak ng buong CALABARZON region,” the governors said in a two-page “Manifesto of Support” dated 10 February 2019.
For his part, Go thanked the CALABARZON governors for their support, saying it will inspire him to work harder to serve the people.
“Unanguna, maramingsalamat sa inyong assurances, sa inyong tulong at sa inyong commitment,” Go said.
Go noted that while he had no political plans, President Duterte prodded him to run for the Senate to serve the people in a greater capacity.
“Ipinagbilin niya sa akin, sabi niya: Di ka magkakamali Bong gawin mo lahat para sa Pilipino. Serve the Filipino first, hindi ka magkakamali,” he added. “Asahan nyo pareho kami ni Pang. Duterte, interes ng Pilipino po ang uunahin namin bago ang lahat.”
Quezon Gov. David “Jayjay” Suarez said the gathering is historic since the region has never had any unified stand and a unified voice in supporting any candidate in the previous elections.
“SAP Bong Go makakaasa po kayo na ang probinsya ng Quezon is behind you 110 percent,” Suarez said, noting Go was instrumental in the realization of many development projects in his province.
Speaking for Laguna, Gov. Ramil Hernandez said: “Tataya po ang Laguna sa inyo at ang inyong panalo ay panalo narin namin.”
“Ang buong Rizal ay maaasahan ninyo sa darating na halalan,” said Rizal Gov. Rebecca Ynares, noting the former SAP has always provided assistance every time the province is in need.
Noting that Go is also a Batangueno, Batangas Gov. HermilandoMandanassid the province has not asked anything from Duterte but the Chief Executive has given them a very big favor through the service of a fellow Batangueño.
“Ang una at pinakamahalagang ibinigay sa atin ni Pangulong Duterte ay payagan ang kapwa naming Batangueño, ang ating SAP Bong Go na kumandidatong senador,” Mandanas said.
For his part, Cavite Gov. Crispin Remulla committed his province’s support for the candidacy of Bong Go, saying, “Ang sisikapin naming gawin, top three po ang hahabulin namin (para sa inyo) sa lalawigan ng Cavite.”
In the manifesto, the CALABARZON governors cited Go’s over 21 years of selfless service as a trustworthy and dependable aide of Duterte and as an assistant to the people.
“Naging matibay nahuwaran siya ng matinding sakripisyo sa pagtupad sa kanyang personal at propesyunal na tungkulin ng pagsisilbi sa Pangulo, sa bansa, at sa ating mga kababayan,” the manifesto added.
The CALABARZON governors also said Go’s dedication to service is worthy of emulation, noting that he remained a humble and simple man from the province but has shown a “big heart for his country” by initiating several projects, including the Malasakit Centers, for the benefit of the people.
“Ang kanyang hangarin na tulungan ang mga maysakit, matatanda, maliliit na mangingisda at magsasaka, kabataan at mga guro, ang mga nawalan ng tahanan, Overseas Filipino Workers, at maging mga lokal na lider ay karapat-dapat lamang na bigyan ng aming buong suporta,” the governors said.
The CALABARZON governors said they strongly believe that when Go is elected as a senator of the republic, Go will be able to further build on the success of many programs of the current administration for the betterment of our people.
Go’s legislative agenda include the improvement of the delivery of health services, including the establishment of Malasakit Centers in all provinces and urban centers of the country. The center makes it easier and faster for poor patients to avail of medical and financial assistance from the government by bringing together in one room all concerned government agencies such as the DOH, DSWD, PCSO, and Philhealth.
In addition, Go’s legislative priorities include programs for agriculture, anti-illegal drugs, and criminality, education, housing, long-term sports development, fire prevention and protection, anti-corruption, localized peace talks, creation of Department of OFW, barangay welfare and improved benefits for senior citizens.
In the 2016 elections, CALABARZON has the highest number of registered voters nationwide with 7.6 million. It is estimated that voters in the region for the 2019 elections has reached around 8.8 million.
LAGUNA Vice Gov. Karen Agapay said on Facebook that Laguna Gov. Ramil Hernandez, Cavite Rep. Boying Remulla, Quezon Gov. David Suarez, Rizal Gov. Nini Ynares, and Batangas Gov. Dodo Mandanas have pledged support for Go.
Agapay was also among the local officials who joined the group and vowed to campaign for Go as well. She shared photos of the event on Facebook.
Go hails from Batangas, so they at least have something in common with him.
“Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez, together with other governors of the CALABARZON Region (Gov. Remulla of Cavite, Gov Suarez of Quezon, Gov. Ynares of Rizal and Gov. Mandanas of Batangas) unanimously pledged their support to SAP Bong Go on his candidacy for Senator.
Gov. Ramil was joined by Vice Governor Karen Agapay, LMP President Mayor Tony Carolino, Bokal/Liga ng Brgy President Meg Agarao, PCL Vice Pres Lenlen Malibiran (Bokal/Pres Dada Reyes is currently on official business) and Bokal/SK President Yancy Amante.
SAP Bong Go is from Batangas Province,” Agapay posted on Facebook. (PR)
Popcom brings RPFP to SAAD areas in EV
In partnership with DA
TACLOBAN CITY – The Commission on Population and Development (Popcom) partners with the Department of Agriculture (DA) in bringing Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning (RPFP) to communities in the region under the Special Areas for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program of the agriculture office.
The SAAD Program is a comprehensive strategy that provides livelihood opportunities for farmers and fisherfolks in the top ten poorest provinces in the country, which include Samar island areas and Southern Leyte province in Region 8.
“Saad” is a Visayan word for promise and the program is anchored on two major components: social preparation, and food production and livelihood.
The partnership with DA comes under this strategy where farmers and fisherfolk beneficiaries of the program will become the target for RPFP classes by Popcom.
Identified areas for this joint undertaking are Lawaan, Balangiga, Hernani, Quinapondan in Eastern Samar and Sogod, Bontoc, Malitbog and St. Bernard, all in Southern Leyte.
The participants who will be identified from these areas will be provided with RPFP information which will make them become aware on responsible parenthood, as well as on family planning programs and services under the principle of informed choice and volunteerism (ICV) and this will be conducted during the RPFP class.
The RPFP Program aims to help couples/parents exercise responsible parenting to achieve their desired number, timing and spacing of their children, and to contribute in improving the maternal, neonatal and child health, and nutrition (MNCHN).
Andrew Rodolfo Orais, DA-8 assistant regional director for operation and extension, said the partnership is “very timely” as they are looking to fill in the gap on the social preparation component of the SAAD program.
For the initial allocation per province, the food production and livelihood component of SAAD provides interventions such as production support services; extension or training support and technology demonstration; and, provision of other agricultural equipment or facilities.
“The production and livelihood component is very well served while it is in the social preparation that we need partnerships such as this so as to provide a holistic approach to this program,” Orais said.
Meanwhile, as an initial step, Popcom has entered into a joint agreement with the National Economic and Development Authority and the Department of Health last February 15 aimed at addressing the needs of the country’s growing population and its impact on social and economic development through a co-managed and harmonized National Program on Population and Family Planning (NPPFP).
Population growth rate has seen a decline in past years but the number of Filipinos is still increasing given its large population base and a fertility rate which has remained the highest in the ASEAN region, the 2018 State of the World Population Report revealed.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
Small entrepreneurs attend gathering on business academy sponsored by Globe
TACLOBAN CITY-About 200 entrepreneurs from this city and nearby areas recently joined gathering aim of strengthening and providing more venue those in the MSMES or micro small, and medium-size enterprises.
The April 5 event, held at the Robinson’s Place, this city, was sponsored by Globe Telecom under its Globe myBusiness Academy.
The gathering was aim to make Globe myBusiness Academy as the partner of these local entrepreneurs by imparting to them new technologies which they can use for their business.
Globe Telecom is not just on telecommunication business but has also engaged in cutting edge technology in other business platforms like on vehicle tracker, CCTV, and canvass application, among others.
The activity was also participated by the Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Retailers Association, Lazada, and Taxumo, among others.
Among those present during the gathering were Chinkee Tan, one of the country’s most known motivational speakers, and Anne David, supply chain marketing head of Globe Telecom who discussed on digital marketing which the MSMES could use. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
GAD advocate urges women to bring positive change
CATARMAN, Northern Samar- Catarman Gender and Development (GAD) Chairperson Dr. Venus J. Cardenas urged women to use their voices and lead in bringing positive change in the province.
This she said during the League of Information Officer of Northern Samar (LIONS) second meeting at the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, Capitol Compound, this town recently.
“As a woman leader and a mother, it is my goal to inspire women to lead around the province to help shape the future of women and girls,” she said.
The gender and development advocate informed that she hopped from one municipality to another to help GAD focal persons develop gender responsive programs, seeking to meet people’s basic needs, promote their economic well- being, and enable them to pursue interests and participate in social and political processes at the local level.
“Statistics revealed that women constitute 60 percent of the voting population but in reality it is hard for women to get a fair and equal share of leadership position across all sectors” Cardenas said.
Thus, she encouraged women to take part in the electoral process and choose candidates who support and advocate the welfare of women and girls.
She also said for women to thrive in their respective career, one should be mindful of her physical self, eat healthfully, sleep well and remain active.
“Keep the gratitude and appreciation flowing and be thankful you have the energy and insight to be a positive self-mentor,” she said.
(NBQ/TBC/PIA-8, Northern Samar)
SPES workers’ deployment set on April 16
TACLOBAN CITY-The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) has announced that it will start the deployment on April 16, 2019, of the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) workers to the different departments of the city government.
Prior to their deployment, the first batch consisting of 85 SPES workers will attend a pre-deployment orientation at the Tacloban City Training Center on April 16.
Some 145 slots are available under the SPES of the city government of Tacloban under Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for this summer break.
PESO started accepting applications for the program last January to facilitate the processing time required by DOLE.
Aside from being assigned regular office work, SPES workers will also undergo several activities like livelihood orientation and other socio-civic activities as part of the holistic approach of the city government to the program.
The SPES workers will work for 20 days and will be paid a wage of P477.73 per day.
Sixty percent of the total wage of students is shouldered by the city government while the other 40% is paid by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
The program is mandated under RA 7393 and intends to develop the potentials of poor but deserving students to finish their education by being employed during school breaks. (HENRY JAMES ROCA with a report from J.APOLINAR and D.ABARQUEZ/CIO)