TACLOBAN CITY – Naval town Mayor Gretchen Stephanie Espina announces the opening of the “Dasig Naval Paskuhan sa Munisipyo” which will be opening this December 1.

The “paskuhan” is the municipal government annual event every Christmas season to give joy to their residents and neighboring places. This was temporary stopped in 2020 due to the corona virus pandemic.

For this year’s paskuhan, the local government has prepared various competitions among barangays and best ‘parols’.

In the barangay-based or the Paskuhan sa Barangay, entry barangay must decorate their area with aesthetic lightings.

Winners will receive P 150,000 worth of barangay project for 1st prize; P100, 000 worth of project for 2nd prize; and P50, 000 worth of project for the 3rd prize.

Special prizes will also be given to barangays for their best Christmas decorations like the Best Lighted Christmas Village (P5,000), Best Belen (P5,000), Best Parol (P5,000), and Best Christmas Tree (P5, 000).

Ceremonial lighting for the Paskuhan sa Barangay is slated this December 9.
For the giant parol, entry sized must not exceed 5-feet, and must have the 5-point star shaped configuration of typical parol.

The parol may be made from recycled and indigenous materials but may also use any commercial materials but for inner frames only.

Paint may also be used for the parol and this should be lighted.

Winning entry will receive P30,000 (1st prize), P20,000 (2nd prize), and P10,000 (3rd prize). Non-winners will receive P1,000 as consolation prize.

Mayor Espina said that aside from the competition, they will also open this December 2 the Paskuhan sa Tabing Dagat wherein residents and visitors may enjoy eating at the banquetto, and barbeque stalls, visit the night market, and enjoy the pasko playground. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY-The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 8 through the Special Area of Agriculture Development (SAAD) Program recognized ten outstanding farmers’ associations during the SAAD SAGA 2022 on November 8, 2022 at the Leyte Academic Center (LAC), Palo, Leyte.

The main objective of this activity is to promote and market products of SAAD beneficiaries and showcase the impacts of SAAD Phase 1 and to recognize and acknowledge the outstanding farmer beneficiaries as they reach this milestone.

The awardees of this year’s SAAD SAGA were the following:Magatas Rice Farmers of Brgy. Matagas, Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte;Balao Farmers Association of Brgy. Balao, Baybay City, Leyte; Nagkaurusa nga Kababayen-an san Danao 1 ( NAKADA) of Brgy. Danao 1, Calbayog City,Samar; Lucerdoni Farmers and Fisher Folks Association of Brgy. Lucerduni, Tarangnan, Samar; Pingan Vegetable and Livestock Producer of Brgy. Pingan, Gen. MacArthur, Eastern Samar; Chitongco Farmes Association (CFA) of Brgy. Chitongco, Mondragon, Nothern Samar; Brgy. Alang-alang Organic Farmers Association (BAOFA) of Brgy. Alang-alang, Quinapondan, Eastern Samar; Esperanza Bontoc Irrigators Association (EBFIA) of Brgy. Esperanza, Bontoc, Southern Leyte;GM Osias P4MP of GM Osias, Gamay, Nothern Samar; and Palayanon Unlad Farmers Association of Brgy. Cabatianuhan, San Miguel, Leyte.

Mr. Ulysses Lustria, Jr. the SAAD National Program Director, together with RED Angel C. Enriquez, RTD Larry U. Sultan, and Gov. Sharee Ann Tan led the awarding of the outstanding beneficiaries of SAAD.

RTD Larry U. Sultan, SAAD Regional Focal Person acknowledged the guests and participants of the event. He also shared a glimpse of the accomplishments made under SAAD during its six-year implementation.

Department of Agriculture Regional Executive Director Angel C. Enriquez thanked the farmers for serving as living examples of what the government is actually doing. RED Enriquez said that the farmers today are very blessed and their presence showed that the government is on the right track to its commitment to serve the people.

Anita Taran, Provincial Agriculturist of Samar shared that the implementation of SAAD program in Samar had a very big impact for it helped lower the poverty incidence rate in the province.

Dir. Venus M. Jornales, Acting Regional Director of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) emphasized in her message that “in every calamity, the cry of the people is food and your presence today further cements that indeed the backbone of this country are our farmers.”

Another highlight of the activity was the KADIWA-SAAD Product Exhibit together with the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) where SAAD beneficiaries showcased their products such as fresh vegetables, fruits and processed food products.
The SAAD Project started in 2016 and have consistently delivered its promise to help the marginalized farmers to emancipate from poverty. In addition, SAAD is viewed as a component of long-term socio-economic resilience and adaptive development models which assist communities in preparing for catastrophes, reducing economic risks, and most significantly, “building back better” from pre-conditions. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY— Some three schools in Eastern Visayas will receive a financial grant from the state fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) under the Adopt-A-School Program of the Department of Education.

GSIS identified the three schools in the region as Hinolaso National High School in Eastern Samar, Catig Primary School in Southern Leyte, and Hinolaso National High School – Caglao-an Annex in Eastern Samar.

GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso said the funds will be used to provide assistive devices to the selected schools like computers, internet connectivity and educational tools.

Each school will receive P400,000 this year.

“We share President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s belief that education is the bedrock of a prosperous society. Our public schools need our support and assistance especially after the reopening of face-to-face classes in November. In selecting the schools that do not have enough funds and must therefore be prioritized, we closely coordinated with DepEd,” Veloso said.

In the National Capital Region, the adopted schools are Navotas Elementary School, Constantino Elementary School in Valenzuela City, and Laiban Integrated School in Rizal.
In Luzon, the list includes Calawaan Elementary School in Ilocos Sur; Baccuit Elementary School in Cagayan; San Miguel Elementary School in Isabela; Pinayag National High School in Nueva Vizcaya; and Maguyepyep Integrated School in Abra.

Also included are Haligue Silangan National High School in Batangas City; Calpi Elementary School in Sorsogon; Aroroy East Central School in Masbate; Tagaytay Elementary School in Albay; and Bagumbayan Elementary School in Catanduanes.

In the Visayas, other adopted schools are Celestino Diaz Integrated School in Capiz; Manjuyod Central Elementary School in Negros Oriental; Gaas Elementary School in Cebu; and Nahawan Elementary School in Bohol.

In Mindanao, the six schools are Sinoropan National High School in Zamboanga; Talisay National High School in Dapitan City; Magallanes Elementary School in Davao City; Don Ruben E. Ecleo Sr. Memorial National High School in Dinagat Island; Surigao City National High School in Surigao City; and Camp Edward Elementary School in Surigao Del Norte.
Overall, a total of P10 million assistance will be received by 25 schools nationwide.

Since its implementation in 2014, a total of 85 schools have already benefitted from the program.
The initiative is part of GSIS’s corporate social responsibility.
(MMP/CBA with GSIS Tacloban)