Sen. Go witnessed the turnover of assistance

BORONGAN CITY– About 328 former rebels and sympathizers of the communist group from various parts of Eastern Samar availed of a one-time cash assistance from the government on Thursday (Nov. 17).

Among them was a 76-year old man from Barangay Benowangan of this city who was an armed member of the communist group for 15 years.

“I get tired of fighting with our very own government. I realized it’s not worth my life and my family. Our government is willing to help us former rebels to start a new life,” he said.
The former rebel surrendered to the authorities sometime last year together with his 68-year old wife. He claimed that none of their eight children became members of the New People’s Army (NPA) nor been indoctrinated about the communist movement.

The septuagenarian received P15,000 cash from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) under its sustainable livelihood assistance program.

He said that he will use the cash assistance to start a small piggery business.
The DSWD released P4.9 billion for the cash assistance to the beneficiaries. It was not, however, indicated as to how many of them were former rebels and sympathizers who each received P15,000.

Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go, witnessed the turnover of the financial assistance to the former rebels and sympathizers, said that he hope that they will put into good use the money they received from the government.

“(And) to those who are still in the mountains, I appeal to you to have faith in our government which is ready to help you,” he said during a brief interview.

He also noted that the government appears to be winning the insurgency problem saying that it is now weakening.

“The insurgency problem is now weakening like in Mindanao and here in Eastern Samar. As a senator, I don’t like to see Filipinos killing each other that is why, I appeal to you to surrender to the government which is sincere in helping you,” Go said.

The senator was welcomed by Governor Ben Evardone who also vowed to eradicate the insurgency problem in his province with the help of soldiers and other government agencies.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)

PALO, Leyte-The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tacloban-Leyte Inc. (PCCI- Tacloban-Leyte Inc.) staged a two-day business conference and exhibit with using ‘bouncing back better through sustainable technology and innovation’ as its theme.
Topics during the conferences centered on digital marketing, agricultural modernization, and the tourism industry.

PCCI-Tacloban-Leyte Inc. president Eugene Tan said that the activity is the first face-to-face business conference by the local PCCI chapter since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in March 2020.

In an interview, Tan said that digital marketing must be encouraged among local businesses.

He also admitted most of the members of the business group are still suffering from financial losses which he believed could be recovered in five year time.

However, the activity can be a start, he said, adding that they included agriculture in the discussion since they have been getting feedbacks from rice millers that the local farmers have been producing less rice due to high production cost.

Governor Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla, the main speaker for the first day of the conference, said that digitalization is the key in the recent times.

When Petilla noticed that most of his audience were students he focused his presentation on courses being offered by schools, calling most of the current courses as ‘traditional’ like education and criminology.

“We have to change the way we think because we will be left behind. Our schools have to look into in-demand jobs in this digital age,” the governor, who owned a business processing outsourcing business, said.

“We need to change our curriculum to adapt to the signs of the times,” he added.
Coders, ethical hackers, online merchandisers, electronic gamers, and application developers are among the most in-demand jobs in the world at present, according to Petilla.

He also informed that the provincial government of Leyte is working on to fully digitalize all the services and transactions in their offices for the benefit of the general populace. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

CAMP LUKBAN, MAULONG, Catbalogan, Samar – Joint Task Force Storm Commander and Commander, 8ID, Major General Camilo Z. Ligayo lauded the role of Senior Enlisted Personnel in the Command’s mission during the Senior Enlisted Leader’s Forum on March 16, 2022, at the 8ID Clubhouse.

MSg Ruben C. Mogote, the acting division sergeant major, hosted the activity in order to enhance the leadership skills and managerial competencies of key senior enlisted leaders, to disseminate the Division Commander’s guidance and to address issues affecting the lower echelon of the organization.

For his part, MSg. Mogote reiterated the commander’s intent to bring guidance to his contemporaries and ensured the missions delivered to them are within their capabilities: “Mahalaga ang pagtitipon na ito para maipahayag ang pangkalahatang estado ng ating mga enlisted personnel. Para maipaabot ang direktiba ng nakakataas para sa ating kampanya na wakasan na ang insuhensiya dito sa Silangang Bisayas at matugunan na rin ang mga issues at concern na hinaharap ng mga kasundalohan sa kani-kanilang yunit.”
A total of 19 sergeant majors from the different brigades/battalions and operational and control units of 8ID participated in the said forum.

Major General Ligayo recognized the dedication to duty by our senior enlisted leaders in the pursuit of organization transformation.

“I would like to convey my utmost appreciation to you, our senior enlisted leaders and your sustained dedication to duty, I am confident that we are on the right track in making our organization world-class. One that is anchored on the principles of discipline, professionalism and high morale of our soldiers. The most important elements of our organization is, of course, our soldiers who are making this happen,” he said.

“Ipagpatuloy nating ipakita ang ating angking galing! Ang isang sundalo ay mahusay, responsable at maaasahan. Together, let us fight to perform our mandate in serving the people and securing the land,” Ligayo concluded.(PR)