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)

PALO, Leyte- The Palo National High School, this town, is the latest recipient of the “Handog Computer” program of President Rodrigo Duterte through the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).
On Friday (December 7), Pagcor, along with Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla, distributed 25 desktop computers and 10 32-inch LED televisions to the school.
“This is a big help for you to get an excellent education. Make the most out of these computers and be inspired in your studies,” Petilla told the students.
“It’s a blessing. After the 2013 super typhoon Yolanda we received six classrooms from Pagcor, and now they’re back for more assistance to us,” added Estrellita Morano, the school principal.
Morano reiterated her gratitude to Petilla, who was also the former Pagcor vice-president during the administration of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“It was Mayor Petilla who endorsed the request of our school through the initiative of our two teachers Belen Manasis and Cynthia Agner in 2017,” Morano added.
Rico Acuña, Pagcor’s senior community development and welfare officer, urged the school to use the computers and ensure its care for the next batches of students.
“We’re thankful to Pagcor. This is a big help to our studies,” said 15-year old student Jasper Buntog.
Douglas Macalalag, the president of the General Parents-Teachers Association, called the arrival of the computers as “a blessing.”
“We promise to take good care of these computers,” Macalalag told the Pagcor official.
Considered a “mega-school” in Leyte Division, Palo National High School has 4, 274 students and 144 teachers as of its current school year.
(RONALD O. REYES)