TACLOBAN CITY – Only three months and four days ago when lawyer Robert Anthony Yu, then regional director of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Eastern Visayas, turned over his post to Ismael Aya-ay. On Tuesday, Aya-ay relinquished it again to Engr. Reynaldo Anfone.
By virtue of Department Special Order No. 573, series of 2022 issued by Agrarian Secretary Conrado Estrella III on October 6 this year, Anfone, the regional director of Central Visayas, was transferred to Eastern Visayas replacing Aya-ay.
On the same document, Aya-ay, who was concurrent Assistant Regional Director for Administration (ARDA) will now focus on his work as ARDA.
An agricultural engineer, Anfone said in his acceptance message, “I am expecting so much with regards to the tasking of the mandates of the Department.”
“I will assess everything,” he stressed.
Anfone, the 22nd regional director to serve this region since the agency was created on September 10, 1971, is a native of Pikit, Cotabato.
He joined the DAR in 1985 as Agrarian Reform Technologist (ART) and rose from the ranks.
From ART, Anfone was promoted to Engineer II. Then he became Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer (MARPO) for 23 years. In 2018, he was appointed Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO) by then president Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
In March this year, Duterte appointed him Director IV. His first assignment as regional director was in Central Visayas.
As a regional director, Anfone said during his installation that he reads and analyzes all the documents before signing them, but emphasized he is not used to micro-managing.
He assured the PARPOs and the MARPOs “I will not interfere on all your affairs. I will just be directing the PARPOs and the MARPOs.”
Anfone hopes that his assignment here will not be as short as his stay in Central Visayas. According to him, he just stayed in Region-7 for only three months and 21 days. “I hope to stay here for quite a long time, so we will really know each other,” Anfone quipped. (JOSE ALSMITH L. SORIA)
ORMOC CITY-An elderly village councilor was killed after the single motorcycle he was driving was hit by another speeding single motorcycle driven by an 18-year old student at about 7 am last October 17, at Barangay Rawis in Laoang, Northern Samar.
Police Major Ricardo Banjawan, town police chief, identified the fatality as Romeo Irinco, 75, and a councilor of Rawis here while the driver of the other single motorcycle was also identified as Alfred Grajo, 18, senior high school student and a resident of Brgy Gibatangan of the same municipality.
Initial investigation conducted by responding police disclosed that the two motorcycles were traversing in opposite directions and upon reaching to the place of the incident, the motorcycle driven by Grajo accidentally bumped the motorcycle driven by the Irinco after he suddenly took a U-turn from the other side of the road.
As a result, the victim sustained serious injuries and was brought to St. Scholastica Hospital in Pambujan town, also in Northern Samar but was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Grajo and his companion, Claire Grego,20, were brought to Dr. GB Tan Memorial Hospital here for immediate medical attention. (ROBERT DEJON)
LEYTE GULF LANDINGS ANNIVERSARY. President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. was joined by US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson and Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla during the 78th Leyte Gulf Landings commemorative program last Oct. 20 at the MacArthur National Landing Memorial Park, Palo, Leyte. (US Embassy)
PALO, Leyte– President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., graced the 78th Leyte Gulf Landing Celebration on Thursday (Oct.20) at the McArthur Landing National Memorial Park, this town as he gave honor and assurance to the war veterans.
The President also calls for Filipino to remember the courage and sacrifices of the war veterans to liberate the country from the hands of the Japanese Forces.
“We commemorate this event, but let us remember the courage and heroism demonstrated by our war veterans, fellow Filipinos, allied forces, and for that matter, even the Japanese forces, who offered their lives in a quest to attain peace and freedom that we now enjoy,” he said in his speech during the commemorative program.
“They who have fought and died in and for this land will have their names forever etched in the pages of history. We express our most profound gratitude for the sacrifices that they had made in reclaiming our freedom and for ushering in a new age of peace for our people and for the world,” the President added.
The President said that the war veterans can be assured that under his administration, they can be assured of protection and assistance.
“This government will always continue to look after the welfare of our war veterans. For as we commemorate on this hollow ground sanctified by the blood, the life and the sacrifices of our brave veterans we cannot allow our memories to lapse, we must always remember that this was the best of Filipinos,” he said.
Of the 30 surviving World War II veterans in Eastern Visayas, only three were able to attend the commemoration this morning.
They are Gregoria Badeo, 97 from Burauen, Leyte; Eugenia Maglinte, 94 from Macrohon, Southern Leyte; and Alfredo Matobato, 94 from Alangalang, Leyte.
Maglinte said that she was happy to attend this year’s program and see the President in the event.
She was also thankful that the provincial government of Leyte which extended them financial assistance worth P15,000.
The veterans also received a congressional gold cross medal award from the United States of America through the US Embassy as represented by Ambassador MaryKay Carlson and the Veterans Federation of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, in his message, Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla emphasized the importance to immortalize the stories of the war veterans for the future generations to know their sacrifices for the country be liberated from the foreign invaders.
“Like many stories, our stories are dying with the veterans and it is our job as local officials, national officials to keep the story alive not for ourselves but for the future generation,” he said.
Petilla suggests that the stories of Leyte Gulf Landings be part of the lesson in the curriculum of the Department of Education.
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Department of Tourism Secretary Maria Esperanza Christina Garcia-Frasco, Presidential Management Staff Secretary Zenaida Angping, and US Ambassador Carlson also graced the event.
Among local officials present were Leyte Vice Gov. Leonardo Javier and his wife, Rep. Lolita Javier; Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan; An Waray party-list Florencio ‘Bem’ Noel; and Palo Mayor Remedios ‘Matin’ Petilla who profusely expressed her gratitude for the President attending the event.
The Leyte Gulf Landings commemoration is a celebration of the arrival of the Allied Forces in Leyte on Oct. 20, 1944 led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur, together with President Sergio Osmeña and Gen. Carlos P. Romulo, setting foot again in the Philippine soil after they left Corregidor in 1942.
Their arrival started a battle that spanned 100,000 square miles of sea and was fought for three days, from Oct. 23 to 25, 1944, during the invasion of Leyte by the Allied forces.
The battle signaled the fulfillment of MacArthur’s famous words, “I shall return.”
LIGHTS UP! With Pres. Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. leading the switch-on ceremony at the San Juanico Bridge aesthetic lights and sounds, foot traffic at the said iconic bridge is expected to increase, and in the process, pave the way for business opportunities to flourish. The project was funded by TIEZA and conceptualized by the Samar provincial government. (Malacañang photo)
STA. RITA, Samar– Aside from adding ‘glow,’ the lighted San Juanico Bridge is expected to provide economic impetus to Leyte and Samar provinces.
On Wednesday (Oct.19) night, no less than President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. led the switch-on ceremony of the aesthetic lighting and sound show at the iconic bridge.
Top officials of the Department of Tourism (DOT) led by Sec. Maria Esperanza Christina Frasco and local officials headed by Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan and Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez were also around during the ceremony which was witnessed by thousands of people.
The ceremony, held at the Samar side of the bridge, had a festive mood with performances from cultural contingents from Burauen in Leyte, and Catbalogan City in Samar performing.
In his speech, Pres. Marcos said that he was “genuinely delighted” that he was able to lead in the lighting of the San Juanico Bridge, calling it among the flagship projects under his father’s administration.
The bridge was built during the administration of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. as a ‘gift’ to his wife, Imelda, who is from Leyte.
The President also said that with the additional attraction, he hopes that Eastern Visayas’ landmark will not only become a must-see among local and foreign tourists but will pave the way for economic development not just in Leyte but most especially Samar where poverty remain high.
“It is my earnest desire that this lighting project will encourage the people of Samar and Leyte and the rest of the country to pursue programs….that will pave the way for long lasting impacts in the lives of the Filipinos,” the President said.
Marcos also underscored that the bridge was constructed for Samar, quoting his mother, Imelda, saying that the people of the province should also enjoy the advantages the development of the people of Leyte.
He also assured that his administration will support all programs and projects that will result in the progress of Samar.
For his part, Rep.Reynolds Michael said that Samarnons are happy that no less than the President led in the lighting up of the San Juanico Bridge.
“This is a big thing for us. Not only he is a popular President here in Samar. It was nice that the bridge was built during the time of his father and now another ceremony will happen with him leading it,” he said.
For Gov. Tan, the lights illuminating from the San Juanico Bridge is a symbolic signal that Samar is on the verge of achieving development.
Tonight, as the San Juanico Bridge illuminates, this is the symbolic signal that Spark Samar is now a burning flame that shines like a beacon of hope for the people of Samar,” she said.
“Now, it is our turn to rise and transform. With all of you as witness, we open the doors of Samar and invite the Filipino people and the rest of the world to visit our breathtaking sites, explore our mysterious caves, invest in our growing cities and emerging towns, taste our delectable cuisine, immerse in our culture, and get to know our beautiful and passionate people,” the governor.
It was learned that the provincial government plans to develop the area with a mixed-use area wherein government offices will be constructed as well as a commercial and residential centers.
The provincial government has allocated initially P6 million for security and maintenance purposes like the monthly electricity bill.
The lighting project at the 2.16 kms San Juanico Bridge was first started in 2019 and funded by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority(TIEZA) at a cost of P80 million.
However, its completion, undertaken by the Manila-based Amigo Entertainment Technologies Inc. using LED lights was hit by several snags like bad weather and the coronavirus pandemic. It was targeted to be completed in 2020.
The aesthetic light and sound project at the 49-year old San Juanico Bridge is a first of its kind in the country.
The computer-controlled aesthetic light and sound show produces various colors and ‘themes.’
During the death of Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom, for one, the entire stretch of the bridge was aglow in purple, a color associated to royalties.
The project was conceived by Gov. Tan under her ‘Spark Samar’ tourism-driven program saying the bridge will not only be a day-time attraction but even during the night.
The bridge, which straddles at the San Juanico Strait, was constructed during the administration of Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. as his birthday gift to his wife, Imelda, who is from Leyte.
The San Juanico Bridge was built as part of the Pan-Philippine Highway now called the Maharlika Highway, a network of roads, bridges, and sea routes that connect the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao.
GOVERNMENT CENTER, Baras, Palo, Leyte—Department of Public Works and Highways 8 (DPWH) Regional Director Edgar B. Tabacon met House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on October 14 in inspecting two major infrastructure projects in Eastern Visayas.
Immediately after his official assumption of as DPWH regional director, Tabacon briefed Speaker Romualdez on the status of the Tacloban Bypass Road Extension and Leyte Tide Embankment projects.
During the briefing, RD Tabacon told Speaker Romualdez that the Tacloban Bypass Road Extension project is already at 10.49-percent accomplishment rate and has completed more than 700-meter road.
This 6-lane roadway project will need P11.3-billion to complete the entire length of 33-kilometer, according to the DPWH 8 chief.
“Malaki ang tulong ng proyektong ito sa mga tao. Dati masyadong congested ang Daang Maharlika pero ngayon hindi na. Mas magiging maluwag pa kung mapopondohan at matatapos ang proyekto” [This project provides a huge impact to the public. Daang Maharlika has been decongested since the implementation of this project. This will address further issues on traffic if the project will be funded even further]”, said RD Tabacon.
The two officials also proceeded to visit the Leyte Tide Embankment project.
According to RD Tabacon, the infra agency has already completed 12.88-kilometer of flood mitigation structure and 835 linear meters of backwater dike which is equivalent to 81.60-percent of accomplishment rate based on the released budget from 2016-2022 GAA—a total worth of P7.76 billion.
“The 2023 NEP already included P 2 billion for this project and we hope that the budget will be approved in order to further implement other sections of this storm surge protection project”, said RD Tabacon.
The purpose of the inspection is to highlight the projects’ accomplishments, provide details for future funding, and to discuss other priority projects of DPWH Region 8.
Speaker Romualdez also attended a series of significant activities with other line agencies as well as the turnover of hospital equipment in Gov. Benjamin T. Romualdez General Hospital in Palo, Leyte.
Speaker Ferdinand Romualdez also currently serves as the representative for the 1st district of Leyte. (PR)
Winners of the Tiktok tourism contest were announced during a ceremony last October 14. Tourism Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said that the video-sharing online is one platform being explored by their office in promoting Eastern Visayas tourism. The contest was also sponsored by the An Waray party-list. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Tourism (DOT) in the region and the An Waray party-list group awarded winners of the Infinite Escapes Tiktok Challenge held at Robinsons Annex Marasbaras, this city last Friday (Oct.14).
The online competition has four categories: infinite escapes, rethinking tourism, infinite eats, and meet ups.
The winners received P3,000, P5,000, and P8,000 for the 3rd, 2nd, and 1st places, respectively.
For the infinite escapes category, the winners were Renz Philips Miralles (3rd), Henna Marie (3nd) Bagalan, and Julius Dilao (1st).
Infinite escapes category shows Tiktok video of their visits to their favorite destinations or their town and what activities can be made by tourists when they visit the locality.
For the rethinking tourism category, which focused on advocacy campaign for responsible tourism, the winners were April Adona (3rd), Cheska Dogillo (2nd), and Erika Cassandra Buhay (1st).
In the infinite eats where local foods, restaurants, and where to eat and find the best food in a locality and uniquely from Eastern Visayas were focused in this category, Erika Cassandra Buhay, Liezel Ann Urgel, and Erica Joyce Garido were declared as the winners.
In the meetups category, winners were January Callosa (3rd), Erika Cassandra Buhay (2nd), and Cheska Dogillo (1st).
The subject in the video is where to stay and hold an event featuring the best places and destinations for gathering in the region.
DOT-8 Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes expressed her gratitude to the participants of the first Tiktok Challenge that they organized.
“One of the best way of promoting tourism is going digital like using the Tiktok,” she said.
“Tiktok is not only about dancing but we can also use this to promote destinations and many other things that we wanted to communicate to others,” the DOT regional director added.
Tiopes said that for next year, the competition will not only be bigger but will now include a contest on video editing and content creation training. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
