TACLOBAN CITY- About 30 individuals will have a privilege for a nine-day training on culinary sponsored by a US-based Waraynon Initiative Network(WIN).
The culinary training, dubbed as breadwinner project, started on Monday (July 1).
The 30 individuals, who were earlier chosen by the organizer and their partners, will be trained by some of the country’s best known chiefs, among them is Derick Anido who is also the corporate auditor of WIN.
According to Anido, the program will be held over the course of 9 days in the afternoon with the volunteer chef trainors to impart basic culinary skills related to kitchen meal preparation and pastry making/ bread making.
He added that the over-all objective of the project is to meet the growing need for a skilled workforce through a job skills training for the people of Tacloban or even the whole region.
“The food industry here in Tacloban City is booming but we lack cooks to meet the growing demand. The demand of cooks and chiefs are really tremendous,” Anido said.
Among the partners of this undertaking are the Rotary Club of Kandaya -Tacloban, Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry- Leyte-Tacloban Inc., ACLC College, Petron Gasul (CarbertMarketing – Tacloban) and the An Waray party-list.
Aside from Anido, the other chiefs who will help the trainees are Manly Bayona, Richiel Marie Mendoza Canares, Sherry Go and Angie Arinto Pariña.
Neil Colinayo, WIN’s chairman of the board, said that they hope that with the training, they could not only produce more skilled cooks but have more of them in the city and other parts of the region.
He added that with the trainees being handled by some of the country’s well-known chiefs, they could gain more skills in cooking, even in artistic way.
After the training, these trainees are also expected to conduct their own training, this way, it could be sustainable, the organizers said.
At the culmination of the training, the participants will present a showcase of their work to local restaurateurs through the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Tacloban who could potentially employ them on the spot.
Businessman Wilson Uy, whose family owns a hotel, said that he welcome this program saying this could not only help improve the skills of the chiefs in the city but encourage more to join the industry. (LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA, JOEY A.GABIETA)
Group to train culinary skills to chiefs of Tacloban City
102 Leyte inmates receive diploma under the alternative learning system
(Photo by Christian Aaron Bantay)
TACLOBAN CITY- A total of 102 inmates at the Leyte Regional Prison received their diplomas after passing the 2018 Accreditation and Equivalency (A &E) examination under the Alternative Learning System (ALS) program of the Department of Education-Leyte Division on Wednesday (June 26).
“I didn’t expect that I finished my studies inside this facility. I thanked the DepEd(Department of Education) for giving me this opportunity to study which I didn’t take seriously when I still have my freedom outside this place,” said Jefrel who received a medal being a deserving ALS passer from the maximum security camp.
“We failed before, but it doesn’t mean that we will be losers for the rest of our lives. Huwag nating isipin na ang lugar na ito ay libingan ng buhay, kundi libingan ng dati nating buhay,” added Gerald, another ALS graduate who found “hope and redemption” after enrolling in ALS.
DepEd Assistant Secretary G.H. Ambat of Public Affairs Service and ALS admitted that one of the crucial parts in the lives of the inmates or also known as persons deprive with liberty (PDLS) “is their integration to the communities so they can contribute to nation building, to their families, and to their personal lives.”
“Let this be a community effort in giving hope to our learners,” said Ambat as she urged the PDLs, correctional facility officials, and the DepEd to work together for the success of the program.
“I hope that there are changes that happen in your lives through the ALS. I want to thank you for taking this opportunity,” said Ambat while lauding the efforts of Leyte Division officials headed by schools division superintendent Ronelo Al Firmo.
She assured the PDLs that the government will continue to reach out to them by providing them various programs despite their condition so they can contribute to the society by the time they will leave the correctional facility.
Ambat said that they are discussing on the possible opening of a college extension program to the ALS and Senior High School PDL graduates.
Firmo, along with Tenasas and assistant schools division superintendent Marilyn Siao, was instrumental in the opening of ALS and Senior High School classes at the Leyte Regional Prison located in Abuyog town.
She thanked the support of LRP Superintendent Danilo Dador, DepEd Eastern Visayas Regional Director Ramir Uytico and the ALS mobile teachers assigned inside the correctional facility.
Also present during the ceremony were Marilette Almayda of DepEd Bureau of Learning Delivery, Leyte ALS Education Program Supervisor Marie Joy Arias, and other education personnel.
The graduates also witnessed the signing of the contract of usufruct for the upcoming construction of a permanent classroom building inside the LRP. (RONALD O. REYES)
Mayor Romualdez assumes post; says he set priorities to be implemented in the next 3 years
TACLOBAN CITY- Mayor Alfred Romualdez said that among the things that he would do as he begins his term this Monday is to conduct a ‘house cleaning.’
He was referring to officials and even employees of the City Hall who he may find wanting of their performances.
Romualdez formally assumed the post as city mayor on Monday (July 1), replacing his wife, Cristina, who held the post for a single term which ended on June 30.
“I have worked with them before and they knew that my demands are very high and I set a high standard. So I expect them, no less, really hard work,” the city mayor said.
Romualdez already served as mayor of Tacloban for nine years which ended on 2013, one of the most difficult and challenging periods of the city as it suffered major devastation when it was pummeled by super typhoon ‘Yolanda.’
Asked if there could be some changes among department heads, Mayor Romualdez said that it would be depend on some reasons.
He also answered the same reply when asked if he plan not to continue some of the programs and projects implemented during the previous administration.
Mayor Romualdez, however, stressed that contrary to perceptions by some, he did not intervened during the administration of his wife and gave her full and free hand while she was the mayor of Tacloban.
Meantime, the newly-assumed mayor said that among his priorities is to ensure that all basic services needed by the people of the city would be addressed and provided to them.
He also said that environmental protection will also be high on his administration which include proper implementation of solid waste management.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
Rep. FM Romualdez confident as next Speaker of Congress
Said he enjoys support from colleagues
BY: JOEY A. GABIETA
TACLOBAN CITY- Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin ‘FM’ Romualdez is confident that there is a big chance that he could clinch the hotly-contested race for the next Speaker of the House of Representatives once Congress opens this month.
Romualdez, who took his oath of office together with his wife, Tingog party-list representative, Yedda Marie Romualdez before city village chairman Cyril Malinao last Friday(June 29) at the family-owned Price Mansion this city, said that he has the ‘numbers and support’ of his colleagues.
“God willing and when the congressmen manifest their support, we hope to be there,” he said during an interview, referring to the Speakership post vacated by former President and outgoing Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Romualdez also welcomed the decision of the President not to intervene on the selection of the new Speaker saying it’s ‘very good.’
“That’s very, very good. Whenever the President decides on a policy, we know that he is doing it for the right reason. We not only respect it but we welcome it,” the Leyte solon said.
He, however, said that though the President has issued such statement, he will still respects if the Chief Executive will eventually exercise his prerogative to choose his ‘anointed one.’
During his oath-taking, Rep. Romualdez expressed his gratitude to the people of the first district, particularly his supporters, for giving him another term.
“If you did not support me, I will not be here. It’s an honor and privilege to serve you. I will never get tired of serving you,” he said.
The solon also said that if in case, there will be a ‘higher calling,’ he will be ‘humbled.’
He was referring to his possibly getting elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
During the gathering, Rep. Romualdez was repeatedly addressed as ‘Speaker’ by the host and his supporters.
Meantime, Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso(3rd district), said that he hopes that Rep. Romualdez will get the post as this could prove to be useful not only for Leyte but the entire Eastern Visayas.
He, however, said that it is still the President who will have the final say as to who will be the next Speaker of the Lower House though he made a statement that he would not interfere on the selection.
“I want Martin to become the next Speaker for the good of Region 8. But who will be ‘crowned’ by the President will get the Speakership. I am taking his statement with a grain of salt when he said that he will not interfere on the issue,” Veloso said.
He also said that Davao City Mayor and presidential daughter Sara Duterte will also play a vital role in the selection of the new Speaker.
Veloso cited former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez who was ousted reportedly with the orchestration of the presidential daughter.
“She just sneezed and Alvarez was ousted,” he said.
For his part, An Waray party-list Rep. Florencio Noel said that whoever will be supported by Rep. Paolo Duterte, son of the President, he will also support.
“I will vote who among he will endorse (as the next Speaker),” Noel said.
Pedicab Race held in Tacloban
TACLOBAN CITY-Twenty-two groups of pedicab drivers took part in the Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez Pedicab Race (Parumba 2019) on Saturday(June 22) held along Magsaysay Boulevard in Tacloban City.
Held as part of the Sangyaw 2019 Festivities, the three-lap race which started 4:00 AM to 5:00 AM covered the areas of the City Hall Grounds and the Leyte Park Resort Hotel.
Below are the winners of this year’s Pedicab Race:
Champion 04 Niño Salvador Casañada – Cash Prize P5,000.00
2nd Place 13 Marvic M. Lagahit – Cash Prize P4,000.00
3rd Place 08 Marlou M. Malate Cash Prize P3,000.00
4th Place 15 Uldarico Virginesa – P2,000.00
5th Place 03 Junvy Campo – P1,000.00
6th Place 02 Marjun Oranos – P500.00
7th Place 18 Cristituto D. Ala – P500.00
8th Place 07 Samuel Dumdum – P500.00
9th Place 17 Elmer Bertos – P500.00
10th Place 01 Jerry N. Boco – P500.00
11th Place 05 Richard M. Cinco – P300.00
12th Place 06 Danilo Hidalgo – P300.00
13th Place 09 Oliver Abaigar – P300.00
14th Place 10 Anthony G. Vidal – P300.00
15th Place 11 Patrick Sungahid – P300.00
16th Place 12 Arnel Endita – P300.00
17th Place 14 Johny P. Esotros – P300.00
18th Place 16 Mariano M. Casañada – P300.00
19th Place 19 Rodrigo E. Malate – P300.00
20th Place 20 Michael Acebuche – P300.00
21st Place 21 Demetrio Dumdum – P300.00
22nd Place 22 Elijah D. Velasco – P300.00.
(D. Abarquez/CIO)