As formal classes to start on Monday

TACLOBAN CITY- The Department of Education (DepEd) said that it is now ready to welcome the more than 1.3 million students across the region as classes for this school year are to start this Monday (June 4).
With the week clean-up drive conducted ahead of the school opening, students should expect of their first day of lessons, said Jasmin Calzeta, DepEd regional information officer.
Education officials in the region led by Director Ramir Uytico are to monitor the school opening.
Calzeta said that considering that all school premises and classrooms have been cleaned up or refurbished during the ‘Brigada Eskwela’ teachers are now ready to conduct their lessons.
“Classes will start on June 4 as teachers are ready with their class lessons on that first day of school for this school year,” she said.
“So we are ready to welcome our students this Monday,” Calzeta added.
She, however, admitted that schools are still to accept late enrollees as the DepEd reminded schools that collection of fees are not mandatory and should not be used as basis for not accepting enrollees.
Calzeta said that during the first day of classes, other government agencies are also ready like the Philippine National Police on security aspect and the Bureau of Fire and Protection in case of a fire incident involving a school.
The regional DepEd is projecting that about 1.3 million students from kindergarten up to senior high are to troop to their respective classrooms this Monday.
Last year’s school term had 1.24 million students enrolled from the 4,162 public schools across the region.
The region has about 47,334 public elementary and secondary teachers with the current number expected to increase as Eastern Visayas needs an additional 4,124 teachers to be assigned to its 13 schools division.
Calzeta said that with an increased number of enrolled students and still grappling with shortage of classrooms, the ideal student-to-teacher ratio could not be achieve.
“The ideal ratio is one is to 40 for the secondary but this is still not being achieved because we still have some shortage of classrooms,”she said.
Calzeta said that she could not provide yet data on classroom shortage of the region. Hundreds of classrooms were destroyed five years ago when the region was pummeled by super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ as there are still schools that have temporary learning spaces.

TACLOBAN CITY- A road construction project connecting several towns in Northern Samar and Eastern Samar provinces worth P1.03 billion had its groundbreaking Thursday (May 31) with local officials expressing their optimism that it could provide convenience and economic benefits among the locals.
The road construction, which traverses the towns of Laoang, Palapag, Mapanas, Gamay, and Lapinig, all in Northern Samar, and Arteche and San Policarpio, both in Eastern Samar, is expected to be completed on March,2020.
Among those who were present during the groundbreaking ceremony held in Barangay Simora, Palapag town were Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar and South Korean ambassador to the Philippines, Han Dong-man whose government provided the funding through the Korea Export-Import Bank, Economic Development Cooperation Fund Loan.
Sec. Villar said that the project is part of the Build Build Build project of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“(This is a) landmark project under the Build Build Build program of Pres. Duterte (and ) will provide a seamless and safer transport and boost the local economy by providing faster transport of goods and services,” he said in his speech.
Ambassador Han said that the project, dubbed as Samar Pacific Coastal Road (SPCR) Project, is a testament of strong relationship between the Philippines and South Korea.
He also said that they are committed to helping the Philippine government ‘a win-win solution that will benefit to both countries.’
He also announced that the groundbreaking came at a time as Pres. Duterte is to embark his first state visit to Seoul on June 3 to 5.
Northern Samar Governor Jose Ong, in a statement, said that the road project will not only provide safe and fast travel among residents in the areas where the project traverses but will help hasten the transport of goods and services.
“I appreciate President Duterte and his alter ego Sec. Villar for their all-out effort to fund this long standing project being dreamed of by Nortehanons residing in the towns facing Pacific Ocean. I sincerely hope that this could be our strategic solution to the economic crisis affecting those areas,” the governor, who led local officials during the groundbreaking ceremony, said.
Rep.Edwin Ong said that he is also pinning high hope that once completed, the road project could result in more economic activities in these areas which are part of the second congressional district of Northern Samar of which he represents.
“We are hoping that this road project will provide benefits to the local economy and improve the economic situation in the area as a result of an improved transportation system,” he said in a separate statement.
The 11.607 kms project will involve the construction of a two-lane concrete road including three bridges, namely Simora, Jangtud 1 and Jangtud 2 bridges.
The SPCR Project will connect the five towns in Northern Samar to the two towns in Eastern Samar, forming a circumferential road in Samar Island.
Once completed, traveling by land from Palapag and other neighboring towns going to the provincial capital of Catarman would be cut to just less than two hours from the current more than three hours, Josiah Rei Echano, provincial information officer of Northern Samar, said.
These towns, all facing the Pacific Ocean, could also be reached by sea travel which is dangerous especially during bad weather, he added.
Echano also said that the road opening on these areas could also help address the insurgency problem as he described these towns as ‘old bastion’ of the communist armed group, the New People’s Army.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA/JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY- For a change, 24 police women took off their uniforms and donned in colorful and beautiful gowns and walked and waved like trained beauty queens.
They were part of the ‘sagalas’ or maidens in costumes during the Santacruzan organized by the regional headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) under the leadership of Chief Supt. Gilberto Cruz.
PO1 Nova Jane Barbosa, the queen Helena, said she was “happy” that she was part of the religious event.
She said that she hope that by having their own Santacruzan, the public would also realize that they are not only after running criminals.
The PNP is leading the anti-illegal drug campaign being enforce by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte which is strongly criticized by some human rights and Church-based groups.
PO1 Pablo Yap, a policeman for three years, said that holding this event can help inspire the people that the police is not only focusing on drug war but also to other religious activities.
“This is one way to promote our core values, of being pro-country, pro-people, pro-environment, and pro-God,” he added.
Marjorie Nicer said that she was pleased to see policemen and women joining the Santacruzan which was held on Tuesday (May 29).
“I am excited. This is the first time I see policemen (and women) in this religious procession. This is usually done by the villages,” she said.
About 300 police personnel joined the procession of Santacruzan, which is part of the ‘Flores de Mayo’ celebration held during the entire month of May, starting from Fatima Church going to Robinsons’ Place in Marasbaras district, said Chief Inspector Ma. Bella Rentuaya, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the region.
Fr. Ramil Costibolo of the Archdiocese of Palo said that it’s normal and ordinary among Catholic faithful to have this kind of activity to show our devotion to Mother Mary and to celebrate our faith to Jesus Christ.
But for the police personnel to hold their own version of Santacruzan in the wake of its controversial campaign against proliferation of illegal drugs, Costibolo said that the event “only shows the reality that our police are just like us, normal people, (and) spiritual people.”
“Before they were assigned to their authority, they are also very religious and spiritual,” the priest said in an interview.
Costibolo said that he was “impressed” of this initiative from the police force.
“Very nice. They can show that they are ordinary people. First, before they were policemen, they also have families, they are brothers or sisters, mothers or fathers. They are ordinary people given with extraordinary task in our community. That is why we should understand them,” he added.
The priest, however, maintained that while he supported the drug campaign of the government, he is also opposing any brutal means in enforcing it.
“Illegal drug has to stop because it destroys our youth. The Church favors for its eradication. It is only opposing the method,” he added.
Fr. Joselito Borja, police chaplain, said that while they regularly hold this type of event inside their camp’s premises, this is their first time to do it outside the streets through the efforts of Chief Supt. Cruz.
“By bringing our Santa cruzan outside, people will know that there is God in our lives; that we are religious,” Borja said.
In an interview, Borja said that with their event they can help the young people to avoid drug addiction.
He also hinted that this may be staged annually considering some positive remarks they received from others.
“In my homily, I said this event is not only a mere parade of the beauty of our young women. Santa Cruzan, first and foremost, is religious.
(RONALD O. REYES with ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Around 80 barangay leaders, persons who used drugs (PWUDs), staff and life coaches of the New Beginnings Drug Rehabilitation Program of the city government attended the first day of the Seminar-Workshop on Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) on Tuesday, May 29.
Organized by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and the city government through Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez, the event will be held at Leyte Park Resort and Hotel until May 30, 2018.
According to DDB training specialist Nelia Fiecas, STEP is one of the preventive education programs of the DDB which complements the national government’s campaign on illegal drugs.
Fiecas said that the activities during the seminar-workshop will help parents and anti-drug campaign workers “deliver” effectively their roles on drug abuse prevention and control in the communities.
“Participants are expected to come up with their action plan in the implementation of the drug abuse programs in communities, replicate the activity in their respective communities and become anti-drug advocates,” she added.
The two-day activity consists of a workshop as well as talks and lectures on building self-esteem, family drug abuse prevention program, responsible parenthood, role of parents in drug abuse prevention and intervention, among others.
“Strengthening the Roles of Parents in Drug Abuse Prevention and Control,” is the theme of the seminar-workshop.
The New Beginnings Program is the community-based anti-drug rehabilitation and advocacy program of Mayor Romualdez in coordination with local and national government agencies.
(HENRY JAMES ROCA/CIO)

CATBALOGAN CITY – In celebration of the 120th Philippine Independence Day Celebration this June 12, the city government here has lined up several activities which started with a clean-up drive dubbed as “Pintakasi para kan Pepe” held on Monday (May 28).
“The Pintakasi para kan Pepe involved repainting of the Rizal Monument and cleaning of the city plaza as part of the city’s preparation for the Independence Day,” Ador Hurtado, city tourism, culture, arts and information chief, said.
Catbalogan City has a unique Rizal Monument erected at the city plaza and sculpted by a local artist Miguel Alcazar.
The Rizal monument has a bust of the national hero on top of his two famous novel, ‘Noli Me Tangere’ and ‘El Filibusterismo’ being lifted by three naked men.
The city government also conducted a simultaneous display of the Philippine Flag and encouraged the residents to do the same until the celebration of Independence Day on June 12.
Displaying of flag from May 28 to June 12 is mandated under Presidential Proclamation No. 374 signed on March 6, 1965 to celebrate the victory of Philippine Revolutionary Army against Spanish forces in the Battle of Alapan, in Imus, Cavite where troops led by General Emilio Aguinaldo recaptured the province of Cavite.
Hurtado said that aside from the pintakasi, the city government also organized a contest for its residents particularly the youth to rekindle the reason why the country is celebrating its independence.
The contest includes postcard-making contest dubbed as “Mga Hulagway ngan Siday tikang ha Catbalogan: A Literary Postcard-making Contest about Jose Rizal and the Philippine Independence” and the short video-making contest dubbed as “Katiglugaring: Vlogging Independence in 120 seconds” anchored on this year’s theme “Kalayaan 2018: Pagbabagong Ipinaglaban, Alay sa Masaganang Kinabukasan” for amateur vlogger and videographers.
The contest will also honor national hero Jose Rizal on his 157th birth anniversary on June 19.
Postcard-making contest has three category-division A (7-12 years old), division B (13-16 years old), and division C (17-21 years old).
Submission of entry is until June 10 at the City Tourism, Culture, Arts and Information Office.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY- More than 4,100 teachers are needed in the region to fill up its vacancies for the incoming school year.
Of the 4,124 vacancies needed, 2,334 is or junior high school, 1,780 for kinder and elementary with the 10 remaining slots for senior high school.
Jasmin Calzeta, information officer of the regional Department of Education (DepEd), said that the vacancies have already given funding allocation by their central office.
She added that while she could not give exact data, there are applicants who want to fill up the vacancies from the 23 school divisions of the region.
“These vacancies are to be filled up for this school year. But while we have several applicants for these vacancies, still applicants, aside from passing the teachers’ board, they need to undergo hiring process like exams and demonstration,” she said.
The starting salary for teacher I is P21,000.
Calzita said that of the 4,124 vacancies of the region, Leyte has the highest teachers need at 1,291-683 for junior high school and 608 for kinder and elementary.
Northern Samar has the second highest need of teachers at 657-401 for junior high school and 256 for kinder and elementary.
Samar need 602 new teachers for junior high school (356) and kinder and elementary (246).
Among the cities of the region, Ormoc has the highest need at 237,135 for kinder and elementary and 102 for junior high school followed by Tacloban at 228-129 for kinder and elementary and 99 for junior high school.
Other provinces and cities that need new teachers in the region are Eastern Samar(184 for junior high school and 127 for kinder and elementary);Southern Leyte,170 for junior high school and 89 for kinder and elementary; Biliran,89 for kinder and elementary(60) and junior high school(29).
(JOEY A. GABIETA)