TACLOBAN CITY – As in previous years, this year’s Sangyaw Festival will highlight a number of socio-cultural and religious events.
In a meeting of the Sangyaw Festival Executive Committee held on Thursday, an initial list of the month-long festivities was presented.
The theme of this year’s Festival will center on the newly launched City Branding Campaign #TaclobantheHomeoftheHappiestPeopleintheWorld.
The June 2018 fiesta activities include nightly shows and concerts at the Plaza Rizal and Sangyawan Park (June 1- July 7), featuring local and guest bands from Manila.
Several local and national sporting events will also be held in the city, these include the Frisbee Competition (June 8-10), National Darts Competition (June 8-10), Sangyaw Mini X-Games (June 9-10), Sangyaw Adventure Race (June 23), Battle of Kankabato: 1st Sangyaw Airsoft Competition (June 9) and Jet Ski Tacloban Race (15-16).
On June 22, twelve home grown beauties will compete in the Miss Tacloban 2018 Pageant at the Tacloban City Convention Center.
Other beauty contests slated this June are the Mr. Sangyaw 2018 (June 15) and Sangyaw Queen (June 24) Mr. Sangyaw Tacloban 2018 (National Body Building Competition, June 28).
Meanwhile, LED floats and festival contingents will once again parade on the main streets of the city for the night time parade spectacle –Sangyaw Parade of Lights on June 29.
Religious activities include the Balyuan Rites which reenacts the historical exchange of Sto. Niño images between Tacloban and Basey on June 20. The religious event will signal the start of the nine-day novena mass for the 129th Annual Fiesta Celebration.
On the day of the fiesta, a Pontifical Mass will be held at the Sto. Niῆo Parish Church to be followed by the Fluvial and Land Processions in the afternoon.
The executive committee headed by Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez enjoins organizations and individuals to participate in the various religious and socio-civic activities related to the City’s upcoming Fiesta Celebration.
(HENRY JAMES G.ROCA/CIO)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is eyeing a P1.37 billion outlay to assist less privileged farmers in three Samar provinces under the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD).
From 2016 to 2017, the department has already poured in nearly P20 million to poor farmers not covered in regular programs of the central government.
“The implementation in the past two years was a bit delayed, but for 2018, we are already on track with 62 percent of the P126.67 million budget for the year has already been disbursed,” said DA assistant regional director for operations Andrew Orais.
The DA regional office is proposing P898.74 million budget for SAAD projects for 2019 to 2022. The initiative aims to alleviate 37,669 farmers from extreme poverty, said Orais.
“SAAD has no big infrastructure projects because our targets are small marginal farmers who are not regular beneficiaries of regular programs. These are meant for those who have not received interventions because they’re not capable of catching up with the requirements for beneficiaries,” Orais said.
The project focuses on improving production of rice, corn, vegetables, and livestock.
SAAD has two funding components. The first will be carried out by the provincial government through fund downloaded to the local government. The second component will be managed by the DA regional office.
It is a special program of the DA focusing on 10 top poorest provinces in the country, which include the three Samar provinces.
Activities are focused on social preparation and provision of agriculture and fishery-related livelihood interventions to address poverty in the 10 provinces.
DA aims to reduce poverty in Samar provinces by 25 percent in the next three years from 55.4 percent in Eastern Samar, 43.5 percent in Northern Samar, and 43.5 percent in Samar. (PNA)

TACLOBAN CITY- A group of supertyphoon ‘Yolanda’ survivors in the region called on the national government to demolish the substandard housing units which they refused to occupy five years after the deadly storm hit the region.
“First, they should destroy the substandard units because we believe that almost 80 percent of them are defective. It doesn’t matter whether the funds are wasted as long as our children are in a safe place,” Imelda Tacalan, 48, of Balangiga, Eastern Samar, said.
Tacalan, a leader of Community of Yolanda Survivors and Partners (CYSP), urged President Rodrigo Duterte to launch a bigger inquiry over the substandard and anomalous housing projects, saying certain heads must roll over the issue.
Dhon Daganasol, leader of CYSP affiliate group Katarungan-Eastern Visayas, also asked the President not to put its efforts into waste by ignoring the facts surrounding the bungled Yolanda housing program.
“To put a value on what the government is doing, the officials involved in this resettlement program should be held accountable,” said Daganasol.
During his recent visit to Eastern Samar, Usec. Wendel Avisado, presidential assistant for special concern, personally expressed his disappointments over the delays and backlogs of the government’s resettlement projects.
While the group has welcomed the efforts of Avisado, they also stood firm on their demand “to audit and review Yolanda projects, and allow for a participative, and genuine, people-centered rehabilitation.”
According to Vincent Basiano, another CYSP official from Tacloban City, the “relentless” complaints of the Yolanda survivors over the resettlement projects are “sufficient proof” that no consultation took place in Yolanda corridors.
“Consultation had been a difficult subject for the communities of Yolanda victims. Local government units claim that consultation had been going on. But if you look at it, there was no consultation that really happened reason we have this problem in Yolanda projects,” said Basiano.
Pete Carlos, another Yolanda survivor from Carigara, Leyte, also expressed his fear that the anomalies in the housing projects will continue to be unchecked if Mr. Duterte will not solve the issues before his term ends.
Earlier, National Housing Authority General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr. announced that at least five housing officials could face suspension over the bungled Yolanda housing projects in the Visayas and Mindanao.
He also said that at least 46 unfinished housing projects will also be canceled due to various defects and negative slippage.
Out of the 205, 128 target units for Yolanda victims, 67, 754 units or 33 percent have been fully completed and 23, 414 or 11 percent were occupied as of August last year.
In Tacloban City, Yolanda’s ground zero, out of more than 14,000 housing units, over 9,000 units had already been awarded.
For the more than 50,000 housing units in the Eastern Visayas region, over 20,000 units had been turned over to the recipients.
(RONALD O. REYES)

Brgy. 1&4 – Maria Quebral
Brgy. 2 Jones – St. Guendolyn Selga
Brgy. 3 Upper Nula-Tula – Salvador Altares
Brgy. 5 T. Claudio/Lopez Jaena – Arjan Antig
Brgy. 5-A Sen. Enage/T. Claudio Rosalia Emphasis (Re-elected)
Brgy. 6 – Gabina Ladera
Brgy. 6-A Sto. Nino Extension – Edgar Canada
Brgy. 7 – Vilma Corbilla
Brgy. 8 Sofia Silagan
Brgy. 8-A Darlene Alberca
Brgy. 12 GE Palanog – Eduardo Tan
Brgy. 13 Salazar/J. Romualdez – Ava Tumambing
Brgy. 14 – Elmer Lee (Re-elected)
Brgy. 15 – Mirben Basilio (Re-elected)
Brgy. 16 – Eden Pineda (Re-elected)
Brgy. 17 – Benedicto Yerro (Re-elected)
Brgy. 18 – Jesusa Yu
Brgy. 19 – Erwin Cupta
Brgy. 20 (Downtown) – Arlene Hidalgo (Re-elected)
Brgy. 21-A P. Burgos – Lydia Gaspay (Re-elected)
Brgy. 22 -Gary Chu
Brgy. 23 – Isidro Macion, Jr. (Re-elected)
Brgy. 23-A – Lourdes Reglo
Brgy. 24 – Eduardo Hidalgo
Brgy. 25 – Timothy Waniwan
Brgy. 26 P.Gomez St. – Milagros Betanzor (Re-elected)
Brgy. 27 – Catheline Lou Superable
Brgy. 28 – Maria Medalla
Brgy. 29 P. Gomez/Paterno – Nicol Caroline (Re-elected)
Brgy. 30 – Philip John Cinco
Brgy. 31 – Vicente Marabe
Brgy. 32 – Edwardine Federica Almeria
Brgy. 33 (Downtown) – Dennis Chu (Re-elected/Unopposed )
Brgy. 34 Real St. – Raymund Lagutan
Brgy. 35 – Benito Nayra
Brgy. 35-A – Marcelino Del Rosario
Brgy 36 Sabang – Ma. Nilda T. Brazil (Re-elected)
Brgy. 36 – A – Rebecca Obenieta
Brgy. 37 Sea Wall – Francisco Yerro
Brgy. 37-A G.E. Palanog – Artemio Insigne, Jr. (Re-elected)
Brgy. 38 – Alice Chua
Brgy. 39 – Ricardo Ogardo
Brgy. 40 – Henry Herbert Yao (Re-elected)
Brgy. 41 – Jason Nicholas Go (Re-elected)
Brgy 42 (Downtown) – Federico Binghoy (Re-elected)
Brgy. 42-A Rolando Abogado
Brgy. 43 – Joel Demillo (Re-elected)
Brgy. 43-A Quarry District – Evelyn Magalona (Re-elected)
Brgy. 43-B – Teresita Malquisto
Brgy. 44 – Marilou Tiu
Brgy. 44-A Quarry – Rey Montilla (Re-elected/Unopposed )
Brgy. 45 – Ramon Salvador Dagandan (Re-elected)
Brgy. 46 Imelda/Juan Luna – Rebecca Paglinawan
Brgy. 47 – Rafael Banez (Re-elected)
Brgy. 48 – Silvestre Commendador (Re-elected)
Brgy. 48-A – Irvin Tañala (Re-elected)
Brgy. 48-B – Fernando Magdua
Brgy. 49 Youngfield – Rose Faith Uykieng
Brgy. 50 – Athena Grandeza
Brgy. 50-A – Alexander Bentulan (Re-elected)
Brgy. 50-B – Cielito Co (Re-elected)
Brgy. 51 – Rey Abeto
Brgy. 51-A Vicky Jornales
Brgy. 52 Lucban Magallanes**
Brgy. 53 – Thomas Walerico Butalid (Re-elected)
Brgy. 54 – Cyrill Malinao (Re-elected)
Brgy. 54 –A Ciriaco Villanueva (Re-elected)
Brgy. 55 El Reposo – Richard David Estrada
Brgy. 56 – Ceasar Advincula (Re-elected)
Brgy. 56-A Omar Go
Brgy. 57 Whitelane Sampaguita – Carol Enerez (Re-elected)
Brgy. 58 – Noel Tupaz (Re-elected)
Brgy. 59 Picas Sagkahan – Teresita Garcia (Re-elected)
Brgy. 59-A – Kenneth Mate (Re-elected)
Brgy. 59-B – Marife Diaz (Re-elected)
Brgy. 60 – Milagros Baoy
Brgy. 60-A – Rudyliza Mojados
Brgy. 61 – Marlyn Sampilo
Brgy. 62 Saging, Sagkahan – Erlindo Solis (Re-elected)
Brgy. 62-A Ilong Sagkahan – Felipa Espejo (Re-elected)
Brgy. 62-B – Rosita Luyten (Re-elected)
Brgy. 63 – Arlen Divino
Brgy. 64 Bliss Sagkahan – Arlene Superable Chua
Brgy. 65 – Joey Duenas
Brgy. 66 – Fe Marteja
Brgy. 66-A – Delia Bato (Re-elected)
Brgy. 67 – Charlie Retuerto (Re-elected)
Brgy. 68 – Arlen Ibanez
Brgy. 69 Anibong – Nelia Tabao
Brgy. 70 – Sherly Boca (Re-elected)
Brgy. 71 – Henry Solmeron
Brgy. 72 PHHC Seaside- Raul Asensi (Re-elected)
Brgy. 73- Edgar Allan Yu
Brgy. 74 Lower Nula-Tula – Nelia Malate (Re-elected)
Brgy. 75 – Estelita Daaco (Re-elected)
Brgy. 76 Marasbaras – Melchor Cañete (Re-elected)
Brgy. 77 Banezville Marasbaras – Sonia Surpia
Brgy. 78 Marasbaras – Erwin Bidua (Re-elected)
Brgy. 79 – Herwina Abendano
Brgy. 80 – Jessie Dayandante
Brgy. 81 Marasbaras – Iris Ting (Re-elected)
Brgy. 82 – Rustico Medina
Brgy. 83 Paraiso – Jan Michael De Veyra (Re-elected)
Brgy. 83-A Burayan – Ma. Resthia Tan (Re-elected)
Brgy. 83-B Cogon San Jose – Carlita Go Perez (Re-elected)
Brgy. 83-C – Bonifacio Dagami
Brgy. 84 San Jose – Dexter Bahin
Brgy. 85 – Chairman Santiago
Brgy. 86 San Jose – John Placa (Re-elected)
Brgy. 87 San Jose – Leo Bahin (Re-elected)
Brgy. 88 San Jose (Fisherman) – Emelita Montalban (Re-elected)
Brgy. 89 – Melba Villalino (Re-elected)
Brgy. 90 – Ramil Pedrosa
Brgy. 91 Abucay – Ricardo Benitez (Re-elected)
Brgy. 92 Apitong – Anastacio Wenceslao, Jr. (Re-elected)
Brgy. 93 –Jonathan Daylo
Brgy. 94 Tigbao – Lito Navarra (Re-elected)
Brgy. 94-A Basper – Edwin Bramida (Re-elected)
Brgy. 95 – Michael Millos (Re-elected)
Brgy. 95-A Caibaan – Albert Eviota (Re-elected)
Brgy. 96 – Jocelyn Rosales
Brgy. 97 – Lito Balangbang
Brgy. 98 – Alejandro Reataza (Re-elected)
Brgy. 99 – Mario Escarlan
Brgy. 100 San Roque – Jelito Dela Cruz (Re-elected)
Brgy. 101 – Leah Altobar
Brgy. 102 Caroline Jane Budano
Brgy. 103 Palanog – Silvino Baldesco, Jr. (Re-elected)
Brgy. 103 –A – Edgardo Condesa (Re-elected)
Brgy. 104 – Trinidad Quero (Re-elected)
Brgy. 105 – Eutequio Balunan (Re-elected)
Brgy. 106 – Alden Villarmino (Re-elected)
Brgy. 107 – Letecia Olino (Re-elected)
Brgy. 108 – Racheln Lacaba (Re-elected)
Brgy. 109 V&G – Raymund Balagapo
Brgy. 109 -A V&G – Rodolfo Padillo (Re-elected)
Brgy. 110 Utap – Rodolfo Miralles (Re-elected)

**Barangay 52 (Lucban Magallanes) – no declared winner yet. Candidates for Barangay Chairman Noel Martinez and Judy Trinidad received the same number of votes.

#TaclobanBarangayandSkElections2018
#TaclobanBarangayChairmen2018

TACLOBAN CITY- A sectoral party-list group on Thursday (May 17) lauded the passage on third reading of House Bill 7392 or An Act Institutionalizing the Alternative Learning System authored by Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez of the first district.
“Widening the access to and improving the quality of basic education is crucial to regional development. Thus, education deserves the fullest of our lawmakers. We are thankful that Rep. Romualdez has taken the lead in institutionalizing the Alternative Learning System (ALS) as the ‘other lung’ of Philippine education,” said Philip Jude Acidre of the Tingog Sinirangan.
The said bill was passed on its third reading at the House of Representatives on May 15, 2018.
“This will definitely benefit thousands of young people who by particular social or economic circumstance cannot go through the formal school and enable to continue with their studies at the senior high school level,” Acidre said.
“The ALS program in the Philippines today does have its unique challenges and which is why Rep. Romualdez authored House Bill 3706, later substituted by House Bill 7392, entitled an Act Institutionalizing an Alternative Learning System,” he stressed.
The bill institutionalizes the implementation of ALS by establishing at least one community-based learning center in a city and municipality, according to Acidre.
It also mandates the creation of a local ALS committee within the existing local school boards in every local government unit and institutes a mobile teacher program, with teacher plantilla positions created exclusively for the ALS.
Likewise, it allows the Department of Education to authorize private ALS providers, subject to a systematic accreditation process.
According to Acidre, many of these ALS students are determined individuals who faced challenges or made sacrifices, which led them to stop formal schooling.
“Rather than being discouraged by reality, these ALS graduates have found strength in the adversities they faced, leaving us with inspiring examples of the power of education and the hope that it can provide,” he said.
Jake Laurence, an ALS teacher at the Leyte schools division, said this development will make ALS “be more capacitated to serve more than its current standing.”
“It is obvious that the current implementation has some financial constraints. Institutionalizing ALS means it will serve more and will be more effective in reaching its goals,” said Laurence, who has been teaching for the past 10 years
Laurence, who is presently teaching inmates in Leyte, also asked for further support from the local government units on their various projects and programs. (RONALD O. REYES)

CATBALOGAN CITY- Mayor Stephany Uy- Tan issued an appeal to her people to avoid using of plastic and proper throwing of wastes as their contributions in protecting the environment.
“We are calling all Catbaloganons to contribute in your own simple way. By simply not throwing your garbage anywhere and by minimizing the use of plastic, you will make a difference,” the city mayor, who recently received a recognition from the Climate Reality Project Philippines, said.
“If plastic is improperly dispose, this will pollute our environment especially the sea which is our source of food. The pollution it creates does not only lessen the number of marine life but also affects the livelihood of people who are depending on sea to get their source of income,” Mayor-Uy-Tan added.
The city mayor said that waste like plastic also results in flooding once they clogs the waterways.
“For us to have a clean environment, the effort should not start with one person alone but for the entire city to work in making and keeping the environment clean and livable,” she added.
As part of the environmental protection program of the city government, Mayor Uy-Tan led in the launching of the Cabugawan Eco Park in Barangay Cabugawan on Buri Island.
The project is part of the ecotourism program of the city through its Sustainable Tourism and Ecological Protection (STEP) Program under the Office of the City Tourism, Culture, Arts and Information.
The eco-park which is managed by the barangay covers a three-hectare mangrove area which can be access through the 350-meters boardwalk constructed along the protected area.
Three gazebos were constructed that will be used for-eco-educational tour coordinated with the City Environment and Natural Resources where visitors at the eco-park will be taught on the importance of mangrove to human and to the ecosystem which includes as nesting ground of marine life such as fish, shrimps, crabs.
Mangroves also protect shorelines from damaging storm and strong winds, waves, and floods. It also help in preventing soil erosion by stabilizing sediments with their tangled root systems.
They also help maintain water quality and clarity, filtering pollutants and trapping sediments originating from land.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)