CATBALOGAN CITY-The first of its kind in the region, the Buri Inflatable Water Park in Buri Island this city is holding a month-long festival dubbed as OctoBURIfest.
According to Mayor Stephanie Uy-Tan, she is overwhelmed by the reception of the people of Catbalogan and from other provinces who come on weekends to spend a different experience at the park which just opened on September 10.
The water park is located in Barangay Estaka,12 kms from the city proper and is privately-owned. But the city government, however, is encouraging the residents to organize people’s organizations so that villagers can attend capacity building trainings and avail of jobs offered at the park as lifeguards, massage therapists and the like.
On weekends, a motor-boat is also available to tourists from the Seawall beside Catbalogan City Police Station to the park with a round trip fare of P80 each person for a minimum of 20 persons.
While the entrance fee is free, one has to pay for the water activities like zorb ball at P150 for 15 minutes, fly-fish at P300 per 15 minutes, banana-boats at P200 for 15 minutes. Another water activity will be added this month.
The island, with a long stretch of white sand, is also good for diving.
Among the activities this OctoBURIfest in the morning on weekends are Frisbee tutorial, skimboarding tutorial, beach-volleyball tutorial, and sunset zumba.
Amazing Race is a special event on October 20.
Other activities include band exposition on October 13; Jamaican Night on October 14; bodybuilding on October 20; SMB Night October 21; foam party on October 28 and acoustic night on October 31.
The Buri-Inflatable Water Park is part of the Buri Island Development, to include the forthcoming Mangrove Eco-Park in Cabugawan Village and the production of recycled souvenir and eco-products at San Roque village.
(VICKY C. ARNAIZ)
Catbalogan City’s inflatable water park to hold month-long festival
Bishop Abarquez laments slow completion of Pamana road projects in Samar provinces
BORONGAN CITY- A Samar prelate expressed his disappointment on what he claimed as snail pace implementation of road projects by the Office of the Presidential Affairs on Peace Process(OPPAP) through Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan(Pamana) in Samar provinces.
Calbayog Bishop Isabelo Abarquez made known of his observation during the October 3 meeting of the 37th Samar Island for Peace, Prosperity, and Development (SIPPAD), a multi-sector council spearheaded by the dioceses of Calbayog, Catarman, and Borongan, held here.
According to Abarquez, because of the slow implementation of these projects, the possibility that the quality of these projects would be affected is not remote.
Pamana has several ongoing infrastructure projects in Samar provinces worth in the hundreds of millions of pesos located mostly in areas where there are insurgency problems.
Among the projects mentioned by Abarquez that have yet to be completed though these were started as early as 2011 were the San Jose de Buan and Matuguinao road projects. The two towns are part of Abarquez diocese.
In Eastern Samar province, the major road projects that are undergoing constructions are road projects in Maslog and Jipapad towns.
“Thank you very much for the road projects but for me it is still slow. My fear is when the projects reach the target, the portion where these started are already damaged because of the very slow implementation,” Abarquez said.
Responding to the observation of the bishop, Emilda Bonifacio, Pamana area manager for Samar, said that the delay in the completion of these road projects is due mainly to the absence of a functional technical working group which serves as a “mechanism” to ensure that projects would be completed early.
She also added that “adverse findings” by the Commission on Audit (COA) was another reason for the delay of these projects.
And in the case in Eastern Samar, conflict among mayors where the road projects must start was the reason for the slow implementation of the projects, Bonifacio said.
“All the mayor wants to take credit for the project,” she said.
In an earlier interview, Maslog Mayor Heraclio Santiago said that they asked the OPPAP and Pamana that the start of the road construction should be in their town and not in Dolores or Can-avid since they are the target town.
The town mayor said that despite his appeal, the road project started in Can-avid and Dolores which he claimed not a Pamana identified areas.
“This makes Can-avid and Dolores looks like that they are Pamana communities so we made a bargain. While they are doing the road in Can-avid and Dolores, road construction in Maslog should also start,” Mayor Santiago said.
To hasten the implementation of the Pamana projects especially in Eastern Samar, Bonifacio suggested for the Department of Public Works and Highways to form a joint monitoring team just like what the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) did in the implementation of Pamana projects. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
Ormoc City picks employees for mandatory random drug test thru electronic raffle
ORMOC CITY- The city government of Ormoc selected the first batch of its 974 regular and casual employees for mandatory random drug test with the use of computer-based electronic raffle.
The computer-based electronic raffle was conducted after the flag raising ceremony, Monday, October 2 at the New Ormoc City Hall Lobby.
The random selection using a computer-based system was provided under item III.a.i of Executive Order No. 41 series of 2017 entitled “An Executive Order Instituting Mechanics for the Conduct of Mandatory Random Drug Testing for Officials and Employees of the City Government” approved by Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez on September 22, 2017.
The issuance of the executive order is in accordance with the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 13, series of 2017 dated April 19, 2017, and Dangerous Drug Board Regulation No. 2, series of 2004.
The objective of the executive order is to ensure that the city government of Ormoc remains drug-free by subjecting its officials and employees to a random mandatory drug test as a condition for continuous employment.
Another objective of the executive order is to promote a safe, healthy and drug-free environment, to prevent drug use among its officials and employees, and to achieve a continued effective and efficient delivery of services to all Ormocanons free from hazards of drug use.
According to Adelaida Biacolo, head of the city government’s human resources division, names of the 15 officials and employees will be selected through the computer-based electronic raffle for mandatory random drug test every Monday, right after the flag ceremony until the random drug test of the 974 officials and employees is completed. (PIA8-Ormoc Desk)
Leyte province gave P1.9 million cash assistance to quake survivors
TACLOBAN CITY- The Leyte provincial government has extended financial assistance to survivors of an earthquake that hit the town of Kananga last July 6 of this year.
In an information relayed by the Office of the Governor, about P1.9 million was released to the families who survived the 6.5 earthquake that rattled the town of Kananga and the city of Ormoc, considered the worst-hit areas of the jolt.
Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla led in the distribution of the financial assistance benefiting 380 families from the five villages of Kananga.
Each beneficiary received cash worth P5,000.
In Barangay Rizal, 112 families received the cash assistance; 32 from Brgy. Tongonan; 50 from Brgy. Masarayao;162 from Brgy. Hiloktogan and 24 from Brgy. Lim-ao.
The distribution of the financial assistance, held at the Kananga municipal gymnasium, was attended by Kananga Mayor Rowena Codilla, Vice Mayor Elmer Codilla and the town councilors and Edith Malatbalat, provincial welfare and development officer.
Petilla said that the assistance extended to the beneficiaries was based on the result of the assessment of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau which conducted an inspection of the areas hit by the earthquake.
The 6.5 magnitude, considered the strongest to hit Leyte in years, has resulted in four deaths and more than 100 reported injured.
It also caused the widespread power interruptions in the whole of Eastern Visayas and its nearby Bohol island province.
(RESTITUTO A. CAYUBIT)
Disaster-resilient building to rise in Ormoc
ORMOC CITY- A new disaster-resilient multipurpose building funded by non-government organizations will soon rise in a secondary school campus in this city.
Officials held a ceremonial groundbreaking on Thursday for the P2-million multipurpose building donated by the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc. in partnership with Energy Development Corporation (EDC) at the Margen National High School.
The foundation’s deputy director Marcel Rinon said the school is one of the four recipients nationwide. He said the availability of space and community participation is among the considerations as a recipient.
“We are ready to help people who are willing to help themselves and their communities,” Rinon said, adding that funds do not come from the Lopez family who owns the ABS-CBN but from various philanthropist groups that entrusted their resources to the foundation.
Leonardo Ablaza, EDC project manager, said the two-story multi-purpose building will have eight classrooms equipped with chairs, and ceiling fans – four rooms for a lecture at the second floor and another four at the ground floor for laboratory subjects.
He added that there will be a ramp for persons with disabilities, fire alarm, separate space for evacuation in times of disasters, and bathroom and kitchen for the evacuees.
Ablaza described the building as disaster-resilient that can withstand 300 kilometers per hour winds and a magnitude 7 earthquake.
School head Annabelle Palacio thanked donors and partners for the project and promised to take good care of the donation.
“We may not reciprocate what you have done in monetary aspect, but one thing we can promise – we will utilize the building as if our own home kindled with love, care, and passion.”
Margen National High School was a previous recipient of a two-classroom school building project by ABS-CBN Foundation, which was turned over in June last year.
The village, in particular, is a relocation site for some 1,400 housing units of the National Housing Authority’s “Yolanda” rehabilitation project, which are presently under construction.
The school management is expecting an increase in and the new classrooms will be a great help in accommodating larger student population.
(JOSEPH PILAPIL/PNA)
Pres. Duterte: return of bells may take years
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
JOEY A. GABIETA
w/ report ROEL T. AMAZONA
BALANGIGA, Eastern Samar- President Rodrigo Duterte may have demanded for the United States to return the historic bells of this town but he himself admitted that it might take years for it to be realized.
He, nonetheless, issued an appeal to the US Congress to grant President Donald Trump the authority for the eventual return of the bells taken 116 years ago by the Americans during a bloody war.
Pres. Duterte was the guest of honor as the town commemorated on Thursday the seizure of their bells by the American soldiers on Sept. 28, 1901 that resulted for the death of thousands of men, women, and children and made Balangiga and the entire province into a ‘howling wilderness.’
Due to lack of time, the President was not able to witness the reenactment of the historic event held at the Balangiga Central Elementary School considered the worst single defeat suffered by the Americans during their occupation of the Philippines.
The President arrived at the town at 4:11 pm and proceeded to the Balangiga Encounter Monument and Memorial Library where he offered a wreath and bowed his head before local hero Captain Valeriano Abandor.
He then proceeded to the town gymnasium where he delivered his hour-long speech attended by local officials, government workers, students and descendants of those who were killed during the bloody encounter.
“I hope the Congress of America will give Pres. Trump the authority to return the bell…we will be happy,” Mr.Duterte said.
He, however, said that with the opposition from the American veterans and the long process it would take, the eventual return of the bells “may take in 2050.”
The residents of Balangiga, in particular, have been seeking for the return of their bells and be placed once again at their church belfry.
Mr.Duterte during this state of the nation address last July, demanded that the Balangiga bells be returned to the country, an effort made previously by the Philippine government but with no success.
The President during his speech at the anniversary program, said that he was “advised” by the Department of Foreign Affairs not to issue any incendiary statement against the US government as it tries to recover the bells now placed at F. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, in Wyoming.
“I was under advised by the Department of Foreign Affairs that I should temper my language and I should avoid magmura (curse),” he said.
Mr.Duterte is known to use profanities during his speeches and interviews to stress his point. And during his speech, he still managed to lace it with profanities in several instances.
He said that his visit to Balangiga is his way to show his deep respect for the bravery of the locals who fought with the Americans 116 years ago.
He added that their acts were driven of their desire not to be conquered by any foreign nations.
“Ayaw nila ng dayuhan. Ayaw natin ng dayuhan,” he said.
During his speech, he said that he plans to confer the descendants of the patriots of the Order of Lapu-Lapu, an honor he recently created named after local hero from Cebu.
Mr.Duterte, who left the town at around 5.45 pm, was not able to attend the reenactment.
Contesa Amano, a local teacher and part of the participants, said that while they understand the reason why President could not attend, they were still disappointed.
“By watching the play, he could appreciate more what happened here 116 years ago and of course, the children will just be happy to perform before the President,” she said.
For Angel Duran, 22, while the return of the bells may not happen in the near future, the mere effort of Mr.Duterte for their return is already a reassuring gesture from the government.
“But we hope it will happen in our lifetime,” she said.
Duran’s ancestors were among killed on that encounter.
Mr.Duterte is the first President to attend the annual activity since Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2008.
Pres.Duterte was welcomed by local officials led by Eastern Samar Rep.Ben Evardone, acting Governor Ferdinand Marcelo Picardal and town mayor Randy Graza.
Joining the President were Sec.Christopher ‘Bong’ Go, Ilocos Norte Gov.Imee Marcos and her cousin, former Leyte congressman Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
There was no explanation given why Marcos and Romualdez were with the President. The two are considered as political allies of the President. (w/ report EMILY MONTALLANA, LNU Student Intern)