NAVAL, Biliran-It’s like exploring an old world by bringing along with new method of farming to the only group of indigenous people in the province of Biliran – the Mamanwa.
The Mamanwa first settled in Sitio Palayan in 2004, an upland community found at the foot of Mount Panamao in Barangay Caucab in Almeria town, a place abundant with abaca and palay.
“Ang gihatag nga training sa TESDA, dako kaayo ug ikatabang sa among komunidad sa Mamanwa” (the training provided by TESDA is a big help in our Mamanwa community), the Cebuano speaking JR Calinawan, a Mamanwa leader, said in an interview during the launching of the training.
In almost six decades, the Mamanwa never thought that government, with its battle cry of not leaving behind anybody in the mainstream of development, will set foot at their place with the people from the provincial office of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Biliran province, taking the initiative to introduce a life changing skills-organic farming.
Priority sector
“The indigenous people (IP) is a priority sector of TESDA under the leadership of Director-General Guiling Mamondiong,” Elizabeth P. Garcia, provincial director of TESDA-Biliran, said during the launching of the free 8-day training on Produce Organic Vegetables and another 8-day training on Produce Organic Concoction and Extract (Leading to Organic Agriculture Production NCII) at the Palayan Elementary School on June 27.
The 43 members of the Mamanwa tribe will receive P100 each within the duration of the training plus a toolkit each after the completion of the training, Garcia added to ensure sustainability of the free training program.
The 16-day training is facilitated by the Espinazo brothers, Jeffrey, the farm manager and Sandro, instructor of Canaan Hill Farms of Caibiran, Biliran.
Canaan Hill Farm is the first accredited farm school of TESDA in Eastern Visayas and the only farm school of TESDA in Biliran province.
Prior to the training on organic farming, TESDA-Cabucgayan National School of Arts and Trades (CNSAT), a TESDA accredited vocational-technical training school in Biliran province, also provided the Mamanwa with a month training on cook hot meals.
Garcia assured the Mamanwas that there will be a portion of lot near their community where they can use for organic farming after the completion of their training on organic farming.
“You will have an organic produce of your own where you can sold to establishments and people who utilized organic farm produce,” Garcia told the Mamanwas who just depend on crude farming as primary means of livelihood.
Likewise, Hazel Torrefiel, administrative officer V of the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP)-Visayas Cluster who was present during the launching of the training program, vowed to bestow to the Mamanwa community the community based-forest management (CBFM) with the DENR provincial office so they can have a permanent land of their own to cultivate and develop in their agriculture farming
Good Samaritans are also helping the members of the Mamanwa community who are undergoing the organic farming training as the local government unit of Almeria through Mayor Richard Jaguros and the town council notably Councilor Lloyd Labagala, who chairs the committee on agriculture and tourism, provided three sacks of rice and one box sardines to the family of the Mamanwa trainees.
Biliran Governor Gerardo J. Espina Jr. also gave five sacks of rice and one box of biscuits. Rep. Rogelio J. Espina will send his help to the Mamanwa community who are undergoing training before the organic farming training will end on July 20.
(RODRIGO VICTORIA, PIA-Biliran)

Last July 2, 2018, Gov. Dominico Petilla Dance Scholars together w/ the Dance Students of Bro. Odon Sabarre performed in RTR Plaza for the Closing Rites of Leyte Pintados Kasadyaan Festivities chaired by Mayor Remedios “Matin” Petilla of Palo.
Dances performed were the Prayer, Hukilao, Brown Gal, Gentlemen Psy, Samba and Bang Bang.
Highlight of the show was Swan Lake Act II which was heavily applauded. By the way, the story of Swan Lake is about a princess named Odette, together with her Ladies in waiting, were transformed into Swans by an evil Magician, Rothbard and only a vow of eternal love can relinquish the Curse. Alliah Sabarre portrayed the role of Odette and John Vincent Sabarre portrayed the evil Magician.
Bro. Odon wants to thank Mayor Matin Petilla for her generous support in the development of Fitness and Dance Program for the Region and she started the Program whom she was the Governor of Leyte and was continued by the next Governors, Sec. Jericho Petilla and at present, Gov. Mic Petilla.
Bro. Odon wants to thank also, Atty. Martin and Congresswoman Yedda Romualdez, Congressman Henry Ong, Donya Nydia Yap, Ms. Dettie Panis, Atty. Ida Kierulf, Dra. Adellia Lay, Sis. Eva Lay, Sis. Brenda Banzon, Sis. Nelia Go, Bro. Carl Aldrich, Sis. Elizabeth Uy, Mrs. Lee Hua Go, Mrs. Lucy Uy, and Ms. Joy Matubis who made the beautiful Swan Lake costumes.
Mr. Sabarre announces that talented students can apply as Gov. Mic Petilla Dance Scholars every Saturday at 9AM to 11:45. For particulars, call 0918 630 9225.
Bro. Odon offered their performance that night to his beloved Patroness of the Arts Madam Imelda R. Marcos who celebrated her 89th birthday that day.

Bitter rivals no more

TACLOBAN CITY-After a bitter election that they figured during the 2013 balloting, former city mayor Alfred Romualdez and his erstwhile political rival, former congressman Florencio ‘Bem’ Noel have now kissed and made up.
This was separately confirmed by Noel and a close aide of Romualdez.
The political settlement between the two former rivals come at a time as the country is to conduct elections next year.
Romualdez, who served as Tacloban mayor for nine years which ended on June 30,2016, is rumored to be interested to seek the same position while Noel, who also served as a party-list representative under the An Waray also for nine years, has confirmed his plan to return as the number one nominee of the said party-list group currently held by elder sister, Rep.Victoria Isabel Noel.
“It was not difficult for us (to become friends) because it was more political rather than personal. So it was easy for us,” Noel said.
And as a proof of their new-found political alliance, Noel agreed to support the bid of a Romualdez ally, Eden Chua Pineda, who is seeking reelection as city president of the Association of Barangay Chairmen (ABC) whose election is slated last week of this month.
On Wednesday (July 11), Noel gathered about 135 out of the city’s 138 barangay chairmen of the city as a show of support on Pineda’s reelection bid as ABC president.
According to Noel, it was their ‘well-meaning friends’, particularly Derek Anido, who facilitated for him and Romualdez to settle whatever differences they have as a result of their political rivalry during the mayoralty race in 2013 of which Romualdez won.
The 2013 mayoralty race in Tacloban was considered among its bitter-fought elections.
At that time, no less than former President Benigno Aquino and his television and movie actress sister Kris Aquino campaigned for Noel.
Meantime, Romualdez got the full backing of the Romualdez and the Marcos families.
The former Tacloban city mayor is the nephew of former first lady and now Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos.
The current mayor of the city is Romualdez’ wife, former actress, Cristina Gonzales Romualdez.
Anido, in a separate interview, said that it’s about time for the two former political rivals to close their differences for the good of Tacloban City.
“They have several common friends and interests which includes (the best interest of Tacloban). So why not become friend and help each other,” Anido, who served as an executive assistant when Alfred was the mayor, said.
According to Anido, the two met in the United States while they were on vacations close to two years ago and through his prodding and other common friends, met and agreed to bury their political rivalries.

BY: JOEY A. GABIETA

1st regional Lumens Awards

CALBAYOG CITY – Officials of the 11 electric cooperatives of the region gathered Friday to mark the first ever regional Lumens Awards held in this city.
Administrator Edgardo Masongsong of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) served as its main guest and speaker.
Highlight of the activity was the giving of awards and recognitions to all electric cooperatives of the region ranging from top performing electric cooperative; resiliency award; best in collection performance; most progressive electric cooperative; best in household performance; and single digit systems loss award, among others.
Masongsong said that with 10 out of the region’s 11 electric cooperatives receiving a triple A rating, NEA bestowed Eastern Visayas as the ‘most improved region.’
Only the Norsamelco Electric Cooperative is rated A by NEA.
The NEA administrator said that the first-ever regional Lumens Award is their recognition to the improved status of all electric cooperatives of Eastern Visayas.
“I really appreciate the regional electric cooperatives because they really help electric cooperatives that are at the bottom in the past. Every month, they conduct a meeting and assess their performances. They help each other that’s why they got the most improved region (award),” Masongsong said.
He added that once Norsamelco gets a triple A rating, Eastern Visayas will be recognized as the most outstanding region.
The 11 existing electric cooperatives in the region are the following: Dorelco (Don Orestes Electric Cooperative); Leyte II Electric Cooperative(Leyeco II); Leyte III Electric Cooperative (Leyeco III); Leyte IV Electric Cooperative (Leyeco IV);Leyte V Electric Cooperative (Leyeco V); Southern Leyte Electric Cooperative(Soleco); Biliran Electric Cooperative (Bileco); Samar I Electric Cooperative (Samelco I); Samar II Electric Cooperative (Samelco II); Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative (Esamelco) and Norsamelco.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)

More than 19,000 sitios still without power

TACLOBAN CITY- The National Electrification Administration (NEA) is open for private companies to come in and help energize the more than 19,000 sitios across the country which remain without electric supplies.
This was disclosed by NEA administrator Edgardo Masongsong who was in the city Thursday(July 12) afternoon en route to his visit to Calbayog City to attend the agency-sponsored Lumens Awards for outstanding electric cooperatives in Eastern Visayas.
But this early, Masongsong was quick to say that even though it would be a private sector, which he called as qualified third party (QTR), that would provide electricity to these unserved communities, power rate would still be minimal.
“The QTR will charge subsidized rate meaning if for example, its P18 per kilowatt hour just like our experience in Palawan, P8 is being charged to the consumers while the remaining P10 is being subsidized by the government through the so-called universal charge missionary electrification (UCME) which is collected from all the consumers all over the country to help the rural folks,” Masongsong explained.
Masongsong said that as of December 21, 2017, there are still 19,740 sitios across the country involving more than 2.4 million households which remain without electric connections.
He said that they have a directive from President Rodrigo Duterte to energize the 19,740 sitios before he steps down in Malacañang in 2022 which will cost P25 billion in all.
The NEA administrator said that for them to serve the 19,740 sitios, they need to have at least P5.2 billion every year.
“But the problem is just like this year, NEA was only given P1.1 billion for 2019. That is why, we are working with the Department of Budget and Management (for a possible increase of the budget),” Masongsong said.
“On the other hand, we are also open to the private sector to come in and energize the unserved rural communities,” he said.
Masongsong said that the cost of energizing per sitios, which are all located in very remote areas, some are located in islands, is about P1.5 million at a minimum.
It was learned from the NEA administrator that of the 19,740 sitios still without power supplies, about 11,000 sitios are located at the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao and in Regions 11 and 12.
Aside from being remote of these sitios, the peace and order situation in Mindanao is the other factor why these sitios remain unserved, the NEA administrator said.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)