TACLOBAN CITY- The local government of Tacloban through the Traffic Operations, Management, Enforcement, and Control Office (TOMECO) started on Thursday, September 12, the two-week-long dry-run activity for odd-even traffic scheme to curb traffic congestion in the city.
Officer-in-Charge of TOMECO, Engr. Dionisio De Paz, said that upon their observation earlier, they have noticed that the conduct of the odd-even scheme on Old Road Sagkahan and Real Street was effective for roads were less congested.
“Kanina han aga so far, nakita naton nga an along Magallanes ngan Real tikang ha Astrodome kay talaga humiluag na. Okay na ngan durudiretso an biyahe ngan mayda kita nakita nga kabag-ohan,” he stressed.
In a flyer given by TOMECO, it was stated that public utility vehicles (PUVs) whose plates ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9) are advised to ply in Old Road Sagkahan on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Meanwhile, during Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays they are allowed to pass in Real Street.
PUVs with even plate numbers (ending with 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8), on the other hand, are permitted to travel in Old Road Sagkahan during Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, while on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays they are only allowed to ply in Real Street.
The city’s odd-even scheme will span for two weeks and will undergo proper monitoring and observation.
“Kinahanglan man kita mag-observe anay bag-o ine ig-fully implement kay may mga proseso pa ine nga ginsusunod. Ine nga mga panahon, kutob ha mga masunod nga semana in talaga dry-run la anay ine,” said De Paz when asked if the said traffic scheme is already for implementation.
As the dry-run continues, the official is looking forward to having a dialogue with the PUV drivers and operators on Saturday, September 21 to review and assess the effectiveness of the said scheme.
(C. MERIN/CIO)
TOMECO conducts dry run for ‘odd-even’ scheme
OWWA opens its rebate portal
TACLOBAN CITY-The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has opened its OWWA Rebate Portal on September 1, 2019 as part of the launching of the OWWA Rebate Program.
The OWWA Rebate Program is in compliance with the provision of the OWWA Act which is to implement the grant of rebate to long-time members of OWWA.
The OWWA Rebate Portal will aid the distribution of the OWWA Rebate Program and functions as a database for qualified OFW-members.
This online system, developed by OWWA, is where member-OFWs can easily verify if they are eligible to the rebate program. It also serves as an appointment system where the qualified beneficiaries can set an appointment to the nearest OWWA office.
Qualified to the rebate program are OFWs who have been members of OWWA for at least 10 years with at least five or more contributions made as of December 31, 2017 and OFW-member or his/her family has not availed of any program or benefit from OWWA.
Qualified beneficiaries will present the appointment code that will be sent via SMS after setting an appointment, to their chosen OWWA Regional Welfare Offices including other documentary requirements for verification.
After the verification process, the beneficiaries will provide his/her bank details where OWWA will deposit the amount of his/her rebate.
The amount of the rebate can also be donated by the beneficiaries to the Tuloy-Aral Project (TAP) of OWWA to help send kids of less fortunate OFWs to school. It can also be used as payment for the renewal of OWWA membership for OFWs who still have active employment contract abroad.
Qualified OFWs may be able to claim P941.25 up to P13,177.50 based on the number of their contributions.
The computation for the Rebate Program is based on an actuarial study commissioned by OWWA which determined the capability of the OWWA Fund to implement the rebate program without negatively affecting the regular programs and services of the agency.
Based on the actuarial study, P1 billion was earmarked for the rebate program to be distributed to the 556,000 beneficiaries of the rebate per OWWA database.
OFW-members will be able to access the OWWA Rebate Portal via the OWWA website owwa.gov.ph. For further questions about the OWWA Rebate Program, visit the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office in your area or call OWWA Hotline 1348. (PR)
For the past eight years now, feeding program served 11,400 children in Borongan City
BORONGAN CITY- The successful implementation of the supplemental feeding program (SFP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in this city has tremendously help reduced the malnutrition problem among children.
Thus said city social welfare officer Thelma Banal who said that since 2011 up to 2018, the program has benefited 11,400 children from the 61 day care centers of the city.
Of the same period, about P20.32 million has been spent for the implementation of the said program.
Banal reported that all parents in all of the 61 day care centers across the city have participated in the implementation of the program.
“Parents take charge in the food preparation and assist the DCWs in ensuring that children are all able to eat during meal time. And since the budget is very limited considering the prices of commodities at present, most often parents have their share in providing other ingredients contained on the menu for each day,” she said.
Banal claims that the successful implementation of SFP in the city has contributed a lot in solving the malnutrition problem as it has resulted to nearly 100 percent improvement of the day care children beneficiaries on their nutritional and health status.
“The supplemental feeding program is vital in minimizing the malnutrition program among 3-4 years old children in the city. Our records will show that there is almost 100 percent improvement of our day care children beneficiaries on their nutritional and health status, from being malnourished to normal weight,” she said.
(RESTITUTO A. CAYUBIT)
PNP in the region to further strengthen its internal cleansing campaign, says Carlos
CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON,PALO, Leyte – The Philippine National Police(PNP) here in the region will be implementing a more effective, comprehensive, and sustainable internal cleansing program that will highlight the squad concept as part of the organization’s transformation program.
The new program will strengthen the preventive, restorative and punitive approaches that will deter police personnel in the involvement of illegal and criminal activities, a long-time concern of the organization, said Police Regional Director, B/Gen. Dionardo Carlos.
He said that this will help reinforce the reformation and reintegration of police officers to instill a strong sense of commitment, dedication, and responsibility to police work through moral and spiritual interventions towards a God-fearing, family-based and service-oriented organization.
It was learned from Carlos that at least 747 police personnel here in the region are in the watch list who are facing charges.
But unlike in previous years where there are policemen involved in illegal drug charges, most of the cases that these policemen are facing are due to absence without Leave (AWOL).
“I advise these policemen that if in case they have a problem, they should immediately inform their superior so that we can help them. If they need to file a leave to fix a family problem, there is nothing wrong with it and we have no reason to prohibit them from taking a leave of absence,” Carlos said.
Carlos said that the PNP regional headquarter is already adopting the “squad concept”, by dividing personnel into teams which composed of six to eight members with the supervision of a squad leader and mentored by a participating member of a religious sector or a life coach in cooperation with the Office of the Chaplain Service that plays a vital role for this program.
This life coach from religious sectors includes priest, pastors and imam.
“This is now more intimate, more personal and my high hope with this squad concept is that we will finally be able to achieve a positive outcome for a highly reputable police force who represents love of God, country and people,” Carlos said.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
Naval to offer free rides to senior citizens, PWDs and pregnant women
Using an environment-friendly trikes
TACLOBAN CITY – The local government unit of Naval in Biliran province will provide free rides to person with disabilities, pregnant women and senior citizens.
By providing them a free rides, using a electric-run trike, the local government unit is acknowledging that these sectors are part of the local community, aside from the fact that the vehicle that is being used is environment-friendly, said town Mayor Gerard Espina.
“This program is also our way of valuing them as integral sector in our town(and) our way of introducing electric powered public transportation in our town as an effort to reduce air pollution,” the mayor said.
The free transportation program will be using a G Shuttle, an electronic vehicle or e-trike that uses cleaner sources of energy.
Around 4,800 senior citizens and more than 150 PWDs are expected to benefit this program aside from the pregnant women.
The free transportation will be implemented through a point-to-point scheme where passengers may only ride and get off at the identified stations.
Six areas were identified as G Shuttle stations located at the municipal hall, Calutan, Canto Nueve, town public terminal, Naval gym and Naval Central School.
“This is point-to-point which means passengers are not allowed to get off anywhere. The shuttle will only stop in designated station to give consideration to our pedicab drivers,” Espina said.
The shuttle will start operating from 7 am until 4 pm with at least one minute waiting time.
Each passenger is allowed to have one accompany when riding the G Shuttle.
Espina said that they may open Line 2 or another route if this program turns out to be successful.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
Church to mark PH 500th year of Christianism
Despite criticism of President Duterte
BY: JOEY A. GABIETA
TACLOBAN CITY- The spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Palo in Leyte downplayed the recent pronouncements of President Rodrigo Duterte that he would not support the celebration marking the 500th year of Christianism in the country in 2021, a year before he steps down from Malacañang.
Father Chris Arthur Militante, spokesperson of the archdiocese, said that they are used to Pres. Duterte assailing the Catholic Church reason they are not taking this latest declaration seriously.
Thus, even without the support of the President, the Church in the country will mark the ‘big event’ in 2021.
Militante, however, said that the Archdiocese of Palo is still waiting for the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) where to really mark the 500th year of the introduction of Christianity in the Philippines.
He said that the CBCP is choosing either the First Mass celebration in Limasawa, Southern Leyte on March 31,1521 or in Cebu where Rajah Humabon, his wife and the entire village became the first converts of Catholicism in the Philippines.
“We have heard several statements of the President not only Church-related but against other sectors which are disturbing. But in the end, we still believe that he will support the Church and he has faith and belief in God,” Militante said.
Pres. Duterte earlier said that he does not see any reason why he would join in the marking of the 500 year of Christianity in the country.
But Fr. Militante said that they will celebrate the milestone event.
“We should celebrate because it’s a way of our thanksgiving. That is the deeper meaning of our celebration; our thanksgiving to our Lord,” he said.
Militante said that the Diocese of Maasin, where Limasawa belongs, has been busy preparing for the ‘big celebration.’
Earlier, Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado said that about P200 million would be used to bankroll the various activities relative to the holding of the historical event.
Of the amount, P30 million would come from the provincial government. The main bulk of the amount would come from the Department of Tourism.
The amount would be used for the construction of a 30-feet cross overlooking the Limasawa Island where a shrine would be constructed, and a new port.