Part of ‘Yolanda’ assistance

MARABUT, Samar- Close to five years after super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ pummeled this town, 297 families from two villages here received their new and better houses from the Kuwait Red Crescent Society on Monday(January 29).
The donation of these housing units located in Barangay Amambucale and Legaspi, is part of their government’s assistance to the Philippines towards recovery after the onslaught of Yolanda, said Dr. Hilal Al-Sayer, deputy president of the Kuwait Red Crescent Society.
Aside from Al-Sayer, also present during the turn-over of these housing units were Kuwaiti Ambassador to the Philippines, Musaed Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh, Samar Vice Governor Stephen James Tan and Marabut Mayor Elizabeth Ortillo.
Lene Grefil, a mother of two from Barangay Amambucale, said that she is happy for their new and sturdier home adding that the site is just within their village which means that they could still continue their fishing which is their main source of livelihood.
“I am thankful to the humanitarian agency that helped us. This house will secure my family during a typhoon,” she said.
Dionisio Ragut, a father of nine and from Brgy. Legaspi said that they will no longer evacuate because their new house is sturdier than their present house that is made from light materials.
“My family will now be safe. We’ll no longer worry to evacuate whenever there is a typhoon,” he said.
For Remedios Abun, 73, the housing unit awarded to them by the Kuwait Red Crescent Society is a blessing for her family.
“After almost five years of waiting, we now have this unit. I’m thankful that we were chosen to be a recipient,” Abun said.
Of the 297 housing units, 138 are located in Amambucale while 159 are located in Legaspi, two of the hard-hit villages of Marabut.
The housing project of Kuwait Red Crescent is part of the $9 million donation of Kuwaiti government to Yolanda survivors.
“Kuwait has always been a good friend to the Philippines that is why the Red Crescent immediately came and supervised the construction of the 297 units of houses to help the people of the Philippines. Kuwait has always been a friend of the Philippines that’s the main reason the Red Crescent Society help in the re-establishing of the people who lost their homes,” Al-Sayer said.
Aside from the housing project in Marabut town, they also sent food and non-food items and constructed school buildings to help the recovery of the education sector in different towns in Eastern Samar and Samar provinces devastated by Yolanda that pummeled the region on November 8, 2013.
The construction of housing units for Yolanda victims is a manifestation of the growing relationship between Kuwaiti and Philippine government, said Vice Gov.Tan.
“Even though our place was not that highlighted in the media after super typhoon Yolanda, you still noticed us and for us that is very much important. We really appreciate that,” he said. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)

MANILA-The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines commends the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on the seizure of approximately six kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and the arrest of two Philippine citizens suspected to be involved in the importation of the methamphetamine.
On January 24 U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) provided PDEA and the Bureau of Customs information two parcels containing crystal methamphetamine destined for the Philippines. With the shipping and locator information, PDEA intercepted the parcels and seized approximately six kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, with an estimated value of P34 million.
On January 25, 2018, PDEA conducted a controlled delivery in Cavite and arrested two Philippine citizens for violating Philippine Republic Act 9165, Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (PR)

CATBALOGAN CITY- Officials from the three Samar provinces are calling for the expansion of areas to be covered under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) program.
Areas identified under the Pamana program, which is being implemented by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP), receives funding for construction of roads. These areas are remote and affected with insurgency problem.
Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan, who chairs the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC), said that there is a clamor from other officials of the three Samar provinces to expand the number of areas presently covered under the Pamana program.
At present, there are only 10 areas in Samar, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar provinces that are under the Pamana project.
These are San Jose de Buan and Matuguinao, both in Samar; Silvino lobos, Las Navas, Catubig, Lope de Vega, San Roque and Mondragon in Northern Samar and Maslog and Jipapad, both in Eastern Samar.
It was learned that the provincial governments of Northern and Eastern Samar through their respective provincial board passed resolutions calling to include other areas of their respective provinces.
In the case of Eastern Samar, they have identified the towns of Arteche, Oras, Dolores, Can-avid, San Julian, Hernani, Llorente, Gen Macarthur and the city of Borongan to be included in the Pamana program.
Last year, OPAPP earmarked P447 million for the implementation of Pamana projects in the identified areas. The national government allotted P20 billion for Pamana projects across the country for the same year.
Gov. Tan said that the declaration by the military several towns in Samar provinces as insurgency-free has resulted for the government to reduce the funding of projects under Pamana.
“I am really sensitive in the declaration of insurgency-free. Yes, I know that there are areas that is free from insurgency but there are also areas where insurgency movement presence is still being felt,” Tan said.
The move of the military in 2015 declaring most areas of the province as insurgency-free was greatly opposed by the provincial government which prompted the Armed Forces of the Philippines to conduct a review.
“I always raise this issue during my discussion with top officials of the AFP and the Philippine National Police not to sugarcoat the situation just because of there is a directive from the higher-ups. I always tell them to assess the real situation on the ground before issuing such declaration,” Tan added.
Pamana Samar area manager Emilda Bonifacio advises the local leaders in Samar provinces to hasten the submission of their recommendation of areas they think need to be included under the Pamana program.
“Until now we do not have yet the complete listing of the Pamana areas. As of now only 10 LGUS in Eastern Visayas are included in the list of Pamana areas. Most of the projects that we are focusing on are on these 10 areas,” Bonifacio said.
Bonifacio added that the declaration of insurgency-free status has resulted for the region to receive a lower budget for Pamana projects.
“I think this will need to be revalidated if the information is true. It would be better if we will base our information from the ground than base it from the central office,” Bonifacio said.
She added that aside from insurgency problem, their agency is also looking to include poverty as basis for a municipality to be identified as a Pamana area.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

MAASIN CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) field office here will embark on a P458.65 million flood control projects this year in a bid to prevent overflowing of rivers.
The multi-million projects in 24 sites include the construction of embankments along riverbanks and coastlines considered as critical sections in the province.
DPWH Southern Leyte chief Ma. Margarita C. Junia said the construction of these concrete barriers is a practical solution to the problem of overflowing and erosion that posed danger to dwellers near rivers.
Of the 24 flood mitigation structures, 12 will be built in Sogod town; two each in Libagon, San Francisco, and San Juan; and one each in Malitbog, Hinunangan, Bontoc, St. Bernard, Silago, and Macrohon towns.
“The main objective in implementing these projects is to safeguard the lives and properties of the people against major floods,” Junia said.
Last year, the field office implemented six flood control projects along Subang Daku River in Sogod town with P278.24 million cost.
The district office will continue to identify other flood-prone areas as future sites of flood control projects. These projects are on top of drainage systems and declogging of waterways.
(GERICO A. SABALZA)

TACLOBAN CITY (CIO) – About 4,373 senior citizens of this city are set to receive their social pension as the city government under Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez through its City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) will start releasing the government stipend this coming Monday, February 5, 2018.
The release of the government stipend will continue until the last week of February.
According to the CSWDO, the pension payout amounting to P1, 500 covers the last quarter of 2017 (October to December).
The cashier’s division of the City Treasurer’s Office will facilitate the release of the government stipend. Claim stubs and the schedule of payout per area were earlier disseminated to the barangays.
Social pensioners use the monthly stipend of P500 to buy basic necessities such as food and medicines. Likewise, it was learned that the allowance keeps the elderly recipients motivated and active in any activity related to their sector.
Per the criteria set by Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 those who are qualified to avail of the pension program are: Filipino citizens, sickly, disabled, no income or any other means of livelihood, no pension from private and government pension bodies, and no regular support from relatives.
Indigent senior citizens have to submit the following requirements to the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) or the CSWDO to avail of the social pension: Filled out application form (copies are available at the OSCA and CSWDO), copy of baptismal or live birth certificates and barangay certification, stating the applicant is a bonafide resident of the barangay.
The welfare of senior citizens is a priority concern of Mayor Romualdez as manifested by the services available for the elderly residents of Tacloban at the CSWDO, among them the provision of financial assistance, medical assistance, and burial assistance.
The assessment of possible recipients is handled by the CSWDO while the pension applications are accepted at the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs
(HENRY JAMES G.ROCA)

BORONGAN CITY- Borongan City athletes competing in the Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association(EVRAA) Meet 2018 need to work out their stamina and endurance.
This was what Assistant Division Superintendent Gaudencio Aljibe, Jr. told the media in a mini-press conference held recently at the office of the Department of Education.
Some 400 athletes from Borongan City will be competing in the EVRAA to be held in Calbayog City on Feb 4 – 10, 2018.
As early as January, Aljibe said that the different coaches have started physical activities like brisk walking, jogging and running, activities needed to enlarge the lung capacity, build the muscles around the heart and strengthen the muscles for endurance.
These physical exercises, along with the food intake designed by the school’s health and nutrition center, prepare the athletes to withstand the rigors of the physical training preparations.
Supt. Gorgonio Diaz, on the other hand, said that they have met the school board to tackle the financial needs of the delegation in Calbayog.
He revealed that the city is funding some P 2.4 million while the DepEd complements the budget with P1 million budget.
As to what sporting events they would join, Diaz said that they have as many entries as there are in EVRAA.
The Borongan delegation is proud that they have always been champion in taekwondo.
Although they have been ranked 11 out of 13 divisions last year, the DepEd officials this time feel they are improving.
The City Meet scheduled very soon will serve as screening for the best athletes Borongan will bring to Calbayog for a fierce sporting competition.
(NIMFA ILUMINADA B. QUIRANTE, PIA, Borongan)