ORAS,Eastern Samar – The TESDA(Technical Education Skills and Development Authority)-Arteche National Agricultural School (ANAS) in partnership with the local government unit of Can-avid and 14th Infantry (Avenger) Battalion successfully conducted a 3-Day Raise Organic Chicken Skills and Livelihood Training to the Former Rebels (FRs) at Multipurpose Hall, Can-avid, Eastern Samar last 16-18 July, 2019.
The 3-day training aims to strengthen our reach and skills training provision for the FRs and give them a chance to earn a decent livelihood in order to become productive member of the society.
The said training benefited 26 FRs from the upstream barangays of Can-avid. Each FRs beneficiaries received twenty-five (25) heads of chicks and one month allocation of feeds.
During the opening ceremony, Mayor Gil Norman “Toytoy” P. Germino encouraged the FRs to cooperate and internalize the knowledge and skills that they will be learning from the said livelihood training.
Likewise, during the closing ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Pecson said, “After a 3-day livelihood training, I wish that every one of you gained the needed knowledge and skills for the raised organic chicken livelihood training. And to the different agencies present, let us continue to do our job in helping the FRs and other people who needs our services.”
The activity is a collaboration of different agencies in addressing the issues and concerns raised by the affected farmer sector most especially the FRs who were influenced by the CPP-NPA-NDF.
The unit expressed its gratitude to the TESDA-ANAS in collaboration with the LGU of Can-avid for the successful conduct of the livelihood training, which contributed to the sustainment of peace through the efforts of the different stakeholders in the province of Eastern Samar.(PR)
Skills and livelihood training held for former rebels in Can-avid town
NEDA panel OKs cost increases in Mindanao railway, MM bridges
MANILA – The National Economic and Development Authority Board’s Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC-CabCom) on July 10, 2019 approved changes in two ongoing projects.
These include the increase in cost for the Mindanao Railway Project Phase 1-Tagum-Davao-Digos Segment (MRP-TDD), and the implementation extension of the Metro Manila Priority Bridges Seismic Improvement Project.
For the MRP-TDD, the project cost increase amounting to PHP82.9 billion—from its previously approved cost of PHP35.9 billion in 2017—will cover changes in cost of structural and construction works, among others.
In terms of scope, the ICC-CabCom also approved the additional Davao Satellite Depot of the MRP-TDD.
For the Metro Manila Priority Bridges Seismic Improvement Project, the cost increases to PHP7.9 billion from PHP4.3 billion will cover the changes in construction technology to be applied to the Guadalupe Bridge, putting up of temporary detour bridges in Guadalupe, and additional work shift to reduce the construction period, among others.
In addition, the implementation extension of one year and eight months until August 2023, inclusive of a one-year defects liability period, will help the project catch up with its target completion date.
The ICC-CabCom also noted the inclusion of the Project Management Consultant with a cost of PHP14.39 billion, inclusive of VAT and contingencies, in the scope of works for the PNR South Long-Haul Project.
“We see changes in scope and cost as opportunities to optimize the project components and update the estimates. The Government aims to speed up implementation while ensuring quality,” said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia, who co-chaired the meeting with DOF Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez.
Meanwhile, it was reported in the same meeting that the NEDA Board confirmed ad referendum the ICC-CabCom approval of changes in three projects, namely:
1. Implementation of extension and loan validity extension of the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) Project, Phase I of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
2. Change in project cost and scope of works and extension of loan validity and implementation duration of the National Irrigation Sector Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (NISRIP) of the National Irrigation Authority.
3. Change in project scope and loan validity extension of the Metro Manila Wastewater Management Project (MWMP) of the Land Bank of the Philippines.
These latter changes had been approved by the ICC-CabCom on May 17, 2019. (PR)
REAP holds Region VIII chapter seminar in DPWH Tacloban
CALBAYOG CITY – The Road Engineering Association of the Philippines (REAP) conducted its 2-day Region VIII Chapter Seminar and Induction Seminar at DPWH Region VIII Multi-Purpose Hall in Tacloban, Leyte.
DPWH – SFDEO’s District Engineer Alvin Ignacio, Assistant District Engineer Denis Cagomoc, technical section chiefs, and select planning and maintenance engineers attended the event.
The seminar with the theme: “Disaster Mitigation” involved discussions on alternative materials used for disaster-mitigating structures – flood control and slope protection.
Polyvinyl Chloride “PVC” Sheet Piles and Synthetic Fiber Reinforcement Concrete were introduced as possible replacements for traditional steel sheet piles and steel concrete reinforcement.
The conference ended with the induction of Region VIII Executive Officers and Board of Directors and the oath-taking of new members. (MAE ANGELICA R.COMOTA,PIO STAFF/PR)
Young Philippine eagle found in Eastern Samar forests
TACLOBAN CITY- A young Philippine eagle was rescued last month in Maslog, Eastern Samar and is now under the care of the Philippine Eagle Foundation Center in Davao City to determine its physical condition.
The Philippine eagle, believed to be just three year old, was found inside a chicken trap in a deep forest in Barangay Carayacay, Maslog town on June 17 of this year, the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.
On that same day, Maslog Vice Mayor Septemio Santiago reported the discovery of the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) based at the nearby town of Dolores, also in Eastern Samar.
Immediately, upon learning on the rescued eagle, a team from the regional DENR office went to Dolores to conduct initial assessment on the eagle, which they named as ‘Maslog E.S.,’ referencing the town and the province where it was recovered.
“Sightings of the Philippine eagle is extremely rare and protecting them is a challenge,” Crizaldy Barcelo, DENR regional executive director, said.
The rescued Philippine eagle, while said to be in good condition, was brought to the Davao City-based Philippine Eagle Foundation Center on June 26 for further examination.
Maslog E.S will be released back to its natural habitat in the forests of Maslog town, a remote town in Eastern Samar, once it’s declared to be in complete good physical condition.
Barcelo said that the discovery of the said eagle confirms the ‘presence of this critically endangered species in Eastern Samar.’
“Its presence in our region is a testament that we still have healthy forests which we need to sustainably manage and protect,” he said.
A Philippine eagle was last seen in the forests of Calbiga, Samar and Taft, Eastern Samar in September 2014.
In 2013, a Philippine eagle was spotted near the boundaries of Baybay City, Burauen and Albuera, all in Leyte province and Silago, Southern Leyte, months before super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ struck the region.
Hunting of the Philippine eagle is strictly prohibited under the Philippine Wildlife Conservation Act of 2001 (Republic Act 9147) with penalties of up to 12 years imprisonment and a fine of up to P1 million.
The Philippine eagle was officially declared as the country’s national bird in 1995 by President Fidel V. Ramos.
It is endemic to the Philippines and can be found in the islands of Eastern Luzon, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao.
The Philippine eagle is one of the DENR’s priority threatened species for conservation and is listed as “critically endangered” per DENR Administrative Order No. 2004-15 on the list of terrestrial threatened species and their categories and under the International Union for Conservation (IUCN). (PR)
Couple hit in their heads in a shooting incident in Leyte town
TACLOBAN CITY- Four people, two of them were children, were shot by still unidentified armed men while they were on board a vehicle on Sunday (July 21) at about 6 pm in Jaro, Leyte.
Two of the victims, Leopoldo Po, 44 and said to be a businessman, and his wife Ailen, 40 and a teacher by profession, are now in critical conditions after they were hit in their heads, Captain Arnel Saremgumba, police chief of Jaro town, said.
The other victims, Estrella Geraldo, 62 and a village chairwoman of San Pedro, Tunga town, also in Leyte, and Rachel Cuña, 27, were hit at the lower back of their bodies but are now in stable conditions.
Geraldo’s husband, Wilfredo, 62, and Cuña’s children, Estefanie, 6, and Sheena, 4, were unharmed.
Capt. Saregumba, in a phone interview, said that the victims, on board a Suzuki Ertega, were heading to Tacloban City from their village of San Pedro, Tunga town.
And while cruising Barangay Hibucawan, two kms away from Jaro town proper, they were chased by the still unidentified suspects who were also on board a vehicle and shot them several times.
This resulted for the vehicle, driven by Leopoldo Po, to fell on a bridge, as he lost control of the steering wheel.
The Po couple were hit on their heads while Geraldo and Cuña were hit at the lower back of their bodies. Both are said on stable conditions.
The rescuers of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) who responded to the scene brought all the victims to the hospital at the region’s capital.
Saremguba said that they have yet to unmask the suspects and their motive.
“We are still conducting our probe on the incident,” he said.
Recovered from the crime scene were two deformed fired cartridge cases that were turned over to regional police headquarters for ballistic examination.(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)
Groups stage protests on ‘failure’ of the Duterte administration
In time of the President’s 4th Sona
TACLOBAN CITY- Various progressive groups based in the city staged their protest rally against President Rodrigo Duterte who delivered his 4th State of the Nation Address (Sona) Monday.
Serving as the highlight of the protest, attended by about 500,000 rallyists as estimated by the organizers, was the burning of the effigy of Mr. Duterte placed in a cartoon-made boat, representing the issue surrounding the dispute between the Philippines and China on the South China Sea.
The protest rally started at 1 pm at Noblejas Junction, named after a popular local radio commentator Ramon ‘Monching’ Noblejas who was gunned down on October 4, 1987, and ended along P. Rizal Avenue.
Speakers after speakers denounced the Duterte administration claiming its failure to deliver ‘genuine and pro-poor’ programs.
“The rice tarrification, for example, only rendered the poor farmers poorer as rice traders now choose to buy imported rice, leaving behind the local farmers,” Jun Berino, secretary-general of Sagupa(Samahan han Gugti na Parauma)-Sinirangan Bisayas said, citing one of the laws passed under the Duterte administration which they called as among the anti-poor measures.
Berino also cited the modernization of public transportation as anti-poor measure and the administration’s failure to fully enforce its anti-contractualization.
“Poverty incidence in Eastern Visayas remain to be widespread,” he said.
Meantime, a full alert status was declared by the Philippine National Police (PNP) across the region on Monday as part of the security preparations as the Pres. Duterte delivered his 4th Sona.
Police Brigadier General Dionardo Carlos, police regional director, said that 900 policemen were deployed as part of the security measures.
Carlos told reporters that in line with the declaration of full alert status, all personnel were required in attendance and be ready for any maximum deployment as Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF).
Police Provincial Offices (PPOs), City Police Offices (CPOs) and Regional Mobile Force Battalion were directed to intensify simultaneous checkpoint operations in all strategic areas especially to vehicles transporting significant number of persons without clear purpose.
Police Colonel Warren de Leon, force commander of Regional Force Battalion 8 said that their unit was ready for the deployment of personnel.
“We provided standby civil disturbance management platoon led by a Police Commissioned Officer and our companies are already conducting checkpoints in their respective area of responsibilities,” he added.
(RESTITUTO A. CAYUBIT/JOEY A. GABIETA)