TACLOBAN CITY – The economy of the region expanded by 5.9 percent in 2018 as compared with the 1.8 percent growth in 2017, a report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA-8) said.
Wilma Perante, PSA regional director, said that the top three industries that contributed to the growth were construction, by 1.8 percentage points; other services, by 1.4 percentage points; and transportation, storage and communication by 1.0 percentage point.
Perante, who made a presentation on the economic situation of the region on Thursday (April 25), said that services accelerated to 10.5 percent in 2018 from 6.2 percent in 2017.
She added that all the sub-industries grew faster: transportation, storage and communication grew by 9.6 percent from 2.3 percent; trade and repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles, personal and household goods grew by 7.4 percent from 4.8 percent; financial intermediation went up by 10.8 percent from 10.3 percent, and real estate, renting and business activities grew by 6.3 percent from 6.2 percent.
The PSA director further added that public administration and defense; compulsory social security expanded by 14.2 percent from 7.7 percent and other services accelerated to 13.0 percent from 8.4 percent.
“Industry rebounded from 1.8 percent contraction in 2017 to 3.5 percent growth in 2018. Industries that recovered from contractions were: mining and quarrying, which grew by 84.7 percent; construction, 17.4 percent; and electricity, gas and water supply, 6.3 percent,” she said.
Meanwhile, manufacturing declined by 5.7 percent from the 13.3 percent growth in 2017. Agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing (AHFF) declined by 0.5 percent in 2018 from the 0.1 percent growth in 2017.
Agriculture and forestry slowed down to 1.1 percent from the 2.8 percent growth in 2017. Fishing also continued to decline by 7.4 percent, although at a slower rate than the 10.1 percent contraction in 2017, Perante reported.
Services and Industry shared the bulk of the region’s economy at 44.4 percent and 41.6 percent, respectively. AHFF had a share of 14.0 percent, the source said.
Among the three major industries, services contributed most to the region’s overall growth rate at 4.5 percentage points, followed by industry at 1.5 percentage points. AHFF pulled down the region’s growth by 0.1 percentage point, Perante said.
(RESTITUTO A. CAYUBIT)
PSA says region’s economy increased by 5.9% in 2018
Group expresses opposition on ‘doble plaka’ law
TACLOBAN CITY – The Federation of Eastern Visayas Motorcyclist Association (FEVMA) Incorporated has thrown their support to the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act but with some reservations.
This was disclosed by the group’s president, Allan Tajarros, citing the proposal under Republic Act 11235 to have a bigger plates placed at the motorcycle as one of the reasons why they are not giving full support to the newly-enacted law authored by Senator Richard Gordon.
“We are not against this law. There are some provisions of the law that we feel we are being discriminated,” Tajarros said.
He particularly cited the provision mandating for the use of a bigger, color-coded number plates that are readable from the front, back and side from a distance of at least 15 meters should be placed on the motorcycle.
Under the law, violators will be fine P50,000 up to P100, 000 and a prison term of six months to six years.
“Every brand of motorcycle has its own design and the current design of most motorcycles we have here in the region is not suitable to comply with this law. Maybe in the future design of the manufacturers, this law is implementable,” Tajarros said.
The group has 1,500 members all over the region.
Tajarros said that Sen. Gordon should have first consulted the motorcycle riders before coming up with the legislation.
But since it’s already a law, they hope that the controversial provision mandating for a bigger plates would be removed.
Jobert Christian Bolaños, chairman, Motorcycle Rights Organization, for his part, said that if the law is only applicable to some motorcycles, it should not be implemented at all.
Bolaños said that there is a provision in the law stating that if a sticker or plate could not be placed in front of the motorcycle, the owner could not register it.
“It’s okay to have a bigger font, but our suggestion is we should follow the European standard because they had been using that type of plates. However, our fear is this is not applicable to all because of the design of motorcycles,” he said.
The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the law as contained under Republic Act 11235 is yet to be formulated with the assistance from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the motorcycle organizations are hopeful that some of the provision they deemed inappropriate for the motorcycle riders will be change.
“Definitely, when we start formulating the IRR we will consult all the stakeholders not only the region but in the whole country,” Ledwino Macariola, LTO-8 operations chief. (ROEL T.AMAZONA)
Bong Go vowed to pres Duterte’s campaign against corruption; HNP stumps Kidapawan City
KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato – Former Special Assistant to the President and 2019 senatorial candidate Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Monday vowed to help President Rodrigo Duterte in his campaign to rid the government of corrupt officials.
Speaking at the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) campaign rally at the Capitol Provincial Gymnasium here, Go thanked the residents of the city for their warm welcome, particularly during his motorcade earlier.
“Maraming salamat po sa mga kababayan ko dito sa Kidapawan at North Cotabato. Tulad po ng ibang lugar na pinuntahan namin, napaka-init po ng pagtanggap ninyo, sing-init ng panahon. Nakakawala po talaga ng pagod pag nakikita mo ang ganung klase ng suporta,” Go said.
In his message to the people of Kidapawan and the entire province, Go reiterated his vow to support President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs, criminality and corruption.
“Ipagpapatuloy ko po ang mga pagbabago ng nasimulan ni Pangulong Duterte. Yung kampanya laban sa iligal na droga, kampanya laban sa kriminalidad, at kampanya laban sa corruption isusulong ko po,” Go said.
Zeroing in on corruption, Go lamented that it takes a big bite out of the funds intended for projects and programs meant for the benefit of the people.
“Marami pong nagpapawis, tumulong kay Pangulong Duterte noong kampanya. Pero sabi niPangulong Duterte pagpumasok ka sa corruption, hiwa-hiwalay na tayo. Interest muna ng bayan bago interest ng sarili o kaibigan. Marami na pong sinipang opisyal si Pangulong Duterte dahil sa corruption,” Go said.
Earlier, Go had urged people to report to him, to the Truth and Justice Coalition, or to the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission any information on corrupt officials and they can be sure it would be acted upon immediately.
“Tulungan nyo po si Pangulong Duterte sa kanyang kampanya aban sa mga corrupt na opisyal. Ibulong nyo lang po sa akin, o iparating ninyo sa Truth and Justice Coalition of Greco Belgica, o kaya sa PACC,” Go had said.
As part of his legislative agenda for agriculture, Go called for improved irrigation services to curb the effects of the perennial dry spell the country experiences, noting reports that the dry spell had affected about 15,000 hectares of farmland.
Go said improved irrigation system, coupled with better management of water resources could not only help bring a bountiful harvest for the farmers but also support the operation of residents engaged in fish farming.
“Pagbutihin pa natin ang irigasyon para bukod sa patubig sa bukid ay magkaroon ng tubig ang mga fish ponds. Bigyan din natin ng binhi ng isda ang mga mangingisda para tuloy ang kabuhayan nila,” said Go.
“Dapat palakasin pa natin ang suporta ng pamahalaan sa pagbibigay ng mga abono, binhi, makinarya at mga pagsasanay. Ilalayo natin ang mga magsasaka sa 5-6 dahil pahihiramin natin sila ng puhunan na may mababang interes. Gusto ko na magkaroon sila ng alternatibong pagkakabuhayan,” he added.
He also assured the people of North Cotabato that they can count on him to support the Duterte administration’s infrastructure and development programs, particularly those that are directly beneficial to the people of the province.
He cited, among others, the on-going Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project (Phase 11) located in North Cotabato and Maguindanaoarea, that would divert irrigation water from Maridagao River to deliver timely and adequate irrigation water to 9,784 hectares of agricultural lands.
There are also various farms to market road projects in the province to enable farmers to transport their products faster to the market such as the concreting of Mahongcog to SitioTagaytay road, upgrading of Bangkal Sitio Apog-Apog road, improvement of Manobisa Crossing Iwal to SitioTimodos road, and concreting of PBMA – SitioHijara-Tombao road. Proponents have been required to submit the requirements for these projects.
To mitigate the effects of flash floods that destroy properties, crops, and livestock, the Duterte administration is embarking on a P1.4-billion project to dredge and realign the Simuay River and its shoreline. The NEDA has already approved the project in February this year and civil works are expected to begin by this year.
Topmost among Go’s priorities in his legislative agenda is the crusade to improve the delivery of health services in the country, particularly through the establishment of Malasakit Center. It’s a one, stop shop that makes it easier and faster for indigents to avail of medical and financial assistance from the government by bringing together in one room all concerned agencies such as DOH, DSWD, PCSO, and Philhealth.
“It’s a continuing program of the Duterte administration. Gusto ko po itong maisa batas pagdating ng panahon para tuloy-tuloyang programa kahit hindina pangulo si Pangulong Duterte at mas madagdagan pa ang ating mga Malasakit Center,” Go said.
Other priority concerns in Go’s legislative agenda include programs for education, housing for the poor, fire protection and prevention, long-term sports development, localized peace talks, barangay welfare, creation of a department of OFW and better support for senior citizens.
“Asahan nyo po, patuloy ninyo akong magiging tulay kay Pangulong Duterte. Wala po kaming ibanghangarin ni Pangulong Dutertekundiangkabutihan ng Pilipino dahilmahalnamin kayo,” Go said.
“Ang bisyo ko po, magserbisyo. Naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” he added.
2 brgy leaders killed in areas where soldiers, NPA earlier engaged in a fire fight
CATARMAN, Northern Samar – Still unidentified suspects killed two barangay leaders in areas where members of the government troops and the rebel group, New People’s Army (NPA), earlier engaged in a firefight.
In Barangay San Miguel, Las Navas, this province, its village chairman, Apolinario Lebico, 63, was shot to death by an alleged riding-in-tandem on Thursday (April 25) afternoon.
In Calbiga, Samar, the village chairman of Beri, Wilmar Calutan,40, was also shot to death, also on Thursday, at around 9 pm.
The shooting on Lebico happened at around 4:20 pm along the boundaries of Barangays Quirino and San Jorge, Police Lt. Col. Rafael Tayaban, police community relations officer of the provincial office of the Philippine National Police (PNP), based here.
Tayaban said that the victim was riding a motorcycle driven by his son-in-law Jeremy Capoquian as they were on their way home when two unidentified gunmen, who were also aboard a motorcycle, emerged from behind and shot Lebico several times with the use of a Cal.9mm firearm.
Lebico died on the spot from a gunshot wound on his head while his son-in-law bore a slight wound on his right hand.
The suspects reportedly fled towards the direction of barangay Quezon, the police said.
Elements of the Philippine Army’s 20th Battalion responded to the incident and brought the victims to the Catubig District Hospital where doctors conducted post mortem examination on Lebico.
To recall, soldiers who were in Brgy. San Miguel engaged in a fire fight with alleged rebels which resulted to the death of a nine-year old boy after the rebels lobbed improvised explosive device on April 17.
Meantime, village chairman Calutan was shot to death by still unidentified armed men, reports reaching the regional PNP headquarters.
On Tuesday (April 23), members of the 46th Infantry Battalion engaged in a firefight with about 20 NPA rebels that resulted to the death of six soldiers and the wounding of six others.
(RACHEL V. ARNAIZ)
Mayor Romualdez positive Tacloban will get SGLG this year
TACLOBAN CITY-Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez attended the mock assessment for the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) 2019 held at the conference room of the city office of the Department of Interior and Local Government.
Also present during the event were City DILG Director Atty. Darwin Bibar and the department and office heads of the city government.
Mayor Romualdez is hopeful that the local government will get the seal this year, knowing that the concerned frontline offices have prepared early for the assessment in coordination with the local DILG Office.
During last year’s SGLG evaluation, Tacloban passed 5 out of the 7 assessment areas required to earn the seal.
The LGU scored well in the areas of financial administration, disaster preparedness, peace and order, business-friendliness and competitiveness and tourism, culture and the arts. (TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
Leyte town vows to give full support on reelection bid of Rep. Ong
CARIGARA, Leyte- The supporters of Leyte second district Rep.Henry Ong in Carigara town vowed to deliver 90% of votes to assure him his second term.
The leaders and big families in this Leyte town convene last Saturday(April 20), to solidify their commitment in giving their 100% support of their representative “anak han Carigara”.
According to them, it will take many more years for an “anak han Carigara” to make it to Congress so they should support their own. Admittedly the group said that opposition is inevitable, thus, 90% of votes were committed by the group.
In the 2016 elections, Ong defeated veteran politician, then congressman Sergio Apostol, whose clan ruled the second district of Leyte for more than three decades.
The group believes that the Rep. Ong can do more for the district.
In his three year stint as congressman, Ong authored and co-authored 13 Republic Acts and 66 House bills.
Currently Ong is the chairman of the committee on banks and financial intermediaries and member of 12 committees at the House of Representative.
In Carigara alone, a total of P 3,588,913,513.00 based on 2017-2019 General Appropriations Act was allocated.
This for the construction of roads, roads to economic zone, bridges, flood management, port, drainage system, multi-purpose building, school buildings and classrooms, irrigation projects as well as cash based programs and activity projects.
“We are satisfied by his performance. We want him back. We will support “anak han Carigara,” they said.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)