TACLOBAN CITY-International aid organization Oxfam, Smart Communications and PayMaya Philippines, in collaboration with the city government of Tacloban, launched on Sunday (Sept. 11) a financial inclusion program aimed at making communities more resilient through mobile money and financial literacy training.
Through the Financial Inclusion for Tacloban Resettlement Integrated Program, the humanitarian project aims to build a culture of entrepreneurship and savings among an estimated 16,000 beneficiaries who are strengthening their communities.
Under the project, qualified beneficiaries will receive Smart Money prepaid cards–a mobile money product of PayMaya Philippines–that can be linked to their mobile phones where they are encouraged to place any amount (Php1 and above) through any Smart Padala Center in Tacloban.
“Since Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan hit Tacloban, Oxfam, in partnership with national NGOs, has been working at the forefront of relief, recovery and rehabilitation efforts to support affected and displaced communities. We believe that equitable access to financial services is crucial for them to rebuild their lives and livelihoods. We are happy that Smart and PayMaya Philippines are working with us to help the LGU of Tacloban City rebuild the local economy by improving financial literacy and inclusion,” Justin Morgan, Oxfam country director, said.
“PayMaya Philippines is committed to creating a long-lasting impact on the development of communities through our financially inclusive innovations including Smart Money, which provides SIM-based mobile money services. With this project, we can help build more resilient communities in Tacloban City,” Benjie Fernandez, co-chief operating officer of PayMaya Philippines, said.
“At Smart, we believe in using technology for social good. Under our Smart Communities program, we are happy to provide the much needed financial literacy capability support to the thousands of beneficiaries of this program,” Ramon Isberto, public affairs group head of Smart, said.
Tacloban City Mayor Cristina Gonzales Romualdez expressed her gratitude on this program saying this will help Yolanda survivors as they continue to rebuild.
“We are filled with gratitude that partners from private and public entities have come together to support us in restoring Tacloban until today. The majority of the residents in Tacloban do not have easy access to traditional financial institutions such as banks. We thank Oxfam, Smart, and PayMaya Philippines for providing a simple, inclusive, and effective alternative that will not just encourage our citizens to embrace sustainable savings but to be more resilient through entrepreneurship so they can support themselves and their families in the years to come,” the city mayor said. (MEL CASPE)

Philippine Airlines (PAL) is prohibiting the charging and use of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices on board all its flights.
The flag carrier began implementing the prohibition since September 9, 2016 (Friday) in compliance with the directive of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The IATA directive stems from the recall order made on these products by Samsung Electronics Company Limited. Findings showed that the Galaxy Note 7 batteries and phone units have caught fire during charging prompting the manufacturer to recall all units sold worldwide.
Safety remains a cornerstone of PAL operations and as such, the flag carrier will be ensuring full compliance on board each flight and is seeking the full cooperation of its passengers.
In addition, these devices are not allowed as checked-in items, but may be hand carried for as long as these are switched off at all times.
All Samsung Galaxy Note 7 units – whether used or brand new – will not be accepted as PAL cargo shipment. (PR)

TOLOSA, Leyte- Heroism, discipline and dutifulness know no boundaries. They come in different persona and from anywhere.
People who possess them may be undistinguishable but you can spot them by watching closely how they respond to the call of duty.
On Friday (Sept.6), the Civil Service Commission (CSC) honored nine individuals, one group and one posthumously in a simple ceremony 6 at the Visayas State University – Tolosa Campus for the outstanding service they rendered to the government.
CSC Regional Director Victoria Esber said the awardees have proven their “passion and willingness to serve” in public service.
Two of the awardees were declared Presidential Lingkod Bayan regional winners – Arturo Juanico, the municipal agriculturist of Tabon-Tabon, Leyte and Jose Bacusmo, Jr., former president at Visayas State University in Baybay City.
During Bacusmo’s watch as president, VSU became the country’s first state university to be given a Level IV accreditation by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines.
Research and Development and Extension Programs was also at its peak during his administration; a total of 122 research projects, 10 extension projects and 4 special projects were conducted in comparison to 68 research projects only in 1982-2012.
Three individuals and one group were given PAGASA awards — Danilo Alura, university professor, Eastern Samar State University, Borongan City; Eva Abad, provincial government department head I, PENRMO, Maasin City; Ernani Fernandez, Jr., secondary school teacher III, Department of Education –Leyte division, Palo, Leyte; and the NSU-Journal of Society and Technology (JST) management team, Naval State University, Naval, Biliran.
Alura is an international award winner author of a study “Mangrove Forest and Sea grass Bed of Balangkayan, Eastern Samar: Extent of Damage by Typhoon Yolanda” which identified resilient varieties of mangroves created to produce ten hectares rehabilitated coastline of Balangkayan, Eastern Samar.
He is also involved in hog raising, livestock, seaweed processing and coconut production, and an active livelihood trainer.
Two teachers of Alternative Learning System in Catarman, Northern Samar were given Dangal ng Bayan awards – Jay Romulo Alaras and Ellen Joy Celajes.
Alaras and Celajes would take 7 kilometers hike and cross several rivers not to mention risked his life in the NPA area to reach the Mamanwas, an illiterate indigenous group, where they became their first teachers.
They taught 62 Mamanwas how to read and write and do simple mathematics.
The family of late Arnulfo Embog, an employee of CSC field office in Catbalogan City who received the Pamanang Lingkod Bayan, was awarded with a scholarship grant and a financial assistance of P100,000.
Leyte Samar Daily Express publisher Dalmacio Grafil acted as one of the members of the regional awards committee.
(ELMER V. RECUERDO)

TACLOBAN CITY- Government and police officials named by embattled Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. in his affidavit are to be charged for administrative and criminal complaints before the Office of Ombudsman in Cebu.
This was confirmed by Leyte Prosecutor Arlene Cordovez who got the information from Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido, police chief of Albuera.
Espenido was summoned by Cordovez at her office on Thursday (Sept.8) to submit certain documents needed on the charges they have filed earlier against Espinosa.
Cases for illegal possession and selling of illegal drugs and possession of firearms and explosives were filed on August 11 against Espinosa by the Albuera police, as represented by Espenido.
“May plano sila, the police of Albuera, to file administrative and criminal cases before the Ombudsman in Cebu,” Cordovez said.
She added that the affidavit executed by Espinosa and his witnesses will be used as basis in the filing of charges against some police officers and local officials by Espenido before the anti-graft court.
In his affidavit, Espinosa reportedly named several elected and police officials and even media personalities as his alleged protectors as he and son Kerwin alledegely engaged in their illegal activities.
Espinosa subscribed the affidavit on August 24 at the provincial prosecutor’s office accompanied by Regional Police Director Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar, Leyte police director S/supt. Franco Simborio and Espenido himself.
Espinosa, serving on his first term as mayor of Albuera, is the father of Kerwin, tagged as the top drug lord in Eastern Visayas.
The town mayor is now under the protective police custody and stays at the Albuera police station while his son Kerwin remains at large.
A shoot to sight order was earlier issued by PNP Director General Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa against Kerwin.
Meantime, the camp of Espinosa had submitted their counter affidavits on the criminal complaints filed against him before the provincial prosecutor’s office.
The counter affidavits were received by Cordovez last Wednesday (Sept.7) afternoon sent through LBC by Espinosa’s lawyer, Lailani Villarino who is based in Cebu City.
The cases stemmed from the discovery of explosives and firearms and shabu at Espinosa’s house during police raids conducted last July 28 and August 10, respectively.
On the said raids, packs of shabu valued at P1.8 million and P88 million were separately discovered inside Espinosa’s house as well as more than 30 firearms and explosives. By: JOEY A. GABIETA