TACLOBAN CITY- “Population program is not only aimed at population control. It is focused mainly on population policies, plans and programs in the pursuit of socio-economic development reforms,” Commission on Population (POPCOM) Undersecretary Juan Antonio Perez III said.
During the Regional Population Executive Board (RPEB) meeting held recently at the Sal’s Restaurant in this city, POPCOM-related concerns were discussed, particularly the Executive Order (EO) 71, an Order Renaming the Popcom as Commission on Population and Development, and reverting its attachment from the Department of Health (DOH) to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
According to Perez, “Although there is a change in agency’s name, it does not mean that the programs will stop. The implementation of the population programs will continue.”
The Popcom chief also clarified and reiterated the provision of the said Executive Order.
“With the said order aimed to strengthen the development and implementation by the Popcom of population-related policies and programs, there is a need to enhance its coordination with NEDA, considering that NEDA is the authority primarily responsible in formulating continuing, coordinated and fully integrated social and economic policies, plans and programs,” he said.
Perez added that the renaming of the POPCOM is also one way to enlighten us with the view that population and development is based on rights and matters that relate not only to the health of women, but also their rights and the right to the development of countries.
To recall, Presidential Decree No. 79, otherwise known as the Revised Population Act of the Philippines created the Commission on Population under the Office of the President primarily aimed to formulate and adopt coherent, integrated and comprehensive long-term plans, programs and recommendations on population policies geared towards economic and social development.
PD 79 includes undertaking a national program for family planning involving both public and private sectors which respect religious beliefs and values of our citizens. However, the said agency was attached to the Department of Health (DOH) per Executive Order 188, series of 2003.
“President Duterte acknowledged the continuing importance of Presidential Decree 79, as its implementing policies relates to economic and social development. But since the policy is not just a health policy but likewise has a socio-economic implication, talking on the socio-economic agenda of the Philippine Development Plan,” he said adding that reverting its attachment to the NEDA finds it more appropriate.
EO 71, which was signed on December 13, 2018, is also one of the identified strategies under the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 with the goal to increase the country’s potential economic growth. (LDL/GTTabao/PIA-8 Leyte)

TACLOBAN CITY- Cybercrime is a “massive” global problem but the Philippine National Police (PNP) is ready to respond to it.
Police Superintendent Ma Bella Rentuaya, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office (PRO) in the region, said this following their continued information drive on Republic Act (RA) 10175 also known as “Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.”
Rentuaya said that their Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU) is ready to assist those who are victimized by various crimes through a computer or internet.
Cybercrimes include identity theft, bullying, illegal recruitment, human trafficking, pornography, fraud, scam, estafa, libel, threats, extortions, robbery, and terrorism, among others.
Police Chief Inspector Romenito Mondoñedo, head of RACU in the region, told the public to report any cybercrime incident through their hotline 0998-5988-113.
In a statement, he said the RACU can respond to cybercrimes through computer network log analysis and forensic examination of the computer, video, cellphone/mobile, and others.
To prevent from being victimized by cybercriminals, the police has issued “do’s and don’ts” to the public in accessing or engaging social media.
Important safety tips to consider in using social media are:
Change the Facebook (FB) password every month with a minimum of 12 special characters; do not accept friend invitations without scrutinizing the profile of the requester; be cautious in opening/clicking websites as it may contain viruses or may compromise your account; when placing an order through online shopping, make sure it is cash upon delivery (COD) and no advance payment should be made; only transact business with trusted sellers and do not deal with online networking; and social media accounts should not be publicized.
(RONALD O. REYES)

In Eastern Samar

BORONGAN CITY– Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Isidro Lapeña led in the soft opening of an agri-technology building in Balangiga town on March 15.
The P10 million worth of building is at the Balangiga National Agricultural School (BANAS), a TESDA technology institution.
Lapeña said the building is the realization of their expansion program to accommodate more clients.
“With the new agri-tech building, more students in animal production and agricultural crops production will enroll,” Lapeña told the small crowd of TESDA employees, school employees, students, and parents who attended the simple program.
“With the expansion of TESDA programs, we hope to contribute to address the poverty incidence in this area,” he added,
Rolando Juanillo, TESDA-Eastern Samar provincial director, said the building will be finished by the end of March.
He added that this is still one of the initiatives of then Joel Villanueva and it is only this time that the building construction was realized.
Juanillo shared that BANAS is offering courses on animal and agricultural crops production, cassava production, and poultry production.
BANAS occupies a 46-hectare campus in Balangiga and still has other sites in other barangays including one with a rice production site.
With the additional building, Maria Nenalyn Abanador, school administrator, is hopeful that more students interested in agricultural production will increase in the area.
(NBQ/PIA-8, Eastern Samar)

TACLOBAN CITY- A newly- built evacuation facility located in Barangay 107, Santa Elena, this city, built under the Pacific Partnership was formally turnover on March 22 to the villagers .
According to Capt. Randy Van Rossum, mission commander for Pacific Partnership 2019, the facility is one of the many examples of multilateral efforts for a common good and in fostering friendship and collaboration between the US and the Philippines.
The collaboration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and US Armed Forces exemplified what Pacific Partnership came to do, he added.
“Learn from one another, working complete collaboration, and to live their combined mark in profoundly positive way. The impact of disaster emergency transcend corners and requires comprehensive preparation and coordination among nations for effective disaster response,” Van Rossum said in his speech.
“Like this facility, the impact of Pacific Partnership 2019 will last long after the mission ends here today. This morning, I’m happy to celebrate this lasting impact with all of you,” he added.
The two-storey evacuation center, which could also serve as a multi- purpose center, was built at a cost of about $98,000 or P5 million(at P52 against a dollar) that could accommodate 60 persons
“We humbly thank you for a very memorable gift to our people that can be used by our children and the next generation to come,” Letecia Olino, barangay chairman of Santa Elena, said in her speech.
“The Philippine-American friendship is always cherished by us and the partnership has always been welcome. Thank you, not only for your support, but also for the humanitarianism effort you had served us here in Santa Elena. Thank you very much,” Olino added.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by the US Major General Arthur Logan, Mission Cmdr. Capt. Rossum, Col. Tan, and Honorable Olino.
A boodle fight was prepared for the government troops, US Armed Forces and barangay chairman after the ceremony. (RICA NIÑA FABILLAR, MA. ESTERLITA HERMANO, CHRISTINE CARDONA, LY-ANN LANIGAO, EVSU-Interns)