TACLOBAN CITY- Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan has proposed for the national government to set a ‘peace fund’ for areas that are still affected by insurgency.
The peace fund will be a common fund that will be used in implementing projects intended to priority areas that are affected by conflict and insurgency, the governor, who is also the chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC), said.
“If we have a common fund, it will be easier for us to have access rather than if it is delegated to national line government agencies that sometimes takes time to release because of prioritization,” Tan explained.
The governor, however, clarified that she has nothing against national line government agencies funding and implementing projects because they can easily work with the local government units.
“The only problem is it take some time before the project is implemented by the agency and it takes away the sense of urgency,” she said.
Tan said that at least P12 billion will be needed for her proposed peace fund which will be used for funding projects that are identified by the residents.
Tan added that the amount will not only focus on funding infrastructure projects but must also include livelihood support to make the project more integrated.
During the RPOC meeting, held last August 15, the intelligence division of the 8thInfantry Division cited 33 areas in the region as affected by insurgency.
Ten of the areas are located in the province of Samar, namely, Matuguinao, San Jorge, San Jose de Buan, Jiabong, Motiong, Hinabangan, Calbiga, Pinabacdao, Basey, and Marabut.
The problem of insurgency remains a top concern especially in areas that are not easily accessible or isolated resulting for residents to be easily persuaded to join rebel groups. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)

By: JOEY A. GABIETA

PALO, Leyte-Former Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla and his younger brother, Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla are the latest to abandon their previous political party to join the administration-backed PDP-Laban.
He and his younger brother took their oath as new PDP-Laban recruits before party and Senate president Koko Pimentel III last Wednesday (August 2), Petilla said.
“Unlike others, we were invited to join the party by the Senate president through (Lutgardo) ‘Lutz’ Barbo,” he said in an interview Saturday (August 5).
Barbo, a former governor of Eastern Samar and the current Senate secretary, is the vice president for Eastern Visayas of the PDP-Laban.
Petilla, prior to his switch of political affiliation, is an ally of former president Benigno Aquino who ran unsuccessfully for a Senate seat in 2016 under the then ruling Liberal Party.
The Petillas are considered to be one of the most politically influential families in Leyte who ruled the provincial seat since 1988.
Petilla, who also served as governor of Leyte until he was named as Energy Secretary in 2012, admitted that their reason for changing political allegiance is to ensure that the province will get attention and assistance from the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, whose mother is from the neighboring province of Southern Leyte.
“Politically we can survive. However, how can the province ask for assistance if we are not politically aligned with the administration? So it is a decision that is actually not only good for us but more so, for the province,” Petilla said.
As part of his job as a new PDP-Laban stalwart in Leyte, they were asked by the political leadership to recruit mayors.
Incidentally, Palo Mayor Remedios ‘Matin’ Petilla, mother of the former Cabinet secretary, has yet to join PDP-Laban.
Petilla also dismissed rumors that his joining the PDP-Laban is part of his preparation for the 2019 elections or a possible Cabinet appointment.
“My name has been floated as Energy Secretary or BSP governor. I don’t know why,” he said.
The former governor is also reported to be eyeing a congressional seat here in Leyte.

TACLOBAN CITY- At exactly 7 pm tonight, officials of Tacloban and Palo and invited guests are to light a giant lantern which will serve as among the highlights of the 50th year anniversary of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
Here in the city, close to 7,000 people are expected to join the city government-sponsored activity that will start with a street parade and will end with the lighting of the ASEAN landmark lantern at the grounds of the City Hall.
Mayor Cristina Romualdez issued Executive Order 2017-08-066 suspending classes in all levels today.
“We are honored that Tacloban was chosen as among the sites for the lighting of the ASEAN lanterns. And we are showing our support to the ASEAN by having this activity…which will show unity among ASEAN nations,” Romualdez said.
As ASEAN turns 50 years since its creation August 8, 1967, lanterns will be lighted up in 50 chosen sites across the country with the main event to take place at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) to be lead by President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Philippines is this year’s ASEAN chair. Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar are the other member-countries of the bloc which has combined population of more than 625 million and home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies like the Philippines.
All the 50 lanterns, made of fiberglass and designed with ASEAN logo and commissioned by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, will be lighted simultaneously at 7 pm.
Here in the region, aside from Tacloban City and Palo, similar activity will also be held in Ormoc City.
In Palo, the landmark ASEAN lantern placed at the historic MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park in Barangay Candahug, Palo.
Series of activities have also been lined up by the municipal government under Mayor Remedios ‘Matin’ Petilla before the main event will take place.
A parade called ‘walk for peace’ starting from Pag-Ibig Plaza, which is located across the municipal hall, will be held to be participated by town officials and representatives from different sectors.
To enliven the occasion, contingents coming from different municipal festivals will entertain the public.
The Tacloban and Palo occasions will end with a fireworks display. (JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY- The planned tide embankment here in the city continues to draw strong opposition from residents who will be affected by the P 7.9 billion project.
According to them, if this project will push through, this will not only result in the destruction of their houses but more importantly, dislocate them economically.
Losanto Castillo Jr., a resident of Barangay 88 in San Jose district, said that in their area alone, around 300 houses will be affected by the project being undertaken by the national government through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Castillo, who is also the president of the Tacloban Fisherfolk Association, said that about 500 fishermen will be affected by the project which primarily aims to protect coastlines from storm surge.
“We are opposing its construction because it will not only result to the destruction of our houses but will cause economic dislocation for us fishermen,” the 58-year old fisherman said.
Alex Pingol, another resident of the said village, also expressed his opposition saying that they owned the property where their houses are built but the government will only be paying them less of the actual amount.
“We are supposed to be part of our government and they should listen to us. What they are doing can actually be considered as trespassing to one’s private property,” he said.
Last Friday (August 4), residents of the Barangay 88, in particular, dramatized their opposition during their dialogue with personnel of the DPWH- Tacloban City Engineering District Office.
The construction of the 27.3 kilometer tide embankment was a reaction of the national government to help protect against storm surge that hit the city when super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ pummeled Tacloban City in 2013.
Aside from Tacloban City, the tide embankment is also to be constructed in the towns of Tanauan and Palo which is now underway.
The cost of the project, divided into six sections with a total 27.3 kilometers covered, is P7.9 billion.
Fish landing and boat docking, view deck, mangrove highway, among others, are the components of the project which is expected to be finished by 2020.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)

In possession of shabu
valued at P20,000

TACLOBAN CITY- Anti-drug elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency(PDEA)-8 and 8th MIB of the Philippine Army arrested another high-value target during the conduct of a buy-bust operation at Magsaysay Boulevard (Madonna of Japan), here in the city last Friday(August 4)at around 6 pm.
In a report submitted to PDEA Director General Isidro S. Lapeña, elements of PDEA-8 under Director Edgar T. Jubay and 8th MIB PA, identified the suspect as Rex Gaviola, 43, married and a resident of Mountview, Youngfield, this city.
Gaviola was considered as a high-value target and said to be connected at the Leyte provincial capitol as an administrative aide.
Purchased and seized during the operation were eight (8) pieces of heat-sealed plastic transparent sachet containing suspected shabu weighing about 4.0 grams with an estimated market value of P20, 000.
Gaviola will be charged for violations of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of RA 9165.
The suspect is now temporarily detained at PDEA RO8 Detention Facility while waiting for his commitment order. (PR)