TACLOBAN CITY- A total of P13 billion were donated by is country to the Philippine government when supertyphoon Yolanda hit the country close to a year now. This was disclosed by British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad during his visit to Tacloban on September 23. “Most of it was spent directly to help feed and provide emergency shelter, washing facilities and hygiene. The remaining funds will enable them to unlock what is needed to be done for preparedness for future disasters,” Ahmad said in an interview during his visit in Barangay 88, San Jose district, worst hit area in Tacloban. Ahmad said that the fundamental shift now or what the Philippine government wants is to take responsibility and ownership for long-term rehabilitation and their relationship with the local government units. He added that they want to see the national government “ultimately resettle everybody in a safe place,” referring to the survivors who are still living in temporary shelters or tents, almost a year after the November 8, 2013 massive typhoon.
However, he conceded that it would be difficult for the country to recover given the magnitude of destruction if the international community would not provide enough assistance. “There are still people living in tents and it really need to come to an end. But I understand that the government will transfer families in tents within this year,” he added. (DONNA BULA, LNU Intern)

TACLOBAN CITY – Eastern Visayas business outlook drastically jumped to 51% for the fourth quarter of 2014 from 20.7% in the third quarter, citing businessmen confidence to rise up from the rubble as a result of supertyphoon Yolanda’s devastation. Fernando Silvoza, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Department of Economic Statistics deputy director, said there is “positive perception for the region to move on and be able to rise from destruction.” “I would say that because of continued assistance provided by local and international NGOs, it raised the expectation of higher recovery,” he aded.
However, he warned that Yolanda-related assistance “should be taken as something that is not infinite.”

“That should be picked up by other industries here so that if the situation is normal, the local business will be able to sustain that growth,” Silvoza, who attended a BSP gathering here last September 16, said.
Asked to comment about economic impacts of the limited operation of the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport, region’s main airport based in Tacloban, the official stressed that it is only temporary. “From many respondents perspective, the airport concern is temporary in nature. What is important is that the government is doing something and it removes negative short term sentiments. The response is long term and that spells out short term concern,” Silvoza said.

Since early September, the airport’s runway is closed to Airbus fleets, resulting to flight cancellations. The business confidence survey is a quarterly study of the central bank with the Business World’s list of top 1,000 corporations in the country as respondents. (SARWELL Q.MENIANO)

TACLOBAN CITY- Entrepreneurs who have suffered economic losses due to supertyphoon Yolanda are encouraged by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to avail of a financial loan they are offering.
The DTI, through its Small Business Corp. (SBC), is offering financial loan to businessmen under its rehabilitation financing program (RFP). According to Luna Cacanando, SBC officer-in-charge president and chief operating officer, said that out of the P700 million that they have earmarked under its RFP, only P400 million have been released so far. This means, close to 400 small and medium enterprises have availed the loan being offered by the DTI, he said. The DTI targets to release the remaining amount before the end of this year.  Cacanando call businessmen still reeling from the economic losses due to Yolanda to avail the loan which offers 8 percent interest, payable in five years and with a grace period of one year after availing it. The official said that the loan application could be secured at the DTI provincial offices. Cacanando emphasized that they are looking for SMEs to avail of their program who in one way or another were able to recover even in small percentage because it is a sign of a true entrepreneurs. Those who were at least able to recover at least 20 percent of their businesses are qualified to avail of the program, he added. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

CATBALOGAN CITY– Calbayog City Mayor and newly-named chair of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) attended the culmination program of the Peace Month celebration last September 26 at the Camp Vicente Lukban, headquarters of the 8th Infantry Division, this city. His visit to the Army camp was his first since he was named as RPOC chairman by President Aquino last month.
Mayor Aquino was welcomed by Major General Jet Velarmino, commanding general of the 8th ID.

During his visit, a presentation on the peace and order situation of the region was made by Lt.Col. Angel Madarang, representing the Army, and Supt.Norberto Tuazon, representing the Philippine National Police.
The new RPOC chairman also delivered his peace message during the “Lighting of Candle for Peace Ceremony” held at 8ID’s grandstand area. In his message, Aquino reminded the public to bear in mind the reason why peace month is being observed. “That every Filipino has an important role in government’s efforts towards lasting peace in our country,” he said. RPOC chair Aquino joined the soldiers, police and other peace advocates in the region in their candle-lighting activity as his gesture of support to the ongoing peace process in the country. Doves, symbolizing peace and hope, were released during the occasion.

Aquino vowed his commitment in promoting peace and order in the region still battling with insurgency problem, particularly in Samar Island. Presidential Proclamation No. 675, series of 2004, declared the month of September as the month of National Peace Consciousness Month with this year’s theme as “Nagkakaisang Bayan Para sa Kapayapaan.” (AIMEE A. CATALAN/PR)

ORMOC CITY-Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Regional Director Cleta Omega said that the new and well-trained skilled workers who graduated at the Keitech (Kananga-EDC (Energy Development Corp.) will help augment the region’s current work force. Omega said that she was scheduled to meet the contractors in the region and introduce the 105 new skilled workers that were trained by Keitech. She announced this during Keitech recent foundation’s commencement exercise involving the 105 graduates who finished a two-month skills training. The skills training is an extension program designed for Electrical and Installation Maintenance (EIM), Plumbing and Carpentry with National Certificate II offered by EDC as part of its corporate social responsibility extension program to poor but deserving students of no age limit among residents in Leyte’s 4th district. Foundation president Paul Aquino said they temporarily suspended their regular program that started in 2009 to focus its target of responding in the demand of skilled workers for Leyte rehabilitation program devastated by super typhoon “Yolanda”.  It is set to produce 1,000 highly trained workers until 2016 under its extension program. Aquino stressed the 11-month regular program for metals and engineering that was temporarily deferred after the typhoon due to the absence of electricity will continue this month but the shorter program continues. (ELVIE ROMAN ROA)