CATBALOGAN CITY-The government is targeting to lessen poverty incidence in Samar Island by at least 25% in two years. This was the bold pronouncement of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol who was in this city on Wednesday (July 13) to meet with regional officials and representatives of various organizations in the agriculture and fishery sectors. Addressing the problem on poverty that remains prevalent in the three Samar provinces will be among the top priorities of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, Piñol said. The Agriculture Secretary is the first Cabinet member of the Duterte administration to visit Eastern Visayas.
Samar Island, comprising the provinces of Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar, are among the 10 poorest provinces in the country based on the 2015 survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority. Eastern Samar is the second poorest province in the country with 55.4% poverty incidence while and Northern Samar and Samar provinces have both with 43.5% poverty incidence.

All three provinces are depending on farming and fishing as their main source of livelihood. “What we will do now is to have a quick response to the problem which our people could feel within six months to one year,” Piñol said. The government intervention to the needs of Samar provinces will be handled by the Project Management Team headed by the technical staff from the Department of Agriculture (DA) with members from respective local government units to identify the problems, interventions and even the recipients of the program. “We need to identify the beneficiaries and pinpoint their exact location. In fact, if we need to database them. We will do it because we would like to make sure that the assistance that the government will provide goes to the right recipients,” Piñol stressed. “This is an immediate assistance that we need to finish within two years. The mandate given to me by our President is to focus on food production and poverty alleviation. What we are looking at now is how much food Samar can contribute to the country. My commitment is things will change for the people of Samar,” the agriculture Secretary added.

For the next two years, DA will focus on increasing on rice, corn and livestock productions, intercropping on coconut plantation, tree farming program that will give additional income to families tending farms and irrigation. “We are very eager and feel lucky that the national government is now focusing in Samar. Most likely, people will feel the improvement. I hope and I am positive that we can achieve that goal of reducing 25% of our poverty incidence,” Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan. “I hope that the people in the grassroots will cooperate in the programs of President Duterte. But I am positive that we here in Samar province will help to achieve this goal,” Tan added. Among the requests that the provincial government of Samar had forwarded to Sec. Piñol includes assistance for rice production that includes irrigation, seed distribution and reduction of equity of farmers.

Aside from Gov. Tan, present were Governors Jose Ong of Northern Samar and Leopoldo Dominico Petilla of Leyte. Also present were Representatives Edwin Ong (2nd dist., Northern Samar), Vicente Veloso (Leyte, 3rd distr.), Biliran Rep. Rogelio Espina and Victoria Isabel Noel of the An Waray party-list group. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – The crackdown against illegal drugs has already killed 10 drug personalities in the region in the past two weeks, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Thursday (July 14). PNP acting regional director Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar said four of these drug personalities were killed in a shootout while six others were gunned down by unidentified suspects. “Although those who were killed are all confirmed drug personalities based on our records, we have to ask our provincial and city directors to investigate the killing done by unidentified gunmen,” Beltejar said. Of the 10 drug pushers and users slain from July 1 to July 13, four were from Ormoc City, three from Samar province, and one each from Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Southern Leyte. Some of those killed were either members of the police or the Army.
Among them were Ariel Pitong Unay, an ex-Army who resisted arrest in Catarman, Northern Samar and Antonio Dador, a former police, who engaged in a shootout with former colleagues in Sogod, Southern Leyte. As of July 13, the Eastern Visayas police has already arrested 68 known drug pushers and users – 17 in Leyte; Southern Leyte, 9; Biliran, 5; Samar, 13; Eastern Samar, 4; Northern Samar, 2; Ormoc City, 4; and Tacloban City, 14. In the region more than 7,000 drug pushers and users have surrendered before the authorities, Beltejar said. “We have been calling drug personalities to surrender. If they won’t, we will subject them to police operations,” he added.
The PNP regional office is currently updating the list of high value targets in the region including former police officers, ex-Army and incumbent local government officials.
Initially, the police have identified 3,080 drug personalities in the region for coverage of Operation Tokhang (toktok-hangyo). Tokhang is a combination of Visayan word which means to approach and persuade. Under the said operation, police knocked on doors of known drug traders and dependents, asking them to stop the illicit practice.
(SARWELL Q.MENIANO)

The Philippines’ leading airline, Cebu Pacific recently wrapped up another epic year of the Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge, taking five university teams on an unforgettable adventure around the country. But for this year’s Ultimate Backpackers—Glenn Layola, Audrey Ramos, and John Ray Blance of JuanTeamPH—the exciting explorations are not over yet. The triumphant trio from Bacolod City received the challenge’s biggest prize yet: Travel-All-You-Can passes valid for one year.  For seven straight days, JuanTeamPH traveled all over Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Surigao, Butuan, and Legazpi, Albay, making them the Juan for Fun team with the most number of places visited. “It wasn’t our original plan, but after the first stop, we thought, ‘we’re already here. Sulitin na natin ito (let’s make the most out of it),” said Glenn. And that’s exactly what the team did. They carefully managed their budget to fit as many fun activities as possible, tried local delicacies and even exotic dishes, making sure to get to know locals as they went along. Among the team’s most unforgettable destinations was Surigao. “The water was so clear that you can see the corals even when you’re on the boat,” shared Audrey. “We also visited Sohoton Cave, where we had to hold our breaths so we could get to the other side.” TeamJuanPH also had a great time in Legazpi, Albay, and found the locals very accommodating. “We met a very friendly tricycle driver there,” John shared. “He offered to tour us for a discounted fee and took us to a lot of interesting places. Because of him, we managed to do about 50 activities in one day.”  As they traveled, the team discovered more about one another and got to know their country better. “One thing I realized is we shouldn’t be afraid to ask for directions. It’s a nice way to meet new people and establish a connection with them. You get insider information on the nice places to visit, too!” added Audrey. The trio also emphasized the value of “disconnecting to connect.” “Our generation is so caught up in technology. We spend so much time taking photos and looking at our screens that we forget to look at the sights in front of us,” Glenn said. “We should also make time to disconnect so we can connect with nature.” The Cebu Pacific Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge 2016 was made possible by its official sponsors: Boreas travel gear, Merrell footwear, and GoPro camera. The challenge was also supported by Wenger and Dan’s, and endorsed by the Department of Tourism and Commission on Higher Education. Go on an ultimate adventure and travel around the Philippines with Cebu Pacific. Take a look back at the exciting explorations of the Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge 2016 teams by visiting www.facebook.com/CebuPacificJFF or exploring the hashtag #JuanForFun2016. For bookings, seat sales, and other information, follow Cebu Pacific’s official Facebook and Twitter (@CebuPacificAir) pages. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY- The ongoing campaign to arrest those engaging in the illegal drug trade in the region had netted the apprehension of a member of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). Arrested was PO3 Dennis Torrefiel, said to be one of the region’s top drug pushers who is operating in the Leyte and Samar areas. His arrest shows that they are serious on this campaign and does not condone their own who is engaging in the illegal act, Supt. Oscar Regala, CIDG-8 chief, said.
“The apprehension of P03 Torrifiel is a big accomplishment of the Tacloban PNP and CIDG-8. He is destroying the image of the CIDG which does not condone to any illegal (drug) activity,” he said. Torrefiel, 38 and a resident of Barangay 47 in Real St., this city, was arrested on July 10 at Barangay 64 in Sagkahan Bliss during a buy bust operation. Also arrested during the operation conducted by the CIDG, City Anti-illegal Drugs Task Force of the Tacloban city police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) were Nolasco Balintong, 64 year old, jobless and resident of Cavite East, Palo, Leyte; Romeo Molo, 50, jobless; Ronaldo Cabantac, 48 and Emilio Mendanio, 32. Molo, Cabantac and Mendanio are all residents of Brgy. 64. The law enforcers seized from the suspects 41 pieces of sachets containing shabu valued at P81,000.  Supt.Rolando Bade, Tacloban city police director, said they received information on the presence of Torrefiel and immediately conducted the buy bust operation.
All are now detained at the Tacloban City Police detention facility as they were charged for violation of section 5(sale of dangerous drugs) and section 11(possession of dangerous drugs) of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.(LITO A. BAGUNAS)

TACLOBAN CITY – Leyte province will kick off the close monitoring of children and pregnant women in one city and three towns under the Accelerated and Sustainable Anti-Poverty Program (ASAPP). Provincial nutrition action officer Giovani Ed Napari said there will be provincial and town level launching within this month for the new program intended for poor communities. The project will cover all villages of Baybay City, Abuyog, Mahaplag and Hilongos. Leyte is one of the nine pilot provinces in the country of the ASAPP. “It will start this year for three years. One of the purposes is to decrease malnutrition by establishing support in the barangay,” Napari said. The province will need about P20 million for ASAPP’s nutrition program component. Funds will be downloaded directly to concerned local government units. One of the major activities is the massive promotion of home and community vegetable production. They may also include trade facilitation and market linkages such that the poor get to supply the raw materials, inputs and services needed by bigger businesses. The program primarily aims to significantly and sustainably reduce poverty incidence among the population to 18 to 20 percent in 2016 by creating income opportunities for and enhancing the employability of the poor, according to the National Economic Development Authority. It is being piloted in selected cities and municipalities in nine provinces classified as Category 1 in the Updated Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016. The launching is part of the 2016 Nutrition Month activity in the province. This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme “First 1,000 Days ni baby pahalagahan para sa malusog na kinabukasan!” The first 1,000 days has been tagged as the “golden window of opportunity” for building the foundation for the child’s ability to grow, learn and thrive, according to the National Nutrition Council. Aside from Leyte, ASAPP is also being piloted in Pangasinan, Quezon, Camarines Sur, Negros Occidental, Cebu, Zamboanga del Sur, Davao del Sur, and Sulu.  (SARWELL Q. MENIANO)

TACLOBAN CITY- Shame on you. Thus said City Councilor Edwin Chua as he defended himself from “rumormongers” who tagged him as involved in the illegal drug trade. In his impassioned speech during the inaugural opening of the 13th Sangguniang Panlungsod on Wednesday (July 13), Chua vehemently denied the allegation saying it is not true adding that he would do everything within his powers to defend his name and reputation. “I could have just dismissed the rumor. Deadma (dead malice). But it has become so persistent that even my friends from Manila kept calling me and asked me about it, reason why I have to openly talk about it,” Chua said in his more than 10 minutes speech before his colleagues at the city council, barangay officials, media and his supporters. Chua, who was once a city vice mayor, had been the subject of rumor that he, together with Vice Mayor Jerry “Sambo” Yaokasin, were involved in the illicit drug trade and have surrendered to the authorities. Yaokasin, presiding officer of the city council, had also denied the allegation. Alleged drug users and pushers have come out in droves to surrender before authorities as the administration of President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte launched its “Oplan Tokhang” as part of its campaign to end the proliferation of the illegal drugs in the country.
“That is not true at all. That is a product of my enemies’ malicious minds who are out to destroy my name and reputation. Confront me and I will shoot you,” he said.
At one point of his speech, he made his audience at the gallery fell in silence when he uttered the word “kill.” Chua, however, referred it not to the person but to the rumor alleging him to be in the illegal drug trade. “I urge you to kill…the rumor,” he said. Chua said that the more than 65,000 votes that he garnered during the May 9 elections was a testament that he enjoys the trust and confidence of the Taclobanons. Mayor Cristina Gonzales Romualdez also dismissed the allegation saying it is nothing but “intrigue.” “I came from show business where intrigues abound. No, it’s not true at all. I don’t believe it,” Romualdez, who appeared during the inaugural session of the city council, said. The city mayor said that she still believes and trust Yaokasin and Chua, her political allies. (With LIZBETH AAN ABELLA)