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)

BOBON, Northern Samar- Mayor Reny Celespara of this town attended the “1st International Conference on Integrative Risk Reduction Management” held at the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) in Borongan City. Mayor Celespara was joined by municipal disaster risk reduction management council head Jose Esquillo during the gathering held from September 3 to 5. The three-day gathering was participated by 250 representatives from various local government units, provincial and municipal risk reduction chiefs, colleges and universities representatives and even from the Mindanao region discussed on good governance in crisis situation as well as the monitoring of reconstruction efforts of local and international community. Both Mayor Celespara and Esquillo talked on their expertise on environmental and risk reduction management issues aside from the relief operations through humanitarian and emergency aids. Given emphasis during the gathering was on the climate change and disaster application of lessons during the onslaught of supertyphoon Yolanda. Also discussed which was anchored on five specific priorities were making risk reduction a priority; improving risk information and early warning; building a culture of safety and resilience; reducing risks in the key sector, and as well strengthening preparedness for response. On the last day of the conference, an “on-site planning workshop” was conducted, visiting communities in Eastern Samar that were badly hit by Yolanda’s wrath. Participants of the conference signed a “pledge of commitment” on Mother Earth and the involvement of the Catholic relief operations. (PETER D.PAREDES)

TACLOBAN CITY- All the 400 strong members of the Tacloban police will be on duty during the visit of Pope Francis to this city early next year. This was disclosed by city police director, Senior Superintendent Domingo Cabillan, who added that augmentation forces coming from the provincial and regional headquarters are also expected to help secure the Holy Father during his Tacloban visit.

The whole city of Tacloban is generally peaceful and there are petty crime was happened but this is manageable confirm before typhoon Yolanda, This was disclosed by SSUPT. Domingo Cabillan, City Director of Tacloban City Police Office.

Col. Cabillan disclosed that the entire city police force was directed by Police Regional Director Chief Superintendent Henry Losañes to take charge of Task Force Tacloban in preparation for the visit of the Pope.
Cabillan said that the security measure being laid down for the visit of the Pope is in close coordination with their national headquarters and Church officials. He added that policemen will also be assigned in the downtown areas of Tacloban to ensure that the millions of pilgrims expected to descend Tacloban will be secure from unscrupulous individuals. Cabillan disclosed that they have so far arrested 28 notorious snatchers in the city since August as part of their security preparations. Appropriate cases were filed against the suspects. (LITO A. BAGUNAS)