TACLOBAN CITY-The Department of Tourism (DOT) here in the region is pushing to make Eastern Visayas a top tourism draw.
Karina Rosa Tiopes, DOT regional director, said they are encouraged on the high inquiries that they are receiving among potential tourists who want to visit the region.
“It has been observed that we have been receiving a lot of feedback even those from nearby regions expressed their awe that Eastern Visayas is so rich. The natural resources are so beautiful and the attractions are wonderful,” the tourism regional director said.
Tiopes said the region needs a little push from the national government under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The DOT regional director, however, said that lack of necessary facilities and structures could hamper their campaign to attract more tourists to visit the region.
Tiopes cited the lack of airport in Maasin City saying tourists who want to see the beautiful diving sites in Southern Leyte mostly travel from Tacloban City which is about four hours away.
“The guests, who are mostly foreigners, have to travel by land for four hours before reaching Southern Leyte. They spend more time travelling than doing their activities there,” the DOT director said.
With the promise of the current administration to level the playing field and give opportunities for the regions who are less develop to grow, then it is high time that regions like Eastern Visayas, which has lots of potential, will be given attention in terms of promotions, Tiopes said.
“There is too much to offer in our region. We already have tourist-ready areas or products in our region. It’s just that we were not given that break to be included in international or even national promotions,” she said.
“If we are given the support by our head office, particularly by the tourism promotions board or finance or include us in the collaterals that they prepare, that could be a big push for Eastern Visayas,” Tiopes added. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
DOT-8 projects high hopes under Duterte administration
DTI gets P929-M fresh funding for ‘Yolanda’ rehab
TACLOBAN CITY – The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) has recommended the release of P928.91 million budget for projects of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in areas pummeled by supertyphoon “Yolanda”.
In a letter to President Rodrigo Duterte, Defense Secretary and NDRRMC chair Delfin Lorenzana said the funding is intended for the DTI-Small Business Corporation (SBC) as loan to affected micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), livelihood projects, and reconstruction of DTI Region 8 office building.
The SBC credit risk guarantee fund gets the biggest share of budget at P750 million. Livelihood projects and DTI office repair has an allotment of P143.91 million and P35 million, respectively.
“The implementation of said projects will significantly help in the rehabilitation and recovery of typhoon Yolanda-affected areas especially in terms of livelihood and socio-economic aspect as it will enable MSMEs to recover losses,” Lorenzana stated in his communication.
The fresh funding is under the 2016 Yolanda Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program prepared by then Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery together with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), the agency tasked to monitory post-Yolanda recovery projects.
“This is positive news to accelerate assistance of Duterte administration on Yolanda reconstruction. We hope that the additional recovery projects of other projects would also be funded soon,” said Bonifacio Uy, regional director of the National Economic Development Authority.
The outlay is on top of the P110 million commitment of the national government to fund the medium term water supply project of the Tacloban north resettlement areas as well as the release of more than P500 million for the permanent water projects in the city. (SARWELL Q. MENIANO)
SP passes resolution seeking drug testing for all Leyte officials
TACLOBAN CITY- The Leyte provincial board has approved a resolution seeking for all elected and appointed officials across the province to undergo a drug testing.
The mandatory drug testing, approved by the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan during their regular session Tuesday(Sept.6), covers all the mayors, vice mayors, councilors, barangay officials and provincial board members, Vice Governor Carlo Loreto said.
“The move is to check if the officials are negative or positive from drug use and if indeed positive of drug use, the case will be brought to the blue ribbon committee,” Loreto said.
If this will be carried out, all the 426 provincial, city (Baybay) and municipal officials in Leyte are to undergo the drug test and officials of the 1,393 barangays of the province.
The resolution was in line with the intensified campaign of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte on the existence of the illegal drugs in the country.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
Tacloban tourism trade booth bagged 2nd place at the PH Travel Mart
TACLOBAN CITY- City Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez congratulates the team from the City Tourism Office for bagging 2nd runner up at the National Tourism Trade Booth competition during the 27th Philippine Travel Mart held Sept. 2-4, 2016 at the SMX Convention Center, Seashell Lane, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.
“I’m so proud of your achievement for bringing home the bacon, being the 2nd runner up tourism trade national booth placer next to Davao City (the Champion) is something we could be proud up. Congratulation!” the mayor said.
“We aim for the best next time, a better tourism trade showcase booth. We likewise wanted to show the country and the world, that the resilient Tacloban City is back on her toes from the rubbles of Yolanda’s wrath. Our tourism destinations are ready for our visiting tourists,” Mayor Romualdez added.
Tourism Officer Ruby Balayanto said that Tacloban’s booth had plenty of tourist stickers who personally graded Tacloban as best for them.
When asked what could have been the plus factor that ranked them as the 1st runner up best booth, Balayanto said “probably the way how Tacloban personnel entertained the booth guests”.
Tacloban City were among those 14 places in the country who joined the 27th Philippine Travel Mart, an annual Philippine Travel Trade exhibition which showcases the best of the country’s Tourism destinations, delicacies, aboriginal products, airway products, travel care services, its available resorts, transportation facilities and city tourism travel tour packages, which allows travelling consumers to book and buy promotional products holiday packages and accommodations.(GAY B.GASPAY,TISAT/
KANHURAW MEDIA TEAM)
Rep. Sarmiento asks public to be vigilant in the wake of Davao bombing incident
CALBAYOG CITY – Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento (1st district) asked the public to be vigilant amid threat of terroristic activities.
Sarmiento made the appeal after the tragic incident in a night market in Davao City on Sept.2 that killed 14 people and injured 71 others.
“This is really hard. This was made by terrorists who do not spare anyone,” the Samar solon said.
“The government’s intelligence already reported, prior to the incident, that an incident something like this will happen either in Manila, Cebu, or Davao as a fall back mechanism against the government,” he added.
Sarmiento asked authorities especially in Samar to be watchful and strictly implement security procedures or protocol.
He even asked security officers of private and government offices to be attentive to their duties and be mindful as to what is happening at their respective premises.
“To the public be extra careful especially in public places, and to the Calbayognons, let’s pray that nothing will happen,” Sarmiento said.
Meanwhile, in his Facebook page, Sarmiento extended his condolences and sympathies to the families of the Davao blast victims.
“I, together with everyone in the first district of Samar, would like to extend our deepest and sincerest condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims of the tragic and reprehensible Roxas Night Market bombing in Davao City,” the Samar solon said.
“In this time of great uncertainty, we must all stand united and solidly behind the people of Davao as well as our President, police and military,” he added.
Sarmiento asked his fellow Samarnon to pray for the victims of the tragic incident in Davao City and to continue praying for the attainment of lasting peace in the entire country.
(JENNIFER SUMAGANG-ALLEGADO)
Officials ask public to cooperate with law enforcers
TACLOBAN CITY- Stay vigilant and cooperate with the authorities.
Thus said City Vice Mayor Jerry “Sambo” Yaokasin as police and Army personnel are seen in major streets and public places in the city.
The presence of police and soldiers in these areas are due to the implementation of the state of emergency on account of lawlessness violence issued by President Rodrigo Duterte.
The proclamation stemmed from a bombing attack at the night market in Davao City, where the President once served as its mayor, last September 2 that killed 14 people and injured 71 others.
“Public safety is paramount, and I want people to know that we are working with all local authorities; remain vigilant and take all necessary measures to keep Tacloban City safe,” Yaokasin said.
“The senseless attacks that struck the people of Davao have left us all stunned and heartbroken. However, as we have seen time and again, when we are united, terror has never prevailed and never will,” the vice mayor added.
Leyte Vice Governor Carlo Loreto said that he also shares the grief of the people of Davao City saying the “injustice” committed by those responsible to the attack was also committed to the entire Filipino people.
“We reach out to the great people of Davao in this dark chapter of their history. This injustice against Davao is as much an injustice to Leyteños and Filipinos as well,” Loreto said.
Meanwhile, Army troops of 78th Infantry Battalion and Army’s Engineering Battalion joined the random vehicle checkpoints and street patrols of the police in the city streets of Tacloban.
Additional police force and military could also be seen at the Daniel Z. Romualdez (DZR) Airport, bus terminals, San Juanico Bridge and other public and crowded places.
Tacloban City police director, S/Supt Rolando Bade Jr. said that they will continue their patrol on these areas as “as long as necessary.”
He advised the motorists to carry identification cards with them at all times to ensure that encounters with law enforcement in the streets and at the vehicle checkpoints will proceed as quickly as possible.
“We have increased our security presence and patrol around the (DZR) airport. The safety of passengers and airport personnel is our absolute priority also,” he said. (JAZMIN BONIFACIO, VICKY C.ARNAIZ)