TACLOBAN CITY — The remains of a man identified by the Philippine Army as a member of the New People’s Army (NPA) have been brought to his hometown in Northern Samar following an armed encounter in Leyte.

The deceased was identified by the Army as Erwin Bantilo, alias “Romnick.”
The 93rd Infantry “Bantay Kapayapaan” Battalion coordinated with local government units, government agencies and Bantilo’s family for the proper handling and transport of his remains from Leyte to Pambujan, Northern Samar.

His brother, Allan Bantillo, personally claimed the remains and took responsibility for bringing them home for burial arrangements.

The city government of Baybay, led by Mayor Jose Carlos Cari, assisted during the initial coordination, while the Kananga municipal government under Mayor Matt Torres helped facilitate arrangements for the handling and transport of the remains.

Upon arrival in Pambujan, the municipal government under Mayor Owen Lamberto Siervo assisted the family and facilitated the onward transport of the remains to their place of origin.

The 93rd Infantry Battalion said the coordinated effort was undertaken to ensure that the deceased was treated with dignity and that his family received assistance throughout the transfer.

The battalion also emphasized the importance of humanitarian considerations amid armed conflict, including respect for human life and humane treatment of individuals and affected families.

The Philippine Army continues to conduct security operations against armed groups as part of its mandate to protect communities while observing humanitarian principles in its dealings with affected individuals and families.

The 93rd Infantry Battalion thanked the local governments of Baybay, Kananga and Pambujan, as well as government personnel and agencies that assisted in returning Bantilo’s remains to his family.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) is preparing agricultural extension workers and farmers in Leyte to train other community groups in making abaca school bags as part of efforts to expand livelihood opportunities and add value to locally produced abaca.

PhilFIDA Regional Office VIII conducted a four-day Training of Trainers (TOT) from Sept. 8 to 11 for agricultural extension workers (AEWs) and selected farmers from abaca-producing communities in the province.

The PhilFIDA-funded training was held at the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center 8 (ATI-RTC 8) at the Visayas State University (VISCA) through the agency’s Technical Assistance Unit, in collaboration with ATI-RTC 8.

Participants underwent hands-on training in the production of abaca school bags, covering the preparation and assembly of abaca materials, weaving, finishing, quality control, product development and basic costing.

They also produced abaca school bags during the training using the techniques demonstrated by the trainers.

Beyond production skills, the TOT was designed to equip participants with facilitation and training skills so they can pass on the techniques to farmers’ organizations, women’s groups, abaca processors, community livelihood associations and other interested groups in their respective municipalities.

PhilFIDA-8 OIC Regional Director Joseph Salas said the planned rollout of the abaca school bag-making livelihood activity in various local government units would need financial and logistical support from participating LGUs.

The initiative seeks to promote value-added abaca products while providing additional livelihood opportunities for communities dependent on abaca production.

PhilFIDA said the training forms part of its efforts to strengthen the abaca handicraft sector through value addition and livelihood diversification in abaca-producing communities.
The agency credited its Technical Assistance Division, ATI-RTC 8 and the PhilFIDA Leyte Provincial Office for providing financial, logistical and technical support for the activity.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — A P25-million road concreting project is set to improve access between two barangays in Matag-ob, Leyte, with the project specifically designed to address persistent flooding and difficult travel in a low-lying area.

Matag-ob Mayor Bernardino Tacoy said the project, funded through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), will cover more than a kilometer of road linking Sitio Balanac in Barangay Balagtas and Sitio Balanac in Barangay Sto. Rosario.

The project is expected to undergo bidding this month, Tacoy said.

Aside from concreting the road, the project will include raising its elevation to reduce the impact of flooding and improve its usability during periods of heavy rain.

“This is a flood-prone area. The road has a major problem because it is low-lying. All the water from the higher areas of Villaba flows toward this area,” Tacoy said.

He said the road improvement would also benefit farmers who use the route to transport their agricultural products to markets and other destinations.

Matag-ob received a total of PHP30 million in LGSF, with the remaining PHP5 million allocated as assistance for the national government’s rice distribution program, which is still being implemented in the municipality.

Tacoy said the municipality initially targeted 5,000 families as beneficiaries of the rice distribution but hopes to eventually extend the assistance to all families in Matag-ob.
More than eight of the town’s 21 barangays have so far received rice, with additional assistance from the provincial government helping the municipality expand the distribution.
Tacoy expressed appreciation for the LGSF policy allowing local governments to identify projects based on their communities’ immediate needs.

“It is a big help because we can see the priority needs of our people,” he said.
He said local officials are in a better position to identify pressing concerns in their communities, allowing government funds to be directed toward projects with direct local benefits.

“For us, it is good that the national government has this LGSF program where we can identify the project ourselves, and the funds are given to us so we can implement the project,” Tacoy said.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)