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CSC-8 bares activities for the 124th PCSA celebration in Eastern Visayas

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PALO, Leyte– As the entire Philippine bureaucracy celebrates the 124th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary this September, the Civil Service Commission Regional Office 8 (CSC-8) has lined up activities for the month-long celebration in Eastern Visayas.

Speaking during the ‘Kapihan sa PIA’ Eastern Visayas on Friday, August 30, Atty. Marilyn Taldo, CSC-8 regional director, invites government workers and the public to join this year’s celebration.

“We are enjoining all government agencies and all government workers to celebrate with us, to show that we are one in the government service and we are committed to deliver excellent public service,” Taldo said.

The month-long activities kicked off with a fun run which featured different categories to promote camaraderie, physical fitness, and well-being among civil servants.

The fun run was attended by over 1,000 participants in the region with a registration fee of P250.

The proceeds of this activity will benefit the Pamanang Lingkod Bayani Program of the CSC that would provide financial support to the families of civil servants who lost their lives in line of duty.

This will be followed by a Government Job Fair on Wednesday, September 4, at Robinsons Place in Marasbaras, Tacloban City.

Qualified applicants who are interested to apply for vacant positions in the government are encouraged to visit the mall as 20 government agencies and universities have signified to join the job fair.

In addition, government workers are also encouraged to participate in the blood-letting activity dubbed as “Dugtong Buhay Handog ng Lingkod Bayan” on September 12.

As an act of gratitude, compassion, and generosity, CSC-8 is inviting government workers to join this significant activity to help patients who are in need of blood.

Blood donors may go directly to the Human Resource Center, CSC Regional Office in Palo Leyte.

Meanwhile, a “tree growing for a cause” is also slated on the third week of September to be conducted in the provinces of the region.

CSC also reported that special treats for workers in the government will also be offered where discounts could be availed of from different stores or malls. For more information and details, visit CSC-8’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/cscregion8.

The awarding of the Outstanding Government Workers will also highlight this year’s PCSA celebration.

The 124th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary is centered on the 10-year theme, “Transforming public service in the next decade: Honing agile and future-ready servant heroes.”

As of this writing, Eastern Visayas has a total of 177,973 government workers including career, non-career and contractual or job order workers.
(CBA, PIA Eastern Visayas/CSC-8 socmed cards)

Fisher groups in Leyte reaps benefits as BFAR-SAAD beneficiaries

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The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Special Area for Agricultural Development has provided cash assistance to two fishers groups in Capoocan, Leyte which resulted in the increase of their catch of milkfish. (BFAR-8)
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Special Area for Agricultural Development has provided cash assistance to two fishers groups in Capoocan, Leyte which resulted in the increase of their catch of milkfish. (BFAR-8)

TACLOBAN CITY – Members of the Talairan Mananagat Fisherfolk Association (TMFA) and the Culasian Wing Oyster Growers Association (CuWOGA) in Capoocan, Leyte, recently harvested approximately 2,373 kilograms of milkfish.

The two groups are beneficiaries of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Special Area for Agricultural Development (BFAR-SAAD) Phase II program’s Bangus in High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Cage project, which is supported by the Provincial Fishery Office (PFO) of Leyte.

The BFAR-SAAD projects aim to reduce poverty and improve the living conditions of vulnerable fisherfolk and their communities by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities.

These projects complement the Department of Agriculture’s banner programs and assist beneficiaries in establishing community-based fishery enterprises, enhancing food security, and promoting economic growth in targeted areas across the Philippines.

The harvested milkfish, or bangus, were sold in Capoocan and Carigara, generating a gross income of P 112,200 for TMFA and P210,285 for CuWOGA.

These earnings, deposited into their respective bank accounts, will be used to expand and maintain their Bangus in HDPE cage project.

Additionally, TMFA plans to reinvest a portion of their profits into a new venture focused on selling fishing gear locally, thereby creating new income opportunities for the association.

“There is a future for our sacrifices. We are very grateful to those who established the SAAD program; you’ve given us a new source of income and the opportunity to experience bangus farming,” Jovencio Delima Jr., TMFA vice president, said.

Since becoming SAAD beneficiaries in 2023, TMFA and CuWOGA have each received more than P1.34 million worth of essential inputs for the Bangus in HDPE Cage project.

This support included an HDPE cage unit, fingerlings, aquafeeds, and a series of capability and specialized training, leading to a successful inaugural harvest of milkfish in December 2023.

That initial harvest yielded a combined total of 3.64 metric tons of milkfish, generating P230,425 for TMFA and P247,950 for CuWOGA.

Both groups also underwent specialized training in fish processing technology to enhance their aquaculture operations and to produce processed milkfish products, which they can sell at higher prices, thereby increasing their earnings.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

DELP and NSA Class of 1984 distribute school supplies and meals to Tinowaran Elementary School

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CATARMAN,Northern Samar —The District Engineers League of the Philippines (DELP), in partnership with Batch 1984 of Northern Samar Academy, organized the ‘Bigay Eswela’ initiative—a school supply and meal distribution event—at Tinowaran Elementary School in Barangay Tinowaran, Catarman, Northern Samar on August 25, 2024.

A total of 132 students from kindergarten to grade 6 were delighted to receive essential school supplies, such as activity books, pencils, colored papers, crayons, scissors, papers, ballpens, and rulers. These items are expected to help enhance their learning experience and provide them with the necessary tools to succeed in their studies.

Aside from school supplies, each student was treated to a Jollibee meal pack, infusing the atmosphere with joy and enthusiasm. The meal packs not only delighted the children but also complemented their excitement about the new educational resources they received, making the occasion even more memorable.

District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio, who spearheaded the distribution, highlighted the initiative’s dual purpose.

“Our goal is not only to provide these students with the necessary tools for their education but also to give back to our community and inspire these young minds,” DE Ignacio said.
A representative from Batch 1984 expressed their commitment to supporting local education. “As alumni, we understand the value of education and want to contribute to the success of these students,” they noted.

The initiative received a warm reception from the students, parents, and teachers of Tinowaran Elementary School.

School head Sally Pinca Alcayde expressed heartfelt gratitude to DELP and Batch 1984.
“Your generosity not only equips our students with essential materials but also inspires them to reach their full potential,” Alcayde remarked.

This distribution is part of a broader effort by DELP and Batch 1984 to support local education and foster a spirit of community engagement.(PR)

Leyte town declared as insurgency-free, coinciding with the anniversary of mass grave discovery

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TACLOBAN CITY– The town of Inopacan, Leyte, has officially declared itself insurgency-free during the commemoration of the 18th anniversary of the discovery of the Inopacan Massacre on August 28, 2024.

Sapang Bato, a mountain village in Inopacan, was reportedly the site of summary executions and the burial ground for at least 67 members of the New People’s Army (NPA), who were killed by their own comrades.

The skeletal remains were unearthed in the town on August 28, 2006. It is estimated by former rebels and the victims’ relatives that the mass purging, known as “Oplan Venereal Disease,” killed around 300 people in Leyte alone during the 1980s.

During the 18th anniversary commemoration of the exhumation, the victims’ family members expressed their sorrow and despair over the ordeal their loved ones endured. They strongly condemned the NPA, holding them responsible for the misery and loss they suffered.

One relative, “Alma” (not her real name), shared her painful experience of being in Grade 2 when armed men abducted her father from their home in 1985. She tearfully recalled never seeing her father again after that night. Now in her 50s, she and her family continue to seek justice.

Following similar declarations in neighboring towns, the local government of Inopacan, led by Mayor Rogelio D. Pua Jr., officially declared the town under Stable Internal Peace and Security Conditions (SIPSC), with the strong support of the community to reject any forces that threaten their peace.

The ceremony was attended by key stakeholders and partner agencies committed to promoting sustainable peace and development.

Also present were Baybay City Mayor Jose Carlos Cari, and representatives from the municipality of Mahaplag.

Many massacre victims were from Baybay City, Inopacan, and Mahaplag.

Notable figures who led the commemoration and the formal signing of Inopacan’s SIPSC declaration included Roma Demeterio, cluster head of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Leyte, and Police Lt.Col. Ricky Reli, deputy provincial director of the Philippine National Police Leyte.

In his speech, Lt. Col. Rosalejos congratulated the people of Inopacan for their collective effort in achieving this significant milestone.

He emphasized that the declaration marks a new chapter for the town, paving the way for tourism and investment while ensuring that the horrors of the past are never repeated.
“We are moving beyond this dark chapter in our history, advancing toward a brighter and lasting peace, while carrying with us the lessons that will ensure the NPA never again sows terror among us,” Rosalejos said in the vernacular.

The SIPSC declaration was made official through a covenant signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Pledges of Commitment, concluding with the release of white doves to symbolize peace and new beginnings.

Meanwhile, 802nd Brigade Commander Brigadier General Noel A. Vestuir commended all stakeholders in Inopacan for their commitment to maintaining a safe environment.

“With the declaration of another town in Leyte as under Stable Internal Peace and Security Conditions, we send a strong message of unity in our quest to end local communist armed conflict and maintain a peaceful and secure environment for the peace-loving people of these towns,” Vestuir said.
(ROEL T.AMAZONA)

Corruption prevails

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Corruption in the Philippines is so persistent it has become an institution in itself, deeply rooted in both the private and public sectors. The perpetrators—often the very people entrusted with the nation’s welfare—never seem to run out of ways to exploit their positions for personal gain. From rigged transactions to bribery schemes, the culture of corruption is pervasive, and those responsible constantly invent new methods to line their pockets, often at the expense of those who can least afford it.

One of the most blatant forms of corruption lies in the manipulation of official transactions. It is no secret that in many government agencies, officials conspire to skim off funds intended for legitimate purposes. One example is inviting speakers or trainers for seminars, and then letting them sign blank payment forms. These trainers receive only a fraction of the supposed honorarium, while the bulk of the funds disappear into the pockets of corrupt personnel. Such schemes reveal how those in power exploit every opportunity to siphon money, even from initiatives meant to educate and empower. The bureaucratic sleight of hand is not just theft; it is a deliberate assault on public trust, with the guilty parties feeling no shame as they profit off the goodwill and efforts of others.

Nepotism and cronyism are other insidious forms of corruption that thrive unchecked. Key government positions are often handed to relatives and friends of agency heads, bypassing more qualified and deserving applicants. This practice not only erodes the integrity of the hiring process but also ensures that incompetence reigns, as these handpicked individuals often lack the necessary skills and expertise. In some cases, these vacant positions are outright sold, with prices running into hundreds of thousands of pesos. The result is a public service staffed by individuals who are loyal not to their duties or the public they serve, but to the officials who installed them. Such corruption compromises the quality of service delivery, further weakening institutions that are supposed to safeguard the public interest.

There are government bodies where fines and penalties are wielded as tools of extortion rather than instruments of justice. These agencies target individuals and businesses with deep pockets, imposing exorbitant fines for minor infractions—or sometimes for fabricated offenses—knowing full well that paying off these fines is often the only way to escape prolonged harassment. This predatory behavior masquerades as enforcement of the law, but it is, in reality, nothing more than organized extortion by those entrusted to uphold fairness. The exploitation of regulatory power for personal gain distorts the very essence of governance and further alienates the citizenry from the state.

These examples only scratch the surface of the many faces of corruption in the Philippines. The truth is, the web of deceit and self-interest runs much deeper and spreads far wider than anyone dares to admit. From low-level clerks to high-ranking officials, the culture of corruption infects every level of society, perpetuating a system where unethical behavior is normalized and often rewarded. The schemes are multifarious, constantly evolving to evade detection, making the fight against corruption seem futile. Until accountability is enforced, and a genuine effort is made to dismantle these well-entrenched networks of deceit, corruption will remain a cancer that continues to eat away at the soul of the nation. Solving it may indeed be next to impossible—but the greater tragedy is that, for many, it is all too convenient to simply let it be.

Worrisome

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DOMS PAGLIAWAN
DOMS PAGLIAWAN

When I think about the prospect of nuclear war, a deep, gnawing fear takes hold of me. It’s a fear that doesn’t just linger in the background but often grips me with a stark realization of how fragile everything I hold dear truly is. I worry for myself, my family, my relatives, my friends, and my country. The very thought of a nuclear war is terrifying, and the potential effects are beyond comprehension. The destruction, the loss of life, and the irreversible damage to our world are nightmares I can’t easily shake off. Survival feels like a distant hope when faced with such overwhelming devastation.

One of the things that worry me most is the immediate impact of a nuclear strike— the sheer, unimaginable force that could wipe out entire cities in an instant. I think about my family and the people I love, and I can’t help but feel utterly powerless. A single detonation could mean the end of everything familiar: our homes, our neighborhoods, and all the places that hold our memories. There would be no time to say goodbye, no chance to shield my loved ones from the horror. The thought of losing them in a blinding flash of heat and fire is a fear I find almost unbearable. It’s not just the physical destruction but the abruptness of it all—the suddenness with which everything we know could be reduced to nothing.

Then there are the lingering effects, the silent killers that follow in the aftermath: radiation and nuclear fallout. Even if we somehow survive the initial blast, the air, the water, and the very ground we walk on would be poisoned. I imagine my friends and relatives trying to find food and water, only to realize that everything is contaminated. There would be no safe place, no refuge from the invisible threats that seep into every corner of the environment. I worry about the long-term health effects—radiation sickness, cancer, and the genetic damage that could haunt future generations. The idea that the very air we breathe could be a death sentence is horrifying. The world would become a hostile, toxic place, and the chances of rebuilding a normal life would be slim to none.

I also fear the collapse of society in the wake of such a catastrophe. With infrastructure obliterated and resources scarce, there would be chaos and lawlessness. People would be driven to extremes just to survive. I worry about what kind of world my loved ones would face in those desperate times—a world where necessities like food, water, and medical care would be nearly impossible to secure. I think about my country, struggling to maintain order amid the wreckage, and I fear that our shared sense of community would dissolve into a brutal fight for survival. The loss of humanity in the face of such desperation is a prospect that terrifies me.

Most of all, I am haunted by the sense of futility—the realization that, despite all our advancements and achievements, it could all be wiped out in an instant. The dreams I have for myself and the hopes I hold for the future of my family and friends could be obliterated by a decision made far beyond my control. I feel tremendous sadness when I consider that everything we’ve built could be undone, not by some natural disaster, but by our own hands. The senselessness of it all is what makes it so hard to bear. I worry that we would be left not just with the ruins of our cities, but with the crushing weight of knowing that we brought this devastation upon ourselves.

In the end, my fear of nuclear war isn’t just about the loss of life or the physical destruction—it’s about the loss of hope. It’s the fear that the world I’ve known, the people I care about, and the future I dream of could all be swept away in an instant. The thought that survival would be nearly impossible and that we would be left to endure a grim, inhospitable world keeps me up at night. I pray that we never reach that point, that somehow, reason will prevail over madness, and that the nightmare of nuclear war remains just that—a nightmare, never to become our reality.

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