DURABLE AND ICONIC — Olympic bronze medalist Aira Villegas is likened to the Tamaraw for her courage and determination in achieving her goals. Villegas attended the sneak preview of the New Generation Tamaraw, which is exclusively sold by Toyota. The photo features Villegas with Jimmy Yaokasin, chairman and president of Toyota Tacloban Leyte, Inc., and his family.
(PHOTO COURTESY)
DURABLE AND ICONIC — Olympic bronze medalist Aira Villegas is likened to the Tamaraw for her courage and determination in achieving her goals. Villegas attended the sneak preview of the New Generation Tamaraw, which is exclusively sold by Toyota. The photo features Villegas with Jimmy Yaokasin, chairman and president of Toyota Tacloban Leyte, Inc., and his family. (PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY — Olympic bronze medalist Aira Villegas embodies the Filipino spirit of grit, determination, and ingenuity.
These qualities also reflect the New Generation Tamaraw, which is why Villegas was invited to the sneak preview of this entirely Filipino-made vehicle, according to Jimmy Yaokasin, chairman and president of Toyota Tacloban Leyte, Inc.
Yaokasin expressed pride in having Villegas attend the event, held last Saturday, September 28.
“Aside from being a true Taclobanon, we invited Aira for the sneak preview of the New Generation Tamaraw because she symbolizes determination, courage, and ingenuity—qualities that the Tamaraw also represents,” he said during the event at the company’s showroom.
According to Yaokasin, the new Tamaraw model is locally manufactured and comparable to foreign-made vehicles regarding durability and quality.
He emphasized that it aligns with the national government’s modernization program for public transport vehicles.
“It is an environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient vehicle,” Yaokasin stressed.
He added that the Tamaraw is versatile and can be reconfigured for various purposes, including serving as an ambulance, people carrier, or patrol car.
“It’s truly flexible and affordable. Prices range from P750,000 to P1.5 million, depending on the vehicle’s configuration,” Yaokasin explained.
The new Tamaraw is a modernized version of the iconic vehicle that dominated the streets of the Philippines in the 1970s and 1990s. It has since become a cultural symbol of the country. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
TACLOBAN CITY — House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan has introduced two bills aimed at enhancing the coconut industry in Eastern Samar by establishing two government-run coconut oil refineries.
The proposed plants are expected to significantly boost local farmers’ productivity and income while stimulating economic growth in the region.
Libanan’s House Bill (HB) No. 10834 proposes the establishment of the Eastern Samar Coconut Oil Milling and Refinery Plant in Sulat, while HB No. 10849 seeks to set up the South Eastern Samar Coconut Oil Milling and Refinery Plant in Quinapondan.
These facilities will focus on processing raw coconuts into refined coconut oil and other high-value products for both domestic and international markets.
“We expect these facilities to elevate coconut processing, create jobs, and invigorate the economies of Eastern Samar and neighboring areas. Ultimately, they will contribute to poverty reduction,” Libanan said on Sunday, Sept.29.
He also emphasized the plants’ potential to strengthen the national economy through increased coconut oil exports.
Coconut oil remains a top export product for the Philippines.
From January to July 2024, the country exported $1.115 billion worth of crude and refined coconut oil, marking a 58.5 percent increase compared to $704 million during the same period in 2023, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.
The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), would be responsible for overseeing the construction and operation of these plants. The projects’ funding would come from the current appropriations of both the DA and PCA.
Additionally, the two proposed refineries would benefit from a five-year income tax holiday and exemptions from customs duties and national taxes on imported capital equipment, raw materials, and other necessary inputs. They would also receive priority access to government credit facilities to support their operations.
Coconut oil is widely used in industries ranging from food production and infant formula to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. It is produced by crushing copra, the dried coconut meat, which contains around 65 percent oil.
Libanan, who previously represented Eastern Samar’s lone district in Congress from 1998 to 2007 and served as the province’s vice governor, is currently the 4Ps party-list representative. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. Siblings Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano, extended financial assistance to various groups in Leyte and Eastern Samar last week. The giving of assistance was also in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development. (PHOTO COURTESY)
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. Siblings Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano, extended financial assistance to various groups in Leyte and Eastern Samar last week. The giving of assistance was also in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development. (PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY– Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), provided livelihood assistance to 2,446 residents from Eastern Samar and Leyte this week.
From September 24 to 26, 2024, aid was distributed under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program in Ormoc City as well as the municipalities of Jipapad and Arteche, both in Eastern Samar.
The beneficiaries included a diverse group, such as senior citizens, fisherfolk, farmers, small business owners, barangay health workers (BHWs), barangay nutrition scholars (BNS), day care workers, solo parents, women’s group leaders, and participants in maternal health seminars.
This successful initiative was made possible through the support of Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, as represented by Rep. Richard Gomez of Leyte’s 4th district along with Jipapad Mayor Benjamin Ver and Arteche Mayor Roland Evardone. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
DECLINING DENGUE FEVER CASES. The regional office of the Department of Health reported of a decreasing cases of dengue fever in Eastern Samar, attributed to the cooperation of various local governments and the private sector. (PHOTO COURTESY)
DECLINING DENGUE FEVER CASES. The regional office of the Department of Health reported of a decreasing cases of dengue fever in Eastern Samar, attributed to the cooperation of various local governments and the private sector. (PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Health (DOH) has reported a sharp decrease in dengue cases across the region, raising hopes for an easing of the ongoing outbreak.
From September 15 to 21, 2024, or Morbidity Week 38, the DOH recorded 469 dengue cases, reflecting a 34% reduction compared to the 838 cases reported in the previous week (Morbidity Week 37, September 8-14).
Leyte continues to bear the brunt of the outbreak, accounting for 195 of the 469 cases. Southern Leyte followed with 114 cases, Samar with 101, Northern Samar with 38, Eastern Samar with 20, and Biliran with just one reported case.
Despite the encouraging decline, DOH regional information officer Jelyn Malibago Lopez emphasized that continued vigilance is essential.
“While the drop in cases is a promising sign, we cannot let our guard down. We are hopeful that this declining trend will persist throughout the rest of the year,” she said.
Lopez stressed that sustained cooperation from the public, particularly in organizing and participating in cleanup drives to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds, is crucial to maintaining this downward trend.
Lopez also underscored the importance of community involvement in preventing future outbreaks, urging residents and local agencies to follow the advisories and guidelines issued by the DOH.
“We appeal to all sectors to remain engaged and compliant with the health protocols we’ve put in place. Community effort is key in the fight against dengue,” she added.
Despite the recent reduction in weekly cases, Eastern Visayas has reported alarmingly high cumulative dengue numbers for the year.
From January 1 to September 21, 2024, the region has logged a total of 12,931 cases, with 24 fatalities. This marks a staggering 335% increase from the same period in 2023, which saw only 2,970 cases and 9 deaths.
In response to the persistent threat of dengue, the DOH continues to urge the public to intensify the 4S Strategy, a comprehensive approach to combat the disease.
The 4S Strategy includes search and destroy mosquito breeding sites by eliminating stagnant water where mosquitoes can lay eggs; seek early consultation by visiting healthcare providers at the first sign of symptoms, such as sudden high fever;self-protection by using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved, light-colored clothing, and covering exposed skin to prevent mosquito bites; and support fogging operations in areas where outbreaks are predicted or ongoing.
To further bolster the region’s dengue response, hospitals and healthcare facilities across Eastern Visayas have been instructed to maintain dengue fast lanes, ensure adequate staffing, and stock essential dengue medications and supplies to provide prompt and effective care to patients.
The DOH Eastern Visayas remains committed to curbing the dengue outbreak and will continue to monitor the situation closely while working with local communities to prevent a resurgence in cases. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
The saying “Don’t give me a fish; teach me how and where to fish” perfectly encapsulates the deeper issues surrounding patronage, where people in authority dole out cash and goods to secure votes. This culture of dependency hinders true progress, as it offers short-term relief but no long-term solution. What the people need is empowerment through sustainable livelihood opportunities, not temporary handouts that only deepen their indebtedness to the benefactors who exploit their vulnerabilities.
At the heart of this issue is a system that thrives on keeping people dependent. By giving cash or necessities, politicians create a false sense of benevolence, masking the real problem: the lack of access to stable employment. Instead of offering real solutions, these handouts are transactional, designed to secure votes and political loyalty. This perpetuates a vicious cycle where citizens are kept in a state of need, unable to break free from poverty because their only lifeline is the very people exploiting their desperation.
The solution lies in shifting from temporary aid to long-term opportunities for growth. Jobs, skills training, and entrepreneurship programs can provide people with the tools they need to be self-sufficient. When families have reliable income sources, they can support their needs independently, which eliminates the need to rely on donors for survival. Moreover, empowering individuals through meaningful work fosters dignity and self-worth, creating citizens who are more engaged in civic life, rather than beholden to those in power.
In addition to creating jobs, there must be an emphasis on fairness in hiring and job creation. Transparent systems that prioritize qualifications and skills, rather than political allegiance, should be at the core of employment initiatives. This not only ensures that the most capable individuals are given opportunities, but it also reduces the culture of political dependency, ensuring a more merit-based society. Employment opportunities should be linked with economic policies that boost local industries, making job creation a key component of national development.
If we want to see real change, we must break the chains of dependency created by political patronage. Teaching people how to fish, figuratively speaking, means providing them with the resources and opportunities to secure their futures independently. To address this issue, the government must focus on sustainable job creation, accessible skills development, and transparent hiring practices. By doing so, we can create a more equitable society where citizens are empowered to provide for themselves and their families, free from the control of donors.
The recent flooding in parts of the United States caused by a hurricane brought back vivid memories of what I went through during Typhoon Yolanda. The scenes of destruction, homes submerged in water, and lives upended are all too familiar. Having personally experienced such devastation, I know all too well how overwhelming it is to be surrounded by muddy water filled with debris and dangerous materials. It’s not just the immediate physical threat that haunts you, but the knowledge that the disaster could have been mitigated with better preparation and infrastructure.
I remember how, during Yolanda, many of us in Tacloban City felt helpless as the water rose faster than we could react. Houses were swept away, entire neighborhoods drowned, and in the midst of it all, there was the heart-wrenching reality that some of our neighbors and friends wouldn’t survive. It wasn’t just a storm—it was a failure of systems meant to protect us. Much like what I’ve seen in the U.S. today, there are questions to be asked about whether the right steps were taken to prepare and protect people from the inevitable dangers of such powerful storms.
The flooding in the U.S. reminds me of how, in Yolanda’s aftermath, the lack of proper drainage systems, inadequate infrastructure, and delayed government response made the situation far worse than it needed to be. In our case, lives were lost not just because of the storm itself, but because we weren’t prepared. The water that flooded our homes was filled with debris—broken glass, sharp metals, and toxic waste—turning a natural disaster into a man-made tragedy. How many of those deaths could have been avoided if we had been better equipped to handle such a catastrophe?
I see similar patterns in the U.S. floods. While the country might have more advanced technology and resources, it doesn’t mean they are immune to the mistakes we’ve made. Disasters like these expose the weaknesses in any society’s preparedness. Whether it’s the failure to properly maintain flood control systems, the lack of evacuation planning, or simply underestimating the severity of the storm, the consequences of these lapses are all too familiar to me. I understand what it feels like to have trust in the system broken, to watch as the very institutions meant to protect you fall apart in the face of disaster.
What strikes me most about both situations is how quickly things can spiral out of control when people aren’t properly informed or given the tools to protect themselves. In the case of Yolanda, many of us didn’t fully understand the scale of the storm or what a storm surge could mean. In the U.S. floods, I imagine many families were caught off-guard, thinking that their homes would be safe or that the storm wouldn’t be as bad as predicted. When the water starts rushing in, there’s no time left for second-guessing.
It also reminds me of the dangers that lurk in floodwaters—something many people don’t immediately realize. During Yolanda, we had to wade through dirty, debris-filled water, not knowing if we’d step on something sharp or come into contact with harmful chemicals. Floodwaters are not just water; they are a mix of sewage, hazardous materials, and debris that can cause infections and injuries. I’m sure that the people in the U.S. are facing the same hidden dangers, and it’s terrifying to think how easily someone could be hurt simply trying to find safety.
Looking back, I believe that better planning, more resilient infrastructure, and clearer communication could have saved lives during Yolanda, and the same is true for the U.S. today. We can’t stop hurricanes from happening, but we can take steps to minimize their impact. It’s not just about reacting after the fact, but about investing in prevention—building stronger flood barriers, ensuring communities are educated about the risks, and having emergency response systems in place that work when needed.
The lesson is clear: we need to take these warnings seriously and be proactive in protecting communities from the devastating effects of floods and hurricanes. Both in my experience with Yolanda and in watching the U.S. floods, the cost of inaction is far too high. Governments, local leaders, and individuals must come together to improve infrastructure, enforce stricter building codes, and ensure that disaster preparedness isn’t an afterthought. We hope to prevent future tragedies and keep people safe.
