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DSWD-8 strengthens community -driven development efforts through partnership forum

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TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the region, through its Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) program, held a partnership forum on Tuesday, Nov.26, at the Leyte Academic Center in Palo, Leyte.

The event gathered 65 national government agencies, represented by regional directors, heads of offices, and information officers under the Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO-8), to discuss strategies for strengthening the promotion of the community-driven development (CDD) approach of the KALAHI-CIDSS program.

The forum’s highlight was the ceremonial signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to institutionalize partnerships among government institutions.

This initiative aims to bolster the whole-of-government approach in information dissemination and development communication, aligning with KALAHI-CIDSS’s mission of empowering communities.

“Community-driven development promotes participation, transparency, and accountability. We aim to spread these principles in our communities with the support of partner agencies. Together, we can influence meaningful change,” Grace Subong, DSWD regional director, said during her address.

Another key component of the forum was the introduction of the proposed Philippine Community Resilience Project, dubbed as “Panahon ng Pagkilos” (Time for Action).

This project seeks to strengthen community capacities for participatory resilience planning and deliver resilience investments in vulnerable areas. It also aims to encourage collaboration among partner agencies to ensure its effective implementation.

Members of AGIO-8 expressed their commitment to supporting the initiative as a platform for advancing community empowerment. Their collective efforts will not only focus on government agencies but also extend to the various sectors each member serves.

The forum underscored the importance of partnerships in achieving the program’s goals of fostering transparency, accountability, and resilience, paving the way for sustainable development in Eastern Visayas communities.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

Board Member Veloso-Kabigting defends barangayan participation against critics

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BARANGAYAN. Leyte 3rd District Board Member Marie Kathryn “Chinggay” Veloso-Kabigting refutes allegations questioning her authority to attend a barangayan activity, emphasizing that it is part of her duty as an elected leader, especially within her district. Photo shows Veloso-Kabigting in a barangayan with Leyte Gov. Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla. (PHOTO COURTESY)
BARANGAYAN. Leyte 3rd District Board Member Marie Kathryn “Chinggay” Veloso-Kabigting refutes allegations questioning her authority to attend a barangayan activity, emphasizing that it is part of her duty as an elected leader, especially within her district. Photo shows Veloso-Kabigting in a barangayan with Leyte Gov. Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla. (PHOTO COURTESY)

SAN ISIDRO, Leyte –Board Member Marie Kathryn “Chinggay” Veloso-Kabigting of Leyte’s third district responded to criticisms from the camp of San Isidro Mayor Bebot Veloso regarding her participation in a barangayan event on November 24, 2024.

Detractors questioned her presence at the event, claiming she was not invited.
Kabigting clarified that the barangayan is an official activity of the Leyte provincial government led by Governor Carlos Jericho “Icot” Petilla and members of the provincial board, aimed at addressing the needs of barangay residents.

“The barangayan activity is an official activity of the province of Leyte, of which I am a part,” she stated. “My role as a board member transcends political affiliations—it’s about serving the people.”

The event, held in Barangays Bawod and Bunacan in San Isidro, included the distribution of medicines and groceries and consultations with barangay officials to discuss infrastructure needs.

Politicization of Barangayan

Kabigting expressed dismay over attempts to politicize the barangayan by supporters of local officials. She pointed to troll sites aligned with Mayor Veloso’s camp, which allegedly criticized her participation and misrepresented the event as politically motivated.
“Some are portraying the barangayan as a local initiative to favor their political camp. This is misleading,” Kabigting said, noting that the activity is a provincial initiative funded by the Province of Leyte, not the San Isidro local government.

Social media posts also attempted to link Governor Petilla to the political campaign of congressional candidate Wingwing Veloso, the mayor’s brother. Kabigting emphasized that the barangayan remains an apolitical platform to serve residents’ needs.

A Commitment to Public Service

Kabigting underscored her right and responsibility as a board member to join barangayan activities.

“Why would I not be invited to an official provincial activity where I am part of the organizing body?” she asked.

She also highlighted her history of conducting barangayan initiatives in San Isidro alongside Governor Petilla and her sister, Congresswoman Anna Veloso-Tuazon, the representative of Leyte’s 3rd district.

“My mandate to serve the people goes beyond political parties,” Kabigting said. “I go where I am needed, without asking for anything in return.”

She reaffirmed her dedication to public service and vowed to continue addressing the needs of her constituents through programs like the barangayan initiative.

“This work is not about politics—it’s about ensuring that no one is left behind,” she concluded. (RGA)

DPWH allocates P468.1 million for educational infra projects in Eastern Visayas SUCs

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TACLOBAN CITY-The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office announced on Tuesday, November 26, its plan to implement 18 educational infrastructure projects for various state universities and colleges (SUCs) in Eastern Visayas, with a total allocation of P468.145 million.

The projects aim to modernize educational facilities and create student-centric infrastructures through partnerships with SUCs, it said.

These initiatives follow a memorandum of agreement (MOA) under Republic Act 11975 or the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2024, which mandates the DPWH to manage SUC projects exceeding P5 million.

The funding is distributed among the following SUCs: Biliran Province State University (BiPSU), Naval, Biliran, P106 million; Palompon Institute of Technology (PIT), Palompon, Leyte, P50 million; Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), Tacloban City, P77.94 million; Eastern Samar State University (ESSU), Guiuan Campus, Eastern Samar, P15 million; Leyte Normal University (LNU), Tacloban City P95 million; Visayas State University (VSU), Baybay City, Leyte, P45.6 million; Samar State University (SSU), Catbalogan City, Samar, P25 million; Northwest Samar State University (NSSU), Calbayog City, Samar, P13.6 million; Southern Leyte State University (SLSU), Maasin City, Southern Leyte, P15 million; and UP-Manila School of Health Sciences, Palo, Leyte: P25 million.

The projects include the construction of new academic buildings, dormitories, multi-purpose facilities, and specialized laboratories, as well as the rehabilitation and upgrading of existing structures.

“These facilities will address the growing needs of students and faculty while fostering innovation and quality education in the region,” the DPWH Regional Office VIII stated.
The DPWH underscored that the projects are part of its broader initiative to enhance educational infrastructure, ensuring that SUCs are equipped with durable and reliable facilities to support academic excellence.

The targeted completion of these projects is expected to benefit thousands of students and staff across Eastern Visayas, contributing to the socio-economic development of the region. By prioritizing modern and high-quality educational facilities, the government reaffirms its commitment to uplifting the standard of education in the Philippines.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

78th IB conducts marksmanship training for reservists in Eastern Samar

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MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING. The 78th Infantry Battalion conducted a marksmanship training to enhance the firearms handling skills and knowledge of reservists, equipping them for their duties as part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (78th IB)
MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING. The 78th Infantry Battalion conducted a marksmanship training to enhance the firearms handling skills and knowledge of reservists, equipping them for their duties as part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (78th IB)

BORONGAN CITY– The 78th Infantry (Warrior) Battalion successfully conducted a marksmanship training for reservists of the 802nd Community Defense Center (802CDC), 8th Regional Community Defense Group (8RCDG), on November 23, 2024, at its headquarters in Barangay Lalawigan, Borongan City.

The training aimed to enhance the skills and knowledge of reservists in firearms handling, preparing them for their duties as part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Experienced instructors from the 78th Infantry Battalion facilitated the activity, ensuring a safe and effective training program.

Lieutenant Colonel Joseph D. Bugaoan, acting commanding officer of the 78th IB, underscored the importance of the training. “These activities are vital to ensure that our reservists are always prepared and equipped to face challenges related to security and peacekeeping. Such initiatives serve as the foundation of a strong and reliable defense force for our nation,” he said.

The marksmanship training is part of the Philippine Army’s continuous campaign to bolster the readiness of reservists as integral members of the overall force that upholds peace and security. Participants commended the well-organized and meaningful training, expressing gratitude to the 78th IB for providing them with valuable skills and knowledge.

The 78th IB remains committed to supporting activities that strengthen the capabilities of the Armed Forces, contributing to safer and more progressive communities for a better Philippines.(PR)

Bleak scenario

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Filipinos nowadays are grappling with a pervasive sense of despair as they witness a nation seemingly stuck in a cycle of political decay and economic hardship. With leaders fixated on securing their dynastic power rather than addressing the people’s needs, the dream of a better tomorrow feels increasingly distant. This growing disillusionment demands a candid reckoning with the flaws of a system that favors the few while abandoning the many.

At the heart of this crisis is the entrenchment of political dynasties that treat public office as family heirlooms. Positions of power are handed down as though the nation were a private estate, leaving no room for genuine representation or fresh leadership. These dynasties amass wealth and influence while programs meant to uplift the poor are reduced to hollow promises. The gap between the leaders’ priorities and the people’s struggles has widened so severely that the government is perceived less as a source of solutions and more as an obstacle to progress.

Meanwhile, economic woes exacerbate the discontent. Prices of basic goods have soared beyond what ordinary Filipinos can afford, while wages remain stagnant or insufficient. For millions, feeding a family is an endless balancing act of sacrifice. Despite the abundance of natural and human resources, mismanagement and corruption have stifled development. Instead of investing in industries that create jobs or addressing the agricultural sector’s decline, leaders prioritize short-term gains like AYUDA and foreign-dependent policies, siphoning the funds of government income-generating agencies, leaving Filipinos to bear the brunt of economic instability.

Worsening this bleak reality is the apparent lack of accountability among those in power. Investigations into corruption scandals and their absence rarely result in convictions, and whistleblowers are silenced by fear or force. This culture of impunity fosters cynicism among the electorate, making them question whether their votes or voices have any impact at all. With each scandal that goes unpunished, hope for a government truly serving its people slips further out of reach.

Filipinos must demand, not only systemic reform but also a shift in the national mindset. Civic education and grassroots movements must take root, empowering communities to challenge the status quo and hold leaders accountable. Electoral processes should be fortified to prevent dynastic control, and resources must be directed toward sustainable economic initiatives. Above all, the people’s collective voice must rise above resignation, proving that a nation’s destiny is not dictated by its leaders but by its citizens’ determination to build a future worth believing in.

Selective justice

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DOMS PAGLIAWAN

The law in this country is like a blindfolded figure who keeps peeking from one side to the other, deciding whose misdeeds are worth her time. She sees every petty thief, every hapless vendor violating sidewalk ordinances, but the moment a powerful figure steals from government coffers, she pretends to be completely blind. It’s a cruel joke how justice seems to punish only those who cannot afford to defend themselves while letting the rich and powerful walk away with blood still dripping off their hands.

I’ve often wondered if the law here carries a price tag. It feels like it does, with loopholes tailored for the well-connected and cages reserved for the penniless. Take, for instance, that time when a tricycle driver was arrested for stealing rice because his children were starving. The headlines called him a thief, his neighbors shook their heads in shame, and the barangay officials held a press conference to condemn his act as “a violation of our values.” Yet, in the same month, a senator accused of embezzling billions in public funds held a birthday party at a five-star hotel. Guess who didn’t go to jail?

This imbalance is more than just unfair—it’s nauseating. It’s as though the law operates like a crooked scale, weighted heavily in favor of those with money and influence. I’ve seen farmers dragged into police precincts over disputes about the land they’ve tilled for generations, all because some landowner decided he wanted the property back. These farmers, armed with nothing but calloused hands and their word, rarely win against polished lawyers and falsified documents. Meanwhile, someone charged with plunder or drug trafficking hires a legal team so sharp they could argue that the sun rises in the West—and the judge might just nod in agreement.

What’s even more infuriating is how those in power use charity as a shield against accountability. They’ll host feeding programs or donate relief goods with photographers in tow, all while dodging court subpoenas. It’s theater, plain and simple. And we, the audience, are expected to applaud their generosity, forgetting for a moment that the money they’re giving away likely came from taxpayers or illicit deals. It’s like watching a thief return a coin from a bag of stolen gold and being called a hero for it.

Corruption, of course, thrives on silence and complicity. I’ve sat in jeepneys where passengers shared whispers about a barangay official’s secret mansion or a policeman’s “extra income.” Yet no one dared speak up publicly. Why would they? Whistleblowers are often rewarded with harassment, lawsuits, or worse. It’s no wonder that people prefer to look the other way. The risk of exposing the truth far outweighs the hope of justice.

The irony is that we Filipinos are often accused of being too forgiving. Maybe it’s true. How else can one explain how convicted officials run for public office again and win? It’s as if we have collective amnesia or, worse, a penchant for electing villains because we mistake notoriety for competence. It’s a cycle as predictable as the seasons: they rob us blind, we complain, they smile, and we vote them back in.

It’s easy to feel helpless in the face of such a rigged system. Sometimes, I wonder if the law will ever serve justice equally, or if it will always be a weapon wielded by the powerful against the powerless. But perhaps there’s still a sliver of hope. I’ve seen glimpses of it in the youth, who call out injustices online. Their anger is raw, their voices unpolished, but their refusal to stay silent offers a spark of resistance against the status quo.

If there’s one thing we need, it’s accountability—real, uncompromising accountability. Laws shouldn’t bend to money or status; they should stand firm, as unyielding as the mountains. Until that happens, this country will remain what it is: a land where justice is a privilege, not a right, and the law’s blindfold will forever be just a prop in a never-ending farce.

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