MISS EARTH PHILIPPINES CANDIDATES. The city of Borongan is now set to the swimwear competition for this year’s Miss Earth Philippines slated on Thursday(April 25). Photo shows the 29 candidates readying for their flight to the Eastern Samar provincial capital on Monday(April 22).( BORONGAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
MISS EARTH PHILIPPINES CANDIDATES. The city of Borongan is now set to the swimwear competition for this year’s Miss Earth Philippines slated on Thursday(April 25). Photo shows the 29 candidates readying for their flight to the Eastern Samar provincial capital on Monday(April 22).( BORONGAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
TACLOBAN CITY – All is set for the hosting of Borongan City for the beachwear competition of the Miss Philippines Earth 2024.
The 29 candidates representing various local government units in the country and representatives from the Filipino community in the United States of America and Italy arrived on Monday (April 22).
They are staying in Borongan for about a week also doing community engagement, an innovation to Miss Philippines Earth activities.
“Part of these innovations are environmental awareness and heritage appreciation drives for 29 Miss Philippines Earth hopefuls,” the Borongan City Information Office said in a statement.
The candidates will immerse themselves in the warm hospitality and natural wonders of Borongan, known as the City of Golden Sunrise.
Their itinerary includes surfing, diving, island hopping, and beach sports, alongside visits to remote barangays where local communities actively protect the environment.
‘We’re taking our guests to our remote barangays to provide them with a unique insight into Borongan City,” Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda expressed.
“It’s the first time we’re bringing this national event closer to our people in these areas, underscoring the importance of environmental conservation and heritage preservation. We want our communities in these barangays to also experience this event, ensuring they are top of mind when there are opportunities for experiences like these,” the city mayor added.
Highlighting the visit of the candidates in Borongan is the beachwear competition, which will take place at Baybay Beach on April 25 at 3 pm.
The city government also takes this opportunity to promote local products by encouraging entrepreneurs to put up booths as concessionaires at Baybay Boulevard during the event.
The city government also encourages participating entrepreneurs to make use of environment-friendly materials for their products. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
ORMOC CITY-The Net Zero Carbon Alliance (NZCA), the country’s largest private sector consortium eyeing for net-zero emissions, held its inaugural Net Zero 101 media training for journalists and corporate communicators on April 16 at its headquarters in Ortigas Center.
The gathering, hosted by First Gen-owned renewable energy leader and NZCA lead convenor Energy Development Corporation (EDC), recognizes the roles of the media in educating the community and stakeholders in fighting against the effects of climate change.
It was aimed to orient and capacitate the 26 media practitioners and 11 corporate communicators in amplifying the necessary information and eventually achieve the NZCA’s ambitious goal of Net-Zero Carbon by 2050.
“Media practitioners play a vital role in our net-zero mission by sustaining and strengthening awareness on global climate issues,” lawyer Allan V. Barcena, EDC assistant vice president and head of corporate support functions, and NZCA executive director, said.
“This training helps guide them in their duty to produce truthful and compelling content in an increasingly volatile media environment, and to develop more creative and impactful storytelling, especially on ESG considerations in today’s rapidly evolving business and policy landscape,” he added.
Frances Ariola, EDC’s head of the corporate communications department, discussed how companies can join the NSCA and contribute to its goal as the country’s largest organization of businesses advancing for the net zero transition.
She also said that the Philippines at present does not have a hard net zero target making its plans for the environment problem solutions very challenging.
Aside from that, it was noted that among the contributory causes of high carbon emissions are human activities. Therefore it is very imperative to target also in this program the people and foster a sustainable future.
The objective of NZCA is to establish strategic partnerships and inspire companies to pledge and swiftly implement measures to achieve carbon neutrality, ultimately progressing towards a net-zero carbon footprint.
Rooted in EDC’s mission, NZCA is dedicated to fostering cooperative alliances aimed at realizing a decarbonized and regenerative future. (ELVIE ROMAN ROA)
READY FOR BIG-TICKET INVESTMENTS. Thus said Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan (center) in a media conference on Wednesday (April 17) as his province pioneers the implementation of the green lane for strategic investments, referring to multi-billions worth of investments. Beside the governor are Board of Investments Director Ernesto Delos Reyes (left) and Lubin De Vera, Jr.
(THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF NORTHERN SAMAR)
First LGU in PH to do so
READY FOR BIG-TICKET INVESTMENTS. Thus said Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan (center) in a media conference on Wednesday (April 17) as his province pioneers the implementation of the green lane for strategic investments, referring to multi-billions worth of investments. Beside the governor are Board of Investments Director Ernesto Delos Reyes (left) and Lubin De Vera, Jr. (THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF NORTHERN SAMAR)
TACLOBAN CITY– The provincial government of Northern Samar was commended by the Board of Investments (BOI) for coming up with its own ‘green lane’ intended for big-ticket investments, a move expected to spur economic development in the province.
BOI Director Ernesto Delos Reyes, Jr., in charge of the office’s investments assistance service, said that Northern Samar is the first local government unit in the country to establish a green lane for strategic investment.
He said that the establishment of the green lane may prove to be a game-changer for Northern Samar, one of the poorest provinces in the country with around 26 percent poverty incidence.
“We are glad that the province has established its own green lane for strategic investments, becoming the first local government unit in the country to do so,” Delos Reyes said during an interview on Wednesday (April 17).
He added the provincial government of Northern Samar should take advantage of its strategic location being the gateway of Eastern Visayas to the rest of the country adding that it has abundant natural resources with a skilled and hardworking workforce.
The creation of green lanes for strategic investment is mandated under Executive Order 18 issued by Pres. Marcos on February 23, 2023, which aims to attract strategic investments in the country.
Strategic investments refer to those that are aligned with the Philippine Development Plan or any similar national development plan and can be characterized by significant capital or consequential economic impact.
Governor Edwin Ongchuan issued Executive Order Number 24 last Jan. 12, 2024 for the establishment of their own green lane with the provincial economic development and investment promotions office, headed by Jan Allen Berbon, as the lead agency.
The center, together with the BOI, will help fast-track the process of securing all the needed permits and documents by the potential investors, thus avoiding the red tape common in the country’s bureaucracy.
It was learned that for simple transactions, actions could be finished within 3 working days; seven working days for complex transactions; and 20 working days for those involving highly technical transactions.
Delos Reyes said that their office will monitor if these mandated days of transactions would not be violated, saying a complaint could be filed at the ARTA or the Anti-Red Tape Authority which is under the Office of the President.
And if this would work successfully in Northern Samar, Delos Reyes said that he would request the Department of Interior and Local Government to direct all LGUs to have their own green lane for strategic investments.
Meantime, Gov. Ongchuan said that he is optimistic that the creation of their own green lane would lead to the coming in of big investors to the province which is actually happening now.
In particular, Ongchuan cited the ongoing development work of an on-shore wind project by Aboitiz Renewables, Inc. and Vena Energy at San Isidro town which has employed about 300 locals.
Another big-ticket investment coming to the province is the off-shore wind power project by the Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) with an initial investment of P108 billion.
In addition, a tidal power facility is to be built in the town of Capul by Energies PH, Inc.
“The advantage here is, of course, this could help generate employment among the locals,” he said.
For his part, Berbon said that more than the incentives being offered by the Philippine government to foreign investors, they are more interested in having an easy and transparent business climate.
“They just want to fast track in securing the (needed) permit which we can provide through this green lane or one-stop shop,” he said.
TOURISM PROMOTION. Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco(left) commended the provincial government of Samar under the leadership of Governor Sharee Ann Tan(right) for coming a ‘fun and adventure’ tourism program, dubbed as ‘Spark Adventure:The trails of discovering Samar wonders’ which was launched on Tuesday(April 16).
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
‘Spark Adventure’
TOURISM PROMOTION. Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco(left) commended the provincial government of Samar under the leadership of Governor Sharee Ann Tan(right) for coming a ‘fun and adventure’ tourism program, dubbed as ‘Spark Adventure:The trails of discovering Samar wonders’ which was launched on Tuesday(April 16). (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Samar launches its new tourism offering under Spark Samar dubbed ‘Spark Adventure: The trails of discovering Samar Wonders.’
Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco graced the launching held at the tourism center in Barangay Binongtoan, the jump-off point for the Ilog Tour.
Spark Adventure: The trails of discovering Samar Wonders offer three tour packages.
The Tandaya Trail 1 Tourism Circuit featuring the Sohoton Cave and Natural Bridge, the centuries-old tradition of mat weaving in Brgy. Basiao in Basey, the farm-to-table concept restaurant in Marabut municipality offering a picturesque view of the town’s rock formations, and the culinary feast of sumptuous dishes at the San Juan by the Bay in Sta Rita town.
The Mabaysay Cultural River Cruise, wherein tourists will deep dive into the province’s rich cultural tapestry by cruising along the Cadac-an River experiencing the traditional kuratsa dance in the village of Burgos, the tuba winemaking in Del Pilar village, meeting the Mamanwa tribe in Sitio Rawis of Mabini village, and learning the history of Basey in Magallanes village.
The Secret Kitchen of Samar Gastronomy Tour allows tourists not only to witness the demonstration of how heirloom dishes of the province are prepared and cooked but also to let them savor the flavors of authentic Samar cuisine that was passed down through generations.
“The launch of the three tourism circuits of Samar highlights the enormous potential that our destination can have in providing authentic, immersive, meaningful, purposeful, and sustainable Philippine experiences for local and international tourists,” Sec. Francos said in her message.
Frasco credited the success of the launching through the collaborative support from the national and local governments and tourism stakeholders that work hand-in-hand to prepare not only the facilities but including the communities who will benefit the program.
She added that this tourism program of the province is aligned with the national government program to promote and market the Philippines as a place of fun and adventure and also to reintroduce the Philippines to the wider tourist market “by allowing them to get to know the heart and soul of every Filipino.”
The tourism secretary said that tourism is one of the economic drivers of the country and provides employment to more than 10 million Filipinos.
Governor Sharee Ann Tan, in her message, said that she is focusing on tourism promotion as she believes that this could help usher development in Samar.
The governor also thanked Sec. Frasco for giving P4 million in assistance used for the Mabaysay River cruise.
The launching of Spark Adventure was attended by top officials.
Among them were Rep.Reynolds Michael Tan(2nd district), regional directors of national government agencies including DOT8 Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes, Department of Budget and Management Regional Director Imelda Laceras, National Economic Development Authority Regional Director Mylene Rosales, Technical Education Skills Development Authority Regional Director Gamaleil Vicente Jr., Department of Labor and Employment Regional Director Atty Dax Villaroel, and 8th Infantry Division Commander MGen Camilo Ligayo. (ROEL T. AMAZOAN/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
TACLOBAN CITY – The municipality of Giporlos in Eastern Samar province was declared as ‘stable peace and internal security’ by the Philippine Army.
The declaration was held on April 12, at the town’s municipal gymnasium.
Municipal Mayor Gilbert Go said that the declaration is a win for his town because this means that they have a better peace and order situation now that could entice businessmen and investors to put up businesses in his municipality.
He urges village officials to support all development program to ensure that their municipality remains peaceful and orderly after the declaration.
B/Gen Noel Vestuir, the commanding officer of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, for his part, said that the declaration of Giporlos of having a stable internal peace and security status is a big achievement against the more than five decades-long insurgency problem in the country.
The military official added that some LGUs under their jurisdiction are also on the pipeline of being declared with the same status.
Giporlos is the first LGU under the area of operation in Eastern Samar of the 802nd that was declared of such status.
The status means that practically, there is no active members of the communist group, the New People’s Army, operating in Giporlos.
MANILA-The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), provided P4 million ($72,000) in funding and technical support to the Department of Health (DOH) and Child Protection Network Foundation (CPN) to strengthen reporting and training systems for women and child protection in the Philippines.
On April 11, USAID Philippines Mission Director Ryan Washburn witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and CPN Executive Director Dr. Bernadette Madrid for the enhancement of the Women and Children Protection Management Information System (WCPMIS), a system that tracks cases of women and child abuse in the Philippines.
Through the funding, USAID will support the DOH and CPN in enhancing the WCPMIS by streamlining its data collection, analysis, and reporting of abuse cases. This will enable more efficient monitoring of abuse survivors’ progress, ensuring timely support from responders. Accurate data will also be made available to other organizations and individuals providing services to abuse survivors.
DOH and CPN also signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the online training of healthcare workers on recognizing, reporting, recording, and referring (4Rs) abuse cases. Under the MoU, DOH will now require Women and Child Protection Units in hospitals to report abuse cases to authorities.
“In all of our work, we are guided by the paramount principle of the child’s best interest,” USAID Philippines Mission Director Washburn said during the signing ceremony. “The agreements signed today will ensure that those charged with identifying and reporting abuse will understand their obligations and how to fulfill them. Consequently, those agencies and persons charged with preventing, protecting, and providing support to survivors will have the information they need to effectively carry out their own roles in combating child abuse.”
“This database is important, being one of the missing gaps in preventing and intervening on cases of violence against children. Data will tell us what the victims need, the appropriate policies and projects intended for them and where to exert more effort (for the victims),” CPN Executive Director Dr. Madrid said.
“The culture of violence must be stopped. Tight collaboration and solid data can change policies to protect women and children,” DOH Secretary Herbosa said. “We have an ocean of data all around us. We must harness the power of that ocean, organizing information into seas of knowledge with safe harbors that will allow boats of wisdom to dock.”
In addition to strengthening the reporting infrastructure, the partnership between the DOH and CPN will also improve training programs for healthcare workers in identifying and reporting abuse cases.
USAID supports the Philippine government in integrating gender-based violence prevention and response into its health programming. Since 2019, USAID has trained over 3,400 health providers in the 4Rs, along with training on gender sensitivity and gender-based violence prevention and response across its project areas. (PR)
