The Philippine Statistics Authority Regional Statistical Services Office VIII (RSSO 8) in collaboration with PSA Biliran and Local Government Unit and Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO) of Culaba, Biliran successfully registered constituents of said municipality thru the Birth Registration Assistance Project (BRAP).

A total of 52 Certificates of Live Births in Security Paper (SECPA) were awarded to the folks of Culaba, Biliran on the following barangays: Brgy. Binongto-an, Culaba – 16 SECPA; Brgy. Bool Central, Culaba – 26 SECPA;Brgy. Patag, Culaba – 5 SECPA; and Brgy. Bacolod, Culaba – 5 SECPA

PSA Regional Director Wilma A. Perante expressed her appreciation to the LGU of Culaba for their utmost cooperation in working hand in hand with PSA Biliran in capturing the unregistered individuals for them to finally get their legal proof of identity. She shared that BRAP will continue to reach out to municipalities to identify and encourage Filipino Citizens to register thru the BRAP. PSA Biliran Chief Statistical Specialist, Renavil V. Cueva commended the efforts of both PSA and the LCRO especially its Municipal Civil Registrar MCR, Alberto F. Fiel for the smooth implementation of the BRAP in their municipality benefiting those constituents who are not yet registered. Also present during the event were MCR of Cabucgayan, Biliran, Rosalie R. Agang, LCRO Naval – Assistant Registration Officer, Maria I. Turner and staff. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY– Human rights organizations have assailed the new “super body” created by the national government that is supposed to further champion human rights protection in the Philippines.

“The criticism against the ‘super body’ – that it is window-dressing, superfluous, unnecessary, etc. – has basis. The Philippine government does not need another agency on human rights, especially an agency that will only serve a propaganda purpose for the administration,” Carlos Conde, senior researcher at New York-based Human Rights Watch, told Leyte Samar Daily Express via online interview on Monday(May 13).

“The ‘special committee’ is not only composed of people and agencies that have no proven track record on human rights – some of them were responsible in one way or another for the rights abuses in the Philippines in recent years,” he added.

He maintained that the Special Committee on Human Rights Coordination is “designed to mislead the public and the international community about the human rights situation in the Philippines.”

This sentiment was also shared by Cristina Palabay, secretary-general of human rights group Karapatan.

“Touted as a new mechanism that comes after the UN Joint Program on human rights in the Philippines, Marcos Jr.’s human rights coordinating council is viewed as a tactic to evade accountability for the human rights violations committed during the previous and the current regimes,” she said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the creation of the said special committee to carry out Administrative Order No. 22 to “enhance [government] mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines.”

The super body will also be in charge of “sustaining initiatives and accomplishments of the United Nations Joint Program on Human Rights in the areas of law enforcement, criminal justice, and policy-making.”

Signed on May 8 by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Administrative Order 22 emphasized the formation of the special committee chaired by the Executive Secretary and co-chaired by the Department of Justice Secretary with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretaries as members.
The order will take effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette, or a newspaper of general circulation.
(RONALD O. REYES)

A copra processing facility in being planned

TACLOBAN CITY—The provincial government of Northern Samar plans to further boost its coconut industry by partnering with the Board of Investment (BOI) to attract investors to build a copra processing facility.

John Allen Berbon, head of the Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (Pedipo), said that they presented their proposal to the agri-based industry division of BOI on Thursday (May 9), and received an encouraging response.
“The BOI will facilitate connections with potential investors for our envisioned coconut processing center,” he said in an interview.

He emphasized that the establishment of such a facility would lead to the comprehensive utilization of coconut resources, including husk, juice, shell, and not just copra (meat).
Furthermore, Berbon highlighted the direct benefits to coconut farmers, anticipating an increase in copra prices as they would have the option to sell their produce directly to the facility, bypassing middlemen.

“This would reduce their expenses and result in higher earnings for farmers,” he added.
Northern Samar ranks as the 18th largest coconut-producing province in the Philippines, boasting an annual production of 315,000 metric tons in 2023, and with over 86,000 registered coconut farmers.

Berbon disclosed that the proposed facility would require an investment of at least P300 million, with an estimated output of 60 metric tons of coconut products daily.

Despite being abundant in coconuts, Northern Samar currently has limited processing facilities, with only one oil mill, one coco-sugar producer, two virgin coconut oil producers, and three coco coir producers.

Berbon emphasized the significance of capitalizing on the province’s strengths in the coconut industry and expanding investment promotion efforts to drive economic growth and competitiveness in the coconut market.

“By leveraging our coconut industry strengths and enhancing investment promotion initiatives, Northern Samar aims to unlock its agricultural potential, spur economic development, and establish itself as a formidable contender in the coconut sector,” he said. (JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Police Regional Office (PRO-8) commended the orderly proceedings of the five-day Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) Meet 2024, which ended on Friday (May 10) at the Ormoc City Sports Complex.

According to official reports, there were no major incidents recorded throughout the week-long athletic extravaganza, which kicked off on May 5, 2024.

EVRAA 2024, hailed as the region’s premier sporting event, was graciously hosted by the city government of Ormoc and its schools division, participated by more than 9,000 young athletes coming from the region’s 13 schools’ divisions.

“The tranquil and organized execution of EVRAA Meet 2024 is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our security forces and partner agencies in preemptively addressing potential threats and upholding the highest safety standards,” Police B/Gen. Reynaldo Pawid, police regional director, said.

“PRO 8 remains resolute in its commitment to fostering a safe and secure environment for all,” he added.

To ensure the safety of all attendees, PRO-8 implemented heightened security measures by deploying 892 police personnel alongside an additional 2,000 security personnel from various agencies, all dedicated to safeguarding the proceedings.

Also, medical teams and emergency responders remained on standby to promptly address any medical emergencies that might arise.

Officials confirmed that there were no reports of significant injuries or disruptions to the games, despite the sweltering heat index.

This year’s EVRAA Meet was dominated by the host city, garnering 411 medals harvest of which 217 were gold, 118 silver, and 76 bronze.

Former perennial champion, Leyte, landed as runner-up with a medal tally of 51 gold, 53 silver, and 58 bronze, followed by the regional capital of Tacloban City with 23 gold, 33 silver, and 42 bronze, and Maasin City with 23 gold, 26 silver, and 22 bronze.

In his message, Rep.Gomez, former city mayor, said that their decision to put a premium on sports development is now reaping based on the number of medals it harvested as it continues to dominate the regional sporting competition.

“It is an opportunity to uncover and nurture the top talent within the city, empowering the youth, our young athletes to pursue their dreams with passion and dedication,” he said during the closing ceremonies.

“Additionally by engaging them in sports, we provide the youth with a positive outlet with an energy and creativity, steering them away from the influences that may lead to delinquency,” he added.

Before the closing ceremony, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced that an initial 497 athletes had qualified to participate and compete at the 2024 Palarong Pambansa which will hosted by Cebu City.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA, LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA/RONALD REYES )