Vanguard Issue 5

The Weekly

Vanguard

For what is true, for what is just, for what is right!.

Nov. 14 - 19, 2016

Photo by Elmer Recuerdo

Vol. 1, No. 5

P15

Amihan has finally arrived, and it has stilled the sea waters in our western coastline, making it safer for those who want to take a dip.

Political killings in Samar

Task force unreliable

By Gina Dean

Gandara, Samar – As far as the authorities are concerned, the Joint Task Force CAGASMAS could be the key in solving the spate of political killings that had been going on in Calbayog and surrounding municipalities. The task force encompasses Calbayog City, Gandara, Sta. Margarita, Matuguinao and San Jorge towns.

But stories from the ground tell a different story.

The military, that is part of the task force, cannot be trusted. A former member of the private armed groups or PAGs, who requested anonymity, said the number one armed leader operating in the hinterlands of Matuguinao and Gandara, named Eulogio dela Cruz alias ‘Laloy,’ had been in cahoots with the military since 1997. Laloy was allegedly controlled by a

former intelligence officer Allan Salentes under the 34th Infantry Battalion. He was used as guide during military operations, permitted to engage against the NPA rebels, and his accomplishments were attributed to the military, said the informant.

The informant also disclosed that Laloy’s group was suspected of looting the house and burning the copra warehouse of Leonardo Berbes on August 16, 2016 at Brgy. Hinayagan, and murdering Brgy. Libertad councilman Rex B. Arandia on September 29, 2016 in the same barangay.

These incidents have caused chairwoman Jennelyn Berbes to leave her house, abandon their coconut plantation and continue doing business near Gandara poblacion.

The informant said Laloy may have an agreement with the 43rd IB manning the area, which allows him to terrorize community, while he is being utilized by the military in their fight against NPA rebels. The informant also said Laloy has been preparing his common-law wife

councilwoman Gina Orquin to run as barangay chairman against Jennelyn Berbes in the upcoming October 2017 barangay polls.

“Diri ini maglalampus nga Joint Task Force CAGASMAS tungod kay giniinuwat la kita. Kay ano nga diri nira nadadakup hi Laloy nga dayag man ini nga naglilinakat ha kabukiran?” (This Joint Task Force CAGASMAS will not materialize for we are just being fooled by the military. How come they could not arrest Laloy when he is visible in the mountainous area?), said the informant.

In the investigation of The Weekly Vanguard, it was found out that Eulogio “Laloy” dela Cruz is a native of Matuguinao, Samar. He was listed as the number one PAGs leader under Matuguinao MPS since 1997 onward.

He had four warrants of arrest issued by Branch 41 of Regional Trial Court – Gandara for the crimes of murder.

Prior to these, he was used as trigger man in killing innocent civilians known to

(Go io p. 3)

JTF CAGASMAS (Calbayog-Gandara-Sta. Margarita-Matuguinao-San Jorge) weekly assessment with task group commander Col Rosalito G Martires INF, (GSC) PA of 803rd Bde, and Acting Provl Dir of SPPO PSSupt Elmer R Pelobello, Chief of Police of CAGASMAS stations and other members of operating units and quad staff

Vanguard

Photo by Ronnie Roa

2

Leyte Governor Dominic Petilla administers the oath of office to Albuerea Vice-Mayor Rosa meneses as she replaces the late mayor Rolando Espinosa. Husband Rustico looks on.

Despite dismissal by Ombudsman

3 dads still hold office

By Jun Tarroza

Albuera, Leyte – This town’s problems did not end with the sudden death of Mayor Rolando Espinosa.

Three councilors who were earlier involved in a graft case and dismissed from service by the Ombudsman still continue to hold office which they should have vacated as soon as they received the order last September 14.

The three were part of the 11 who were involved with former councilor Sergio Batistis, who acted as the group leader, selling fake official receipts and certificates of appearance to councilors attending the three-day 2nd Quarterly National Executive Officers-National Board Meeting of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) in Davao City.

He was caught in an entrapment operation by the police, jailed and then criminal and administrative cases filed against him and the other councilors. That was not the first time he did it.

An administrative case was later filed against Batistis and the other members of the council by the late retired police officer Alfredo Bucabuca against former vice mayor Norman Mesina for grave abuse of authority, dishonesty and grave misconduct. The other 10 others were sued for

dishonesty and grave misconduct.

Then on April 4, 2016, the Ombudsman found the respondents administratively liable for grave misconduct, thus dismissing them from service. But on May 23, 2016, Bucabuca was assassinated by two men riding in tandem at a bridge in Brgy.

Macabug, Ormoc City. Two of the suspects were related to the respondents: Alfred Christian Batistis, a cousin of Sergio, and Nelson Pepito Jr., son of SB member Nelson Pepito. Father and son were involved the drug cases filed against the late mayor Rolando Espinosa.

On July 14, 2016, the respondents filed a motion for reconsideration. They said they had no knowledge about what Batistis had done in the PCL meeting, such as selling fake ORs and defrauding CAs as they “entrusted the payment of registration fees” to him. They said Batistis “admitted” his sole liability and that they were “never” implicated to those “fraudulent scheme.” but this was denied by the Ombudsman on September 14, 2016.

Dismissed by the Ombudsman-Visayas are town Councilors Nelson D. Pepito Sr., and Atanacio M. Barte, and Sangguniang Bayan Sec. Wilfredo F. Andrade. The Weekly Vanguard sought

them last Friday to comment on this information but they were in Cebu for a seminar.

The three were ordered dismissed from service by the Ombusdman.

Other dismissed were former vice mayor Norman S. Mesina, former councilors Sergio A. Batistis Jr., Rodanimod C. Cayanong, Arcelito B. Velarde, Antonio T. Salinas, Salvio A. Cantiga, Catalina L. Tolero, and Buen Cornelius G. Zaldivar.

The order stated that “in the event that the penalty of dismissal from service can no longer enforce due to respondents’ separation from the service, the same shall be converted into fine in the amount equivalent to respondents’ salary for one year, payable to the Office of the Ombudsman, and may be deductible from respondents’ retirement benefits, accrued leave credits or any receivable from their office.”

During last elections, Mesina run for mayor in Albuera with his running mate Tolero for vice mayor but lost under Liberal Party. Cantiga also ran also for councilor but was defeated under the same party. Pepito and Barte won under the same party. Batistis and Cayanong did not run, while Velarde, Salinas, and Zaldivar finished their three terms as councilors.

The Weekly Vanguard also provides trainings to student publications in all the aspects of journalism, including newswriting, feature writing, editorial writing, layouting and photojournalism. Any group interested in availing of our services may contact our Phone No. 053-888-0947.

Our email add: theweeklyvanguard@yahoo.com

Nov 14 - 19, 2016

Province mulls filing charges vs CIDG Tacloban City - The provincial government is considering the filing of criminal and administrative charges against the CIDG because of what transpired at the subprovincial jail in Baybay City the other week.

The CIDG disarmed the provincial guards and made them kneel in front of the wall like criminals, before they barged in and shot the two inmates, Mayor Rolando Espinosa and Raul Yap, both suspects in serious drug cases. The jail is under the jurisdiction of the provincial government.

The announcement came up during a news conference convened by Leyte Governor Dominic Petilla, who was also alarmed that his name is being linked as a protector.

“It clearly shows that the death of Mayor Espinosa has divided the county. I am challenging the PNP and the NBI that the truth of what had happened and whose who are criminally liable should come in the investigation because it is only truth that can unite us,” Petilla said .

At the moment, there are two versions of the events that transpired. There is the version of the CIDG personnel who maintain that the two inmates were armed, resisted and were therefore shot. While the investigating agencies have expressed what the jail guards and other inmates have said, namely that the inmates were killed in cold blood.

“This is causing to be alarmed. But of course we don’t want to bother with the ongoing investigation of the NBI,PNP and RIAS and the senate inquiry. We are as well confident that this incident be given justice,” Petilla said.

Petila, Vice-Governor cousin Carlo Loreto and other Leyte officials have been linked to the Espinosa drug

operations, but the governor made it clear that said accusations is “malicious and maybe there is politics behind the motives.”

The three were accordingly included in the affidavit executed by Espinosa after he sought police custody on August 24, a day after his legal counsel Rogelio Bato Jr. was ambushed in Sagkahan district this city, where his 15- year old female companion was also killed.

“I call it malicious. The Petilla family is only known in the public service and we have legitimate businesses.

It is impossible for us to be part of the illegal drugs as protector in Espinosa drug trade, which is absolutely false,” said Petilla.

Aside that Mayor Espinosa is not his political ally, the only time I met him during the “Balikbayan night” in town fiesta in Albuera in 2015.

He said Espinosa had tried to join the Liberal Party before the filing of candidacies for the last May 9 elections but that did not materialized.

He said he is willing to face before the senate inquiry if necessary if only to clear his name.

For his part, Vice-Governor Loreto also maintained his innocence and said the allegations linking him to the Espinosa drug operations as protector is preposterous.

“I vehemently deny having anything to do with them”, he said.

Immediately after he learned of the accusations, he sought help from Police regional office 8 PNP director Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar to conduct an investigation on how he became connected with the Espinosas. The ViceGovernor assured his cooperation in any investigation.

Tacloban...from p 5

Focusing on the vulnerable sector, CCDLAO has provided assistance to displaced families, women’s group and person with disabilities by providing them training assistance. After the training, beneficiaries are given material and supplies through funding sourced from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Shared Service Facility Program.

CCDLAO has an ongoing livelihood project for City Jail inmates that make use of recyclable materials such as plastic wrapper and, used tarpaulins in the making of bags, pouches, wallets and paper beads. (By Elmer Recuerdo)

LGU winning the award.

She cited that the office not only offers mentoring assistance; in the form of trainings and consultancy services for local cooperatives, but also provides entrepreneurial development assistance to livelihood beneficiaries.

The Coop Chief said this in line with the thrust of Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez to provide employment and livelihood opportunities to Tacloban residents.

Beneficiaries are given marketing and promotional support by introducing them to Trade Fairs and assisting them avail of Government Grants.

By Miriam Desacada

Vanguard

Nov. 14 - 19, 2016

Jovie-Goma rancor boils

Ormoc Mayor Richard Gomez: Suing Espenido It looks like the hostility between Ormoc Mayor Richard Gomez and Albuera Police Chief Jovie Espenido is heating up.

The name of Gomez surfaced during the Senate investigation of the Espinosa killing after CIDG team leader Chief Insp. Leo Laraga was asked why they went to Samar to apply for a search warrant. He replied that several Leyte towns were allegedly influenced by politicians linked to the Espinosas, one of which is Ormoc Mayor Richard Gomez. When asked further where he got his information, he cited Espenido.

This incensed the actormayor who ordered his lawyers to file a case against the Albuera chief.

“I initially did not want to dignify this with an answer but given that this is politically motivated and very malicious, I am speak-

(Task Force...from p. 1) be opponents of dela Cruz’s political clans. Realizing his acts, he started avoiding the powerful political clans but his wife and son were allegedly killed by a notorious Belliza group of Calbayog City, a known private armed group recognized under the Liberal Party. Aware about the mastermind in the killing of his family, he retaliated by killing ABC President Norberto Diaz in 2013. The only surviving kin of Laloy was put under the custody of DSWD and later on hander over to a family friend residing in Catbalogan City.

“Si Laloy naman talaga ang pumatay daw based sa mga witnesses. Ganti niya yun sa pagpatay nila sa asawa at isang anak na lalaki na tinanggalan ng mata,” informant said.”(Laloy was really the one who killed based on the testimony of some witnesses. It was a revenge when his wife was killed and his son’s eyes was removed) At present Laloy is controlled by certain Sgt. Clifford Tong alias Keneth Tong, an intelligence officer of 43rd IB operating in the area. His group is said to be receiving regular subsistence allow-

ing up,” he added.

In his Facebook account, Gomez wrote: “It is unfortunate that he was assigned to Albuera, Leyte, giving him control over the late Mayor Espinosa, whom I am sure he prevailed upon to impute my character and those of other equally innocent officials.”

But Espenido has remained unruffled. He said politics has nothing to do with it. He was not out to destroy Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez by linking him to the illegal drug trade, on the behest of his political opponents. A check with the Codillas proved negative.

Former Ormoc Mayor Edward Codilla questioned the tag ‘politically motivated.” ”Are were doing this to him (Gomez)? For what? For the 2019 elections?” the former mayor said.

He said dragging the Codilla name again to that issue is ridiculous. “Ormocanons know that after the last election, I concentrated on my business and took care of our sickly father until he passed away. Atubangon na nila ang ilang mga kaso ug dili me iapil-apil. (They should face the case and not drag the Codillas.)”

Espenido said he was merely relying on the testimony of the late mayor Rolando Espinosa Jr. who claimed that Gomez received money from his son, Kerwin, when Gomez was still the

chief of staff of his wife, Rep. Lucy Torres of Leyte’s 4th district.

According to Espenido, in the affidavit of one witness, Gomez received P4 million payola, where the name of Matt Torres was also mentioned.

The name of the actor was also mentioned in the pink book of the late mayor.

But Espenido said he did not file a case against the actor because there was no witness who personally saw the mayor receive money from Kerwin.

“We have not filed a case against him because of lack of solid evidence,” he said.

“We would not file a case if it’s weak. If we can file a case against a senator, we can file a case against a mayor.”

The police chief pointed out that if he was out to embarrass Gomez, he could have manufactured a witness who would say that he saw Gomez receiving the money and file a case against the mayor.

“It is so easy to do that (manufacture witness) if I have an intent to go after him,” he said “We (Gomez and I) are not enemies.”

Espenido said Mayor Espinosa named at least more than 90 government and police officials but only half of them were charged because witnesses to corroborate the claims could not be found.# (With reports from Jun Tarroza)

ances allegedly from Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan, while the military is providing arms and ammunitions for their operations against the NPA rebels.

The National Bureau of Investigation through the lone witness filed a case against the principal suspects that killed Laloy’s kin but when it reached the prosecutor’s office, the case was dismissed. The witness said that the dismissal of the case was a product of bribery and influence by the incumbent mayor of Matuguinao.

“An iya anak nga witness ginbuligan san NBI pagfile case against the ABC President. Ginbayaran daw ni Mayor an fiscal to have it dismissed. Ginthreaten pa an bata,” narrated the informant. (His daughter who acted as witness was assisted by the NBI in the filing of cases against the ABC president. The mayor allegedly bribed the fiscal to have it dismissed, then the child was also threatened.)

The Weekly Vanguard tried to reach the camp of Mayor Melissa dela Cruz through her security but she couldn’t be contacted.

Furthermore, the informant said that he was urged

by the 43rd IB to go back “into business” for they have “projects” to complete. Afraid for his life, he went into hiding.

On the other hand, the 8th Infantry Division Civil Military Operations through a phone call neither admitted nor denied Laloy’s involvement with the military.

LTC George Domingo said that Laloy was a victim of political rivalry and injustices in Matuguinao.

Both the military and the NPA rebels are struggling to survive in the hinterlands of Matuguinao and Gandara and only Laloy is accustomed to its topography. #

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Jovie gets death threats

ALBUERA,LEYTE – Now the tables are being turned against Albuera Police Chief Jovie Espenido. From being the accuser, he has now become the accused in at least two cases and the target of many death threats.

Espenido said he has been lately receiving several death threats through text messages, and he suspects that these could be due to his work on the Espinosa drug cases.

“My family already raised fears and worries about me.

They already insist that I tone down my work in the war against drugs. But I told them that I have to follow the mandate of my superiors in fearlessly enforcing the task given to me,” Espenido said.

Espenido was responsible for the filing of drug charges against a number of government officials, policemen and some journalists who were named by the late Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., as having links to the drug operations of his son, Kerwin, the suspected drug lord in Eastern Visayas.

He said he has already relayed such information to Chief Superintendent Elmer Beltejar, director of the Police Regional Office-8, based in Palo, Leyte. They accordingly kept the details in wraps especially after the Espinosa lawyer, Atty.

Bato, was gunned down in Tacloban. There were unconfirmed reports that lawyer Bato was about to tell to the police who were the people involved in the Espinosa drug trade.

Mayor Espinosa, the source of the list of government officials and private individuals having links with Kerwin’s drug ring either as protectors or recipients of payola, was recently killed inside the Leyte Sub-Provincial Jail in Baybay City where he was detained for drug and gun possession charges. His affidavit led to the filing of charges against certain government officials, private persons and media practitioners by Espenido, that apparently resulted in the recent death threats.

Espenido, who tried to secure the mayor from being killed to preserve him as a vital witness to the cases against the ‘narco’ officials and journalists, was dismayed at the incident. He did not believe that the mayor resisted and tried to shoot it out with the raiding team of the CIDG. Espenido said he has faith in God for protection, but added that he cannot afford to get help from the national headquarters of the PNP for security, as he continues his work in anti-drug operations. “My target is to finish my job and the drug problem in my area,” he said.

Last month he was informed that Mayor Richard Gomez has been seeking his immediate relief from his post.

He related that the move of Gomez has even reached the office of the PNP Chief Gen. Bato, but he is surprised that until now, he has not yet received transfer orders.

He said as a good government servant, he is more than willing to be relieved and accept whatever orders from his superiors.

Espenido and other policemen in the region and some government officials will be facing a Senate inquiry into the killing of Mayor Espinosa.

Meanwhile, three days after the Espinosa slay, PNP Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa ordered CIDG-8 Regional Director Superintendent Marvin Marcos to vacate his post, while the administrative proceedings and investigations on the incident are underway.

Beltejar, for his part, said the relief of Marcos is always part of the standard operating procedures when any members of the PNP is facing an investigation. By Miriam Desacada

Vanguard

4

Nov. 14 - 19, 2016

Almost a victim Judge denies irregularity Ormoc City - Let’s just call him “John Doe,” a young father living with his family in one of the urban poor communities in the city, suspected by the police as a pusher.

One night several months ago, he said policemen came barging inside his small house, telling him to produce the drugs he was hiding. But he told them he was not selling or pushing drugs despite the difficult life he was living with his family. But the policemen did not believe his word. They started to look around, their eyes moving from the small living room to the kitchen where they found a pot with dried fish, their viand for supper.

Meantime, his wife was getting terrified, knowing several suspected ushers had been killed in similar situations. At that moment, their daughter arrived, bringing a kilo of rice for their supper. Somehow, the policemen seemed to soften up, even as he was saying they would have more delicious food if he was pushing drugs, and they would not be eating dried fish for supper.

He said the police suddenly showed some kindness as one of them offered them some cash to buy food. Although they did not show him any search warrant, he heaved a sigh of relief, After that, they took him for a ride in a police patrol car. As they came to the city proper, the police started to ask about drug personalities. But he could not tell them any names since, as he said earlier, he was no longer using drugs. Then they showed him a big sachet of what looked like shabu which they wanted to plant on him as evidence that he was a pusher.

They told him: “Maayo unta imo kining mapasa sa mga pusher dinhi sa syudad, kay himoon nalang ka namo nga asset sa police (We want you to distribute this so you can be our asset.)”

But Doe refused for it would put his life and that of his family at risk, bad as it was, being on the edge of serious economic difficulties. Asked why the police suspected him, they said they had observed that his house was being frequented by a lot of people. He told them that he made his living from cell phone repairs.

The police appeared to have been satisfied by his explanation as they returned him afterwards to his house. Only then could he breathe deeply, happy to be alive. (ByJunTarroza)

Surrenderee killed Bato, Leyte – Six bullets ended the life of a self-confessed drug pusher in Oplan Tokhang Monday evening in Brgy. Iniguihan, Bato, Leyte after two unidentified male with bonnet shot him at the

vicinity of a barber shop.

The victim was identified as Anthony Sembrano, 36 years old, married and resident of Brgy. Cantandog I, Hilongos, Leyte.

Bato Police Station’s in-

By Miriam Desacada BASEY, SAMAR- The executive judge of the Regional Trial Court Brach 30, Tarcelo Sabarre Jr., answered charges of irregularity in the issuance of the search warrant against Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr, and Raul Yap, both prisoners of the Leyte sub-provincial jail based in Baybay, Leyte. The warrant was issued on November at around 1:00 in the afternoon but was served by several CIDG men the next day at around 4:00 a.m.

Both Espinosa and Yap were later killed because, according to the CIDG, they resisted. The manner of serving the warrant and the execution has triggered an investigation by several agenices, among them the NBI and Napolcom. Questions have been likewise raised about the appropriateness of the issuance of a warrant by a judge whose court is more than a hundred kilometers away from the intended search targets.

Sabarre however said he issued the warrant after an exhaustive questioning of two witnesses presented by the CIDG, lasting for some three hours.

“I have complied with all the requirements set forth by the rule of law, and whatever issues tainted in the serving of the search warrant of the lawmen, I have nothing to do with it,” Sabarre said.

In his order, Sabarre vestigator SPO4 Alexander Astorga said Sembrano was standing in front of a barber shop at Brgy. Iniguihan when one of the two suspects approached him and fired several gunshots at the victim. Astorga added that after the first gun man fired shots at Sembrano, the victim was still moving, the second gunman drilled multiple bullets at the lying body of Sembra-

CIDG Regional Director Marvin Marcos

CIDG Team LeaderLeo Larraga

said he emphasized that the CIDG should coordinate with the jail guards. But that portion of the warrant was not followed because instead of coordinating, the jail guards were made to kneel down facing the wall and disarmed, with CIDG men watching over them, as they raided the jail. The warrant was not even shown to the jail warden before the search was carried out. It was shown to the warden at around 11 in the morning, hours after the killing of Espinosa and Yap. Last Tuesday, the Supreme Court conducted a separate probe on the search warrant secured by the CIDG. The high tribunal will also look in the real score relative to the issuance of the search warrant, sources said.

Sabarre also said that last Friday, Nov. 11, he was scheduled to face queries from the SC officials regarding this matter. The entire records of the court proceed-

ings in the issuance of the search warrant against Espinosa and Yap in connection with illegal possesion of firearms and illegal drugs was going to be presented before the SC, he said.

This was not the only case of inmates being searched by the police on the basis of a search warrant.

Early August, this year, a convicted inmate in Regional Penal Colony in Abuyog, Leyte, Suspected drug lord Allan Alvarez was also killed when CIDG operatives raided his cell. Alvarez reportedly lobbed a hand grenade at the CIDG, forcing them to fire back A week before the Espinosa killing, Judge Janet Cabalona of Calbiga, Samar, issued a search warrant against Francisco Balagbis who was detained on drug charges at the Baybay City jail. He was also killed by the Regional Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force of the Police Office 8.#

no to ensure his death. The victim was dead on the spot after sustaining six gunshot wounds.

Recovered from the lifeless body of Sembrano was one .38 caliber pistol, two small pieces of suspected shabu, one big plastic pack containing suspected shabu, two cellphones and money amounting to P11,000 in his pockets.

According to Astorga, Sembrano had surrendered to Hilongos PNP last July in Oplan Tokhang. However, he returned to his peddling of illegal drugs in the town of Bato.

Reports from the locals revealed that even though the PNP is intensifying its crackdown against illegal drugs, but it has not stopped in Brgy. Iniguihan. (By Najib M. Cubio)

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Dealer of all kinds of motorcycle spareparts- genuine and replacement Rizal Corner Osmeña St., Ormoc City, 5616399

Proprietor: Babie Ong

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Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer

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Vanguard

Nov. 14 - 19, 2016

5

Pasar $100 M investment to boost hiring by 12%

File photo

By Jun Tarroza

File photo

NGCP to fix towers felled by Yolanda

Ormoc City - The cost of electricity will increase for the next six years as the National Grid Corp. of the Phil. (NGCP) starts to build 74 towers, replacing the 72 toppled by typhoon Yolanda three years ago, as its costs are being passed on to consumers.

The worth of the damage reached some P2.5 billion, said the NGCP officials in a conference here last week.

The agency had to draw its capital from its own funds as its Industrial All Risk (IAR) Insurance Policy, procured from Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), failed to pay off.

Starting last year, the NGCP had already imposed an additional pass-through transmission charges to consumers with P0.1874 per kilowatt hour. This year, it is collecting P0.0257 per Kwh. In the next four years up to 2020, it will be collecting P0.0241, P0.0227, P0.0214, P0.0201 per Kph, respectively.

And because of its “one grid, one rate policy,” the increase will be passed on to all consumers, regardless of location.

The rehabilitation project includes only the OrmocTongonan-Isabel, costing P709.326 million with a load of 138 kilovolts. Compared to

the older posts that were designed to withstand winds of only 270 kilometers per hour, the new ones can resist winds up to 300 kph, said Nelson S. Bautista, NGCP head for regional communications. This will be energized, next year, the NGCP official said.

Another smaller project, the Ormoc-Maasin line with the same load, costs P509.36 million and will be energized next month. Together with the other line, they form what the NGCP officials called as ‘power superhighways.” This line has a 113.39-kilometer span passing through 99 local government units, the NGCP officials said. They will pay the costs of plants, trees, houses, among others and the road-right-of-way issues in the construction of steel towers.

More such highways will be built as the firm intends to set up more lines in its overall plan to interconnect the transmission lines to other parts of the country. Right now, the Luzon and Visayas grids are now interconnected. Eventually, Mindanao will be connected to this grid, said Bautista.

NGCP officials said the project will boost the reliability of power supplies in these areas, grid. (By Jun Tarroza)

The Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corp. (PASAR) will need 12 percent more than its present employees when it invests some $100 million for the next two years. This was disclosed by Atty. Noli Del Rosario, the company’s legal and corporate affairs officer, during their media gettogether event Wednesday, last week.

With its $320-M expansion production plants in full operation, the additional investment will also mean increased production capability. From 720,000 metric tons of copper concentrates annually, it can now process 1,300,000 MT. Its primary product of copper cathodes, reaching of 215,000 MT before, will now increase 225,000 MT a year.

Its by-product Dore, which has 10 percent gold content, will expand also from 71,000 kg to 94,000 kg annually, said Pasar official del Rosario.

Other by-products such as sulfuric acid will be nearly

doubled from its previous production of 580,000 MT, while its Selenium will up from 70,000 kg to 100,000 kg. Other sellable industrial wastes such as slugs and gypsum will be kept more in their storage areas as they scout more additional markets.

PASAR raw materials are imported from Australia, Peru, United States of America, and South America. It also has a local supplier of copper concentrates from Cebu.

Its products are exported to Hongkong, China, and other countries. Its dore products are also bought to Cebu.

PASAR is majority owned by a Swiss-company Glencore. The company, which is listed in Hongkong and London Stock Exchanges, is number 14 richest company in the country. It earned over P700 million from its average annual sales of $1.7 billion. It is also expected that the P366-million taxes paid

by PASAR to local and national governments under PEZA law will increase due to its expanded operations .

Unknown to many, Pasar has its own foundation though which it implements Its community social responsibility projects (CSR). The PASAR Foundation Inc. is planning to reach out with its programs in other areas of the 4th District of Leyte, including Ormoc City. In the previous years, PFI spent over P50 million from previous years, with donors from here and abroad.

As for employment opportunities, Pasar would be open to 90 percent locals, including contractuals and project employees. According to company president Adam Purkis, the long list of projects will include the installation of a manpower training facility that benefit 50 percent of the unemployed population aged 25 The PASAR $320-M expansion project was constructed and commissioned by a Chinese firm. Some 1,400 Chinese nationals built it here 2 years ago, Del Rosario said. Now, only 20 Chinese engineers remain, he added. (By Jun Tarroza)

Tacloban coop bags award Tacloban City – The City Government of Tacloban got national recognition again after winning the Philippines Best Cooperative Office Award during the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) National Gawad Parangal held last October 26, at Makati Shangri-La, Makati City.

On October 19 CDA Region 8 honored the City with two awards, namely the Best Cooperative Office and Best Performing Cooperative Development Council; earning Tacloban

a slot in the competition which recognizes Outstanding Cooperative Councils, Leaders and Best Performing Cooperative Development Offices throughout the country.

The cities of Mandaue and Valenzuela came in second and third place, respectively, in the national competition.

City Cooperatives Development and Livelihood Assistance Office (CCDLAO) Chief Ruena Mate received the award from CDA Administrator Paisal Cali on behalf of the City Gov-

ernment.

The award came as a surprise to the Local Government Unit which has gone massive rehabilitation after the devastation of Super Typhoon Yolanda three years ago.

For the past two years, Tacloban was runner up for the award; placing third last year and second in 2014.

According to Mate CCDLAO’s “best practices” and the thriving local cooperative industry contributed to the

Go to p. 2

OPINION Vanguard

6

Nov. 14 - 19, 2016

The Power of Far Vista

By Phillip Ting

Two endings, two beginnings?

L Editorial

The finger points at the CIDG

U

nless they are able to explain who planned the murder, people can’t help but be convinced that they did not only pull the trigger. But they did the planning as well. That’s the inevitable conclusion one gets from all the circumstances put together.

Why get the search warrant from far away Basey, Samar? Because the judges in Leyte are influenced by drug lords?

That’s an unproven assumption, even if some of them are listed in the late mayor’s affidavit. No, no.

The only likely explanation is that that judge must be a friendly SOB, somebody who can easily be persuaded to do something out of the ordinary, like issuing a search warrant for a target that’s way, way off his jurisdiction. No wonder, he is now under probe by the High Tribunal. ‘Buti nga.

The second question is, why point the gun at fellow policemen and jail guards, and tell them to kneel down

facing the wall? You don’t do that to friendly forces. The search must have been so extra-ordinary and top secret, that even friendly forces must be kept off from the targets. Under normal circumstances, they could have ask the jail guards to accompany them inside so they can have a witness or two.

Third question, why disable something like a CCTV? So that their dastardly crime will not be recorded? The answer is in the question.

Fourth question, did the targets really have a gun? A week earlier, the jail warden said they had this operation galugad when they made a thorough search of the jail. All they found from Espinosa was a cell phone borrowed from another prisoner. Who was the CIDG’s informant that the targeted inmates had guns in their cells? To be sure not the prisoners because none of them were borrowed by the CIDG in their trip to Basey.

They were the only ones who could have known, not the police. In other words,

the judge did not have a clear basis for his issuing of the warrant.

They were out to silence Espinosa because of his revelations. Narco politics was showing its ugly head, and people whom we least expected to be involved were there in Espinosa’s list. The CIDG itself – or seven of its men, including a former regional director are in the list.

In a recent revelation

by Senator Panfilo Lacson, CIDG Director Marvin Marcos also has to protect his own flanks. The wife of Marcos, who ran for vice mayor in Pastrana, was reportedly a recipient of campaign funds from Kerwin, and it was Marcos himself who received it personally, but Lacson said he is still validating the information. With Kerwin’s forthcoming testimony, the beans will be spilled, and the network of coddlers and protectors will be out in the open.

Abangan ang susunod na kabanata. #

The Weekly Vanguard

is the Eastern Visayas weekly newspaper published by The Vanguard Communications and Publishing Corporation, with its main office at Brgy. 95, Diversion Road, Caibaan, Tacloban City.

Publisher: Bong Contapay

Business Manager: Rey Enales Editor: Emil B. Justimbaste

Associate Editor: Elmer V. Recuerdo

Columnists: Prof. Rolando Borrinaga, Phillip Ting, Fr. Virgilio Cañete, Eric Aseo, Jun Portillo

Writers/Correspondents: Miriam Desacada (Tacloban), Gina Dean (Samar), Jun Tarroza (Ormoc),

Production staff: Emilio Bacoto, Sergio S. Canoy Jr., Christian RayTorres Asprenio G. Ladim Email Address: theweeklyvanguard@yahoo.com Telephones: (053) 888-0947

ast week two endings occurred. One was where a right was made wrong, another was where a wrong was made right. Both contained seeds of beginnings, and these are beginnings that may have big impact on the future of this country.

One of these, was the ending of Mayor Espinosa.

Placed in custody for allegedly being involved in drugs, the mayor killed by a group of CIDG men, who barged into his prison cell, ostensibly to serve a search warrant for that area, at 4:00 at dawn. Questions abound as to (a) why a search warrant for someone already in jail, (b) why the CIDG did not course through proper channels via the jail warden, (c) why at such an ungodly hour as 4am, (d) why the jail police didn’t stop the CIDG from entering the jail and serving the warrant, and so many other intriguing questions that it prompted the Senate to call for an investigation of the event.

The mayor was in the right place, having surrendered peacefully to proper authorities, having placed himself rightly in the protection and responsibility of the government. This was the right made wrong, because government in this case did not protect the rights and body of the mayor. This is an indictment of the government and how it conducts its war on drugs. This was plain and simple murder, a murder right before the willing and open eyes of government officials, and for this, government did Espinosa wrong.

The other ending, where the wrong was made right, was the decision of the Supreme Court to uphold President Duterte’s decision to permit the burial of former president Ferdinand Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani. The burial has been long overdue, and for too long now, the right of the dead has been trampled in the game of politics upon which it has been thrown into. The Court correctly pointed out that the former president had all the qualifications to be buried in the LNMB, and that the oppositors have not proven without doubt that Marcos did not qualify. Thus, the SC said that Duterte was in the right for ordering the burial,

despite public outcry in some sectors about its impact on history and the potential whitewashing of the atrocities done during the Martial Law. The SC has taught us all a lesson in its decision. It basically said that the judgment of whether the burial was morally or ethically right was a political issue, and that is outside of the purview of the Court (despite what Chief Justice Sereno and the rest of those who opposed the majority decision may say about the impact of the decision on history). What is available for the Court was the issue on (1) whether Marcos was qualified, and (2) whether Duterte abused his powers as President to approve the burial. And clearly, even on the issue of qualification alone, the fact that Marcos was a former president cannot be denied. And the rule on the LNMB only said that former presidents may be buried at the site, it does not say only popular presidents can be buried there.

Furthermore, despite the oppositors’ claim that Duterte’s approval was an act of “pagbayad sa utang na loob”, the Court correctly said that this has not been sufficiently proven, because evidence is not about imputed intent, but about declarations written down and sworn in. The opponents have gotten a bad reminder from the Court, when it said of the so many cases filed against Marcos, not a single one has proven that he was guilty, mainly because every one of those cases was civil in nature, and not criminal.

At any rate, these two endings bring us to new beginnings. Kerwin Espinosa, currently held abroad, will begin a new life as a desperate man. The death of his father may have been intended as a warning for him not to spill the beans, but I believe that someone may have misjudged the desperation of men. Kerwin may turn around, and decide that given the situation, he is for all intents dead, so why give in to the situation and just turn over and die? Kerwin may end up getting mad, and in turn, getting even. And that may be what government wants, although government

(Go to p. 7)

OPINION Vanguard

Nov. 14 - 19, 2016

Vintage View

Voices

By Prof. Rolly Borrinaga

The bat’s choice

I

n 1668, Jesuit Father Francisco Ignacio Alcina recorded the Bisayan (Leyte-Samar) fable about how bats got their name and the reason they would only go out at night.

The tale went this way: After their creation, all birds got together for each one to choose his food. So that they would not be taking each other’s food, each was to choose according to his desire and taste.

When the big bat’s turn came, he chose the fruit of a tree called tabigi, which is beautiful to the eye, as big as a medium melon, and, seen from a distance, very much like the big oranges from China. [Yes, like the oranges sold alongside apples in downtown Tacloban.]

The other birds made fun of the bat because his

chosen food, tabigi, though of nice appearance outside, has nothing inside but a few seeds as large as eggs, although of different sizes to fill the shell.

The seeds are very hard, bitter and tasteless. (The seeds were very good for curing diarrhea among humans, most especially the bloody type, although the birds did not seem to know this quality.)

From this incident, the bat was given the name kabug, which means dunce [bobo in modern Tagalog], or one who has little sense. The shame associated with the name was believed to have influenced the bats to go out only at night.

The early Bisayans had a saying that was very appropriate for many occasions.

When one of them selected what pleases the eye without

ByJun Portillo checking its quality – like a beautiful woman but foolish, or a handsome man but stupid, or a fruit of good color but rotten, etc. – they said of him, “Daw napili sin tabigi (Like a chooser of tabigi).”

Like the kabug, this person had chosen the tabigi fruit, good to look at but nothing else.

In our day, the modern Bisayans routinely elect tabigi types to public office. The chosen ones might not look like bats, but many of them certainly have little sense.

Who then are the ultimate kabug? Of course, the ones who chose the tabigi, who have little sense but were still allowed to rule.

Sadly, labels are no longer as clearly defined as they used to be. In our political climate, many choosers and their chosen, by their seemingly habitual show of example, qualify to be called both tabigi and kabug. Nicely wrapped, but with little sense.#

Samar breeze

By Eric Aseo

Building a peace constituency in Samar

P

eace process “on track”, read the headline. And I dig for coins in my pocket to buy a copy of that Saturday issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, hoping somewhere in the inside pages are stories not just about the MNLF-MILFGRP peace process, but also about developments in the CPP-NPA-NDF and GRP peace process.

The banner story about the MNLF joining the Mindanao peace process was heartwarming enough having followed its progress the last three years. But that PDI issue left me empty-handed as I was looking for a story nearer home, a story about the other peace process. Not one in that issue.

Seemingly not many people are talking about the CPP-NPA-NDF and GRP peace process, even in the Samar provinces, which stand to benefit if it succeeds. You don’t hear it over the radio or on the pulpits.

And it leaves me wondering why. Is there such a thing as peace process fatigue? Have we given up on peace elusive as it is? Do we really think development would come to Samar island with intermittent violence?

Peace process fatigue, it could be. Look at the figures: 30 years of negotiations, 40 rounds of talks, 15 disruptions, 20 agreements mostly joint statements, and 5 presidents but a final peace settlement is nowhere near from happening. Complex as it is maybe we just want to leave the peace process to experts and we want to go on with our lives. True, yes. But not totally correct.

Both sides claim to represent the people and the threat of violence and sounds of gunfires often drown the true voices of the people. We need a strong constituency in the Samar provinces and the whole country who will first of all support a bilateral ceasefire, work to keep the ceasefire for a long time and keep

7

both sides talking. Talking rather than shooting.

In the long road to peace, the same constituency should create spaces for conversations, crystallize opinions, determine issues behind contentions, and help find solutions to deadlocks. It should widen its reach, generate more support to the process and consolidate support of legislators to prepare for congressional concurrence when final agreements are reached. Starry-eyed optimist, you can call me that.

But giving up on peace is never an option. Violence begets more violence. It also begets economic disruptions, deters investment and mires us more in poverty.

The three Samar provinces are some of the country’s poorest. Located in the eastern seaboard and prone to typhoons and tsunamis, man-made disasters are the last things we need.

The people of Samar island should speak.

Built for these times “I no longer know what’s happening, sir.” The security guard in our apartment building said that with a baffled face about the recent murders in Leyte and Muntinlupa jails. He’s not your ordinary security guard.

Although he doesn’t tell, actions speak louder than words. He used to be a military man, probably an officer. It has become our habit, when I have time, to discuss recent affairs in our country and the world. He used to be so sure of what he said. Now, with all the baffling latest events, he’s rightfully confused.

There are many things to be confused and worried about in the world today.

In Albuera, a mayor who’s been incarcerated because of illegal drugs and other crimes was killed inside a prison cell by government forces. The Supreme Court has just permitted a hero’s burial for former dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Various attacks against religious and non-religious targets by ISIS shook the foundation of western nations. In US, violence against all peoples of color, women and Muslims erupted all over the States a day after Trump’s unexpected victory.

Pacific typhoons are now considerably stronger than before. Heatwaves struck in India and Pakistan, killing thousands of people. In Siberia this week, large ice balls filled coastlines, a phenomenon natural scientists are yet to explain with certainty.

People are starting to panic. Canadian immigration website crashed as it was swarmed by Americans wanting to leave the US. Blacks and other people of color there are afraid of the resurgence of violent white supremacist groups. Somewhere in Europe, the price of real property shot up as Americans scramble to buy land. Other people in the west are stockpiling supplies and disaster equipment. End time preppers have gone up

in number in the last few years. End time prophets are trumpeting louder than ever the coming of biblical tribulations. Here, last month, a state of lawless violence was declared across the country following a blast in Davao City. People stayed out of malls and public places for days. Today, in poor neighborhoods all over the country, people are nervous about the drug war and the spate of killings, including murder of innocent people.

With recent developments in our country and the world, it is natural for people to be confused, worried and panicky. But that is not the case for some people who have been hearing, reading and preparing about these events. They know bad things will happen to peoples and to the world. They have been expecting these so they go about their daily lives with extraordinary calm and noticeable peace. They continue to live their lives with confidence. They go on treating other people with kindness and compassion. Their steady souls calm other restless ones. They continue to be lights in wherever corner of the world they happen to be. They are examples of fortitude in the face of maddening adversity. Their resilience in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds becomes inspiration to others.

Who are they? They are people who have been living their lives in faith - faith in themselves, faith in others, faith in humanity and faith in God. They have been living as if each day is the last day of their lives but they go about it with deep acceptance, calm and peace. They have learned the deeper art of caring: to care and not to care at the same time. They are neither confused nor worried with events around them. They are never panicky. In times of disaster, they are rocks and pillars.

They were built for these times.#

(Power...from p. 6)

habilitation of the dictator can happen, but the signs are there. And while I do not have any opinion over whether this is good or bad, I will simply remind everyone that History has a way of turning things on its head, and that if you want history to go your way, you have to court it, continuously, consistently, and be vigilant at its turnings.#

itself is not really an innocent player in this game either.

The other beginning is the beginning of Bongbong, because with the burial of his father, Bongbong may see this as a new blank sheet to redraw and recreate the history of his family and their reputation. It will be a long way to go before total re-

Vanguard

8

Ormoc’s 2017 AIP is P8 B

Nov. 14 - 19, 2016

From ‘Double Barrel’ to ‘Double Barrel Alpha’

By Ailene N. Diaz

By Dewhara Villafuerte

File photo

If the city council has its way, the city’s more than 500 regular employees would enjoy an monthly salary of at least P15,000 a month on the average. Last October 13, 2016, the city council has approved P50 million for salary standardization, plus another P50 million as “provision for collective negotiation agreement,” for a total of P100 million.

In the salary standardization law, the minimum regular worker’s (grade 1) salary should be P11,000, up from P9,000 a month. But in the Annual Investment Plan approved by the council, each regular employee would be getting P188,679 for the whole year next year.

Unfortunately, the plan is just a “wish list” where the source of funds remains a problem. The present budget is just a little over P1 billion, and its grade 1 employers are just getting what workers are supposed to receive under the low.

Next year’s AIP will also be used to provide cash for the following requirements: P183.8 million as development fund, P56.7 million for disaster risk reduction under the

office of the DRRMO, P1.1 million as Mayor Richard Gomez’s discretionary fund, P550 million as aid to barangays, P200 million as provision for PY obligation, and the salary increases.

Government employees are not allowed to go on strike but they are allowed to form associations to negotiate a “collective negotiation agreement” (CNA) as salary increases in addition to the yearly increments of their salaries based on president Benigno Aquino’s EO201 or the commonly called Standardization program of the government Under the Office of the Mayor, there is allocated P4 million for the city’s scholarship program. P150 million is allocated for the city’s Public Employment Services Program (PESO) and a P5.5 million as aid for “LGU/NGA/NGO activities/ projects”. With a mayor being a sportsman, P11 million has been allocated for sports development and another P5.5 million for youth development.

There is also allocated P5 million for the mayor’s Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program. This

The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office-8 opens a new window of opportunity for rice farmers in Eastern Visayas through the implementation of the LGU Corporate Rice Farming Program. This was learned during the Roadshow cum Information Caravan the other week.

Directors Leo P. Cañeda, Bernadette F. San Juan, Lealyn A. Ramos and Asterio P. Saliot of the DA Field Operations Service, who are consid-

ered as pillars of agricultural development, visited the region to share the good news that the corporate rice farming brings. The program will be a tripartite partnership between the LGU, farmers association and DA RFO 8 which aims to ensure the supply of rice in the community.

In his presentation, Cañeda laid out the objectives of the program, highlighting its contribution to the implementation of the rice support com-

is a long shot from the previous administration’s stand on drug rehab program. A contribution to the provincial drug rehab facility was asked from a Codilla administration by the Regional Development Council but was denied.

For women concerns, P3 million will be allocated to finance the establishment of a Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Coordinating Center.

The present administration also included in the AIP funds for other agencies operating here: P156,000 for the DILG; P38 million for the PNP; P38,000 for the Maritime Office; P800,000 for the Office of the Auditor; and P11 million for the DepEd. Gender and Development under the City Planning and Development Office has been allocated by the council under its AIP, but under the Magna Carta of Women, it would be allocated P400 million.

An AIP is a wish listing of projects that an LGU would like to implement in a given year. It is different from the budget which is not only an estimate but also based on funds to be collected by the city in a given year.

DA-8 seeks support for corp farming ponent for the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the DSWD. He said this will help farmers generate more income and achieve food security in the region.

“The program generally aims to collectively address the twin concerns of improving the welfare of farmers while ensuring food security,” Cañeda said. (By RUBY Q. CALESTERIO, Information Officer II, )

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, (PIA) – The Northern Samar Police Provincial Office (NSPO) thru the leadership of the newly installed Provincial Director PSSupt. Ceasar Zafiro Tannagan inofrmed about shifting their approach in intensifying the campaign against illegal drug from the Project Double Barrel to Project Double Barrel Alpha.

Project Double Barrel, the first stance in the drive against illegal drugs, was launched in accordance with the marching order of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte .

At the start of its implementation, the police were able to identify 137 affected barangays or 24% of the 569 barangays of the whole province, with 176 users and 288 pushers, for a total of 464 drug personalities.

This project has two longstanding approaches, that of Upper Barrel, pursuing high value targets, and the Lower Barrel, Project “Tokhang,” the “toktok-hangyo” visiting and knocking at the doors of the houses of watch listed illegal drug users and pushers.

Since July of 2016, the project has been proven effective and continuously winning grounds with the unexpected influx of surrenderees and neutralization of drug personalities, said Tannagan.

Starting October 26, 2016, Tannagan said the direction has from Project Double Barrel to Project Double

Barrel “Alpha,” an extension and expansion of the project to focus on the neutralization of high value targets involved in illegal drug trade and drug clearing operations of all drug-affected barangays nationwide. This will accordingly enhance the PNP’s anti-illegal drugs strategy and address Extra Judicial Killings.

In a report presented during the MASA MASID launching, the accomplishment of PNP for Projects Double Barrel from July 1 to October 2016 recorded 36 operations conducted, 36 persons arrested, 4 killed and 21 cases filed in courts. For Double Barrel “Alpha,” from October 26 to November 3, they conducted 8 operations, 7 persons arrested, 1 killed and 48 cases filed in courts.

The milestone accomplishment was the arrest of one Orlando Andales y Frago, leader of Andales Group, No. 16 in the rank of the national level high value targets and No. 2 in the region. According to Police Chief Inspector Rafael Tayaban, this is attributed to the unrelenting efforts of the new PNP Provincial Director PSSupt Ceasar Zafiro Tannagan who is calling all those who are involved in illegal drugs activity to stop, surrender, or else face the consequences.

“I am willing to have a dialogue with you, I am willing to listen, but I am serious in this drive,” he said. (ADiaz/ PIA-Northern Samar)

Values formation for inmates MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte (PIA) – The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Maasin City conducted an in-house Therapeutic Community Modality Program, a community-based rehabilitation program for inmates, starting November 7 until November 9, Jail Warden Chief Inspector Arlene Barraca said.

“This is the third batch of the TCMP training/workshop inside the BJMP-Maasin City Jail with around 70 inmates as participants,” Barraca said. The remaining 20 inmates will still be scheduled for a 3-day TCMP training, she added.

Barraca said BJMP has conducted the same workshop training outside BJMP, particularly in Barangay Tungatunga, Maasin City, the first in Eastern Visayas region, and in-house TCMP was a continuing activity inside the jail.

During the opening program, an overview of the said training workshop was presented by Barraca as the TCMP Focal Person through-

out Eastern Visayas region.

The three-day activity was patterned from the previous TCMP-community based rehab program, whether inhouse or outside the BJMP, Barraca said. Topics to be discussed include Behavior Management, Psychological and Emotional Behavior, Intellectual and Spiritual Upliftment and Livelihood and Survival.

On the other hand, jail residents will also share their expertise based on their own experiences, Barraca said.

These speaker-boarders will share topics on Dynamics of Addiction; War on Drugs; Dealing/Understanding to resist change; and elaboration of “Ang Baruganan” values and development; and unwritten philosophies, among others.

Maasin City Assistant Jail Warden SJO2 Nelson Aberte welcomed the participants during the opening program, while Monina Romero from the Department of Justice – Parole and Probation Office delivered an inspirational message. (ajc/ rgc/PIA-SoLeyte)

Vanguard

Nov. 14 - 19, 2016

Ka Paeng assures land for Biliran rice farmers

Model Pantawid family is from Hinundayan

By Marcelo M. Pedalino MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte (PIA) -- Nelson Gana, 38, was consumed with gambling most of the time, but his wife, Rosaly, 41, never lost faith that one day his husband will change for the better and for good.

The opportunity came when they became Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in 2011, wherein one of the strict requirements was attendance to the monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS).

Rosaly convinced Nelson to join her during FDS sessions and - when she had succeeded over consistent prodding - that has made all the difference.

The couple, residents of barangay Cat-iwing, Hinun-

dayan, became stand-alone FDS participants for they attended more like a team, a husband and wife tandem, while others were mostly represented by the wives.

“More than the cash grants we received from Pantawid every month that helped our family a lot, I was grateful for the FDS, for in my constant attendance, my outlook in life was changed. I eventually gave up my vice,” Nelson said during the Provincial Inter-Agency Committee (PIAC) meeting held at the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) Thursday last week.

With six children (eldest is 16, youngest 4) to support, Nelson said he doubled his efforts and not just rely on the monthly allowance of P 1,400.00. He is a tuba-

gatherer, fisherman, kalanmaker, massage therapist, and still has time as member of Lupong Tagapamayapa in the barangay.

The Gana family will represent the region for this year’s nationwide search of Pantawid Huwarang Pamilya to be conducted anytime this month, said Abelardo Bibat, a Pantawid personnel.

This was the first time a family from Southern Leyte was recognized as a Huwarang Pantawid winner for Region 8, besting 18,906 other household beneficiaries all over the province, Bibat said.

And with sheer luck, or perhaps inevitable destiny, the Gana family may turn out besting millions of other Pantawid members all over the country. (mmp/PIA8Southern Leyte)

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keep their harvest safe . She also requested for electric dryer and rice mill.

Despite the distance, “Ka Paeng” flew to the place as he said, the farmers will always be closer to his heart, their welfare of his primordial concern. Asked however if he can assure that no more farmers will go up the hills in protest against government, Sec. Mariano gave no assurance.

But he said instead: “One thing I can say is that, I have opened the doors of DAR main office in Quezon city, that used to be closed in years. Now, whenever farmers come to visit, they are free to see me for as long as I am inside the office. We talk, they air their problems.”

“But I cannot assure that farmers will no longer go underground to show up any regret against government. However, I am sure that their queries will now be listened to and answered promptly,” he added.

Mariano informed media about the awarding of certificates of land ownership awards (CLOA) to farmers who have been waiting to own land to till. He said land conversion for infrastructure is a lengthy process. “We will go slow in granting conversion of lands for infrastructure projects, lest we ran out of lands for planting palay and other food products,” he said.(PIA, Biliran)

DAR Sec. Rafael Mariano TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, November 12 (PIA) – Department of Agriculture (DAR) Secretary, Rafael “Ka Paeng” Mariano was in town recently and turned-over a post harvest facility to Cabucgayan farmers in far Biliran province.

The P7M-Million worth of warehouse is situated in the middle of rice-producing farm of barangay Balaquid, wide enough to accommodate 3,500 cavans of harvested rice. It was built in partnership with the local government unit of Cabucgayan.

Mrs. Iladia Calabia, Chairperson of the Balaquid Farmers Association, said endless thanks to “Ka Paeng” during the turn-over ceremony. She said, the warehouse has long been their dream to own, as they need a shelter to

Season’s Greetings from

Gen. Danny D. Lim, AFP (ret) &

Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM) & RAM Guardians Incorporated - Alakdan

Brgy. 95, Diversion Road, Caibaan Tacloban City Tel. (053) 888 -0947

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Nov. 14 - 19, 2016

AMA wins ICT hackathon

PIA photo

By Rodrigo S. Victoria PALO, Leyte (PIA) – Their concept on how to estimate electricity consumption on appliances earned a group of five college students from a computer school in Tacloban City the first place in the Tacloban Hackathon.

Hackathon was one of the highlights of activities in Region 8 8th National ICT Summit on November 10-11,

2016 held in Palo, Leyte and Tacloban City.

The group of college students who called themselves Simple Usr from AMA Computer Learning Center (ACLC) won the first prize with corresponding prize of P15,000 in the 24hour Hackathon held at the PhilSci Gymnasium in Palo, Leyte on November 9.

The ACLC third year college students conceptu-

alized the idea they called ECE or energy consumption estimation which focuses on computing the energy consumption of electrical appliances and other electricity consuming devices to avoid energy wastage.

Under the computer system application they created, a consumer will just enter the name of a particular appliance and it will au-

tomatically compute the energy consumption.

The second prize winner with a corresponding prize of P10,000, who called themselves Team Remakers, conceptualized the idea of recycling where their computer system application will capture the image of recyclable material and will automatically tell what kind of recyclable material it is.

Team Hokage, which won third place with a corresponding incentive of P5,000, conceptualized the computer system application called Trashure which created a platform for selling trash.

Cucina de Amelia

The other two teams who belong to the top five include Team ACLC with their computer system application called RaDR or Risk and Disaster Responder and Team LIMA (Ligtas It May Aram), which is also a similar computer system application with Team ACLC, which provides information in times of disaster.

The members of the board of judges of the Hackathon were Jojo Flores, Plug and Play Technology Center & StartupPH, Engr. Arman Garcia, head, technical department of PLDT, and Chester Lei Fabian, public sector program specialist of Microsoft #PartnerForChange (rvictoria/PIA Biliran)

Dealer & merchandiser of imported kitchenwares

Maharlika Highway, Brgy. Tagak, Carigara,Leyte.

PIA photo

Some of the ICT Hackathon organizers pose with a souvenir shirt.