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Samar

February 16-22, 2014

Wildfire in E. SamarTHE Office of the

Civil Defense (OCD) here is continuously monitoring the wild-fire that has affected several barangays of the three municipali-ties of Eastern Samar.

A report by Eastern Samar Provincial Disas-ter Risk Reduction and Management Council officer Levi Nicart to OCD regional director Rey Gozon identified the affected areas as Sta. Rosa village in Bal-angiga; Barangay Paya in Giporlos and Sto. Nino in Quinapondan.

Gozon said that proper coordination has been made with concerned government agencies such as the Bureau of Fire Pro-tection (BFP) and the Department of Public Works and Highways

OCD continue to monitor

THE Philippine Co-conut Authority (PCA) here continues with the collection of coconut debris including toppled coconut trees, which remained un-collected at various coconut plantations, to increase land area that will be subjected to replanting following the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda.

“All coconut debris in various coconut plantations must be collected as soon as possible for it affects the on-going coconut planting and re-planting,” said re-gional manager Edilberto Nierva.

“There are farmers who cannot start planting coco-nut seedling due to the fact that there is still coconut de-bris stock in the plantation,” he added.

PCA-8 collects fallen coconut debris

AROUND 33 million of coconut trees were severely destroyed or damaged in Eastern Visayas affecting more than a million farmers. Photo shows destroyed coconut trees and makeshifts in Marabut, Samar. (Photo by Ricky Bautista)

TACLOBAN CITY- In order to protect the communities against the devastating effects of future storms, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is targeting 380 kilometers of coastline for the restoration of mangrove and beach forest in Eastern Visayas which was ravaged by super typhoon Yolanda.

In an interview, DENR-8 regional information officer Purificacion Daloos said that the tragedy caused by Yolanda call attention to the need to revive the region’s damaged coastal forests to make its coastlines less vulnerable to extreme weather events.

The DENR started in 2014 its massive tree-planting activity under the government’s National Greening Program (NGP) in the coastal areas in the provinces of Eastern Samar, Samar and Leyte including the city of Tacloban in order to minimize the impact of storm surges, flooding and calamities following Yolanda’s devastation.

Daloos said that the DENR is looking at the reversion of abandoned government-leased ponds to mangroves in order to boost coastal protection, food resources and livelihood opportunities for coastal communities.

Lesson learned from Yolanda: DENR to plant more trees as natural barriers

BASED on the latest assessment of the NDRRMC, power supply has already been restored in many parts of Samar and Northern Samar. Eastern Samar, on the other hand, which sustain heavily damaged transmission lines, restoration is still on going. (rjb)

PCA has already de-ployed chainsaws and pow-er saws to different local government units (LGUs) to help convert fallen coconut trees into usable products to aid in the shelter needs of farmers.

However, to date they still received reports about uncollected debris.

The fast tracking of the collection of debris also

aimed to prevent the occur-rence of disease that may af-fect newly planted coconut.

“There may be diseases and other pest that may arise once these coconut debris will not be collected,” Nierva emphasized.

PCA reported that some 33 million of the more or less 72 million coconut

(DPWH) and the pro-vincial government of Eastern Samar.

He said that the BFP is ready in case the fire will pose potential threat to residential areas of the barangays. The fire department has been advised to evacuate res-idents in case the fire becomes uncontrollable and to coordinate with the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council for appropriate actions.

Residents of the af-fected areas are also vig-ilant of the situation even as they were urged to report any information, especially if the situation is already a threat.

M e a n w h i l e , t h e DPWH was asked to make its heavy equip-

She said that the implementation of NGP in the region have been “reconfigured” to give more priority to “coastal intervention” over reforestation in upland communities.

Daloos added that the DENR have allocated around P347 million for the restoration of mangrove and natural beach forest in coastal areas devastated by Yolanda.

“The massive coastal rehabilitation program shall cover worst-hit areas in Region eight particularly the province of Leyte including the city of Tacloban

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NEWS2 February 16-22, 2014

Korean military rehabilitates DSWD facilities for abused women, children

TACLOBAN CITY – The Republic of Korea Araw Force headed by Younghwan Eom, commander of the Korean Navy, has turned over two rehabilitated facilities of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWD) that they repaired with the help of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The Home for Girls and Regional Haven for Women, a government-owned facility and supervised by the DSWD is located in Brgy Pawing, Palo. They house abused women and unaccompanied young girls.

The facilities were partially damaged during the on-slaught of typhoon Yolanda.

The centers provide temporary shelter and protection to women who are victims of abuse and exploitation. They served as venue for women in especially difficult circum-stances resolve their problems and restore their normal functioning.

The centers also help women regain their self-worth and dignity through the provision of protective and reha-bilitative services.

Repairing the roofing and repainting are the activities done for the structure by the engineering team.

Luzvisminda Davis, regional haven head, expressed gratitude in behalf of the DSWD and the center residents.

Their residents will now have a better place to stay after it was hit by the typhoon, said Davis.

“Everybody in this institution will now be comfortable in their stay here as they used to before the typhoon,” said Davis.

Personnel of the 543rd and 546th Engineering Battalion of the 53rd Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army helped the Korean soldiers in the repair. The Korean troops will now start with the repair of schools in Cabarasan Guti and Baras villages in Palo town. (PNA)

Inventory of court records continuesTACLOBAN CITY -- Court offices of the Bul-

wagan ng Katarungan here in Tacloban are still con-ducting inventory of their records that were affected by typhoon Yolanda.

“We are now conducting an inventory of all the cases to determine which record has been not affected, partially affected and those that have been destroyed or lost,” said Regional Trial Court executive judge Alphinor C. Serrano.

Once completed, the retrieved documents he said will be published in a newspaper of general circulation or in the official gazette so parties and lawyers of those cases will be informed as to the nature of the record of their cases.

A reconstitution proceeding to retrieve or to se-cure other documents that would replace those that were damaged or lost will be done for records that could no longer be found as provided for under Re-public Act 3110, he added.

Serrano, however, could not determine when they could finish with the inventory.

The documents are being handled delicately to preserve their texts and contents.

Serrano, however, said that except for the trial, they “go on with the administrative function of the court” such as posting of bails and filing of motions.

Trials for new cases filed after Yolanda, however, continue. They are being handled by Branches 43 and 44 making use of the “Justice on Wheels” bus.

The trial for old cases has to wait until the records are retrieved and the physical structure of the Bulwa-gan is rehabilitated.

“The reconstruction of record and rehabilitation of the physical condition of the court go hand in hand,” he said even as they wanted them done as soon as possible.

Super typhoon Yolanda has destroyed the offices of the five existing branches of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) and line agencies such as the offices of the regional, provincial and city state prosecutors, public attorney’s office and the parole and probation office.

“There is a need to rehabilitate the physical condition of the building, necessary equipment and information Technology (IT); equipment ... were de-stroyed. Only the structure has remained but inside are all destroyed,” he said.

As early as December last year, he said that they have already submitted their rehab plan for consider-ation of the national government.

Also, the Supreme Court has committed to support the rehabilitation.

Court Administrator Midas Marquez has visited the Bulwagan several times to check on the retrieval and inventory efforts, he added. (PNA)

DOH allocates P85 M for repair of hospitals

TACLOBAN CITY – The national government has set aside P85 million for the emergency repair of hospitals and rural health units damaged by supertyphoon Yolanda in the region.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona said their priorities are not just hospitals, but health facilities established in local government units.

“This is just an initial allocation. We have enough funds to rebuild all aspects of health programs affected by the storm,” Ona told reporters.

The Department of Health is now reviewing all needs, taking into account financial aids from the private sector and international humanitarian organizations.

Health Regional Director Jose Llacuna dubbed the project as “quick fix” where their main concern is the repair of partially damaged state-owned hospitals and health centers.

“We just have to make it functional by putting roofings, fixing windows and doors, and re-install vital equipments,” Llacuna said.

On February 18, the DOH signed an agreement with mayors of recipient local government units. The national government did not ask cash-strapped municipalities to put up their counterparts in the emergency repair initiative.

“This is a very welcome development for us since local governments have no budget to repair health centers damaged by the typhoon. Our priority now is to provide food and shelter to displaced families,” said Tanauan, Leyte Mayor Pelagio Tecson.

The “quick fix” initiative will benefit 34 towns in Leyte, nine towns in Eastern Samar, three towns in Samar and two towns in Biliran.

The P85 million is on top of the P1.2 billion budget approved for rehabilitation of destroyed health facilities in the three Visayas regions.

“By 2015, we hope to

complete the construction of bigger, better and safer health facilities,” Llacuna added.

The official said international groups have committed to build hospitals and health centers in Palo, Tanauan, Tolosa, and Dulag Mayorga, all in Leyte and Lawaan, Eastern Samar.

The DOH has reported that about P1.2 billion of health facilities and equipment were destroyed by the massive typhoon. Of this, P702.76 million was recorded for health facilities and P274.86 million for equipment.

The DOH reported that 1,229 facilities were destroyed by fierce winds and storm surges. About 219 are not functional and 233 are completely damaged.

Of the 1,229 damaged facilities, 991 are barangay health stations, 153 rural health units, 68 locally-managed hospitals, seven city or district health centers, six retained hospitals, three private hospitals and a municipal health office. (SARWELL Q MENIANO)

...from page 1ment readily available when needed. Bulldozers are needed to reduce the spreading of fire, said Gozon, although it’s the BFB that is aware of the technicalities of the pro-cess.

The OCD regional di-rector is yet to receive ex-act information as to how and when the wildfire started. The initial report he got was it started two days ago and continued until last night.

Unconfirmed reports from other sources stated that the “kaingin” (slash and burn) activities of local residents caused the wildfire.

An aerial inspection of the areas affected was conducted by the Tactical Operations Group (TOG) of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) this morn-ing. (PNA)

Wildfire...

as a major concern given its being a major population center, but the undertaking will cover practically the entire eastern seaboard of Eastern Visayas,” she said.

She said that their main objective is to restore the region’s degraded coastal forests to make its coastlines less vulnerable to extreme weather events.

“If the mangroves in Leyte and Eastern Samar

have not been decimated, the storm surge in those areas would have been dissipated its strength,” Daloos said.

“The surge can only destroy the leaves, but it cannot uproot the mangroves because they are so deep- rooted and strong that they will re-grow in time,” she added.

Mangroves are natural barriers against tsunamis, storm surge and other wave action,

and therefore, should not be destroyed, the DENR information officer said.

Under their plan for 2014, some 19 million seedlings and propagules from mangrove trees and beach forest species like Talisay will be planted over 1,900 hectares of coastline under the NGP.

The establishment of “coastal green belts” will be done in clusters to allow fisher folk access to the shorelines, as well as other sustainable activities like ecotourism and coastal management. (RYAN GABRIEL LLOSA ARCENAS)

...from page 1Lesson learned...

OPINIONEASTERN SAMAR

EDITORIAL

S

Dalmacio C. GrafilPublisher

Romeo CebrerosOIC

Pio CalvoEditor-in-Chief

EASTERN SAMAR

Brgy. Songco, Borongan City Eastern Samar

(055) 261-3319

February 16-22, 2014

WE need to develop a sense of the end. This is unavoidable and in-dispensable. Even in our ordinary affairs, we take it for granted that we ought to have some idea of the end or purpose in mind before we move.

When we travel, for example, we first iden-tify the destination, and then from there prepare ourselves according-ly—what to bring, how to dress, etc. A student, reviewing for an exam, would try to figure out the likely points that would come out, and from there start to or-ganize his study.

I remember that in the world of business, a popular theory was that of Management By Objective (MBO) that precisely highlights the importance of the sense of the end.

The end gives us a global picture and sheds light on the present. It guides us. It gives us a sense of confidence and security. It reassures us that we are on the right track, that we are doing well.

The sense of the end motivates us to make plans always, to be thoughtful and an-ticipative of things. It teaches us also a sense of order and priority. It motivates us to set goals, make schedules and the prudent use of time. Ultimately, it helps us to distinguish between the essential and the non-essential in our life.

A person who does not have a sense of the end is obviously an anomaly. He tends to be lazy and prone to his personal weaknesses, to drift off aimlessly and lose control of his life. Such person is usually called a bum, a tramp or a vagrant.

Since we all some-how pass through this stage, let’s hope that the phase be as short as possible, and that our reaction to it should produce the opposite effect of precisely taking the duty to develop this sense of the end more seriously.

There, of course, are some complicated peo-ple who philosophize too much by saying that we can never know the end, and so, they ask how can we develop a sense of the end? This

Sense of the End

Hints and Traces

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Tacloban mayor inspires “Yolanda” victims

ome 2,000 people attended the 100th day gathering for remembrance to scores of victims of the strongest-ever

Yolanda typhoon that hit Tacloban and other areas of Eastern Visayas, November 8, 2013. They felt so elated by the inspiring message of Mayor Alfred Romualdez at the Tacloban astrodome, Sunday the 9th day of February 2014.

The mayor pledged to create a “better Tacloban,” now effectively undergoing massive rehabilitation efforts. He revealed that he has come up with a master plan to make this happen.

While he revealed that vast local resources have been and will be employed to realize the

“better Tacloban” objective, he expressed optimism that the national government will come up with its share to make this happen.

The occasion was attended by evacuees, other typhoon victims and a host of humanitarian groups of other nations who have been part of the rehabilitation activities. These groups have expressed their desire to continue helping Tacloban as articulated by one speaker from the United Nations.

All hands are on deck for the rebuilding activities, but Taclobanons, the immediate beneficiaries should not simply watch with folded arms and does nothing but should actively join in the activities.

Fishermen from Brgys 88, 89 and 90, all in San Jose district in Tacloban, are proud owners of fishing boats made of fiber glass donated by the Negrense Volunteers for Change.(ROEL AMAZONA)

kind of thinking is pure sophistry that can easily be dumped by the mere use of common sense.

It’s true that we may never know everything about the end, but it’s not true that we cannot know enough about the end of anything. That’s why we can only talk about a sense of the end, since it is a dynamic af-fair that has known and unknown, absolute and relative, constant and changing elements in-volved.

We are not dealing with mere mathematics and mechanical things alone in this life. There are spiritual and other in-tangible things involved that necessarily would require us to be contin-uously open to anything and discerning, flexible and focused.

And so, what we instinctively do in our daily ordinary affairs, we should also do, and, in fact, do it as best as we can, in the ultimate dimensions of our life. Here we have to be guid-ed by our core beliefs that should penetrate beyond the material, temporal and worldly aspects into the realm of the spiritual, eternal and supernatural.

In this regard, for those of us who are Chris-tian believers, the model to follow is Christ. From childhood, he already knew what his whole earthly life was all about. He never deviated from that path. “I do nothing of myself, but as the Fa-ther has taught me.” (Jn 8,28)

It would be good that as early as possible, we can also have the same mind of know-ing what our whole life here on earth is all about, guided by our faith and the example of Christ.

It is this faith, and not just some earthly science or art that assures of eternal life and joy. We have to be wary when our sense of the end is ruled only by temporal goals.

To be sure, to have that Christian mindset does not lead us to de-velop rigid thinking and ways, to bigotry, intoler-ance and triumphalism, as some quarters have accused Christian believ-ers even up to now.

On the contrary, if we truly follow Christ, we would have a very

open mind. We would be flexible and adaptable. We can accept anything and would know how to handle them. Nothing can scandalize us—that is, if we are truly living the life of Christ.

The death of Christ on the cross precisely signifies his openness to everything in our earthly life. And his resurrection means his victory over any form of sin and evil, including death.

Let’s forge a sense of the end that truly corre-sponds to our nature and dignity.

NEWSEASTERN SAMAR4 February 16-22, 2014

Kids choir to hold benefit concert for surviving children

C A L B A Y O G CITY --The Seraphim Choir of St. Augustine International School in this city will hold a two-day benefit con-cert for kids in Palo, Leyte who survived super typhoon Yolan-da starting tonight.

“The proceeds of the concert will be used for our second round of relief op-erations in ‘Yolan-da’ devastated areas particularly in Palo, Leyte,” said School Directress Clare G. Siopongco.

Siopongco added that they are planning to go back to Palo, Leyte before the start of the next school year 2014 – 2015.

“We w i l l g ive school supplies to the kids in Palo, and before the end of the school year we will launched a book drive in our school wherein the students are encouraged to do-nate their books that still usable and other school supplies,” Sio-pongco added.

Aside from the food packages the school gave to ‘Yolan-

da survivors right after the typhoon, St. Au-gustine International School – Calbayog likewise made at least 300 children happy with their “A Toy for a Smile” project last Christmas. The toys, clothes, books and other items were all donated by the stu-dents.

The “Angels on High” concert is the first public exposure of the Seraphim Choir, according to Choir Master Jed Pido.

The choir is com-posed of 27 kids aged 7 to 12 years old. The concert will show-case different kinds of songs, religious, folk and pop. The concert is for everyone.

“ T h e c o n c e r t is also dedicated to God for giving us this kind of talent and we just wanted to share everything that we have,” said Pido.

T h e S e r ap h i m Choir “Angels on High” concert will be held at the Agueda Chan Auditorium, SOS Village, Brgy. Da-gum, Calbayog City. (Jennifer Allegado)

Tacloban City Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez, Councilor Cristina G. Romualdez and the international organizations prayed in silence for the thousands of Yolanda victims who perished last Nov. 8, 2013 Supertyphoon Yolanda taken during the 100 days commemorative program which features singing of Christian songs, candlelight rite held February 16, 2014 at the Tacloban City Convention Center. (Photo by: Tim Canes / Gay B. Gasay-TISAT)

Scholarship grants up for coco farmers’ children

THE United Coconut Planters Back-Coconut Indus-try Investment Fund (UCPB-CIIF) In. and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) are now accepting applications from children of coconut farmers who are interested to avail of their college scholarship program.

UCPB-CIIF Incorporated Program Specialist for Visayas Elizabeth Salamanca said that the program is available to children of small coconut farmers, tenants and farm workers who are interested to enroll at their partner university in Eastern Visaysas. These are the Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), Samar State University (SSU), and Visayas State University (VSU).

To qualify the applicant must be a child of a small coconut farmer or coconut farm worker as certified by the head of a religious organization, Coco Foundation, or the Philippine Coconut Authority and that he/she must have a general average grade of not lower than 80 percent or its equivalent for third year and fourth year high school.

They must first pass the College Admission Test (CAT) given by their partner university as incoming freshmen in order for them to be considered for the scholarship, said Salamanca.

She also said that priority shall be given to children of coconut farm workers, tenants, or coconut farm owners with less than five hectares of coconut farm and children of coconut farm owners with more than 10 hectares of coconut farm are not qualified.

Priority courses for the scholarship program include Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Com-puter Science, Bachelor of Science in Information System, Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Physical Sci-ence, Mathematics, Biological Science, Technology and Livelihood Education, Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Technology, Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineer-ing, Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education major in Architectural Drafting Technology, Automotive Education, Electrical Technology, Electronics Technology, and Bachelor of Sci-ence in Community Development.

The scholarship benefits include tuition and other school fees at a maximum amount of P6,000 per semester at two semesters per year and a monthly allowance of P1,750 to cover books, transportation, meals, and other needs for five months per semester.

Fifteen slots were allot-ted for this region, however, it may increase if the number of applicants is higher.

Interested applicants should check directly with the Student Affairs Office at the nearest partner universi-ty for the schedule of exami-nation and assessment.

The deadline for sub-mission of all duly-accom-plished forms and complete requirements is March 31. (PNA)

trees have been damaged by the typhoon. Of the number, around 15 million are totally damaged and nine million are severely damaged. These trees have no more chances of recovery.

Moderately damaged are at four million and almost five million trees are slightly damaged. Moderate damaged trees have 50-50 chance of recovery while it will take a minimum of three years for the slightly damaged trees to recover. (PNA)

...from page 1PCA-8...

CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, Palo,Leyte- As part of the modernization program of the Philippine National Police, the PO1 Recruitment Program for this year is to be implemented.

For this year, about 28,827 would be hired by the PNP under this program distributed as 13,000 for uniformed personnel regular quota; 6,000 uniformed attrition (proposed); 2,358 uniformed unfilled (2013 attrition) and 7,469 non-uniformed personnel.

For the region’s quota allocation, processing and date of oath-taking will be disseminated as soon as this Office will be furnished with a copy of the Letter of Instruction (LOI).

Police Regional Office 8 under the leadership of Police Regional Director Chief Superintendent Henry Losañes, has activated its screening committees that will process the mandatory minimum requirement and other documents submitted by the applicants.

The following are the general qualifications for appointment in the police service: Filipino citizen; with good moral character; passed the psychiatric/psychological, drug and physical tests to be administered by the PNP;possess a formal baccalaureate degree from a recognized learning institution; eligible in accordance with the standards set by the commission which are NAPOLCOM PNP Entrance, RA 6506 (Licensed Criminologist) RA 1080 (Bar and Board Examinations), PD 907 (Honor Graduate), or CSC Professional; not have been dishonorably discharged from military employment or dismissed for cause from any civilian position in the government; have no pending criminal case in any court, including at the Office of the Ombudsman or administrative case if he/she is already an employee of the government; not have been convicted by final judgment of an offense or crime involving moral turpitude; at least 1.62m in height for males and 1.57m in height for females and

weigh not more or less than 5kg from the standard weight corresponding to his/her weight, age and sex; and must not be less than 21 nor more than 30 years of age. (PR)

PNP to hire more cops this

year