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JAN (26-31) 2009 TACLOBAN NEWS
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BREAKING NEWS / TACLOBAN REGION

>>> JAN (26-31) 2009 <<<

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Jan 31, 2009

40 techno demo veggie farms established in 20 barangays

By Fred Padernos

Leyte Samar Daily Express

TACLOBAN CITY -- Livelihood programs for farmers, especially in the northern barangays, is one of the priority projects of Mayor Alfred Romualdez started last year.

This year, according to Dr. Alfredo "Boy" Camposano, city agriculturist, an initial of 20 barangays have been identified by the city as beneficiaries of the city government's Roll-over- of Extension Program for Effective Agricultural Technology (REPEAT) program.

With the full support of Mayor Romualdez, Camposano said, this productivity-support program was conceptualized by the office in alignment with the initiative called "Kabuyahan Lunas sa Kahirapan" with an intention to respond to the farmer's immediate need of increased vegetable production for the markets here and mitigate hunger and poverty in the city.

In those 20 barangays, 40 vegetable techno-demo farms have been established covering a total of eight hectares each having an area of 2,000 square meters with a respective assignment as what kind of vegetables to cultivate.

Those barangays are Tagpuro, Sta. Elena, New Kawayan, Old Kawayan, Sto. Niño, San Isidro, Cabalawan, Bagacay, Diit, Camansihay, San Roque, Basper, Palanog 12, Palanog 103, Palanog 37-A, Paglaum, Salvacion, Caibaan, Brgy. 89 San Jose and Barangay 84 also in San Jose.

As part of the production techno demo management agreement, the farmer beneficiary will receive the seeds from the city agriculturist office which shall pay back the inputs with the same quantity, kind and quality, two weeks after the first production harvest- such procedure shall be witnessed by the Barangay Chairman and Kagawad.

Camposano further said that this is one of the newest programs for the farmers now that Tacloban is already a Highly Urbanized City (HUC) which Mayor Romualdez is pushing to alleviate the economic condition of the farmers. This program will be replicated in other barangays suited for the project, he said.






Jan 30, 2009

City legal office to file action vs unauthorized digging, excavation

By Fred Padernos

Leyte Samar Daily Express

TACLOBAN CITY -- The city legal office led by Atty. Sergio Sumayod is now taking steps to file legal action against the unauthorized digging and excavation on the city roads including those that are being done by the Leyte Metropolitan Water District (LMWD).

Yesterday, through a telephone call, Sumayod asked the City Engineer's Office to submit official report on the matter, so that necessary legal action could be undertaken. Prior to this, no report has been submitted to his office, said Sumayod.

This came after Engr. Concepcion "Ching" Esperas, chief, building and maintenance division, revealed that even newly-concreted roads are being cut and dug for connection of water pipes and not restored within the prescribed period. Above all this, according to Esperas, these are not coordinated nor permitted by the engineering office. These unauthorized diggings would only not cause traffic danger among motorists but damages the road and alter its original quality.

On the other hand, Councilor Bianco Mate, chairman, committee on engineering at the city council, told Leyte Samar Daily Express that there is an ordinance passed by the city council long time ago, regulating these diggings, and the same provides penalties for violators. And so, these violators should be penalized based on the city ordinance, he said.

City ordinance No. 93-51 otherwise known as "The Road Excavation Ordinance of the City of Tacloban" provides that a permit should be secured first from the office of the city mayor before any digging or excavation is conducted and specifying therein the purpose and the duration.

Paragraph K of the ordinance states. "Once a permit has been secured from the mayor's office, the permit number should be written in bold capital letters on a piece of plywood/lawanit/GI sheet measuring 16` x 8" and should be conspicuously posted or displayed on the excavation site before any digging or excavation should start."

Further, paragraph h of the same ordinance states "The restoration work should be done according to accepted DPWH standards and specifications. For this purpose, proper coordination should be made with the City Engineer's Office (CEO)."

Moreover, paragraph i reads that "The restoration work of all excavations including those undertaken by the LMWD shall start within a period a 72 hours upon completion of the purpose from which the excavation or the diggings was made and continuously until full restoration is attained."

Ironically, according to Engr. Esperas, this ordinance and its provisions are ignored like in the case of LMWD which for several weeks now, they have not yet restored their digging on the newly concreted road in V and G area.

This ordinance was crafted and enacted yet way back in Nov. 4, 1994 during the time of Mayor Uldarico Mate and Vice Mayor Enerio Sabulao. The same was sponsored by the then city councilor Dante Crisostomo.






Jan 30, 2009

Other courses added to Cristina's Learn and Earn Program

By Jose Rodriguez T. Señase

Leyte Samar Daily Express

TACLOBAN CITY -- As part of program expansion, additional courses are to be added this year to the Cristina's Learn and Earn Program.

In a recent interview, City Councilor Cristina Gonzalez-Romualdez revealed that she and program partners will introduce four more courses to the program.

The Cristina's Learn and Earn Program is a livelihood skills program jointly undertaken by the office of Councilor Romualdez, Department of Education-Alternative Learning System (DepEd-ALS), and the City Government of Tacloban headed by Mayor Alfred Romualdez.

The program aims to arm interested individuals, primarily women and out-of-school youths (OSY), with the necessary livelihood skills for them to earn extra income for themselves and their families. Since 2006, more than 500 individuals have undergone skills training under the program.

According to Councilor Romualdez, the new courses to be introduced soon to complement the existing ones are reflexology, baking, furniture-making and plumbing. At present, the program offers cosmetology, food processing and dressmaking courses.

Plumbing is the skilled trade of working with pipes, tubing and plumbing fixtures for drinking water systems and the drainage of waste, while reflexology is a therapeutic method of relieving pain by stimulating predefined pressure points on the feet and hands.

Baking is the technique of prolonged cooking of food by dry heat acting by convection, normally in an oven. It is primarily used for the preparation of bread, cookies, cakes, pastries and pies. Furniture-making, on the other hand, is the art and craft of designing and making furniture like chairs and tables.

"We will hire additional trainors for the new courses. The launching dates and the places where the trainings will be conducted are still being discussed," Councilor Romualdez said. "We are expecting several hundred new enrollees this year."






Jan 30, 2009

Leyte prov'l gov't still waiting for "right investor" for MacArthur Hotel project

By Sarwell Q. Meniano

Leyte Samar Daily Express

TACLOBAN CITY -- The Leyte provincial government will award next month the 25-year contract to the winning developer who will be investing P300 million to renovate the state-owned, 43-room MacArthur Beach Resort Hotel.

Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla said they are still on the process of choosing the "right investor" and they have not yet come up with a final list for selection. The official did not divulge the number of interested bidder since they are still accepting applications.

"My timetable is as soon as possible. By the end of September, the renovation will be done in time with the October 20 Leyte Landing celebrations," Petilla told Leyte Samar Daily Express.

The list of interested investors has been shortened after the provincial government announced that the repair would need at least P300 million.

"We want big investments because we want them to transform this to a proper hotel for our tourists. This needs total renovation and add more buildings," he said.

Earlier, Petilla disclosed that among the interested developer is a Singapore-based chain of hotels but he refused to name the company, saying any shown interest for investment may be preempted.

The management of the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) surfaced after the issuance of Executive Order 756 on October 2, 2008 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that lends authority to transfer the hotel's management from the PTA to the provincial LGU. The order took effect January 2009.

Petilla revealed that its operation has been losing even back in years when the PTA was running. "Currently, the government is subsidizing the hotel at a rate of P400,000 a month."

"Our big role is to choose the right developer," he added.

It can be recalled that the provincial government initiated the turn over of the hotel some years back before the PTA could declare it not to be earning enough revenue to continue operation.

The hotel has not seen that much improvements under the PTA then considering that requests for materials for the hotel was centralized and takes time before the national government can respond to.

The MacArthur Beach Resort and Hotel was built by then First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos in the town of Palo, Leyte and sequestered by the government after the Edsa Revolution in 1986.

The property is situated along the historic Red Beach, site of one of the greatest naval battles in history. The hotel is just few meters away from the MacArthur Landing Memorial in Palo, Leyte.

Hotel rooms are all decorated with native materials and MacArthur pictures. It has picnic grounds, swimming pools, picnic tents and tables, beach kiosks, volleyball ground, and indoor games facilities.

Petilla said the improvement of the hotel would pave the way for the development of the remaining vacant areas in the Government Center. A long-term plan is to turn the province-owned lot into an economic and leisure hub, complete with a five-star hotel, a leisure park, an IT facility, government offices, commercial areas and public transport terminal.






Jan 30, 2009

City Council to declare DepEd-8 chief Matugas as persona non grata?

By Allan Y. Amistoso

Leyte Samar Daily Express

PALO, Leyte -- Department of Education Regional Director Sol Matugas is not alarmed over the reports that the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Tacloban has a plan of declaring her pernona non grata.

"I am just doing my job and I can't do otherwise if they are not happy with me," Matugas said.

During the program of the city government aired over Radyo Diwa, Executive Assistant Bernardita Valenzuela yesterday said that she got information that the Sanggunian has a plan of declaring Dir. Matugas as persona non grata.

The reason pointed out by Valenzuela was because of the alleged statement made by Matugas against the city mayor of Tacloban during an episode of the Express It At The Park, a media forum held every Saturday at Leyte Park Hotel regarding the Palarong Pambansa, and by mentioning Councilor Wilson Uy as the representative of Mayor Alfred Romualdez, during the launching of the countdown for the Palarong Pambansa the other day.

However, Matugas categorically denied such allegation, saying that "as far as I know I can't remember attending even once that media forum at Leyte Park, so it's but a simple fabricated stories."

She also clarifies that it was not her who mentioned the name of councilor Uy but it was the master of ceremonies, Dr. Alejandrito Yman.

"I did not even saw councilor Uy and I'm not so familiar with him so how could I say that?," Matugas added.

However, "if they are really serious about it, I have no choice but to serve the other 12 divisions or probably just go back to my hometown."

Councilor Jerry Yaokasin, the majority floor leader, when asked through text if there was such plan of the city council he answered in the negative.

"I really don't know. Kaya I was surprised when I heard it," he said.

Yaokasin admitted that he was able to listen to the statement of Valezuela personally.

The other members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, councilor Wilson Uy, Rindo Lagonoy and Bob Abellanosa to include vice mayor Arvin Antoni also denied that the council has such a plan.

During the session yesterday, which was closely monitored by members of the media, it appeared that no such resolution was approved by the council.

As of this writing, it was not yet clear from whom Valenzuela got such information.






Jan 30, 2009

Cooperation urged to ensure success of games

By Sarwell Q. Meniano

BusinessWorld Online, Philippines

TACLOBAN CITY -- Government officials in Eastern Visayas urged cooperation to ensure success of the 2009 Palarong Pambansa from April to May 2.

Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla has called on the public to treat the delegates as "real visitors" since most of them have never visited Eastern Visayas.

"This is a national event. We worked hard to win the bid. Let's show them that Leyte can be a very good host with the cooperation of everybody," Mr. Petilla said.

Presidential Assistant for Eastern Visayas Cynthia Nieras said she considers the national sports event a good opportunity for the region, not just for sports but also for business.

"We are ready to serve our visitor-athletes from the 16 regions in the country who are expected to visit the region to attend the annual sports event," she said.

This is the first time that the region will host the scholastic athletic competition after 1983.

The provincial government earlier asked the city government for permission to use the Tacloban Convention Center as a venue for other sports events but has yet to receive a reply.

"We can hold all activities in provincial government-owned facilities but using the convention center is one way to involve the city government in this event," Mr. Petilla added.






Jan 29, 2009

APAC set to be in full
operation by March 2

By Sarwell Q. Meniano

Leyte Samar Daily Express

PALO, Leyte -- Nasdaq-listed APAC Costumer Services Inc. is in full preparation for the opening of its first provincial site in Leyte on March 2, this year.

Last Monday night, APAC kicked off its first round of training for 80 agents who will be taking first call in its opening.

"It's gonna be a really big opening. We've invited President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and some local officials. Our President and CEO Michael Marrow will be here as well," said APAC Vice-President for International Operations Doug Almond in an interview.

Almond reported that the production area is now 70% complete. The Business Processing Outsourcing firm converted the 3,000 square meter gymnasium into a brand new call center site.

The P200 million world class facilities housed at the Leyte Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Park in this town include call area, conference room, training rooms, administrative office, board room, cafeteria, and lobby.

Nizette Navia, APAC administrative services director, said that the Leyte site has the same amenities of APAC offices in Alabang, Muntinlupa City and in Cubao, Quezon City.

It will take five weeks to complete two sets of training. To include second and third batches, the site will be manned by 200 costumer service representatives. Of the 200 agents hired, around 100 came from Leyte. The rest came from a combination of Cebu and Samar areas.

The top APAC official said that they are looking at hiring up to 1,000 workers before the end of 2009. "The expansion will go for the rest of the year. You'll see incremental growth all the way through December."

"We are very excited. This has been a two-year undertaking. It took us two years to go from planning, resourcing and finally to construction. Even though there is risk. I know that Leyte will be a 100 percent success," Almond told Leyte Samar Daily Express.

Basic skills and product specifics trainings are being undertaken by 17 members of the management team trained in Metro Manila and some in the United States of America.

"There is training supervision to make sure that we duplicate the Manila operation," Navia said.

After their opening, they will launch a near hire program for students to ensure manpower for expansion.

"When we did the first jobs fair, we got almost 2,000 applicants and we've hired roughly 200 of those. After completing near hire training, we will have around 400 to 600 agents," Almond said.

APAC began in 1973 when Theodore G. Schwartz started a one-telephone media advertising and sales operation.

Since then APAC has evolved into a leading provider of quality customer care services and solutions for market leaders in healthcare, financial services, business services, publishing, communications and travel and entertainment industries.

"We are proud of that fact that we've been running for 35 years and five years of which is symbolic for us because we've been running the Manila operation," Navia said.

Its headquarters is located in Deerfield, Illinois, with operations located throughout Arizona, Florida, Iowa, New York, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and Philippines.






Jan 29, 2009

Tacloban City gov't mulls to convert Kanhuraw Convention Center into one-stop business center

By Jose Rodriguez T. Señase

Leyte Samar Daily Express

TACLOBAN CITY -- The City Government of Tacloban is set to convert the Kanhuraw Convention Center into a one-stop-shop business center.

The conversion, according to Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, will be done in the first quarter of this year.

"First of all we are creating a one-stop shop business center here in city hall. What we will see is the conversion of the Kanhuraw Convention Center this year into a one-stop-shop business center," Mayor Romualdez said.

Mayor Romualdez pointed out that as part of the conversion plan, the city government will transfer some of its offices like the City Licensing Office to said convention center

"All the bills, payments, and other transactions with respect to the renewing of and applying for business permits will be done there," Mayor Romualdez disclosed

According to the mayor, the putting up of a one-stop-shop business center is in anticipation of an influx of a lot of business establishments here.

"One of the first things that these investors will be doing is applying for business licenses," Mayor Romualdez pointed out.

He stressed that the one-stop-shop, with its streamlined and systematic operations, will lessen the time it takes for new investors to apply for permits to do business in the city.

"That would make the city more business-friendly and attractive to investors," Mayor Romualdez noted. "With that, the city would be earning much more compared to last year."

In addition to that, according to Mayor Romualdez, the putting up of a new one-stop-shop business center is also geared towards an increase in traffic enforcement.

"Payment of tickets and fines for traffic violations will also be done at the Kanhuraw one-stop-shop," he said.






Jan 29, 2009

"Taebo Jam" to be revived
this February

By Chito B. Lopez

Leyte Samar Daily Express

TACLOBAN CITY -- Mandated by the local government to provide healthful physical activities to the citizenry, the City Sports and Development Office will revive on February this year a fitness program that was started in 2007 yet.

A worthwhile project, which took time off briefly due to some adjustments and makeovers, the "Taebo Jam" at the PARK will again provide exercise regimen to its enthusiasts starting next month, City Sports and Development Officer Joel Bugho announced.

The "Taebo Jam" sessions, which started two years ago, had been one of former Mayor Alfredo "Bejo" Romualdez's most popular sports activity, regularly held weekly at the Tacloban Convention Center (Astrodome) grounds.

This year, according to Bugho, Taebo Jam sessions will not only be held at the Tacloban Convention Center during Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 5:30 A.M. to 7:30 A.M., but will also be held every Fridays at the City Hall Grounds from 5:00 - 6:30 P.M. to also provide healthful respite to City Hall Employees, he said.

Bugho stressed that with the full support of Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez and the revitalized enthusiasm of Taebo Jam Instructor, Raym Alonzo, there is no doubt, he said, that fit and trimmed body advocates will again converge at this site to avail this free clinic.

For more information and inquiries, please see Mr. Joel Bugho at the City Sports and Development Office or call 325-2666.






Jan 29, 2009

Abucay bus terminal earns P27M last year

By Jose Rodriguez T. Señase

Leyte Samar Daily Express

TACLOBAN CITY -- The city government here derived more than P27 million in income last year from the operations of the New Abucay Bus Terminal and Commercial Complex at the Abucay District, this city.

According to City Treasurer Ed Macion, the figure is more then P7 million higher than the income derived in the previous year.

Based on data furnished by Macion, the city earned around P20 million from the operations of the said terminal complex in the entire 2007.

"Aside from that, we were also able to surpass by more than P4 million our 2008 collection target of P23 million," said Macion, who disclosed that the terminal complex is one of the biggest contributors to the city's coffers.

Macion said that the high earnings were the result of increased commercial activities and the sale of buildings and lots within the complex.

"In anticipation of economic growth in the area, traders and businessmen are buying off lots and buildings. In addition, you can see that an increasing number of businesses are locating there," he pointed out.

Of the P27 million, based on same data, nearly P24 million came from monthly rental of stalls and installment payments from auctioning lots and buildings.

The remaining balance, according to the city treasurer, was derived from terminal fees (P1.5 million), leasehold rights, community tax, police clearance, professional tax, and CHO fees.

The state-of-the-art New Abucay Bus Terminal and Commercial Complex started its operations last August 15, 2006.

This multi-million-peso project, which was initiated by then-Tacloban City Mayor Alfredo "Bejo" Romualdez, was designed and constructed by Hilmarc's Construction Corp. and financed through a loan from Land Bank of the Philippines and Postal Bank.

The New Bus Terminal, which includes 14 slots commercial building, wet market building, dry market buildings and one-storey commercial building is one of the largest and most modern transport terminals in the region.






Jan 29, 2009

Preparations for Palarong Pambansa right on target, Leyte gov says

Philippine Information Agency

Tacloban City -- The preparation for the Palarong Pambansa 2009 is right on target, Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla of the host province of Leyte informed during the Kick-Off Ceremony for the annual National event which is scheduled to be held on April 26 to May 2, 2009.

Governor Petilla lauded the people in the various Palaro committees where DepEd and Provincial Government point persons are collaborating. He said the organizing committees are composed of very efficient people and so everything is being done as planned.

The Leyte Sports Center where the games will be conducted and which is currently undergoing rehabilitation and upgrading, will not only be ready before the opening of the Palaro, God-willing, it will be finished at the end of the month of January, Governor Petilla announced during the press conference conducted right after the Kick-Off rites.

Aside from the Palaro events at the Leyte Sports Center, nightly socio-cultural activities will also be presented at the RTR Plaza starting with the Search for Binibini at Ginoong Palarong Pambansa on April 25. Among others, the nightly presentations are the Cultural Show on April 27, Dance Sport Competition, Gathering of Stars.

Aqua Sports of Leyte will also be presented. The Subiran Regatta for one will have "layags" with the tourist attraction or destination of each of the 41 municipalities of the province of Leyte.

For the delegations, the province of Leyte will be hosting the Welcome Night right there at the historic Provincial Capitol. The Paalam Night also promises to be a memorable finale of the Palarong Pambansa 2009.

Calling on all the sectors to give their cooperation and support to make the Palarong Pambansa 2009 a success, Governor Petilla said, "let us show the delegations from the 17 Regions of the country, that Region 8, not only Leyte, is a good host."

"That is how I want the guests to remember the Palarong Pambansa 2009," Governor Petilla said.






Jan 29, 2009

Leyte provincial gov't looking for MacArthur Beach investor

By Sarwell Q. Meniano

BusinessWorld Online, Philippines

TACLOBAN CITY -- The Leyte provincial government plans to award next month the 25-year contract to renovate and operate a government-owned hotel at the historic Red Beach in Palo town.

Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla, however, said they still have to find the right investor to sink in P300 million to renovate the 43-room MacArthur Beach Resort Hotel.

"My timetable is as soon as possible. By the end of September, the renovation would be done in time for the Oct. 20 Leyte Landing celebration," Mr. Petilla told BusinessWorld.

The governor declined to divulge the names of interested bidders. Applications are still being accepted, he added.

Management of the hotel has been transferred to the provincial government from the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) under Executive Order 756, which took effect this month.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued the directive last October.

Losing proposition

Mr. Petilla said the hotel has been losing, with the PTA subsidizing its operations at P400,000 a month.

The MacArthur Beach Resort and Hotel was built by First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos but was sequestered by the Aquino administration after the 1986 EDSA Revolution.

The property is at Red Beach, site of one of the greatest naval battles in history. The hotel is a few meters away from the MacArthur Landing Memorial in Palo, Leyte.

The hotel's rooms are all decorated with native materials and MacArthur pictures. It has picnic grounds, swimming pools, picnic tents and tables, beach kiosks, volleyball ground, and indoor games facilities.

Mr. Petilla said the improvement of the hotel will pave the way for the development of the remaining vacant areas of the nearby government center.

A long-term plan is to turn the province-owned lot into an economic and leisure hub complete with a five-star hotel, a leisure park, an information technology facility, government offices, commercial areas and public transport terminal.






Jan 28, 2009

Tacloban City gov't allots
P50 M for construction of modern hospital

By Jose Rodriguez T. Señase

Leyte Samar Daily Express

TACLOBAN CITY -- More than P50 million will be allocated by the City Government of Tacloban for the construction of a modern, 50-bed hospital in this city.

This was disclosed by Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez.

According to the mayor, the city government will put up such facility as part of efforts to improve medical services it provides to more than 200, 000 population of the city.

"We are finalizing plans for its construction this 2009 or early next year. We will be spending approximately P50 million for the new facility," Mayor Romualdez disclosed.

Based on the plan, the new hospital will be put up in the site of the existing City Hospital in Marasbaras.

"It will be a two-storey structure that will have 50-100 beds and modern medical equipment like x-rays," Mayor Romualdez stressed.

The said facility was originally planned for construction near the New Abucay Bus Terminal, but planners decided that it will serve Taclobanons better if it is located in Marasbaras, hence the change of plans, it was learned.

The mayor then pointed out that with the proposed project, the city government will be hiring additional personnel to man the planned new hospital.

"We are looking into hiring more nurses and doctors," Mayor Romualdez said.

Meanwhile, Mayor Romualdez disclosed that that the city government through the City Health Office (CHO) will implement early this year its long-planned "redistricting" program.

As part of the program, according to Mayor Romualdez, personnel from the CHO will be assigned outside their main office to three satellite health offices that will be put up in Sagkahan, San Jose, and the northern part of the city.

"It will bring medical services closer to the people," the mayor said.






Jan 28, 2009

Palarong Pambansa host calls for cooperation, support of Leyte sectors

Philippine Information Agency

Tacloban City -- Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla called for cooperation and support of all sectors of society in Leyte and in Region 8, in order to ensure the success of the 2009 Palarong Pambansa scheduled to be held in Leyte on April 26 to May 2.

Governor Petilla made the call during the Kick-Off Ceremony for the 2009 Palarong Pambansa held at the RTR Plaza in Tacloban City on January 27, with DepEd Undersecretary Franklin Sunga and the sports coordinators of the 17 Regions of the country in attendance.

Governor Petilla said that it took 25 years before Eastern Visayas was able to host a Palarong Pambansa once more, thus it is but fitting that a collective and united effort is exerted to make it memorable and worth remembering.

While the Governor does not expect a 100 percent cooperation, still he wants everyone one to have that sense of being a part of the endeavor of hosting a successful national event.

Governor Petilla's call, it appears, has got positive results. No less than the Presidential Assistant for Eastern Visayas Cynthia Nierras and Regional Development Council of Eastern Visayas chair Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento, were present to express their support. The League of Municipalities of the Philippines Leyte Chapter President Tanauan Mayor Roque Tiu also spoke in behalf of the Leyte mayors, saying that they are willing to "act as tour guides, drivers to the visitors and could give financial support" when requested, just to make sure that the Palaro hosted by the Province of Leyte will be a success.

"For, example, there maybe some teachers who will not allow their students to practice for the Palarong Pambansa events or activities," Governor Petilla said. That is their prerogative, he said. But what the organizers and the hosts of the Palaro believes is giving everybody the chance of being a part of the Palaro hosting.

This is an opportunity to promote not only Leyte but the entire Eastern Visayas, Governor Petilla said. The main actor here, is not Leyte, but the Department of Education. Leyte, is there to give a support role, the Governor added.

In fact, the Department of Education in Region 8 under the leadership of Director Sol F. Matugas, is really the one doing the necessary works, Leyte is there to pay the expenses incurred, Governor Petilla said.

Governor Petilla, this early, expressed his gratitude to the many people in the technical groups and sub committees who are really working hard to make the Palarong Pambansa in Region 8, the best one could ever wish it to be.

As one sports coordinator from another Region said, this is the first time that a Kick-Off ceremony has been conducted for the Palaro. It is also the first time, that a turn-over ceremony was conducted.






Jan 28, 2009

Emergence of hog cholera in Tacloban City feared

By Jenette Fariola-Ruedas

ABS CBN News - Philippines

The local veterinary office in Tacloban City has been receiving reports of possible cholera infection in pigs, a health official said Wednesday.

Eunice Alcantara, city veterinary officer, said her office have been receiving reports about pigs that have diarrhea, fever and other respiratory diseases, which are symptoms of hog cholera.

"Barangay Captains and some individuals are coming to the office about these reports. We give [the pigs] immediate treatments," Alcantara said.

Alcantara, meanwhile, assured Tacloban City residents that there is nothing to worry about the reports. She said none of the pigs have been tested positive with hog cholera.

She, however, advised the public to carefully choose pork products in the market. She said the public should avoid eating pork of sick hogs..

Alcantara said meat inspectors are now closely monitoring hog farms and around the city and nearby towns. She said meat inspectors are also strictly inspecting pigs being brought to the city slaughter house.






Jan 26, 2009

Tacloban City Ciudad Mahusay beautification program revealed

By Jose Rodriguez T. Señase

Leyte Samar Daily Express

TACLOBAN CITY -- City Councilor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez revealed that the city government will continue to implement this year the Ciudad Mahusay beautification program.

On Thursday, as part of said beautification program, she spearheaded the distribution of bougainvillea and kalipayan planting materials to officials in Brgy. 87 and 88.

"Our goal here is to make Tacloban City as one of the healthiest, cleanest and most beautiful cities in the country," she said.






Jan 26, 2009

PGMA, Manny Pacquiao invited to attend Palaro opening

By Ahlette C. Reyes

Leyte Samar Daily Express

TACLOBAN CITY -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, national officials and figures and World Boxing Council super featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao lead the cast of invited VIPs to grace the opening of the 2009 Palarong Pambansa this April hosted by the provincial government of Leyte.

Former congressional representative now PAGCOR Vice-Chairperson for Social Programs Remedios "Matin" Petilla, who plays a part in the executive committee formed to take charge of the Palaro preparation, said during Saturday's Express It At The Park, that President Arroyo is expected to attend to formally open the national competition.

PGMA was not in attendance during 2008's Palaro in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan but Leyte 's Palaro organizers is heavily expecting her presence in Leyte this year.

On the other hand, world boxing icon Pacquiao, in recognition of his contribution to the development of sports, was also invited. His presence, in case he comes, is seen to boost morale and inspire the young athletes to better their craft in the field of sports.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Petilla called for a unified support for the conduct of the 2009, saying it would not only be Leyte province that would be bannered in the upcoming national summer games but the whole region with all the municipalities and cities with it.

She also commented, when asked on statements that the province may not be granted a permit from the city government in the conduct of the big national considering what have passed during the last months over the latter's highly urbanized city conversion.

She said the event need no permit because of its national scope.

"It's a national event, it's not just Leyte 's activity. And I do not think it would need any permit at all," Mrs. Petilla said.

She added that it is a national event that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself is expected to come and formally open the competition during 2009 Palaro's Opening Ceremony.

Dep-Ed 8 Director Sol Matugas voiced the same observation during a recent interview on the issue of permits. She said there is no need for such, and the city government has even been enjoined by the education department to be co-hosts of the event, especially that the main facility for the Palaro is located within the city.

"It so happens the facility is that of the provincial government but this is an event that is co-hosted by others such as DepEd and even the city itself," Dir. Matugas said.

The DepEd chief also enjoined the public to attend and support the Palaro kick-off activity this January 27 where the event's official logo and mascot will likewise be revealed.

Dir. Matugas said that with at least 600-man delegation from the all 17 regions, the total expected athletes and coaches can go up to more than 10,000 excluding other guests and visitors.

This year's 2009 Palarong Pambansa is Leyte's opportunity to host since 1983.




    
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