Samar's No. 1 drug pusher falls

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THE EXPONENT OF SAMAR PROGRESS

VOL. IX NO. 21

DEC. 27 - JAN. 02, 2012

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CATBALOGAN CITY

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Samar’s No. 1 drug pusher falls

City gov’t monitors rain drops

B� GINA DEAN RAGUDO

CALBAYOG CITY -- It surely not a good Christmas for this suspected criminal who was fall into a police anti-drug sting a day before everyone celebrates the holiday.

A suspected notorious drug pusher that operates in the entire province has been finally arrested by the Calbayog Philippine National Police following a “buy-bust” operation that occurred in the vicinity of Calbayog District Hospital around 6 o’clock in the evening of December 24, 2011.

Calbayog PNP elements through its AntiIllegal Drug Special Operation Task Force headed

by Police Chief Inspector Elmer B. Cinco collared the suspect identified as certain Fernando Prudente Sepeda, alias Totoy, 43 years old, a resident of Purok 3, Brgy.

Matobato, this city, after some 40 minutes chase around the city.

In an interview, PO2 Jose Jay Senario told The SWE that the suspect sold a methamphetamine hydrochloride locally known as “shabu” to a police asset who posed as buyer at the vicinity of said hospital.

“Immediately after the transaction, a hot pursuit operation followed as the suspect run off at once and he was caught at the vicinity of Our Lady of Porziuncola Hospital,

SEE SAMAR P2

CATBALOGAN CITY - So as not to be caught off guard by the bad weather, the local government unit of Catbalogan through Elliot Lopez, the local disaster risk reduction management council (CDRRMC) officer, is reportedly going around the city to check on the situation of Catbaloganons near the Antiao River bank and the landslide prone areas.

According to an employee of the city hall named Ms. Anya Tan, there has been no report of any untoward incident caused by the 24-hour

rain in Samar’s capital city of Catbalogan.

In a check to the local PAG-ASA office, Mr. Ed dela Cruz reported that rain volume has been gauged at 63.4 mm for the last 24 hours.

“This still belong to the normal level, above normal would measure 100 mm for a 24-hour rain,” the Pag-Asa officer said.

“There is rain yes, but it is just considered light to moderate, this is caused by a shallow low pressure area that could dissipate anytime,” de La Cruz

SEE CITY P3

Public urged to avoid using ‘crackers

BUSTED! Policemen in civilian a�re searched the belongings of a suspected drug pusher (inset) a�er he was cornered by the police in the vicinity of the Calbayog District Hospital last December 24, 2011. Prior to the chase, the suspect apparently sold a suspected methamphitamine hydrochloride or shabu to a policeman who posed as buyer.

170 slots for nurses up for grabs BORONGAN CITY – Some 170 slots for registered nurses had been opened to new applicants for the “RN-Heals Program” of the Aquino Administration which is being implemented by the Department of Health (DOH).

This was reported by Dr. Jean Egargo, represen-

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tative of the Department of Health (DOH) for Eastern Samar province.

The lady Doctor added that as a continuing program of DOH, these nurses, once they pass the screening, would be deployed to far-flung barangays of the province so they could help the local government unit (LGU) identify the health needs and problems of the SEE NURSES P5

LPA affects 3,642 families in Leyte Island CATBALOGAN CITY – The intermittent rains brought about by the low pressure area and tail end of a cold front, has affected a total of 3,642 families in 108 barangays in the provinces of Leyte and Southern Leyte, the Regional Disaster SEE LPA P5

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THE Office of Civil Defense has urged residents in this region to avoid using firecrackers in celebrating the holiday season to avoid accidents. This is also in response to the call of the Department of Health.

OCD Regional Director Rey Gozon said that aside from calamities and disasters, their office are also in alert status during this holiday season as people are in festive mood, celebrating Christmas and the New Year by using firecrackers as one of the traditions that had long been practiced.

However, although it is part of our tradition, Gozon said that using said materials1 in celebrating the holidays should be minimized if not totally stopped to prevent injuries and to protect human health.

“If we cannot avoid it, officials in the barangay must identify a common firecracker zone area,” said Gozon.

“In this way, we can supervise carefully the uses of firecrackers and we may also prevent accidents and injuries,” Gozon said.

He added that instead of using money to buy firecrackers, their money should be saved or rather use it to buy foods.

The same was also asked by Tacloban City Police Chief Superintendent Wilson Caubat.

Caubat stressed that using firecrackers during Yuletide celebration should now be avoided due to injuries it causes SEE PUBLIC P2

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Samar Weekly Express

2

REGIONAL NEWS

34IB conducts feeding, gift-giving activities B� RICKY J. BAUTISTA CATBALOGAN CITY – To make the people feel the spirit of Christmas especially the young individuals, the Army’s 34th Infantry (Reliable) Battalion conducted its simultaneous gift-giving and feeding program in the remote areas of Northern Samar last week.

In an email sent to Samar Weekly Express, Captain Ramil Palisoc the 34IB Civil Military Officer said the activity was in partnership with the local government units, people’s and non-government organizations, religious groups and sectors and other stakeholders of Northern Samar province.

Through the intensified implementation of Peace and Development Teams (PDT) of the 34th Infantry Battalion in its area of responsibility, Lieutenant Colonel William P Peňafiel Jr, Commanding Officer of 34IB; Captain Rolando M. Acido, Executive Officer;

DEC. 27 - JAN. 02, 2012 SAMAR from page 1...

Inc. (OLPHI) after almost 40 minutes of chasing,” PO2 Senario said.

In a check at the hospital, this writer learned from the security guards of said hospital that the suspect went to the blood blank to buy blood for his patient who was confined at Calbayog District Hospital.

Policemen led by Inspector Cinco, after learning the whereabouts of the suspect invited the presence of the media, SK officials and flagged down the suspect.

They conducted a thorough search on the suspects’ belongings.

Confiscated from the suspects’ position are: one (1) piece heat sealed sachet of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu”, three (3) pieces of one thousand (Php1,000.00) and twenty-five (25) pieces of five hundred pesos (Php500.00), 1 piece fifty peso bill, two (2) pieces ten peso coins, one (1) unit black Nokia cellular phone, the suspect’s motorcycle used by him as his getaway vehicle and the five th FEEDING AND GIFT-GIVING. The Army’s 34 Infantry Ba�alion lead by its Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel William P. Peňafiel hundred (Php500.00) pesos Jr. conducted their pre-Christmas feeding and gi�-giving ac�vi�es to some 700 hundred individuals in Northern Samar. The ac�vi�es marked money.

As of this writing, the were in coordina�on with local government units and other stakeholders of the province.

(Ricky Bau�sta) suspect was temporarily staff officers and their men 15 and 18, 2011. one (731) families. the Battalion to show to the detained at Calbayog PNP gave their full support in The people, particularly “The local populace and civilian populace that their lock-up cell awaiting an the conduct of the three (3)- children were treated with a stakeholders were so glad of soldiers are able partners inquest proceeding. day Gift Giving and FeedChristmas package consisttheir soldiers’ presence that and sincerely committed ing Program to the poorest ing of half-kilo rice, three gladly helped and supported for the attainment of peace barangays like Barangays assorted canned goods, five the poorest barangays, or- and development in the Maragano and Bangon all packs instant noodles, and phans and street children in community. of Palapag; Barangay Pofreshly-cooked arroz-caldo, the hinterlands,” Captain “We will not rest in purespecially to children who tong del Sur, Lapinig; Baa modest gift extended by Palisoc told The SWE. suing and making all efforts are more vulnerable to firerangay GM-Osias, Gamay the soldiers to share the Meantime, Lieuten- to attain a just and lasting cracker-related injuries. and Barangay HinagonoyChristmas spirit. . The ant Colonel Penafiel Jr in- peace so that development can As part of their caman, Catubig all of Northern packages were given to at formed that these activities take-off here in Samar”, LTC paign to limit or avoid fireSamar from December 14, least, seven hundred thirty were an opportunity for Penafiel stressed. cracker related accidents,

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3 LGUs adjudged “Pamana DPWH engineers in EV pass promotional exams ng Lahi” 2011 awardees TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Interior and Local Government officially presented the P3 million grand prizes to three outstanding local government units in the region who were recently adjudged as “Pamana ng Lahi” awardees for 2011.

For the Leyte province, Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla received the award from DILG-8 Regional Director Pedro Noval, during the simple ceremonies held at the new Oriental Hotel Leyte which coincided with the Christmas Party of the Provincial Government.

The Province of Leyte was adjudged as the Regional awardee for the Provincial level of the Pamana Award which qualified it to the National Awarding on October 11, during the program for the 20th year anniversary of local government autonomy at PICC. Other Pamana ng Lahi awardees from Eastern Visayas were the city of Ormoc for the city level and Naval in the province of Biliran for the municipal level.

Aside from the plaques of appreciation, cash prizes will be awarded to the three outstanding LGUs, P3 million for the province, P2 million for the city and P1 million for the municipality.

It was learned that the DILG Region 8 has already presented the monetary award for Ormoc

City and Naval.

The winning LGUs were cited by the DILG in recognition of their efforts to advance economic prosperity and improve the social well-being of the community, Director Jose said.

The Gawad Pamana ng Lahi by the DILG is a mechanism to motivate local governments in the provincial, city and municipal levels nationwide, to continuously foster and strive for good and effective local governance and further scale-up the value of accountability, transparency and inclusivity in local administration and development.

The Gawad is conferred to LGUs for reasons of exemplary performance in administrative governance, social, economic and environmental governance, drawn from the database of the Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS), Seal of Good Housekeeping, International Organization or National Government Agency – bestowed awards and acknowledged innovations.

A Regional Awards Committee headed by DILG Director Jose was organized to assess the nominees. After coming up with the shortlist, a validation team composed of DILG, DTI, DENR, PIA and representatives of civil society organizations travelled across the Region to validate the regional finalists in the provincial, city and municipal categories.

TACLOBAN CITY Five officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Eastern Visayas successfully hurdled the Civil Service Commission-DPWH Promotional Examinations 1for 2nd level conducted on October 1 in Cebu City.

The said examinations which was specifically intended for DPWH engineers holding Engineer 3 and above positions nationwide, was availed of by at least 42 officials in the Region.

DPWH 8 Region 8 Director identified the successful examinees as Assistant Regional Director Edgar B. Tabacon, Assistant District Engineer Irwin L. Antonio of 4th Leyte Engineering District, Assistant District Engineer Angelita G. Opina of Tacloban Sub District, Assistant District Engineer Manolo A. Rojas of Southern Leyte Engineering District, and Engineer Pablito Quiniones who is the chief of planning and design of the 1st Leyte Engineering District.

This examination, according to the DPWH, is for the engineers of the DPWH who are interested to apply for future promotions.

The promotional examination which is aimed at promoting professionalism, covers all qualified engineers of the Department who are holder of Engineer III, Engineer IV, Engineer V, District and Assistant District Engineers, Project Managers I-IV, Director III (Assistant Regional Director and Assistant Bureau Director), and Director IV (Regional Director and Bureau Director) positions in the Department regardless of whether they had taken and passed any other similar examinations.

Department Order 43 was issued requiring the passing of CSC-DPWH Promotional/ Qualifying Examination as qualification requirements in the evaluation and selection of candidates for appointment to executive/managerial positions.

The examination covers

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the following subject areas: analytical ability; specialized technical ability (consists of planning (10%), design (20%), procurement (10%), construction (25%), quality assurance (20%), and maintenance (15%)); and managerial ability.

Percentage weight allocation per subject is different for the 2nd and 3rd level positions.

Examinees who failed the examination scheduled on October 1 may retake the similar examination next year with the specific date to be announced later.

However, frequency of retaking the CSC-DPWH Promotional Examination is limited to ensure that only the best qualified and most competent will be appointed to executive/managerial positions.

Those who failed the second time may only re-apply after five years from the date of the preceding examination while third time examinee who still failed the test is automatically disqualified.

Caubat said that they had started campaigning and inspecting all stores that sell firecrackers and if they see illegal or prohibited firecrackers being sold, they will immediately confiscate it.

Caubat then asked members of the police force and from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and gun owners to be responsible citizens this holiday season by not using their service firearms or their guns in celebrating Christmas and the New Year.

“If they will be caught or if they are proven to have used their guns in celebrating Christmas and the New Year, those who are in service will face administrative sanction aside from charges and dismissal from service, while civilians will charged in court,” Caubat said.

Caubat added that instead of using their guns, servicemen and gun holders must celebrate the holiday in a way that no one will be hurt. (Roel Amazona)

“One Call can saves Lives” Call the Police: SAMAR POLICE PROVINCIAL OFFICE Tel. No. 055-251-2722 Mobile No. 0908-9603294 NORTHERN SAMAR POLICE OFFICE Mobile No. 0915-3557182

EASTERN SAMAR POLICE OFFICE Mobile No. 0927-2052942 LEYTE PROVINCIAL POLICE OFC. Mobile No. 0939-8953627

POLICE REGIONAL OFFICE 8: Mobile No. 0939-3287083

Samar Weekly Express

8ID jumps for a rescue in ‘flood affected’ towns in Leyte CATBALOGAN CITY -- The Army’s 8th Infantry “storm troopers” Division based in this city dispatched a team of rescuers to the “flooded” areas in Leyte affected by the incessant rains over the weekend.

In a text message sent to this writer, 8ID commander General Mario Chan, he said that a water search and rescue team (WASAR) has been deployed on board two military trucks last December 27 to respond to a distress call from Abuyog, Leyte.

“There are 21 WASAR trained personnel under Captain Jaderick Gagabi, with three rubber boats, chainsaw, two nurses and security escorts,” the text message read.

Aside from responding a distress call from our people in Leyte, the division also sent its personnel to deliver relief goods to flood victims in Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City in Mindanao and Dumaguete in Western Visayas.

“Just today, we have delivered our second batch of relief goods for the victims of typhoon Sendong last week.

On December 20, the first batch of relief goods were already arrived and distributed on those affected areas,” the general said.

Earlier, Gen. Chan said that “it is in times of tragedy when people can best manifest the spirit of sharing and giving-the true meaning of this holiday season.” (Ninfa B. Querante)

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explained.

Pag-Asa together with the CDRRMC work hand in hand to deliver the latest Pag-Asa weather bulletin announced three times a day in fair weather and every hour during a tropical cyclone in radio station DYMS, to guide Catbaloganons to safety.

“I hope that the people will obey the warnings so that there will be zero casualty,” said Dela Cruz.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has also been monitoring the national roads and bridges, a report that reached PIA, said that no damage whatsoever has been reported to the DPWH 2nd Engineering District, but the DPWH crew is at hand to undertake emergency operation if the need arises according to a report filed by Engr Carmelo Perez of DPWH. Pag-Asa assured that tomorrow, the LPA will disappear and instead give Samar a fair weather fit to welcome New Year 2012. (Ninfa B. Querante)

3

NEWS

DEC. 27 - JAN. 02, 2012

DA, EDC partnership allots initial P92-M to develop Leyte’s “salad bowl” TACLOBAN CITY – A 20,000-hectare area at Tongonan mountain range, straddling Ormoc City and municipality of Kananga, in the province of Leyte, will soon become a ‘salad bowl’ that will produce high value semitemperate vegetables.

This, as the Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Energy Development Corporation (EDC), other institutions and farmers’ groups, has set its eyes to make this development a reality.

Recently, Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala led the signing of a memorandum of agreement at Tacloban City to implement a five-year

DA Sec. Alcala

initiative, called Agri-Pinoy integrated and diversified program for the development of the ‘OK’ upland range. OK refers collectively to Ormoc City and Kananga. The Tongonan mountain range is 500 to 800 meters above sea level.

The DA and EDC will jointly invest P92 million in the next five years to develop suitable areas surrounding the Leyte Geothermal Production Field (LGPF) to benefit 5,600 farmers, who are members of 23 farmers’ associations in Ormoc City and municipality of Kananga.

Secretary Alcala said the DA through the DA Region 8 office and National Agribusiness Corporation (NABCOR) will assist farmers in the land preparation, cultivation, harvesting, processing, and marketing of vegetables and other high value commercial crops.

Currently, subsistence farmers at LGPF produce assorted vegetables and fruits like cabbage, green onion, tomato, eggplant, radish, chayote, cucumber (pipino), and pineapple. About five tons are harvested weekly and sold at public markets in Ormoc City and Kananga.

Under the five-year project, farmers will be encouraged to plant other fruit crops like durian, rambutan and Jackfruit, including coffee and abaca.

Aside from the DA and EDC, the other project partners are the Visayas Sate University (VSU) and the Partners Multi-Purpose Cooperative (PMPC), representing the 23 farmers’ associations, located in 16 villages or barangays surrounding the LGPF at the OK upland range.

The joint project will not only uplift farmers from poverty but more importantly transform them into entrepreneurs. It will benefit about 3,000 subsistence farmfamilies in seven villages in Kananga namely, Rizal, Hiluctogan, Montebello, Aguiting, Lim-ao, San Ignacio, and Tongonan; and nine villages in Ormoc City namely Milagro, Nueva Vista, Cabaon-an, Danao, Gaas, Liberty, Tongonan, Mahayahay, and Dolores.

During the MOA signing, Secretary Alcala underscored that the partnership will not only help in the production but also in the processing and marketing aspect of the

project. He stressed the importance of economies of scale saying that the farmers can demand better prices if they have the volume of production.

Of the P92-M initial funding, the DA-NABCOR will share P29 million to establish a consolidation center and pilot packinghouse, and provide marketing support, said NABCOR president and CEO Honesto Baniqued, Jr. Another P13 million is earmarked for research and development.

Baniqued said the project has five interlinked components that include a vegetable consolidation center and postharvest management assurance system, livestock with feedlot operation, marketing, environmental management, and manpower development as a sustainability mechanism.

“We at the DA-NABCOR aim to help transform the OrmocKananga range into a major vegetable growing area in Eastern Visayas, which can later diversify into producing other high value horticultural crops such as cutflowers and fruits.

Similar initiatives are undertaken by the DA under the leadership of Secretary Alcala

to develop a modern wholesale marketing and processing center in La Trinidad, Benguet, and a major vegetable production and processing cluster at Dupax del Sur in Nueva Vizcaya,” Baniqued said.

For its part, PNOC-EDC will provide a total of P50M top finance farming activities, at P10 million each year from 2012 to 2016.

“We are committed to sustain this corporate social responsibility initiative. Many people in the upland range are still poor.

Our main concern is help the farmers on the marketing aspect,” said Emiliano Argoncillo, head of the EDC community partnership department.

The Leyte Geothermal Power Fields is the country’s largest producer of geothermal energy, with a capacity at more than 700 megawatts (MW). The area covers a total of 107,625 hectares along the Tongonan mountain range.

For its part, the VSU, based in Baybay City, will provide farmers technical assistance, and supervise crop production, postharvest handling, processing and marketing, said VSU President Jose Bacusmo.

DOH stresses value of “Doctors to the Barrio” program TACLOBAN CITY The Doctors to the Barrios Program (DTTB) of the Department of Health which has been in existence for 18 years and has deployed 28 batches of 553 physicians to serve in hard to reach and in far flung towns in 16 regions, is a program of the government appreciated by individuals wanting to become doctors but financially unable to support medical school.

Scholars of the DTTB Program finish medical with the help of the Pinoy MD Medical scholarship Program and the First Gentleman Foundation, Inc. DOH regional director Edgardo Gonzaga disclosed that the DTTB Program offers an attractive package which includes a competitive salary and Magna Carta benefits and with bonuses.

Professional support for the DDTBs include access to a vast network of both government and private institutions and DOH partnership with the Development Academy of the Philippines in the development of the course, Master in Public Management Major in Health Systems.

In addition to the masters course is a Development Course specifically tailored for DTTBs in recognition of the learning opportunities package with the Program.

Director Gonzaga informed that in October, 2011, 26 DTTBs from previous batches were conferred

with the degree of Master in Management Major in Health Science System and development while 18 DTTBs obtained a diploma in health system and development. The conferment of degrees and diplomas were given after the candidates were able to complete all the requirements needed to finish the course.

DOH plans to expand the DTTB program as the program seems to be the answer to the agency’s goal of “Kalusugan Pangkalahatan”.

Recently, DOH has announced the deployment of DTTBs to 10 identified priority towns in Eastern Visayas bereft of the services of physicians. (Aurora Casimpan)

Members of the Samar Island Press Club posed for a souvenir group shot a�er their YearEnd assessment and review of 2011 accomplishments. Shot taken in Laoang N. Samar.

DPWH monitors roads in EV amid heavy rains TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office 8 immediately monitored the conditions of the road network in the Region to find out the effects of the continuous rains brought about by the LPA. Director Rolando Asis informed that Biliran as of 10:00 o’clock in the morning of December 27 continued to experience heavy rains but all roads are passable to traffic.

For the first district of Leyte, the situation along Maharlika Highway showed flooding of the highway at Opong, Tolosa; Barangay Tibak

at Santa Fe; along MainitSan Miguel road and in Babatngon, Leyte but all roads are passable to traffic. No damage to infrastructure was reported except for minor scouring on all unpaved road sections.

In the second district of Leyte, Distric Engineer Margarita Junia reported that because of heavy flooding, hardly passable are the road sections at Barangay Luan, Barangay Barbo, Barangay Salvacion, Barangay Liberty, all in the municipality of Dulag. The roadways are under water and hardly passable to light vehicles.

Along the Jaro-Da-

gami-Burauen-La Paz road, two road sections in Barangay Canlingga in Dagami are underwater and are impassable to light vehicles.

Along the TanauanDagami Road, a section at District IV in Dagami is unpassable to light vehicles while the San Benito section of the Pastrana-Dagami road is also impassable to light vehicles.

In Leyte third district, road slips and cut-offs were observed in Barangay San Miguel of San Isidro town, along Calubian¬-San Isidro-Tabango-Villaba-Palompon Road, along SambulawanCalaguise-Calubian Road,

along Tabing-Tugas-Tabango Road, and along Belen-Consuegra Road in Leyte-Leyte. Barricades have been installed, DPWH said.

Along Mahaplag-Sogod section of Maharlika Highway, soil erosion occurred at KM 1005+800 thereby causing only half lane to be passable.

No damage to infrastructure was reported in the provinces of Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar.

Director Asis gave the assurance that the DPWH in the Region will continue to monitor the road networks for the sake of the travelling public. (PIA-8)

Samar Weekly Express

4

OPINION

DEC. 27 - JAN. 02, 2012

• EDITORIAL • New Year, New Beginnings!

The New Year always offers us the opportunity for new beginnings. This is because of the renewed sense of hope it brings.

Many of us welcome the New Year with a revitalized determination to get in the way of our productivity. We greet it with a fresh resolve to improve our relationships with other people and with God. Organizations, especially those that serve the public, also reflect on the events and achievements of the past year to determine areas that can be improved and processes that can be enhanced. They take the opportunity to assess the prospects and challenges, and outline targets for the next 12 months.

As a nation, we look at the events of the past year with gratitude, particularly the numerous difficulties we were able to hurdle that helped to strengthen our bond as a people. Drawing lessons from them, we are now better prepared for the challenges that the New Year brings.

We should strive to live by the promises we make through our resolutions, particularly those that express small acts of kindness, generosity, concern, and love for our disadvantaged brothers and sisters, our environment, and the legacies of our forefathers.

Let us endeavor to work together, complementing the efforts of our government, church, and other groups in making our communities and country more progressive, and better and safer places to live in.

Let us make 2012 a year of fulfilled possibilities for our country.

May 2012 usher in abundant blessings for everyone.

Happy New Year to one and all!

Samar Weekly

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HINTS & TRACES

BY FR. ROY CIMAGALA roycimagala@gmail.com Let’s not get used to sin!

WITH the celebration of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary on December 8, we are given another reminder of a basic truth about ourselves that has been all but forgotten.

Our Lady, given to us by Christ himself to be our own Mother and our most powerful intercessor, reminds us of who we really are and how we are supposed to be.

Like her, we are supposed to be sinless, though for us that can only happen when we finally arrive at our ultimate destination of heaven.

Just the same, we have to understand that at the beginning, we were supposed to be sinless. The same also at the end of time. Thus, in the Eucharistic preface of the feast’s Mass, we read the following about our Lady who is the perfect model for us: “Full of grace, she was to be a worthy mother of your Son, your sign of favor to the Church at its beginning, and the promise of its perfection as the bride of Christ, radiant in beauty.

“Purest of virgins, she was to bring forth your Son, the innocent lamb who takes away our sins. You chose her from all women to be our advocate with you and our pattern of holiness.”

These beautiful words, so meaningful to us, should have no other effect than to make us develop a great love and devotion to our Lady, our Mother. They should strongly prompt us that she does nothing other than to give Jesus to us, Jesus who is everything to us.

They should also prod us to do everything to fight against sin. Nowadays, there are many pieces of evidence pointing to people getting used to sin, such that sin has become normal or that the sense of sin is waning.

Many people are falling into vices and other bad habits, worsened by the fact that these can now be easily DALMACIO C. GRAFIL Publisher RICKY J. BAUTISTA Editor CATHERINE GERADILA Office-in-Charge

ALMA GRAFIL Bus. Manager

Columnists, Writers and Account Executives: Chito Dela Torre, Atty. Batas Maricio, Fr. Roy Cimagala, Ismael Amigo, Juan Mercado, Rommel Rutor, Roger Soria, Myra Tambor, Jenna Igdalino, Gina DeanRagudo, Lilith Sabuco - Teña, Malou Bermejo.

hidden and rationalized. The tricky part is that many of these temptations and occasions of sin can also be moments of good possibilities. It now really depends on the integrity of the person to choose which path to take.

But what I see is that in many people there is practically no more fear of God nor of sin. They, even the young ones, seem to have become emptied of conscience. Their sense of right and wrong, good and evil, just follows any way the wind blows—it’s so arbitrary!

Many seem to be losing the sense of meaning and purpose in life. They swing from boredom to reckless adventures and idle gimmicks just to fill up their time.

The Internet is infested with porn. I just learned that many people carry with them downloaded porn in their cell phones. The new technologies have become the new scourge of our time, because many people are ill-prepared to use them. They are like little children playing with matches.

There is now an epidemic of self-abuse, substance abuse, all kinds of delinquency, negligences and irresponsibilities. The picture is really bad and rotten!

We should not allow this situation to go on without doing anything to correct it. I know it’s not going to be easy. But there’s always hope. St. Paul has reassured us that “where sin has abounded, the grace of God has abounded even more.”

We need to return to God through Mary. She is the one who will make things easy for us. She will put our mind and heart in their proper places, that is, focused on God and filled with love for him and for others.

She will help us with her example of humility, simplicity and obedience how to handle our weaknesses, how to fight in our ascetical struggles, how to be in God’s presence all the time, how to develop virtues.

She will teach us how to deal with temptations, how to be totally sincere as to acknowledge always our weakness and to never stay away from God. She will teach us how to deal with the wiles of the devil, the world and our own flesh and deceitful mind and heart.

This clear and strong relationship with God and with others, sustained by this Marian devotion, is basic and indispensable, because without it there’s no chance our spiritual and moral life can ever take wing. We would always be handicapped when that relation with God is weak.

We should never take for granted this crucial Marian dimension of our Christian life! Mary is the surest, safest, shortest path to Jesus.

Samar Weekly Express is a member of the

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

SAMAR ISLAND PRESS CLUB, Inc. The only SEC registered media organization operating in the three provinces of Samar

Samar Weekly Express

DEC. 27 - JAN. 02, 2012

KAKAMPI MO ANG BATAS

BY ATTY. MELANIO ‘BATAS’ MAURICIO NOTARY PUBLIC Do you want wealth & power in 2012 LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… And Mary said: `My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant’…” (Mary, the mother of Jesus, in Luke 1:46-48, the Holy Bible).

-oooNEW YEAR 2012 MESSAGES OF WEALTH, POWER AND STRENGTH: As 2011 ends and 2012 dawns upon us, many messages will circulate in an attempt to inspire everyone of us. As for me, I would like to share several powerful messages of wealth, strength, power and blessings from God which can make the difference in overcoming the uncertainties and the difficulties in the coming year and in the days ahead.

This is the first message, from Deuteronomy 28:1-14 of the Holy Bible: “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.

“All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.

“Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.

“The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in obedience to him.

“Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will fear you. The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you.

“The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.

“The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them…”

-oooREAD THE BIBLE, BECOME RICH: The second and third messages, from Joshua 1:8, says: “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.

Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Matthew 6:33, quoting Jesus, says: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well…”

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OPINION

VIEWS ON NEWS

BY RICKY J. BAUTISTA

trexpelunker@yahoo.com

Starting for a good news for 2012!

5 tion can now take place in January 2012 and not in August as was the case for the 2011 budget. It is now possible due to the disaggregation of lump sums and the early pre-procurement activities that rolled up in the last quarter of the year.”

The Budget Chief said that of 2,187 line-item infrastructure projects nationwide that are funded in the 2012 budget, already 2,025 projects or 93 percent are already bided out and will be given notice proceed for the first quarter of 2012.

The P141.8 billion is part of the P182.2-billion total budget for government infrastructure under the 2012 National Budget.

It is 25.6 percent higher than the 2011 allocation and represents a higher 1.6 percent of gross domestic product (GPD) compared to 1.4 percent in 2011.

The Department of Public Works and Highways cornered the majority of the P141.79-billion infrastructure program by implementing P91.57 billion worth of projects. DPWH will start the maintenance, upgrading and addressing the critical bottlenecks of roads. It will also commence the construction and rehabilitation of national bridges, major flood control projects and payments of right of way, among others.

The agriculture sector will likewise execute a total of P27.80 billion projects with P24.49 billion to be spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture and P3.31 billion to be implemented by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). The agriculture infrastructure program will pave the way for the construction of farm to market roads, post harvest facilities, provision of potable water supply and irrigation facilities.

The Department of Education (DepEd) will be implementing a total of P13.97 billion infrastructure programs in the beginning of the year, starting with the construction, repair and rehabilitation of classrooms, including the public school system’s water and sanitation facilities.

Likewise, the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) will set off airport improvement activities with P7.20 billion infrastructure projects on January. It will upgrade the sanitation facilities in the airports, and fund the construction and rehabilitation of ports and lighthouses nationwide.

To implement one of the priority programs of the Aquino administration in providing sustainable access to safe drinking water, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will start its P770 million infrastructure projects to build potable water supply.

The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission will commence the P107.96-million rehabilitation and development of the main Pasig River and its tributary waterways (esteros). The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will also implement its P356.90 million infrastructure projects building roads, bridges and water supply throughout the region.

The early implementation of key infrastructure programs at the start of the year can hit the ground running for the priority projects of the Aquino administration on 2012. It also reinforces the President’s commitment to his Social Contract with the Filipino People, and underscores our mission to ensure economic development and transparent government spending. Here’s some listing of the budget (for 2012) as per DBM distribution: DPWH-P91.57-B, DA-P24.49-B, DAR-P3.31-B, DILG-P770-M, DepEd-P13.97-B, DOTC-P7.20-B, Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission-P107.97-M and Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao-P356.89 million.

I just hope and pray that these budgets may go into the right purpose and not falls in someone’s pocket. Let’s just hope that it’s for the good of everyone! Peace to all, Happy New Year to everyone!

AS may I say, the opening column of the VON for this year are good news. At least, for the entire province of Samar, no record of casualty caused by any kind of firecracker or stray bullets has been reported.

Though there were few cases of minor firecrackers’ burns caused to two victims in Catbalogan City and grenade explosion victims in Calbayog City, still in totality, it is considered by the Catbalogan police, as quite peaceful and they’ve succeeded in their “oplan iwas paputok” campaign in the province.

Kudos to the policemen, BFP and the DOH in Catbalogan, as well as in various municipalities for the efforts of reminding the people to avoid using prohibited firecrackers and face the 2012 healthy!

-o0oThe other good news I wish to share is the latest announcement of the Department of Budget and Management last January 2, 2012 that the government has lined-up some P141.8-billion worth of infrastructure projects, which is set to implement starting this month.

Funded by the recently-enacted General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2012, these infrastructure projects include national roads and bridges; airports, seaports and lighthouses; classrooms and other education facilities; potable water supply systems, irrigation and post-harvest facilities; and flood control and slope protection structures.

Verbatim, here’s part of DBM Secretary Florencio Abad statements issued last Monday (January 2). “By January, we will comprehensively issue the allotments for the Risk Reduction and Management Council P141.8-billion Operations Center informed. infrastructure RDRRMC chairman and OCD Direc- projects. The tor Rey Gozon said that the municipality implementing of Javier, Leyte accounted for a total of departments 1,081 families who were rescued from and agencies 9 barangays namely, Batog, Kalsada, will then be Inayopan, Picas, Kasulongan, Bantay, a b l e t o b i d Karanhug, Abuyugay and Malitbogay. these out. In Dagami in Leyte accounted for 820 fact, many of families who were evacuated from its 65 these projects barangays due to the overflowing of the have already San Benito Bridge. Jassen Bacate, 5 years been bidedold male from Barangay Los Martires died out short of of drowning. award. The Around 697 families were evacuated big difference from the 14 barangays of Abuyog, Leyte, for this year namely, Poblacion 1 to 9, Pagsangan, is that project Can-apurong, Udyungan, Burubudan implementaand Canmarating.

Meanwhile, in the municipality of Palo, 600 families were evacuated from 5 barangays due to flooding. Relief operapeople in a particular barangay. tion is still ongoing as of press time.

Indeed, these nurses do not only deliver health services by administerOther municipalities in Leyte that has reported flooding were Mayorga, ing medicines to patients nor monitor the progress of the patient’s health Santa Fe, Baybay, MacArthur, Tolosa status, they also conduct a study to find out the root causes of diseases that plague in a community, so said Liezel Pumar, of the Eastern Samar Provincial and Julita.

In Southern Leyte, 74 families from Hospital (ESPH).

“Through a survey which the community nurses would hold, problems like four barangays at Saint Bernard were inadequate or poor sanitation, potable water even livelihood would be revealed,” evacuated on December 26 due to floodnurse Pumar said in an interview. ing and possible landslides.

Economic experts say that among other poverty indicators, health issues Director Gozon cited the cooperation and support of the national government should likewise be identified so that local officials would know and make agencies, the local disaster risk reduction use of the survey results in their decision-making, program-planning and and management councils and the 8th fund allocation agenda.

“It is also important that family income is known, because insufficiency of it Infantry Division. (PIA 8) would be the usual cause of health problems in the family,” Pumar added.

DISCLAIMER: “When results are ready these are submitted to the local officials for their study,” the health worker concluded.

Views expressed in the opinion and For the 170 vacant positions, a total of 246 have applied for screening commentary sections do not necesprocess, DOH-Borongan concluded. (Alice Nicart) sarily reflect the editorial position

LPA from page 1...

NURSES from page 1...

of The Samar Weekly Express.

The SWE does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication, however, reserves the right to edit contributions for clarity, as it sees fit.

- Ed.

Have a blessed Christmas and a fruitful 2012 to our avid readers and advertisers!

Samar Weekly

EXPRESS THE EXPONENT OF SAMAR PROGRESS

Samar Weekly Express

6 DEC. 27 - JAN. 02, 2011 NATIONAL NEWS House to Abad: Release P2.06-B for local housing NBI hunts down former

THE House of Representatives has asked Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad to release the long overdue balance of P2.06 billion for the local housing program as mandated by Republic Act (RA) No. 7835, otherwise known as the Comprehensive and Integrated Shelter Financing Act of 1994.

The House issued the appeal to Abad by adopting House Resolution (HR) No. 591 prior to going on a Yuletide break.

House Resolution (HR) No. 591 was sponsored by Oriental Mindoro Rep. Rodolfo Valencia, chairman of the House committee on housing and urban development, and Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio

Abaya, chairman of the House committee on appropriations.

Valencia said the estimated housing backlog of 3.7 million local housing units can partly be attributed to the government’s shortfall in releasing the much-needed allocations for its various housing programs.

“Fifteen years after the enactment of RA 7835, a measly 31 percent of the total allocation for the Local Housing Program (LHP) was released and distributed to various congressional districts throughout the country,” said Valencia.

He said the LHP is aimed at ensuring equitable distribution of housing benefits across the country

Gov’t declares national calamity as storm hit thousands ILIGAN, Philippines (Reuters) - Philippine President Benigno Aquino ordered an investigation on Tuesday into flash floods and landslides that sent mud and logs crashing down on residents, killing about 1,000 people on a southern island.

The national disaster agency said 957 were killed and 49 missing on Mindanao after Typhoon Washi triggered the slides. Most of the casualties were in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan and tens of thousands remain homeless, many sheltering in evacuation centres.

Aquino met officials in the two cities worst hit by the cascades that swept down mountainsides as residents of riverside and coastal villages slept in the early hours of Saturday.

“First priority is to relocate to areas that no longer pose a danger to them,” Aquino told a meeting in Cagayan de Oro, issuing instructions to implement disaster mitigation programmes, including reforestation.

He later told a gathering at a school: “We have no desire to engage in fingerpointing or to assign blame at a time like this. Yet, we have an obligation to find out exactly what has happened.”

Aquino said he had formed a task force to investigate the reasons behind the disaster and to determine whether a nationwide logging ban had been violated.

He declared a state of national calamity, a move intended to release greater funding, and ordered the speedy restoration of power and drinking water supplies in all affected villages.

“If we want this tragedy to be the last of its kind, we need to learn from our mistakes,” he said.”

NATIONAL CALAMITY The disaster agency

Pres. Noynoy Aquino

said more than 338,000 people in 13 provinces were affected by the disaster, with nearly 43,000 still in schools, churches and gymnasiums.

More than 10,000 houses were damaged by the typhoon and the flash floods, of which nearly a third were ruined. Many schools, roads and bridges were also badly damaged.

More than 15 million pesos worth of crops, mostly rice and corn, were damaged, but the Agriculture department said losses were minimal as the crops were in the early planting stage.

Aquino said the government can also access funds from multilateral financial institutions, including $3 million from the Asian Development Bank and about $500 million in low-interest loans from the World Bank.

Survivors said huge logs thundering down mountainsides crushed residents. Television footage showed many recovered bodies with arms or hands raised as if reaching out for help or clinging on to something.

Cagayan de Oro and Iligan were struggling to prevent disease from spreading in evacuation centres, with construction proceeding quickly of burial vaults and plots in public cemeteries to bury decomposing bodies.

Iligan has started burying truckloads of bodies, with some family members or residents of the same villages entombed in a single sepulchre. A Reuters photographer saw bodies lined up along the highway in

with the National Housing Authority being tasked to implement cost-recoverable socialized housing projects in selected urban and urbanizable areas in all congressional districts.

“There is an urgent need to release the remaining 69 percent of the appropriations for the LHP to give each congressional district an equal opportunity to provide its constituents with socialized housing and eventually help decrease the housing backlog in the country,” said Valencia.

He said it is the policy of the State to undertake a continuing program of urban land reform and housing which will make available at affordable cost decent housing and

basic services to underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban centers and resettlement areas.

The Comprehensive and Integrated Shelter Financing Act of 1994 or RA 7835 was enacted to increase and regularize the yearly appropriations of the major components of the national shelter program to ensure continuous funding support to vigorously implement the government’s program for housing and resettlement.

Another objective of the law is to provide a strong and sustainable shelter finance program with complementary support systems, according to Valencia.

Cagayan de Oro outside a small funeral home.

An official of the British-based Christian relief and development organisation World Vision said people were fighting for space at evacuation centres.

“It is really overcrowded, there is almost no space in between people,” group official John Salva told ANC Television.

“Diseases are starting to appear.”

“It’s really a struggle to manage those evacuation centres, there’s a shortage of water and a shortage of food,” he said.

The state-run Mines and Geosciences Bureau said it had warned authorities in the area last year about the need to relocate families living along riverbanks that swelled after one month’s worth of rainfall fell over the weekend.

“This tragedy that happened in Cagayan de Oro ... will be repeated in the future. And therefore, there needs to be appropriate preparation to prevent fatalities,” Leo Jasareno, acting director of the MGB said in a television interview.

8ID chief Palparan THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has been ordered to hunt down former commander of the 8th Infantry Division (2005) ex-Army Major Gen. Jovito Palparan and Master Sgt. Rizal Hilario, who suddenly went into hiding two days after a local court issued warrants of arrest against them in connection with the abduction of two UP coeds.

“Efforts to locate the whereabouts of M/Gen. Palparan and M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario have thus far been unsuccessful,” Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said.

“Hence, I directed the National Bureau of Investigation in coordination with the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), to conduct a manhunt operation against them,” she said.

But De Lima remained hopeful that the two in the Cadapan-Empeno case would voluntarily surrender.

“I appeal to them to surface and submit themselves to the authorities,” De Lima said.

Last Monday, Malolos City, Bulacan Regional Trial

Former 8ID chief Palparan Court Branch 14 Judge Teodora Gonzales issued the warrants of arrest against Palparan, Hilario, Army Staff Sergeant Edgardo Osorio, Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado of the 25th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the 24th IBM. The warrants came after Palparan and three of his men were charged on Friday with two counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention before the sala of Gonzales for their alleged involvement in the disappearance of UP student–activists.

Under the law, the crimes of kidnapping and serious illegal detention are non-bailable offenses.

Community radio enables rural women to dialogue and peace building process B� MYRA M. TAMBOR “Rural Women’s Day 2011 should be more than just about advocating for a gender inclusive development agenda. Rural Women’s Day 2011 should enable the diverse experiences of rural women to inform solutions and actions to define their peace and human security. This includes enabling information and communication channels to addressing peace and development priorities which also include the new and emerging threats to Peace in the Pacific including the impact of climate change, tensions over access to water, land and other diminishing resources,” says the convenor of the a rural women’s media and policy network in Fiji.

Speaking on behalf of the Fiji based Community Media Network on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (Women, Peace and Security), convened by FemLINKPACIFIC, Executive Director, Sharon Bhagwan Rolls highlighted the role of community radio which has enabled rural women from as far as Udu Point in Vanua Levu as well as young women to inform Dialogue and Peacebuilding processes: “As we commemorate Rural Women’s Day 2011, FemLINKPACIFIC is pleased to announce the expansion of our women’s community radio network as a result of the donation of 2 additional “suitcase” radio kits thanks to a capital grant from Australian AID. This means women in two rural centres – Nausori and Labasa will be actively involved in the 16 days of community radio campaign coinciding with the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence from November 25 – December 10.”

In 2012 FemTALK 89.2FM will also be able to stage uninterrupted weekend broadcasts in Suva: “And with an additional suitcase radio kit on Viti Levu we will be able to take one “suitcase” radio kit out to more rural centres, while members of our Generation Next team in Labasa will host monthly broadcasts in town. These additional broadcasts will definitely contribute to enhancing and enriching our ongoing work of linking Peace and Development, especially with rural women,” she added.

According to FemLINKPACIFIC’s rural convenor in Labasa, Adi Vasulevu Chute, who is also the facilitator for the Pacific Centre for Peacebuilding in the North, the 1325 network is more than just about making peace the news: “We are not just taking stories from the women, but we are also educating them and advocating and taking things from upper regional level right down to the communities, so they know, they understand.

Most of the women in the rural communities now know what CEDAW and the 1325 in their own context.”

The rural “1325” network meets on the 3rd Wednesday in each centre and enables FemLINKPACIFIC to provide a space

Militant’s wish for Palparan for women leaders, as well as senior citizens in Ba, as well as members of the Generation Next project for young women to discuss and document their human security priorities: According to a member of Generation Next in Labasa, Alisi Matai: “Peace means having full excess to the needs and wants of a human being, a good example in the north, finance is a big problem and this causes a lot of conflicts within families and communities. Families live in houses built from cardboards and tarpaulins. Also the decision makers in the communities become gender bias at times and this cause conflicts. So the women’s peace and human security programmes we conduct with FemLINKPACIFIC raises the voices of women in Labasa market to be heard by the right authorities,” she said, explaining how an Interactive Dialogue on Women, Peace and Human Security with the Labasa Town Council earlier this year led to improvements in the toilet facilities at the market, “The community radio programmes bring women together,” she added.

By bringing together a diverse range of rural women together

see COMMUNITY p7..

Samar Weekly Express

DEC. 27 - JAN. 02, 2011 Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 8th Judicial Region BRANCH 33 Calbiga, Samar IN THE MATTER OF CORRECTION OF THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE OF PEPITO CAVEIRO OCENAR AND LEAH LOTOC JABONETE, LEAH LOTOC JABONETE, Petitioner -v.s.THE NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE, MANILA and THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF CALBIGA, SAMAR, Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 8th Judicial Region BRANCH 31 Calbayog City IN RE: CORRECTION OF ENTRY IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF JAYREL LAUTINGCO CANO JAYREL L. CANO, Petitioner, -versusTHE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF CALBAYOG CITY AND THE ADMINISTRATOR AND CIVIL

Respondent SPL. PROC. NO. C2011-1171 For: CORRECTION OF ENTRY ON THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE IN THE NSO AND MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR x- - - -- - - - - - - - - x ORDER This is a verified petition to change the entry of date of birth in the Certificate of Marriage of the petitioner, from December 13, 1972 to her correct date of birth which is November 13, 1971.

The petition alleges that petitioner’s correct date of birth is November 13, 1971, however, at the time of her marriage with Pepito Ocenar,

REGISTRAR GENERAL, NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE, QUEZON CITY Respondents SPEC. PROC. NO. 466 x- - - - - - - - - - -x ORDER A verified petition has been filed by the petitioner, through counsel, praying that after due notice and hearing, an order be issued directing the Local Civil Registrar, Calbayog City and the Administrator and Civil Registrar General of the National Statistics Office, Quezon City to correct the sex or gender of petitioner JAYREL L. CANO as appearing in his Certificate

she honestly believed that she was born on December 13, 1972 hence, she entered the latter date as her date of birth in their Marriage Contract.

And to correct such mistake, she filed the instant petition.

The petitioner had sent copies of her petition to the Office of the Solicitor General, National Statistics Office, Manila, and the Local Civil Registrar of Calbiga, Samar, per registry receipt attached to the original copy of the petition.

Finding the instant petition sufficient in form and substance, the same is hereby given due course. The petitioner is ordered to publish this Order in a newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Samar and accredited by this

Court, to be determined by raffle, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at the petitioner’s expense.

The initial hearing is scheduled on January 30, 2012 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning.

Furnish copies of this Order to the Office of the Solicitor General, the Office of the Samar Provincial Prosecutor in Catbalogan City, the Civil Registrar of Calbiga, Samar, Atty. Minerva V. Siosana, and the petitioner.

IN CHAMBERS, Regional Trial Court, Brach 33, Calbiga, Samar.

December 13, 2011.

of Live Birth, from “female” to “male”.

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and in substance, notice is hereby given that this case is set for hearing on April 16, 2012 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning before this Court, at which date, time and place, all persons who have an objection thereto may file any opposition and show cause why the same should not be granted.

Let this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks prior the above-setting in a newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Samar and in

Calbayog City, duly accredited with this Court.

Let copies of this Order be furnished the Solicitor General, Makati City, the Civil Registrar General of National Census and Statistics Office, Quezon City, the Local Civil Registrar of Calbayog City, the City Prosecutor, the petitioner and his counsel, the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Calbayog City.

SO ORDERED. Calbayog City, Philippines, December 21, 2011.

(Sgd.) JANET M. CABALONA Presiding Judge SWE Jan. 27 - 2; 3 - 9 & 10 - 16, 2011 issue

(Sgd.) REYNALDO B. CLEMENS Judge SWE Jan. 27 - 2; 3 - 9 & 10 - 16, 2011 issue

EIATP honors EV’s best community reporters COMMUNITY from page 6..

every month, FemLINKPACIFIC provides a platform for more rural women to be heard by policy makers as well as broader civil society said Bhagwan-Rolls: “This is critical because we are able to ensure women who attend our community media consultations and broadcasts, as well as the members of their clubs and organisations, and their families, they have access to regular information and an opportunity share ideas, learn about the policy and international convention commitments to gender equality, women’s rights and peace and security. This is the foundation for engendering development processes, for realizing human security.”

“The community radio stories we collect, the consultations we conduct and the spaces we enable, serve as the basis for our contribution to the advocacy to ensure commitments to ALL women’s human rights – social, economic, political are accounted for, in line with commitments made in the UN Beijing Platform for Action (1995), UN Convention for the Elimination of All form of Discrimination against Women (ratified in 1995) as well as UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (Women, Peace and Security, October 2000) and the Millennium Development Goals. The stories we collect also ensure women, themselves, are able to identify their Peace and Development priorities and also remind us of the inter-connectivity between all human security priorities,” she added.

The United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Rural Women celebrates and honours the role of rural women on October 15 each year. It recognizes rural women’s importance in enhancing agricultural and rural development worldwide.

Background: The first International Day of Rural Women was observed on October 15, 2008. This day recognizes the role of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty. The idea of honoring rural women with a special day was put forward at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China, in 1995. It was suggested that October 15 be celebrated as “World Rural Women’s Day,” which is the eve of World Food Day, to highlight rural women’s role in food production and food security. “World Rural Women’s Day” was previously celebrated across the world for more than a decade before it was officially a UN observance.

7

LEGAL NOTICES

CATBALOGAN CITY – The “Express it at the Park,” one of the biggest and active tri-media organization in the region honored anew outstanding media personality and newsmaker of the year last December 17, 2011 in Tacloban City.

The Media Awards 2011 is one of the highlights of the Express It At The Park anniversary honoring all the best community reporters from radio, television and newspapers in Region 8.

This year, most of the newsmen who attended the gathering wore an “Amaya” inspired costumes that features Filipino attires during the pre-Hispanic time.

At the end of the gathering, the best in costume was also announced.

The ABS-CBN Tacloban romped away with most awards in the television category while the Leyte-Samar Daily Express (sister publication of this paper) for the newspaper and the DyVL for the radio categories.

Clifford Nolido won as best in TV news anchor, Jeanette Ruedas as best TV news reporter, Jason Ray Pabua as best TV cameraman and Ranulfo Ducducan as the media personality of the year. They all were from ABS-CBN Tacloban.

On the other hand, the Aksyon Radyo DyVL entries also took home several awards such as Reyan Arinto as best radio news reporter, Luzviminda Rimandiman as best radio newscaster, and Ronald Vinas as best radio commentator.

Other winners in said event also include Ven Labro of LSDE as best feature writer; Eleen Nazareno of LSDE as best opinion writer; Henry Gadaingan of Probe as best news photographer and Medora Quirante of Gahum Weekly as best new writer of the year 2011.

The Newsmaker of the Year award was also presented to Rep. Florencio Bem Noel of the An Waray partylist for his exemplary activities he conducted in his region and in the country.

It was learned that the success of the EIATP was due to the friendship of four powered personality in the region namely Alvin Arpon, former PIA Regional Director, Wilson Chan of Leyte Park, LSDE publisher Dalmacio Grafil and LTO director Ramon Cuyco who founded the media awards.

For years now, the EIATP media awards, the only one of its kind in the region that gives recognition to the best among the community media region wide, seeks to promote as medium of community feedback and participation. (R. Bautista)

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‘Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story’ dominates MMFF Awards Night THE “Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story” dominated the 37th Metro Manila Film Festival Awards Night held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila in Pasay City on Wednesday night, December 28.

The film festival’s only action movie won a total of 11 awards, including Best Picture, Best Screenplay (for Roi Iglesias and Rey Ventura), Best Supporting Actor (for John Regala), and the Gatpuno Villegas Cultural Award.

It also won almost all of the technical awards.

Interestingly, a “Gary dela Cruz” was credited when “Manila Kingpin” won the award for Best Director. Its original director, Tikoy Aguiluz, secured a court order to have his name removed from the credits of “Manila Kingpin” due to re-shooting and editing of the film without his permission.

“Enteng Ng Ina Mo” won second best picture while “Shake, Rattle, and Roll 13” won third best picture.

Dingdong Dantes won the Best Actor award for his role in “Segunda Mano” while Maricel Soriano of “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow” won Best Actress. Maricel’s film was disqualified from contention in the other creative awards, including Best Picture, because the exhibited version was a departure from the script the producers submitted to the MMFF Committee.

The Kapuso actor bested Vic Sotto (“Enteng Ng Ina Mo”), E.R. Ejercito (“Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story”), Ryan Agoncillo (“My Househusband: Ikaw Na!”), and Jericho Rosales (“Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow”) for the award.

Meanwhile, Ai-Ai delas Alas (“Enteng Ng Ina Mo”), Judy Ann Santos (“My Househusband: Ikaw Na!”), Eugene Domingo (“Shake, Rattle, and Roll 13”), and Maricar Reyes (“Shake, Rattle, and Roll 13”) were the nominees for the Best Actress award.

Domingo won Best Supporting Actress for “My Househusband: Ikaw Na!” Meanwhile, “H.I.V.” and “Pintakasi” evenly split the awards for the full-length independent film categories of the New Wave Section of the 2011 MMFF. “Pintakasi” was named the festival’s best full-length independent film and won the Best Actor award (for JM de Guzman).

“H.I.V.” won the Best Actress (for Iza Calzado) and the Gender Sensitivity awards.

Here is the complete list of winners during the 37th Metro Manila Film Festival Awards Night: Best Picture: “Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story” (Scenema Concepts Int’l, Viva Films) Second Best Picture: Enteng Ng Ina Mo (Star Cinema, M-Zet Films) Third Best Picture: Shake, Rattle, and Roll 13 (Regal Films); Best Director: “Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story”; Best Actor: Dingdong Dantes (“Segunda Mano”) Best Actress: Maricel Soriano (“Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow”); Best Supporting Actor: John Regala (“Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story”)

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DEC. 27 - JAN. 02, 2011

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A scene from the Metro Manila Film Fes�val Entry “Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story.” Carla Abellana portrays the role of Fidela (Asiong Salonga’s wife) while Jeorge “E.R.” Estregan plays the lead role of Nicasio “Asiong” Rodriguez Salonga. (Publicity photo)

RnB sistah Krizza Neri is Protege’s very first Grand Champion RnB Sistah Krizza Neri makes history after being crowned as the first ever grand winner of GMA Network’s phenomenally hit singing superstar search, PROTÉGÉ during the spectacular finale held last December 18 at the Center Stage at the SM Mall of Asia.

The 16-year-old protégé of mentor Aiza Seguerra from Cagayan de Oro emerged victorious over the other two finalists, Singing Cinderella Lovely Embuscado from Davao and Pop Sweetheart Lirah Bermudez from Iloilo after receiving the highest number of text votes from the judges and the viewers during the triple live showdown of the Top 3.

Krizza came home with the incredible grand prize which includes P1 million cash from GMA Network, a 2bedroom unit from Suntrust Adriatico Gardens in Manila worth P3 million, a 5-year management contract with GMA Artist Center, and a 4-year scholarship grant from STI, while her mentor Aiza received P500,000 cash.

Lovely, on the other hand, won P50,000 cash after bagging the Texter’s Choice Award and P100,000 cash for receiving the Skyflakes Biggest Break Award. She also

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PROTEGE Grand Champion Krizza Neri received a 5-year management contract with GMA Artist Center and a 4-year scholarship grant from STI together with Lirah.

Making the finals night even spectacular were the special performances of the 10 celebrity mentors and their respective protégés together with Journey Host Ogie Alcasid and Reality host Jennylyn Mercado. Multitalented performer Arnel Pineda also rendered a special song number during the live finale.

The panel of judges - composed of well-renowned composer/musical director/writer Louie Ocampo, wellrespected talent manager/director Bert de Leon and entertainment guru, Joey de Leon was joined by two awardwinning actresses Cherie Gil and Eula Valdez. Senior Vice-president for Entertainment-TV Wilma V. Galvante was also in attendance for the presentation of awards.

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