Airline company considers Panan-awan airport route

November 16-30, 2015 Media Center, 2nd Flr., Capitol Bldg. Vol. III, No. 10

More Doctors of Medicine scholars in So. Leyte sign MOA

Airline company considers Panan-awan airport route

By Bong Pedalino

ByBong Pedalino

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DPWH sends notices to highway encroachers

Livelihood trainings to distant barangays mulled

DILG Sec. Sarmiento delivers 18 units patrol jeeps for 18 towns (story on p.2)

A subsidiary of an established air-line company has declared its inten-tion to ply the Maasin-Manila air traffic as soon as the safety concerns of the Panan-awan airport in Maasin City shall have been addressed.

This was learned from a letter dated October 19, 2015 by Michael Ivan Shau, President and CEO of Cebu Pacific, ad-dressed to Gov. Roger Mercado and marked received by the Governor’s Office October 29.

Copies of the letter were distributed to members of the local media in a press conference with Gov. Mercado at the Kin-amot sa Abgao restaurant October 30 (left photo).

“We wish to thank you for the letter sent by your office to Mr. Lance Y. Gokon-gwei requesting Cebu Air, Inc. (‘Cebu Pacific’) to operate flights from Manila to Maasin using turbo propeller aircraft.

“Cebgo, Inc. (‘Cebgo’), a wholly-owned

Seven more college students who are taking up Doctor of Medicine courses in three Cebu-based uni-versities affixed their signatures to a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Wednesday, October 28, inside the conference room of the Governor’s office.

Out of the seven, five were phys-ically present accompanied by their parents, while two were represent-ed by their parents for they are still having classes, and with this addition the number of medical scholars sup-ported by the provincial government increased to nine with the first two signatories last week.

Among those who personal-ly signed the MOA were Karell Ann Lamban, 23, from Liloan, first year at the University of Cebu; Rhea Charis-ma Serdan, 21, Maasin City, first year, UC; Lester Clerigo, 21, San Ricardo, first year, UC; Frances Oscar Gavio-la, 23, Maasin City first year, UC; and Lanie Mae Goldie, 25, San Ricardo, studying at Cebu Doctors College of Medicine.

Represented by their parents were Dianne Marie Diano, 31, third year, UV-Gullas College of Medicine, and Lesgard John Gonzalez, 24, Cebu Doctors, the two living in this city.

On Tuesday last week, the two pi-oneer signatories, both schooling at UV-Gullas, were Retchie Jacob Ma-drona, 25, from Macrohon, and Paula Elisha Cutamora, 24, from this city.

Gov. Mercado was unable to come due to some series of engagements earlier in the day, prompting him to rest, but he gave the go-signal to move on with the MOA signing, Provincial Administrator Jesse Quilantang, act-ing as the presiding officer, said.

The other signatories of the MOA,

At least 550 notices have been sent to road right of way (RROW) encroachers in Southern Leyte by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), signifying its commitment to clear roadsides from obstructions.

By: Rebecca Cadavos

By: Rebecca Cadavos

In a statement, District Engineer Ma. Margarita C. Junia said that sending notices will continue, prioritizing road sections sched-uled for widening in 2016.

“Removing RROW encroachment has been our top priority. We just completed our inventory and we are moving to the next step,

which is sending notices,” Junia quoted.Of the 550 notices served, 263 are for

the first notice, 157 for the second notice, and 130 for the third notice. Some 54 structures were voluntarily demolished as of end of Sep-

Encouraged with the testimo-nies of a better economic condition now attained by beneficiaries of community-based skills trainings, the provincial social welfare agen-cy wants to line up more livelihood trainings in 2016.

The Southern Leyte provincial government will be pouring more funds in the livelihood program spe-cifically in capacitating the people,so that more community-based liveli-hood skills trainings down to the re-motest barangay in the province will

be undertaken, Alfonso Espina III, PSWDO Statistician Aide reported during a recent Maasin City Action Center Cable TV program last Tues-day.

Community-based trainings, which are mostly conducted down at the barangay halls, were requested by the barangay folks thru their ba-rangay officials, he added.

Sometime in June this year, one of their skills trainings was conducted

BLESSING: Asuncion Asst. Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Jerome Dejarme blesses the new jeeps.

ARRIVAL: from left, City Mayor Maloney Samaco, Congressman Damian Mercado, DILG Sec. Mel Senen Sarmiento, Gov. Roger Mercado, and ABC President Nikko Mercado walk towards the PNP headquarter where the turn-over program is held.

Vol. III, No.10

Page 2 November 16-30, 2015

7 LGUs dared: have lots, DILG will give fire stationsBy Bong Pedalino

By Rebecca Cadavos

Blessing, turn-over of 18 patrol jeeps held

Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento of the Department of Interior and Lo-cal Government (DILG) directly chal-lenged seven (7) local government units in the province who have no space for their own fire department to just find a suitable area, and his agency will take care of the rest.

“Look for a private landowner who can donate land for a fire station, and DILG will equip it with a firetruck and correspond-ing personnel complete with gadgets and fire-fighting apparatus,” Sarmiento said on a rain-soaked Thursday morning No-vember 4 at the Camp Alfredo K. Bantug provincial PNP headquarters.

Sarmiento was in the city as guest of honor and speaker for the turn-over rites of 18 units Mahindra patrol jeeps to the police field stations in eighteen (18) mu-nicipalities, the keys accepted by the May-ors and the respective chiefs of police, as-sisted by P/Sr. Supt. Nicerio Obaob, PNP Provincial Director, Gov. Roger Mercado and Cong. Damian Mercado.

Also present were Chief Supt. Cedrick

Train, OIC Police Regional Director and Deputy Director-General Marcelo Garbo.

Towards the end of his 30-minute speech, Sarmiento said the DILG has enough funds for construction of police and fire stations once the LGUs can have their lots as counterpart.

Checking his list, he said only the town of Silago needed a police station, while those needing fire stations he men-tioned seven: Silago, Hinunangan, Saint Bernard, Liloan, San Ricardo, Sogod, and Macrohon.

Mayors of those seven towns, except Nap Cuaton of Saint Bernard, were at-tending the turn-over ceremony.

The Police and Fire Department are under the so-called DILG family.

Sarmiento said the 18 units Mahin-dra patrol jeeps he distributed for the province were part of the 1,490 units provided by DILG to all police field units nationwide to be used as mobility in their routine task of fighting crime and main-taining peace and order in their respec-tive communities.

The Philippine National Police-Southern Leyte Police Provincial Office conducted a blessing and turn-over of brand new 18 patrol jeeps to the 18 municipalities of the province, Thursday, at Camp Alfredo K. Bantug.

The blessing and turn-over ceremony was graced by Department of Inte-rior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, who was also the guest of honor and speaker during the short program and later led the turn-over of Mahindra Patrol Jeeps to the 18 municipal mayors together with the 18 chiefs of police.

Sec. Sarmiento in his message said that "with these patrol jeeps the po-lice authorities will be better equipped and more responsive in its anti-crime program. These patrol jeeps can help law enforcers to respond immediately to illegal activities, police visibility in their areas of responsibility and can help lessen crimes."

Sarmiento also recalled former DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo, who started the good leadership in the DILG where his strategy approach in community de-velopment was given a big support by the national government towards the “Daang Matuwid.”

Also in attendance during the activity were Police Deputy Director Gen. Marcelo Garbo, Gov. Roger G. Mercado, Cong. Damian G. Mercado, Liga Fed-eration President Nacional Mercado, Maasin City Mayor Maloney Samaco, among other local officials, uniformed and non-uniformed men of the PNP and the media.

A total of 1,490 Mahindra patrol jeeps are distributed to the municipal po-lice stations throughout the country, it was learned.

More Doctors of Medicine...(from page 1)

all members of the Hospital Enterprise Board that comprised the scholarship committee, included Dr. Adelaida Asperin, Dr. Zenaida Abiera, Henry Mad-ula the Manager of Philhealth provincial office, Sil Toledo, Cecilia Verano of Maasin Maternity and Children Hospital, and Board Member Atty. Abelardo Almario.

The scholars and their parents all expressed their deep thanks to the pro-vincial government for coming up with the idea of a scholarship program, for this can definitely help a lot in defraying necessary expenses, and they all shared one thing in common: a desire to serve the people as stated in the MOA the moment their dreams turn into reality.

For his part in a brief talk, Board Member Almario challenged the students not to succumb to problems, or concerns, that may crop up along the way, in their lives, studies, and anything in between, telling them to always seek divine guidance.

“Take this opportunity as an inspiration,” Almario advised.

Airline company...(from page 1)subsidiary of Cebu Pacific, would most likely be the operator of flights from Manila to Maasin and Maasin to Manila, with its fleet of ATR 72-500 aircraft,” Shau wrote.

In his letter, Shau mentioned the findings of Cebu Pacific’s Safety and Technical Team which conducted a survey and inspection in September last year, such as the pro-vision of a Category 5 Rescue and Fire Fighting Service, completion of airport terminal building, and lengthening of airport runway, among other safety concerns, that should have been solved once they begin to operate.

“The bulk of our new aircraft will be arriving in late 2017 in line with our fleet expan-sion plans and we hope that by then, the safety concerns enumerated above would have been already addressed and certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines,” Shau said.

During the press conference, Gov. Mercado said the concerns were already looked into, adding that with a functional airport, coupled with an alternate seaport at nearby Guadalupe area, the tourism and economic potentials of the province will certainly get an uplifting boost.

DPWH sends notices...(from page 1)tember 2015, it was learned.

For the entire province, there are 9,224 structures that are up for demolition, based on records of the DPWH-Southern Leyte District Engineering Office (SLDEO).

“We are firm in informing property owners that it is unlawful for anyone to convert any part of the public highway to his or her own private use,” Junia in a press release informed.

Meanwhile, Celso R. Mulig, SLDEO right of way agent said that aside from sending no-tices, they have also initiated a lot of negotiations with encroachers and informed them of possible consequences if they will not heed orders.

The SLDEO team checked the sites with encroachment, identified the property owner, measured the distance, and marked the structures that need demolition. The encroachment problem is more serious in Maasin City, Sogod town, Bontoc and some town centers where some local government-owned structures are within the RROW.

The source said that the said move is in compliance to Secretary Rogelio Singson’s De-partment Order No. 73 in 2014, where he directed the strict enforcement of existing orders on the removal of obstructions and prohibited uses within the RROW of national highways.

It was learned further that DPWH has listed the following as RROW obstructions: build-ings; houses; shanties; stores; shops; sheds; posts; canopies; billboards; signage; advertise-ments; fences; walls; railings; basketball courts; garbage receptacles; plants and plant boxes.

Also considered as encroachment are driveways and ramps occupying or protruding to the sidewalk; humps; construction materials (gravel, sand, cement, lumber, steel bars, waste materials), among others; and vehicles and equipment that are junked, parked, and occupying or protruding to the sidewalk or shoulder.

Livelihood trainings...(from page 1)at hinterland Barangay Hilaan, a remote barangay of Bontoc municipality.

According to Espina, skills trainings on accu-pressure and massage the-raphy, motorcycle small engine repair, foot spa, manicure, pedicure, hair dressing, make-up, shielded metal arc welding, among others, are up for the people to pick their choices.

He also shared a positive testimony of one Sogod beneficiary who gen-erated extra income from the accu-pressure and massage theraphy skills ac-quired in the livelihood skills trainings provided by the provincial government right at their barangay hall.

Espina disclosed that an audit system is needed to be put in place in order to trace the impact on the beneficiaries especially in their employment brought by acquired skills trainings.

GIVE US LOT: DILG Sec. Mel Senen Sarmiento encourages local chief execu-tives to provide lots for fire, police stations.

Vol. III, No.10

Page 3November 16-30 2015

MEDICINE SCHOLARS: Clockwise from top: The scholars and their parents sign the MOA for their schooling; the scholar in a souvenir pose, from left: Frances Oscar Gaviola, Karell Ann Lamban, Rhea Charisma Serdan, Lanie Mae Goldie, and Lester Clerigo; Provincial Administrator Jesse Quilantang signs the MOA.

ARBOR DAY: Employees from the provincial government and some national line agencies strike for a group picture before heeding to their respective areas for planting on November 8 . At right, Administrator Jesse Quilantang make sure the Batete seedling he planted is in place shortly after planting.

VP VISIT: Vice President Jejomar Binay is welcomed by DYDM program director Jade Nombrado and Philippine Daily Inquirer correspondent Jani Arnaiz upon arriving at the Radio Station during his visit to the city and province November 5. Inside the Announcer’s booth VP Binay is interview by Nombrado (below photo).At Binay’s right is former ABS-CBN reporter and former Cainta Mayor Mon Ilagan.

HATAW SAYAW: A presentation from the Lady-Senior Citizens in Maasin City during the Filipino Elderly Week celebration in Maasin City, oct302015 @city gym. Earlier at 5:00 am this morning a walk for wellness (Lakaw) around the city proper was conducted participated by the elders. (rgc)

Vol. III, No.10

Page 4 November 16-30 2015

HIV RISING

Since 2012 until October 23, 2015, the Provincial Health Services Of-fice reported 7 HIV/AIDS cases in Maasin City, of which three had died. Prov-incewide, there WEre 14 cases, in which four died, including those in the city, Dr. Noel Lumen informed. He said these figures are not the real number of cases because of voluntary nature of HIV antibody testing. Suspected HIV/AIDS cases may reach six (6) throughout the province. (rgc)

PWDs JOIN FEDERATION

Some 80 persons with disabilities joined the provincial federation of PWD organization for the first time, PWD Focal Person Velma Kangleon re-ported. The Provincial Social Welfare Development Office (PSWDO) through the initiative of Gov. Roger Mercado wants PWDs in the province to undergo trainings in order to be economically gainful despite disabilities. (esg)

MODEL OFWs

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)-Region 8 Office has recognized the families of Architect Raymond Tobio from Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte (land based category) and Chief Engr. Rosalino Villardo from Laong, Northern Samar (sea based category) as its Model OFW Family of the Year awardees, OWWA Regional Director Norma Del Rosario said. They will represent the region for the MOFWYA on December 4. (esg)

ONE TIME HAUL

The Philippine National Police in Southern Leyte initiated an anti-ille-gal drugs operation dubbed “One Time Big Time.” PNP Provincial Director, P/SSupt. Nicerio Obaob, who led the PNP force, conducted search operations in six municipalities such as Anahawan, Tomas Oppus, Hinundayan, Silago, St. Bernard, and Sogod, in cooperation with the Anti-illegal Drugs special Op-erations Group and nabbed seven (7) drug pushers all in one day. (rgc)

FUNDS FOR PORTS

Cong. Damian Mercado reported that project funds for the construc-tion of Padre Burgos and San Francisco ports in the amount of P 40 Million and P 37 Million, respectively, were appropriated by the DOTC-PPA. In the MOA, the local government units (LGUs) will manage the terminal port with the sharing of 10% for PPA and 90% to LGUs. The Padre Burgos-San Fran-cisco sea lane used to be an old route of transportation, Cong. Mian added. (esg)

RICE STOCK

The National Food Authority (NFA) in the province unloaded 21,000 bags of rice on the second day, NFA Info Officer Eliza Almacen said. This was on top of the rice equivalent of 52,000 rice of bags for its existing buffer stock. Hence a total of 73,000 bags of rice is available at its warehouses in Southern Leyte and Baybay. This rice supply is good until the first quarter of 2016, she added. (esg)

COVER FOR AGRI PRODUCTS

Governor Roger Mercado initiated moves to provide protection to ag-riculture products from the adverse impact of El Nino. The Provincial Agricul-tural Services Office (PAgSO) was tasked to distribute uv polyethelene film to vulnerable vegetable growers in Macrohon, Maasin City, Malitbog, Hinun-dayan, and Silago. The said film will shield the farm products not only from the scorching heat of the sun but from heavy, driving rain as well. (esg)

TEXTBLAST NEWS

Maasin City grants social pension to elders at least 90 years old

mobalik sa sunod gula.

By Rebecca Cadavos

At least 87 senior citizens, 90 years old and above received social pension funded by the city government of Maasin through the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) in a distribution ceremony held Friday at the city gymnasium here.

The city’s social pension fund is in addition to the social pension funded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for senior citizens, 60 years old and above, it was learned.

The 90 years old elders received the cash assistance of P500 per month for the three quarters this year totaling to P4,500 each beneficiary, and the remain-ing last quarter will be received soon, OSCA staff informed.

Among other activities during the day include the “Lakaw, Hataw, Sayaw” performances from the elders. “This is the best exercise that each one of us can avail of, particularly the elders is through walking and dancing, free for all,” Mayor Maloney Samaco said during his message to the seniors.

He said that his administration is promoting healthy and sporty lifestyle, not only among the elders but also the teens and middle aged men and women throughout Maasin City.

The distribution of cash assistance was led by Mayor Samaco, Liga Federa-tion President Nacional Mercado, local social welfare office staff, among other local officials. It was held during the Filipino Elderly Week celebration in Maa-sin City which carries the theme dubbed as , “Igalang and nakakatanda at ang kanilang karapatan.”

DISTRIBUTION of social pension cash assistance in Maasin City to senior citizens 90 years old & above. Around 87 qualified pensioners in Maasin City received the cash assistance during the Elderly Filipino Week celebration at Maasin City gym, Oct. 30, 2015. The first pensioner who signed was Simeona Basa, a 101 year old from Maasin City. (rgc)

The heights of great men reached and keptWere not obtained by sudden flight.

But they, while their companions sleptWere toiling upward in the night.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow