GOVERNMENT CENTER, PALO, Leyte- The departments of labor and employment, agriculture and science and technology and trade and industry have partnered to help victims of the supertyphoon Yolanda.
The convergence of these government offices is in line with the policy of President Aquino to ensure a fast and better delivery of services to the people, said Regional Director Exequiel Sarcauga of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Aside from the DOLE, the Departments of Agriculture, Science and Technology and Trade and Industry, the Visayas State University is also part of the convergence.
Sarcauga explained that the convergence program was crafted by the national government to help address the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in all Yolanda- affected areas.
“If you try to take a look at it, one of the functions of the DOLE is to provide livelihood assistance to both the formal and informal sector. However the livelihood projects of these sectors can be more sustainable if it is prepared in such a way that it becomes viable and feasible” the DOLE director said.
Sarcauga believed that the livelihood projects needs the interventions for them to be sustained.
The convergence is focused in three important things- first, it should be technology driven; second, it should be resource based and third, it should be sustainable.
Under the scheme, the DOST would provide the needed technology with the DOLE providing the needed funding and tools, among others.
The DA would help identify the market and raw materials, Sarcauga said. (LIZBETH ANN ABELLA)

BOBON, Northern Samar- The mayor of this town is serious in addressing the basic needs of his people which includes livelihood, infrastructures, health and nutrition and providing scholarship to poor but deserving students.
Mayor Reny Acero-Celespara, 43, said that he would fulfil these “priorities” as he is aware that these would help improve his fourth-class town and become economically developed.
The town mayor said that he is also pushing for the development of their tourist spots as another engine of growth. The town of Bobon is known for its beautiful and powdery sand beaches, waterfalls and caves that could attract tourists who want to commune with nature.
Mayor Celespara is also helping his people earn a living through his various livelihood projects. Since he assumed his post in 2010, he initiated several livelihood projects such as fruit, fish and vegetable vending, hog fattening.
Persons with disabilities and those coming from indigent families were the primary beneficiaries of the town mayor’s job programs. They could even borrow financial loan from the local government unit as high as P20, 000 without interest of payment.
“Sa aton mga programa, damo gud maupay an at katuyuanan, salit waray rason nga dere magigin malinampuson, labihan san padayon nga suporta san mga empleyado ug igkasi ko mga opisyal san aton bungto”, Mayor Celespara said.
He also announced that since September,2013, the residents of Barangay Acedera and Trojillo have been enjoying safe and potable water with the construction of a level II water supply system with 48 communal faucets.
The water is source from a spring in Brgy. Trojillo. The project cost at P6 million under the Salintubig Project of the Department of Health.
Likewise, Celespara, who is a registered nurse by profession, revealed that a rural health unit is now being enjoyed by his people. The construction of the two-storey facility was donated by Bagong Henerasyon party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera at P3 million.
The facility houses with laboratory, sputum collection area, dental services among other medical and health care needs especially, the lying-in or delivery room.
At present, his administration is paying the tuition fees and other benefits to 462 students under his scholarship program. The local government set aside about P866,000 a year for this program which was supported by then Governor Paul Daza and his father, ex-Rep. Raul Daza.
The town mayor, who was once was a village chairman and town councilor, also plans to put up a website for easy access of the people, particularly visitors and tourists. Also, this will help the public be informed on what he is doing as mayor of their town.
Mayor Celespara is always in contact with other officials of the town, to include his department heads for updates of their programs and projects geared for the betterment of his town and people. (PETER D. PAREDES)

TACLOBAN CITY- The SM Foundation Inc, the socio-civic group arm of the SM Group of Companies, is offering 100 slots under its scholarship program for this year for Eastern Visayas .
And all their prospective scholars come from Yolanda-hit areas, a way to help the cash-strapped families of the students who could qualify their scholarship program, said Linda Atayde, SM Foundation Inc. director for education.
The program is now on its 21st year although it was just launched last year in the region with 20 slots.
For year, 100 slots were made available though more than 1,000 students took the test and interview held last February.
The students came from Yolanda-hit areas like Tacloban City and other Leyte towns and from Basey in Samar .

Those who have a weighted average of 88 percent from the second or third grading periods and whose annual family income is just P150,000 were the qualifications set for one to qualify for the SM scholarship.
“We’re very surprised that there were 1,100 applicants who came over to our recruitment site at Leyte Normal University (LNU) where we conducted our examination and interview,” Atayde said.
Atayde added that they have conducted a background check in which they personally visited the residence of the probable scholars, talked to their parents, neighbors, and schools were they are enrolled in order to ensure that those who will qualify the college scholarship are really indigents.
Aside from the free tuition, included also in the scholarship are allowances for books, school supplies, board and lodging, and transportation.
The scholars of the SM Foundation may apply for the following courses: BS in Computer Science; BS in Information Technology; BS in Information Management; BS in Electronics and Communications Engineering; BS in Computer Engineering; BS in Civil Engineering; BS in Electrical Engineering; BS in Mechanical Engineering; BS in Elementary Education; BS in Secondary Education; and BS in Accountancy BSC/BSBA major in Accountancy.
Upon graduation, scholars are offered jobs with the SM Group although they may opt to work elsewhere if they so desire. (RYAN GABRIEL LLOSAR ARCENAS)

PALO, Leyte- The Knights of Columbus extended financial assistance to the 22 of its members who perished during the supertyphoon Yolanda.
The giving of P5,000 cash assistance to the members of the family of those who were killed by the massive typhoon was led by no less than the Visayas State Deputy Rodrigo Sorongon last week.
“Of course I am happy for this financial assistance extended by the Knights of Columbus to us who lost their loved ones during Yolanda. Still, the money would remain to be not of big concern to us considering that in my case, I lost a grandson,” said Emilio Lim who was among those who received the financial help.
Lim lost his grandson Joven, 24, during the typhoon when their house located at Magallanes area was destroyed by the storm surge generated by Yolanda, considered to be the worst typhoon on record in the world.
The giving of financial assistance to the members of the Knights of Columbus whose members died during the disaster was held at the San Joaquin Church, this town.
The churchyard had become a mass gravesite with more than 200 people, including children, were hastily buried.
Sorongon said that the financial assistance extended to the next of kin who lost their loved ones during the typhoon is just one way of showing their support to them.
During the giving of the assistance, Sorongon was assisted by Allan Nicolas Ouano, administration assistance for Eastern and Central Visayas and Teofrido Lagrea, regional deputy. (JOEY A. GABIETA)

CATARMAN, Northern Samar- The regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways commended the members of the Northern Samar Second District Engineering District Task Force Yolanda for their invaluable services they rendered during the massive typhoon.
The men and women members of the task force were given a certificate of appreciation signed by Secretary Rogelio Singson and Regional Director Rolando Asis, among other officials.
‘LEST WE FORGET’. This certificate of commendation is hereby awarded to ‘person involve’ for extending his dedicated and untiring services in the clearing and other disaster response operations, thereby leaving his comfort zone in order to alleviate the hapless plight of the people of Eastern Visayas, especially in the hardest-hit areas of Tacloban City and outlying municipalities caused by the utter devastation brought about by Super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ on November 8, 2013.
Indeed you exemplify what a dependable DPWH employee; is one who is relentlessly eager to Deliver Public Service Without Hesitation. May your tribe increase,” part of the certification said issued on December 19, 2013.
The other signatories of the award were Asec. Dimas S. Soguilon, Assistant Secretary for Visayas and Mindanao and Usec. Romeo S. Momo, Undersecretary for Regional Operations.
All the recipient personnel of the Northern Samar 2nd District Engineering Office led by OIC District Engineer Ferdinand Briones down to the last worker of the maintenance section and other support staffs who were in Tacloban City during the whole duration of the above-mention clearing operations of the regional center were center were elated and have conveyed their gratitude for having given such recognition. (PR)