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DOLE released over P11 M to various livelihood projects in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte

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TACLOBAN CITY- The regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-8) released P11.25 million to various organizations based in St. Bernard in Southern Leyte whose members were displaced during the November 8,2013 supertyphoon “Yolanda.: The P11, 253,291 livelihood assistance program of the DOLE is under the Yolanda Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Program (YRRP). The funding was released on January 19 benefiting 969 displaced skilled and semi-skilled workers in the informal sector.

The beneficiaries were the Exotic-St. Bernard diversified livelihood projects worth P 1, 152,161 to benefit 107 Mamanua workers; diversified livelihood projects of Abante Magatas worth,P1, 140, 000 to benefit 95 workers; diversified livelihood projects of Brgy. Hinabian worth P 996, 000 with 83 workers; SulongSug-angon, P 708, 180 to benefit 59 displaced workers; Tulong Pangkabuhayan Para sa Brgy. Hindag-an worth P 1, 256, 950 to benefit 125 workers; Kalambuansa Brgy. San Isidro, P 1, 440, 000.00 with 120 workers; diversified livelihood projects of Brgy. Atuyan, P 960, 000 (with 80 workers); diversified livelihood projects of Brgy. Ma. Asuncion worth P 1, 260, 000 to benefit 105 workers; diversified livelihood projects of Brgy. Lipanto worth P 996, 000 to benefit 83 workers and the diversified livelihood projects of Brgy. Mahayahay worth P 1, 344, 000 to benefit 112 workers.

The turn-over and released of grants were spearheaded by Regional Director Elias A. Cayanong, Assistant Regional Director Exequiel Ronie A. Guzman, and Southern Leyte field office head Fe Norma Valuis. According to Joylito Corbeta, PESO manager of the town, the beneficiaries were eagerly waiting for the turn-over and release of livelihood grants.
Meanwhile, Mayor Napoleon Lim Cuaton expressed his heartfelt thanks to DOLE and pledges continued partnership with the department.

“These livelihood funds are concrete proof that the government is making great strides to achieve inclusive-growth. The Department of Labor and Employment’s livelihood program aims to target the poorest people in the country, give them opportunities to improve their lives, be able to meet their basic needs, and break free from the cycle of poverty. We understand that this isn’t a silver bullet that will magically pull everyone out of extreme poverty but it’s an important part of putting very poor people on that pathway,” said Director Cayanong. (PR)

DSWD allocates P68-M for cash-for-work program in Borongan

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BORONGAN CITY-Some 17,547 individuals from the 61 barangays of this city who were affected by typhoon “Ruby” are expected to benefit from the cash-for-building livelihood assets (CBLA) under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Initially, five barangays have started to implement the project. These are Barangays Sohotan, Bayubay, San Gabriel, Maybacong and San Pablo. CBLA is a strategy to help affected communities restore damaged physical and natural assets to rebuild their livelihoods. DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said that this initiative will help beneficiaries achieve a sense of normalcy in their daily lives as they have a source of income, while the government prepares to implement more sustainable recovery and rehabilitation projects for them. DSWD has allotted more than P68 million for CBLA implementation in the city. Under the project, beneficiaries are engaged in the repair of small infrastructure facilities, dredging of canals, and in the clean–up of rivers. They will be receiving P260 per day or a total of P3,900 for a maximum period of 15 days. On Monday, the city conducted the second community assembly to determine the next set of five barangays which will be recipients of the CBLA and the activities that will be undertaken. Eligible to participate in the program is any member of an affected family, a duly resident of the affected barangay, in good physical and mental condition, and at least 18 years old. Only one family member is allowed to be part of this income – generating venture. (PR)

Justice elusive and discriminatory?

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Barely a week after Pope Francis left the Philippines and as local leaders in the Roman Catholic Church said the “Pope Francis fever” was still on, ruthless killing happened in Mindanao. The Philippine National Police Special Action Force lost 44 valiant men, while sacked SAF chief Director Getulio Napeñas claimed more than 200 died among enemy force.
The orphaned families of the SAF commandos are claiming for justice and appropriate government attention to survive especially that their beloved who died in the clash in Mamasapano on January 25 were their breadwinners. So do those from the MILF camp.
The Senate is over half way their investigation supposedly “in aid of legislation” and not in an expedition to fish political figures who could be blamed for what PNoy dub as “misencounter” in Mamasapano. Details were laid to the public. Thanks to the media who make blow by blow account of whart transpire in the Senate hearings. In the meantime, the approval of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which could ultimately lead to the nomination of PNoy to the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize global awards search, is at bay.
Question now is: Should the Muslim women widowed by their husbands who died in the Mamasapano encounter with the PNP-SAF be allowed what they demand from the government? Further they claimed discrimination and unequal treatment from government in terms of attention to those orphaned by those who died in the crossfire.
There are various schools of thought scooting across the information highway. Social networking sites in the world wide web are flooded with varied opinion on the matter. Generally, Filipinos frown upon a fair treatment to the families widowed by those from the MILF in spite the MILF’s claim of treachery as well on the part of the PNP-SAF. The killing they alleged was murderous attended by the elements of treachery and abode, that some MILF men were killed while in slumber. All these were not part of the government’s concern for now in spite the fact that they remain Filipino citizens.
Vice-Mayor Jerry “Sambo” Yaokasin of Tacloban, a pastor in Chinese Christian church in the City, commented, “This is so sad that Filipinos have to kill and be killed in the pursuit of peace.” He added, “To grant equal benefits to the families of the MILF men would be adding insult to injury as the SAF fought for the country. They were there to captured terrorists and died in the hands of MILF.”
Rev. Fr. Christ Arthur Militante, the newly appointed spokesman of the Archdiocese of Palo and mass media coordinator, has a distinct view on this. Favoring a fair treatment to the families orphaned by the MILF and in keeping with the reconciliatory stance of Pope Francis towards real peace across the globe, he stated, “Peace is everyone’s desire which goes beyond any affiliation.”
There are always two sides of a coin. However, the issue on justice should be well weighed in the balance lest the Philippine government and the entire peace process and the safety of the majority of the Filipinos will be put at stake.

Father, daughter dies due to meningococcemia

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PALO, Leyte – A 33- year old father and his five-month old baby girl from Catbalogan City died due to meningococcemia on January 4.This was confirmed by Roderick Boyd Cerro, chief of the regional office of the Department of Health’s epidemiology and surveillance unit, who said that the two died at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) in Tacloban City.
“All clinical manifestations showed that the victims died of meningococcemia, but we still have to wait for confirmatory tests,” said Cerro.The DOH has been providing medicines to those who had contacts with victims to prevent spread of the fatal disease.“It is not necessary to wear masks since meningococcemia is not an air-borne disease. It is being transmitted through direct contact with discharges from nose and throat from an infected person,” Cerro said, deflecting the panic that ensued in Catbalogan after the two died due to the ailment.
The official also discouraged residents to take medicines not prescribed by doctors. Instead, he urged the public to regularly wash their hands and observe proper respiratory etiquette. The disease is caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitides that can be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets. The symptoms include high fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, dizziness, convulsions, vomiting, unstable vital signs, coughing, and rashes. (SARWELL Q.MENIANO)

A chance worth the sacrifice

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Gem of thoughts

I was in my teen summers then when my feet dragged me to where my mind was simply pricked by curiosity for a chance to view a man whom the whole world looked up to in faith and respect. People were milling all over Taft Avenue then, about a kilometer away from my home. Overcast sky never budged the people at gazing at the Apostolic Nunciature cheering and clapping, others murmuring a sound I could hazily recall as “Praise You, Jesus! Praise the Lord!”

Pope John Paul II, now a saint, was at the veranda of Apostolic Nunciature waving at thousands well wishers below. Momentarily, the sight was all of “kabaduyan” and superfluity to me. I was completely indifferent until seconds after, the Pope shifted to his right continually waving at the people on the ground. For me, the Holy Father was looking at me beckoning me and telling me that I am to do a mission for Christ. Was it awe, scare or guilt? The tears spontaneously rolled downed my cheeks. I felt numbed. I could not tell why. After about thirty minutes of staying around, I went home with some kind of sensation that was engulfing my warm body. I was nervous, somehow shivering. I really did not know why except for one thing: I knew I saw Christ in person, through the Holy Pope John Paul II who is now a saint.

Beyond that was a more significant turn in my life. I was then active in neighborhood non-denominational Christian bible studies in Leon Guinto St (Malate, Manila) the place of my childhood abode then. I felt like I was being called to a more profound vocation to serve God – to be a nun, although in younger years, I promised myself that I would someday stand by the altar either a member of the choir or a reader (lector) during the mass.

Years went on I never became a nun due to financial reason. Or perhaps, I was not really meant to a nun at all. But the calling became so intense that I could not resist but be a constant churchgoer, regular Bible reader and still active in bible studies but now in the Catholic Church. Such beckoning I thought Pope John Paul II made upon me remained virtually forceful. I really do not know what awaits my future after such call. Yes, I never became a nun, I never had any opportunity to go for any local pilgrimage, I never even stepped my foot on any foreign embassy to apply for visa for pilgrimage overseas, I never had the chance to attend any Regional or National much less a World Youth Day, in as much as I desired.

But such accidental real life sight of the Holy Father, I have just come to a realization, was beyond any of the ambitions I have nurtured. The effects are still happening with more surprises in such vocation to serve God keep unraveling. I later became a lector, have been blessed with leadership privileges, became a journalist, a writer for Christ, have won two local Best Opinion Writer awards where I never failed to mention God’s intervention and grace, and now writing for cbcpnews of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. I could not ask for more, but if more will come, I know it is still part of the blessings of a personal sight of Pope John Paul II, now a saint.

On January 17, another Pope is coming to this country regularly plagued by natural and man-made calamities. The visit of Pope John Paul II brought so much blessings to millions of Filipinos who endeavored sincerely to welcome him and attend his events. Now the coming of Pope Francis to the Philippines, including the Archdiocese of Palo, sets off a shower of blessings upon those who will sincerely welcome him and pray with him.

If I will have the chance to see Pope Francis with my bare eyes, considering the very tight security measures to ensure his safety and the multitude who would like to atleast shake hands with him, and in spite of being among the applicants for a media ID for the papal visit coverage, will be another gift from God that I donot even deserve to receive. What could a sight of Pope Francis with my naked eyes bring to me? Perhaps, true conversion amidst the temptations around me and my weakness, my human nature. The Pope is the Vicar of Christ. He is Jesus’ representative on Earth, the very Jesus whom I long wanted to embrace since my childhood, whom I always say sorry for my sins because I wanted to behold Him in Heaven.I know I could be privileged to see him near, but that is just my wish, which may never happen. I am very grateful for this singular grace to be in Tacloban (where I was transferred in my college days due force of circumstances). I was in Manila when I saw Pope John Paul II. I am now in Tacloban to see Pope Francis.

God is really gracious. I will not let this chance pass. If I have long wanted to see Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle in person after years of viewing his The Word Exposed program on TV since he was yet the Bishop of Imus, how much more will I not desire to meet and greet Pope Francis? I need to do a lot of sacrifice to even swallow my pride. This I shall take on for a chance to see another Vicar of Christ in person. I hope I will be blessed. (Eileen Nazareno-Ballesteros)

Local dancers, choir to perform on Pope’s arrival on Jan.17

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Performers and ushers in the welcome and departure reception for Pope Francis and his entourage on January 17 attend recollection given by Rev. Fr. Kim Margallo to spirtually and mentally prepare them for the big event. (by Eileen Nazareno-Ballesteros)
Performers and ushers in the welcome and departure reception for Pope Francis and his entourage on January 17 attend recollection given by Rev. Fr. Kim Margallo to spirtually and mentally prepare them for the big event. (by Eileen Nazareno-Ballesteros)
Performers and ushers in the welcome and departure reception for Pope Francis and his entourage on January 17 attend recollection given by Rev. Fr. Kim Margallo to spirtually and mentally prepare them for the big event.
(by Eileen Nazareno-Ballesteros)

PALO, Leyte- Four cultural groups, besides the papal Mass grand choir, will provide gleeful welcome and departure to Pope Francis and his entourage on January 17. The committee jointly led by Msgr. Ramon Aguilos and Tourism Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes identified the performers from Leyte Normal University Dance company, Samleyaw of Eastern Visayas State University, Leyte Kalipayan Dance Company, the Inagta Children.

According to Rev. Fr. Bryand Restituto, member of the church committee on the papal reception at the Daniel Z. Romualdez (DZR) Airport, upon the arrival of the Pope at around 9:30 in the morning of January 17, the 8th ID band together with the LNU brass band will play the traditional “Mabuhay” song and a tableau dance presentation proceeds in the tune of the famed “curacha.” As a matter of security arrangement, the performers will only enter the performance area upon arrival. They will simultaneously perform for only 5 minutes, while in the departure, the 250-man grand choir will render three songs including the Argentinean song The Amigos, to which the Pope is familiar.

Three Philippine Airlines chartered planes are expected to bring the Pope and his entourage which include dignitaries from the Vatican and the Pope’s curia. The usual reception protocol will be accorded to the Pope and the dignitaries by the committee at the airport upon arrival until he goes to the makeshift sacristy to be put up near the altar at the airport apron for the papal Mass. Same courtesy wish will be shown to them upon departure at around five o’clock in the afternoon.

“We were told that the reception should be as simple, but as Leyteños, we cannot avoid but give him the best hospitality that we could,” Restituto said. The performers as well as the individuals tapped by the committee to cordon the area from the tarmac to the airport apron are undergoing same prerequisites required, including security and physical, mental and spiritual fitness. They had their retreat on January 5 at the LNU student center, given by Rev. Fr. Kim Margallo, Commission on Youth of the Archdiocese of Palo. “We are looking forward to the coming of the Holy Father Pope Francis with great anticipation and joy,” Aguilos remarked, underscoring the coming of the Pope as “no ordinary visit,” but “an apostolic journey of the leader and pastor of the whole Catholic world.” “It, too, is historic, it being the first time ever that the Pope sets his foot in our region, island, province, and the archdiocese. That explains why there is so much eagerness among all sectors for this event,” he stressed.

“Beyond the material preparations all of us are tediously having, we entreat everyone that we put a high premium on the spiritual dimension of his visit,” Aguilos added. The theme of the papal visit, “Mercy and Compassion”, for him behooves “No better preparation other than our show of compassion to the poor and needy, as well as our mercy to the weak and the lost.” Aguilos encouraged everyone to “prepare ourselves sacramentally by going to confession and communion. These will be the ‘spiritual bouquets and garlands’ that we will offer to the Holy Father, that is our holy and heroic lives, all in keeping with the Gospel values.”

Tiopes meanwhile commented, “It is our nature as Filipinos that whenever we have visitors, we are proud to welcome them to our home.” She added, “Pope Francis is not just any ordinary visitor, whom I personally have never dreamed in my lifetime that I will get an opportunity to see as pope in person. It is a great honor for all of us.” She said the performances, which are “snippets reflective of the culture of the people of Eastern Visayas” are being showcased to let the Pope feel how very much thankful and happy the people of the region are to him for personally deciding to visit us after what we have been through.”
(EILEEN NAZARENO BALLESTEROS)

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