BOBON, Northern Samar- Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo visited the province to see various projects funded or assisted by his office. Montejo, who arrived last November 3, was joined by his Undersecretary, Carol Yorobe during his sojourn to the province. Montejo, whose family hails from Tacloban City, met with members of the local media after he arrived at the Catarman Airport, and proceeded right away to the provincial capitol to meet Governor Jose Ong and officials of the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) led by its president, Mar De Asis.

Sec.Montejo visited a project at the UEP’s National Seaweeds Research and Development program-B (DOST-PCAARRD Funded HITS) project and toured DOST-PSTC project at the said university. He also visited a metal and car center and furniture maker in Barangay Molave and Dalakit, in Catarman. Bobon Mayor Reny Celespara accompanied Montejo in visiting the Neneng’s Furniture and Moulding Maker at Brgy. Arellano and a “pinyato” and “pinangat” processing center and the launching of a CEST-project beneficiary for the processing of coconut vinegar and wine production, both projects located in Brgy. Dancalan.
Montejo also met local officials of Bobon together with CEST beneficiaries. Montejo also visited the towns of Lavezares and San Isidro for the turn-over of DOST-GIA-8 Fund amounting P485, 740 and P207, 500 respectively for the establishment of vegetable farming and food processing center in both towns. (PETER PAREDES)

ORMOC CITY- The massive tragedy that hit this city over two decades ago that killed more than 3,000 people remembered to be fresh from the collective memories of the city residents. Last November 5, the city residents led by their officials marked the 23rd anniversary of the flash floods spawned by typhoon “Oreng” that hit Ormoc. During the commemoration, Mayor Edward C. Codilla continues urged the people of the city to “protect the environment and help the populace prepare for the incoming hazards.” At 7:30 a.m., the city officials and government employees did a procession with public rosary starting from the City Hall passing through both sides of river walk at Anilao River going to the city mass grave at public cemetery.

It was at the Anilao River where the huge bulk of flood water traversed and overflowed to the city proper that caused at least 10-feet torrent. The procession showed a picture of white- clad employees that symbolized unity and peace. Rev. Fr. Danny Pongos celebrated the Holy Mass at the mass grave that buried 4,922 bodies. Councilor Atty. Ruben Capahi became emotional as he recalled how his family grieved on the loss of his mother Nenita Capahi, 50, then the budget officer of the city government whose body was found at the sea three days after the November 5, 1991 tragedy.

Mayor Codilla said that the 1991 flash flood is one of the country’s worst tragedies where Ormoc became globally known triggering aids from the international community. The tragedy also became part of the city’s history that should never be ignored, he went on. Atty. Capahi compared “Yolanda” to the 1991 flash flood saying the former destroyed wider scope since Ormoc was near its eye but claimed only few lives while the latter was focused at the city proper but thousands of lives were lost hitting the city’s most populous area. This year’s theme, “we prayed, we survived, one city, moving on”. On Nov. 8, the city is set to observe the first anniversary of super typhoon “Yolanda” that claimed lives and caused damages in the region. (ELVIE ROMAN ROA)

PALO, Leyte – Survivors of the supertyphoon Yolanda, joined by the members of the People Surge Alliance, held a memorial at the mass graves in Tanauan, Palo and Tacloban City during the observance of All Souls Day. The survivors placed candles at the top of the plots where the dead bodies were buried. Banners bearing the message “Here lie the victims of Aquino Governments Criminal Negligence,” were displayed by the People Surge members. According to the Marissa Cabaljao, information officer of the People Surge, blamed the government for lack of preparation why there were thousands of people who died during the onslaught of Yolanda. “There was criminal negligence (on the part of the government) because these thousands of people who died will not die if the government really prepared before the landfall of the super typhoon,” she said. “One week before the typhoon the government already knew this tragedy. In fact, Noynoy stated that there will be a strong storm coming but he just commanded to evacuate. He did not explain how strong it would be specifically regarding the storm surge,” Cabaljao added. Cabaljao also stated that they will continue to support the people in asking for justice from the gross negligence of Aquino administration. Meanwhile, when asked about the President’s approval for the rehabilitation a/assistance for Yolanda survivors, Cabaljao said that it was not favorable to the poor because it focuses more on the infrastructure rather than in livelihood. “The master plan is not favorable to the poor, no livelihood. They only focus on the infrastructure that will favor the big business. So what the poor will gain from this? she said. (MYLA ANN M. JOMADIAO (LNU Intern)

CALBAYOG CITY- The first ever officers training on DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) was commended by Mayor Ronaldo Aquino as being timely considering that problem on illegal drugs is becoming rampant anew. The city mayor, however, stressed that while concerned security officials should do their best to address the menace, this cannot be totally addressed without the support of the community and proper information dissemination.

“Proper Education and information on the menace of drug abuse has been a generally accepted strategy. Indeed, the first objective is to prevent drug abuse among people before it starts,” Mayor Aquino, who was the guest speaker during the opening of the occasion held at the Calbayog City Sports Center last November 3, said. “Information and opinion molding are essential in order to keep the young people off from drugs, because curiosity, drug propaganda and peer pressure may mislead them into testing drugs,” he added. Mayor Aquino is the current chair of the Regional Peace and Order Council. He vow to address the problem on illegal drug as one of his priority as RPOC chair. DARE project coordinator Police Senior Supt. Cedrick Train, DRDA-PRO 8, spearheaded the activity, in coordination with the Samar Police Provincial Office through police provincial director S/Supt Nolasco Bathan and the Calbayog City Police Office through city police chief Supt. Glenn Oliver Cinco.

The training, which will end on Nov.12, is under supervision of Philip Josef Vera Cruz, legal division chief of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB). Vera Cruz gave lecture on Republic Act No. 9165 or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Police chiefs in the province and other officers who are to become instructors under the DARE program participated the 10-day training. Dr. Raul Agban, assistant schools division superintendent representing DepEd-Calbayog City for the in-school beneficiaries, and Betty Jane Arnejo, city social welfare and development officer, for the out-of-school youths (OSY), also joined the activity.

DARE is an international education program founded by Daryl Gates developed in 1983 that seeks to prevent use of controlled drugs, membership in gangs, and violent behavior.  It aims to teach effective peer resistance and refusal skills in psychosocial approach so that adolescents can say “no” to drugs and their friends who may want them to use drugs. The secondary goals of the program are to build the children’s social skills and enhance their self-esteem, as these are believed to be linked to adolescent drug use. (AIMEE CATALAN)

Farmers to benefit rehabilitation plan for Yolanda- Alcala

TACLOBAN CITY- Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said that P167.9 billion rehabilitation master plan for areas hit by supertyphoon Yolanda will have huge impact on their department’s assistance for farmers and fishermen. The Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (CRRP) aims to build back better the resettlement, infrastructure, livelihood, and social services in 171 cities and municipalities ravaged by the powerful typhoon. According to Alcala, about P5 billion will be allotted to the Department of Agriculture and an additional P500 million for the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), an attached agency of the department. Alcala was in Tacloban City last November 4 to spearhead in the distribution of farm implements of the UMA-AHON initiative in the region coinciding with the first year anniversary of Yolanda. The Secretary handed over the implements which included tractors to mayors from Leyte and Samar. He lauded the farmers who are now in their second time of harvest through the efforts of the DA with the assistance of the Food and Agriculture Organization. However, Alcala emphasized that farmers should not rely on assistance alone but to establish their own seed banks to ensure the steady supply of certified seeds. In an earlier statement PARR secretary Panfilo Lacson said that plans, programs and activities (PPA) are projected to generate the recovery of the 171 affected cities and municipalities in 14 provinces and six regions known as the “Yolanda corridor” based on the principle of build back better by focusing on long-term, sustainable efforts to reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen capacities of communities to cope with future eventualities. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY- Relatives of those who perished during the onslaught of supertyphoon Yolanda earlier buried in a mass grave in Basper paid their respects in a proposed memorial garden inside a private cemetery during the All Saints and All Souls Days observance.

There are 2,273 corpses buried inside the proposed memorial park at Holy Cross Cemetery in Barngay Tigbao. Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez led in the planting of crosses last November 1. The white crosses, placed on top of the plots, marks as a place where families, relatives and friends who lost their loved ones to Yolanda on Nov.8, 2013 could go to and offer their prayers, flowers and candles. City Assistant Administrator and City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office designated head Idelbrando Bernadas said that the processed bodies at the mass grave site were placed in body bags and arranged side by side with a 1 ft. distance from one body to the other.

We lay to rest our brothers and sisters, as we commemorate its 1st year anniversary this Nov. 8, 2014 at Barangay Tigbao Holy Cross Memorial cemetery, a solemn memorial services will be offered for all departed souls. Let’s be in one to remember them, Mayor Alfred said in an interview, we put them to rest, the departed souls victimized by super typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan). To highlight the Nov.8 commemorative event, memorial services offering includes a high mass officiated by Palo Archbishop John Du, concelebrated by the parish priest of 13 Tacloban parishes, blessing of the mass grave, candle lighting and offering of flowers.

Tacloban City Councilor and chair for Haiyan first anniversary commemoratiion, Councilor Cristina G. Romualdez, on the other hand, during the 1st Commemorative Anniversary Press Conference held Nov. 4, 2014 at K Patisserie Tacloban stressed the importance of unity, prayers and love among fellow Taclobanon “magkaisa tayo magdasal para sa ating mga kapatid na namatay nung kasagsagan ng Yolanda” (we pray as one for our brothers and sisters who passed away at the time when Yolanda lambasted our city), she said. International, national and Taclobanons will be one in remembering physically & spiritually those who parted unexpectedly brought by Yolanda.

In expressing their Thanksgiving to all those who helped Tacloban, our province the region and the entire country, a composed song by Mark D. entitled “Dear World” sang by Kuh Ledesma & daughter Isabella will be internationally launched come Nov. 8 through You Tube. It’s our way of thanking the whole wide world through music for the care and love they shared during the times of our trials, the lady councillor said.
In paying respect to those who passed away during Yolanda’s wrath, Mayor Alfred will be joined his wife Councilor Cristina G. Romualdez, Leyte 1st district Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and wife Yedda Romualdez, the Department heads, city employees, International Non-Government Organizations (INGOs), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and Socio-civic organizations.

The first year Yolanda commemorative event on Nov. 8 will kick off with a Yolanda Commemorative Walk led by the city government of Tacloban, at exactly 7:30am. Sirens, horns of cars & automobiles and ringing of church bells will be heard. Participants of the commemorative walk will stop and offer a prayers for all those who died of the storm and thank GOD for all those who extended helped Tacloban rise up again.
The Memorial services follows at the Tacloban Holy Cross Memorial cemetery at Barangay Basper, then INGOs, NGOS and socio-civic organizations exhibit at the City hall grounds, video showing on “Tacloban-before, during, after Yolanda” at the City Hall lobby and the candle light memorial ceremony in major city streets by One Tacloban and many more.
Let’s be in one in remembering our loved ones in prayers, the father of the city said. (GAY GASPAY)