NAVAL, Biliran- The Department of Public Works and Highways – Biliran District Engineering Office (DPWH-DEO) has installed rainwater collection system projects amounting to P3.366 million that could benefit 12 schools in this province.
David Adongay Jr., DPWH-DEO district engineer, in an interview with Leyte Samar Daily Express identified the recipient schools as the Caraycaray Elementary School in Naval town; Tucdao National High School and Tucdao Elementary School, both in Kawayan town; Culaba National High School in Culaba;JD Garcia Elementary School, Salawad Elementary School and Cabucgayan National High School of Arts and Trade in Cabucgayan; Biliran National High School in Biliran; and, Casibang Elementary School, Binalayan Central School, Maripipi National Vocational School, and Maripipi Central School, all in Maripipi.
Alfredo Bollido, DPWH-BDEO assistant district engineer, said in a separate interview that the completion of these rainwater collector system projects will provide an independent water supply to the recipient schools where water is scarce.
Bollido said that these rainwater collector systems were installed to accumulate rainwater from the roof of school buildings and used to flush on toilets and in watering plants rather than let it to run off to nowhere.
(RESTITUTO A. CAYUBIT)
12 public schools in Biliran to benefit rainwater collection system
More trees planted on Arbor Day in Southern Leyte
MAASIN CITY- The provincial government of Southern Leyte through the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) on Thursday conducted tree planting and tree growing activities in an eight-hectare afforestation site in Barangay Laboon, this city, known to be the birthplace of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Another activity, which is the rehabilitation of one hectare of mangrove site in Barangay Buenavista, Padre Burgos, was conducted the following day.
According to PENRO provincial head Eva Abad, the province officially marked November 8 of every year as Arbor Day for the province since 2015.
“Provincial Governor Damian Mercado urged all the municipal and barangay officials to plant trees in time for the Yolanda commemoration and further instructed to submit reports relative to the compliance of the province-wide Arbor Day observance,” Abad said.
Dr. Abad said the afforestation site of the provincial government has been identified for the establishment of a man-made forest from its original grassland area.
“The provincial government started the tree planting and tree growing activities in partnership with the Couples for Christ and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office – Maasin,” she added.
Executive Order 2013 was issued by Congressman Roger Mercado, during his stint as the provincial governor, enjoining all the municipalities and barangays to observe every 8th of November as Arbor Day, as their way to commemorate that fateful Yolanda devastation, Abad said. (LDL/ESG/PIA8-SLeyte)
OWWA- conducts ‘Byaheng agri-preneur’
In line with the agency’s mandate to develop a program that would enhance the entrepreneurial capabilities of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families who have been granted the Balik-Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay Program and ELAP Livelihood, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) conducts its first “Byaheng Agri-preneur’ that aims to provide opportunity to visits and have experiential learning on agricultural-related businesses.
Sixty three OFW entrepreneurs and would be entrepreneurs joined the activity that was held at La Granja Farm, Brgy. Bagacay, Tacloban City on November 5, 8, 9, 2018.
The participants were grouped into three batches to have high participation and ensure quality learning experience to every participants.
Engr. Martina D. Reyna, owner of La Granja Farm, personally gave the orientation and tour to the participants.
She first shared to them the humble beginnings of La Granja and the different struggles they experience along the way. Afterwards, Engr. Reyna, discussed about integrated organic farming to the participants.
After the orientation and brief discussion, a tour around the farm was facilitated by Engr. Reyna with a discussion on organic fertilizers, Baboyang Walang Amoy and organic crops. (PR)
New ferry service company starts operation at Allen Port
ALLEN, Northern Samar- A new ferry terminal operator has opened in this town which is expected to further boost the municipality’s reputation as the regional gateway to Luzon.
On November 30, the ferry terminal company, Archipelago Ferries Corp., officially started its Allen-Matnog, Sorsogon service.
Mayor Laureana Suan of this town has lauded the operation of a ferry service by the Archipelago Ferries Corp.
The ferry company will be operating at the Dapdap Port, this town.
The company formally opened its operation on November 30 with its chief executive officer Christopher Pastrana leading the event.
In his message, Christopher Pastrana, chief executive officer of the Archipelago Ferries Corp., thanked Mayor Suan for the support she extended to their company, particularly for the easy facilitation of the needed permits.
Pastrana also told the crowd of their ferry service operating in Salvacion, San Isidro Port that an additional 10 vessels will be available servicing the routes to Cebu, Masbate and nearby provinces and cities in the Visayas area.
He also assured Mayor Suan of their commitment to provide scholarship to needy students and their employment to their company.
Mayor Suan said that the coming in of the Archipelago Ferries Corp. of the town, now the third ferry service company to operate in Allen, has bolstered the town’s reputation as the regional gateway going to Luzon.
The town mayor said that the operation of the Archipelago Ferries Corp. will not only provide additional revenue to the municipal government but generate employment to the local people.
The vessel that will be used by the company is fully-air-conditioned with LCD television sets and individual life vests.
It can accommodate 320 passengers including persons with disabilities, 34 cars and 7 trucks or buses and is powered by four-internationally-classed and ABS-certified Yanmar engines.
Coinciding the opening was the blessing and holding of a medical mission as one of their corporate social responsibilities which benefited hundreds of needy individuals who availed of free medicines and check-up.
Also present also during the event were Sangguniang Bayan members and village officials of Dapdap, personnel from the local police and Coast Guard, and parish priest, Fr. Potenciano Dulay, among others.
(PETER D. PAREDES)
One-year old boy decapitated in a freak accident in N. Samar
CATARMAN, Northern Samar- A scarf intended to protect a one-year old boy from the scorching sun became the source of his untimely death.
The freak accident involving ‘Prince’ took place in Barangay Rawis, Laoang town at about 1:40 pm on Sunday (December 2).
Based on police report, the boy was seated in between her mother, Lorna Stephanie Nueva, 25, and his grandmother, Rosita Tejano, 46, who was driving the motorcycle they were on board.
The passengers were on their way home to Barangay Sumoroy, Palapag town, after seeking a medical checkup for the boy who was ill at that time in Catarman.
The mother placed a scarf on the head of the child to cover him from the scorching heat of the sun.
But while they were cruising along Brgy. Rawis,45 kilometers away from this town, the draping part of the scarf got entangled at the rear wheel of the motorcycle which tightened on the child’s neck.
This resulted for the child’s head to be decapitated.
Witnesses said the incident happened too fast that the mother was not able to save her child.
The baby’s cadaver was brought to the Rural Health Unit in Laoang for post mortem examination.
PO2 Elizar Diu, case investigator of the Laoang municipal police station, the mother and grandmother of the child were in a state of shock and could not completely explain the incident.
In 2016, Lorna’s eight-year old daughter died after she was drowned in a river at their village.
(RACHEL V. ARNAIZ)
I am a VAW survivor; I am healed
CATBALOGAN CITY-Oftentimes we fear what we do not know and what is yet to come. Fear consumes us that in the end, we are left with poor choices.
For Remy, it was also fear that forced her to stay in an abusive relationship. She was afraid that she might not be able to raise her children alone.
She feared that her children might blame her for having a broken family. She was afraid to live a life without her husband.
“I never expected that there will come a time that I will be a battered wife,” she said.
“For how many years I have been patient and forgiving for the benefit of my children. I’ve hidden all the signs of emotional and psychological abuse by smiling and pretending to be happy,” Remy added.
She knew that it was wrong but she never had the courage to fight.
Then came the physical abuse. “I cannot do the same for physical abuse. I cannot hide the bruises in my body.”
It was until she had a realization that she does not need to be in a life-threatening situation to stop domestic violence. She recalled the instance she knew that something has to be done.
“I realized that it is wrong. It is wrong that you will allow yourself to be abused. We deserve to be respected and we deserve to live freely, happily and safely. What will become of my children, they too draw strength from me.”
“I did not wait for the time that my life is on 50-50 before I take action. Life is short there is no bonus life, no extension, no unlimited life. When you die, there’s no way for you to actually live life. It’s a waste when I can still be productive and touch other lives,” she recounted.
She sought the help of City Social Welfare and Development Office and other organizations. Eventually, she had psychotherapy.
“I am thankful that there are people and institutions that influenced me and made me realized that it is not right to be always forgiving. Forgiving is good but not to the point that you are being abused,”she shared.
Remy is a master teacher at an elementary school in Catbalogan City. She was married to her husband for 24 years and for the most part of the first 15 years, she endured the physical, emotional and psychological abuse. Now she is legally separated for nine years and has been living a VAW (violence against women) -free life.
“I am very thankful that I have already moved on. I declare that I am a VAW survivor. I am healed,” she said.
During the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women, Remy shared her experience and encouraged other women not to tolerate abuse.
Finally, she said, “I am very thankful that I have already moved on. I declare that I am a VAW survivor, I am healed.”
(NBQ/GMT/PIA8-Samar)