TACLOBAN CITY- A two-day symposium on “nurturing students with great love” was spearheaded by the Taiwan-based Tzu Chi Foundation held last November 30 attended by 2,000 public school teachers.
The activity was in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd)-Leyte and Tacloban divisions with the participating teachers getting new insights on how to deal with their students particularly after the region was devastated by last year’s supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

“The close connection between teachers, students and parents is significant to the success of the children in school. Love is powerful. Let us continue the circle of love and kindness,” urged Lim Kim Choy, retired school head master from Malaysia who first lectured on the teaching techniques of Jing Si (Still Thoughts) Aphorisms. “Kindness keeps the world afloat,” Choy said, adding that “like a star, teacher gives direction.”

He maintained that education of the students should be comprehensive, from humanitarian to personality and practical to life education. Jing Si lessons are based from the teaching of Master Cheng Yen, founder of the Tzu Chi Foundation, as a positive guide to creating society filled with loving kindness. “The measure of our life lies not in its longevity but in the awareness and vigor which we contribute to humanity,” said Choy, repeating the lessons of the Tzu Chi master. A talk on “Co-exist with Mother Earth” was also delivered, emphasizing on preserving and protecting the environment.

Marissa German, a high school teacher from Palo, Leyte, expressed her thanks to the Tzu Chi for organizing the event, saying the topics were “very timely especially that we still have many students who are not yet able to cope up with the Yolanda tragedy.” “This helps teachers to become better in their profession, so they can inspire their students more,” she added. Conchita Tan, a Tzu Chi volunteer from Manila, said that the event is part of the holistic approach to their recovery efforts after Yolanda. Tzu Chi Foundation, among other international humanitarian organizations helping in the post-Yolanda recovery in Tacloban, is largely recognized by the locals for its well-coordinated relief and rehabilitation efforts in the devastated communities. (RONALD O. REYES)

TACLOBAN CITY- About 66 public facilities damaged during the onslaught of supertyphoon “Yolanda” in Leyte were repaired by the members of the Korean Joint Support Group, also known as the “Araw Forces.”
The Korean contingent, who are to leave this month after a year of humanitarian works in areas hit by Yolanda, spent over P30 million for this undertaking. The structures that were repaired by the Araw Forces included 37 public schools, eight hospitals and welfare facilities, 17 government offices, and houses of four Korean War veterans. The group also rebuilt 14 public schools in Palo; 12 in Tanauan; 10 in Tolosa, and a central school in Dagami, all in Leyte.

In Palo alone, public infrastructures completed were the Leyte Provincial Hospital, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Home for Girls, and Department of Education (DepEd) regional office.
In nearby towns of Tanauan and Tolosa, reconstructed by the Korean armies were police stations, fire stations, courthouses and barangay halls. The Korean armed forces group, which arrived late December 2013, immediately heeded the Philippine government’s request for aid recognizing the participation of 7,500 Filipino soldiers during the Korean War in the 1950s.

Likewise, the Araw contingent has tied up with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for the establishment of Araw Vocational School, with course offering on heavy equipment operation. Shortly after the team’s arrival, they also assisted in the clearance of typhoon debris and organized “Operation Carabao” where they performed electric pole removal and vehicle salvage, and repair of sewerages. The group also conducted on-site medical missions in barangays and in their camp base at Government Center, Palo, and as of last week of November, they have already served 40,000 patients from various parts of Leyte.

Part of their main objectives in coming to the country was to support the Korean War veterans as well. They reconstructed houses and provided assistance to the families of the Filipino soldiers who sacrificed during Korean War. “I feel happy that the city as a whole is slowly recovering its function. I am thankful to the Filipino citizens for not treating us with reluctance and I hope the friendship between Philippines and Korea continues so that if either of us is in difficulty, the other one can reach out,” said Captain Kwon Youngwoo, public affairs officer of Araw. The Korean armed forces have been instrumental in the establishment of an agricultural institute, the Araw Scholar’s House, and the Araw Memorial Park. They are scheduled to return to Korea on December 17 this year. (SHAIRA S. VELENZONA,LNU Intern)

TACLOBAN CITY – Members of youth organizations from the region gathered this week to map out plans to help their sector recover from the aftermath of supertyphoon “Yolanda.” The three-day gathering which ended on December 6 was spearheaded by the Sinirangan Bisayas Youth Organization (SBYO), an affiliate of the An Waray party-list group. The gathering, now on its 8th year, carried the theme “Resilient Leadership: Strengthening Connections; Rise Above the challenge.” The leadership conference aimed to engage the youth, enhance their skills and talents and to galvanize them into action as active members of the society, Charles Vincent Manarang, conference director said. “Since we all experienced the same ordeal, we are also aware that if the youth will not do anything, who else would help us?” Manarang said. (CARYL VIVIEN S.TOMANDA, LNU Intern)

TACLOBAN CITY- An open letter addressed to President Aquino was issued and signed by representatives of various sectors, including the local Church leaders, of Capoocan town in Leyte calling for his possible assistance on their desire for the anti-graft court to act on a criminal case filed against Mayor Federico Carolino, Sr. On their two-page open letter, the signatories said that the delay on the resolution of the graft case against Carolino would be a contradiction of Mr. Aquino’s policy of “matuwid na daan” or straight path which abhors any acts that pertains to corruption or graft among government leaders or workers.

Carolino is facing graft charges before the Office of the Ombudsman for an alleged irregularity in the procurement of two units of dump trucks worth P5.3 million in 2008. The town mayor allegedly did not follow the procurement process when he ordered for the procurement of the heavy equipment. The graft case against Carolino was filed on September 26, 2011 by one Emeterio Tanala before the Office of the Ombudsman. “Several years have passed the people of Capoocan just keep silent on their ardent desire to live in a place with virtues of righteousness…governed by a leader who believes and practices the doctrine of matuwid na daan,” the open letter, signed by 39 people representing various sectors said.

“We have come to the open, assured and convinced that we should do our best for the best future of the Capoocanons,” it adds. Among those who signed the open letter addressed to the President were local Church leaders like parish priest Father Ronnie Mora; barangay officials; members of the academe and leaders of fisherfolk association. The group said that under Rule III, section 6 of Administrative Order Number 7, otherwise known as Rules of Procedure of the Ombudsman, a decision must be rendered not later than 30 days after the case is declared submitted for resolution. Carolino could not reach for his comment as of press time.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY- A nongovernment organization convened 500 survivors of supertyphoon Yolanda into homeowners associations to ensure that they will be empowered in building houses that are typhoon-resilient. Princess Asuncion-Esponilla, information officer of the Urban Poor Associates (UPA), which initiated the gathering, said 14 homeowners associations from Tacloban, considered the ground zero of Yolanda, attended the gathering held at the gymnasium of the Leyte Normal University. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was also part of said activity. Esponilla said that the gathering of the homeowners associations was part of their vision of building resilient and empowered communities in Tacloban which bore the brunt of Yolanda. Formation of association will strengthen and unite Yolanda survivors to ensure that all their concerns will be addressed — land, permanent and temporary houses, jobs, health, administrations of the work, and participation in major decision making, she added. She said that the Homeowners’ Associations in Yolanda-affected areas were formally recognized by the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB). (RESTITUTO A. CAYUBIT)

TACLOBAN CITY-Businessmen in Tacloban have yet to receive financial assistance promised to them by the national government, a year after supertyphoon “Yolanda” devastated this city. Joel Caminade, president of Rotary Club of Tacloban, said that until now government’s financial support to them remains to be seen. “We’ve been waiting for so long, yet no help is around. It’s both frustrating and infuriating,” Caminade said in an interview. The soft-spoken businessman who is into printing press industry did not hide his disappointment on government’s apparent lack of support to them. “I’ve lost about P 40 million from our machinery and office equipment. We’re back to scratch. But I know by and by we’ll sustain this in our own efforts,” Caminade said. He said that businessmen like them in Yolanda-hit areas should be given immediate attention to recover their business and eventually revive the local economy. “Even government banks are giving us a run-around with those who will apply for loans, demanding so many requirements when they already knew that our documents have been washed out by Yolanda. Worst, they are even asking more collateral when in fact our businessmen had collateral already in our past loans to them before Yolanda,” Caminade said. So as to recover their losses and continue their livelihood, Caminade said that Tacloban businessmen have no other option but to rely to each other or borrow money for new capital from their friends and associates outside the city. Despite their lack of support, Caminade maintained they were able to help storm victims by providing food and medical reliefs with the help of their partner organizations. Jack Uy, president of Tacloban Filipino Chamber of Commerce and Industry, openly expressed his frustration to the government for its apparent failure to “seriously” help them.
(RONALD O.REYES)