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Leadership is position not action

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Gem of thoughts

While Tacloban City Vice Mayor Jerry “Sambo” Yaokasin egged on parents to spend quality time with their children and hug and kiss them while they are still very young, Dept. of Education City Division Supervisor Miguel Dumas reminded parents and teachers, who just took their oath as officers of the General Parents-Teachers Association and Homeroom PTA, the challenge, “Leadership is position not action.” These messages they expressed during the joint induction of the GPTA, HRPTA and Faculty Club inductions of Sto. Niño SPED Center held at the newly repaired stage of the school on July 31.
Far from the customary stylish and glimmering ambience, the induction ceremonies of the parents-teachers associations in this public elementary school were done in the schoolyard where a covered space, which the community calls mini-gym, used to exist. Instead of having the usual glamour and scents, the officers and their members came in their casual attire if not in office uniform. Sans the city band and dance instructors, the affair went on to the finish. God be praised! It never rained, not a single drop.
If those diminutions have upset a dozen heads, the advantage offset these. The parents and teachers need not spend a lot from their pocket for the traditional acquaintance and induction party because the GPTA solely shouldered the expenses in setting the stage for this important event. There was no need to trouble themselves in going to the party venue precisely because there was no party to speak of. This, nevertheless, was the least to mind in this induction affair. The most important thing was that the invited guests came to take their active part, as they of course graced the occasion.
Thanks to all the organizations that helped SNSC recover fast with new temporary classrooms and other facilities and books that helped the entire school community regain normalcy ahead of other schools. SNSC Principal Delilah De Los Santos expressed once more her gratitude to the foundation led by Bangko Sentral ng PilipinaS Deputy-Governor Diwa Guinigundo, which helped in the repair of the gym stage that was ruined by Supertyphoon Yolanda on November 8 last year, and cut off the steel trusses that were twisted and coiled by the hurricane-like winds of Yolanda. That space which used to be covered is again safe for use.
This cooperation is the very drift of the message of both Vice Mayor Sambo and Education Supervisor Dumas, who was once the school principal of SNSC. SNSC, which VM Sambo jested is a private school that pretends to be a public school, is known not only for yielding graduates who excel in national scholastic and co-curricular competitions and pass qualifying exams for Philippine Science High School, but also for being able to generate the support of the society in general. Being able to generate that synergy is an attribute of true leadership.
Incidentally, inducted into office as GPTA this school-year were Atty. Corazon Montallana, president; Lorna Garnace, vice-president; teacher Glen Bullecer, secretary (2nd term); teacher Jeanon Taboy, assistant secretary; Eileen Ballesteros, (2nd term); Vilma Domus, asst. treasurer; Harold Lacaba, auditor; Wendell Supremo, business manager; and Atty. Sean Samson, PIO. Directors are Edwin Gualberto, Hermel Corda, Segundino Advincula and teachers Esperanza Napari, Juliana Dumas and Cheryl Ann Avila.
This along with the HRPTA sets of officers this school-year are whom Vice Mayor Sambo describe as the post-Yolanda set of officers whom the members of the entire community will never forget. They are the officers who are facing very great challenge towards rebuilding and recovery of the school as a whole, just like this year’s set of elected officials of the City of Tacloban which was hardest hit by sty Yolanda.

Updates on Pasar’s resumption of operations

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Observer

The Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining (PASAR) plant is now fully operational. It has not only resumed operations after massive repairs have been done to what has been reported to be over a million pesos worth of damage, PASAR got as a result of the strongest typhoon that hit the Eastern Visayas area, Yolanda (Haiyan, international name).
Now the industrial estate has now resumed operations.
-oOo-
I was quite lucky to meet Noel Gubalane the newly designated community relations officer or public information officer (PIO) of PASAR, who made revelations of the latest development undergoing in PASAR especially along the realization of its corporate social responsibility.
PASAR, has not only resumed operations, it shall also embark in massive expansion activities. Such expansion objectives will certainly provide job opportunities when it begins its expanded operations activity schedule targeted before the end of the year.
-oOo-
The following days after the typhoon, PASAR immediately conducted relief operations. Being a member of the national organization, League of Corporate Foundation of the Philippines, PASAR was able to generate support from these groups which they share to victims of Yolanda, not only in the town of Isabel where PASAR is found but also to nearby town of Palompon and Merida.
-oOo-
Some of the most unique and indeed quality support PASAR gave to Yolanda victims is their distribution of Shelter packs to residences. Contained in these packs were GI sheets, nails, plain galvanized iron sheets; tools like hammers, ropes to be used in the rehabilitation and repair of damage houses.
-oOo-
PASAR also assisted in the repairs of classrooms from the Alabang Ladies International Groups; the FLOUR Dames Corporation, all Manila based, but international in identity.
-oOo-
PASAR also distributed teachers/and learner’s kits which contained ball pens, chalks, lesson plans, etc for teachers; ball pens, school bags other supplies for the pupils.
Recipients of the PASAR dole-outs were Isabel, Palompon and Merida.
This is what they term as Corporate Social Responsibility.
Thank you CRO Noel Gubalane!!
Of course Atty. Rov Velmonte contributed a lot of info/data relative to this resumption of operations Of PASAR in previous news releases.

Mercy and compassion

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photo (2)

Too much turmoil all around – war, famine, epidemic, calamity and political unrest. Peace is apparently becoming more and more elusive in spite of the general intercession for peace across the globe beginning with oneself. The Ebola virus disease, though declared by the World Health Organization as treatable, is causing shiver to the people’s bones. This is especially much so that the agency itself reported that the Ebola outbreak is out of control. For now more than 700 deaths were reported since February this year including 60 health workers and 1,363 more down with Ebola.
With these figures on the Ebola outbreak, certain Filipinos released the idea of mass extermination, as in the Hollywood film Outbreak, to contain the further spread of the dreadful disease. To the conservative mind of the God-fearing, the suggestion is uncalled for much less outrageous and revolting. Still, proponents maintain such insinuation as lesser evil than seeing or at least knowing the patients horribly enduring excruciating pain and slowly dying while putting at great risk practically everyone around them, including the health workers. Where is mercy and compassion in this design?
Mercy and compassion collectively sets the tone of Pope Francis’ visit in the Philippines. The Holy See, seat of the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy and located in Vatican City, revealed the theme of Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines that centers on these two virtues, that is “A Nation of Mercy and Compassion.” In a pastoral letter, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, declares, “Our compassionate shepherd comes to show his deep concern for our people who have gone through devastating calamities, especially in the Visayas. He comes to confirm us in our faith as we face the challenges of witnessing to the joy of the Gospel in the midst of our trials.”
To resonate this special drift while Filipinos await the visit of Pope Francis, CBCP president urged the Catholics across the country to pray during the Mass, particularly before the post communion prayer to recite the national prayer for the papal visit,” from August 1 this year to January 14 next year. While churches in the country, have started the prayer, the Archdiocese of Palo where the Pope is said to hold a special mass, a special local prayer could possibly be recited in lieu of the national prayer. Archdiocesan Vicar General Rex Ramirez disclosed that the local church has prepared “our own prayer for the Archdiocese,” which is yet to be approved by Palo Archbishop John Forrosuelo Du.
Mercy and compassion is not just to be carried on in prayer but as the CBCP urged should be couple with acts. The prelates said these acts of mercy, which should be done at least one act everyday, could include giving food, to hungry beggar, visiting those is prison or helping the recovery efforts for the typhoon victims. Obviously, barely thinking of killing the thousands of patients of the Ebola virus disease is not an act of mercy and compassion, much more in doing it so or any lawlessness in the society that further places the aggrieved and deprived in greater jeopardy.

Leyte ready to secure Pope Francis, said official

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TACLOBAN CITY- The provincial government of Leyte has committed to provide all assistance that it can offer regarding the visit of Pope Francis to the Yolanda-ravaged town, said provincial administrator Vincent Emnas.
Emnas said that the Pope’s visit to the province will last for only six hours though it is not yet known on what day he would arive to Leyte during his January 15 to 19 trip to the country.
The pope is expected to arrive at 10 a.m. and fly back at 4 p.m.
“We had informal meetings, though it is not yet confirmed when he is coming, it’s just all verbal, undocumented but we are here to help to make the activity a success” said Emnas.
Emnas said that upon his arrival, the Pope will immediately proceed to venue to preside a mass. The venue, however, has yet to be known.
After which, Pope Francis will visit the Palo Cathedral either to preside a mass or to bless the church which sustained major damage during the onslaught of supertyphoon Yolanda.
Emnas said that Governor Dominic Petilla has vowed to make available all possible assistance that it can give to make the visit of Pope Francis a memorable one.
It is projected that more than one million faithful will visit Leyte to see and hear Pope Francis preside a mass. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

Bidding for construction of school rooms in Leyte’s 2nd district starts, DPWH official said

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TACLOBAN CITY – Bidding for the construction of the calamity-resilient classrooms in Leyte’s second district has already started and actual works is expected to start soon.
Engineer Carlos Veloso of the second engineering district of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), said their office has already opened bids for the second batch of school buildings to be constructed in identified schools in the towns of Tunga, Tabon-tabon, Pastrana, Burauen and Carigara. Another set of bids for nine school buildings is set to be open within the month.

Veloso said these school buildings will follow a new calamity-resilient design to ensure that it can withstand winds of up to 300 kilometer per hour “Lessons from super typhoon Yolanda and with the changing climate is to build stronger school buildings for our children,” he said. A total of 256 classrooms in Leyte’s second district are being targeted for rehabilitation or reconstruction by the 2nd Leyte Engineering District. Partially damaged classrooms were given priority for immediate repair within the 76 areas in various municipalities of Leyte’s second district identified and assessed by the DPWH.

Veloso said that constructing a resilient classroom would now cost to a million compare to the previous cost of P780, 000. Veloso said that the office will enforce strict monitoring of the school buildings to be constructed to ensure that it follows the new calamity-resilient specifications. The new design for school buildings will have bigger footing or base and thicker beams and columns. It now requires a tie beam even for a single-story school. The Department of Education’s answer to strong typhoons is a combination of steel truss roofing, roof framing support that uses J-bolts, thicker roofing sheets and ridge roll, thicker and more reinforcing bars or rebars for roof beams, and a drop ceiling.

The pre-2014 design uses steel rafters for roof framing, teck screws for framing support, and a cathedral type ceiling. The basic features include concrete and smooth finish flooring, smooth plastered walls, painted walls and ceiling, a complete set of windows, two entrances with doors for each classroom, complete electrical wires and fixtures, built-in curved chalkboard, ramps that comply with the Accessibility Law and toilets.(AHLETTE C. REYES)

Despite of Yolanda’s impact Regional economy posted 5.7% growth rate, economic officials said

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TACLOBAN CITY – The gross regional domestic product (GRDP) of the region grew by 5.7% in 2013 largely due to better performance of manufacturing industries, offsetting economic losses from supertyphoon Yolanda. GRDP measures the value of goods and services produced by a region. The GRPD of all regions sums up to the gross domestic product of a country. The regional economy rebounded from a 6.4% drop in 2012 to a 5.7% growth in 2013, contributing 2.2% to last year’s national economy. Evangeline Paran, regional head of the Philippine Statistics Authority-National Statistical Coordination Board, said Eastern Visayas is the eleventh fastest growing region last year, but lowest in terms of growth compare to Central and Western Visayas regions. The industry sector, with a share of 41.1% to the GRDP, posted a 14.1% growth, a significant rebound from 18.8% decline in 2012. This was due to the strong performance in the manufacture of basic metals.

“The brisk performance was a result of resumption of operation of the Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining (PASAR) Corporation. A total of $670 million export revenue was recorded from the Leyte Industrial Development Estate, accounting to almost 75% of the region’s total export earnings,” said National Economic and Development Authority Regional Director Bonifacio Uy.

PASAR managed to improve its export performance after a temporary shutdown due to a fire incident early last year. However, construction subsector only expanded 9.2% in 2013, lower than 29% a year ago. Contributing to the decline was the stricter rules imposed on real estate lending and the tightening of mass housing incentives by the Board of Investments.

“Likewise, the big drop in the total value of new constructions from approved building permits from third to the fourth quarter of the year dragged the subsector gains. This was mainly a repercussion of supertyphoon Yolanda, which prevented the construction of buildings during this period,” Uy explained. In contrast, other key industries registered contraction last year. The services industry, which contributed 38.9% to the region’s production, dipped from 7.3% in 2012 to 4.5% in 2013.

“The drop in the services sector was largely contributed by 18.4% decrease in real estate and business activities due to the large decline in the number of dwelling units that were damaged by last year’s super typhoon,” Paran said. Uy explained that decline in the services sector could have been higher had there been no financial intermediation activities, which consist of borrowing from banks and remittances from abroad for typhoon victims. These activities posted an accelerated growth of 14.6% in 2013. Agriculture contracted by 6.6% in 2013 from last year’s 3%. (SARWELL Q.MENIANO)

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