TACLOBAN CITY –Apparently driven by fear for his life, Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa temporarily holds office at the town police station starting Thursday (August 25).
Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido, Albuera police chief, said the mayor occupies their investigation room as he sought for a protective custody from the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The beleaguered town mayor asked for protection after unidentified gunmen shot dead his lawyer, Rogelio Bato, Jr. on Tuesday (August 23) in this city.
The lawyer, tagged as high value target by the regional police is Espinosa’s legal counsel and lawyer of the mayor’s son Kerwin, the alleged top drug lord in the region.
The embattled mayor arrived at the police station around 9 a.m. on Thursday. A mattress was later delivered to his room where he will also stay overnight.
The mayor’s room is next to the police chief’s office.
“We can assure the mayor’s safety inside the police station,” Espenido said.
The local police provided chairs and a desk for the mayor to be able to work. On Monday (August 22), Espinosa met with Espenido for the first time after the latter’s assignment on July 18.
The meeting lasted for five hours. The mayor allegedly linked to illegal drugs trade, formally sought police protection on Wednesday (August 24) as he executed an affidavit disclosing names of government officials protecting drugs trade in Eastern Visayas region.
Espenido welcomed the decision of the town mayor to ask for protective custody.
“This will assure as that we can arrest him immediately once warrant of arrest against him is released by the court.”
The police earlier filed cases against Espinosa for illegal drugs and illegal possession of firearms.
Espinosa surrendered to PNP Chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa on Aug. 2 few hours after President Rodrigo Duterte demanded for his surrender and Kerwin within 24 hours or face a “shoot on sight.”
The son remained at large. After four days, Dela Rosa kicked out Espinosa from his official residence after the son failed to meet the deadline for him to surrender.
The mayor was admitted in a hospital in Cebu after he left Camp Crame on Aug. 6. He returned to his hometown on Aug. 16 and stayed at the town hall day and night for about a week before he asked for police protection.
(SARWELL Q. MENIANO)
Mayor Espinosa occupies town police station
Tacloban to launch emergency response system program
TACLOBAN CITY-To effectively respond to emergency and disaster situation, the city government of Tacloban through the leadership of Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez will formally launch an emergency response system this Friday (August 26) at the City Hall Kanhuraw grounds.
Dubbed as the “Community Climate Guide & Response (CCGR) System,” the program will use a text blast scheme to inform local residents of emergency advisory in times of calamities and disaster at the same time in emergency and in critical situation, they can immediately report their conditions.
Mayor Romualdez will lead in the launching of the program.
The city chief executive, too concerned of the safety and welfare of the residents, aims to achieve a zero casualty in times of disasters like typhoon and earthquake through the implementation of the CCGR System.
Using the nine key words provided for, namely: weather, classes, fire, police, Tacru, typhoon, tsunami, earthquake and evac, a person can simply register by texting: REG <space> FULL NAME <space> COMPLETE ADDRESS and send to 0920-900-0911 (for smart/talk n text/sun) and 0977-808-0911 (for globe/touch mobile), and to text HELP for the complete list of keywords or call its HOTLINE 88-0911 (PLDT).
Registration is free.
The scheme will honor only one number per registration, multiple registration using the same number will not be valid.
The system can also be access through its official CCGR Facebook account and the CCGR.TACLOBAN.GOV.PH website.
The CCGR system is a 24/7 emergency service which tap city emergency service response provider such as the Police, Tacru, City Fire Department and its City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) members chaired by the City Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez to immediately in times of disaster.
As part of the priority program of Mayor Cristina, the CCGR system envisions a systematize emergency scheme for Tacloban aiming a zero casualty in the city during a disaster.
The scheme was being piloted within the city work force recently to test its system. ((Photo by: RONALD ORCULLO/GAY GASYPAY, TISAT/Kanhuraw Media Team)
Mondejar Schlueter named among world’s most outstanding Filipina women
TACLOBAN CITY- A native of this city who is now based in Europe has been named as one of this year’s most influential Filipina women. Bernadette Mondejar Schlueter is to receive the prestigious award coinciding the 13th Filipina Leadership Global Summit to be held on August 21-24 at Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu City. The high-powered summit is organized by the Female Women’s Network (FWN), a non-profit organization based in California,USA. Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Loren Legarda are among the distinguished speakers in the three-day event. The highlight of the summit is the awarding of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in 2016 (Global FWN 100) on August 23 who count the 44-year old Schlueter as among the awardees.
The Filipina women who are to be recognized are those who made a difference through their leadership and influence at their respective fields and communities globally creating a change in the world of Filipinas in diaspora. Schlueter, 44, who is from Tacloban City, is the only one with Filipino ancestry from Eastern Visayas nominated to the prestigious award. At present she is based in Casteau, Belgium working as principal of Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) American School at North Atlantic treaty organization (NATO) for two years now. Shape Elementary School is under the Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) is one of the 181 schools in 14 districts located in 12 foreign countries, seven states, Guam and Puerto Rico.
SHAPE is the biggest of the 13 international schools in the NATO installation in Casteau, Belgium. There are 600 students enrolled in the school with the large percentage of Americans and the others are students from 28 NATO member countries and 22 partnerships for peace nations. Schlueter, who is an educator, also served as assistant principal at CDR William C. McCool Elementary/Middle School in Guam; worked as a teacher in Korea and Japan, and as the school administrator of JE Mondejar Computer College in Tacloban City. She was named as Korea District Teacher of the Year in 2012 and awardee of the Scroll of Appreciation from US Forces Korea General Walter Sharp in 2010. Schlueter was nominated under the Builders category by Leonor S. Vintervoll, founder of Philippine Women’s Organization Resource Center based in Oslo, Norway. Vintervoll was a Global FWN Awardee in 2015
Builders, according to the FWN website, have demonstrated exceptional business impact at a large workplace environment; displaying deep passion for a cause through collaborative initiatives or alliances with corporations or nonprofit organizations on behalf of her own organization; demonstrates high potential and skill with measurable result. (VICKY C.ARNAIZ)
Crop insurance: Vital in building back agriculture economy of Eastern Visayas
TACLOBAN CITY-The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) was created through Presidential Decree 1467 on June 11, 1978 by former President Ferdinand Marcos “to provide insurance protection to farmers against losses arising from natural disasters as well as plant diseases and pest infestation.”
It is designed to protect farmers against financial losses by transferring the risk to a third party.
“I believe farmers, like all other sectors, were convinced on the importance of getting an insurance to shield them from losses after the onslaught of Yolanda. You saw what happened here,” Digamon added.
Digamon said it is important for the farmers to have this assurance especially that Eastern Visayas is not only a typhoon-prone area but also prone to drought and pest infestation.
“They can easily start anew because PCIC pays for their investment. Without crop insurance where will they go? If they have a loan at the bank, we pay the bank and this will allow farmers to borrow again from the bank,” he said.
PCIC is offering a free insurance to encourage more farmers to avail of this service.
One has to be listed in the Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSBSA), a joint project of PCIC and the Department of Budget and Management, to avail of this service.
The RSBSA is a nationwide database of baseline information of farmers, farm laborers and fishermen from identified provinces, as well as geographical coordinates of agricultural and fishery workers households.
These data are used as basis for developing programs and policies for the agriculture and fishery sectors.
The database also identifies the names of small owner-cultivators, land holders, tenants, and regular and seasonal farm workers.
Despite the free insurance, though, “penetration rate” or the ratio between agricultural insurance premium volume and agricultural GDP remains low.
“Our penetration rate in rice is around 10 percent,” says Digamon without providing the exact data or an explanation on how the figure was arrived at.
He said this is a low figure considering that the insurance offered to farmers is for free. He explained that farmers who are not listed in RSBSA will have to pay the full premium.
“This is one reason why a farmer would not apply for an insurance. They would rather spend the money to buy food and other needs than pay the premium,” he said.
Leyte mayors group reelects Mayor Javier as prexy
TACLOBAN CITY- Promoting development in the countryside and increase the share of the internal revenue allotment (IRA) for local government units are just two of the priorities that would be pushed by the Leyte mayors.
This was disclosed by Barugo Mayor Maria Rosario Avestruz who was elected as the information officer of the League of Mayors of the Philippines- Leyte Chapter.
Avestruz, who is serving on her first term as mayor, said that during the organization’s election held on Monday (August 22), Javier Mayor Leonardo “Sandy” Javier was reelected as president.
This will be Javier’s second term as president of the group.
Also elected were Palo Mayor Remedios “Matin” Petilla as vice president; Dulag Mayor Joy Mildred Que, secretary with Mahaplag Mayor Daisy Lleve as her assistant; La Paz Mayor Lesmes Lumen as treasurer with San Miguel Mayor Cheeryl Enrica Esperas as his assistant; Palompon Mayor Ramon Oñate as auditor; Calubian Mayor Doroteo Palconit and Dagami Mayor Abundio Delusa as sergeant-at-arms.
Also elected as board of directors were Tanauan Mayor Pelagio Tecson Jr., for first district; Burauen Mayor Juanito Renomeron for second district; Tabango Mayor Bernard Jonathan Remandaban for third district; Kananga Mayor Rowena Codilla for fourth district and Hindang Mayor Betty Cabal for fifth district.
The new set of officers of the Leyte mayor’s group was inducted into office by Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla.
While Leyte has 41 town mayors, only 30 were present during the Monday’s election. Among those who were absent was embattled Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. who is fighting allegation on his involvement on illegal drug trade.
Leyte has 21 new mayors of which 13 of them are women.
According to Mayor Avestruz, the thrust of their group under Mayor Javier, is to request the national government to increase the IRA shares of the local government units, especially those categorized in the fourth to sixth classes which depends much of the funding coming from the national government and encourage more investments in the countryside.
“By promoting investments in the countryside not only these areas will (economically) develop but will also help stop people leaving the provinces to find work outside,” Avestruz said.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
Grafil officially assumes as president of the Rotary Club of Leyte Gulf
TACLOBAN CITY- Last August 19, 2016 at Hacienda Verde, Utap, this city, was a special day for Rotary Club of Leyte Gulf as it was the 12th Induction of new set of officers of the Club for the year 2016-2017. The new set of officers are the following: President-Dalmacio C. Grafil; Vice-President-Wilfred A. Diu; Treasurer: Jose E. Clarin; Secretary: Humberto S. Franco; and Club Directors Emmanuel K. Veloso for Club Administration; Loreto T. Yu for Public Relation; Daniel G. Matriano for Membership; Francisco Andrade for Community Service; Cesar E. Lee for New Generation; Ralph A. Salazar for Rotary Foundation and Reynaldo B. Alip as Immediate Past President.
The Rotary Club Leyte Gulf conducted several medical missions in Quinapondan, Eastern Samar, Naval, Biliran and Tabango and San Isidro, Leyte. It distributed bags and jogging pants to Tagpuro Elementary School in Tacloban City; donated 2 electric fans to Sto. Niño Sped Center also in Tacloban and school supplies to Capirawan Elementary School at Palo, Leyte.
President Dalmacio Grafil, the newly inducted president of Rotary Club Leyte Gulf, emphasized that the Rotary Club will unify as one driving force to which our community and help better the lives of those that need most. Its primary focus is on youth and education and the development of young people in our schools and local organizations. The Club needs to contribute new ideas but above all, to participate in developing those ideas into real life projects. He asked for the active participation and inspired contributions of every member while he pledged to work and strengthen the Club as its President. He said he is humbled by the confidence given to him as president of the Club. It only means that he is taking a greater share of responsibility to the Club and its members. He is looking forward to projects that will provide opportunity to highlight the Club and to work best when we have a common project to unite all members. As the Rotary motto says “Rotary Serving Humanity.”
The highlight of the activity was the presentation of the three adopted Children of RC Leyte Gulf which is the brainchild of Rotarian Jean Marechaux. Leyte Gulf adopted the children Sandie Centula, 17 years old, a 3rd year high school student; Chosua Centula, 13 years old and 1st year high school; and Cindie Centula, 11 years old and Grade 6 pupil.
They were introduced to John Marechaux six years ago by Daisy Labanta and Josh Zyss. Jean knows that the children needed special attention and help. They were on their own as their mother died from disease and their father married another woman and has a new family somewhere in Tacloban City. They supported themselves by going to dumpsite located near their place by selling Kangkong and asking food from neighbors. They quit school for one year and mere encouraged to go back to school They are new enrolled at the Lucio Vivero Memorial School at New Kawayan, Tacloban City. These adopted children of RC Leyte Gulf will be given food, rice, potable water, clothes and medicines if needed. They viel also by provided with complete school uniform and school supplies. During the induction ceremony, the members of RC Leyte Gulf donated the amount of P6,000 for their miscellaneous expenses in going to school. Indeed this is one act that shows that “Rotary is Service Humanity”.
Congratulations to all the officers and members of Rotary Club Leyte Gulf. (JOEY E. CLARIN)