TACLOBAN CITY – Business group in Eastern Visayas refuted the national government’s recent declaration that super typhoon Yolanda caused the Philippine’s slow economic growth in the first quarter of 2014. In a statement, Eastern Visayas Chamber of Commerce and Industry Robert Castañares, said the economic performance of Region 8, the most badly-hit area by the monster storm last year, was “already at rock bottom, having registered a negative 6.2% growth rate.” “Typhoon Yolanda would not have significantly dragged down our GDP because Eastern Visayas is contributing only 2.3% to it. In fact, we are the only region with a negative growth rate in 2012,” Castañares stated. The EVCCI noted the agriculture and industry sectors in the region were already registering “substantial negative growth rate” even before the storm struck. The farming sector slipped by 3%, while industry sector dipped by 18.5% last year. Economic growth from January to March 2014 is lower than the 7.7% growth in the first quarter of 2013 and the 6.3% growth in the last quarter of 2013. The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) said the relatively slow growth is expected, “given the magnitude of storm destruction in production capacity.” “For us, one of the reasons for the huge decline in GDP was the government’s failure to implement big ticket public construction projects. The government will probably not acknowledge it because it will point to the concerned agencies’ inability to procure and implement much-needed projects like airports and railways,” Castañares claimed. NEDA-8 Regional Director Bonifacio Uy said natural calamities was the major factor that dragged the country’s economic performance since it only affected other regions in central Philippines as well. “For coconut, we are one of the major producers and it is one of the badly-hit industries. Production of coconut oil has stopped since late last year until this month. That would significantly weaken the economic performance,” Uy said. The region’s major oil exporters – Tacloban Oil Mills Inc. based in Tolosa and New Leyte Edible Oil Manufacturing, Inc. in Tanauan, both in Leyte, were badly destroyed by strong winds and storm surges, resulting to long-term shutdown. In the first quarter of last year, the region shipped 28,300 metric tons (mt) of coconut oil, contributing 7% of the 379,470 mt total export for the period. For the first three months of 2014, coconut oil shipments declined by 54% to 174,210 mt, according to the United Coconut Association of the Philippines (UCAP). “The region had zero export since November 8, 2013. The actual volume of shipment of oil processed in the region may not be very high, but many of our coconut processors are suppliers of raw material to oil exporters in Luzon and Visayas. That would justify the region’s contribution to economic slowdown,” said Philippine Coconut Authority Regional Manager Edilberto Nierva. (SARWELL Q. MENIANO)

TACLOBAN CITY-Militant lawyer Argee Guevarra warned President Benigno Aquino that he may see himself at the New Bilibid Prison if he continues shielding his Cabinet members allegedly linked to the multi-billion pesos pork barrel scam which involved over a hundred lawmakers. “He (Pres. Aquino) is accountable, he is not above the law,” Guevarra said during an interview with DzRH on June 12. Guevarra, convenor of the Abolish Pork Movement, added that “if Aquino is serious with his campaign against corruption he should also pursue the allegations of corruption in some of his Cabinet members.” “Aquino’s ‘straight path’ will lead him straight to prison because of his negligence, “he said. Cabinet officials and allies of Aquino tagged in the pork barrel scam include Budget Secretary Butch Abad, Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Sec.Joel Villanueva, among others. Villanueva was charged for malversation of funds in connection of alleged misuse of his pork barrel when was still a congressman. According to Guevarra, Aquino’s job doesn’t only mean running after the opposition party members allegedly involved in the scam but also include making his allies be responsible on the corruption issues being raised. “Ikaw ay maaring humarap sa patong-patong na plunder cases matapos ang iyong termino (You may be facing multiple plunder cases after your term ends),” Guevarra said, also addressing Aquino’s culpability of his Cabinet members being linked to the scam. “If he is not going to correct this, I could see him being thrown into jail. And this would be another national embarrassment, from then President Joseph Estrada and Gloria Arroyo to this new administration, we will see another president being arrested,” he added. (RONALD O.REYES)

TACLOBAN CITY- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration – Regional Welfare Office VIII held its annual Migrant Workers Day on June 7, 2014 at the People’s Center, this city wherein over 500 guests and participants came and actively joined the lined up activities. This year’s Migrant Workers’ Day is celebrated with the theme “Megranteng Pilipino…Magkasangga Tayo sa Kapakanan, Kabuhayan, at Kalusugan Mo.” The celebration started with a zumba dance workout, followed by a Eucharistic Celebration. OWWA was more than thankful for the support of DOLE RO 8, TESDA, POEA, NLRC, and other attached agencies. The message OWWA–OIC Josefino I. Torres was delivered by the OWWA RWO 8 Regional Director Norma C. Del Rosario; while Atty. Roy Buenafe on behalf of the DOLE RO 8 Regional Director Exequiel R. Saucarga, delivered the message of the DOLE Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldos. POEA Rose Jervoso prepared and aired a video presentation “Maging Matalino, Huwag Magpaloko”. A forum “Moving On” was conducted by the head of the Protective Services Unit of DSWD RO 8 Nilda Oliva who encouraged everyone to strive hard after having been devastated by the typhoon Yolanda. According to her, “Challenges are normal. Never give up, just keep going, just keep trying and everything will be alright.”  OWWA commended the PESO managers/OFW help desk officers of various municipalities for supporting the cash-for- work program. ALOBO or the Alang-Alang, Leyte OFW and Beneficiaries Organization was also recognized for being chosen as the “adopted town” of the OWWA Caraga Regional Coordinating Council, the award was received by the PESO manager and the president. EDSP (Education for Development Scholarship Program) and ODSP (OFW Dependent Scholarship Program) are two of the successful scholarship programs, and during the event two of the OWWA Scholars were given honor after graduating Cum Laude.  They are Jelly Ane Diamante who graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at the St. Joseph College; and Barbara H. Dalimoos who graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at the Southern Leyte State University. Both received a Certificate and Cash Gifts from OWWA Central Office. The participants went home with packs of groceries, and shirts given-away by OWWA. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY – The United States government is eyeing a $142.5 million budget to rebuild communities pounded by super typhoon Yolanda last year, concentrating on improving education, health services and livelihood. US Agency for International Development (USAID) Acting Assistant Administrator for Asia Denise Rollins said the US government is renewing its commitment to help central Philippines build back better, after the devastating typhoon. “Our government is committed to help restore normalcy in the lives of the affected families. We will continue our work with our local partners to help provinces build back better, to be more resilient to future disasters, and ultimately work towards a more stable, prosperous nation that can achieve broad-based and inclusive growth,” Rollins said in her visit here last week. For the education sector, USAID will build 165 climate-resilient classrooms and provide teaching kits in the Visayas. At least 10 health facilities will be reconstructed, including the provision of equipment and supplies. Among the sites are Tacloban City, Tabon-tabon and Burauen towns, all in Leyte. The US government is also introducing climate-adaptive technologies to farmers and fisherfolks by training 3,000 farmers on short term food production, crop diversification study, provide tools to 5,000 fishermen on high value marine products production. “We will construct 30 critical infrastructures supporting agriculture and fishing activities. This includes public markets, boat landings, trading centers, warehouses and grain dryers,” Rollins said. Approximately 1,000 sari-sari stores will be constructed and rehabilitated by the USAID and American multinational giants, Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble. The partnership will provide inventory and train store owners on basic store management. This initiative is expected to help restore livelihoods and help stabilize the supply and prices of basic consumer goods in typhoon-devastated communities, Rollins said. Asked when all these rebuilding projects will be completed, Rollins said: “It’s gonna take time because construction firms that cannot work on too many at one time. It’s a long-term effort, but we’re here to stay.” The US government will also provide technical assistance to the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR) in the coordination of recovery efforts. As of April, US has already provided $90.86 million grant for post-Yolanda response. Of the amount, $35 million was from USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), $34.5 million from US Department of Defense, $20.15 million from USAID Office of Food for Peace, and $1.20 million from USAID Philippines. In a USAID report, of the $90.86 million provided by the US government since the typhoon battered the region, 31% have been used for logistics and relief commodities; 28% for shelter and settlements; 23% for water, sanitation and hygiene; 10% for economic recovery and market system, 6% for protection; 1% for risk management policy and practice, and 1% for humanitarian coordination and information management. (SARWELL Q.MENIANO)