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Experts, academicians converged in a conference to address poverty and achieve inclusive growth

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Held in Tacloban City

TACLOBAN CITY – The 5th International Poverty Conference, hosted by Samar State University (SSU) in partnership with Southern Leyte State University (SLSU), brought together local and international experts, policymakers, researchers, and innovators to discuss strategies and solutions aimed at reducing poverty and fostering inclusive growth.
This year’s conference, themed “Empowering Communities through Sustainable Solutions and Innovations: Harnessing Change for Inclusive Growth,” was held here in Tacloban City from October 16 to 17, 2024.

It was attended by officials from various state universities across the Philippines, led by Tirso Ronquillo, president of the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges, who served as one of the plenary speakers.

SSU president Redentor Palencia highlighted that this year’s conference marks a significant milestone, with the number of collaborators increasing to 17 state universities and colleges (SUCs) and higher educational institutions (HEIs), up from just one in 2017.

“We started alone in 2017. Now, eight years later, we have 17 SUCs/HEIs working together to combat poverty in the Philippines. We’ve also partnered with a university from Vietnam, six national government agencies, and two local government units as strong Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) partners,” Palencia shared.

Palencia also emphasized the crucial role of research and partnerships in achieving social transformation. “The power of research and collaboration cannot be undermined, as they create positive and lasting impacts, all focused on one goal—social transformation.”

In his opening remarks, Maximo C. Aljibe, regional director of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED-8), underscored the importance of education in the fight against poverty.
“We encourage students to pursue careers that contribute to economic growth and create employment opportunities,” he said.

Aljibe added that CHED supports research and development projects, particularly those focused on innovation, by funding initiatives aimed at addressing poverty-related issues in agriculture, health, and the environment.

“These projects are not just academic exercises; they have real-world implications. By leveraging the expertise of HEIs, we aim to create sustainable solutions that empower local populations and promote inclusive growth,” Aljibe said.

The first day of the conference featured discussions on poverty alleviation, sustainable development, and the role of innovation.

Speakers included Professor Bryan Marson of the Development Academy of the Philippines and Senior Advisor at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, who spoke on “From Good to Better,” focusing on public service transformation.

The panel also featured Dr. Claire Mapa, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General at the Philippine Statistics Authority, who discussed “Understanding and Interpreting Poverty Statistics in Developing Countries,” Asec. Reynaldo R. Cancio from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), who covered “Monitoring and Evaluation of Poverty Reduction Programs,” and Ronquillo, who discussed the role of state universities as hubs for innovation and community empowerment.

The conference’s partner agencies included the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Commission on Population and Development, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the city of Catbalogan.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

DRTREF 2nd-Year BMLS students embark on educational visit to TCDEO

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Tacloban City— A group of second-year students from Doña Remedios Trinidad-Romualdez Educational Foundation, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS), recently conducted an educational visit to the Tacloban City District Engineering Office (TCDEO) on October 4, 2024. The visit forms part of their academic requirement for the course “Community and Public Health.”

The primary goal of the students’ visit was to gain insight into the various services offered by TCDEO that contribute to public health, particularly in terms of infrastructure safety, accessibility, and its overall impact on the local economy. Through this experience, the students sought to understand how infrastructure projects influence public health and community well-being.

Mrs. Anna Larena C. Samson, Human Resource Management Officer II from TCDEO’s Administrative Section, warmly welcomed the students and guided them through different sections and units, providing a detailed overview of the roles and processes carried out in those offices.

By visiting the various units and sections, the students understood that infrastructure development not only enhances accessibility and economic growth but also plays a crucial role in ensuring community safety—an essential aspect of public health. The students expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to learn from real-world applications, acknowledging that infrastructure, often viewed through the lens of engineering, has a significant impact on public health outcomes.

“We were pleased to welcome the BMLS students and share how our infrastructure projects contribute to public health. By improving safety and accessibility, our work directly impacts the well-being of the community. It was a great opportunity for them to see the link between our efforts and their field,” Ma’am Samson said.
(PUBLIC INFORMATION UNIT)

Paved Brgy. New Kawayan-Sto. Niño FMR now fully operational

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TACLOBAN CITY — Local farmers from Brgy. New Kawayan and Brgy. Sto. Niño, Tacloban City, are now benefiting from the newly concreted farm-to-market road, which was completed on June 7, 2024.

Implemented by the Tacloban City District Engineering Office (TCDEO) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the project was funded with a total contract amount of P20-million under the DAR-FMR 2023 budget.

The paved FMR, spanning 1.418 lane kilometers, aims to provide a safer and more efficient route for local farmers, greatly facilitating the transport of agricultural products to local markets. To ensure that the road remains passable during heavy rains, a drainage system was included to prevent flooding in the area.

“The completion of this farm-to-market road will be instrumental in improving the livelihoods of our farmers in Brgy. New Kawayan and Brgy. Sto. Niño. It will enable quicker transport of their produce, ensuring fresher goods reach the markets,” said District Engineer Rebecca G. Yuse.

The newly completed FMR in the aforementioned barangays will provide farmers with faster and more efficient access to local markets, significantly improving the transportation of agricultural products. The road is expected to reduce travel time and lower transportation costs, benefiting both producers and consumers.
(PUBLIC INFORMATION UNIT)

Leyte 4TH DEO improves PIMO road: smoother rides, safer travel

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ISABEL, Leyte – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) completes the preventive maintenance of the Palompon – Isabel – Merida – Ormoc Road, covering the section from K1098+896 to K1099+946.

This project, funded under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2024 with a contract amount of P48,814,740.00, involved the application of emulsified asphalt, binder course, and wearing course to the existing national highway.

With a total length of approximately 1.025 kilometers and a width of 13.2 meters, the enhanced section now provides smoother and safer travel for motorists. The improvements are expected to reduce vehicle maintenance costs and minimize road-related accidents.

Jerson G. Aquino, a jeepney driver from Brgy. Libjo, Merida, who has been regularly passing through the route since 2006, shared his experience: “Sa una ang karsada diha, lubak-lubak jud. Daghan buak mao na nga lisod pag-agi. Daghan aksidente ana nahitabo. Karon nga na-aspalto na diha sa may Brgy. Binabaye, maayo na ang pagpadagan ug nagamay na ang maintenance sa amo sakyanan.” (The road used to be full of potholes and cracks, making it difficult to navigate. Many accidents occurred there. Now that it’s been asphalted near Brgy. Binabaye, driving is smoother and the maintenance for our vehicles has lessened).(PR)

70 year old arrested for murder in Calbayog City

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ORMOC CITY-A septuagenarian, who had been evading authorities for over 15 years, was arrested by local police and operatives from the Kawayan Municipal Police Station (MPS) in Biliran.

The arrest occurred at around 2:30 pm on October 12, in Purok 4, Brgy. Cagsalaosao, Calbayog City.

The suspect, identified as alias “Vencio,” 70, currently residing with his common-law wife in Brgy. Bagongon, Catbalogan City, had been wanted for murder.

He was apprehended by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued on March 11, 2009, by Judge Bienvenido Montalla, presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court, Eighth Judicial Region, Branch 16, Naval, Biliran.

Bail was set at P200,000 for the two count of murder filed against the suspect.

Upon his arrest, “Vencio” was informed of the charges against him and was advised of his constitutional rights, including his right to remain silent, in a language he understood, as per the Miranda Doctrine.

He was then taken to the Catbalogan City Police Station for booking procedures. Afterward, he was returned to the court that issued the warrant before being handed over to Kawayan MPS for proper disposition.
(ROBERT DEJON)

Philippine Navy and U.S. Navy commence Sama Sama 2024

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Subic Bay, Philippines – The U.S. Navy, ​U.S. ​Marine Corps, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and allied forces commenced the eighth iteration of Exercise Sama Sama in the vicinity of Subic Bay, the ​Republic of the ​Philippines, marking the beginning of two weeks of maritime engagements designed to enhance interoperability and strengthen security ties among regional partners, Oct. 7.

​​Sama Sama 2024, part of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) series, builds on the legacy of ​previous maritime ​collaboration​,​ ​expanding its​ scope of operations​ with​​ both shore and sea phases​.​ ​Participants ​will engage ​​in specialized training across a wide range of disciplines, including medicine, legal operations, engineering, logistics, and public affairs. ​

“This exercise has evolved significantly since its inception. What began as a bilateral event between the United States and the Philippines has grown into a multilateral and multiplatform operation, bringing together like-minded partners from across the Indo-Pacific,” said the U.S. Head of Delegation, Rear Adm. Todd Cimicata, Commander Logistics Western Pacific, and Task Force 73. “This development highlights the strength of our alliances and our shared commitment to peace, security, and cooperation in the maritime domain and it’s never been more important.”

​​Working alongside naval vessels and maritime surveillance aircraft, ​​​​specialized teams​, including ​diving and explosive ordnance disposal units​,​​ ​will conduct high-intensity drills focusing on anti-submarine warfare​, ​anti-​surface warfare​, ​anti-​air warfare​, and maritime domain awareness.

“Sama Sama”​,​ which means “togetherness​” ​in Tagalog, reflects ​​the spirit of the decades-long partnership between allies in the region. Sama Sama 2024, a Philippine-U.S. bilateral exercise with invited allied and partner participants, continues to evolve in both complexity and scope into a more sophisticated and multinational environment with each iteration.

This year​’s​ ​exercise includes participants from ​Australia, Japan, Canada, France​, and​ Japan, representing a collective ​commitment ​to stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Today we witness the deepening of ties between the Philippine Navy and the U.S. Navy along with our partners from Australia, Canada, France, United Kingdom, and Japan” said the Philippine Navy Head of Delegation, Rear Adm. Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta, Vice Commander of the Philippine Navy. “This exercise is a powerful investment for our collective movement and an opportunity to address regional challenges together.”

​​Participating assets​ from the United States​ include the​ Navy’s​ Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83), and a P-8A Poseidon ​maritime surveillance aircraft​.​ ​P​​ersonnel from ​U.S. 7th Fleet​;​ Command Task Forces (CTF) 76, 75 and 72​;​ Command, Destroyer Squadron Seven (DESRON 7)​;​ and the Marine Corps’ ​​Marine Rotational Force​ – Southeast Asia​ (MRF-SEA)​​,​​ are also taking part in Sama Sama 2024​.​

From partner nations, we welcome the Philippine Navy’s BRP Jose Rizal (FF 150)​;​ BRP Waray (LC-288)​;​​ BRP Nestor Reinoso (PC 380)​;​​ a Force Reconnaissance Group, Naval Special Operations Unit 2​;​ and supporting units ​that include​ a medical and media team. ​The Royal Canadian Navy​ will bring the Halifax-class frigate ​​HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331) and a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter​. A​ ​Japa​n Maritime Self-Defense Force​Shin Maywa US-2 amphibious aircraft and Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft​ ​​are​​​ also participating.

“Through exercises like Sama Sama, we continue to improve our interoperability and our readiness while deepening our understanding of each other’s capabilities. This exercise reflects our enduring partnership—one built on trust, shared values, and mutual defense,” said Cimicata. “Together, we will refine our ability to respond to natural disasters, maritime threats, and humanitarian crises, while ensuring the safety and security of this vital region.
This year marks the 30th iteration of CARAT, a multinational exercise series designed to enhance U.S. and partner navies’ abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

As the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed DESRON in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to Singapore​. DESRON 7 also​​ functions as ​the ​​​CTF ​​76 Sea Combat
​​​Commander and​ builds partnerships through training exercises and military-to-military engagements as the executing agent of Commander, Task Group CARAT.

​​U.S. ​7th Fleet is the​ ​Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.(PR)

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