DepED Administrative Officer Nimfa G. Beltran informed that effective November 12, 2009, the OIC-RD is Dr. Rose Marie Felicidad V. Saet.

The DepEd Administrative Officer called on all the government agencies, local government units and other education stakeholders and clients to please address all communications to the new OIC of the Regional Office at the Department of Education Regional Office 8, Government Center, Candahug, Palo, Leyte.

The Office of the Regional Director was vacated after the retirement of Director Sol Matugas on October 21, 2009.

Director Matugas has always been a well-loved director of Education who was for two terms, the President of the Department of Education Regional Directors Association.

Since Director Matugas’ assumption as the DepEd 8 Regional Director, she led the Region towards the quality education for the youth of the Region.

Her achievements and accomplishments for the good of the education sector in Region 8 is unprecedented.

She was able to motivate the school administrators, the teaching force, the students and all the education stakeholders to give their top-level performances.

Thus, Region 8 has always been topping National Assessment Tests up to this date. (PIA reg.8)

Director Caneda said that the Department of Agriculture has chosen 15 flood-prone rice farms in Region 8 for propagation and cultivation of 16 submergence tolerant rice genotypes.

The 16 submergence tolerant rice genotypes can withstand a two-week flood unlike the usual varieties that are damaged after only three days of being submerged in floodwaters, RED Caneda disclosed.

Of the 15 pilot areas, about 12 are farmer-managed. These include 6 farm-lands in Palo; 3 in Sta. Fe, 1 in Pastrana; 1 in Tacloban City; and 1 in Babatngon, all in the province of Leyte.

Three pilot areas are researcher-managed, RED Caneda added. These are in Sacme, Tanauan, Leyte; 1 in Dolores, Eastern Samar and 1 in Northern Samar.

Last week, a Field Day was conducted at Barangay Sacme, Tanauan, Leyte which was attended by representative from DA Region 8. The highlight of the Field Day is the report of the farmer that stated which of the varieties well thriving so far and what methods he used in propagating the varieties.

God-willing, the farmers in the pilot areas will have their first harvest of submergence tolerant rice before the end of November or early December.

Based on the experiences of the pilot areas, the Department of Agriculture will be able to determine which of the 16 genotypes is best for the Eastern Visayas Region, Director Caneda said.

RED Caneda disclosed that 11 % of the Regions total farm lands or about 16,720 hectares of rice land in Eastern Visayas are vulnerable to flooding.

These vulnerable rice lands in the Region are being targeted for cultivation of 16 submergence tolerant rice genotypes, the good Director added.

“Most of the farmers in these areas depend on rice farming for their livelihood and majority of them do not have access to up-to-date information,’ he said.

Director Caneda stressed that by planting the new genotypes of rice will reduce production cost and income losses of farmers due to frequent to frequent devastating typhoons and flooding.

Director Cañeda disclosed that in June to November 2008, a study was conducted by DA at Brgy. Cangumbang, Palo, Leyte and Brgy. Buntay, Oras, Eastern Samar to find out which among of the 16 varieties are tallest, matures early and highest yield.

Participatory varietal selection-researcher managed was conducted in farmer’s fields. Called as “mother trial,’ the activity evaluates in detail the adaptability of the different rice genotypes.

Three to four genotypes were found to be promising in the region are now being tested by the farmer themselves in their respective fields, Director Caneda said.

Eastern Visayas, along with Bicol and Caraga regions, has been identified by the Department of Agriculture (DA) as area most prone to flashfloods.

The first submergence-tolerant rice variety in the Philippines was released during the 27th Council Secretariat Meeting on July 7 this year.

The “Submarino 1′ variety is a non-genetically engineered rice plant that can survive, grow and develop even after 10 days under water, The variety was infused with submergence tolerance gene (Sub1), which was discovered by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the University of California-Davis from an Indian rice variety FR13A.

“We are talking here of a potential near zero harvest to a harvest of three to four tons per hectare when farmers use this variety. This is a big bonanza for farmers and for additional rice supply in the market,” RED Caneda said.

Farmers using this variety would spend less for fertilizer because farmlands would have more nutrients because of the “banlik (silt)’ brought by floods, he said. (PIA Reg.8)

Police Chief Superintendent Mario R. Sandiego said that he just received a copy of the executive order which stipulated the extension of the gun amnesty period from November 1 to 30, 2009.

Director Sandiego said that during this extension period, individual and juridical entities may renew their expired firearms licenses or register their unregistered firearms with the Philippine National Police.

Gun amnesty is a part of the Philippine National Police’s ongoing efforts to keep guns off the streets, Director Sandiego said.

Director Sandiego disclosed that the amnesty period has been extended because many prospective registrants in remote areas of the country requested for more time to register their firearms.

The processing of firearms has been adversely affected by the recent tropical storms that hit hard most parts of Luzon, Director Sandiego said.

Director Sandiego called on the gun owners whose licenses have already expired to renew their licenses during the extension period.

During the gun amnesty one month extension period, individuals possessing illegal or unlicensed firearms could turn them over to the Philippine National Police without fear of repercussion, Director Sandiego said in a statement sent to the media by Police Community Relations Office Chief Manuel Cubillo.

For more information regarding the extension of the firearms amnesty program, interested persons may contact Police Chief Inspector Orlando Gardiola at telephone number (053) 323-4794. (PIA

Director Uykieng informed that the Bureau is currently conducting geohazard assessment in the province of Samar, particularly at the City of Calbayog and in the municipalities of Gandara and San Jorge.

Director Uykieng further disclosed that upon completion of the geohazard assessment, the results of the geohazard assessment are forwarded to the concerned local government units and to the regional, provincial, municipality and barangay development coordinating councils to guide them in disaster management planning.

The Local Government Units and the local disaster coordinating councils help the DENR in disseminating the results of the geohazard assessment to the target sectors and communities.

The provincial disaster coordinating councils and the municipal disaster coordinating councils conduct training on what to do before, during and after the occurrence of disasters in their respective areas of jurisdiction, Director Uykieng added.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is concerned in the provision of information to the Local Government Units and the various local disaster coordinating councils from the Region to the province, to cities and municipalities up to the barangay level on the specific barangays which has low, medium or high susceptibility to flooding, landslides and other forms of geologic hazards.

The Local Government Units and local disaster coordinating councils are the ones in charge of the mobilizing and giving advisories to the communities on what to do in times of calamities, Director Uykieng explained.

The good director added that Region 8 has a total of 4,390 barangays. Of this total number of barangays, about 442 barangays have been found to be located in high risk areas. About 763 barangays in the Region are situated in medium risk areas while about 754 are located in low risk areas to landslide. The MGB is currently doing map interpretation process of the Flood Hazard Maps to categorize barangays into low risk, medium risk, and high risk flood prone areas, Director Uykieng concluded. (PIA

ORMOC CITY – A subsidiary of Energy Development Corporation has assumed operations of the 112.5MW Tongonan 1 in Kananga, Leyte and the 192.5 MW Palinpinon I and II in Negros geothermal power plants after it acquired the two energy sources from NPC in September.

Green Core Geothermal Inc., the EDC subsidiary, acquired the two NPC operated power plants in an auction conducted by Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) in September this year with a bid of P3.3 billion.

PSALM awarded the government owned energy sources to GGCI after the latter successfully completed the conditions required in the Asset Purchase Agreement of the former.

In a turn-over ceremonies at the EDC head office in Fort Bonificio in Taguig City and streamed live in Tongonan I power plant in Lim-ao village in Kananga, Leyte, Green Core employees at the plant took off their black jackets revealing the EDC’s green logo.

EDC chair Oscar Lopez with dignitaries and the company’s top officials led by CEO Paul Aquino turned over the ceremonial P3.3 billion check to PSALM.

EDC also acquired the PNOC in Kananga and Ormoc.

In a speech, Tongonan manager Simeon Go, said there is a big challenge in the transition from the government owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) to privatization,

“(But) the impossible has become a possibility and achieved by adopting the vision and mission of EDCs with the effort of the Palinpinon power plants. Welcome to the Kapamilya,” said Go.

Started in 1983, Tongonan 1 which comprises three 37.5 MW supplies electricity to Leyte and Samar. While the Palinpinon plant consists of two power stations – Palinpinon I and II, which are five kilometers apart, comprises three 37.5 MW steam turbines for a total rated capacity if 112.5 MW, supplies power to Negros and Cebu.

Kananga mayor Elmer Codilla personally attended the turn over ceremonies at the EDC head office in Fort Bonifacio.

In Kananga, vice mayor Macario Lumangtad led local officials and guests attended the affair.

Lumangtad could not hide his happiness over the privatization because not of the realty tax but the royal tax which runs into millions of pesos.

He said the mayor was in Manila to talk with the Department of Energy and LGU Fund officials for planned acquisition of garbage compactor, fire truck and electrification program of Kananga.

Tanauan LGU Budget Officer, Mr. Marcelino Mueva and his seaman son Mendele, who were guests in yesterday’s episode of Harampang Ha PIA, aired the appeal for and in behalf of the parents of the remaining crew of MT Lovell Sea which has been detained, together with its 23 all Filipino crew in Nigeria since July 26, 2009 for alleged violation of Cabotage Law of Nigeria.

The father and son guests tearfully appealed for help from the highest official of the land who they believe can help bring home to the Philippines the 14 crewmen who are still being detained at the tanker, about 5 nautical miles away from Lagos shores.

The plight of the Filipino seaman has been virtually unknown by the Philippine Government until September 26 when Mendele Mueva, 26, of Tanauan, Leyte, made separate very urgent text messages to his father, his mother and his wife which stated: “Please call, very urgent.”

His parents immediately called him up but could not hear him well. As they have been doing since the capture of the tanker, Mr. Mueva sent cellphone load to their seaman son so that he could call them up.

Mendel, a deck officer, has been in constant contact with his family ever since the MV Lovell Sea. For the first time, the son who has always told his family the crew is doing well in Lagos, confessed that they are running out of food supply, they thrive on rainwater, the refrigerator of the ship was out of order and that they are just using an emergency generator based on a schedule.

Sometimes, the principal sends in a week-supply of food but the crew is not sure when the next delivery is, so they tried to just eat “lugaw” and viand, so they will not run out of food.

To make matters worse, the crew has not received wages since June and so many of them cannot afford to buy their ticket for home if they decide to jump ship.

At about the same time, the older Mueva received a call from Captain CA Adolfo, the father of the tanker’s Chief Mate Francis Adolfo, who told him that they (parents of the crewmembers) should meet so they could make moves to help the repatriation of their sons from Lagos, “otherwise, it might be too late.”

On October 5, with the help of the DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs and the POEA Repatriation Unit, Adjudication Office, the manning agency in Manila, EVIC and the principal, Archipelago Ships Management SA gave the assurance that the members of the crew who which to be repatriated will be assisted.

Originally, 19 of the 23 crewmembers signified their desire to be repatriated. The other crewmembers are considered as “management” so they could not leave the ship. However, upon the promise of payment of the back wages after the crew has brought the tanker to Bangladesh, the ten decided to stay.

The nine crewmembers, one of who is Mendel, arrived in Manila on October 17. On the 19th, they made a courtesy call to USEC Conejos of DFA and to the POEA and OWWA. The other crewmembers who arrived are Merito dela Victoria of Cebu, who arrived just in time to bury his 23-day dead father; Leonardo Saldana; Eduardo Manaot; Don Brian Pallera; Fernando Cruz; Manuel San Juan; Arnold Rebuyon; and Reynan Palmes.

Mendel arrived in TAnauan, Leyte in the afternoon of October 20, happy that he is back with his family but at the same time thinking of his comrades who are still aboard the MT Lovell Sea, two of who are from Eastern Visayas, Chief Mate Francis Adolfo from Abuyog, Leyte and oiler Kenneth Kent Macabata of Sogod, Southern Leyte.

He believes that the President can help his friends because she has been doing a lot for the benefit of the seafarers who are considered one of the best seafarers in the world.

The Indigenous Shipowners Association of Nigeria (ISAN) arrested the foreign vessel Mt. Lovell Sea a 30,000 metric ton tanker vessel with 23 all-Filipino crew, for alleged breach of the Cabotage Act. This is the second vessel the ISAN has arrested. The first vessel was MT Makhamed by ISAN “because the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has not risen to their responsibilities.”

The Federal High Court in Lagos made a landmark order restraining Lovell Sea Carriers and the Master of Lovell Sea from obtaining port clearance for the Lovell Sea or from sailing or causing the said vessel to leave her present location at the Ibafon I Jetty Apapa Port in Lagos and to remain in the custody of the Admiralty Marshall, pending the hearing of the Motion on notice.

In his order, the judge also directed the Nigerian Navy to secure the vessel and to provide regular patrols to prevent the respondents from leaving the jurisdiction.

Life aboard the MT Lovell Sea in Lagos has become unbearable, the crewmembers said. The condition was such that there was insufficient food; no supply of fresh water as the little water they have is dirty rain water collected on deck and rationed 15 to 30 minutes per day; non-operational air conditioning unit due to limited fuel; defective reefer system; much delay in allotment remittance causing the families of the crew to suffer.

One crewmember’s children have stopped studying; another crewmember’s family were unable to pay their house rental; other families cannot afford to join the other parents because they have no money. (PIA Region VIII)

CATBALOGAN, Samar — Daram, a Samar island town gets road funding from the Agrarian Reform Community Project Phase 2 (ARCP 2).

This was bared by Teresa Tijol, Information Officer of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Samar.

On October 22, Daram Mayor Lucia Astorga received the good news with her constituents.

Some seven thousand Daramnons will benefit from the road network.

Ms Nenette Abinguna, DAR Officer for Beneficiaries Development and Coordination Committee (BDCC) together with other DAR employees sailed to Daram to bring the good news and orient Daramnons as to their obligation in the project implementation.

The road project stretches in the three barangays of Mabini-Mayabay and San Roque; it is 3.6 kilometers with a funding of P 20.2 M.

Said project is a grant but if not maintained properly will transform into a loan which the LGU will pay.

“It is important to orient the beneficiaries, their roles in the development project,” said Abinguna.

Meanwhile, Daram LGU gives a 60% equity or counterpart of the total project cost.

“The road project is just the beginning,” said Abinguna.

“More development projects will reach Daram in no time, because we have observed how serious the LGU is,” opines another DAR executive.

Daram ARCP project was launched in September 2008 in time for Daram’s founding anniversary, from then on, Daram LGU personnel and DAR officials have worked seriously and closely to make the project a reality.

Asian Development Bank, the Philippine government, OPEC fund for International Development and Daram LGU co share the funding.

Others ARCs that stand to benefit from ARCP 2 are Villareal ARC, Calpinset (Calbiga-Pinabacdao Settlement), Pagsanghan Strategic ARC and Tarangnan (St. Francis ARC). (PIA-Samar)

Mayor Samaco is a pioneering member of the Associated Media of Southern Leyte (AMSL) and former columnist of a local newspaper.

His column, Missions And Sights And Motions, will be read regularly at thereporteronline.com.ph.

Read on!

TACLOBAN CITY — Former Presidential Assistant for New Government Centers Victor “Vic” Domingo will assume his new post as Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Domingo took his oath of office last Thursday morning (October 22), at Malacañang Palace before Secretary Eduardo Ermita.

He will replace former DPWH Sec. Hermogenes Ebdane, who resigned a day earlier to run as President in 2010 elections.
Soon after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo accepted Ebdane’s resignation, she called up Domingo (who was in Tacloban at that time) to ask him to head DPWH.

“Who am I to refuse the President if she feels I am the right man to help his administration run the highways department? Especially if she feels that I can do more in helping our economy become stronger if I’ll be in my new post,” Domingo said on his appointment.

In an exclusive phone interview with Domingo he said that the focus of his leadership in the Highways department is the rehabilitation of damaged vital infrastructures in the whole country.

During yesterdays press briefing in Malacañang, Domingo emphasized that whatever is the most important project in DPWH that would benefit more Filipinos he will be focusing on that.

When asked to comment about the possible repair of the damages left by typhoon Ondoy and Peping especially in northern part of Luzon, Domingo replied that he will just do whatsoever is realistic to work on in the span of 253 days of Arroyo’s administration.

Sec. Domingo also said that he will be more focused in building roads and bridges that are interconnected with the economic progress of the country.

Domingo assured the people of Eastern Visayas that he will be fasttracking the entire road networks in the region that are in the programs of DPWH right now and which have been funded already.

He pointed out the road networks in Eastern Samar, particularly the Lapinig- Arteche road.

Meanwhile when asked to comment by the national media on the proposed term-extension of the President, Domingo safely answered that according to the existing laws of the government, PGMA’s term will end on June 30, 2010.

Domingo is the former Presidential Assistant for Eastern Visayas.

He is an accountant by profession, who heads the Department of Trade and Industry in Region 8. He obtained his Masteral degree at the University of the Philippines.

THE MAN BEYOND REPROACH

Dominggo was the 1st DTI director for Eastern Visayas during the late President Corazon Aquino’s leadership.

He was with Gloria Arroyo as under secretary during the latter’s leadership in the Trade and Industry Department (DTI) on former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada’s administration.

He was also instrumental in opening the college of commerce in region-8 state colleges and universities particularly in University of the Philippines  –Eastern Visayas campus, where he served as Dean at the same time.

It was during Arroyo’s 1st year Presidency when Domingo was again appointed as Presidential assistant for Eastern Visayas.

Years after he was again appointed as presidential assistant for New Government Centers.

“I’ve been serving in government for more than thirty years already,” Dominggo lamented.

Domingo is a native of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. Married to a Leyteña Prescilla Villasin. They had three children. One of them is Geraldine Domingo who became a councilor in Tacloban.

Dominggo is a business administration degree holder and a certified public account (CPA).

He engaged in many business ventures, like farming and real estate, which are all successful to date.

He is Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez’ golf partner, and was able to reconcile his friendship with the former city Mayor Alfredo “Bejo” Romualdez.

At the same time, he maintained his good rapport to Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla and all the known politicians in Leyte such as the Loretto’s, and Veloso’s.

“ I see to it that I am in good terms with all the leaders and politicians in region-8  so that we can work together for EV’s progress,” Secretary Domingo summed up. (with reports from Ronald Reyes)

ORMOC CITY – An exhibit showcasing the latest in construction needs will be held for the first time in this city at the Superdome on October 23-25.

Engr. Javier Arradaza, sec of ORBA (holding the microphone) stresses the needs of environmental friendly construction materials which is among the highlight of the construction show on starting Oct. 23-25 at superdome. also in photo are (from left to right) Bebot Ong, ORBA Pres. Joseph Frederick Pepito, Arradaza, Engr. Jovencio Laurente, Angr. Jun Villarmino, and ORBA member Judith Llanza. Photo by Obet Dejon

Engr. Joseph Frederick Pepito, president of the Ormoc Builders Association (ORBA), which is organizing the show, said the three day show will display the latest in construction materials benefiting the construction industry and its end users.

“It has been the vision ORBA to hold this kind of endeavor so that the city’s end users would be aware of the latest in construction materials, which they could choose from to their taste,” Pepito said during the press conference held at Pongos hotel Saturday.

He added, the show would benefit the consumers since the suppliers would explain every details of their product like what they did in other construction shows in the country.

ORBA board member Engr. Jovencio Laurente said that the exhibit will also showcase products that are environment friendly.

Construction suppliers are now focusing their products to be environment friendly because it is the clamor because of the climate change, added.

Engr. Laurente pointed out that the suppliers of construction materials will educate them on how to be conscious about nature.

Engr. Javier Arrazada, ORBA secretary also pointed out that at present construction products manufacturers, especially in paints, has already created environmental friendly products.

It’s a little bit expensive compared to the traditional paints, but these paints don’t leave smells. This should be good in offices, Arradaza said.

The smell, he stressed, could create a substance that is very destructive to the environment as this contains carbon dioxide.

Engr. Pepito assures the products suppliers that even if the city is so small for that kind of activity (construction show) the place is adjacent to the Province of Biliran, Three congressional districts of Leyte and Southern Leyte.

He said all elected officials of the towns in the three districts and the two provinces have been invited.

For his part, Mayor Eric C. Codilla lauded the builders association, saying the show would be a big help not to the constructors themselves but to consumers.

“I hope the people will support this activity because this is the first time in this part of the region to offer this kind of show,” Codilla said.