Japan turns over daycare center, national agri school to Yolanda victims

This is a press release from the Embassy of Japan.

TURNOVER. Japan reconstructs daycare center and national agricultural school in areas devastated by Yolanda. Photo by the Embassy of JapanTURNOVER. Japan reconstructs daycare center and national agricultural school in areas devastated by Yolanda. Photo by the Embassy of Japan


MANILA, Philippines - The government of Japan turned over a reconstructed daycare center and national agricultural school to the Government of the Philippines in a ceremony held on January 13, 2015 in the Municipalities of Guian and Balangiga, Eastern Samar for the Japan-funded Quick Impact Projects underUrgent Development Study on the Project on Rehabilitation and Recovery from Typhoon Yolanda.

The ceremony was attended by second secretary of the Embassy of Japan Koji Otani and the chief representative of JICA Philippine office Noriaki Niwa. The daycare center turn over ceremony was also attended by the vice mayor of the municipality of Guiuan Rogelio Cablao.

The national agricultural school turn over ceremony was also attended by the mayor of the municipality of Balangiga Viscuso de Lira, the deputy director general of TESDA Teodoro C. Pascua and the regional director of TESDA region 8 Cleta M. Omega. In each ceremony, the representatives of recipients expressed their deepest appreciation.

The Quick Impact Projects is composed of projects which targets restarting of economic activities, reconstruction of daily lives, and strengthening of capacities in implementing supportive measures of government organizations.

This turnover is the first one among 15 such projects.

Besides daycare centers and national agricultural schools, regenerating livelihood through the introduction of disaster-resilient submersible fish cages, promotion of local products to improve livelihoods, improvement of municipal capacity for disaster-resilient construction management through reconstruction of public markets and some other projects are going to be implemented.

In addition to these Quick Impact Projects, hazard maps, resulting from field surveys and scientific analyses based on storm surge, wind strength and flood data, which were turned over to 18 LGUs affected by Yolanda last month, will be used in reviewing the comprehensive land use plans of LGUs with technical support from the study team.

Japan, as the top Official Development Assistance donor to the Philippines as well as a disaster-prone country itself, has supported the Philippines’ disaster mitigation efforts by sharing its experiences and lessons learned from past natural disasters.

This project, with its policy of “Build Back Better,” is expected to further foster the strategic partnership between the two countries and serve as a model for other disaster-prone areas of the Philippines. - Rappler.com


Historic town in E. Samar declared “insurgence-free”

Written by Ricky Bautista 

http://www.manilachannel.com/2013/02/02/historic-town-in-e-samar-declared-insurgence-free/


CATBALOGAN CITY – The Armed Forces of the Philippines continues to gain grounds in Eastern Samar province, one of the most NPA-infested in the country, as more towns were classified as “insurgency-free” development-ready areas.

Lt. Col. Napoleon Z De Vera, Commander of the 14th Infantry (Avenger) Battalion on Friday said the historic town of Balangiga was the latest town added to the list of the manageable conflict-affected and development-ready (MCA-RDA) areas.

The Balangiga town became historic when Filipino freedom fighters attacked US 9th Infantry Regiment killing some 48 American soldiers in year 1901. Three church bells were taken by the US Army as “war booty” following the Balangiga incident during the Philippine-American War.

In 2012, the towns of Taft, Maydolong, Balangkayan, Hernani, San Julian, San Policarpo, Sulat were declared as manageable conflict-affected and ready for development. Declared as insurgence-free are the towns of Salcedo, Guiuan, Mercedes and Borongan City.

The joint-declaration was signed by the military officers of the 8th Infantry Division and the Local Government Units representatives.

“We cannot forward without addressing peace and development. We won’t progress without maintaining and preserving peace and order, and there could be no peace in us without putting development programs in our town,” said Quinapondan town mayor Nedito Campo.

Campo commended the military, police and the Estehanons for achieving a very peaceful community. Other officials also thanked their respective constituents.

Samar provinces, as well as Bicol, Davao, Caraga and Negros provinces, are among the remaining NPA-infested areas in the country.

To date, the AFP declared the provinces of Ifugao, Aklan, Apayao, Kalinga, Nueva Viscaya, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Biliran, Cebu, Bohol, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, South Cotabato, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Cavite, Marinduque, Romblon, Guimaras, Siquijor, and Northern and Southern Leyte as insurgence-free areas.

The military claimed that from a peak of 24,000 revolutionary fighters in mid-1980s, the group’s strength has dwindled to 4,000 red fighters due to battle losses and surrenders.

The Communist Party of the Philippines however disputed this claim saying the NPA revolutionary forces were steadily growing in strength as proven by their recent ambuscades and attacks to the government forces.

Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., AFP spokesman said that the military’s new anti-insurgency strategy, the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan, has been very effective and has made significant headways as far as ending the insurgency is concerned.

Since the implementation of IPSP Bayanihan in Eastern Visayas 2 years ago, a number of NPAs surrendered to the Philippine Army. The IPSP program is a “holistic” strategy and “people-centered” approach and less on armed confrontation in winning back the hearts and minds of the people.


Eastern Samar marks 111th Balangiga Encounter Commemoration; DepEd's Asec. Umali is Guest of Honor

By REYNAN RIVERA


All roads led to the historical town of Balangiga, Eastern Samar as it marks its 111thBalangiga Encounter Day on September 28, 2012. 

DepEd Asst. Sec. Tonisito Umali (center) is the guest
of honor of the 111th Balangiga Encounter Commemoration
at the town's plaza on Sept. 28, this year. Joining him are
(l-r) Army Col. Romeo Labrador, Cong. Ben Evardone (LP,
Lone District, E. Samar), Balangiga Mayor Viscuso de Lira
and Quinapondan Mayor Nedito Campo. BRYAN AZURA
The historical event which is an official non-working holiday in the entire province of Eastern Samar was commemorated with a simple ceremony and different cultural activities. Among them was the “Dugong Bayani” which is a bloodletting activity held on the opening day of the weeklong celebration. Then the four days Agro-Industrial Fair which runs from September 26 to 29, Jobs Fair, Quiz Bee, LarongLahi, Poster Making Contest, Multi-Hazard Drills and Harana Contest which was held in front of the Balangiga Encounter Monument. 

Department of Education Assistant Secretary, Tunisito Umali who served as the guest of honor spearheaded the ceremonial wreath laying with Col. Romeo L. Labador of the 801st Brigade 81D of the Philippine Army together with Eastern Samar Congressman Ben P. Evardone and Mayor Viscuso De Lira of Balangiga. 

In his opening message, Mayor De Lira expressed his sincere gratitude to those who joined them in the commemoration of the 111th Balangiga Encounter Day and his earnest desire for the return of the Balangiga bells looted by the American troops on the church belfry after the bloody onslaught on 1901. De Lira also urged everyone to remember what the brave Balangigan-on forefathers have foughtt for during the said era. 

“Today, we are fighting a new war not only to liberate ourselves for the bondage of freedom and injustice, but we are fighting a new war against poverty,” De Lira said. 

In his message, Eastern Samar Congressman Ben Evardone suggested to make the Balangiga Encounter commemoration a month-long activity not only in Balangiga but to have the re-enactment of the said event be staged in every municipality in the province and also in Eastern Samar State University campuses. According to Evardone, this is to educate the children and the people on the relevance, importance and the lessons of the Balangiga Encounter. 

Evardone also commited P500,000 for the expenses of the said roadshow that will tour the entire province and P1 million pesos for the improvement of the Balangiga Encounter Monument. 

Meanwhile, Asec. Umali commended the actors and actresses of the Balangiga encounter re-enactment composed of students and pupils of the different schools of the municipality. Umali also congratulated Cong. Evardone for his commitment and support of the Balangiga Encounter and also said that he will do his best to include the said historical event in the curriculum. 

source:

 

3 impact projects to receive funding worth $434-M

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Feb 27 (PIA) -- Three big impact projects in Eastern Visayas will receive a total of $434 million from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), an innovative and independent U.S. foreign aid agency helping fight global poverty.

Officials of the MCC which signed a five-year, $434 million compact with the Philippines, will arrive in Eastern Visayas on February 28.

Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 8 Director Leticia Diokno said that the MCC officials will be led by MCC US Washington Senior Advisor Office of the CEO Cassandra Butts.

Director Diokno said that the guests will proceed to Alangalang in the province of Leyte on February 28 for a MOA signing for the implementation of the KALAHI-CIDSS project in the area.

While in Alangalang, the guests will conduct an orientation on the MCC Anti-Trafficking undertakings. This will be participated by members of the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking in Persons and the Regional Committee on Anti-Violence Against Women and Children.

In the afternoon, the visitors will visit the town of Balangiga, Eastern Samar, a beneficiary of the MCC Makamasang Tugon Program which is given to successful graduate-implementers of KALAHI-CIDSS.

All the 13 barangays of Balangiga will receive P450, 000 worth of projects but only three particularly, Barangay Poblacion I, Poblacion 6 and Barangay Bacjao will be visited,  Diokno said.

MCC’s $434 million compact with the Philippines is focused on reducing poverty and promoting economic growth through three impact projects namely:

The KALAHI-CIDSS with a total funding of $120 million, aims  to enhance community-level infrastructure and social services and strengthen the capacity of local communities to identify, prioritize, design, and implement development projects focused on improving the lives of the poor.

The Revenue Administration Reform Project with a funding of $53.4 million hopes to raise tax revenues and reduce tax evasion and revenue agent-related corruption by increasing the efficiency and sustainability of revenue collection by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

The Secondary National Roads Development Project with a $240 million funding will reduce transportation costs through the rehabilitation of an existing 220- kilometer road segment on Samar Island.  This Project will bring about savings in vehicle operating costs and time for both passengers and goods, and increase commerce in and between the provinces of Samar and Eastern Samar. (PIA 8)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1141330313882 

Balangiga CeC: A HotSpot for the Balangiganons

Written by Claire P. Fernandez                                                                              Monday, 06 December 2010  

The Municipality of Balangiga in Eastern Samar, famous for the Bells of Balangiga, formally opened its Community eCenter to the public last October 20, 2010, in line with the Children’s Month celebration. 

Equipped with 5 computers, 2 web cameras and a 4-in-1 printer, the new CeC is located inside the Municipal Library, powered with a wireless connection. Its residents can use their laptops, Wi-Fi phones, and other suitable portable devices to connect to the internet.

The CeC would be an avenue to access the widest libraries available online. Among the services currently offered by the Balangiga CeC are internet surfing, encoding, printing, photocopying, scanning, business and calling cards creation and designing. The CeC also boasts of being the first to offer video editing and layouting services. Computer tutorial and trainings will also be offered early next year, stressed by the CeC Manager, Kenneth Gales.

The Balangiga CeC promises to offer its services at a reasonable price. In fact, it is the constituents of Balangiga who would greatly benefit from this project.

Hon. Viscuso deLira said that the Balangiga CeC will indeed empower the Balangiganons. He also added that in this fast-paced world, computer literacy among children and the adults are essential for progress. Research and communication to loved ones would just be a click away. He added that he would not be surprised if the younger generation would be the ones to excel in this world of information technology since they are the ones who are always willing to explore and learn new high technological advances.

The services offered by the CeC is a fulfillment of the present administration’s vision of making the Balangiganons globally competitive. They sincerely extend their heartfelt gratitude to NCC for helping them realize this vision. 
 
 
 

 Balangiga farmers get 5 water pumps from PGMA project

By ALICE NICART (PIA Eastern Samar)
May 21, 2009

BORONGAN, Eastern Samar  –  Palay harvest in several barangays of Balangiga, Eastern Samar can be expected to improve after the Provincial Government through Governor Ben Evardone implemented here the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo thrust on food security.

In a simple ceremony on Tuesday at barangay Cag-olango, Gov. Evardone endorsed five water pumps to the town’s chief executive, Mayor Viscuso De Lira and to the rest of the Sangguniang Bayan and barangay Officials.

“Each pump is estimated to gather water and irrigate five hectares of rice lands,” Evardone said in his talk. With five of these pumps, we can expect better palay production next or in the coming years,” he added.

“However, this turn-over ceremony of this vital farm facility is just a tip of the ice berg in as far as sustainability of the irrigation is concerned,” the governor warned the farmers in the audience.  He said that monitoring in the proper use and maintenance of the system must be the major concern of the farmers.

He also noticed the impassable road leading to the barangay where they were seated, so the Governor likewise promised to bring in assistance, giving priority first to the construction of two steel bridges from President Arroyo under her “Tulay ng Pangulo” program.  Evardone vowed to provide better road network up to the farthest hinterland which is barangay Guinmaayohan.

“It is inspiring to help you folks because your initiatives as the smallest LGU is incomparable. You, having been recognized for your Outstanding Performance in the Makamasang Tugon is a manifestation that you are united for the common good,” Evardone enthused.

He mentioned that, Cag-olango unlike many barangays, has recently achieved a perfect score in toilet constructions for each of their households. Thus, the barangay will receive a P20,000 provincial aid which they can spend for the construction of their Day Care Center which is still absent in the said community.

                                                                                                                              

                                              Source: http://www.samarnews.com/news2009/may/f2217.htm 

                                                                            Photo by: Kenneth Gales

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