September 17, 2013 1

“in pursuit of PIA’s commitment to provide a national mechanism for the free flow of timely, accurate and relevant information… “

VOL I ISSUE 16 Daily E-Newsletter of Philippine Information Agency - 8 September 17, 2013

2ND eGOV AWARDS FOR LGUs

District Engineer Lino Francisco C. Gonzalez of the 4th Leyte Engineering District together with Assistant District Engineer Irwin L. Antonio and staff during the inspection of the ongoing construction of New Ormoc City National High School. (4th LED/PIA-8)

The Department of Interior and Local Government and the National ICT

Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) will for the second year recognize best local government projects that use ICT to effectively deliver public service. Now ongoing is the search for 2nd eGOV awards for LGUs, an annual search for the best practices in local government units in utilizing information and communications technology (ICT) to effectively and efficiently deliver its public services directly to its constituents and to its business stakeholders. Dubbed as “Jesse Robredo Awards for Excellence in ICT for Good Governance,” the award is in honor of the late Secretary Jesse Robredo of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) who helped initiate the first eGOV Awards for LGUs in 2012 and for his exemplary work as a local public servant in integrating ICT as part of good governance strategies.

The eGOV Awards was developed as a strategic approach to stimulate the country’s e-governance, particularly in LGU level to enable LGUs to become catalysts of change and index models of development anchored in the Philippine Digital Strategy (PDS), the Philippine ICT Roadmap 2011-2016, Mr. Kjell Daren D.C. Aboy of the Eastern Visayas Federation of ICT (EVFIT) said. The awards aim to recognize two (2) major responsibilities of government: The Best in eGov Customer Empowerment (G2C) Award and The Best in eGov Business Empowerment (G2B) Award. The Best in eGov Customer Empowerment (G2C) Award category recognizes the measurable effect of an LGU’s/Line Bureaus outstanding practices in applying ICT solutions in the education and engagement of the public in the use of electronic facilities/channels towards providing improved, timely and relevant

delivery of public services. Meanwhile, the Best in eGov Business Empowerment (G2B) Award category awards the significant effect of an LGUs/ Line Bureaus’ laudable practices in integrating ICT solutions and the commitment of its administration in the bureau’s responsiveness to the needs of business enterprises, thereby creating business opportunities. The eGOV Awards is open to all local government units such as a city, municipality or province, or a cluster of municipalities or component within a province. Only one (1) project may be nominated for each of the two categories to represent the agencies described above. Hence, there can be two (2) projects for both Awards Category. Entry for nominations must be filed by the owner and in charge of the project;must fully comply with the requirements and guidelines of the awarding body including but not limited to the submission of evidences; must be their agency’s website – interactive and/or transactional in nature; must be its first time submission into competitions of this nature to encourage fresh government initiatives; and must have been fully deployed and functioning. Value-added enhancements to earlier initiatives will be considered. The criteria for judging the eGov Awards are innovative management (25 points), Impact (25 points), Relevance (25 points); and Replication potential (25 points). Deadline for submission of continued on page 8

Search is on for

2 September 17, 2013

Assistant District Engineer Irwin L. Antonio of the 4th Leyte Engineering District share his expertise as one of the consultants of the Ormoc Flood Mitigation Project funded under JICA as part of the on-going Comprehensive Field Engineer’s Training Course which include actual field inspections, lecture and the final exam. (4th LED/PIA-8)

An Information Technology (IT) executive from Manila lauded the

local chief executives in Leyte and other stakeholders for the support they have shown during the ICT Roadshow held recently in Tacloban City Convention Center. Mr. Jose Mari Mercado, President and Chief Executive Officer, Information Technology - Business Process Association of the Philippines (ABAP) said during an interview that he was impressed of the participation in the ICT Roadshow of some LGEs, the local businessmen, the academe and other stakeholders. According to him, it is very encouraging to note the commitment, interest and support of the Provincial Government of Leyte through Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla and the City Government of Tacloban through Mayor Alfred Romualdez represented by his executive assistant Mrs. Bernardita Valenzuela and the municipal government of Palo through Mayor Remedios L. Petilla.

Tacloban and Palo now ready for new IT investors

BY: CONSUELO B. ALARCON

“What is important in the ICT Roadshow is the partcipation of all stakeholders” he said. The three officials manifested their support by signing the Pledge of Commitment in the presence of DOST region 8 director Edgardo Esperancilla and other stakeholders during the Kapihan Forum which is one of the highlights of the ICT Roadshow. Futhermore, Mercado said that with the declaration of Palo Leyte and Tacloban City as “newest wave cities” in the Philippines, both places are now ready for new IT investments. He explained the declaration is just like a stamp of Seal of Good Housekeeping. He explained that everytime a new investor asks, they can refer both places as venue for IT investments and it is up to the residents to grab this opportunity. Around 2, 597 participants from different sectors have joined in the ever-successful conduct of the ICT Roadshow in the region. (PIA-8)

Army’s best division served by best commanders

Indeed, the country’s best division is served by the best commanders, as

another top officer of the Armed forces assumed as Division Commander of the 8th Infantry Division (ID), Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City on September 12. Former deputy commander of the elite Special Operations, Brigadier General Jet Joel Velarmino took over the post as 8th ID Commander as Major Gen. Gerardo Layug retired September 12 from the military service after serving the Armed Forces of the Philippines for 37 years. Velarmino is an army general who used to be assigned in Negros provinces, and has been designated as chief of staff of the Philippine Army. The new 8th ID commander praised the outgoing Commander Major General Layug for his competent leadership and commendable performance. Guest of honor and Presiding Officer Major General Samuel Narbuada said that the 8ID is very fortunate of having the best commanders to make it as the best division. The 8th ID was recently ranked as the best division in the entire country, Narbuada added. Meanwhile, in his farewell speech, Layug acknowledged the professionalism and commitment of the soldiers of the 8th Infantry Division and the support and cooperation of the public and the private sector partners who worked with him to make Region 8 a better place to live in and made 8th ID as the best Infantry Division of the Philippine Army for 2012. “We got this remarkable accomplishment because of the continuous support of the civilian, local government units, and all the stakeholders. To our men and women in uniform, I hope that you will keep on serving well our people,” Layug said. With all these successes, the new chief vowed to the people of Samar and continued on page 8

September 17, 2013 3

Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla expressed full support for

the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry in the Province. The statement of the governor was made during the Kapihan Forum conducted recently by the Information and Communication Technology Office - Department of Science and Technology (ICTO-DOST) at the Tacloban Rotary Club Conference Hall. According to him, even during the time of his brother former Governor and now Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla the Province made some initiatives in the industry. As proof, an ICT Park was established in Pawing Palo Leyte where it offers ICT jobs to ICT talents in the region. Being an IT businessman himself, Governor Petilla sees Leyte to be a good venue for IT investors to put up their businesses especially that the Province has been awarded the Seal of Good Housekeeping and being the Most Business Friendly Province in the Philippines for three times. In fact, during the opening program of the Eastern Visayas ICT Roadshow conducted recently in

Leyte guv supports development of ICT industry in Eastern Visayas

Privately hired personnel of NFA-Biliran operate the milling of the locally procured palay in Biliran province in the rice milling machine located inside the NFA-Biliran compound as NFA-Biliran started selling regular milled local rice to the NFA accredited retail outlets in Biliran province starting September 16, 2013. (rvictoria/PIA-Biliran)

BY: CONSUELO B. ALARCON

Tacloban City, it was Governor Petilla who presented and discussed the ICT industry in Leyte. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has conducted the Kapihan Forum in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency, in order to drumbeat support to the Information and Communication Technology (ICT sector) in Eastern Visayas. Topics regarding the readiness of the Province of Leyte and the City of Tacloban as well as talents in ICT industry and other concerns were discussed during the Kapihan Forum.

Around 50 participants from various stakeholders such as LGUs, academe, school heads, school associations, school administrators, local ICT associations, businessmen and other stakeholders participated in the discussion. Several IT executives from Manila were in Tacloban recently for the Eastern Visayas ICT Roadshow where Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte were declared as the” next wave cities” for ICT in the Philippines. (PIA-8)

TWG on Dangerous Drug Abuse Prevention in East Visayas holds 3rd quarter meeting

BY: MARIVIC ALCOBER

A one-day 3rd Quarter Meeting of the Technical Working Group (TWG)

on Dangerous Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program is scheduled to be conducted on 18 September 2013, starting at 8:00 o’clock in the morning. The agenda for the said TWG meeting, which is being spearheaded by the Department of Health – Eastern Visayas, will focus on the updates of the

planned activities for 2013. Likewise, updates on the status of the Barangay Clearing will also be taken up by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). During the meeting, feedback on SALAG Anniversary Celebration will also be one of the agenda, plus the presentation of the draft of the Memorandum of Agreement for the TWG

members. Other matters which may be presented by the members will be open for discussion. Relative to this, the Department of Health – Eastern Visayas called on the concerned invited agencies to attend the said schedule meeting on September 18, 2013. (PIA8)

4 September 17, 2013

Almost 700 individuals aged 2 years and above were examined for

Filariasis in the border municipality of San Ricardo, the exit municipality in Southern Leyte leading to Mindanao Island. The surveillance activity held September 9-13, 2013 was conducted in the evening from 7:00 pm to 2:00 dawn,Provincial Health Services Office-Technical Department Medical Technologist Erwin Malazarte informed. It was held in the border barangays of San Ricardo such as Saob, Bitoon and San Ramon, he said. “It is during these hours that micro-filaria known as Wuchereria Bancrofti” is seen,” Malazarte further said. “Although a fourth barangay, Pinut-an, still in San Ricardo was also examined back because of (1) positive result last May 2013 monitoring, but was already treated and all those tested from the four barangays showed a 100% negative result,” he noted. There were (3) Medical

SoLeyte conducts border operation to sustain Filaria-free declaration

BY: MA. REBECCA G. CADAVOS

Technologists from the PHSO-Technical Department and 1 each from the Rural Health Units of San Ricardo and Liloan who conducted the surveillance activity, Malazarte disclosed. They are Yuladia Pangilinan, Eunice Aida Batalon and Malazarte from the PHSO and Lydia Soson and Fe Ocon from RHU San Ricardo and Liloan, respectively. The surveillance activity is aimed at sustaining the status of Southern Leyte as filaria-free province, not to mention the children who are free from the mosquito-borne disease which was known to be endemic in some provinces throughout the country. It was learned that Southern Leyte was the first province throughout the country declared as Filariasis-Free province since February of 2009 and was sustained until the present. A yearly continuous surveillance among municipality-boundaries was conducted to achieve the target. (PIA8-SoLeyte)

PRO8 anti-illegal drug campaign scores in a fiesta celebration

BY: CONSUELO B. ALARCON

Once again, the anti-drug operations of the Regional Special Operations

Group 8 (RSOG 8) of the Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas scored when an alleged drug pusher was arrested amidst the fiesta celebration in one town in Leyte. This after a buy bust operation was conducted infront of the house of the suspect Gregorio Señase along Burgos St. Brgy. Buntay Dulag, Leyte that resulted to his arrest and the the confiscation of one small heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected “shabu” and the P1000-bill with serial number YV132069 used as buy-bust money. Police Region 8 Director Police Chief Supt. Elmer R. Soria said the suspect has been under close surveillance for weeks by the RSOG 8 and the operatives was just waiting for the proper time to collar the suspect. The arrest happened while the neighbor’s suspect were busy entertaining their visitors who were celebrating the town fiesta in honor of Our Lady of Refuge. “Our operatives were able to lure him into entering a drug deal and that was the ideal opportunity to set up a buy-bust operation,” the police official said. Furthermore, the subsequent search at the suspect’s residence based on search warrant number 2013-09-68 issued by Hon. Evelyn P. Rinos-Lesigues, Vice-Executive Judge of Regional Trial Court Branch 8, resulted also in the recovery of two medium-sized and six small-sized plastic sachet containing suspected “shabu” and several drug paraphernalia. Drug charges have been filed against the suspect and immediately brought to Dulag Police and to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) regional office while the suspected drugs were brought to the Regional Crime Laboratory Office for examination continued on page 8

Medical Technologists in Southern Leyte conduct Filaria border operation, September 10-13, 2013, particularly in the municipality of San Ricardo to monitor and sustain the Filaria-free declaration of the province which was declared since 2009. The random sampling of individuals 2 years and above showed negative results. (rgc/PIA8-SoLeyte)

September 17, 2013 5DSWD: Lasting peace can be achieved through Pamana-SLP

BY: AURORA J. CASIMPAN

The implementation of Pamana-Sustainable Livelihood Program

(Pamana-SLP) in conflict-affected and conflict vulnerable areas aims to contribute to lasting peace by reducing poverty and improving the life of the poor. So says Nestor Ramos, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assistant regional director for operations who explained of the basic concept of the program adding that Pamana-assisted livelihood and capacity building project is “simply a development program where community folks identify the projects and sustain its implementation.” Communities in conflict-affected or vulnerable areas need to organize as a duly selected people’s organization will be provided with ?300,000 community cash grant for a period of three years. The social welfare office provides the technical assistance to an implementing peoples’ organization, and ensure the harmonious implementation of the project including the wise use of the funds. In Eastern Visayas, 28 barangay captains in San Jorge, Samar have signed a memorandum of agreement with the local government unit (LGU) and the social welfare office to implement Pamana-SLP and is now set to lay the groundwork for the implementation of the program. (PIA-8)

Retiring gov’t employees to enjoy early release of benefits through RA 10154

To ensure the early release of retirement pay, pensions and other benefits

of retiring government employees, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III signed recently the Republic Act 10154. This law requires all state agencies to release the retirement benefits within thirty days after the actual day of retirement of a government employee. It also provides for penalties for unjustified delays in the release of these benefits. In line with this, Civil Service Commission (CSC) in Samar will conduct a one day symposium dubbed as “Maginhawang Pagreretiro: Ibigay Natin

sa Isang Lingkod Bayani” at Samar State University, Catbalogan City on September 24, 2013. This is to enhance awareness of the respective roles of all concerned government agencies according to CSC Samar Director Cyril-Nathan Eamiguel. Eamiguel is inviting all the government heads and employees in Samar to attend the said occasion. The role of agency heads, office of the Ombudsman, Department of Budget and Management, GSIS, and PAGIBIG Fund in the implementation of RA 10154 will be discussed in the said symposium. (PIA-8 Samar with Avha Ebalde)

www.pia.gov.ph

6 September 17, 2013

ESamar Provincial GAD ginripaso

Ginripaso hin pira nga mga stakeholders nga natapos sakop

hin duha ka adlaw an kanan probinsya Gender and Development (PGAD) Code.Didto ine ha Hotel Dona Vicenta, ha nakalabay nga adlaw. Pinamunoan han opisina han Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), ha pakig-usa ha triDev ug han opisina han United Nations Population Fund(UNFPA), an workshop nga gin-ngaranan “Convergence of Voices and Efforts in Enhancing Gender and Development(GAD) Code of Eastern Samar” in sugad man naghatag importansya han dako nga kontribusyon han kalalakin-an ha pag-ursa han katilingban, salit, angay daw nga igbulig hira han paghurma han GAD, bisan kun in pira han kalalakin-an in nasirutan hin pakasala kontra hin kababayin-an ug kabataan. Ha ginbuhat nga pagripaso han GAD, nasabtan nga damo han mga

WARAY NEWS

probisyon in haros, magpapreho, asya man ngani daw nga angay gud ripasohon ine, labot la nga niyan pa ine hipasa han tuig 2008, ug ha yana nga panahon, damo na hine an dire haom han mga panhitabo ha sosyedad. Sumala kan Ms. Candelaria Badillo, DILG Operations Officer IV, damo han mga balaud yana ug ordinansa in dire na kapareho han kanan 2008 GAD, asya nga angay ine repasohon. An iba daman nga probisyon in kulang hin mga programa ha panlawas ngan kun paunan-o mababaton an sugad nga mga problema han mga nanay ug kabataan. Pinakadako daw nga pagkulang, an pagtaga Gender Analysis, nga daw dako it mahikokontribwir ha pagsolbar han problema han kababayin-an, kabataan bisan pa han kalalakin-an. Para naman daw kan Board Member Edith Sepulveda, nga amo mismo an dako an nahiamot han pagsurat han

balaud, ug nag sponsor ha Sangguniang Panlalawigan hadto han ira termino, maupay daw nga ginriripaso ine nga GAD, ug positibio an iya pagkarawat han sugad nga tinguha. Malipayon daw hiya nga mayda sugad hine nga akitibidad, karuyag sidngon, pukaw na ada han probinsya hin GAD.Para daw maperpekto in usa nga balaud, kinahanglanon daw in sugad nga pagripaso, partisipasyon ug panginlabot hin iba-iba nga mga stakeholders. Ha tiarabot nga katutnga hit bulan hiton Desyembre, bubuhaton daw in sunod nga pagripaso han GAD, nga bubuligan la gihapon hin mga doctor ha panlawas, mga maestro ug maestra, mga sosyal workers, mga taga singbahan, mga women and child’s rights advocates, kasundalohan han Philippine Army, kapulisan ug media. (PIA-Eastern Samar/Trans:aen)

Waray news: Pangulo Obama han Estados Unidos mabisita han Pilipinas sunod nga bulan

An Pangulo han Estados Unidos nga hi Barack Obama en mabisita han

Pilipinas dida hit iya nakatalaan nga upat nga nasud nga bibisitahon ha iya paglibot han ASEAN nga mga nasud tikang ha Oktubre 6 ngadto ha 12, sering han Malacañang dida han Sabado. “Ha imbitasyon ni Pangulo Benigno S. Aquino III, hi Pangulo Barack Obama han Estados Unidos en mabeyahi ha Pilipinas han Oktubre 11-12,” sering ni Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda dida han Sabado. “Hi Pangulo Obama en makikigkita kan Pangulo Aquino para paghuro-himangrawan an mga pamaagi pagpakuro-kusog han maiha na nga pagkasabot han Pilipinas ngan Estados Unidos, upod an pagpahiro-hilawig han aton seguridad, ekonomeya, ngan relasyon han katawhan. An kan Lacierda mensahe en

nagkumpirma han kanan White House pasabot nga ginpagawas dida han Biyernes mahitungod han kan Obama biyahe ha Asya. Sering han White House nga an US President en mabiyahe ha Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia ngan han Pilipinas tikang ha Oktubre 6 ngadto ha 12 bali kaparti han iya nagpapadayon nga kakumitido pagpahirohitaas han kanan US pakipagrelasyon nga may kalabutan ha political, pan-ekonomeya ngan seguridad han Asia Pacific. Ha Indonesia, hi Obama en maatinder han Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders meeting. An APEC an kanan rehiyon nangunguna nga hurohimangraw para han pan-negosyohan ngan investment integration. Sunod makadto hiya ha Brunei para han US-ASEAN Summit ngan han

East Asia Summit (EAS) ngan makikigkita han Sultan han Brunei. Katapos ha Brunei, an US lider en mapakadto ha Malaysia para makipagkita kan Prime Minister Najib. Tatagan hin duon ni Obama an kanan US nagtitikakusog nga pakig-usa han Malaysia, ngan mahatag hiya han panguna nga mensahe didto han Global Entrepreneurship Summit.An katapusan nga parti han kan Obama Asian nga pagbisita amo an Pilipinas, an ika-lima nga Asian treaty ally nga iya ginbisita ha iya pagkapangulo. Makikigkita hiya kan Pangulo Aquino para utro nga ikumpirma an makusog nga paghisumpay han ekonomeya, relasyon ha butnga han mga katawhan, ngan seguridad ha butnga han duha nga mga nasud, sering han White House. (Trans. by MAA/PIA8)

September 17, 2013 7

An Department of Justice (DOJ) nag anunsyo yana nga adlaw nga tikang

yana, an Bureau of Immigration (BI) diri na puede mag-aro o magpa presenter sin naka imprinta nga kopya sin tiket para sin tisakay nga pasahero sa international ports tipagawas man o tipasulod. An electronic tickets puede gamiton pinaagi san mobile devise phones o tablets. Sayo na liwat ini nga simpli nga pitad para mapa-uswag an pakakuha san pangunahon nga serbisyo san gobyerno, ini an sugad ni Secretary Leila M. De Lima san DOJ. Ipapadayon an pagtrabaho sa ngatanan nga stakeholders para magamit an sentido komon ngan lihikal nga proseso sa aton sestima, sugad niya. An bag-o nga palisiya in nakaplastar san Operations Order Numero SBM-2013-003 nga gintituluhan “Removing the Requirement of Presentation of the Printed Hard Copy of Return and/or Onward Passage Ticket” nga petsado Agosto 12, 2013. An reporma san kompetisyon nagtitikang sa pagsabot nga an tag-gamit ngan konsumedores mao an kasingkasing san bisan nano nga trabaho sa gobyerno, ini an sugad ni DOJ Assistant Secretary Geronimo L. Sy. (Translated by: ADiaz/PIA8-Northern Samar)

Nortehanon Waray News:

Mga personahe sa Airport san Bureau of Immigration gindid-an paggamit san cellphones

An mga personahe san Bureau of Immigration sa Ninoy Aquino

International Airport (NAIA) ngan iba pa nga airports in ginbawalan paggamit san ira cellular phones samtang ada sa duty kaparte san kanan ahensya paningkamot pag ato san korapsyon. Si Immigration Officer-in-Charge Siegfred Mison nag isyu sin sugo sa naglabay nga semana paghatag direktiba san mga personahe san BI sa airports pagdiri sin paggamit san cellphones samtang ada sa trabaho. Ngani, an empleyado ginsusumatan nga igdeposito an ira cellular phones sa locker o sa ira superbisor para sin temporary nga kustudiya. Sugad ni Mison, an phohibisyon naaplikar san ngatanan nga opisyales san immigration nga na assign sa mga airports tipaabot o tipagawas sa nasud kon diin an primary nga trabaho mao an pagkundukto san immigration formalities san yukot yukot nga magbyarahe nga nasulod ngan nagawas sa nasud kada adlaw.

Sakop san gindidid-an adton mga team leaders san kanan buhatan Travel Control Enforcement Unit (TCEU) sugad man an acting immigration officers ngan confidential agents nga na assign sa Filipino counters. Sugad ni Mison, an mga emergency ngan kinahanglan nga tawag puede ituyang pinaagi san cellular phones nga opisyal nga ginagamit san superbisor san empleyado nga naka duty. An namumuno san BI nasugad nga ini pagregulate san paggamit san komunikasyon nga devise in impoprtante paglikay san empleyado nga diri sumulod san diri maupay n ga buruhaton sugad san human trafficking nga human smuggling.Iya ginpahamtang an mga insidente sa naglabay kon diin an opisyal san immigration naimdan san CCTV camera nga nagpapasilidad sa pagsulod sin blacklisted nga langyawanon, ngan pagpagawas sin biktima san human trafficking ngan eskapo nga taga langyaw. (Translated by ADiaz/PIA8-Northern Samar)

Impormasyon para san magbyarahe – Diri na kinahanglan sin naka imprinta nga tickets sa airport

A student gives his impression after the 3-day youth leadership summit for peace at the San Jorge National High School where organizers instilled in the youth the importance of peace. The nation celebrates the 10th year of peace month this September. (pic courtesy of OPAPP)

www.issuu.com/1easternvisayas

8 September 17, 2013

Search is on... from page 1

www.pia.gov.ph

Army’s best...from page 2

entries is on September 30. The awarding ceremony will be held on November 29, 2013 at the Bohol Tropics Resort Hotel in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, which expects more than 60 local government units to be represented, along with representatives from various local line agencies, colleges and universities, and companies. For more information, interested LGUs may call up the DILG office them. (PIA 8)

other areas under his command that he and his men will continue to persevere and ensure reduced insurgency-related issues to realize the government’s economic programs. “I envision that under my charge, the soldiers of 8th ID will keep the genuine spirit of “Bayanihan” alive. I will definitely work by defining the framework of the AFP Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan and the Army Transformation Roadmap (ATR).” The new 8th ID commander is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1982. He also headed the army’s elite troopers who captured the kidnappers of Giuseppe Pierantoni in Zamboanga Del Sur in April 2002. Governor Jose Ong of Northern Samar, Gov Conrado B Nicart Jr, of Eastern Samar, Congressman Emil Ong, Representative 2nd District of Northern Samar, Representative Harlin Abayon of the 1st District Northern Samar, Bishops Isabelo C Abarquez of the Diocese of Calbayog and Emmanuel Trance, Bishop of the Diocese of Catarman and other VIPs witnessed the turn- over of command. ( PIA 8-Samar with Avha Hilario)

and determination of the presence of methamphetamine hydrochloride contents. Soria lauded the PNP operatives for a successful operation and expects the arrest will minimize the proliferation of illegal drugs in the town of Dulag Leyte and nearby areas. (PIA-8)

PRO - 8... from page 4

No order for deployment of 8th ID troops to Zamboanga

Newly-installed commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine

Army (8th ID, PA) based in Catbalogan City, Brig. Gen. Jet Velarmino told in a statement that there is “no order yet from the general headquarters of the Philippine Army to deploy troops from Eastern Visayas to reinforce troops in Zamboanga City.” Government troops are presently battling the Moro rebels to end the weeklong standoff which stalled after days of negotiation for a peaceful resolution of the conflict failed. Meanwhile, the regional office of the Philippine National Police issued a directive to all police units in the region to be on alert level due to the conflict in Zamboanga which might spill over to the region.

S/Supt. Domingo Cabillan, Tacloban City police director informed that security measures in the city has been intensified and the number of police forces increased after the onset of the tension between the military and the Moro rebels. The police and the military in the region are in close coordination in highlighting traffic checkpoints in strategic areas in the city, intensifying security measures on entries, exits and roads leading to the airport, and port areas. Meantime, Muslim communities in the city have expressed contempt on the actions of the Moro rebels saying they want peace and are in the city to do business. They said the Moro rebels are the reason they were displaced. (PIA-8)

BY: AURORA J. CASIMPAN

Dionisio Balili, member of the Board of Director of the Samahan ng Mangingisda San Binaliw (SMB) shows the visitors the dried seaweeds (guso) that they process into pickled seaweeds along with bottled sardines in Binaliw, Calbayog. DTI Regional Director Cynthia Nierras (through the First Shared Services Facilities) turned over processing equipment to SMB last week. (NBQ)