Cong. Mian Files Bill Creating 2 Congressional District (To Page 2) More Development Seen with Two House Seats, 1 Province Provincial Officials Led by Gov

Maasin offers cash to get drug pushers

The city government here has dan- gled a P 10,000.00 money in cold cash to informants who can help the police arrest suspected drug pushers in a legitimate buy-bust operation that leads to filing of a legal case in Court. The project, called Reward Sys- tem for Drug-Free Maasin City, was launched September 1 during the Ta- September 1-15, 2015 Media Center, 2nd Flr., Capitol Bldg. Vol. III, No. 5 nod Congress held at the city gym. The event coincided with the obser- vance of the National Crime Preven- Cong. Mian files bill creating 2 congressional district (to page 2) More development seen with two House seats, 1 province Provincial Officials led by Gov. Roger G. Mercado take their oath September 7 at the By Bong Pedalino residence of Presidentiable Mar Roxas. Provincial Board Members , Municipal Mayors The lone district lawmaker of this province has filed House Bill 4066 which seeks to and SP-Ex Officio Member PABC Nacional Mercado join the oath-taking. divide the province into two congressional districts using the same geographical division now used for members of Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Having two congressional districts for this province will spur growth and development, which in turn can mean wider access to gov- DAR launches ernment services reaching more people. farm business This was the motive behind the initiative school of incumbent Lone District Representative Da- A Farm Business School (FBS) was mian Mercado when he filed House Bill 4066, launched last week by the Department a measure which had hurdled first reading in of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Barangay Hantag that would help agrarian reform Congress. beneficiaries (ARBs) build knowledge “With two congressional districts, there will and skills to make their farmlots more be two representatives working for the welfare, profitable. Program Beneficiaries Development Di- for the good of the province and of its people,” vision (PBDD) chief Melecia Ong, who repre- Cong. Mercado said in an interview last week sented DAR Regional Director Sheila Enciso at the sidelines of the Tanod Congress at the on this occasion, explained that the “school” is an on-site training where the farmers will not city gym. only learn about high value crops production, “I had asked the committee on local gov- but in the marketing of their produce as well. ernment, the main requirement is for a district The participants who are expected to become agricultural entrepreneurs later on to have a population of 250,000, consultation will be developing their own 500-square me- with Mayors, and a plebiscite,” he added. ter lot under this project, she added. The last census of Southern Leyte in Barangay Hantag, which is part of the Maasin Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) 2010 put the overall population at 420,000 was fortunate to be included among the 15 people. sites nationwide selected for this project. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is Each site is provided with P128,000 for the conduct of this season-long training. currently undertaking a nationwide census, the In partnership with the Department of results of which will be used as the official basis Agriculture (DA) thru the Agricultural Training if the province of Southern Leyte can qualify to Institute (ATI), FBS will run for 25 sessions. Thirty-one farmers, all ARBs and mem- divide into two congressional districts. bers of the Hantag Farmers Multi-Purpose In the ongoing census, he called on the Cooperative, Inc. (HAFAMCI), attended people to include in the count here their sons the first session after the formal launching of the project here. and daughters who are in other places but are Resource speakers during the first still single. session were Lucita Galleto from DAR, If the bill will be overtaken by time espe- Virgilia Barrientos and Nida Tagana, both from the City Agricultural Services. cially with the holding of elections next year, Ong stressed that this project is Mercado said he will request a certification among the various support services ex- Pictures paint a thousand words from the PSA that the required number was tended to ARBs under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) aimed reached so his initiative can move on. at increasing farmer’s income and likewise Barangay Tanods get praises, insurance cards contribute to food security as well. (DAR8)

The frontliners in keeping the peace and order at the barangay level for the DILG to Limasawans: Sustain SGLG honor seventy barangays of this city -- more than 500 individuals -- converged at the city gym, September 1, for the fifth and final leg of the provincewide Tanod Congress. The head of the Department of In- Moments earlier, Noval, together with For their efficient work in their respective areas, the barangay tanods were hon- terior and Local Government (DILG) in Limasawa Mayor Melchor Petracorta, ored with heart-warming messages from Chapter, explained some benefits in hav- the region challenged local officials and DILG Provincial Director Juan Badocdoc, the civilian leaders and police officers, ex- ing the cards, like P 5,000.00 hospitaliza- residents of the historic island-town of municipal and barangay officials, unveiled tolling their humble work as the police’s tion, and burial assistance amounting to Limaswa to maintain the status for hav- the SGLG marker that was installed at the force multipliers, and handy assistants for P 40,000.00 in case of death, citing several ing earned the Seal of Good Local Gov- right side entrance of the Limasawa munic- just about any official errand in the ba- actual cases that the cards were useful. ernance (SGLG). ipal hall, witnessed by students, teachers, rangay. The premiums for the year-long in- Director Pedro Noval of DILG-8 issued Pantawid beneficiaries, and several Senior the challenge in a conferment ceremony Citizens. They also got insurance cards courte- surance coverage were secured by the Wednesday, September 9 at the town’s “The SGLG marker is proof of team- sy of the Philippine Red Cross - Southern provincial government, while the uni- gym in barangay Cabulihan here, where work among the governed and those who Leyte, good for one year from September forms and other gadgets, for the Maasin he congratulated everyone for passing the govern,” Noval said in his message, in 1, 2015 to September 1, 2016, for a 24/7 tanods, will be taken cared by the city SGLG. which he stressed the challenge for “LGU coverage should anything happens to government, said National Mercado, Pro- He even compared the LGU to a col- officials and people to sustain the gains at- their lives during on or off duty. vincial President of the Liga ng mga Ba- lege student who graduated as a Summa tained.” Jonas Maco, OIC Chapter Adminis- rangay. Cum Laude. Limasawa had the singular distinction trator of the Red Cross Southern Leyte (to page 2) (to page 2) Vol. III, No.5 TEXTBLAST NEWS ESTORYAHI! Willie Justimbaste No build zone near electric lines Reminders in Public Service Media practitioners, Information Officers from Leyte and Southern Leyte When elected officials are sworn in and assume office, they al- towns were asked to help disseminate and assist respective municipal most always promise to be responsible and responsive leaders to engineers to prevent construction of houses near transmission lines. It their constituents and those they serve, even calling them their “boss- should not be within 7.5 meters from transmission lines to be safe from es”. Whether their voices are heard or heeded by public servants, a electrocution, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said fave adjective, that’s another story. But history keeps repeating itself during the Power 102 Seminar conducted last September 1 and 2 at St. every after and coming elections, inaction and mediocrity in between. Mark Hotel, Cebu City. (esg) With another electoral contest just around the corner, we can expect the passive to be active and the unseen to be visible in the New DPWH office location corridors. There is no limit for non-performing assets to claim credit for the undone and sky is the limit for owning what one did in his ab- sence and dereliction of duty. They will come cheaper by the dozen DPWH-Central Office releases P 25.5 Million funds for the construction this season, hoping to again delude gullible voters. But again, this is of the Southern Leyte District Engineering Office (SLDEO) to its new part of the democracy we take so much pride in and proclaim as leg- location at Area Equipment Service compound in Ibarra, Maasin City, acy of our forefathers. District Engineer Ma. Margarita Junia said. The two-story building with On the other hand, appointed officials and employees in gov- floor area of 525 square meters will rise within the said 10,000 square ernment also take their oath to be responsive and responsible work- meter compound. (esg) ers in public office. Among such traits and character they must have are sensitiveness and sufficient sensibility in facilitating the efficient and effective operations of government machinery. No renewal As it is always stressed by top honchos, human resource is the greatest wealth of governance. So care and concern should be exer- DPWH-Southern Leyte no longer renewed the contract of 16 job order cised to assure fruitful labors in the bureaucracy. Fair and just com- employees found positive with illegal use of drugs, while 6 regular em- pensation, workers’ benefits and privileges, safe and healthy envi- ployees were referred to Saving Lives at a Common Ground (SALAG) ronment as well as timely payment of salaries and wages should be Center for treatment and rehabilitation in Dulag, Leyte, DE Junia report- among the priority commitments of those entrusted with these con- cerns. We owe it to the horses to bring them the hay on time while ed. She further said that it is up to the treatment and rehab center while they still breathe. This is not asking too much if we are just responsive waiting for the opinion of Secretary Rogelio Singson. (esg) and responsible. World class dive sites Barangay Tanods... (from page 1) Southern Leyte’s Sogod Bay dive sites have been promoted as an Un- Cong. Damian Mercado in his in- money of P 10,000.00 is given to anyone who derwater Macro Photography Destination during Dive Resort Travel spirational message emphasized that he can pinpoint a drug pusher and haul him or Show at SM Megatrade Hall September 11-13, 2015, Department of can relate very well with the conditions her to court following a police buy-bust op- Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Karen Tiopes reported. There are 25 of the barangay tanods for he once served eration. once as a Punong Barangay. He offered Samaco let loose a string for a hanging dive sites in Sogod Bay, such as those found in Padre Burgos, Malit- to automatically renew the coverage for tarpaulin proclaiming the reward system. bog, San Francisco, Limasawa, and Pintuyan managed by foreigners. another year, from September 1, 2016 to Cong Mercado and other provincial officials (esg) September 1, 2017, to the loud cheers and assisted him. applause of the intended beneficiaries. The day also ushered in the celebration Department of Justice (DOJ) Justice of Crime Prevention Week, September 1-7, Award-expectant Secretary Leila De Lima, the supposed guest with the theme “Krimen ay tuldukan, Kara- speaker, was unable to come at the last min- patan ay Igalang,” said the newly-assigned City Mayor Maloney Samaco is hopeful that the Maasin City BJMP will ute due to security reasons, Nikko Mercado Police Provincial Director P/Sr. Supt. Nice- announced. rio Obaob. be able to get the national Red Orchid Award for managing a no-smok- Gov. Roger Mercado was also not Obaob, who replaced P/Sr. Supt. Marni ing jail after garnering the regional award of the same endeavor. He is around for he was in other places outside Marcos two weeks ago, heaped high esteem optimistic that just as the city government got the Hall of Fame of Red the province for an official business, it was on the tanods, praising them for their sacri- learned. fice in patrolling the barangay especially at Orchid Award, so the city jail will follow suit. (esg) City Mayor Maloney Samaco used the night, as front line partners of the police in occasion to launch the reward system for a the community level, and as force multipliers drug-free Maasin City, in which a reward to complement the police units in the field. Maasin offers ... (from page 1) DILG to Limasawans: (from page 1) tion Week. as the first-ever LGU among the 18 munici- wa passed the three main indicators on City Mayor Maloney Samaco, along with Cong. Damian Mercado, PNP palities in the province to garner the SGLG, disaster preparedness, social protection, Provincial Director P/Sr. Supt. Nicerio Obaob and City Chief of Police Sr. Supt. and with it the LGU can access the Per- and good financial housekeeping, plus Avelino Doncillo let loose a hanging tarpaulin proclaiming the prized reward formance Challenge Fund of Php 3 Million. one of three other indicators on business “The check is ready for release pending competitiveness, peace and order, and en- to show that the system was on. compliance of documents submission until vironment. “Most of the heinous crimes committed in the city and neighboring plac- September 30, and I will come back person- By next month another round of SGLG es were caused by the use of illegal drugs,” Samaco said in his brief message, ally to give the check to the Mayor,” Noval evaluation will be taken for 2016 and Noval driving home the point on the need to enlist the cooperation of everyone in the said. expressed high expectation for Limasawa community so the illegal drugs menace can be checked. He cautioned that the reward money to keep the record. should not be used for municipal construction “The SGLG marker will be taken out In a radio report the day after the successful launching, news reporter but can be utilized for disaster preparedness. if the award will not be sustained,” Noval Zaldy Olita announced that the city government has set aside a budget of P In a follow-up interview with Mayor Pe- said, although in an interview later at Padre 300,000.00 to back up the said program. tracorta on what project they may have for Burgos during the return trip he qualified Also in the same news program, Sr. Supt. Doncillo declared that with or the P 3 Million prize, he said he will still call a that the statement was more of a chal- without the reward system the Police is duty-bound to go after pushers of ille- meeting with the local development council, lenge, again, than a threat. although he pledged to beat the September SGLG is the latest in a series of gal drugs. 30 deadline for submission of papers. awards reaped by the LGU. Others includ- Doncillo also clarified that the reward money will not be theirs to keep but In last year’s evaluation, which also took ed awards on Nutrition, Galing Pook, Ra- will be given to civilian informants. place in September and October, Limasa- bies-Free, and Breastfeeding. Page 2 September 1-15, 2015 Vol. III, No.5

POWER EXPOSURE: Private media practitioners along with their counterpart government information officers of LGUs and line agencies from Leyte and Southern Leyte, are all eyes and ears (above) during the Power 102 Seminar held at St. Mark Hotel, Cebu, September 1 and 2, sponsored by the National Grid Corporation of the Philip- pines (NGCP). They were also treated to a tour of NGCP’s sophisticated facilities. Below, the traditional pose for posterity -- and for facebook posts. TIME TO SHINE FOR TANODS: Barangay Tanods from the 70 barangays of Maasin City arrange themselves for a group portrait with top leaders of the city, province, and police officers, during the Tanod Congress September 1 (topmost photo). The tanods were cited for their role in keeping the peace and order at the barangay level. Above photo shows, the City and Provincial Officials, together with the Police, stand at attention at the start of the ceremonies. The occasion also served as the launching venue of a reward system initiated by the city government to capture traders and users of illegal drugs, as the message of the hanging tarpaulin at right clearly shows.

MULTI-AWARDED LGU: Limasawa Mayor Melchor Petracorta stands beside a wall framing four awards the LGU garnered: Nutrition, Galing Pook, Rabies-Free, and Breastfeeding. Add to this list the Seal of Good Local Governance (inset), the latest award, with DILG Regional Director Pedro Noval unveiling the marker at the side entrance of the municipal hall (right). September 1-15, 2015 Page 3 Vol. III, No.5

By: DANIEL C. MATURAN STO. NIÑO FESTIVAL MAGSOGOD SA ISLA SA LIMASAWA NAGKAGRABING KASO SA PAGPANGAWAT SA DAKBAYAN – GI- Mantahan, Maasin City - Mahimong mas mainila na ang isla sa Limasawa sa natad sa TUTUKAN KARON NI MAYOR MALONEY SAMACO kasaulogan sa Sto. Niño Festival sa sugbo sa tuig 2016. Kini maoy gitug-an ni Ms. Ida M. Sy, Plan- ning Officer dinhi sa atong lalawigan sa milabayng semana atol sa iyang pagdu-aw sa buhatan ni Gobernor Roger G. Mercado. Matud niya, adunay kutay sa kasaysayan nga kaniadtong tuig 1521 sa Hugtanong tutukan ni Mayor Maloney Samaco ang nagkagrabing dihang milanding ang tropa ni Ferdinand Magelan sa maong isla pagsusi kon aduna bay mga tawo problima sa dakbayan nga mao ang pagsaka sa ihap sa kasong pag- nga nagpuyo sa Limasawa, dala-dala na niini ang emahi sa batang Sto. Niño (Jesus). Apan sa wala panglungkab ug pagpangawat. Kini ang iyang gibutyag atol sa gipa- pa mopadayun pag nabegar ang mga ekspedisyon (navigator) mihimo kini og kasaulogan sa misa higayung senimanang panagtapok sa mga nagpakabanang sector sa kay nahiatol man ang maong adlaw sa pag-saulog sa pagkabanhaw ni Jesus. Maasin. Dugang pa sa Mayor, nga iyang palihukon ang grupong iyang Sa pagkakaron gi-ila na sa mga nagdumala sa Sto. Niño festival sa sugbo, ilabina sa re- gitahasan sa magbantay sa palibot panahon sa kagabhion lakip na ang liheyusong sektor nga ang Sto. Niño nga dala ni Magelan una nga midonggo sa Limasawa. Ug kini mao karon ang gipaningkamutan sa goberno probensyal nga mailista sa libro sa National Historical ginsakpan sa kapulisan ug pagasikupon ang si bisan kinsang dunay Commission, nga ang kinaunhang misa sa Asia, nahitabo sa Limasawa, Southern Leyte. Matud pa ni kadudahan lihok, bata man o hamtong. Matud pa sa Mayor, gawas sa Gob. Roger Mercado, lima nalang katuig, ang paabuton 500 years na ang FIRST MASS. mga pulis nga motoyok sa dakbayan, laing grupo usab ang mag – roving sa tibuok dakbayan lakip na niini ang Espina Boulevard. SOUTHERN LEYTE NAKABINGWIT UG DAGHANG PROYEKTO SA TUIG 2015 Kahibalo – an nga mga minor de edad ang kasagarang nalambigit sa naasoyng pagpangawat ug pagpanglungkab diin ang mga hamtung NEDA R8 - Makapaukyab sa taga Southern Leyte ang daghang geproponer nga mga ang nahimung tigbantay panahon sa ipahigayung operasyon, basi kini proyekto nga gipasiugdahan karon sa administrasyong Mercado. Kini maoy nakuha nga kalambu-an sa report sa grupong gitahasan sa Mayor. niining nagsulat gikan mismo sa buhatan sa National Economic Development Authority, nga tua nak- abase sa Tacloban City. PAGPANAKOP SA MGA SAKYANAN – HUGTANUNG GIMANDO Sumala sa data sa NEDA, adunay pagtaas nga 23% sa mga proyekto nga naangkon sa atong Probensya, kon itandi sa tuig 2014. Niining tuiga 235 ka proyekto ang naihatag sa goberno, ug NI MAYOR MALONEY sa tuig 2014, 193 lamang, adunay pagtaas nga mokabat ug 43 ang kadaghanon. Aron sa pagpatuman sa “Clamping Ordinance” sa dakbayan sa Maa- Ang Summary: sin hugtanong gimando ni City Mayor Maloney Samaco nga kinahang- a) Biliran - 49 projects lang ipatuman gayud ang nasangpit nga ordinansa ug pahamtangan sa b) Eastern Samar - 18 projects c) Leyte - 371 projects saktong silot o multa ang si bisan kinsang makalapas niini. d) Northern Samar - 201 projects Gilatid sa Section 3 sa Clamping Ordinance ning dakbayan nga “walay si e) Western Samar - 205 projects bisan kinsang driver o tag – iya ug sakyanan ang gitugotan sa pagpara- f) Southern Leyte - 235 projects da sa iyang sakyanan labi na sa mga dapit nga gibawal ang rightside parking sama sa: Makita dinhi nga ikaduha ang atong probensya nga maka-angkon ug daghang proyekto. Suma total miabot ug 1,241 ka proyekto ang naihatag sa National Government sa Rehiyon 8, nihit - R. Kangleon Cor. Paler St. Paingun sa Maasin Terminal kaayo kon itandi sa ubang lalawigan sa entero nasud. - R. Kangleon St.Cor. Zara St. Paingun sa Espina Blvd. - R. Kangleon St. Cor. Cabrera paingun sa Cabrera Corner Rosales St. MGA BENIPISYO SA PAG-IBIG GIPADAYAG - dili pwede moparking sa matag kilid diha sa may R. Kangleon St. Cor. Rafol St. Paingun - Rafol St. Cor. Enage St. Kapitolyo, Asuncion, Maasin City - Mibisita sa provincial capitol ang mga representante sa Pag-ibig R8 niadtong milabay nga semana aron ipasabot sa mga kawani ang mga benepisyo nga gitanyag sa mga membro sa Pag-ibig. Pipila lamang kini sa mga karsada sa dakbayan nga mahimong sik- Atubangan sa mga empleyado, nga gipangunahan ni Maam Delfa Paler (HR Head), gi- upon ug silotan ang si bisan kinsang makalapas sa clamping ordinance. tug-an ni Mr. Kevin A. Siosana, Pag-ibig representative, nga sa pagkakaron andam na ang iyang opi- Mahinumduman nga human madawat sa buhatan sa core ning dak- sina sa pagproseso ug mga loan ilabina niadtong mga membro nga nagpuyo sa lugar nga gideklarar bayan ang maong kamanduan, maabtikung gipatuman dayun ang na- og Calamity Area. Moabot ngadto sa 80% ang itugot nga loan sa mao nga buhatan niadtong nasangpit nga ordinansa diin niadtong adlawng lunes pitsa 21 sa bulan sa kaagom ug mga kalamidad o kadaot. Dugang pa niino, mohatag usab ang "Pag-ibig Office" og death insurance, nga kantidad og 6 mil ka pesos, ngadto sa Pag-ibig member nga mamatay kon maatlan Septembre, 2015 gisikop ang usa ka taga hinunangan sakop sa probin- nga siya nakaduty. sya sa Southern Leyte human niya giparada ang iyang sakyanan sa may Sa pagkakaron naga awhag ang maong ahensya niadtong membro nga nakahulog ug clamping zone dihang dapita sa may Bantug St. Walay nahimo ang ma- "contribution fee" sulod sa 240 ka bulan, nga ang ilang salapi puydi na nga kuha-on, ug may interest, ong driver gawas na lamang sa pagbayad ug kantidad nga Php500.00 kon tubo pa nga madugang sa ilang naihulog. Ug sa mga Pag-ibig members nga senyor citizens na, isip multa sa unang higayon sa iyang paglapasan sa clamping ordinance puydi na usab nga makuha pagbalik ang ilang salapi. May programa usab sila, nga "loyalty cards" nga diin makahimulos ang pag-ibig member og sa syudad. 15% discount sa pinili nga mga establishmento tibuok nasod. MGA IMNANAN UG DISCOHAN – GIBANTAYAN

Dili lang mga sari – sari store ug mga dagkung tindahan nga posib- ling namaligya ug sigarilyo ang hugtanung gibantayan karon sa healthy cities initiative ilawum sa kamanduan ni City Mayor Maloney Samaco. Sobsob ug mas gipahugtan usab karon ang pagbantay sa mga discohan ug imnanan ning dakbayan. Aron hugtanung ipatuman ang City Ordince No. 2009 – 042 nga mao ang “Smoke Free Ordinance of Maasin City, Souther Leyte.” Sa pagpakighinabi ngadto sa mayor, gibutyag niini nga kinahanglang himuong hugot ang pagbantay sa mga imnanan ug discohan human niabot sa iyang buhatan ang tahu nga daghan gihapon ang mohithit ug sigarilyo panahon sa kagabhion samtang kini nag – inom. Kini ang nahimung rason nga gipalihok sa mayor ang gropu nga iyang gitahasan sa pagpanakop sa mga malapason uban sa kapulisan ning dakbayan ug sirad – an ang discohan o imnanan nga masakpang namaligya sa sigarilyo. Apil usab sa gipabantayan sa Mayor mao ang Espina Boulevard nga maoy sagad pundukanan sa mga batan – ong mahilig sa pagpanigarilyo.

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