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DAILY EXPRESS

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Leyte-Samar

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VOL. XXV NO. 013

THURSDAY JANUARY 03, 2013

P10.00 IN TACLOBAN

INSIDE
NEWS
PNP: New Year celebration peaceful
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No. 5 in PDEA Calbayog Citys watch list falls


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Coast Guard: Oil spill at Ormoc port now contained


Thus said Captain Pablo Gonzalez Jr., commander of the Coast Guard in Ormoc City, who added that since they have started collecting the spilled fuel they have only so far siphoned off close to five percent of the estimated 20,000 liters of bunker fuel remaining at the MV Ocean Legacy. Personnel from the Coast Guard, together with the help of a rescue team belonging to the city government of Ormoc, started the operations after the listing incident involving MV Ocean Legacy at the port of Ormoc. So far, we have collected oily water mixture of about 1,400 liters and its probably about five percent of the estimated total bunker fuel (of the MV Ocean Legacy), Gonzales said in MV Ocean Legacy, a 3,000 gross tonnage cargo vessel, listed at the Ormoc city port last December 29. The incident, a phone interview. however, did not result to contamination of the Ormoc Bay as the few liters of oil that spilled from the vessels air vent
BY JOEY A. GABIETA , Staffwriter

TACLOBAN CIY- While the danger of an oil spell is now out of question, there is still so much to be done in so far as collecting the remaining bunker fuel coming from a cargo vessel that listed at the port in Ormoc City last December 29.

N. Samar first in PHL in enacting an ordinance banning child labor


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PAG leader in Samar slain


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Eastern Visayas: 2012 in review


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was immediately contained by the members of the Coast Guard and the Ormoc Rescue.

(ROBERT DEJON)

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Committee to monitor tourist influx data submissions in EV


TACLOBAN CITY Tourist influx data submissions will be closely monitored by a newly-formed committee in the bid to capture the real picture of the regions tourism industry this year. The committee, which is under the Regional Statistical Coordinating Committee (RSCC), will meet hotel operators to map out strategies on how to further improve data gathering. The committee has agreed to meet owners and get their view with the end goal to come up with a system to institutionalize tourist arrival reporting, or simplify the procedure, said Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes. The committee will focus on working with the private sector. This year, they will launch dialogues with hotel operators in different provinces. The tourism department has been
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N. Samar governor lauds role of women


CATARMAN, Northern Samar Northern Samar Governor Paul Daza has lauded the role of women, particularly barangay health workers (BHW) and those in the so-called volunteerism sector in the province. The provincial chief executive urged BHWs to continuously serve their provincemates as partners for development for the several health programs of his administration and the various health programs in their respective municipalities. This was what the governor has always been

Sun and clouds mixed with a slight chance of thunderstorms during the a ernoon. High 87F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.

weather

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Members: DALMACIO C. GRAFIL, Publisher/Owner-LSDE; ALVIN Gz. ARPON, Columnist-LSDE; RINDO LAGONOY, DYDW; RAMON G. CUYCO, LSDE; VEN S. LABRO, Editor -LSDE/PDI; GAY B. GASPAY, PIA; JOEY GABIETA, Staffwriter-LSDE/PDI; PACIFICO SILVESTRECE, Sunto the Guest of the EXPRESS IT AT THE PARK at the day Punch; EILEEN NAZARENO-BALLESTEROS, Columnist-LSDE; LUZVIMINDA SANTIAGO, PIO-Philhealth; GINA GEREZ, PGO; REYAN Nook of Leyte Park Hotel, Tacloban City every ARINTO, LSDE; LITO A. BAGUNAS, LSDE; VINO CUAYZON, PIA; WILSON CHAN, LPH; RONALD VIAS, DYVL; AHLETTE REYES, LSDE; Saturday 7:30-9:00 AM NILDA GO, KBP; FRED PADERNOS, LSDE; ATTY. IMELDA NARTEA, Leyte Province; SARWELL MEANO-Correspondent-LSDE; LEMUEL For Special Edition by appointment PAGLIAWAN - LSDE; ROLLIE MONTILLA - Eastern Times; MARK MORALLOS-DYDW Tel. No. 321-4833 Telefax 053-321-5591

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NEWS
We can say that the celebration of our New Year here in the region was generally peaceful as no major incident happened, Acidre said. He also said that no member of the PNP here in the region fired his gun during the celebration. To recall, Chief Supt. Elmer Soria, police regional director, led in the sealing out of service firearms last December 29. The firearms, however, would be unsealed on January 7. (JOEY
A.GABIETA)

Thursday, 03 January 2013

PNP: New Year celebration peaceful


PALO, Leyte - The New Year celebration in the region was described as generally peaceful by the police authorities as no major incident took place during the celebration. Senior Superintendent Roel Acidre, chief of the police and community relations of the regional Philippine National Police (PNP), said that they have not received any report that a member of the organization used his service firearm during the New Years celebration.

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No. 5 in PDEA Calbayog Citys watch list falls


CALBAYOG CITY - Elizabeth de Guzman Lejera, a smoked fish helper/vendor and a resident of Brgy. Matobato, Calbayog City in Samar, evidently did not consider her husbands arrest on drug peddling charges a few months back as a lesson and wake-up call, but instead opted to inherit his nefarious trade. Elizabeth, locally known as Beth, 51 years old, was herself held for drug pushing after she sold a sachet of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu worth five hundred pesos to a PDEA operative posed as a buyer on December 30, 2012 at around 8:00 oclock in the evening in front of a smoked fish stall in Brgy. Matobato, this city. As the year draws to a close, she joined her husband Tito in jail. Tito was arrested by PDEA operatives and PNP Calbayog City in an entrapment operation last May 7, 2012 at around 7:00 oclock in the evening near a drugstore in Magsaysay Boulevard, Calbayog City. Apparently, husbandand-wife drug peddling teams are becoming more common, PDEA Director General USec. Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr. said, noting that similar arrests have occurred in other parts of the country. Drug pushing has become a family business, perhaps due to its profitability, he added, such that people continue to take risks despite the sanctions involved once arrested. It is unsettling to realize that couples continue to ply their illegal business even at the risk of leaving behind their children when the authorities catch on to them. Both Tito and Beth Lejera are included in the PDEA watchlist for Calbayog City and Samar province. PDEA through Regional Director Atty. Gil T. Pabilona will be filing appropriate charges against the suspect for violation of Section 5 of Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, or the Sale of Dangerous Drugs. If convicted, Lejera faces life imprisonment and payment of a fine of from five hundred thousand to million pesos at the courts discretion. Lejera is currently detained at the Calbayog City Police Station custodial facility, awaiting final disposition of her case. (PR)

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N.Samar....
giving emphasis and importance during his continued rounds of visits and consultations of the different sectors of the province since he became a public servant, particularly when he was elected overwhelmingly as father of the province in 2010. He even made mention of the role of women and at same time describing them as role model being an inspiration and
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example not only to their families but as well as the youth sector. Daza, who is seeking his second term as governor of this province in next years midterm elections under the banner of the Liberal Party(LP), said nga ini nga akto san bulunterismo san mga BHW in dako nga bulig san mga Nortehanon labi han adton mga higrayo nga mga barangay nga talagsahay maabut sin mga doktor nga hinay-hinay

nga nakakabulig san mga pobre pagtimangno san kanra panlawas. Likewise, Daza attributes the robust economic health of his province owing it mainly to the unity and cooperation of the municipal and village officials of the province and further reiterated, Our vision for our province total development will only be close to full attainment if our leaders, from the provincial down to the barangay level will

have its unity. It can be recalled that the province, through the various programs and activities for women, is continuously advocating on the livelihood aspect through its implementation of the gender and development (GAD) and coupled with some forms of livelihood trainings for women such as bag making among other types of skills expertise which would benefit them. (PETER D. PAREDES)

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Thursday, 03 January 2013

NEWS

Leyte Samar Daily Express

N. Samar first in PHL in enacting an ordinance banning child labor


TACLOBAN CITY The first local ordinance in the Philippines banning child labor was enacted by the provincial government of Northern Samar, a move lauded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). In a statement, DOLE Regional Director Exequiel Sarcauga said that this is a big step towards attaining a child laborfree Philippines. Provincial Ordinance No. 11 series of 2012 recently signed by Governor Paul Daza, penalizes child labor infringement, and provides for a program for the prevention and elimination of child labor in Northern Samar. The ordinance allocates P1 million initial funds for its implementation. We take pride of its leaders for it is the first province in the country that was able to pass an ordinance against child labor and provided funding for its implementation. This shows the seriousness of the provincial government in eliminating child labor in the province of Northern Samar, Sarcauga said. The ordinance also orders the creation of the Northern Samar Child Labor Committee that is primarily responsible for the administration, implementation and enforcement of the ordinance. The committee is chaired by the governor, co-chaired by DOLE provincial Head, with some government agencies and private stakeholders as members. Municipalities are also mandated to create their child labor committees and child labor protection desk in all police stations managed by policemen to deal with concerns. For this year, the provincial committee has planned out to conduct of strategic planning, recognizing the performance Barangay Councils for the Protection of Children (BCPC), establishing vertical link for child labor through focal persons who must be capacitated, and conduct child labor congress. At least 14 barangays in the province have passed barangay ordinances for the prevention and elimination of child labor, and resolutions organizing or reactivating BCPC. Sarcauga added that the child labor ordinances set the policies and guidelines at the provincial and barangay level on how to curb child labor in their areas. It is also one of the indicators in achieving a child-laborfree status in their province. (SARWELL Q. MENI17 regions in the country. In 2010, Eastern Visayas is the only region that failed to hit the 500,000 arrivals mark among the 17 areas in the country. As of October 2012, 80% of local government units have not yet submitted data for the first three quarters of the year as establishments failed to turn in reports. However, this years figure is on track of the 393,072 target with 270,611 tourists as of September 2012 initial report. Were part of the central Philippines but were out. Look at some areas

HAPPY NEW YEAR!


and all the BEST for all TACLOBANON!

ANO)

Committee....
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investing on trainings for tourism workers to collect arrival data but nothing happened. Its time to get the opinion of the private sector. We also asked those who are regularly submitting to share their best practices, she added. The committee is chaired by the DOT with the National Statistical Coordination Board as secretariat; Hotel and Restaurant Association, Civil Aviation Authority

of the Philippines, city government of Tacloban and Eastern Visayas University as members. The RSCC observed over the past years, that DOT had a difficulty turning in statistics because of poor report submissions from accommodation establishment to local government units (LGUs). Thus, they pushed for the creation of this committee, Tiopes said. With an arrival of 207,417 in 2011, the region has among the lowest tourist receipts of the

in Mindanao with peace and order problem, their arrival report is better than what we have. We should really take serious steps to get the participation of the private sector, she explained. NSCB regional head Evangeline Paran said data on statistics has been underreported, which affects decision makers from the central govern-

ment. Theres a need to raise the level of appreciation of hotel operators of quality statistics. They have to understand that data per establishment is confidential and this wont be used to for tax collection purposes, Paran added Consequently, she said that the low official tourism arrival data will affect

WELL Q. MENIANO)

the allocation of projects as well as preference of the business sectors to invest in the region. Under the new tourism sectoral plan, Eastern Visayas is eyeing more than half a million tourist arrivals by 2016, targeting domestic visitors from three regions and foreign tourist from Europe and other five countries. (SAR-

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OPINION

Thursday, 03 January 2013

Leyte Samar

DAILY EXPRESS
POSITIVE * FAIR * FREE

Dalmacio C. Gral Publisher Ven S. Labro Editor-in-Chief Abelardo G. Orteza Managing Editor Alma M. Gral Business Manager
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EDITORIAL

Firecrackers prevail

espite the admonition of health authorities for people to stop using firecrackers in celebrating the New Year, these devices still preEMAIL ADDRESS vail, coming in various forms and degrees of explosion as could be heard and witnessed hours before EDITORIAL the clock strikes twelve midnight. lsdaily2@yahoo.com The warnings and all must have fallen on deaf ears as usual. Some people just couldnt help it; they ADVERTISING still crave for these explosive items that, according to lsdaily_ads@yahoo.com a traditional belief, could drive the bad spirits away All rights reserve. Except as permitted by prior to starting the new year. They advertently ignore the precautions given by authorities, unmindlaw, no part of Leyte Samar Daily Express may be re-produced or distributed ful of the hazards attached to the age-old practice of greeting the incoming year with big bangs. in any form or by any means stored in a And so, lining up the streets on New Years Eve database or retrieval system without its are people armed with these firecracker devices prior written permission from the to blast the midnight silence away. The streets are publisher. spawned with a myriad star lights, and the night sky is set ablaze. Here and there, explosions roar in the Commentaries from readers whose identities they prefer to remain anonymous air, thundering with accompanying lightning, and can be accommodated as blind items. It will be our editorial prerogative, however, to verify the veracity of such commentaries before publication.
Letters should be as brief as possible, and sent with the writers name,signature address and phone numbers (if any) to: Letters to the Editor, Leyte Samar Daily Express, They may be edited for length and clarity.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013 TO YOU ALL READERS OF LEYTE SAMAR DAILY EXPRES, VISITORS OF LEYTE SAMAR DAILY. NET AND ALL OTHERS WHO PATRONIZE THIS ONE AND ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN REGIONVIII, ESPECIALLY READERS OF QUIDNUNCS NEIGHBOR, THIS COLUMN!!! MALIPAYON NGA BAG-O NGA TUIG 2013 HA NGATANAN NGA MGA WARAY HA LEYTE, SAMAR UG BILIRAN, UG HA NGATANAN NGA KAPUPUD-AN UG KASUROKAN HAN PLANETA KALIBOTAN!!!! PLEASE ACCEPT MY BEST WISHES FOR YOU ALL!!! One of the most urgent and good things that many of us human inhabitants of Planet Earth wish to have,

sending a thick cloud of smoke into the atmosphere. How jubilant the by-standers and merry-makers become at the sights and sounds of these blasts. Unfortunately to some, these miniature explosives prove to be hazardous indeed. But such realization comes rather too late, and thats when they start losing fingers, having lacerated palms, injuring their eyesight, and acquiring skin burns. Sure enough they are rushed to the hospitals for medical treatment, but the damage has been had. Some others, moreover, who happen to have respiratory ailments likewise suffer due to inhaled toxic chemicals that firecrackers emitted into the air. To sum it up, the use of firecrackers is in no way beneficial, rather doing harm than good, not to mention the wasted money used in buying them. Why on earth do some people continue to buy them? Its for them to answer.

Wishes for Year 2013

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chito dela torre

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and that most religious people pray for, today, is another day to live after every passing day. That is coupled with the other wish: a richer, more fruitful, more wonderful, more beautiful, happier and satisfying healthy life. That is concluded with this phrase: FOR ALL MEN AND WOMEN. The com-

plete statement of this wish is what I wish every one of us on Earth will be wishing and praying for. Yes, I also mean that you, dear reader, will also make this wish for me, and of me. Christians and God-believers will not hesitate to do just that. Atheists and theists (but not-God-believers) may

not bother even to make any wish for themselves. Yet, the former, as part of their strong faith, which by deeper understanding translates to obligation, include the latter in their wish. The only problem is that the latter (atheists and not-God-believers) bother about what was, what had been, what is, and what will be. That makes it unfair to Christians and God-believers. They make or paint a world of their own. Worse, they want everyone else to be like them. Worst, while they believe they are physical, material beings created via evolution (a persistent to page 5

Thursday, 03 January 2013

OPINION
from page 4

Leyte Samar Daily Express


faith that that can happen, and that it is happening. It behooves all non-atheists to seriously consider these points, because it had been predicted - the last time was last year, that beginning year 2013, Christians and God-believers will dwindle in number while there will be more atheists. Time will come when atheists will outnumber Christians and Godbelievers. (Rieke Haverts wrote for The Christian Science MONITOR on August 15, 2012 under the heading Atheism on the rise around the globe: According to a new poll, religiosity worldwide is declining while more people say they are atheists. In the United States, a growing number consider themselves non-believers. Atheism is on the rise in the United States and elsewhere while religiosity is declining poll. The Global Index of Religiosity and Atheism, conducted by WIN-Gallup International headquartered in Switzerland, found that the number of Americans who say they are religious dropped from 73 percent in

An alarming report on over-fishing Wishes... belief despite the revelation in Phl seas of the worst hoax that huPart I Greenpeace Statement of October 2012 we will become the epicenter of global marine adversity if our government agencies refuse to acknowledge the crisis at sea. The Greenpeace exponent expressed alarm over the unprecedented destruction of the countrys marine ecosystem which foreshadows serious health, social and economic impacts aggravated by pollution and global warming. Technically, it is not over-fishing that causes the decline of fish catch but man-made and Nature-instigated phenomenon. Statistics show that the Philippines rank 7th among the top tuna-producing countries in the world. General Santos City has an annual tuna production of 2.4 million metric tons. Incidentally, drop of fish catch from the Philippine Seas is checked with the fish production from aquaculture fisheries. In fact, records show that the Philippines aquaculture fisheries (principally Bangus, Tilapia, Prawn),
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High-Powered Objective
(S & T Enhanced Nations Have Edge)
Dr. paciente cordero, jr.

More often than not, this writer does not buy certain pronouncements of the group called Greenpeace! Thus, their advocacy on non-acceptance of GMO or Genetically Modified Organisms has been unacceptable, especially when they continue to frown upon results of the scientists R & D work on edible food species, e.g. rice, corn, eggplant, soya bean or even non-food items like cotton, etc. As though, we, in science are out to erase the human race from the Earths surface by poisoning them with GMO food! I shall, therefore, continue to stand four-square against their advocacy that deprives food to feed millions of mouths, only because

such food crops have been subject of intensive GMO research and development activities by established science workers. In the absence of an offer to mass produce agricultural crops to fill the empty stomach of humanity, and resorting to destroying, burning experimental crops, there is no way that this writer will turn his back from his stand against certain Greenpeace statements held before and after my watch as Executive Director, National Research Council of the Philippines, DOST! Lately, however, the Greenpeace oceans campaigner for Southeast Asia, last month (October) issued a statement We are an archipelagic nation. Soon,

Ominous temperature

Things To Mind
doms pagliawan We have heard of this old belief that when cold temperature is felt during December and its succeeding couple of months, the summer that follows is going to be extremely hot. Thats according to a traditional view common especially among the unlettered. Since the advent of New Year, our experience has been exactly like thata dose of cold temperature coupled with frequent rains. These are times when electric fans are of no use at home. Days are indeed cold especially that rains come very often, almost in a daily basis. Colder still are the nights when people have to cover themselves with blankets to drive off the cold. In fact, Baguio and its neighboring places have reportedly been experiencing frost, damaging the peoples crops. This is a sign that the rest of the country follows suit in having such a colder temperature, as though their temperature is a gauge to determine ours in this part of the country. If we will base it on experience, and using the above belief, we may in-

deed predict that come summer, its going to be very hot. Why, this January has been one of the coldest in recent months. And we might as well experience severe heat this summer due to temperature change suggested by that view. For one, these cold days are explained by the melting mountains of snow in the north whose tiny particles the winds had been transporting to our country, making our temperature cold to our standard. But while we enjoy cool temperature, we hardly realize that it is brought to us by the global warming phenomenon. We experience cold temperature because of the melting snow ruined by a warming earth. Yes, the earth is getting warm, that is. We are not to rejoice at all that cold temperatures visit us due to its negative implication. We ought to wish, rather, that the snow would remain in-

mans are cousins of the apes [monkeys] and the shattering of the myths imagined by Charles Darwin), they dont want to die and they dont want to die now. Woes unto them, we, God-believers, say. Belief is just a belief. It doesnt matter whether it proceeds or not from a basis. A baseless belief is belief still. In fact, theres no such thing as an educated belief, just as educated guess doesnt exist. Both terms are euphemisms, clearly used only by those who cannot find what is sought for. For no belief and no guess is right. Belief is not faith. Faith is a different thing. It proceeds not from a belief. For belief is not the foundation, not the beginning, of faith. Its a mere argument. But belief can be a prediction. As a prediction, what is believed may or may not happen. A predicted thing or event may start to come to reality, but only briefly, as its coming to reality may be aborted by another thing or event. That makes for wishes to get to be interrelated. One wish may not come true because it is dependent on another wish that is not or is already coming to fulfilment. And this means, our wishes for this year will have to work together. This makes us realize that we cannot exist, the good way we wish for, without the rest of the wishes on Earth working to become a reality. Atheists dont believe that. In fact, they dont have

2005 - when the poll was last conducted to 60 percent. Those who said they were convinced atheists rose from 1 to 5 percent. And 33 percent of the people polled said that they dont consider themselves as a religious person. Another person wrote that of 50,000 people interviewed from 57countries, the percentages (per nationality) of convinced atheists are as follows: 47% Chinese, 31% Japanese, 30% Czechs, 29% French, and 15% Koreans. In another vein, the top ten religious countries, according to the same source, are as follows: Ghana 967%, Nigeria -93%, Armenia 92%, Fiji 92%, Macedonia 90%, Romania 90%, Iraq- 88%, Peru 86%, and Brazil- 85%, with the Philippines not appearing in this bracket. The least religious, the source said, are: Austria 42%, Hongkong 38%, France 37%, Australia 37%, Vietnam 30%, Sweden 29%,Turkey -23%,and Czech Republic 20%.) Back to beliefs: Many to page 6

The Sower
Thursday before Epiphany Most Holy Name of Jesus 1 Jn 2:29-3:6; Ps 98; Jn 1:29-34

THE SPIRIT CAME DOWN ON HIM


(John) saw Jesus coming toward him and said, Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me, I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel. John testified further, saying, I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Spirit. Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.

WITNESS TO HOLINESS
To witness to God, as John did, requires faith, hope and love of God plus fortitude. By witnessing to God, I tell others about God, or about God and his goodness to me or to others. In this way witnessing develops holiness in me and also should cause holiness to grow in others. John was told that Christ is the one who is going to baptize with the Holy Spirit. In my baptism I was born again by water and the Spirit (John 3:5). Jesus Christ sent this Spirit to me at that time to help me in ways of holiness; in my thoughts and in my speech; in my honest dealings with others; in the prayer I offer. The Holy Spirit has come to me, do I accept his help that surely leads me to eternal life? Do I ask the help of the Holy Spirit as I begin each day? Do I thank him at each days end? (The Daily Gospel Now by Robert E. Sullivan, O.M.I. published by Paulines. Visit us at www.paulines.ph or at Paulines Media Center, Real St., Tacloban City) Sowers Thought: Jesus Christ is our one Teacher: a Teacher by nature, through the will of the Father. And also because in his life on earth he showed himself truly to be such. The Church perpetuates in time and space the teaching of Jesus Christ. Blessed James Alberione, Founder of the Pauline Family

tact for an assurance of a stable global temperature, even if it means not having these colder nights. The oldies may fail to give a scientific explanation of their ancient view, but the fact that they are able to give right predictions should make us participate in the massive effort to solve ecological problems. Its a grave concern and responsibility that we should take upon ourselves if we are for the protection of generations yet to come. Since global warming is largely caused by people, they themselves should take the initiatives to solve it. It is not for us to enjoy colder nights; its for us to be alarmed by that phenomenon, for behind it could be an intense heat that could affect our lives.

Prayer for the Nation and for Those who Serve in Public Ofce
God, our Father, you guide everything in wisdom and love. Accept the prayers we offer for our nation; by the wisdom of our leaders and integrity of our citizens, may harmony and justice be secured and may there be lasting prosperity and peace. Almighty and eternal God, You know the longings of our hearts and You protect our rights. In your goodness, watch over those in authority, so that people everywhere may enjoy freedom, security and peace. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. (Courtesy of Daughters of St. Paul)

Pray the Holy Rosary daily for world peace and conversion of sinners (The family that prays together stays together)

Leyte Samar Daily Express


But Gonzalez said that they right away placed spill boom around the MV Ocean Legacy to ensure that no fuel would spread at the Ormoc Bay, where the port is located. He, however, declined to issue statement as to the cause of the incident, saying a formal investigation is forthcoming. But initial reports have indicated that the vessel listed while some container vans were being hauled out. Gonzales also said that the operator of the listed vessel has committed to help the cleanup operations as it hired

NEWS/NOTICES Wishes...
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Thursday, 03 January 2013


to do so. It is empowered on its own to cause the filing of petition on its own to cause freezing. The authority to freeze is by the Court of Appeals upon AMLACs ex-parte petition the senator explained. It is also critical that the DOJ look into who invested heavily in Aman. It should pique the curiosity of the Ombudsman or the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for that matter, to look at any paper trail, data, and record and evaluate if these individuals or groups have been tax compliant, he said. The Aman directors who surrendered can lead authorities to identify assets that AMLAC can take a hold of. Once assets have been found, the government should devise a system that will enable victims to recover part of their investments. The payment and recovery should start from the smallest investors upwards, not the other way around, all this to protect public interest, Escudero said. *** Hope / Smiles from the threshold of the year to come, / Whispering it will be happier... Alfred Tennyson. In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it Christmas and went to church; the Jews called it Hanukkah and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah or to the atheists, Look out for the wall! - ???
sufficient in form and substance, let the initial hearing be set on January 16, 2013 at 8:30 oclock in the morning at which date and time all interested person may appear and show cause, if any they have, why this petition should not be granted. Let copy of this Order published at the expense of the petitioner once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation duly authorized by this Court after a raffle had been conducted by the Branch Clerk of Court. Furnish copies of this Order and the petition to the Solicitor General, Makati City, the Civil Registrar General, the Provincial Prosecutor, Naval, Biliran Province, the petitioner and counsel as well. SO ORDERED. IN CHAMBERS this 27th day of November 2012 at Naval, Biliran, Philippines.

Coast Guard....
from page 1

The vessels operator, the Oceanic Container Lines, Inc. which is based in Tondo, Manila, would be held responsible as to where to dispose the collected oily water mixture, the Coast Guard official said. The port or left side of the MV Ocean Legacy listed last Saturday by about 22 degrees right after it docked at said port at around 7:35 in the morning. Traces of fuel were immediately noticed, coming from the vessels air vent section.

An alarming...
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production ranks among the top ten in the world. As always, there will be payoffs, the negative effects to the conversion of mangrove areas into fishponds having reduced the habitable land mass for human settlement and the lowering of agriculture production as well. Viewed differently, though, mans encroachment into

Taclobanons thought that LMWDs water power was to stay for long already, up to the early part of January, 2013. Not for long. Bagyo Quinta quashed it a few hours only after QN took to the internet. Water service apparently was severely affected. It has been back to poor state until this writing. Yet, belief is high that it will be re-improved. The usual case: any damage after a typhoon can be done away with. Leyte Metropolitan Water District is looking into that, with precision , so to say. Good, quality water service is its one and only lifeblood. LMWD knows, despite past howls of protest, the greater number of Taclobans residents are dependent on water serviced by to page 7 LMWD. *** AMLAC IGNORED the countrys shrinking mangrove area consequent- RED FLAG SIGNALS ON ly reduces the production AMAN, SCAM GROUPS output of the aquaculture CHIZ: Senator Chiz Escudero said the Anti-Money entrepreneurs. Laundering Council (AMooo000ooo LAC) ignored the clear red NEXT TOPIC : An flag signals on the investAlarming Report on Overment scam group Aman Fufishing in Phl Seas Part II tures Group that allowed Greenpeace Gains Sup- similar groups to proliferate port for Need to Protect the and con thousands of people Marine Ecosystem to part with their hard-earned SHARE S & T money. It is a puzzle why THOUGHTS through E- all the tell-tale signs were igMail: drpacjr@yahoo.com. nored by AMLAC when bank transac-

NOTICE is hereby given that Estela M. Aterrado executed a Deed of Adjudication over one-half portion of the 1/4 share of a parcel of land, Lot No. 836, OCT No. 0-535, with the building and improvements thereon, situated at the Mun. of Burauen, containing an area of 20,489 square meters, more or less. A Deed of Sale was executed in favor of Sps. Vitus C. Carilla and Marissa D. Carilla as vendees for the 1/2 portion of the 1/4 share of the abovedescribed property; per Doc. No. 198, Page No. 40, Book No. VIII, Series of 2012 of Notary Public Belinda Alcober. LSDE: Dec. 27, 2012, January 3 & 10, 2013 NOTICE is hereby given that heirs of the late Vidala Palencia extrajudicially settled, partitioned and adjudicated over a parcel of land, Cad. Lot No. 7326 (CAD 407) situated in Caloogan, Palo, Leyte, covered by TD/ARP No. 08-30-0013-00178, containing an area of 5,152 square meters, more or less. A Deed of Sale was executed in favor of Sps. Vitus C. Carilla and Marissa D. Carilla as vendees for a portion of 3,852 square meters, from the above-described property; per Doc. No. 281, Page No. 57, Book No. VIII, Series of 2012 of Notary Public Atty. Belinda Alcober. LSDE: Dec. 27, 2012, January 3 & 10, 2013
NOTICE is hereby given that heirs of the late Danilo Guianan extrajudicially settled, partitioned and adjudicated over a parcel of land situated at area I-A, Block 10, Lot 34, Urban Poor Homeowners, containing an area of 39 square meters, more or less, and hereby waive, renounce and relinquish all their rights, benefits together with the improvements thereon in favor of Edgardo P. Labordo II; per Doc. No. 245, Page No. 43, Book No. 1, Series of 2012 of Atty. Wilma Donna C. Anquillo-Garcia. LSDE: Dec. 20, 27, 2012 & Jan. 3, 2013

DEED OF ADJUDICATION WITH ABSOLUTE SALE

tions and activities by the Aman group and other related companies are already swelling with red flag signals. The Aman Futures scam has been in the open in Pagadian since two months ago. Evidence should have been available by now. In fact, the Securities and Exchange Commission website has come out with a warning on the Aman investment scam, the senator said. Escudero, chairman of the Senate committee on justice and human rights said had AMLAC been more insightful about these developments; the magnitude of the scam could have been abated. Now we need the Department of Justice (DOJ) to immediately secure the list of those who invested in Aman Futures and how much investments were put as this may lead to concrete evidence to support the case against the group that duped thousands of people in Mindanao and the Visayas of an estimated P12 billion. The senator said the speedy action of the DOJ and other government agencies on the Aman Futures scam and other investment scams in Mindanao and the Visayas will help ease the pain and suffering of thousands of victims who lost billions of pesos. He added that the DOJ should already file a case against the Aman Group motu propio given the magnitude of the case and the number of victims that have

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH ABSOLUTE SALE

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS

NOTICE is hereby given that heirs of the late Sps. Angel Fabilloren and Serafia D. Fabilloren extrajudicially settled, partitioned and adjudicated over a parcel of agricultural land situated at Brgy. Sulupan, Paranas, Samar, under O.C.T. No. 9556, Lot No. 1200. A Deed of Sale was executed in favor of Santiago C. Gabon Jr. married to Paulina C. Dabuet as vendees for the above-described property; per Doc. No. 396, Page No. 78, Book No. 168, Series of 2012 of Notary Public Atty. Medino L. Acuba. LSDE: Dec. 27, 2012, January 3 & 10, 2013 NOTICE is hereby given that heirs of the late Magdalina Custodio Separa-Ramo extrajudicially settled, partitioned and adjudicated over 4 parcels of land: Parcel 1, Lot No. 5687, T.C.T. No. T-52147, situated in Bo. of Sawang, Municipality of Tacloban, containing an area of 434 square meters, more or less; Parcel 2, Lot 3427-E-4, Psu-08-000232, T.C.T. No. T-11649, situated at Marasbaras, City of Tacloban, containing an area of 1,000 square meters, more or less; Parcel 3, Lot 4830, Case No. 20, CAD 503, containing an area of 23,700 square meters, O.C.T. No. P-47432, containing an area of 23,700 square meters; Parcel 4, O.C.T. No. P-47428, Lot 4518, Case No. 503-D, containing an area of 15,557 square meters; per Doc. No. 872, Page No. 174, Book No. 12, Series of 2012 of Notary Public Atty. Joseph N. Escalona. LSDE: Dec. 20, 27, 2012 & Jan. 3, 2013

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH SALE

EXTRAJUDICIAL PARTITION WITH CONFIRMATION OF SALE

A verified petition had been filed by the petitioner, through counsel, praying that after due publication, notice and hearing, an Order be issued directing the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Dagami, Leyte to correct the entries with regard to the petitioners middle initial from M to G, representing Gisma, her mothers real surname, her mothers name from Remedios G. Marmita to Remedios M.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 8th Judicial Region BRANCH 15 Hall of Justice, Burauen, Leyte IN RE: PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ENTRIES IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF IMEE M. MOJADO, IMEE M. MOJADO, Petitioner, -versusTHE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF DAGAMI, LEYTE, Respondent Special Proceeding Case No. 12-12-188 x- - - - - - - - -x ORDER

so far come out. RA 9160 and RA 9194 and its implementing rules will form the basis of this act. The DOJ has been facilitating complaints through the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), that is a correct standard procedure. Escudero issued the call after Aman directors Leila Lim Gan, Edmund G. Lim, Wilanie Fuentes, Nazelle Rodriguez, and Lurix Lopez surrendered to authorities over the weekend. Aman Futures founder Malaysian Mohammad Suffian Saaid, also known as Manuel Amalilio, remains at large. He is reportedly still in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. On Tuesday, reports indicated that authorities had arrested Coco Rasuman, reportedly the mastermind of another multi-billion scam in Mindanao similar to the Aman Futures operation. Accounts should not be limited to Aman but should also cover those linked to it. The AMLAC has authority to freeze the principal accounts and other accounts within what is known as web of accounts. It should be done now. Time is against the hapless investors if the scammers are already moving to siphon off their loot from the country, he said. The DOJ can already come up with a solid formal case against the Aman Group to enable the AntiMoney Laundering Council (AMLAC) to secure or freeze its assets, he added. The senator said that as a matter of course, such accounts may be frozen as long as AMLAC has Gisma, and to leave the date probable cause
of marriage blank instead of July 6, 1980. Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance it is hereby ordered that said petition be set for initial hearing on February 06, 2013 in the morning session of this Court at the Hall of Justice, Regional Trial Court, Branch 15, Burauen, Leyte, at which date, time and place, all persons may appear and show cause, if any, why the petition should not be granted. Let a copy of this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner in a newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Leyte, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks, with the last publication to be made at least one week prior to the date of initial hearing. Furnish copies of this Order and petition to the Office of the Solicitor General, Municipal Civil Registrar of Dagami, Leyte, Public Prosecutor Eufronio B. Trocino III, the petitioners and her counsel. SO ORDERED. IN CHAMBERS, Hall of Justice, Burauen, Leyte, December 13, 2012.

LSDE: Dec. 20, 27, 2012 & Jan. 3, 2013

(Sgd.) YOLANDA U. DAGANDAN Executive Judge

A verified petition having been filed with the Court by petitioner, thru counsel, praying that after due notice, publication and hearing an Order be rendered that the entry as to her sex in her certificate of live birth be corrected from MALE TO FEMALE. Finding the petition being

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Eighth Judicial Region Branch 16 Naval, Biliran IN THE MATTER OF THE CORRECTION OF THE ENTRY IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF GLENES T. ALIDON FROM MALE TO FEMALE, GLENES T. ALIDON, Petitioner -versusLOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF KAWAYAN, BILIRAN and the Civil Registrar General, NSO, Respondent SP. PROC. No. P-409 x- - - - - - - - - - -x ORDER

cc Atty. Redentor C. Villordon Prosecutors Office, Biliran, Province Solicitor General The Civil Registrar General Glenes T. Alidon LSDE: Dec. 20, 27, 2012 & Jan. 3, 2013

(Sgd.) BIENVENIDO M. MONTALLA Executive Judge

Thursday, 03 January 2013

PAG leader in Samar slain


TA C L O B A N CITYA leader of a notorious partisan armed group (PAG) in the province of Samar was killed by elements of the Regional Special Operation Task Group (RSOTG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Eastern Visayas, according to an official. Chief Supt. Elmer Soria, PNP-8 regional director, said the death of Julito Aragon has dismantled the Moloboco PAG operating in the first congressional district of Samar. Aragon was the number one most wanted person in Samar for two counts of murder. He was shot by RSOTG after resisting an arrest in the hinterland village of Peaplata in Gandara, Samar, Soria said. We aim to dismantle more PAGs in Samar to ensure a peaceful and honest elections this coming May. The elements of RSOTG have been tasked to serve existing warrants of arrest to PAG leaders and members who are facing various criminal cases, Soria added. Soria said the Moloboco PAG is one of the two remaining partisan armed group operating in Samar.

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Leyte Samar Daily Express


The other PAG was identified as the Montealto group. The police in the region revealed influential politicians in Samar were reportedly handling the Moloboco and Montealto groups. The presence of PAGs was the reason why Samar was included in the 15 priority areas of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in relation to the forthcoming mid-term elections. During the 2010 elections, the police tried to neutralize some PAGs in Eastern Visayas, particularly in Samar where

42 SB members receive laptops from PCL prexy Hernandez of N. Samar


C ATA R M A N , Northern Samar Recognizing power and influence of todays information age, some 42 Sangguniang Bayan members of the first district of this province were able to receive one unit each of laptop from the office of Philippine Councilors League president Neil Hernandez in a simple turn-over rites held recently. The said local legislators who were the beneficiaries were from the municipalities of Rosario, Lavezares, San Isidro, Capul, San Vicente, Allen, and San Antonio, said Rommel Tepace, his former legislative staff and now one of the scribes of the provinces information office as beat reporter of SB. In an interview, Hernandez, who is an incumbent SB member of the capital town of Catarman and now an ex-officio member of this province provincial board as the leagues president said, one of my purpose in providing laptops to the different municipalities is for them to be able to have an easy access of information as well as exchange or sharing of information between the national government and their local government units they represent. He added that thru these laptops, which he sourced out from his barangay development fund (BDF), form part of facilitating their various real
said vessel. Gonzales added that since they started downloading the 110 container vans inside the vessel, about 30 container vans have so far been removed. The MV Ocean Legacy came from the port of Manila and arrived at the Ormoc City port last December 29 with a 29crew headed by Capt. Juntyce Eslawan. It was supposed to travel to Dumaguete City as its

property tax collection campaigns in their respective municipality which would be of great help as part of their revenue generation campaign. Hernandez, who is the younger brother of the present Foreign Affairs Department (DFA) spokesman Usec. Raul Hernandez, is running as board member of the first district here under the banner of LP also stressed that ini nga ak hinay-hinay nga panalinguha katuyuanan nga makabulig san kinabag-o nga teknolohiya sin madagmit nga pagpaabut komunikasyon in bulig liwat nga magin sayo nga technologyfriendly an probinsya sa yana and the years ahead. (PETER D. PAREDES)

intense political rivalries have spawned partisan armed groups. The PNP-8 reported only three out of eight PAGs in Samar were neutralized. The groups were operating in Calbayog City and the municipalities of Matuguinao, San Jorge, Santa Margarita and Gandara, all in the first district of Samar. PAGs are organized armed groups with legally issued or illegally possessed firearms for purposes of sowing fear and intimidation for the advancement and protection of vested economic and political interest of public official or private individual.
(REYAN L. ARINTO)

Republic of the Philippines Department of Education INVITATION TO PRE-QUALIFY TO BID FOR PPP FOR SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT 2012-2
The Department of Education (the DepED) invites interested parties to apply to pre-qualify to bid for the design and construction of one-storey, two storey, three storey, and four storey school buildings under the following Contract Packages: Regional Contract Packages I II III IV-B V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII CARAGA CAR Total Expected Number of School Sites 72 353 262 630 488 334 455 645 286 499 134 300 314 395 5,167 Expected Number School Buildings 80 355 262 630 524 343 472 649 286 530 139 316 353 395 5,334 Expected Number of Classrooms 241 547 1,017 1,108 1,061 732 1,037 903 476 1,222 355 637 708 635 10,679

Coast Guard....
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a salvage company. The Coast Guard official said that the said salvage company would help in the siphoning of the remaining bunker fuel of the MV Ocean Legacy. He also said that the salvage company would also assist in the refloating of the

next port of call. Ormoc Mayor Eric Codilla said that he was happy that the Coast Guard together with the local rescue group took action immediately on the incident as he allayed the fear of the public of an oil spill. It is now generally contained. We are monitoring it, Codilla said. He also assured the public that the operations of the port remain normal.

The number of school sites, school buildings, and classroom is still subject to change. Each school building will consist of the following components: Component 1-Classroom Buildings, Component II-Toilets and Component III-Classroom Furniture, all to be designed and constructed or provided in accordance with the prescribed Minimum Performance Standards and Specifications to be released by DepED. Each Contract Package will be bid out separately. Interested parties may apply to pre-qualify to bid for any, some, or all Contract Packages, as described in greater detail in the Invitation Documents. The Project will be awarded through competitive public bidding, as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project, in accordance with applicable laws, including the Build-Operate-and Transfer (BOT) Law (R.A. No. 6957) as amended by R.A. No. 7718, and its implementing Rules and Regulations. The bidding will follow the two-stage system: (a) Prospective Bidders shall first be pre-qualified by the DepED based on legal, technical and financial capability requirements; and (b) the Prospective Bidders which pre-qualify shall be invited to submit their bids. Prospective Bidders may obtain the invitation Documents, consisting of (a) this Invitation to Pre-Qualify to Bid, (b) the Instruction to Prospective Bidders, including the required Qualification Documents, (c) the Draft Minimum Performance Standards and Specifications, and (d) the Information Memorandum, from the Office of the PBAC for PPP Projects, at the DepED Complex in Meralco Avenue, Pasig City, 1600 Philippines, c/o PBAC Secretariat-Procurement Service, 2nd Flr., Dorm-B with Telephone/Fax No. (+632) 6339843/636-6549 starting 10 January 2013, upon payment of a non-refundable fee of Php 100,000.00. This fee may be paid in cash or by managers check issued by any bank in the Philippines payable to the Department of Education. Only persons or firms who have purchased the Invitation Documents shall be allowed to participate in the pre-qualification process. The DepEd may release updates, clarifications, amendments, or additions to any or all of the Bidding Documents at any time. Prospective Bidders must submit their application for pre-qualification, together with duly accomplished Qualification Documents in the required format, to the DepED-PBAC Secretariat not later than 10:00 a.m. on 12 February 2013, at the abovementioned Office of the PBAC through its Secretariat. The DepEd-PBAC reserves the right to reject any and all bids, and declare failure of bidding, not award the contract, or annul the bidding process without thereby incurring any liability in the affected parties. (SGD.) FRANCISCO M. VARELA Undersecretary for Finance and Administration and Chairman, PBAC for PPP Projects

CONSERVE ENERGY

Leyte Samar Daily Express

NEWS
of protected areas; Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for the training of tourism frontliners; Cebu Ports Authority for the proposed DOT satellite office in some ports; and the Commission on Higher Education and Department of Education on educational tours. Airport expansion The government, under its public-private partnership program, also opened the bidding for the P8billion expansion of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Conglomerates like Ayala Corp. and Aboitiz Equity Ventures; Metro Pacific Investment Corp. and San Miguel Corp. have expressed interest in joining the bidding. Hauri, however, cautioned that challenges still remained. The China market, which logged strong arrivals during the first four months of the year, plunged following the conflict over Spratlys Island. It brought the market to a literal standstill, said Hauri. But he said the decline was offset by increased arrivals from Japan and Korea The decline of Chinese tourists also affected tourism sub-sectors such as Cebus spa industry, according to Spa and Wellness Association of Cebu (Swac) president Johnny Siao. This problem with China resulted in a substantial decline of spa customers, said Siao, noting that Chinese tourists are among Cebu spas top clients as they come in bigger groups. We truly hope that politics might be put aside and the resumption of a normal flow of travelers can be envisaged, said Hauri. In 2012, Qatar Airways suspended direct flights to Cebu because of rising cost and high operating expenses. It was the only link to markets in Europe and Middle East. Montecillo, however, reported there was no significant impact on arrivals from Europe. Air rights Iyog identified limited air rights between countries; the existence of Common Carriers Tax (CCT) or Gross Philippine Billings Tax; and the Federal

Thursday, 03 January 2013

Cebu tourism logs vibrant year


THE past 12 months have been vibrant for Cebus tourism industry. Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 Director Rowena Montecillo said that as of September, Cebu recorded 1.7 million in tourist arrivals, up 11.07 percent from the 1.5 million tourists recorded in 2011. Foreign arrivals to Cebu increased by 13.65 percent while domestic arrivals went up 9.26 percent. DOT 7 is expecting to hit two million tourist arrivals by yearend of 2012. The relatively stable Asian markets and the combination of increased tourist arrivals and additional rooms were among the growth drivers of the industry this year, according to Hotels, Resort and Restaurants Association of Cebu (HRRAC) president Hans Hauri. Cebu Pacific, on the other hand, credited the Its More Fun in the Philippines campaign as among the key factors that fueled growth in the industry this year. The new wind in the sails provided by the tourism campaign speaks directly to the rest-and-recreation-seekers, backed by a tourism product that is inviting, attractive, varied and definitely a proposition to return again to first-time travelers, said Hauri. The relative stability of Asia as a marketplace also influenced the growth of the industry. Statistics showed Asia tourists leading arrivals, specifically from Japan, which logged a 24.46 percent growth; Korea, 8.90 percent; and China, 16.33 percent. Occupancy Hauri said the 61 percent average occupancy across Cebu shows the stability of the sector. Room supply increased by 11 percent in 2012. Hauri said they expect a 10 percent increase this year with 500 more rooms being built. Cebu City has 141 hotels with 9,335 rooms. The completion of the 500 rooms is expected to generate up to 5,000 new jobs for Cebuanos, tourism officials said. Aside from new hotels, Montecillo said new products were also put in place to provide additional attractions. These include Papa Kits Marina and Fishing Lagoon in Liloan, Danasan Eco-Adventure Park in Danao City and the Gabii sa Kabilin or Night of Heritage organized by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. which are generating buzz for being family- and group-oriented recreational activities. Cebu companies also diversified their businesses and ventured into tourism after seeing its potential as a revenue generator. An example of this is the newly opened Lakwatsa Resto Lounge, which promotes cultural nightlife in Cebu, by couple Wilson and Melanie Ng of Ng Khai Development Corp. Hauri, who is the vice president of the Tourism Congress of the Philippines for the Visayas, said the airlines were the ones spearheading the initiatives to drive new business opportunities. DOT 7s Cebu Sales Missions to Singapore and Malaysia led to opening of Cebu Pacifics new direct route from Cebu to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Bangkok, Thailand. New additional flight from Cebu to Incheon, Korea via Jeju Air has also helped increase arrivals. Cebu remains to be one of the top Philippine destinations, for leisure and business travel, said Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog. Cebu Pacific flew close to 9.8 million passengers as of September. Hauri said key drivers for corporate travels are the IT-BPO industry, banking and financial services, manufacturing, trading and education. Pharmaceutical and insurance industries were also the key drivers for Cebus Meetings, Incentive, Conference and Exhibitions (MICE) business. Montecillo said her office also worked with various government agencies, including Department of Public Works and Highways for tourism roads infrastructure; Department of Science and Technology for livelihood projects; Department of Trade and Industry for the improvement of the tourism value chain; Philippine National Police for the Tourism Oriented Police for Community Project; Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for the preservation

Assorted firecrackers/pyrotechnic devices confiscated by the Regional Special Operations Group 8 (RSOG8) in an operation conducted in Catbalogan City on December 31, 2012.

PRO8 notes fewer firecrackerrelated injuries in 2012


Camp Sec. Ruperto K. Kangleon, Palo, Leyte, January 2, 2013 The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) noted a significant decrease in firecracker-related injuries as revelers met the year 2013. Police Chief Superintendent ELMER RAGADIO SORIA, PRO8 Regional Director, said 2012 recorded a lower rate of firecracker-related injuries as compared to the 2011 Yuletide season. This can be attributed to the governments public information and education campaign and the intensified crackdown on illegal firecrackers waged by our men in the field, SORIA said. Citing data from the Aksyon: Paputok Injury Reduction Registry on Firecracker-related cases from the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in Tacloban City, SORIA informed that from December 16, 2012 to January 1, 2013, only three firecrackers-related incidents resulting in blast/burn type injuries and one eye injury were Aviation Authority (FAA) Category 2 status and International Civil Aviation Organization (Icao) Significant Safety Concern as some of the unresolved industry issues that continue to limit the growth of the industry. Expansion or growth is not just about the physical infrastructure but it also refers to air rights between recorded. The 3 blast victims includes a 76-year old male, a 10-year old boy and 9-month old baby boy who were wounded due to piccolo firecracker while an 11-year old boy sustained eye injury due to lantaka or homemade cannon. All were sent home after receiving proper treatment. The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of the Department of Health Regional Office 8, however, have no available data on the matter as of this writing while PRO8 records showed 7 victims with Eastern Samar posting the highest with 3 victims while Tacloban City and Leyte province posted at 2 victims each. SORIA further disclosed that his office has not monitored any indiscriminate firing incident and victims of stray bullets regionwide. The above figure is lower as compared to the same period in 2011 from the PRO8 and DOH 8 records with a total of 23 firecrackers-related incidents that had caused the same countries. If the air rights between countries are limited then so are the potential clients, said Iyog. She said that if the country targets 10 million tourists by 2016, it would need 15 million seats in terms of entitlements. On the other hand, the existence of CCT could turn away airline companies. The elevation of number of injuries and one injured due to stray bullet. This reduction to a very significant level of firecracker-related injuries and casualties is credited to the vigorous advocacy and close coordination among the police and other government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the media to ensure the security and safety of the general public and attain a generally peaceful and violence-free Yuletide celebration, SORIA said. Days before the New Year and on New Years Eve, PRO8 launched an intensified crackdown on illegal firecrackers with line units conducting seizure and confiscation of dangerous and prohibited firecrackers, including the Piccolo, a brand of firecracker that Department of Health has identified as the leading cause of firecracker-related injuries. Other seized firecrackers were Judas belts, rocket launchers, whistle bombs, super lolo, lolo thunder, pla-pla, Pacquiao, goodbye Philippines and great bawang. (PR) air safety status to Category 1 would also allow local carriers to expand operations in other foreign countries. Philippine Airlines is hopeful that the Category 2 safety status will be upgraded to Category 1 by this year so it could start serving New York City and other major cities in Europe.
(SUNNEX)

Thursday, 03 January 2013

Appellate Court junks Arroyos petition on P5.4-M damage suit


MANILA - The Court of Appeals (CA) has dismissed a petition filed by former President Gloria MacapagalArroyo on the P5.4million damage suit pending before a Quezon City Regional Trial Court against her. In a three-page resolution written by Associate Justice Victoria Isabel Paredes, the CAs 14th Division denied for lack of merit Arroyos application for the issuance of a temporary restraining order and/or a writ of preliminary injunction. In reference to the prayer for the issuance of a TRO we find no compelling reason for the grant of such extraordinary remedy/ ies the CA ruling said. Concurring in the ruling were Associate Justices Japar Dimaampao and Elihu Ybaez. While the TRO and injunction petition was denied the main case still remains pending. The case arose from the complaint filed by the United Church of Christ in the Philippines for the alleged extrajudicial killings of five protestant church members and the abduction of another one from 2003 to 2006. The UCCP impleaded Arroyo in her capacity as then President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The complaint said that church pastors and leaders were either liquidated, harassed, unlawfully detained or tortured with impunity, by military agents and operatives who, by law, were then all under the ultimate control and command responsibility of Arroyo. Representing UCCP as general secretary, Bishop Reuel Norman Marigza joined with six UCCP families as plaintiffs against Arroyo for damages to the church and co-plaintiffs human rights violations victims. The UCCP said Arroyo and the military agents for whom she was responsible must be held accountable for the injustice they have exacted on the Church and the Filipino people. The Arroyo camp elevated the case to the CA after the Quezon City RTC denied its motion to dismiss and its motion for reconsideration. In its ruling, the CA said the issue raised in petitioners application is intricately intertwined with the main case[.] [Hence], courts must be cautious in extending such reliefs as this have the unwitting result of passing upon the merits of the main action without trial, the CA added.
(SUNNEX)

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Leyte Samar Daily Express

Tacloban rst couple Mayor Alfred Romualdez and wife Councilor Cristina G. Romualdez stands as ninong and ninang to some 147 babies baptized during the Mass christening ceremony at St. (Photos by: Louie Bautista / Gay B. Gaspay) Joseph Parish Church of San Jose.

Tail-end of a cold front continues to aect extreme N. Luzon


MANILA The whole country is expected to have fair weather aside from passing light rains in extreme Northern Luzon due to the effects of the tail-end of a cold front, the state weather bureau said Tuesday. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Cagayan Valley and Aurora and Quezon provinces will experience cloudy skies with light rains while Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy with brief rainshowers or thunderstorms. Pagasa said good weather condition is expected before the recurrence of light rains as Southern Luzon, Eastern Visayas and Eastern Mindanao will have occasional rains due to the southward migration of the tailend of a cold front on Monday until Wednesday becoming frequent rains in Surigao, Dinagat and Leyte provinces, which may trigger flashfloods and landslides on Wednesday. The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to at times cloudy with passing light rains. The weather bureau also said fishing boats and other sea vessels en route along the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon (western and northern) are at risk due to big waves generated by the monsoon surge. Likewise, fisherfolks over the seaboards of Eastern Luzon, Southern Luzon and Visayas should exercise extra caution caused by moderate to strong winds with moderate to rough seas. Pagasa also issued gale warning as strong to gale force wind is expected to affect the seaboards of Luzon. Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves, Pagasa said. Meanwhile, Pagasa Administrator Nathaniel Servando said at least one tropical cyclone or none at all would enter the country in January due to the strong northeast monsoon. On the average, the Philippines is visited by 20 storms per year but last year, 17 cyclones passed the country and Quinta was the 17th and last to enter the Philippine territory in 2012.
(SUNNEX)

SAVE A USER JAIL THE PUSHER

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Thursday, 03 January 2013

Hundreds hurt in New Year revelry


MANILA - The number of people injured by powerful firecrackers and gunfire in New Year celebrations dropped to 413 but it was still worryingly high and one of Asias most violent welcomes to 2013, a top official of the Health department said Tuesday. Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Enrique Ona said Tuesday there were 404 people who got injured due to fireworks, eight from stray bullets, and one case of firework ingestion. There was a 17 percent decrease (or decrease by 85 cases) in the number of injured revelers, said Ona. During the same period last year, there were 498 firecracker-related injuries, with 476 from fireworks, 18 stray bullets, and four firework ingestions. We have a significant decrease in numbers. However, we would have wanted that there were no more serious injuries sustained by our people, he added. He said the wounded included a child who was hit in the head by a stray bullet fired by an unidentified person in a Manila suburb. The seven-yearold girl is fighting for her life. We anticipate that additional injuries will be reported further as there will still be more injuries that will be incurred after the New Year, as well as the delayed hospital visits among those injured, said Ona. There were already 171 injured revelers coming only from seven hospitals in the National Capital Region (NCR), based on the DOH quick count covering December 31 (7 p.m.) to January 1 (6 a.m.). Of those injured, the Health chief said 344 (85 percent) sustained blast, burn injuries without requiring amputation; 51 (13 percent) had eye injuries; and 15 (four percent) suffered from burn, blast injuries needing amputation. Ona said the most se-

Happy New Year!

rious case of firecracker injury involved a 17year- old man from Valenzuela City, who used a Goodbye Philippines firecracker that exploded in his right hand. The victim was admitted at the East Avenue hospital. So, instead of Goodbye Philippines, its now goodbye hand since we had to amputate his whole right hand, said Ona. Ona also assured that they are closely looking at the condition of the seven-year-old girl hit by a stray bullet at the top of her head. Her condition is very critical so we are closely observing her, said Ona. The Health department said there was undetermined number of cases of fireworks ingestion but all did not show signs of serious poisoning, so they left the hospital after a few hours. Ona said 204 or half of those injured were active users of firecrackers. The most affected age group was the 6 to 10
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GSIS improved database leads to faster loan processing


State pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) today said that it has processed up to a maximum of 50,000 emergency loan applications on a daily basis for members affected by typhoon Pablo, due to a more reliable database and online capabilities of the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GW@ PS) kiosks. The GSIS said that compared to 2009, at the height of super typhoon Ondoy, the number of emergency loan applications processed daily, peaked at more than 17,000 only. In a statement, the pension fund pointed out that it is continuously updating its database to reflect the current premium and loan remittances of its members so that more can continuously avail themselves of their benefits and loan privileges such as the emergency loan. The System is also working closely with its technology partners and has formed multiple task forces to address the inconsistencies in members records. The pension fund has granted nearly Php7 billion in emergency loan in 2012 which benefited more than 390,000 members. Most GSIS members chose to file their loan applications via the GW@PS kiosks leading to faster processing. The GW@PS kiosk, an online and paperless facility, credit the loans to members accounts through their UMID eCard within three to five days. anch offices, as well as in provincial capitols, municipal halls, and selected Robinsons malls across the country. Recently, the GSIS has announced the grant of emergency loans to members living or residing in seven barangays in Infanta and in the municipalities of Alabat and Unisan, all in Quezon province. For more information on the emergency loan program, members may call the GSIS hotline number at (02) 847.4747, visit the GSIS office nearest them or log on to www.gsis.gov. ph. (PR)

Thursday, 03 January 2013

NEWS

Leyte Samar Daily Express

11

Eastern....
from page 12

younger brother, Rep. Ferdinand Martin FM Romualdez,of Leytes first congressional district. This too vanished into thin air with the governor getting a national portfolio as he was appointed as secretary of the Department of Energy by President Aquino. With the sudden appointment of Petilla to a national post, his long time vice governor and political ally, Vice Gov. Mimietta Bagulaya ascended to the provincial capitol, the third lady governor in the history of Leyte. Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez, seeking for a third-term,is on an eye-for-an-eye political showdown with Rep. Florencio Bem Noel of the An Waray partylist group for City Halls highest chair. Both are claiming they love Tacloban that they would do everything to get elected. In Samar, it would be a girls power as incumbent

Gov. Sharee Ann Tan is being challenged by the eldest daugther of political rival, Calbayog slain mayor Reynaldo Uy. Rosa Jessica Aika Uy-Delgado, with no political experience at all, is serious in dislodging the reelectionist governor, who is barely on her 30s, but is already a political veteran to boot. For one thing, the governors family has ruled the province for over a decade now. In Biliran, it would be another showdown between former Rep. Glen Chong and incumbent congressman, Rogelio Espina, whose victory was tainted with allegation of electoral fraud. Rep.Espina, a longtime governor of the province, strongly denied that he resorted to cheating just to get elected. Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone is being challenged by outgoing mayor of Guiuan town, Annaliza KwanGonzales.Their rivarly is rich with allegations and counterallegations on issues ranging from serious

The aftermath of New Year celebration: pile of garbage seen in one portion of the public market in Tacloban as members of the task force Limpyo conducts their clean up operations. (LITO A. BAGUNAS) to unfounded. Ormoc City Mayor Eric Codilla appeared to be fighting both showbiz royale couple, actor Richard Gomez and television host and commercial model, Lucy Torres Gomez. Codilla is only challenging Torres Gomez congressional seat(Leytes third district) but her husband appear to joining on the political jab on him. Gomez is running for mayor of Ormoc. Northern Samars old political family, the Dazas, are still in the running. Veteran Raul Daza would be running for congressman, a post he held for years now while son, Paul, is seeking for another term as governor of the province. One of the regions most awarded and recognized town mayors, Rico Rentuza of Saint Bernard,Southern Leyte, is to challenge Gov. Damian Mercado for the provinces lone congressional district. Long-time governor of Leyte, Benjamin Kokoy Romualdez died due to a lingering illness. The people of the province paid their last respect to the man widely credited for the establishment of a geothermal plant and roads and bridges in the province,among others. It was also in 2012 that the archdiocese of Palo celebrated its 75th year as a diocese.The celebration was attended by several bishops and priests from various parts of the region and country, to include former Palo archbishop Jose Palma,now the archbishop of Cebu.
(JOEY A.GABIETA)

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Leyte Samar Daily Express

NEWS

Thursday, 03 January 2013

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PALO, LEYTE - GO TIC CHING (JACK UY), President of the Tacloban Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (TFCCCI) receives a plaque of appreciation from Palo, Leyte Mayor Remedios Matin L. Petilla for the donation of a two-classroom school building complete with two comfort rooms at Pawing Elementary School, Pawing, Palo from donor Francisco Chua coursed through the Operation Barrio Schools of Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), the umbrella organization of TFCCCI. Other officials present during the turnover from left, Pawing Brgy. Captain Chique Ruth Uy, Leyte Governor Mimietta Bagulaya, Leyte Board Member Carlo P. Loreto, Mayor Petilla, Ching, Welfare Committee Vice Chairman Antonio Cosing and Alan Cabigon, Eastern Visayas Regional Chairman of FFCCCII. (VICKY C. ARNAIZ)

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Eastern Visayas: 2012 in review


TACLOBAN CITYThe year 2012 was a year of major disasters, a natural event and a political maelstorm, created by men (read: politicians). It only took about only a few seconds for the people of the entire Eastern Visayas region to realize that life indeed is so precious and one can lost it in a snap of a finger. On August 31, 2012, the region experienced the strongest earthquake ever in the last 25 years as a 7.9 magnitude tremor was felt in Eastern Visayas, sending tens of thousands of people to panic and destroying public infrastructures and private properties in the process. In fact, close to a hundred of houses made of light materials in Eastern Samar had collapsed just like a house of cards. While it was the strongest ever, both learned and pragmatists,were shocked but more happy that it did not result to much damages. Scientists said that the earthquakes origin was deep, not enough to cause damages while prgramatists hailed it as a miracle. In fact,no less than Eastern Visayas top Church official, Archbishop John Du, described the regions being spared from destruction as Gods act.

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No lives were lost that could be directly attributed to the earthquake. The good thing that happened on that tragedy, the archbishop said, the flock, at least those professing Catholicisms, relearned the value of prayers and Gods power. Aside from the great earthquake of August 31, 2012, other natural calamities also hit the region - typhoons and massive rains that resulted to flooding and flashfloods. Many a life perished due to these incidents and properties destroyed and crops damaged. Now, the year 2012 also witnessed political circus. Thanks to the

2013 midterm elections. The much-fancied duel of Leytes most dominant political clans did not materialized - again. This after the much anticipated gubernatorial candidacy of businessman Benjamin Philip Romualdez fizzled out. Had he ran for Leytes top post, he would have collided with another businessman, Leopoldo Dominico Petilla. Petilla just happened to be the younger brother of third-termer governor, Carlos Jericho Icot Petilla. The elder Petilla was also rumored to contest the seat of Romualdez
to page 11

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