Samar is ready for 'Undas' 2015

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, October 30 (PIA) - Samar province is ready to welcome the public trooping to the different public cemeteries this weekend.

In an interview, aired over Aksyon Radyo DYMS, PSupt Jennifer Sumpo, PNP spokes person and Police Community Relations in-charge said that Oplan Kaluluwa has been activated in all towns of Samar.

She said they have alerted all chiefs of police to ensure that peace and order reign in the observance of  All Saints and All Souls Day.

Sumpo also enumerated things that cemetery goers need not bring like firearms, bladed weapons, liquor, cards used in gambling, flammable materials and drugs.

“The police will be deployed in areas of convergence to ensure that criminal elements do not take advantage of big crowds to perpetrate their criminal intent,” Sumpo assured the public in PIA’s Huruhimangraw radio program early today.

The Catbalogan City Police Chief Carlito Abriz also informed PIA –Samar that the city LGU has called a meeting to plan and prepare for the coming UNDAS or Pyesta han mga Patay (as locals call the date).

Tasks, he said, have been divided among civic organisations, Police, Army,  Red Cross, Catbalogan Traffic Enforcers and even barangay tanods.

He said that not only are security forces deployed but even the city health office and the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Unit.

Abriz said that they will start operations on October 31.

In related news, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), maintenance section will also install their ‘Lakbay Alalay’ posts in strategic areas in Samar to assist travelers.

There will be Lakbay alalay posts in Calbayog, Cabalogan, Buray Junction in Paranas   and  near the Yolanda Memorial at San Joaquin, Sta Rita, Samar near the San Juanico Bridge.

The police are hopeful that with the careful planning on security, Samarnons would be able to observe Undas peacefully like they did last year. (NINFA B. QUIRANTE/PIA 8-Samar)

News report from Philippine Information Agency

Calbayog seeks reactivation of local tourism council

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar - The City Government here is looking at reactivating its tourism council to strengthen the link with private sector as partners in local tourism development.

Mayor Ronald Aquino said that partnership with the private sector as member of the local tourism council is vital to achieve remarkable growth in tourist arrival.

Last year, the city has welcomed 93,826 tourists, nearly half than the 53,812 visitors in 2013.

The figure is still minimal, according to Aquino, but very encouraging for the City Government. That is why they included tourism as one of local development priorities.

Dubbed as city of waterfalls, Calbayog is the home to nine waterfalls spread throughout its 880.7 square kilometers land area.

Most famous of which are Bangon and Tarangban Falls in Tinaplakan village, about 45 minutes travel from the city center up north near the boundary of Samar and Northern Samar.

Road leading to Bangon Falls are now being concreted, said Aquino.

Aside from waterfalls, Calbayog City is also taking pride for its four major dive spots inspected and validated by the Department of Tourism. These are Isla Pawikan and Puy-aw in Binaliw village, Kinawan Reef in Tinambacan district, and Daraga Islet in Malajog village.

“By the first quarter of 2016, we are looking at deploying reef rangers and snorkeling guides and construct tourist holding areas in nearby barangays,” Aquino told PNA.

The second phase for the development of Malajog Ridge is also ongoing with the construction of a zip line that will start at the tip of the ridge and will end at Daraga islet with a distance of about 850 meters.

The Malajog Ridge View Zip-line and the eco-trail are components of the two-phase Malajog Tourism Development Project. The first phase is the eco-trail that spans to almost a kilometer, starting a few meters off the national highway in Malajog village. (PNA)

WATCH VIDEO: Calbayog Street Party

(10.16.15) 8:00 p.m. The DJs have worked-up the crowd at the "I Love Calbayog Street Party 2.0"#CharterDay2015 #AdlawSanCalbayog2015 #ILoveCalbayog
Posted by Ronald Ladrero Ricafort on Friday, October 16, 2015

Samar political dynasty expands turf

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar, Oct. 17 -– The Tan political dynasty in this province will attempt to expand their turf in the 2016 polls by fielding a family member as mayoralty candidate in this city.

Angelie Tan, daughter of Samar Rep. Milagrosa Tan, the matriarch of the most powerful political clan in the province, formally joins the mayoralty race for the second time, facing the same opponent - Mayor Ronaldo Aquino.

Calbayog Politics AQUINO vs. TAN in 2016 #Calbayog #VotePH2016 #HatolngBayan2016 #Samar pic.twitter.com/rcvyl9bSP9

— Jennifer Sumagang (@jhenysumagang) October 15, 2015

She will run under the Nacionalista Party (NP) in an attempt to control the oldest city in the province.

In 2013, Angelie lost the three-corner fight against Aquino and Rey James Uy, son of late Rep. Reynaldo Uy.

“If given the chance I will do everything whatever that I need to do to make Calbayog a better place to live in” Tan said.

Tan added that she would closely look into the peace and order situation and livelihood programs for city residents.

Introduced as her running mate is Board Member Lolita Daguman.

Angelie is a sister of Samar Govenor Sharee Ann Tan and Vice Governor Jimboy Tan.

Their mother, Milgarosa sought a seat in the provincial board in 1998 to replace her brother-in-law Ruben Tan, who was in turn a substitute for her late husband, Ricardo.

After three years, she ran as governor and served for nine years. In 2010, she became a member of the House of Representatives, representing the second district of the province.

Milagrosa is now seeking a third and last term as district representative. (Jennifer S. Allegado/PNA)

DepEd, Calbayog gov’t break ground for reg'l senior high school campus

photo from LGU Calbayog Bulletin Facebook Page

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar ( Oct. 14) – The Department of Education (DepEd) Eastern Visayas and the city government here broke the ground on Wednesday for the region’s Senior High School (SHS) for Arts and Design campus.

The stand-alone school, which will be named Calbayog City Regional Senior High School for Arts and Design, will solely offer Arts and Design track starting next year on the course of the K to 12 program full implementation.

It will rise in a 2.7-hectare land owned by the local government located in Tomalon Estate, Gadgaran village, which will be lent to DepEd through a Deed of Usufruct.

On the other hand, construction of infra structures like classrooms, laboratories, dormitory and other facilities will be shouldered by DepEd.

Calbayog City is known to be the Center of Arts and Culture in the region and the presence of artists in the various fields in art and culture in this locality inspires DepEd to choose the city as the site for the Regional Senior High School for Arts and Design under the K to 12 program.

DepEd Region Director Luisa Bautista-Yu said the Calbayog City Regional Senior High School for Arts and Design will cater to students of this city other parts of the region who have interest in arts and design with specialization in media and visual arts, performing arts and literary arts.

Not only Calbayognons but students from all over Region-8 aiming to enhance their skills on arts and designs are now...

Posted by LGU Calbayog Bulletin on Tuesday, October 13, 2015

The DepEd official also seeks public’s support to make the project a reality, and advocate the school to other divisions in the region.
“Let us help one another to make this a reality, this is not only for Calbayog, this is for the whole region and for the whole country,” Yu said.

Mayor Ronaldo Aquino on his State of the City Address mentioned that education was one of the city’s priority programs.

Aquino said that aside from lending to DepEd a parcel of land for the senior high school, the city also allotted Php 60 million under the 2016 budget for the construction of circumferential road leading to the campus.

The official added that choosing Calbayog as the seat for the regional SHS for arts and design only proved that the city remained and would always be the seat of arts and culture in the region.

“With this campus in Calbayog only proves that the city remains and will always be the seat of arts and culture in Eastern Visayas.” Aquino said.

Meanwhile, education program supervisor Noel Sagayap is very optimistic that they will reach the 160 target of enrolees for the first batch of Grade 11 at the new campus next school year for the full implementation of K to 12.

Sagayap said that based on the career guidance they had conducted with the present Grade 10 student showed that a lot of them was interested to enroll in the said track.

The former division office in Calbayog East Central School will be the temporary school site of the Regional Senior High School for Arts and Design while waiting for the construction of classrooms in Tomalon Estate to be finished.

He also assured the public that whatever facilities needed for the said senior high school would surely be provided.

“DepEd assures the public especially those who are interested to enroll in the said school the facilities will be available and laboratories will be well-equipped to meet the needs of the students since the department had already allocated a budget for the 17 senior high school for arts and design across the country and one of this is in Calbayog,” he added.

The education department has scheduled Oct. 19 to 23, 2015 as early enrollment for the senior high school. (PNA)

Top Calbayog officials unite for 2016 polls

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar, Oct. 16 -- The top two officials in this city have joined forces to raise their chance for re-election in next year’s polls.

In the 2013 elections, Mayor Ronaldo Aquino and Vice Mayor Diego Rivera belong to opposing parties.

The Liberal Party tandem together with aspirant for city council seat filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) on Thursday at the city election office here.

For the city council, running under the ruling party are Sylvan Ayong, Billie Martires, Rosely Mestiola, Virigilio Clemens, Jessie Jackson, Alex Gelera, Roger Casurao, Cesar Sabenecio, Aquilina Sabi, Charlie Labong Conejos and Jim Uy

Launching of Regional Special Operations Task Group 8and the Signing of the Pledge of Commitment Against Political...

Posted by Calbayog City Police Station on Thursday, October 8, 2015

Rivera said that as elected officials, it is just proper to unite and set aside politics for the development of the city.

After he was elected in 2013 elections, Rivera extended his hand to Aquino and agreed to support the administration’s development initiatives.

Aquino assured city residents to sustain improvement in the city, believing that he has still the support of constituents.

“I ask the people here to only support those who are native of this city because they are the one will truly love our city, but true-blooded,” Aquino added.

The two incumbent officials will be running against Angelie Tan for mayor and Lolita Daguman of the Nacionalista Party.

Angelie is a member of the most powerful political clan in the province. Members currently holding elective posts are her mother Samar Rep. Milagrosa Tan, her sister Governor Sharee Ann Tan and her brother Vice Governor Jimboy Tan.

Angelie ran for mayor in 2013, but lost to Aquino, however, his running mate, Vice Mayor Rivera won the elections. (PNA)

Calbayog River fun run set on October 10

CALBAYOG CITY – Residents in this city will join forces for the second time to save Calbayog river through a fun run on October 10.

The activity, which is part of the city’s week-long 67th Charter Day Anniversary celebration, is spearheaded by Save Calbayog river Foundation Inc. Concerted effort (Sacrifice), with the theme “Gugma san Salog, Dalagan Calbayog.”

The first run for Calbayog River was held in 2012, hosted by Christ the King College Batch 1993, to support the various programs and projects of sacrifice for the restoration and preservation of the rivers.

“We believe that other than us, our children and the future generations deserve to live with clean rivers, safe environment and a beautiful city, and we appeal to everyone to be our partner in our advocacy for life, for our rivers, aquatic resources and the environment as a whole,” said Sacrifice President and Department of the Interior and Local Government city Director Zino Llarenas.

Sacrifice is a private non-profit organization with a mission to work on saving the Calbayog river by cleaning and protecting it and its tributaries through a citizen-based advocacy.

It has been implementing programs such as patrol the river on a regular basis to identify and investigate pollution problems and make sure the responsible parties are held accountable.

The campaign also ensures that ordinances on environment, particularly on waste management and waste water treatment are implemented and enforced.

The group will also educate the public about the calbayog river and the other related issues and coordinate with government agencies in cleaning and protecting the river.

This year’s run for Calbayog river was made possible through the support of the local government unit of Calbayog, government agencies, LGUsof different villages in the city, non-government organizations, academe, business sector and other sectors. (PNA)

Army official to join Samar gubernatorial race

CATBALOGAN CITY -- An Army official who will be retiring from military service Wednesday is eyeing to run for governor in Samar province next year.

After 25 years of military service, Lieutenant Colonel Emilio Zosa returned to Sta. Margarita town, where he grew up and disenchanted with what he has observed of Samar political scene.

“I have been very disappointed with the way the province was being run by some politicians. They always say they want to be the voice of the people, but it ended up differently,” Zosa said.

Zosa is a graduate of class 1991 of the Officers Candidate School (OCS) Philippine Army. He served as the Military Intelligence Commander of the Philippines to Middle East, where he had to travel abroad and to different areas in the country.

Zosa, the provincial chairman of Liberal Party in Samar province, believes that he all need that “determination and a whole lot more” for the 2016 gubernatorial race in the province.

A neophyte in politics, he paints his inexperience as an endowment. He remains untainted by corruption scandals compared to any other politicians in Samar.

He is calling for “transformation” in the entire province. According to him, solutions must be based on policies and ideas. “The people in Samar want a new message and a new messenger,” he added.

Those who once commanded the soldiers, visited Samar villages, carrying his own luggage, wear jeans and rubber shoes. The military, he said, taught him not just to give orders but to lead by example.

“Soldiers are the sons of poor people. I have worked with them for 25 years and I always consider things for their welfare. That's why I have a bond with the people," the official said. "I came from a poor family and have lived in poor villages without water or electricity, and I was fine. I don't think other politicians know how to do that."

Zosa pledges to crack down existence of Private Armed Groups in Samar, fight against corruption, improve the education, medical and health services to the people, livelihood and uphold justice to all the people in the province.

“Reality tells me that there is desperation in Samar,” Sousa said. “We’ve had economic growth, but no development.”
Zosa will be challenging the Tan family, who is in control of key positions in the province.

In 2011, Zosa was reported to be one of the two military intelligence officers who disclosed to senators the names of officials who ordered to wiretap the phones of several officials, including former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and poll commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, during the 2004 elections. (PNA)

Samar politicians asked: Support anti-private army drive

THE police, military and local political leaders in Samar province agreed to sign a covenant on October 1 and pledge that they will never support or use private armed groups (PAGs).

The deal came as a result of the Samar Peace and Security Dialogue initiated by law enforcement agencies after the killing of a family in an interior village of Calbayog City.

The massacre is linked to private-armed groups, reportedly supported by local politicians in the province.
Law enforcement agencies have recorded 34 shooting incidents in Calbayog alone, killing 22 people.

Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division Commander, Major General Jet Velarmino, said the military had an agreement with Police Regional Director Asher Dolina to jointly stop violence in Samar province.

But stopping this problem needs help and cooperation from local government officials of Samar, said Velarmino.
“We need your help to stop these killings,” he told Samar officials during a recent meeting with them.

Present during the gathering were Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan-de los Santos, Calbayog City Mayor Ronald Aquino, Vice Governor Stephen James Tan, some town mayors, Provincial Board members and village officials.

“You are from Samar, you must show your concern to your province like how we in the law enforcement agency shows our eagerness to solve the problem in this place,” said Velarmino.

“We don’t like to see people die just because of misunderstanding and differences in our political view,” he added.
For his part, Dolina said the existence of killings affects development and prevents investors from coming in, resulting in poverty among the people.

“No investors in a right mind will insist if they will read every day in newspaper that there are killings in Samar. There will be no progress in this province,” Dolina said.

He added that what had happened in Calbayog where innocent people like children and women are victims of a shooting incident is not acceptable and must be “categorized as animalistic act.”

“Local leaders should initiate to put an end to the lawlessness happening in the province of Samar in order not to affect their effort in promoting the province for possible future investors,” the police official added.

He then urged local chief executives in Samar to denounce PAGs and promise not to form and use the same in the 2016 elections.

In response, Tan and Aquino both said that they do not tolerate PAGs for their political advancement.

“I assure you that I will not tolerate and at the same time I will not support PAGs,” said Governor Tan, who also asked municipal mayors to follow her in condemning PAGs, not only in words, but also in action.

Mayor Aquino, for his part, said that PAGs have no room in his leadership, citing his first order when he assumed post as city mayor was not to re-hire PAGs members who received salaries from the City Government as job order employees.

He said policemen should go against members of PAGs since most of them have existing criminal record and cases filed in court with standing warrant of arrest. (PNA)

Samar gov’t offers cash reward for arrest of wanted private armies

CATBALOGAN CITY [Sept. 23]-- The Samar provincial government would offer Php100,000 for the immediate arrest of private armies with standing warrant of arrest to attain peace and order in the area.

“The reward is in the hope that criminality in the province will stop and that for criminals to realize that their acts are not welcome in Samar,” said Governor Sharee Ann Tan.

The official made the announcement during the recent Samar Peace and Security Dialogue at the army camp in this city. Private armies members have been tagged as suspects in the recent killings.

“The provincial government has to go to this extent of offering the monetary reward to show to the world that we do not tolerate and we condemn senseless killing in the province,” Tan added.

“I hope that at least within the month, one person with warrant of arrest will be caught by authorities.”

Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Asher Dolina said they have already validated the names of wanted private armies.

“In coordination with the Philippine Army, we will run after them and impose the rule of law in the province of Samar,” Dolina said.

Dolina asked village officials to take part in the drive to hunt down criminals especially when these people are seen in their communities.

The police official, however, refused to divulge the number of wanted PAGS members in Samar as part of their operational plan.

Meawnhile, local officials in Samar from different political parties recently gathered for a peace and security dialogue initiated by the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Batallion and the Philippine National Police.

The dialogue prompted political opponents Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan and Calbayog City Mayor Ronald Aquino to both agree to work for peace.

Town mayors of Sta. Margarita, Matuguinao, Almagro, and San Jorge were also present along with their village officials.

Maj. Gen. Jet Velarmino said the conduct of the dialogue is in response to the series of killings in Samar. From January to mid-September, there are already 34 shooting incidents, resulting to 22 deaths. Most of these were recorded in Calbayog City, the hometown of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento.

Last week, a family of five, including two children, were brutally killed in Victory village in Calbayog by alleged private armies.

Both Tan and Aquino agreed to stop and resolve the killings that are perceived to be politically motivated and perpetrated by private armies.

Tan said the provincial government of Samar will not tolerate any killings, especially when innocent people are the victims.

Aquino, for his part, appreciated the police and army in pursuing the dialogue.

Dolina said the dialogue is the beginning in their pursuit to impose rule of law in the province. (PNA)