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VOL. XXV NO. 018

INSIDE
NEWS No EV cop red gun during New Year - Soria
news page 2

Samars elections peace covenant slated on Jan. 13

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte - In yet another e ort to ensure that the conduct of elections in the province of Samar, considered to be among the concerned areas in the country, a peace covenant is tentatively set on January 13, the start of the elections period.
BY JOEY A. GABIETA Staff Writer

TUESDAY JANUARY 08, 2013

P10.00 IN TACLOBAN

Use of personally-controlled health records to start this year

news page 3

17 police stations in EV provided with motorcycles

opinion page 3

Proliferation of mobiles
opinion page 4

Yaokasin family donates another school building

news page 7

ACTION MAN -- House Assistant Minority Leader and Leyte (1st dist) Rep. Ferdinand Martin FM Romualdez started the new year 2013 by distributing more financial assistance to more than 600 beneficiaries coming from the different municipalities of the 1st district in need of hospitalization,medicines,educational,tr ansportation and burial.The distribution was held at Rep. FMs congressional sub-district office, Real St. Tacloban City. Photo by VER S. NOVENO

Chief Superintendent Elmer Soria, police regional director, said that the signing of the peace covenant is one of the measures that they would institute to achieve their goal of an orderly and peaceful in Samar, so far the lone province in
to page 2

Mayor Kwan: LGU-Guiuan not involved in housing project

TACLOBAN CITYMayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan of Guiuan, Eastern Samar has expressed dismay on newspaper reports accusing her of violating environmental laws for illegally cutting and destroying mangroves in her town. The local government unit of Guiuan has nothing to do with it. Its a project that involves the National Housing Authority (NHA). I was not even the mayor yet when the NHA was given the go-signal to proceed with that housing project, Mayor Kwan said in reaction to national newspaper reports on Sunday alleging that the local government allowed the cutting of mangrove trees without the necessary permits. National papers on Sunday reported that barangay officials of Campoyong in Guiuan had filed a case against Kwan and contractor Cosme Tiu Sonco, owner of Als Enterprise and Construction, for purportto page 3

Financing, politics blamed for RA 9003 non-compliance

TACLOBAN CITY Financing and political situations have been identified as major stumbling block why majority of local government units failed to comply Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. The National Solid Waste Management Com-

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

mission (NSWMC) disclosed that only 20% of local government units in the country have established sanitary landfills and a big majority is still struggling to close existing dumpsites. NSWMC Secretariat Executive Director Emelita Aguinaldo said that
to page 6

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
priately will face both criminal and administrative charges and can be dismissed from service if found to had violated the gun policy. Meanwhile, Soria ordered a thorough investigation on the indiscriminate firing inside the V & G Subdivision in Tacloban City during New Year celebration wherein stray bullet pierced through the roof of one Elvira Cosca. Cosca reported to the police that while her family was welcoming the New Year, they heard a loud noise from the roof and upon checking, they noticed a hole on their ceiling and recovered a slug of unknown caliber under their sala set. Soria assured that an investigation is on-going on the matter as the reAside from the signing of peace covenant, peace rallies and voters education are also to be held in different parts of the province, he added. Samars past electionsrelated violence and the presence of private armed groups as well as that of the rebel group, the New Peoples Army, were among the reasons cited why the province was placed under such classification. Earlier, Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan, who is seeking for a possible second term, has expressed her agreement on declaring the province as concerned area, saying it would help achieve a peaceful and or-

Tuesday, 08 January 2013

No EV cop red gun during New Year - Soria

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte Nobody among the policemen in Eastern Visayas indiscriminately fired their guns on New Year. This was the result of the gun inspection conducted Monday morning during the untaping of muzzles of service firearms among Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) personnel wherein none of the taped muzzles showed signs of being tampered. Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) director Police Chief Superintendent Elmer Ragadio Soria presided over the activity at the regional headquarters and he expressed satisfaction over the compliance of his men on the directive of the Philippine National Police (PNP) regarding the use of guns on New Year. A broken tape found upon inspection could be an indication that the firearm was used during the holiday revelry. This only indicates that none of the firearm holders indiscriminately fired their guns in welcoming year 2013, Soria said. The regional director earlier led his men in the annual sealing of gun muzzles last December 29, 2012. The 100% compliance to our directive only showed the honesty and professionalism of our policemen, the top police official said, adding that similar inspection was also conducted in city and provincial police offices regionwide. Soria earlier warned that policemen who will fire their guns inapproThe signing of peace covenant is to be held in Calbayog City, the police regional director said, adding that it is with the coordination of the diocese of Calbayog headed by Bishop Isabelo Abarquez. Samar has been identifed as a priority area and one of our focus of activities is to have such an activity, Soria said,referring to the peace covenant. Soria also asked all his policemen, to include in Samar, not to favor any candidates and carry their duties during the conduct of the elections without fear. This way, the conduct of elections would be peaceful and credible. covered slug was already brought to the Regional Crime Laboratory for ballistic examination. The regional director earlier disclosed that no victim of stray bullet was reported to his office as a result of New Year revelry. In other parts of the country, various sectors are calling for tougher laws and stricter gun control following the death of 7-year old Stephanie Nicole Ella owing to a stray bullet from a celebratory gunfire during the New Year revelry in Caloocan City and the death of seven people and wounding of 6 others in a shooting rampage by drug-crazed gunman Police Chief Superintendent Elmer R. Soria, regional diRonald Bae in Kawit, rector of Police Regional Ofce 8 (PRO8), presiding in the Cavite on Friday. (PINSP untaping of gun muzzles of PRO8 personnel yesterday at
ROMUEL A NACAR) the PRO8 grounds.

Samar..
the entire Eastern Visayas identified as a potential concerned area or hot spot area. All major candidates, Soria said, would be invited to sign the peace covenant for them to shun any use of violence during the May 13, 2013 midterm elections. Expected to sign the peace covenant are those running for governor, congressmen of Samars two congressional districts, vice governor and those seeking for mayor of the provinces two cities of Calbayog and Catbalogan.
from page 1

derly conduct of elections. She is facing the daughter of her political rival, Calbayog slain Mayor Reynaldo Uy, Rosa Jessica Uy-Delgado. The regional police headquarter is also set to deploy close to 100 police personnel in the province under the Regional Special Operations Task Force Samar under the leadership of Senior Supt. Edgar Basbas. Samar has a voting population of 481,275 spread from its two cities of Calbayog and Catbalogan and 24 towns. It is the second vote-rich province in Eastern Visayas, next to Leytes more than one million voters.

Tuesday, 08 January 2013

NEWS

Leyte Samar Daily Express

Use of personally-controlled health records to start this year

TACLOBAN CITY Starting this year, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) will release specification for a personally-controlled health record (PCHR) that will allow the sponsored members to manage their own health information. Miramar Zabala, PhilHealth-8 information officer, said this shift in health data management is expected to create a refocus on the patient as the center of care and likewise stimulate a whole new business sector on health data stewardship. A personally-controlled health record is owned by the patients and is co-managed with their health providers. The PCHR will empower patients to take care of their own health data and use it for decision making, Zabala said. Zabala added the PCHR will also be designed as a secure repository for health information for individuals and their families -- an important compliance requirement of the recently passed Data Privacy Act of 2012. PhilHealth has launched its PCB first for its sponsored program members, organized groups, and overseas workers in April 2012. The health insurance provider said it will eventually be rolled out for all types of members. The PCB is currently provided in government health centers, rural health units and outpatient departments of government hospitals PCB providers, but private health care providers will be brought in as the PCB is expanded to all member types, Zabala said. She added PhilHealth wishes to empower their members to take charge of their familys health and make informed decisions through proper data management. Early last year, PhilHealth partnered with the academe to quickly implement a free and open source reporting system that receives reports from the PCB providers. The PCB eReporting system is PhilHealths response to the Aquino Health Agendas mandate to use information and communications technology to make the health sector more efficient. (REYAN L.
ARINTO)

Members of the ABCs for Global Health Foundation says they are just glad to have their medical and dental mission here in Tacloban and towns of Leytes rst district. The mission is to be held at the Tacloban City Hospital and at the Mother of Mercy Hospital. LITO

17 police stations in EV provided with motorcycles

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte - About 17 police stations across the region were provided with their own motorcycle units and other equipment. Chief Superintendent Elmer Soria, police regional director, said that the giving of the motorcycle units to the different police stations, would bolster the capability of these police stations. still enough area for classroom expansion. These facilities were set up before a DepEd memorandum came out that campuses should be exclusive for learning, she added. Earlier, the Phivolcs elevated its plea to the DepEd main office, seeking for exemption from the rule. If they wont be granted, the service institute will be force to relocate their station to Quezon City. (SARThis is part of the capability enhancement and part of the strategic focus of the new PNP (Philippine National Police) chief, the police regional director said. The 17 police stations which were given the motorcycle units were Albuera, Tabango, Pastrana and Leyte-Leyte, all in Leyte; Bontoc in Southern Leyte; Dolores, Oras and Sulat, all in Eastern Samar; Biri,Bobon,Victoria and Palapag, all in Northern Samar and the Marasbaras police station in Tacloban City. Senior Superintendent Brigido Unay, officer-incharge police provincial director for Eastern Samar, said that the giving of the motorcycle units would boost on their police work. The three police stations under his jurisdiction that were giving the motorcyle

DepEd in legal tussle with 4 agencies

PALO, Leyte The Department of Education (DepEd) has been in a legal battle with four agencies, as it moves to relocate structures built within school premises, which was seen as hazardous to students and disruptive to learning environment. Aside from the seismic station of the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) established inside the school ground of the Arado Elementary School in this town, the education department also seeks to remove transmission lines and water storage facilities in public schools. Our legal department has been taking measures to negotiate with concerned entities. School campus should be exclusive to educational activities, said DepEd Assistant Regional Director Rebecca Ragrag. These schools are Guintigui-an Elementary School in Babatngon, Leyte with transmission lines of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines; Sulangan National High School in Guiuan, Eastern with water reservoir by the Guiuan Water District; and B.V. Closa Elementary School in Abuyog, Leyte with water storage by the Abuyog Waother DENR permits. Mayor Kwan, meanwhile, confirmed the NHA is currently undergoing a resettlement project in Barangay Campoyong but clarified it had received a green light from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Eastern Visayas and the area was declared fit for a housing project. Kwan said the local government unit has previously identified a fourhectare area in Barangay Campoyong for site development by the NHA but latter had the overall responsibility of implementing the housing project. The site has been declared by then President [Gloria] Arroyo by way of a presidential proclamation. But it is the NHA that is mandated to undertake socialized housing and in pursuance of its mandate, seeks ter District. The very limited school site if shared by another agency is tantamount to making our resources much lesser. We see these facilities as hazardous to learners and teachers. We stand on our decision because we are after the learning environment, Ragrag said. It was learned that the NGCP committed to build new classroom since they cant move transmission lines away from school sites. The DepEd is proposing to switch nearby lots or completely remove water reservoir out of school vicinity to ensure that there is our active participation thus we provided the lot for development, Kwan said. If the contractor exceeded the area for cutting of mangrove trees and without the permit, then it is not already my concern. The appropriate agency is the NHA, which directly handles the project, Kwan added. I firmly believe there is a politician behind this issue. For obvious reasons, he is doing this because he wants to besmirch my reputation. But my conscience is clear. It is just disappointing because my side was not asked before reporting on the issue, Kwan said. Kwan, a three-term mayor of the southernmost town of Guiuan in Eastern Samar is challenging the provinces lone district Rep. Ben Evardone this May elections.
(REYAN L. ARINTO)

units are among the biggest towns in Eastern Samar. Soria said that he expect that the local police where these equipment were given would become more competent in dealing with their work as peace officers. The police regional director stressed to his policemen to always adhere to the principle set by the new PNP chief, Director General Alan Purisima. These include of being competent,discipline, excellent and professional. According to Soria,if all these principles would be strictly adhere by all policemen, they could perform their duties expected from them. This will lead to serbisyong makatotohanan (honest service), he said.
Also distributed by Soria were reloading machines,bandoliers and raincoats to various local police stations and support units of the PNP-8.(JOEY A. GABIETA)

WELL Q. MENIANO)

Mayor..
from page 1

edly conspiring to cut and destroy mangroves forest in their barangay last July even without the go-signal from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The mangroves, which were supposedly used for the construction of a joint National Housing Authority-LGU resettlement project, are protected by the Guiuan Marine Reserve Protected Landscape and Seascape (GMRPLS). They said their mayor and Tiu Sonco should be criminally liable for allegedly conspiring to violate the Anti-graft law, Section 3 (e), Section 3 (f), RA 3019, the Forestry Code (PD 705), RA 7586 for undertaking the resettlement project without environmental clearance certicate, and

The 1st Performance Government System - Institutionalized National Government Agency

Republic of the Philippines National Electrification Administration

Needed Immediately

for LEYTE III ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (LEYECO III) Brgy. San Roque, Tunga, Leyte Qualications: * 30-50 YEARS OLD * Male or Female * Graduate of Business Administration, Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, ECE), Accounting, Finance, Management or Behavioral Science * With Masters Degree or Post-Graduate Degree preferred * Must have at least ve (5) years managerial experience in a utility-related business enterprise * Computer literate * Must be willing to relocate with his/her family in Leyte Starting Salary: P40,000.00 Application forms and additional information may be obtained from LEYECO III and the NEA, Institutional Development Department, 6th Floor NEA Building, NIA Road, Diliman, Quezon City. Deadline for submission of application form is on 25 January 2013. (Sgd.) EDITA S. BUENO Administrator

GENERAL MANAGER

Leyte Samar Daily Express

OPINION

Tuesday, 08 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
The Leyte Samar Daily Express is published daily with editorial and business ofces at G/F Knights of Columbus Bldg., 187 P. Zamora St. Tacloban City CONTACT Tel. Nos. 321-4833/ 523-7373 Fax. (053) 321-5591 WEBSITE leytesamardaily.net EMAIL ADDRESS EDITORIAL lsdaily2@yahoo.com ADVERTISING lsdaily_ads@yahoo.com All rights reserve. Except as permitted by law, no part of Leyte Samar Daily Express may be re-produced or distributed in any form or by any means stored in a database or retrieval system without its prior written permission from the publisher. Commentaries from readers whose identities they prefer to remain anonymous 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.

EDITORIAL

Tax-funded projects
then he should not claim the glory for such projectsthats an insult to the real owners. Why claim something that is not yours? Naming projects after the politicians concerned had been rampantly done. As a result, people are kind of indebted to the politico they seem obliged to render to him any favor in exchange for his graces. Items for applicants, for instance, are given by the recruiting agency to the politico so he can distribute the same to his own people even if it means ignoring the existing ranking system. The fear that they might not be given projects by the ofcial anymore is what grips the people and concerned agencies into blind submission. Its time the names of politicians be removed from tax-funded projects. They dont deserve commendations for their basic function. The president, being strongly against it, ought to be supported for this.

or President Benigno Aquino III to refuse to have projects under his administration named after him is commendable indeed. As much as possible, he prohibits government ofcials from attaching their names to projects that are funded by the taxpayers money. Why, government ofcials do not have the right to claim those projects as their own, as though funded from their own pockets, because that is part and parcel of their jobto create projects that would improve the peoples lives. Thats what they have been elected for. They should not demand credit and recognition for things that they are expected to do. Especially that said projects are funded by the peoples taxes. If, however, an ofcial comes up with projects funded by his own pocket, then perhaps he earns the right to attach his name to those. Streamers and billboards will do. But if his role in certain projects is only that of an initiator, or facilitator,

Proliferation of mobiles
Cell phones have indeed metamorphosed from being a commodity of the rich to something that even the most hard up people could own. They used to be considered a luxury, owned only by people who are in great demand in society like doctors, company officials, businessmen, etc. Now, almost everybody has one. The cell phone of today is regarded as a necessity by a growing number of Filipinos, the residential phone having become optional. The trend, according surveys, is slowly expanding to include all age and income groups. Many households across the nation have abandoned residential phones and rely solely on cell phones for communication.

Things To Mind
doms pagliawan
The popularity of the venerable landline peaked in 2000. Since that time, the number of phone customers has steadily decreased. At the same time, cell-phone use has surged. Young people have been part of the migration of users away from landlines. They have given up landlines for good after having had their cell phones. This works best when they are working for long hours and are moving from place to place. At first, cell phone threatened to complicate life, but

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moving around and working more and more, users realized it does not. The ability to keep in touch with family, business associates, and access to email are only a few of the reasons for the increasing importance of the gadget. Bulky, expensive, and required a base unit that had to be transported along with the phonethese were the qualities of the first cell phone units. Good reception was a major problem and in general, early cell phones could only be used in certain locations where the signal was particularly strong. As to page 6

Tuesday, 08 January 2013

OPINION
sence, we were disbanded because we refused to grow, and again, the widespread misapprehension about our Catholic church. Although we have the number - being almost 85% Roman Catholics, yet the RH Bill homebased. Our number did not wield commensurate public influence. Indeed, is it not a positive blessing, not a negation of belief, to be free of what is known as the theodicy problem? Our free will answers to the question of why God does not use his power to prevent the carnage of innocents, and many people throughout history, like Hitlers annihilation of the Jews have not been able to let God off the hook in that fashion. I fear of seeming to proselytize. When I gave my view to my friends, I avoid personal discussions of my RC religion. But over the years, I have changed my mind that evangelization has its reasons, and I do not know what they could be. One of my students confided why God allows massacres. One of the most helpful things I could do was to provide a willing ear for a doubter even if the doubter remains a religious believer. Bottomline. We love God. God is love. And love is the greatest. All religions are good but sometimes people, who are not good, use religion to bring about evil and suffering. Religion is the great catalyzer that can push us to do things that experience alone would have led us to believe to be impossible. (RA) 10354 or the Act Providing for a National Policy on Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RH Law). There are quarters which contended that the Catholic Church is gradually loosening its grip on the political leaders of the country. Maybe not so on the people especially the frequent communicants, but on those who were to vote for or against the controversial law. Another blame slapped on those against the RH Law was that the Church has no economic program to continue her influence on the people, particularly the poor denizens. Right in the middle of a church service, a local member of the church has articulated this particular analysis which he called the fault of the church. This criticism necessitates enlightenment so as to disabuse the mind to page 6 People know too well as they are familiar with government projects dubbed as farm to market roads. These roads were established with the end of providing access for farm products emanating from the farm all the way to the market. It is a facility that people need, both on the part of the farmer who had long been suffering from serious losses mainly due to the absence of access roads that will allow their products to find its way to the market. Many of these roads are originally established by those holding the power of the purse as they are the officials with huge allocations in the form of pork barrel. Such allocations are precisely intended to answer for the needs of the constituents that these officials represent. Unfortunately, the allocations are spent in the whimsical and capricious ways of the officials, setting aside the needs of the people. There is a road in the province of Samar that looks like a ploughed agricultural piece of land than a road. It is a classic picture of neglect by government officials at all levels. The macadamized road that connects the barangays of San Antonio, Amandayehan, Cambayan and Tinaogan, all of the old town of Basey, from the highway leading towards the southern tip of Samar and unto the eastern part and the rest of the country as well, is akin to a farm land with deep furrows and potholes. That road had brought misery to the people passing through it due to the huge potholes and deep furrows along the stretch of that road. Four wheeled vehicles can hardly pass through that portion that looks like ploughed with deep furrows. A mistake by the driver could result in destruction to the vehicle and passengers alike. That road is classified as a provincial road, It had become a pilgrim piece for politicians during elections, promising to concretize the macadamized provincial road. But nothing had ever been done to improve said road over the years, worse, the road is not in a bad state and no elective official is lifting a finger to even restore it to its previous condition. The provincial road is the gateway to the local port of Barangay Amandayehan which served as the main connecting point between Leyte and Samar prior to the erection of San Juanico Bridge and was the alternative route when the bridge was closed for re-

Leyte Samar Daily Express

Blessings of a Believer

Neglected road

Of Cabbages & Kings...

dr. nila l. filamor
I voiced my vexation at the endless talk of my office mates over Catholic priests and their seeming breach of their vows. One says her parish priest is a flirt but uses uncouth language, the other says that her parish priest drives a Fortuner, one sports Levis jeans and just one more, a house has just been donated to their priest. Another friend is a believer, and her logic that only faith in God is the only consolation for those devastated by gun-related murders, is equally perplexing. But Aldo, my teammate finds solace in the idea that the dead especially children are now angels in heaven. This only shows how some Roman Catholics believes and disbelieves. For a nonbeliever, all these beliefs over man-made disasters has nothing to offer when people are suffering. Quite right. In my own community, my dear Lily took a leave and our mentors found this phenomenon funny, and said, One cannot just a take a leave from ones religion. After a years ab-

pair. The road is the access to the flourishing fish cage projects in the Barangays of Cambayan and Tinaogan and the Simeon Ocdol National High School and the beach resorts in Barangay San An-

tonio. Such is the importance of the road that is not being given importance by officials who promised and swore to improve the same. What is appalling is the to page 6

The Sower
Tuesday after Epiphany 1 Jn 4:7-10; Ps 72; Mk 6:34-44

THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND

When [Jesus] disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. By now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said, This is a deserted place and it is already very late. Dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves something to eat. He said to them in reply, Give them some food yourselves. But they said to him, Are we to buy two hundred days wages worth of food and give it to them to eat? He asked them, How many loaves do you have? Go and see. And when they had found out they said, Five loaves and two fish. So he gave orders to have them sit down in groups on the green grass. The people took their places in rows by hundreds and by fifties. Then taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to [his] disciples to set before the people; he also divided the two fish among them all. They ate and were satisfied. And they picked up twelve wicker baskets full of fragments and what was left of the fish. Those who ate [of the loaves] were five thousand men.

Questioned RH Law: An afterthought

ALL-EMBRACING LOVE
God loves us, wrote C. S. Lewis, not because we are loveable, but because he is love; not because he needs to receive, but because he delights to give. Therefore, we are not surprised that Christ, God made flesh, had compassion on the great crowds because they were like sheep without a shepherd (Mk 6:34), and fed them for they were hungry, multiplying few loaves into thousands (cf. vv 41-2). St. John, calling on us to love one another, adds, Whoever fails to love, does not know God, because God is love (1 Jn 4:8). We are urged to love all people since God loves everyone. Love is genuine only when it embraces all. We must endeavour to love him or her whom once we did not love, whom we have condemned, or who may have done us an injury. To love all human beings is difficult but it can be learned, if we closely consider the benefits of loving all people. One benefit surely is that it unites people. Modern technology, may be useful for uniting people; however, without love, machines can easily separate people. Another benefit of love is that it makes the one who loves, very happy. If you hate even one person, all the joys will leave your heart. God wanted us to be happy, but happy in our belonging, and hence endowed us with a longing for love. Hence we will be happy only when we all love one another. We are like stones joined in an arch and are bound to collapse unless we support one another with love. To be in love with all people is the greatest good and hence the greatest happiness. . (His Word is Life by Vima Dasan, S.J. published by Paulines. Visit us at www.paulines.ph or at Paulines Media Center, Real St., Tacloban City. Tel. #321-3195) Sowers Seeds: The whole of holiness consists in understanding Gods wisdom and in pledging him our unceasing fiat. Trust God! He is always our Father! This is the word Jesus used, even at the height of his suffering: Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. +Blessed James Alberione, Founder of the Pauline Family

Two weeks or so after it was signed by Pres. Noynoy Aquino, the contentious Reproductive Health Law is now a matter in controversy before the Supreme Court of the Philippines. Concerned citizens who obviously have qualms over the benefits of the law wanted the High Court to declare the law null and void being basically unconstitutional. Couple lawyers James and Lovely Ann Imbong in their petition for certiorari and prohibition with prayer for temporary restraining order tagged the RH Law as one which violates the Constitutional ideal of unconditional respect for life and establishment of policies that create opportunities to harness the economic potential of every Filipino. While it is publicly known that the fight on the sensational legislation was beyond principle but on what sways one to think on certain issues, there are sectors that could not help but won-

der how the war was lost in the battle where only a few could make it win. The Roman Catholic Church of the Philippines, backed by various issue-based groups, has been at the forefront in the battlefield waving the banner of antagonism on what was dubbed the anti-life bill. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines along with their support groups have taken the last ditch effort to stop the bill from rushing to Malacaang Palace for the Presidents precious signature. The presence of the bishops in the gallery of the House of Representatives and Senate, especially during the third and final reading of the bill in both Chambers of Congress did not thwart the event from happening. RH bill should be a law, as the President wanted. In no soon time, amidst the strong resistance from the church and the self-professed pro-life advocates the bill became Republic Act

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

advertising it. Let us not be deceived the reason why the RH was passed. Fr. Alvero opined, the RH Law was passed because of our President, who wanted it since the beginning. What he wants he gets using all the resources of our government, including the Pork Barrel for our legislators. This he said is the truth about this failure of the Church to impede the birth of what others call the antilife law. In that case, passing the blame on the Church is grossly unfair. How the bill became a law is purely a political event and the Church is not to be faulted on it. But what if there is something more enormous that propelled the enactment of the RH Law than what meets the eye? What if there is a power greater or a reason more compelling that pure religious conviction? There is a new bill that the Church claims is posing another attack on the moral fiber of the Filipino family culture the divorce bill. Some priests advance the fear that the abortion bill will follow. Voting on any bill is nothing more than a numbers game. Getting the least number is easy win-it with all the resources available. The voters are politicians, largely traditional ones and are easily swayed by what they need most financial resources by way of the priority develop-

Questioned...
from page 5

NEWS Financing... trolled dumpsites should

about 900 out of 1,634 cities and towns in the country are still operating opened and closed dumpsites, which is prohibited under Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management (SWM) Act of 2000. The law requires that these opened and conment assistance fund or simple the pork barrel. Do we expect the same when the time comes for the national legislators to vote on the divorce bill? Unless it is certified urgent and Malacaang Palace makes gestures to have this bill approved as soon as possible, time is young to be weary and helpless. Who knows the next Congress might be more God-fearing than pragmatic. Meantime, mentioning about the BECs, Fr. Alvero informed that little by little we are establishing these BECs in our Archdiocese and in our neighboring dioceses. In some parishes, they are now fully functioning, like in Ipil (Ormoc) and in Barugo. In our parish of Santo Nio we are still on its orientation stage but there are already families in our districts who group themselves for their prayer and bible studies. He added that in Mindanao almost all the churches there are into BECS already because they have started it a long time ago. This only proved that the Church really cares for her people.
from page 1

Tuesday, 08 January 2013

pliance Certificate (ECC) for the proposed establishment of sanitary landfills of 60 LGUs. The NSWMC notes different stages of development. The period between ECC approval and actual construction mainly depend on financing and political situation. There are so many criteria that should be considered in establishing a sanitary land fill. We have to capacitate local government official because they dont know how to really comply the law, Ms. Aguinaldo said. The change of leadership in many LGUs this coming 2013 elections will also affect the momentum of the SWM enforcement. In Eastern Visayas, there are only two cities that established their own landfill Calbayog City in Samar and Ormoc City in Leyte.
to page 8

of the nave and the faithful, at least. Rev. Fr. Amadeo Corpuz Alvero, Social Communications director of the Archdiocese of Palo, texted his reaction to the charge that the Church has no clearcut economic program for the poor that is why she has lost her influence over her constituents on the passage of the RH bill, said to be enacted for the benefit of the poor. In a text message, he replied, The Church is always for the poor. She serves the poor, especially the poorest of the poor. The creation of the Basic Ecclesial Communities is one of those programs of the Church to cater to the integral needs of the total person. The Catholic Caritas is also one. The different apostolates of the Religious, like the Missionaries of Charity, are also for the poor. The Schools for poorest of the poor by the Sisters of Mary in Manila and in Cebu are also programs of the poor. He added, There are many other programs and apostolates of our Church for our poor in our country but are not advertised, stressing further, Because the Church just works silently for all, especially the poor, without announcing or

be closed by 2006. Its been past due but we cannot sanction them because we have to understand that many LGUs are not capable. In fact, some 600 LGUs have not done anything to comply the law, Aguinaldo said in a recent interview. The official reported that 45 LGUs in the country have their own landfill. One landfill can accommodate waste of nearby towns and cities through clustering. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has issued last year Environmental ComNOTICE IS HEREBY given that Heirs of MARINA IRINCO, namely: Zosimo I. Kam, Lucina K. Infante, Florentina K. Luto, Juan I. Kam, Pablito I. Kam, Roberto I. Kam and Corazon K. Bartolome have entered into an Extra-judicial Settlement of Estate of MARINA IRINCO, with Sale, Quitclaim and Waiver, per Doc. No. 2369; Page 75; Book V; Series of 2012, dated 10 December 2012 of the notarial register of Atty. Felipe R. Espia. LSDE: January 8, 15 & 22, 2013

Proliferation....
from page 4

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that heirs of the late Raymundo Cahinde extrajudicially settled, partitioned and adjudicated over a portion of a parcel of land, containing an area of 91 square meters, situated at at Imberio St., Brgy. Licod, Tanauan, Leyte, designated as Lot No. 260A, covered by Tax Dec. no. 38003 00112-R13; A Deed of Sale was executed in favor of Jed Malquisto Yucamco, as vendee for the abovedescribed property; per Doc. No. 324, Page No. 66, Book No. IX, Series of 2012 of Notary Public Atty. Asterio A. Villero. LSDE: January 8, 15 & 22, 2013

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH ABSOLUTE SALE

cell phone technology advanced, the difficulty in using them became less of a problem. The importance of cell phones goes way beyond personal safety. Modern cell phones are capable of internet access, sending and receiving photos and files, and are equipped with GPS technology, allowing for use in most locations around the world and allowing the cell phone to be found or the user located in the event of loss or emergency. Cell phone users can instantly send data to the home or office, check for important email, use their cell phone as a PDA or calendar, and store photos which can be easily transferred to a PC or laptop computer. Unlike before, reception now has become reliable and of high quality too due to advances in wireless technology. Wireless service providers offer excellent packages and promotions

for cell phone users. Finding a dependable service provider is no longer an issue for cell phone users. The expansion of the wireless service provider industry gives cell phone users a choice and the increased competition has caused a drop in prices of wireless cell phone service. Apparently, cell phone makers continue to produce a wide range of cell phones, which sell for prices that range from very inexpensive to costly ones. The available options give users the choice of purchasing a basic cell phone to use simply for making calls, or choosing a complex, technologically advanced cell phone that can perform as many or even more tasks than a home computer. In recent years, the increasing importance of cell phones has made them a great necessity for most people. They have become a status symbol in addition to the convenience and security that comes from owning them. project which is not as urgent as concreting the main road instead. It is hoped that concern will be given to improve the road for the safety travel of people and in order to prevent undue accidents. People are keeping their fingers crossed that barangay officials in the affected areas as well as municipal and provincial officials will act on the matter with urgency. Already, one private individual has taken the cudgels of spending her own resources to patch deep portions of furrows and such act is anomalous and insulting to all elective officials who obstinately sleep on their sworn duty. Will our elected officials, from the congresswoman, governor, vice-governor, board members continue to shamelessly sleep on this concern or will they act urgently for the welfare of the people? Comments toalellema@

Neglected...
from page 5

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waste of government resources being expended in the supposed maintenance of that road through provincial paid workers that work merely on clearing the road sides from grasses. The activity is a perennial repetitive cycle as workers barely complete the clearing from one point to the other end and grasses are back again. The furrows akin to deep ditches are too risky for motorists that it could result to unwanted accidents at the lightest error. The potholes had likewise became larger and deeper and more that travelling is inconveniently luksoryos a term coined from the root vernacular lukso as motorists keep on a jumping motion on that bumpy road. Oddly, a project was implemented recently with the construction of shoulder wings on some portions, a

Tuesday, 08 January 2013

NEWS
happynings
Wherever there is a human in need, there is an opportunity for kindness and to make a difference. Kevin Heath - Ceo More4kids their father last November 2012, the family turned-over another unit of school building at the San Fernando Cen-

Leyte Samar Daily Express

Yaokasin family donates another school building

TACLOBAN CITY The family hopes to continue donating one unittwo classrooms school building to a public school every year, in honor of our father the late Jimmy Ong Yaokasin, Sr., said Jimjim Tiu Yaokasin, Jr. in a tetea-tete. Jimjim is eldest son of the late Jimmy, Sr. and a former Tacloban City Administrator. To commemorate the first death anniversary of

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Tacloban Fil-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Inc. President Go Tic Ching (center) receives a plaque of appreciation from Deped and San Fernando Central School. With him in photos are (L-R) DELTA Fire Volunteer Chief Mark Aquino, TFCCCI Director Ely Mancera, Go Tic Ching, Dr. Ragrag and Dr.Mariza Magan.

Tacloban Citys #1 Councilor Sambo Yaokasin was all smiles after given the plaque of appreciation from the Deped and San Fernando Central School. He remarked that when inviting him was not the in-thing during my rst few years as city councilor it was San Fernando Central School teachers who never failed to invite him on their graduation and GPTAs affairs.

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Yaokasin family receives plaque of appreciation from DepEd USEC Rizalino D. Rivera third from left.(L-R) Go Tic Ching, San Fernando Central Principal Imelda Gayas, USEC Rivera, Carmen Yaokasin (wife of the late Jimmy Yaokasin), Councilor Sambo Yaokasin (partly hidden), Jimjim Yaokasin and wife Annely. At back is Senator Ernesto Maceda, a good friend of the Yaokasins.

tral School this city. We are proud and happy that the family of Tacloban City Councilor Jerry Sambo Yaokasin has already donated six classrooms or three units of school buildings in 2012, in memory of their late father Jimmy, Sr. The other two units were constructed in Matlang Elementary School, Isabel, Leyte and at V&G Elementary School in Tacloban. This is a good legacy of their father, Go Tic Ching said in an interview. Ching is the president of the Tacloban Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce,

Cute school children wows the crowd with the globally famous Gangnan dance.

Inc. The school building donation is under the Operation Barrio Schools of the Federation of Fil-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. The late Jimmy, Sr. served as Philippine Jaycee Senate President in 1986. During his term, the Philippine Jaycee Senate was adjudged as the Most Outstanding National (Senate) Organization in the Asia Pacific at the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Senate Conference in Pusan, Republic of Korea. His son Jimjim also served as Philippine JCI National President in 2001. Taclobans number one city councilor Sambo Yaokasin said that education is the priority of their father who gave them the best education they could ever have. He said that we want to share our blessings and we want our father to be remembered as someone who gave education utmost priority. We share this to the school children in different parts of Eastern Visayas through school building donation. Good friends of the Yaokasins DepEds USEC Rizalino Rivera and Senator Ernesto Maceda graced the turnover last November along with officers of TFCCCI/FFCCCII, city and DepEdofficials. Love, Laugh and Live! Om Shanti!

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Leyte Samar Daily Express

NEWS

Tuesday, 08 January 2013

Financing...
from page 6

Ormoc City Mayor Eric Codilla said that budget constraint is the major stumbling block why a big majority of LGUs continue to operate dump sites. The problem of RA 9003 is the absence of funding support. An LGU has to invest a lot yet this is not an income generating project, Codilla stressed. Aguinaldo admitted that there are many loopholes of the law. Last year, the NSWMC embarked on a consultation with experts from the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) study the Solid Waste Management Act. We will provide a copy of the proposed revisions to Congress. We want a law that suits to the capability of LGUs, she added. The National Solid Waste Management Strategy, which is set for formal approval of NSWMC this year, has also tagged some of the gaps in the SWM law enforcement. The official reiterated the need to implement the SWM law with the threats of climate change impact. Open dumping is very unsanitary. Methane generated contributes to glob-

al warming. Smell scatters all over and it is harborage of different disease carrying vectors. According to study, efficient SWM program, a city will only dump 4% of the waste since 60% to 70% are biodegradable, while 35 %to 40% are recyclable. Republic Act No. 9003 provides the legal framework for the countrys systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program that shall ensure protection of public health and the environment. (SARWELL Q.
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