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ESAMELCO step-up efforts

BORONGAN CITY Four months after Super Typhoon Yolanda hit Region 8, particularly Leyte and Samar provinces, ESAMELCO exerted all efforts to restore the damaged facilities most especially its southern coverage area which were heavily devastated. Stepping up its effort particularly from Hernani down to Guiuan up to Lawaan with the assistance of Electric Cooperatives from other regions under NEAs Task Force Kapatid which immediately deployed their construction groups to expedite efforts in these affected areas.

Yolanda Recovery and Rehabilitation Plan

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Various programs are now being implemented by the Technical Education and Skills Development Program (TESDA) in towns in Eastern Samar severely hit by supertyphoon Yolanda. T E S DA- E a s t e r n Samar provincial director Enrico Banario said that the programs are part of their rehabilitation and recovery program. The various programs is in response to President Aquinos instructions to all government agencies to extend the necessary financial and training support that will enable Yolanda victims to rebuild their homes and resume productive livelihood and employment activities, Banario added. These programs includes trainingcum-repair of partially damaged houses; livelihood program (agri-related and nonagri related for selfemployment) and

TESDA implements livelihood programs in E. Samar towns

Panday Program for wage employment. Under the trainingcum-repair, there are 140 beneficiaries coming from the towns of Balangiga, Giporlos, Lawaan, Quinapondan, Balangkayan, Guiuan and Mercedes. The beneficiaries under the program have undergo training for 15 days such as roof repair and house wiring; and installing framing works leading to carpentry. We have trained them for them to be capable and responsible through their acquired skill on building and fixing houses and for them to have sustainable income in the future, Banario said. After they acquired skills, the trained beneficiaries will assist the community with partially damaged houses in the spirit of bayanihan, he added. Meanwhile, under the livelihood program

Protesters gather along Real St. nearby Sto. Nino Church in Tacloban City, claiming misappropriation of relief goods and pushing for the ouster of Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman. (Lito Bagunas)

World Peace Event to be held in Iloilo

With less than a month before the most-anticipated world peace event, former senator and Vista Land chairman Manny Villar said all preparations are underway for another successful Guinness World Record setting event on April 14 at Savannah City, Iloilo, where the largest flaming image using candles will be featured. The Light of Peace in the Philippines (LOP) 2014 event aims to raise awareness

DOLE-sponsored jobs fair in Guiuan

Over 7,000 employment are up for grabs as the Department of Labor and Employment(DOLE) sponsors a mega jobs fair on April 2 at Guiuan town, Eastern Samar. Labor Regional Director Exequiel Sarcauga said that the said jobs fair is to be participated by 19 overseas employment agencies and 15 local companies. The holding of the jobs fair, to be held at the town halls grounds, is an initiative of the DOLE to address the unemployment problem as a result of the supertyphoon Yolanda.

Thousands of workers lost their jobs in Yolanda-hit areas as business owners shut down their operations. Since one of our functions is to facilitate employment opportunities, we are intensifying the conduct of jobs fairs, Sarcauga said. The DOLE has conducted several jobs fair like in the cities of Tacloban and Ormoc. For the April 2 jobs fair, 7,460 job orders are available, both for local

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United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Helen Clark talks to the media about her visit and the relief efforts exerted by the UNDP. Photo By Lito Bagunas

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FEATURE:

NEWS

March 30- April 05, 2014

YOLANDA: Reminiscing and Moving On.

By: Mrs. Emma D. Samuray
November 8, 2013 marks one of the most unforgettable date of the lives of people in the Southern part of Eastern Samar, specifically, the Giporlosanon. Reminiscing the past is a tearful one. I believe that Giporlos I one of the peaceful and growing municipalities in the province of Eastern Samar. Many people live sufficiently through farming, abundant marine resources, business and small-scale industries. Some parents although not in government service satisfies the needs of their respective families and can send their children to college and universities for tertiary education. We also have a municipal hall with tangible modern architecture where national and local officials are performing their respective responsibilities, a multi-purpose covered court, the newly renovated Roman Catholic church and rectory through the initiative of our parish priest and the generosity of some Giporlosanon who are always willing in sharing their blessings, the elementary and secondary schools which played an important role in producing professionals and where we mold children who are future professionals and leaders not just in our community. All of these are devastated by the monster typhoon Yolanda. The night of that terrible November 8, I believe that no Giporlosanon was able to sleep well. We are living in a concrete house that becomes roofless. How much more for those who are jut living in non-concrete houses? What a pity! After the typhoon, heavy rains often pour. Instead of lying down, we just sit down instead the whole night long until the rain subsides. While children are crying with fear, that another super-typhoon will come again. It was a big sacrifice, frustrating atmosphere and a horrible experience. My husband was saying that this is now the survival of the fittest and our family must be one of them! But the goodness of the Lord is truly great. He had chosen a lot of instruments can help us mend our emotional stress; rebuild our houses, means of living and etc. They gave us new rays of hope for our families. Worthy of mentioning are: OXFAM, PLAN Philippines, Red Cross, CRS, USAID, IOM, SOS, ABS-CBN, UNICEF, DSWD, OFW (Giporloanon), Libanan Family, LGUs from different parts of our country and many more. They supplied us different things we need like rice, canned goods, mineral water, medicines, toiletress, pillows and pillow cases, mats, kitchen utensils, shovels, tent for our temporary abode and others. We also received P3,000.0 cash assistance from the OXFAM and Im grateful to the management for accepting my eldest daughter to be with the Health promotion Department. To our international, national and private sectors who extended their help to us, Thank You Very Much. Special metion to the Balagasay family in Canada who is always there to help us financially and comforted us in our times of grief. We will not forget your concern to us and may God bless you a hundredfold. Without you, I cant imagine what would life be after Yolanda? Yolanda probably was Gods way of population check. But it gives us different insights. It made us realize to help people in dire need. Amidst these calamities true kinship and friendship have also been mirrored. True kins and friends especially from afar are those exerted their effort to assure that we are still alive. Friends and relatives abroad really thought that is it was hard for us to survive. But God must have carried us during that time because we survived. Today, Giporlosanon is moving on. Our great courage and strength; its resiliency has been put to test and once again, we are trying our best to put things back in order jut as what we did every time calamities strike us. I personally believe and feel but it will take years though but hope and faith in God is our strongest weapon that will serve us as the beckoning light and would lead us to a more prosperous and better Giporlos our beloved hometown.

BFAR offers scholarship

For fishermens children

About 300 students took the Nationwide Competitive Examination for Fisheries Scholarship Program Fisherfolk Children Educational Grant (FCEG) offered by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). The competitive examination, held at the Leyte Normal University on March 22, 2014, offers free college education to children of small-scale fishermen who are interested to pursue a four-year BS Fisheries course. The top ten passers will be granted the scholarship but during his recent visit to the region, BFAR Director Asis Perez said that more slots would be made available for interested students who were affected by supertyphoon Yolanda. Examinees who applied for the scholarship program were assessed according to qualifications that includes, among others: a high school graduate or 4th year graduating students(SY 2013-2014) who is a son or daughter of bonafide of small-scale fisherman; not more than 20 years old; not presently enrolled in any course with a general weighted average (GWA) not lower than 80 or its equivalent; with not more than P 25,000 annual family income and parents must be a member of a fishing association, a cooperative duly attested by the chairman and secretary of the association or a registered fisherfolk with BFAR. The full scholarship grant would provide free matriculation and other fees, monthly stipend of P2, 500; semestral book allowance of P2, 000; thesis support of P3, 000 and graduation support of P500. The program aims to help children from marginalized fisher folk families to earn a degree that is in demand. According to BFAR-8 Regional Director Juan Albaladejo, the region currently has 20 scholars under the program pursuing BS Fisheries courses. They are enrolled at the Visayas State UniversityTolosa Campus in Leyte, Samar State University in Catbalogan City, Cebu Technological University in Carmen, Cebu and Southern Leyte State University in Bontoc, Southern Leyte. (AHLETTE C. REYES)

ESAMELCO...

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World Peace...

Sec. Singson commended members of NSSDEO Task Force Yolanda

CATARMAN, Northern Samar- The regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways commended the members of the Northern Samar Second District Engineering District Task Force Yolanda for their invaluable services they rendered during the massive typhoon. The men and women members of the task force were given a certificate of appreciation signed by Secretary Rogelio Singson and Regional Director Rolando Asis, among other officials. LEST WE FORGET. This certificate of commendation is hereby awarded to person involve for extending his dedicated and untiring services in the clearing and other disaster response operations, thereby leaving his comfort zone in order to alleviate the hapless plight of the people of Eastern Visayas, especially in the hardest-hit areas of Tacloban City and outlying municipalities caused by the utter devastation brought about by Super typhoon Yolanda on November 8, 2013. Indeed you exemplify what a dependable DPWH employee; is one who is relentlessly eager to Deliver Public Service Without Hesitation. May your tribe increase, part of the certification said issued on December 19, 2013. The other signatories of the award were Asec. Dimas S. Soguilon, Assistant Secretary for Visayas and Mindanao and Usec. Romeo S. Momo, Undersecretary for Regional Operations. All the recipient personnel of the Northern Samar 2nd District Engineering Office led by OIC District Engineer Ferdinand Briones down to the last worker of the maintenance section and other support staffs who were in Tacloban City during the whole duration of the above-mention clearing operations of the regional center were center were elated and have conveyed their gratitude for having given such recognition. (PR)

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According to its records, ESAMELCO has energized 170 barangays (80%) leaving 43 more barangays to be energized by March 31, 2014. The restoration of the remaining barangays is still in progress as some are in far flung areas or islands and can only be reached by foot trails or boats where deliveries of materials like line hardwares, conductors and transformers are difficult. Out of the 21,124 household 10,682 (7.41%) were already connected and energized with 3,484 yet to be connected and 6,958 are not ready for connections a they are still under constructions as they are still under constructions or temporary roofings. But ESAMELCO targets to eneregize 90% of the 213 devastated barangays by March 31, while the remaining barangays will be completed in the following month. Meanwhile, consumers approved for reconnections are those who have Fire Safety Inspections Certificate settled their rearrages and submitted the required documents. With these developments, ESAMELCOs Management wishes to express their thanks to all Electric Cooperatives Board of Directors, GMs and employees involved in Task Force Kapatid: SAMELCO 1 & 11, CAGELCO 1, SORECO 1 & II, CASURECO 1, II, III & 1V, CANORECO, FICELCO and DORECO, its own employees and contractors in restoring powers in the southern municipalities of Eastern Samar. (Pio L. Calvo)

DOLE...

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and overseas employments. Sarcauga urges those who are out of jobs to attend the jobs fair and gain employment in the process. Sarcauga called on the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) officers to encourage the mayors of the nearby towns to provide transportation for the job seekers and if possible provide lunch and snacks. (LIZBETH ANN ABELLA)

and celebrate World Peace through Inner Peace by gathering at least 100,000 people from different sectors of society who will meditate together for individual inner peace. The meditation will be followed by lighting of candles to form the worlds largest flaming image using candles, an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record. The image that will be created will show the Philippine map, the Light of Peace logo and motto, World Peace through Inner Peace. Let us show our genuine will to promote world peace by cultivating in ourselves inner peace. I believe that its not impossible to achieve world peace. With each of us being a light of peace, amidst our religious differences, we will be able to unite and attain world peace, said Villar. He cited last years Inaugural Light of Peace in Miag-ao, Iloilo, which gathered various religious leaders - Buddhists, Muslims and Christians, among others - and participants from all walks of life to call for world peace. Villar, who is representing Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance), one of the major organizers of the LOP 2014 event added, Peace is good for the economy. If we have peace, we wont scare our investors; we will be able to encourage more investors to have business in our country, which will drive progress. The other core organizers of the event include Thailand-based The Middle Way Meditation Institute (MMI) headed by its director venerable Burin Thitakusalo Bhikkhu, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro represented by Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. of the provincial government of Iloilo, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog Iloilo City, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Department of Education (DepED). (PR)

March 30- April 05, 2014

OPINION

E A S TE RN S A M A R

Commentary:

EDITORIAL

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Spirit of recollection in the world

THIS is a skill we have to cultivate and practise all the time. Remember St. Paul telling us: If you have risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth. (Col 3,1-2) This is the essence of the spirit of recollection that is meant for all of us, since we are all supposed to live our life with God. Our life, like that of all other creatures, cannot be without its Creator, the provider of everything that we need. In fact, he is the ultimate and constant provision we need, more than anything else food, money, air, etc. In our case, since we are humans with intelligence and will, we need to be aware of this reality about ourselves and correspond to it knowingly and willingly. God is actually in us always, at the very core of our life, since he is the fundamental maintainer of our existence. But more than keeping us in life, he is gives us everything else proper of a creature created in his image and likenessknowledge, wisdom, power, etc. And since we cannot help but sin, he is also ever eager to give us his mercy, his ultimate gift before we can fully identify ourselves with him, our goal. This spirit of recollection means we are constantly aware of his presence, vitally doing things with him and for him. Its not supposed to keep us always passive, though a certain passivity and receptivity is involved. But its what supposed to give us impulse, energy and direction in our life. This spirit of recollection can only be lived if we activate the gifts of faith, hope and charity that God constantly and abundantly gives us. People who are curious to know more things as well as lovers who always want to be with their beloved can offer us the template for developing this spirit of recollection. We need to seek God, even if we have to deal with great difficulties. Christ himself told us clearly: Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you. (Mt 7,7) We have to learn to discern the omnipresence of Godwithin us in our mind and heart as well as around us. We have to train our senses and our spiritual faculties of intelligence and will to go beyond the dimensions of the sensible and intelligible world. They

Resilient, vibrant liveable city

ow could Tacloban City its construction for allegedly nestling be better described than atop of a faultline. A project of the being resilient, vibrant and administration of then Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, the building was touted as livable? This is Mayor Alfred Romualdez a white elephant. However, this time, administrations vision of this once under the administration of the Marcos progressive and tourist-drawing city nemesis Pres. Noynoy Aquino, the same now gradually rising above the ruins compound where this abandoned edifice created by the deadly supertyphoon stands will be utilized for the new Yolanda on November 8 last year. A building of Eastern Visayas Regional masterplan presented to the public on Medical Center. March 21 gears towards this end but will Another is the revival of the Eastern entail a hefty PhP 2.5 to 3 billion to get it Visayas Regional Growth Center, done over a considerable period of time. a catchment basin type of adjacent If only Mayor Romualdez will be agricultural lands which was an original assured of a tenure beyond his three concept of the Marcos administration. successive terms in office as the citys Following the ouster of the former chief executive, the Proposed Tacloban strongman, EVRGC likewise was put Recovery and Rehabilitation Plan, which on shelf. Now, in the recovery and rehab was helped get done in a short one-and- plan of the only highly urbanized city a-half-month time by the United Nations of Eastern Visayas, reviving the EVRGC Human Settlements Program (UN- is shaping up to be part of the economic Habitat), could materialize worriless. component of the four-tier framework Knowing though how the countrys of the citys build back better program political climate is as erratic as the particular in the northern portion of the weather system affected by the city. phenomenon called global warming, Only two main factors that can hold any plan for now may not seem to be it back the success of this masterplan: after the present dispensations power sustainability and resources. The plan, has ceased. In June 2016, Romualdez which was designed to help mitigate a will have relinquish his power in favour similar extent of devastation in the face of his successor. of possible tsunami and another storm This fast changing possibilities surge to occur in Tacloban, and to relocate could not easily be dismissed. Take the residents in the no build zones to for instance the construction of the safer residential grounds in the upland Department of Health edifice in Brgy. such as Barangays Sta. Elena, Sto. Nino Cabalawan in Tacloban City that was and New Kawayan, is plausible if only ordered abandoned in the midst of all aspects in it are tenable.

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E A S TE RN S A M A R

Dalmacio C. Grafil Publisher

Pio Calvo Editor-in-Chief

Romeo Cebreros OIC
Brgy. Songco, Borongan City Eastern Samar
(055) 261-3319

E A S TE RN S A M A R

NEWS

March 30- April 05, 2014

FEATURE:

Painting keeps Tacloban artist Dante Enage alive after Yolanda

Art keeps him alive. Known visual and tuba (coconut wine) artist Dante Enage of Tacloban City keeps his passion close to his heart after supertyphoon Yolanda pounded his entire neighborhood in barangay San Jose November 8 last year, wiping out also his material possessions to include his masterpieces he have had for years in his rented room. Its back to basic, back to zero now. But I am starting to pick up the pieces again, Enage said, adding that as months went by he has to continue doing what he loves to dopainting-not only to support his family but also as a tribute to friends and neighbors who died during the typhoon. Enage said that after he managed to take a ride on the Philippine Navy boat going to Cebu together with his family to escape from the citys devastation and stench of death few days after Yolanda, he then returned to the city to continue his craft. I went back to sketch pad and ball pen after Yolanda wiped out my art materials. Those were the things I could afford during those days, he said. I have to paint to heal myself, too. I want to do something; I dont want to get stuck.I have to paint again. There are just so many stories to tell after Yolanda. I want to pour out what goes inside of me; the experiences; the pain. Namatayan man ak usa ka sangkay (I have one dear friend who died), the 42-year old painter added. His friend, tattoo artist and Kadangyan bassist Agit Sustento, together with his wife and other family members, perished when Yolanda hit the city. His 3-year old son Tarin is still missing. In the city, Enage spends his time going around his neighborhood doing sketches and painting as a way of recording the stories of the survivors, visualizing on how survivors felt when they saw their friends drowning and how they looked at the debris and destruction around them. He expressed thanks to the many people who helped rebuild his city and those who supported local artists by buying their works. Asked on what is there to hope for in the future, Enage said he wants that art and artists in the city will continue to flourish in spite of the tragedy. For this he is looking forward to organize art workshops and join exhibits. Last February 18 to March 14, Enage joined his fellow artists from Kasikasi Art Association of Tacloban to stage PITAD: Art after Yolanda at Adamson University. Im excited to see my gallery again. I hope I can rebuild it soon, Enage added, this as he started on the reconstruction of his own modest gallery in his rented home. While doing this, Enage says he also inspired to do more now. Enage specialized on the use of mixed media, coffee or tuba in his artworks. He was one of the eight Filipino artists who represented the country during 2013 Art Expo Malaysia (AEM) in Kuala Lumpur. Also he was once a first place winner of the countrys prestigious Philippine Visual Arts Festival.(RONALD O.REYES) well in place in our mind and heart, then we would be in the proper condition to develop this spirit of recollection. Of course, to prosper in this effort, we need to constantly mortify and purify our senses. That means dealing some kind of death to our senses, and even to our intelligence, so that the life of faith, hope and charity can take root, grow and blossom in us. It does not mean to do away with our senses and faculties, since that would be inhuman, but to mortify and purify them so as to be led and guided by faith, hope and charity. This effort will take time, and we should

TESDA...
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on non-agri-related, 975 individuals are to train on various skills training like hair cutting; longganisa and tocino making; cake making; small engine repair and maintenance of motorized fishing boats; body massage; masonry, among others. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), TESDA-Samar National School of Arts and Trades (TESDASNSAT) supports this skills training, Banario said. And for the Pandayan Program, 60 persons from the town of Salcedo underwent a 15-day training for carpentry. (RYAN GABRIEL LLOSA ARCENAS) learn to be patient. We should not forget that we are ranged against tremendous weaknesses, temptations, etc. But theres always hope. We just have to persevere until this spirit of recollection becomes second nature to us, enabling us to be with God in the middle of the world.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Helen Clark poses with UNDP personnels in the city of Tacloban. Photo By Lito Bagunas

Spirit of...
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have to capture the inputs of faith, hope and charity. We should go beyond the physical, material and temporal, to enter into the world of the spiritual, eternal and supernatural. We should go beyond the merely practical and convenient, to be able to live the values of morality and piety of being children of God. We should be able to be in constant intimate relation with God talking to him, asking him for light, strength,

etc.by taking advantage of everything that happens in us and around us. Everything that we see, hear, feel, learn and know, everything that happens, whether good or bad, is always an occasion to be with God. We have to disabuse ourselves from our tendency to think that dealing with God can only take place in some special moments of our life. All events and circumstances of our lifeeven our worst condition of committing a grave sincan and should be a moment with God, praising him, thanking him, asking for pardon, asking for help. If we have these truths