Merry Christmas!

MAUPAY UG MALIPAYUN NGA PASKO SA ATUN NGATANAN!

Images from the RDC-8 Meeting

Hi there! This was supposed to be posted last Monday yet, but I completely forgot about it and it stayed in the draft section. It's about the Regional Development Council meeting which was held in Calbayog City.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento presided over the meeting with the his RDC co-chair, NEDA Regional Director Buenaventura Gosoco. In attendance were Hon. Cynthia Nierras, the Presidential Assistant for Region 8, DBM RD Imelda Lasceras, Gen. Arthur Tabaquero, DILG RD William Paler, among others.

Mayor Sarmiento with RD Gosoco (l) and PA Nierras (r)

Mayor Sarmiento with (l-r) Gen. Tabaquero, RD Gosoco and PA Nierras

TTMIST Prexy, Dr. Socorro Bohol (r), DBM RD Imelda Laceras and some NEDA staff

The Calbayog Coffee Table Book

The first copies of the Calbayog Coffee Table Book are out. Earlier this morning, I chanced upon Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento scanning his copy of the said book.

The book features six major stories / chapters:
1. Calbayog’s social and economic history;
2. Calbayog as the Religious Center of the province;
3. The culture of Calbayog showing its music, theater & dance, literature, and visual arts;

4. Governance with its unique role as the only city in the entire island of Samar;

5. Its people who have propelled Calbayog to national prominence and have accomplished outstanding achievements; and
6. Calbayog’s Natural Heritage.

It is hard bound with protective jacket, contains about 200 full color pages and glossy photographs, 11×26 inches in full spread, and will be printed in limited (1,000) copies only.

For details and reservation of copies, please contact:
Engr. Arnol F. Trani
City Administrator
Calbayog City
(+63 917) 304-36-57 or (+63 55) 209-29-13
email: arnoltrani@yahoo.com

Here's the video teaser courtesy of Nelson Petilla and Dante Rosales

Early-morning fire claims two lives

This is what remained of the two-storey hardware store which was gutted by fire at approximately 2:30 this morning. The store is located along Maharlika Highway in Brgy. Obrero (near Rosales Bridge). Two fatalities were reported in the one-hour blaze. Joaquin Balanay was found dead in the second floor of the building while his son, Vincent Balanay, a 4th year Computer Science student was found inside the bathroom. The store owner, Jesus Gabriel survived by jumping out through a 2nd-floor window. As per initial report by BFP Calbayog, the fire of still unknown origin started at the ground floor of the building which contained motorcycle and auto parts merchandise. Rough estimates placed the damage at 4 million pesos. (Photo by Henry Puyat)

RDC - 8 meeting in Calbayog

The Regional Development Council (RDC-8) which is chaired by Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento will meet in Calbayog today.

The meeting will be held at the Calabria Formation House in Dagum Hills from 1:30 to 4:00 pm.

It will be capped by a fellowship dubbed as Pagtigman to be held at the Nijaga Park at 7:00 pm

The Urban Poor Solidarity Week

The City Government recently spearheaded the Urban Poor Solidarity Week 2008. The activity which was anchored on the theme "Urban Poor Empowerment: The City's Vision for Sustainable MDGs Localization", was graced by the presence of HUDCC Secretary-General, Undersecretary Lucille Ortile.

A good number of Officers and Members of 54 Homeowners Associations (HOAs) and the beneficiaries of Caramel and Tomalon subdivisions participated in the parade and solidarity which capped the week-long event.

Here are some pictures from the day's activity.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento with Usec Lucille Ortile as they welcomed the parade participants.

Mayor Sarmiento with Usec. Ortile as they visited the San Policarpo resettlement site

The City Mayor with the HUDCC Usec at Carmela Subdivision.

For more pictures, please check this link.

A Symposium and Rally to Uphold Human Rights and the Right to Life

The "Uphold the Human Rights and The Right to Life Symposium and Rally" will be held tomorrow at the Christ the King College Campus from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

The activity is spearheaded by the Diocese of Calbayog and Christ the King College in coordination with The Alliance of Concerned Samarnons.

Events for the day include Preliminaries where Bishop Isabelo Abarquez and CKC President Fr. Prisco Cajes, ofm will deliver their speeches.

The Symposium Proper will consist of three talks to be delivered by Dr. Ligaya Acosta and Dr. Joseph Bullecer, both Directors of Human Life International; and Fr. Reu Jose Galoy, ofm, Dean of Franciscan School of Theology; and Director of the Human Resource Development Office of the San Pedro Bautista Province in Quezon City.

The activity will be capped by a covenant-signing, rally and conclusion-dispersal at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral.

The KITA Choir Christmas CD

(CD Cover designed by Ronnie Obong)

You are looking at the cover of KITA Choir's Christmas CD entitled "Pasko Na! Kanta Kita!"

This CD is a compilation of original Calbayog / Waray-waray Christmas songs composed by Boi Nicolasora, Ronnie Obong, Mawe Doroja, Nati Mancol - Biliran and Fr. Roland Cajegas. The CD will be officially launched via a concert tonight at the La Milagrosa Academy Auditorium.

For copies of the CD and other inquiries, you may get in touch with any KITA choir member or Mr. Bong Obong at (+63 905) 224-0933.

something from the U.S. State Department website

Do you still remember my blog post about the Cocopeat Bio-Filter Wastewater Treatment Project? (please check this link). It was one of the projects under the Local Initiative for Affordable Wastewater Management (LINAW) Program (a joint undertaking of LGU Calbayog and USAID); and was initially installed at the SOS Children's Village. It's the same project that was put in place at the Greenland subdivision when the members of the USNS Mercy ENCAP came to Calbayog for their engineering civic action mission.

This project landed in one of the reports featured in the U.S. State Department's website.

The article entitled "Philippine Alliance Helps Reduce Water Pollution, Diseases" enumerates how the United States supports wastewater treatment and sanitation improvements. It tells about the good experience of some cities in the Philippines, Calbayog included:

"... A new low-cost housing development under construction in the Philippines will provide former slum dwellers with proper sewage treatment to protect their health and the environment.

The wastewater treatment system will be installed in Calbayog City on the Philippine island of Samar with assistance from the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Philippine Sanitation Alliance (PSA) and the U.S. Navy... "

For the rest of the article, please check this link.

A Concert for SOS Calbayog

We would like to invite all Calbayogons, especially those based in Metro Manila to watch "Village Boys", a concert featuring International Tenor Dominique Moralez and Baritone Nonon Baang.

This will be held at the Philam Life Auditorium, U.N. Avenue, Manila on December 8, 2008 (Monday) at 8:00 pm.

This concert will have SOS Calbayog as its beneficiary. It is organized and directed by Mr. Nonon Baang who is a professor at the UST Conservatory of Music. He is the brother of Mario Victor Baang, the Village Director of SOS Calbayog.

Tickets are priced at Php 500, Php 300 and Php 150 (for students, but with limited slots). For tickets and other inquiries you may call SOS Calbayog at (055) 209-37-98.

The Calbayog Coffee Table Book Teaser

As reported, the Calbayog Coffee Table Book was launched last October 16, 2008. The launching program was part of the events slated for the 60th Calbayog Charter Day Celebration.

My friend Nelson Petilla made a teaser for the book. In a way it gives us a glimpse of the book that will try to present Calbayog history.

Here are some details of the book courtesy of Nelson:

Finally its here! A documentation and showcase of history and heritage of Calbayog that will instill pride among generations of Calbayognons is now in a book.

The book traces the beginnings of Calbayog’s history and explores its cultural, economic and political development as the premier city in Samar island and the center of the Diocese in Samar. It also showcases the beautiful natural tourist attractions that make it the Philippines’ only City of Waterfalls.

Features six major stories:
1. Calbayog’s social and economic history;
2. Calbayog as the Religious Center of the province;
3. The culture of Calbayog showing its music, theater & dance, literature, and visual arts;
4. Governance with its unique role as the only city in the entire island of Samar;
5. Its people who have propelled Calbayog to national prominence and have accomplished outstanding achievements; and
6. Calbayog’s Natural Heritage.

The book is hard bound with protective sleeve, contains about 200 full color pages and glossy photographs, 11×26 inches in full spread, and will be printed in limited (1,000) copies only.

I would have wanted to include the video that Nelson uploaded in YouTube, but I'm having a hard time uploading it in this blog post. In the meantime you may please check these links:

Nelson's Photoblog
YouTube

A Concert for SOS Calbayog

We would like to invite all Calbayogons, especially those based in Metro Manila to watch "Village Boys", a Concert featuring International Tenor Dominique Moralez and Baritone Nonon Baang.

This will be held at the Philam Life Auditorium, U.N. Avenue, Manila on December 8, 2008 (Monday) at 8:00 pm.

This concert will have SOS Calbayog as its beneficiary. It is organized and directed by Mr. Nonon Baang who is a professor at the UST Conservatory of Music. He is the brother of Mario Victor Baang, the Village Director of SOS Calbayog.

Tickets are priced at Php 500, Php 300 and Php 150 (for students, but with limited slots). For tickets and other inquiries you may call SOS Calbayog at (055) 209-37-98.

Barangay Consultative Dialogue

About a week ago, the Sanguniang Panlungsod spearheaded a Consultative Dialogue in Barangay Pilar. On the agenda, among other issues was the peace and order situation in the left river area.

Present in the dialogue were the city officials namely Mayor Mel Sarmiento, Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino and Councilors Jonas Montealto, Arturo Pasacas, Ambrosio Dean, Susano Salurio, Virgil Clemens and Raymund Uy.

Also present were Sr. Insp. Eduardo Serrano of PNP Calbayog and 1Lt Sorelo of the 20th IB (PA).

The dialogue had for its theme: "Pulong-pulong para san mahimyang nga pag-ukoy, ngan mauswag nga kinabuhi"

Mayor Mel Sarmiento speaking before the Pilarnons who gathered for the acitivty.

Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino

Councilor Monmon Uy

Mayor Mel Sarmiento (on the rostrum) with (seated r-l) Councilors Jonas Montealto, Arturo Pasacas, Monmon Uy, Sonny Salurio, Benjie Dean and Virgil Clemens.

The CKC - Jose Gomez Orchestra in Concert

12 December 2008
Matinee 3:00 pm / Gala 6:30 pm
Frs. David and Leopold (CKC) Auditorium

This just in . . .

I recently got hold of some pictures of Mayor Mel Sarmiento when he attended the 4th World Urban Forum in Nanjing, China. It would be recalled that Mayor Sarmiento was invited to moderate two events during the said Forum. We are still waiting for pictures taken during the said events. In the meantime let me share these pictures:

Mayor Mel Sarmiento with Vice President Noli De Castro who was one of the Keynote Speakers from the Philippines.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento with Senator Rodolfo Biazon (the other keynote speaker from the Philipines) and Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte.

Mayor Sarmiento with other Filipino delegates to the WUF-4

National Book Week Celebration at the City Library

The Calbayog City Public Library will celebrate NATIONAL BOOK WEEK.

The acitvity opens at 9:00 am today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Expected to attend are the City Mayor together with the City Officials and the Department Managers.

The City Library which is headed by Ms. Sofronia Enguito - Delabajan is located at Cajurao Street, Barangay Balud, Calbayog City.

The Supreme Court declares 16 cityhood laws unconstitutional

The Supreme Court has finally decided on the petition of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP). The issue on hand is the constitutionality of the conversion of some municipalities into cities.

For a complete text on the decision, please check this link.

For other/related reports on the issue, you may check these links:
GMA News
BusinessWorld Online
Balita.ph
ABS-CBN News

Board Member Nancy Rosales sworn in as Acting Samar Vice Governor

Board Member Rosenaida "Nancy" Rosales (Samar, 1st District) was sworn in as Acting Vice Governor of Samar yesterday. She took her oath before Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento.

Board Member Rosales was sworn in to the position after Samar Vice Governor Jesus Redaja took oath as Acting Governor of Samar following the 90-day preventive suspension that the DILG served on Governor Mila Tan.

Alay Lakad 2008 update

As I have reported earlier, Alay Lakad 2008 was held last Saturday. This year's walk-for-a-cause was aimed at raising funds that shall be utilized to for various programs and services designed for out-of-school youth. Alay Lakad 2008 was anchored on the theme: "Kagalingan ng Kabataan, Responsibilidad ng Bayan".

As per memorandum issued by Mayor Mel Sarmiento, the LGU, in addition to the regular services provided by the CSWDO shall provide the following services / interventions:

- Scholarship Program at the Calbayog Millenium Technical and Vocational Training Center.

- Diversion program for the Children and Youth in Conflict with the Law.

- Educational assistance and other psychosocial inteventions f0r sexually-abused youth.

- Skills training and livelihood project for qualified out-of-school youth and youth victims of traficking.

- Values formation for the youth sector.

The walk commenced in front of the City Hall. It was follwed by the Mass presided over by Fr. Tony Rosales, ofm; and as short program at the TTMIST Socio Cultural Center.

Fr. Tony Rosales, ofm presiding over the mass

Councilors Noel Sermense, Ver Porlares and Sonny Salurio. Behind them are Mrs. Editha Paculan and Dr. Socorro Bohol.

The OIC (Mayor) Councilor Noel Sermense

SWDO OIC Tessie Mumar delivering her report

TTMIST Prexy, Dr. Socorro Bohol

SOS Calbayog Village Director Mario Victor Baang

Young dancers presenting "The Rights of a Child" through a dance

The Kinetic Dance Company

As of today, a total of fifty-one thousand seven hundred sixty-five pesos (Php 51,765) has been received by the City Social Welfare and Development Office.

Here is the list of donors and amount donated:

- Metrobank: Php 350.00

- Rawis Barangay Council: Php 385.00
- Dep't of Agrarian Reform: Php 245.00

- Commission on Audit: Php 140.00
- St. Vincent de Paul College Seminary: Php 400.00
- CGS Charismatic Renewal Group: Php 500.00
- Bagacay Barangay Council: Php 385.00
- La Milagrosa Academy: Php 875.00
- DepEd Calbayog: Php 14,450.00
- Christ the King College: Php 4,795.00
- Matobato Barangay Council: Php 350.00
- SOS Calbayog: Php 860.00
- Carmen Barangay Council: Php 355.00
- UCPB: Php 455.00
- San Policarpo Barangay Council: Php 1,000.00
- SAMELCO I: Php 7,350.00
- WESADEF: Php 420.00
- Radyo ng Bayan: Php 630.00
- FilProducts: Php 455.00
- SSS: Php 245.00
- TTMIST: Php 6,615.00
- PNP Calbayog: Php 4,000.00
- Rotary Club: Php 1,000.00
- PNB: Php 455.00
- COMELEC: Php 330.00
- Office of the Clerk of Court: Php 315.00
- Register of Deeds: Php 245.00
- RTC Branch 32: Php 785.00
- OCCI: Php 200.00
- MTCC: Php 200.00
- Bureau of Fire Protection: Php 1,500.00
- STI Calbayog: Php 750.00
- RTC Branch 31: Php 725.00

Here are some more pictures taken from the activity:

Ms. Chuchu Torrijas - Aquino with some employees of the Civil Registry Office

TTMIST's Courier staff headed by Rhes Saplad

For more images, please check this link.

meanwhile at the City Jail . . .

The Parole and Probation Office in coordination with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Calbayog recently conducted two activities at the Calbayog City Jail.

The first activity was the "Launching of the Bilis Relis Jail Decongestion Program".

Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento as he delivered his message to the jail inmates during the Launching of the Bilis Relis Jail Decongestion Program

Myrna Tecbobolan of the City Parole and Probation Office. Seated (r-l) Mayor Mel Sarmiento, Parole and Probatiopn ARD Josefina Singko and Chief Inspector Ramil Vestra of BJMP Calbayog.

Chief Inspector Ramil Vestra addressing the program participants.

The other activity the PPO & BJMP Calbayog conducted was the "5-day Therapeutic Community (TC) Modality Training".

The training which was conducted by the Regional TC Team was held at the Calbayog City Jail in Brgy. Gadgaran was aimed at introducing to the inmates behavioral shaping tools applicable for their reformation and rehabilitation.

Present during the activity were Parole and Probation Regional Director Arturo Gabrieles, Chief Inspector Ramil Vestra and Myrna Tecbobolan .

RD Arturo Gabrieles as he delivered his message.

C/Insp Ramil Vestra delivering his message.

(seated l-r) RD Arturo Gabrieles, C/Insp Ramil Vestra and Myrna Tecbobolan during the training