Officials ballots delivered to Calbayog

The official ballots for the May 10, 2010 election have been delivered to Calbayog. Assistant City Treasurer Evelyn Junio received earlier this afternoon 210 boxes containing the official ballots for the 210 clustered precints in the two districts of Calbayog. The boxes are now stored at the City Treasurer's Office lobby. PNP officers have been assigned to provide security in the area.

PDEA to setup satellite office in Calbayog

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will soon open its satellite office in Calbayog City. This after PDEA-8 Regional Director Julius Navales formally accepted the office space offered by Mayor Mel Sarmiento. The simple turn-over program was done at the City Hall stage last Monday after flag-raising ceremony.

In his speech, RD Navales thanked Mayor Sarmiento for the office space which is located at the Calbayog City Sports Center. He noted that setting up an office in Calbayog is a big boost to the agency's efforts to rid the region of illegal drugs.

The short program was followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and brunch at the Calbayog City Sports Center cafeteria.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento shares some light moments with PDEA-8 RD Julius Navales, Calbayog Chief of Police PSupt Ramil Ramirez and Deputy Chief of Police PSupt Nestor Valenzuela. (Photo by Bon Sildo)

Mayor Mel Sarmiento as he delivered his message.

RD Julius Navales as he formally accepted the office space for PDEA.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento and PDEA-8 RD Julius Navales.

(photos by Bon Sildo)

Pandemic H1N1 vaccination held in Calbayog

The City Health Office (CHO) yesterday conducted the Ceremonial Launching of the Pandemic H1N1 Vaccination in Calbayog City. The simple ceremony which was attended by Mayor Mel Sarmiento was held at the City Hall Stage immediately after the flag-raising ceremony. Dr. Eufemia Alcantara, DOH Representative gave the program rationale. The two personalities who received the voluntary first shots of the Pandemic H1N1 vaccine were CHO Officer-in-Charge Dr. Sylvia De Guzman, and Dr. Mario Casera, the former City Health Officer now with the CHO as a Contractual Service employee assigned at the Oquendo Main Health Center.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento as he delivered his message during the ceremonial launching of the pandemic H1N1 vaccination.

Dr. Eufemia Alcantara as she acknowledged some the guests which included Mayor Mel Sarmiento, PDEA-8 Regional Director Julius Navales and CHO OIC Dr. Sylvia De Guzman.

Dr. Mario Casera and Dr. Sylvia De Guzman as they received their "shots" from CHO Public Health Nurse Sandra Candidato.

Earth Day 2010 in Calbayog

As announced, the City of Calbayog participated in Earth Day 2010. Among the agencies which joined in the tree-planting activities last Thursday was the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) headed by CSWD Officer Betty Jane Vergara-Arnejo.

The participants which included the CSWDO staff, Summer Job grantees, the 4Ps beneficiaries (from Oquendo, Begaho, Tinmabacan, Guin-on, Nijaga and Hamorawon) gathered at the Nijaga Elementary School where the distribution of 600 seedlings was made. They then proceeded to the tree-planting site at the Diversion Road from Barangay Nijaga to Tomalon Estate in Barangay Gadgaran.

In Barangay Bagacay and Barangay Carayman, a mangrove tree-planting activity was conducted by the CENRO staff together with some stakeholders from the said barangays.

Here are some pictures from the said activities.

Kids look on as some Bagacay folks conduct their mangrove tree-planting activity.

The CSWDO staff and 4Ps beneficiaries as they planted trees at the Diversion Road from Barangay Nijaga to the Tomalon Estate in Barangay Gadgaran.

Calbayog to observe Earth Day 2010

The City Government of Calbayog through the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) will observe Earth Day 2010.

As per information provided by CENRO OIC Lorenzo Ras, Jr., the activities which his office will spearhead include the following

- Campaign for signatures in support of the "10 million signatures to improve Mother Earth Project".

- Information dissemination aimed at promoting awareness on the significance of Earth Day celebration and the call to protect Mother Earth will be conducted throughout all the barangays of Calbayog.

- On April 22, 2010, synchronized tree-planting activities will be done in the following areas:

• Mangrove tree-planting in the coastal barangays of Tinambacan District. This will be done by the CENRO and the stakeholders from the barangays.


• Mangrove tree-planting at Barangay Rawis, Barangay Bagacay and Barangay Carayman with the CENRO and the stakeholders from the barangays.


• Mangrove tree-planting in Barangay West Awang with CENRO and the Knights of the Altar.


• Coastal clean-up in Barangay West Awang by the Knights of the Altar.


• Roadside tree-planting at the Diversion Road (Barangay Dagum) with the CENRO and the City Social Welfare and Development Office personnel.


• Roadside tree-planting in Barangay Sinidman and Barangay Cagbilwang in Oquendo.

This year's Earth Day celebration is anchored on the theme: "HAMON NG PANAHON: CLIMATE CHANGE, 10 MILYONG SOLUSYON (Kilos na! Ngayon na!)"

Calbayog welcomes the Papal Nuncio

The Most Reverend Edward Joseph Adams, the Papal Nuncio in the Philippines and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps of the Philippines, as he passed through the Honor Guards during the planeside honors which was prepared for him by the City Government of Calbayog. With Mayor Mel Senen Samiento during the ceremony were Calbayog Bishop Isabelo Abarquez, Palo Archbishop Jose Palma and Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso. The Papal Nuncio was in Calbayog last Saturday to preside over the Centennial Thanksgiving Mass at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. The said Eucharistic Celebration was the highlight of the 100th Anniversary of Calbayog as a Diocese. (Photo by Joselo Co)