Mayor Sarmiento presides over his last RDC meeting

RDC-8 Chair and Mayor Mel Sarmiento being greeted by DBM RO-8 RD Imelda Laceras, NEDA-8 RD Buenaventura Gosoco, Presidential Assistant Cynthia Nierras, DOLE RO-8 RD Atty. Forter Puguon and other RDC members.

As announced, the Regional Development Council (RDC) of Eastern Visayas met yesterday at the NEDA 8 Conference Room. Among the things it tackled was the 2011-2016 Regional Development Plan Framework. For Mayor Mel Sarmiento, it was his last meeting as RDC-8 Chair. (Photos by Henry Puyat)

Calbayog's stage play at One Visayas 2010

The City of Calbayog through the City Arts and Culture Office presented the comedy play "Inodoro" during the One Visayas 2010 Festival in Roxas City, Capiz.

The stage play was presented at the Villareal Stadium in Roxas City. In attendance during the performance were Antique Governor Sally Perez and Capiz Governor Victor Tanco, among others.

Inodoro's main theme is the call to protect the environment. It has for its cast the Calbayog Kahia-raan Scholars (CKSP) and was directed by CACO's Jonas Lim.

(r-l) Governor Capiz Victor Tanco, Antique Governor Sally Perez and CACO's Jonas Lim.

The cast with Govenor Perez and Governor Tanco.

(Photos courtesy of CTIO)

Calbayog participates in One Visayas 2010

One Visayas 2010 officially opened today at the Villareal Stadium in Roxas City, Capiz with former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro as Guest of Honor. Paricipants from the three regions and 20 provinces in the Visayas have converged for the event which is aimed to showcase and promote tourism in Central Philippines. The 2nd One Visayas Expo is an event seen as the festival of festival in the Visayas and a one stop venue for tourists to experience the best of the Visayan Islands.

Calbayog City was part of the contingent from Region 8. Mayor Mel Sarmiento failed to make it to today's opening ceremonies due to some pressing concerns in the city. He was represented by City Tourism and Information Officer Erlinda Calesa and City Arts and Culture Officer Jonas Lim.

The CACO performers will be presenting Calbayog songs and dances dubbed as "Lokal nga Arte, Kultura ug Bahandi (LAKUB) on March 12 at 2:00 pm and the comedy play "Inodoro" on March 13 at 7:00pm.

Here are some pictures from this morning's opening ceremonies courtesy of the CTIO.

CTIO Erlinda Calesa (representing Mayor Mel Sarmiento) with Governors Sally Perez of Antique, Gwenn Garcia of Cebu and Victor Tanco of Capiz.

Sec. Gilbert Teodoro shaking hands with Ms. Erlinda Calesa.

Gilbert Teodoro with Governors Garcia and Perez and other guests.

Ms. Erlinda Calesa delivering the message of Mayor Mel Sarmiento.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Here's the One Visayas Expo 2010 Schedule:

March 11, 2010 (Thursday)

• 9AM – 11AM Pang Abi-abi/ Panabi-tabi (Opening Ceremony), Villareal Stadium
• 2PM Sadsad Visayas (Parade of Festivals) City Plaza to Villareal Stadium
• 6PM-8PM Pasundayag 1 (Region 6 Cultural Performance) Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 8PM – 12MN Saulog Visayas (Concert at the Park) Villareal Stadium
  Sabor Visayas (Food Festival) Villareal Stadium
  Hugpong Visayas (Artists Reception) Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 9PM Fireworks Exhibition (Villareal Stadium)

March 12, 2010 (Friday)

• 8AM-4PM Pandadyan 1 (Workshop on storytelling) Hall of Governors, Provl Capitol
• 8AM-4PM Pandayan 2 (Workshop B-boying) CapSU Main Auditorium
• 9AM-8PM Manggad Visayas Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 9AM-12NN Daha-daha (Region 8 Cooking Demo) Provincial Pavilion, Villareal Stadium
• 10AM-12NN Pasundayag 2 (Region 6 Cultural Performance) Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 2PM-4PM Pasundayag 3: LAKUB of Calbayog City (Region 8 Cultural Performance) Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 3PM-5PM Pag-ambitanay (Region 6 Outreach Performance) Host Municipalities
• 6PM-8PM Pasundayag 4 (Region 7 Cultural Performance) Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 8PM Telon (Film Showing) Villareal Stadium
• 8PM-12MN Saulog Visayas (Concert at the Park) Football Field
  Sabor Visayas (Food Festival) Football Field

March 13, 2010 (Saturday)

• 8AM-4PM Pandadyan 3(Workshop on Technical Theater) CapSU Main Auditorium
• 8AM-4PM Pandadyan 4 (Workshop on Material and Technical Application and Manipulation) Hall of Governors, Provl Capitol
• 9AM-8PM Manggad Visayas Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 9AM-12NN Daha-daha (Region 7 Cooking Demo) Provincial Pavilion, Villareal Stadium
• 10AM-12NN Pasundayag 5 (Region 7 Cultural Performance) Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 2PM-4PM Pasundayag 6 (Region 6 Cultural Performance) Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 3PM-5PM Pag-ambitanay 2 (Region 7 Outreach Performance) Host Municipalities
• 6PM-8PM Pasundayag 7: Calbayog's comedy play "Inodoro" (Region 8 Cultural Performance) Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 8PM Telon (Film Showing) Villareal Stadium
• 8PM-12MN Saulog Visayas (Concert at the Park) Football Field
  Sabor Visayas (Food Festival) Football Field

March 14, 2010 (Sunday)

• 8AM-11AM Pandayan 6 (Workshop on Hand Puppetry) CapSU Main Auditorium
• 8AM-4PM Cultural summit, Gerry Roxas foundation Cultural Center
• 8AM-4PM Pandadyan 5 (Workshop Film Appreciation/Visual Communication) Hall of Governors, Provl Capitol
• 9AM-8PM Manggad Visayas Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 9AM-12NN Daha-daha (Region 6 Cooking Demo) Provincial Pavilion, Villareal Stadium
• 10AM-12NN Pasundayag 8 (Region 8 Cultural Performance) Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 2PM-4PM Pasundayag 9 (Region 7 Cultural Performance) Capiz Gym, Villareal Stadium
• 3PM-5PM Pag-ambitanay 3 (Region 8 Outreach Performance) Host Municipalities
• 6PM-8PM Hinugyaw (Closing Ceremony) Villareal Stadium
• 8PM Telon (Film Showing) Villareal Stadium
• 8PM-12MN Saulog Visayas (Concert at the Park) Football Field
  Sabor Visayas (Food Festival) Football Field

Breasfeeding advocates find ally in Eastern Visayas RDC

(From the Philippine Information Agency website)

Calbayog City (19 February) -- Breastfeeding advocates have found a new and formidable partner in its advocacy-Eastern Visayas RDC.

Yesterday, the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Council (RDC) proposed for the Establishment of Breastfeeding Rooms/ Corners in Government offices.

In the latest RDC meeting held at the Calbayog Sports Center, sponsored by Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento, Regional Director Forter Puguon of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) presented the reasons why such move is pushed.

The move, said Puguon"s presentation is consistent with the United Nations Millennium Development Goal (MDG) number one which is eradicating extreme poverty and hunger. "Breastfeeding," added Puguon "will also try to reduce chid mortality."

The DOLE Director also said that doing the act of establishment of breastfeeding rooms/corners in government offices will create an atmosphere of harmonizing with the right of the child and the UN MDG.

"It is also anchored in the global strategy on Infant and yopung Child Feeding (IYF-DOH)," stressed the presenter.

Aside from the given reasons, breastfeeding is also consistent with the much publicized Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos and the Updated Medium Term Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (MTPPAN) for 2008-2010, he added.

Because mothers refuse to breastfeed, 30% of under five children are underweight, according to the data presented.

The data stressed that only 16.1% of Filipinos are exclusively breastfed.

Meanwhile, a Filipina mom blogger wrote:

"Marketing by milk formula companies has become increasingly aggressive. The number of women who breastfeed their infants has gone down dramatically in just a few years, while the sales and profits of the companies have risen. The irony, in the words of Sen. Edgardo Angara, author of the Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act of 1992, is that each year we import $400 million in milk formula, but spend P536 million to bury 15,000 bottle-fed babies, and another P3.5 billion to treat infant malnutrition and diarrhea. We needlessly fritter away our foreign exchange reserves. We forget nature"s first form of immunization, enabling the infant to fight serious infection. We forgo the benefits of birth spacing as a form of natural birth control."

As the RDC meeting folded up, RDC members could not decide yet whether to support the move or not, one member asked whether this does not violate a Civil Service rule, they still have to ask.

Another said, "Then, if bringing babies in the office may transgress civil service rules, at least let the mother express her milk in the workplace and store it in a refrigerator that the office can supply-at the very least." (Nimfa Quirante/ PIA-Samar)

The RDC-8 meeting in Calbayog

The Regional Development Council of Region 8 (RDC-8) held its meeting in Calbayog City yesterday. It was held at the CAlbayog City Sports Center. The officials present included Presidential Assitant Cynthia Nierras and NEDA Regional Director Buenaventura Go-Soco, among others.

Calbayog City Mayor and RDC-8 Chair Mel Senen Sarmiento presiding over the RDC meeting. With him are (r) Hon. Cynthia Nierras, Presidential Assistant for Region 8; and NEDA-8 Regional Director Buenaventura Go-Soco. (Photo by Henry Puyat)

The Eastern Visayas Regional Development Council

The Regional Development Council of Eastern Visayas also referred to as RDC VIII was organized in 1974 through Letter of Implementation (LOI)No. 22 issued on December 31, 1972. pursuant to the Integrated Reorganization Plan of 1972. Its primary task is to coordinate policy formulation, development planning and monitoring in the region.

To make the RDC more effective in accelerating administrative decentralization, it was reorganized through Executive Order No. 308 issued on November 5, 1987. This was subsequently amended by EO Nos. 318, 347, 366, 455, and 505. The latest issuance was Executive Order 325 issued on April 12, 1996, which was also called for the reorganization of the Regional Development Councils. Thus, this site was updated to be consistent with this amendment and to explain improvements in procedures.

The passage of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code on October 11, 1991, brought added dimension to the role of the RDC. While it performed various tasks like coordinating, planning and investment programming activities of line agencies and local government units, endorsing agency and local government projects, reviewing and endorsing budgets of selected agencies, it also performed an important role in strengthening the autonomy of the local governments. In addition, the Council also coordinated the development activities of national government agencies and pursued the acceleration of regional socio-economic development activities.

The existence of the RDC is also pursuant to Section 14, Article X of the 1987 Constitution which provides that the President shall create Regional Development Councils (RDCs) and other similar bodies composed of local government officials, regional heads of departments and other government offices and representatives from non-government organizations within the regions.

The RDC is the primary institution in the region which sets the direction of economic and social development of the region and through which regional development efforts are coordinated. (From the RDC8 website)

RDC-8 to meet in Calbayog

The Regional Development Council of Region 8 (RDC-8) will meet in Calbayog City. This will be held on Thursday next week, February 18, 2010.

RDC-8 Chair and Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento will preside over the meeting which will be held at the Calbayog City Sports Center.

RDC approves 5 loops for Samar island, says Sarmiento

Calbayog City – Calbayog City Mayor and Region 8 Regional Development Council (RDC) Chairperson Mel Senen Sarmiento said that RDC-8 has approved 5 loops for the island of Samar and that the same projects are geared to towards providing the most reliable network of highways that will connect the island’s various economic and urban centers and different towns.

Mayor Sarmiento said the statement in his speech being the guest speaker of the Good Governance Forum sponsored by the College of Accountancy students of Christ the King College (CKC) last Thursday (Jan. 21) in celebration of their annual ‘college days’.


According to Sarmiento the network of highways includes the Calbayog-Allen Road, Catarman-Calbayog via Lope de Vega Road, Laoang-Catubig-Las Navas Road, Laoang-Arteche Road, and Las Navas-Matuguinao-Gandara Road.

“We really have to build those roads,” Sarmiento said referring to those projects that still in need of fund for implementation that include the Las Navas-Matuguinao-Gandara Road. “Our RDC had already submitted (project proposals) for possible funding, though it will take time but we have to lobby very hard,” he said adding further that RDC-8 had been able to successfully access foreign banks to finance the construction of Laoang-Arteche Road which he hopes to commence construction soon.

While Catarman-Calbayog via Lope de Vega Road is already done and now being used by motorists, Allen-Calbayog Road however is now on its construction phase, Sarmiento said.

As he answered reactions from students, Mayor Sarmiento expressed with high hopes the prospect of economic development which soon will benefit the people of Western Samar, as Las Navas-Matuguinao-Gandara Road project will connect the people of Northern Samar to the Port of Catbalogan and the sea and airports of Calbayog City. The same will spur economic activity in this part of the island, Mayor Sarmiento said further.

During the forum Mayor Sarmiento did not only discuss to the students the regional development scenario but also his 2015 development agenda for the city of Calbayog that includes the expansion of the city proper and the construction of major economic infrastructure like the Public Market-Transport Terminal Complex in Bagacay area of Ramon Magsaysay Blvd and the conversion of the present Land Transport Terminal Building in Brgy. Capoocan into the Calbayog City Convention Center. (Ike Macasa/CMO)

RDC Chair suggests tapping of showbiz personalities in promo of EV's tourist sites

(This news item appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)

TACLOBAN CITY — A top official of the Regional Development Council (RDC) urged tourism stakeholders to tap popular television and showbiz personalities from Eastern Visayas in the promotion of local tourism sites.

However, there’s a need to develop the destinations first before it will be prepared for better marketing opportunities, said RDC chair and Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento.

“We have friends from showbiz industry that we haven’t probably took advantage of. Samar Island, for example, has three very powerful Samareños in the industry,” he explained in a recent media briefing.

Among the famous personalities who hail from Samar Island are Ricky Lo from Las Navas, Northern Samar; Chito Roño from Calbayog City, Samar; and Boy Abunda from Borongan, Eastern Samar.

“We have many natural wonders but we have to think of how are we going to package it and list down priorities. There should be a marketing person with full trust and confidence of all local government officials to help package the whole region,” he said.

Lo is one of the most highly respected and prolific entertainment writers, showbiz commentators and hosts in the Philippines today. He finished his grade school in his hometown of Las Navas.

Abunda is a journalist, talent manager and television personality. After the death of his father, he dropped out of school and later worked as assistant stage manager. After two years, he put up his own PR company. While doing PR consulting jobs for GMA Network, he tried television.

Soon, he became one of the hosts of Startalk, an entertainment talk show. In 1999, he subsequently moved to ABS-CBN where he currently hosts shows such as The Buzz, Private Conversations and SNN.

Movie director Chito Roño is a native of Calbayog City. Among the popular films he directed since 1986 were Patayin Sa Sindak Si Barbara, Bata, bata...Paano Ka Ginawa?, Dekada ‘70, Feng Shui, Sukob, Caregiver, and T2.

“They are there but what will be their role if we cannot offer something,” Sarmiento pointed out. The challenge, according to him is to upgrade existing tourism sites and set up facilities so that it will be ready for intensive promotion.

He stressed that the region has more advantage than other areas in the Visayas in terms of tour considering that all of the six provinces in the region could be reached by land from Tacloban City. (Sarwell Q. Meniano)

RDC-8 cites Mrs. Lourdes Matan

A citation for an Outstanding teacher. Calbayog City Mayor and RDC-8 Chair Mel Senen Sarmiento hands a plaque citing Mrs. Lourdes Lauders - Matan for her achievement as one of the Metrobank Ten Outstanding Teachers for 2009. Looking on are Presidential Assistant Cynthia Nierras and NEDA RO-8 Director Junie GoSoco. Mrs. Matan will receive her gold medallion from President Gloria Arroyo during the awarding ceremonies at Malacañan Palace on September 3, 2009. She will also receive a cash prize of 300,000 pesos during the MBTC anniversary program on September 4, 2009.

PGMA explores Sohoton Cave

President Gloria Arroyo was in Region 8 last Sunday. Mayor Mel Sarmiento who is also RDC Chair was among the guests invited to the various engagements of the President which included among others, the inauguration of the Agas-agas Bridge in Southern Leyte and a tour of Sohoton Cave. In photo with President Arroyo in Sohoton Cave are (l-r) PA Cynthia Nierras (to the President's right), Mayor Mel Sarmiento, Bassey Mayor Wilfredo Estrorinos, Secretary Gabby Claudio, Secretary Ebdane (partly hidden). (Photo courtesy of PIA-8 /Lulu Cuazon)

At DENR's World Environment Day Celebration

World Environment Day. Regional Development Council Chair and Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento delivers his keynote address during the World Environment Day celebration spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 8 at Plaza Rizal, Tacloban City, June 5. (Vino R. Cuayzon/ PIA-8)

At the Climate Change Summit in Cebu

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signs the covenant on climate change during the “One Visayas Summit on Climate Change” Tuesday (May 12) held at the Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort Hotel and Spa in Barangay Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City in Mactan, Cebu. Eighteen “One Visayas Summit” leaders led by Calbayog Mayor and RDC-8 Chair Mel Sarmiento (in white polo) and Cebu Governor and RDC-7 Chair Gwenn Garcia (partly hidden at the back of the President) and other stakeholders also signed the covenant to signify their commitment to address climate change. (Dado Aguilar/OPS-NIB Photo)

For related posts, please check these links: link 1, link2.

One Visayas heeds PGMA's call, embarks on a Climate Change Summit

(Mayor Mel Sarmiento will be in Cebu City today and tomorrow for the One Visayas Summit on Climate change. Here's a report from PIA-8)

Tacloban City (May 11) -- The three Visayas Regions, Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas, unite as One Visayas as they address the global environment threat through a Climate Change Summit on May 11 and 12 at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City, in answer to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's call for the adoption of necessary measures to mitigate the impact of climate change and global warming.

No less than Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has been invited to attend the Summit to receive the Summit Outputs and to deliver a inspiring speech at the Closing of the Summit on May 12, Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento, who is the Regional Development Council of Eastern Visayas, informed.

Mayor Sarmiento expressed hope that the members of the Regional Development Councils who have been invited to attend the Summit will participate actively, volunteer suggestions and help solve the problems of climate change and do their share in saving Mother Earth for this and the future generations.

DENR Secretary Jose L. Atienza, Jr., is scheduled to talk about the Climate Change Initiatives in the Philippines.

Fr. Jet Villarin and Ms. Tony Loyzaga will present the overview of climate change, its consequences and impacts with focus on the Visayas Region while Dr. Julian Amador of the Environmental Management Bureau will present the GHG inventory of the Philippines.

In the afternoon, the participants will be divided into seven island groupings: Negros, Panay, Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Bohol and Small Islands.

The focus questions will include the major concerns of the respective islands; the current practices that have great impact on climate change (health, business, environment, social); and the specific mitigation and adaptation measures, either policies, programs and projects, that could be undertaken.

Other topics during the Summit are the Climate Change resiliency tools for LGUs; the opportunities for Carbon finance; and the legal aspects of climate change.

The highlights of the Summit are the covenant signing, presentation of the commitment and the action plans to the President and the keynote address of Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

One Visayas is the brainchild of and is led by the chairpersons of the Regional Development Councils of each of the three regions, Antique Governor Sally Perez for Region 6; Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia for Region 7 and Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento for Region 8.

The One Visayas Climate Change Summit is the second major collaborative undertaking of the One Visayas Region. The first was the One Visayas, One Culture, One People fair held in the month of March. (PIA 8)

Visayas summit on climate change slated in Cebu City on May 11-12

TACLOBAN CITY — With the growing concern on the negative impact of abnormal climate change, government officials, the private sector and farmer’s groups from Region 8 will take part in the upcoming One Visayas Summit on Climate Change that will tackle pressing environmental issues.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) regional director Buenaventura Go-Soco said that the Regional Development Council (RDC) here has been preparing for this event spearheaded by the three RDCs in the Visayas, which is slated on May 11 to 12 in Cebu City.

“Eastern Visayas is the coordinator of this event. This is part of achieving awareness affecting climate change and their ill effects on the environment and on people so that we can have mitigating measure and prevent this from further occurring,” Go-Soco told Leyte Samar Daily Express.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is expected to grace the occasion. It will be participated in by national government agencies, local government units and the private sector, farmer’s organization, and industries.

“It is expected that unless we do positive action, the ill effects of climate change will affect our food production,” Go-Soco said.

It can be recalled that last year, officials of the RDCs of Regions 6, 7 and 8 decided to establish the One Visayas after agreeing that it is time Visayans acknowledge the cultural bond that connects the islands, despite being separated by seawaters.

The three regional development chairpersons, Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia of RDC 7; Antique Governor Salvacion Perez of RDC 6, and Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento of RDC 8 have planned two projects, the Arts Festival and a summit for climate change.

The Arts Festival was held last March 1 to 8 this year at the Cebu International Convention Center.

Events were slated in Cebu being the center among the major island grouping in the Philippines. (LSDE / Sarwell Q. Meniano)

Images from One Visayas

As reported, One Visayas opened yesterday at the Cebu International Convention Center. Let me share some pictures which I got from the blog of Rey Abao - Dacalos

Calbayog City Mayor and RDC-8 Chair Mel Senen Sarmiento (2nd from the right) with Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, Senator Mar Roxas, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano and other officials during the One Visayas opening ceremonies at the Cebu International Convention Center. (photo from Safelight Photography's Photostream / Rey abao-Dacalos)

Opening Night at the Cebu International Convention Center (Photo from SafeLightPhotography's photostream / Rey Abao-Dacalos)

For related articles, you may check these links:

One Visayas is here (Cebu Daily News)

Film, dance highlight 3rd day of One Visayas expo

On the billion-peso irrigation project in Norther Samar

“Let’s finish the project on time”, RDC Chair Sarmiento tells Hanjin engineers

Calbayog City. RDC-8 Chairperson and Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento on Tuesday summoned some Project engineers from Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction, Co. (HHICC) to a meeting at the function room of I’s Plant hotel, this city. On the agenda was the catch-up plan of the NIA / Irrigation and Drainage component of the Help for Catubig Agricultural Advancement Project (HCAAP). Included in this project are the irrigations systems in Catubig, Bulao and Hagbay (all in Northern Samar).

In attendance during the meeting were Ernesto Octaviano of NEDA-8, Engr. Romeo Irinco of NIA, HCAAP Consultants Teofilo Malocse and Miguel Espaldon. HHICC was represented by Engr. Hyun Suk Shin, Deok Weon Lim and Engr. Dante Tan.

Hanjin is undertaking the billion-peso project which commenced on March 22, 2007. Its original contract amount of Php 994,391,744.00 is expected to grow as revisions come along the way. Originally expected to be finished on March 19, 2010, it is now expected to be finished by August 25, 2010, with a contract duration of 1,253 calendar days from the original 1,095 calendar days.

As per January 31, 2009 accomplishment report, the HHICC’s actual performance was at 13.8% which is way below the 15.1% cumulative target. This was among the reasons for Tuesday’s meeting.

In his message, Mayor Sermiento informed everyone that as RDC Chair, he regularly updates President Arroyo on the ongoing projects in the Region 8. Among other things, he also reiterated the President’s marching orders which “to develop Samar Island”. When finished, the HCAAP would be the first major irrigation system in Samar. The President might consider inspecting the said project anytime this year.

Hanjin’s engineers present in the meeting gave their commitment to meet the project deadline. Among other things, they cited the floods as one major cause of the delay in the implementation of the project. They also noted that the area is not easily accessible. One engineer gave the assurance that they will do their best for the project. They assured everyone of their best effort in terms of equipments and manpower. By March 2009, they will focus on the project sites at Catubig and Bulao.

The HCAAP is located in the Municipalities of Catubig and Las Navas. Its fund source is JBIC Loan PH-P221 in the amount of 5,210 million yen. Its lead agency is the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). Other implementing agencies are the DPWH, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, the Province of Northern Samar and the Municipalities of Catubig and Las Navas. When finished, the Irrigation and Drainage Component is expected to provide a 40-thousand ton rice production output per year which translates to an incremental net farm income of 247.03 million pesos (in constant 2007 prices).

From the LSDE: Businessmen encouraged to use Naval-Kawayan RORO ports

(Let me give you Ahlette Reyes' report which appeared in the February 20, 2009 edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)

TACLOBAN CITY - More industry players in the shipping, freight transport business in the country are encouraged to make use of the alternative Naval and Kawayan Roll-on Roll-off (RORO) ports here in Eastern Visayas.

Calbayog Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento, who chairs the Regional Development Council-8 (RDC-8), says Eastern Visayas now hosts other alternative routes from Luzon to Mindanao areas that could save more time and cost for the industry.

In the recent report of the RDC-8 construction of the Kawayan Port and Naval Port, both in Biliran province, have already been 100% completed through the Philippine Ports Authority.

“These are alternative routes which industry players can take advantage of if they could give the market a try. It would surely cut the cost of transport particularly in goods that would mean also reduction in prices of these goods when sold in the market and consumed by the people,” Mayor Sarmiento said.

The usual route taken by transportation and freight industry is the Lilo-an Port in Southern Leyte to Allen Port in Northern Samar.

The RDC chairman said Mindanao freights and carriers can instead ply the route from Lilo-an to Kawayan or Naval in Biliran Province, then to Esperanza, Aroroy or Burias Island in Masbate then on to Bicol and the Luzon areas. The travel time alone, Sarmiento said, is already much less than the usual route.

The Naval Port Development Project entailed the construction of RO-RO Ramp and Passenger Terminal Building and the project cost was at P9.9 million. Meanwhile the Kawayan (Balite) Port Development included the extension of RC Pier and construction of RO-RO ramp and cost P17 million. Both are now declared completed by the PPA regional office in Eastern Visayas.

Sarmiento said the port development projects have been undertaken to realize the President’s vision of a seamless transport system.

The RO-RO system is seen not only to reduce the cost of moving goods but also increase regional trade, enhance tourism and agricultural productivity, promote growth in investments and development of the countryside as well as poverty reduction. (AHLETTE C. REYES)

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

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

RDC chair says EV solon block beneficial to development programs

(During the last Regional Development Council Meeting in Tacloban City, Mayor Sarmiento was interviewed by LSDE's Ahlette Reyes. Here's Ahlette's report taken from the LSDE website)

TACLOBAN CITY - Regional Development Council Chairman and Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento said the solid group of Eastern Visayas congressmen in the House of Representatives would prove more beneficial to the different development programs being pushed for by the council.

Mayor Sarmiento said during the recently held RDC meeting that the gathering of congressmen from the different districts in Eastern Visayas last May 6 in Manila, a gathering initiated by the RDC itself, was a very historic meeting with the region’s congressmen updated on the development direction of the region and consulted for their recommendations.

“More than what the governors, the mayors and the regional offices can do, our congressmen can help a lot through their funds in helping the region realize our many and different programs and projects,” Mayor Sarmiento said in an interview with the local media.

Eleven out of 12 congressmen from Eastern Visayas were present during the said gathering in Manila, where the legislators were presented with the regional development plan while allowing the congressmen to present their comments and recommendations on these proposals.

Only Leyte First District Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, according to Sarmiento, was not in attendance during the gathering as he was part of President Arroyo’s party in her visit to Bicol recently.

Apart from the regional development plan, what was also presented to the congressmen, it was learned, was the scorecard developed by the RDC-8 where the region’s program implementation are assessed and which would then be passed to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“May ada hira gin-incorporate ngada hini nga scorecard to include their own projects in the respective congressional districts.

The RDC chair believes that with most of the Eastern Visayas congressmen holding vice-chairman seat in the different House committees, they would be able to pull more for the region’s projects especially on the financial aspect.

“I have urged our congressmen to look beyond our political boundaries. If its for the good of the region whether it falls or not within her or his jurisdiction buligan naton kay aton man la gihapon ini,” Sarmiento added. (AHLETTE C. REYES)