JICA Midterm Evaluation Team visits Calbayog

(June 22, 2009) A 10-man JICA Mifterm Evaluation Team visited Calbayog to check on some JICA projects in the City. The said team which was headed by Shiro Amano paid a coutesy call on the Sangguniang Panlungsod before proceeding to Calbayog Sanitary Landfills in Barangay Gadgaran (Tomalon Estate) and Barangay Dinagan and the Material Recovery Facility in Barangay Payahan.

The JICA Team also met with their local conterparts at the I's Plant Function Hall for some updates on the projects.

Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino as he welcomed the JICA team.

(l-r) Councilors Bombie Enriquez, Noel Sermense, Julius Mancol and Ina Rabuya.

The JICA Midterm Evaluation Team. (r-l) Shiro Amano, Team Leader); Makoto Iwase, JICA Philippine Office Representative; Noriko Otsuki, Consultant, Satoshi Higashinakagawa, Consultant; and Takshi Goto, JICA Project Team Leader.

The City Officials with the JICA Evaluation Team.

Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino and the JICA team members at the Gadgaran Sanitary Landfill.

The Team with Vice Mayor Aquino at the Material Recovery Faciltiy (MRF) in Barangay Payahan.

Makoto Iwase as he stressed a point during the group's evaluation / meeting.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento meeting with Shiro Amano (l) and Makoto Iwase (r) and other team members at the Calbayog Airport.

MEDCAP update: Gandara

The Gandara leg of the USNS Mercy MEDCAP ended today. The two-day activity extended 3,873 medical services to 2,107 patients.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento was again on hand to coordinate things. Gandara Mayor Antonieto Cabueños and the members of the Municipal Council also extended their support.

The MEDCAP team and volunteers will take a day off for the third leg of the mission which will be held from June 7 - 8 at Sta. Margarita.

Here are some pictures taken from the Gandara MEDCAP

As with the earlier missions, huge crowds turned up for the free medical services

That's Mayor Mel Sarmiento giving some instructions to patients waiting for their turn to be served.


Volunteers from STI were on hand to encode record of patients

(for more pictures, please check this link)

ENCAP Update: Greenland Subdivision

The construction of the Wastewater Treatment Facility has commenced at the Greenland Subdivision in Brgy. Rawis Cabayog City. The said project is still part of the ENCAP of the USNS Mercy Mission in Samar.

As per initial initial info I got from Engr. Ashley Albania, the project will consist of a pit with anaerobic baffel reactor, hybrid septic tank with five chambers and 12" thick floors. I'll be providing more specs in my later updates.

On the other hand, Greenland Subdivision is a resttlement area for some informal settlers of Calbayog. It is a joint venture between the LGU and the Rumohr Family. Among its beneficiaries are the informal settlers who used to occupy some private lots at Purok 2, 3 and 4 of Brgy. Rawis.

Here are some pictures taken during the initial stages of the construction:

City Engineer Oscar Hugo (back to the camera) with some Local Initiative for Affordable Wastewater Management (LINAW) U.S.A. consultants

Mayor Mel Sarmiento (2nd from the left) with the LINAW consultants

NMCB 133 troops as they took turns inspecting the pit . . .

. . . as one group member takes time to rest with his pinoy counterpart

. . . and another one took time to befriend the local kids

MEDCAP Update: San Isidro

The first leg of the USNS Mercy Mission MEDCAP ended today. At least 2,226 patients from San Isidro, Northern Samar availed of the various medical services provided during the two-day medical mission. The activity was held at the San Isidro Central School grounds.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento was on hand to coordinate things. Also on hand were Mayor Conrado Avila, Vice Mayor Montecalvo and the Municipal Councilors.

The MEDCAP Team and volunteers will take a day-off tomorrow in preparation for the Gandara leg of the medical mission.

Here are some pictures taken from the medical mission in San Isidro. (I have uploaded more pictures in my other blog)

"...the quiet before the storm (?)". Crowds gathered in front of the school grounds hours before the MEDCAP officially started

Mayor Mel Sarmiento (rightmost) as he shares some light moments with some volunteers.

Dr. Cesar Sabenicio as he attends to some patients

(for more images, please check this link)

ENCAP Update: Sta. Margarita Main Health Center

The repair of the Sta. Margarita Main Health Center has commenced. This is still part of the the ENCAP of the USNS Mercy mission in Samar.

About two weeks ago, the members of the to the Naval Mobile Construction Batallion (NMCB) 33 were divided into two. One group went to work at the Capoocan Main Health Center, while the other group started work in Sta. Margarita. Here are some pictures taken at the area:

Mayor Mel Sarmiento with Sta. Margarita Mayor Fred Serrano (in red) as they received updates on the project.