PhilHealth conducts orientation on PhilHealth Sabado

PhilHealth conducted an Orientation on the Nationwide PhilHealth Registration Day. The activity was held this morning at the Marju Krisel function hall.

Mayor Reynaldo Uy was on hand to deliver a welcome message to the invited guests which included the City Officials, DILG and DepEd personnel, members of NGOs and the media.

The orientation gave details on PhilHealth Sabado which falls on October 2, 2010, the 100th day since President Noynoy Aquino was sworn into office. In Calbayog, the activity aims to register at least 10,000 indigent households as identified by the CSWDO.

Mayor Reynaldo Uy delivering his welcome message.

Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino and other guests.

Mr. Romeo Agus explaining the NPRD PhilHealth benefits.

DepEd Calbayog SDS Edita Paculan

DOH City Representative Dr. Eufemia Alcantara

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)

Mobile Passporting Service to be held in Calbayog

The City of Calbayog through the Local Civil Registry Office, in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) RO 8 will once again offer a mobile passporting service.

This service will be held on September 12 - 13, 2009 (Saturday and Sunday) at the Old Barracks Building (Handumanan) Conference Hall.

In line with this, authentication of Civil Registry documents will be conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) Provincial Office at the Calbayog City Hall Sala on September 10, 2009 (Thursday).

Basic Requirements for Mobile Passporting are:

1. Four (4) Passport size photo
2. Two (2) valid IDs
3. Marriage Certificate (applicable only to married women)

DOST Secretary in Calbayog

DOST Secretary Estrella Alabastro was in Calbayog City yesterday. She made a brief stop in the city on her way to Leyte for her various engagements.

On hand to welcome the Secretary at the Calbayog Techno Gabay Center was the staff of the City Agriculture Office headed by City Agriculturist Adela Ocenar. Also on hand were some member of the CAFC led by its president Mr. Esteban Conchas.

Secretary Alabastro was given a briefing on the Techno Gabay project and other related programs of the City of Calbayog.

Images from the Summmit on Climate Change

(July 10, 2009) As reported earlier (check these: link1, link2), the City of Calbayog hosted a regional summit on climate change dubbed as "Enhancing Communities' Capacity to Confront Extreme Geo-Meteorological Events at the Core of Climate Change". Let me share some pictures from the said event.

Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento as he presented his topic on "Local Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change".

Dr. Rodolfo Tamayo, Jr., Associate Professor from the National Institute of Geological Sciences UP-Diliman discussing "Climate Change-Related Extreme Geological Events".

Ms. Gerarda Asuncion Merito, Senior Environmental Management Specialist from the DENR. She discussed "Philippine Climate Change Initiatives (Climate change Financial Issues and Technology Transfer)".

Engr. Albert Mariño, Senior Research Specialist from the Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development. He discussed "Science and Technology Intervention on Climate Change".

Ms. Russy Abastillas, Weather Specialist from PAG-ASA discussing "Climate Change-Related Extreme Weather Conditions".

Engr. Rosella Gopo, DOST Samar Provincial Director delivering the Closing Remarks.

Earth Scientists, Climate Change Stakeholders To Meet in Calbayog City

The City of Calbayog will host the regional meeting on climate change for earth scientists, Local Government Units , Non-Government and Business Organizations on Friday, July 10, 2009.

The meeting is a a part of a series of symposia being conducted by the National Institute of Geological Sciences-University of the Philippines (NIGS-UP), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration-Dept. of Science and Technology (PAGASA-DOST), and the Phil. Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development –Dept. Of Science and Technology (PCIERD-DOST), entitled “ Enhancing Communities’ Capacity to Confront Extreme Geo-Meteorological Events at the Core of Climate Change.”

According to Dr. Rodolfo Tamayo, the Project Leader, the meeting would be a venue for the said stakeholders and scientists to present recent findings and discuss key issues on climate change. He added that the project has 2-fold aim: first is to bring the issue of climate change to key places across the Philippines such as the people would be updated on recent scientific information; and second, to provide the organizers the means to identify policy issues that the government can address as it confronts climate change.

Resource speakers will provide inputs on Climate Change-Related Extreme Weather Conditions, Climate Change-Related Extreme Geological Events, Climate Change Financial Issues and Technology Transfer, Science and Technology Intervention on Climate Change, and Local Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change.

An open forum and workshop will also be held in the later part of the symposium.

Among those invited to participate in this event are the local chief executives of Naval, Borongan, Salcedo, Baybay, Catarman, Tacloban, San isidro and Maasin, as well as the governor of the province of Leyte, administrators of the different State Colleges and Universities, and Regional Ecology Centers here in Region 8, and business sector and non-government organizations representatives. From Calbayog City, expected to attend are 5 Punong barangays whose jurisdiction lies the city’s water shed, 33 from coastal barangays, and several school teachers.

The event will be held at the Audio-Visual Room of TTMIST. (Eleen Lim/DYOG-Calbayog)

Extreme Geo-meteo Events on Climate Change

A symposium dubbed "Enhancing Communities' Capacity to Confront Extreme Geo-Meteorological Events at the Core of Climate Change" will be held tomorrow at the TTMIST-AVR. The event is scheduled to take place from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento had been invited to deliver the Welcome Remarks during the opening ceremonies. He will also deliver a talk on "Local Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change".

The following are the topics to be presented in the event:

• Climate Change-Related Extreme Weather Conditions by Mr. Nathaniel Cruz, OIC for Operations and Services, PAGASA.
• Climate change-Related Extreme Geological Events by Dr. Rodolfo Tamayo, Jr., Associate Professor, NIGS-UP.
• Philippine Climate Change Initiatives (Climate Change Financial Issues and Technology Transfer) by Ms. Gerarda Asuncion Merilo, Sr. Environmental Specialist, DENR.
• Science and Technology Intervention on Climate Change by Engr. Albert Mariño, Sr. Science Research Specialist, PCIERD.

This events is organized by: The National Institute of Geological Sciences-University of the Philippines (NIGS-UP); Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration-Dep't of Science and Technology (PAGASA-DOST); and the Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development-Dep't of Science and Technology (PCIERD-DOST)

courtesy call by the DENR Regional Director

Mayor Mel Sarmiento received Mr. Alfredo Pascual, the Executive Director of DENR Regional Office No. 8. With Mr. Pascual during yesterday's courtesy call were City Agriculturist Adela Ocenar, CENRO Jose Raz and Councilors Noel Sermense and Sonny Salurio.

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)

from the PIA: The PCA Coco Nursery

June 3, 2009. Mayor Mel Sarmiento and Philippine Coconut Authority Regional Manager Ed Nierva cut the ribbon to officially open the Coconut Nursery, Earwig Bio Laboratory and Coconut Products Display Center. Looking on are Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino (to the mayor's left) and Samar Coco Products President Engr Julio Co (in yellow), PCA's private partner which funded the project. (PIA 8)

Specimens of earwigs being cultured to fight Brontispa inside the PCA office and coconut nursery in Calbayog City. (PIA 8)

The newly inaugurated coco nursery in Calbayog City manned by PCA Coconut Development Officer (CDO) Meinard Montano. (PIA 8)

Meeting with Calbayog's health workers

Mayor Mel Sarmiento (on June 4, 2009) received Dr. Dicos of the Infectious Diseases Control Program of the Department of Health Regional Office # 8. Dr. Dicos paid a courtesy call on the City Mayor together with some health workers of Calbayog. She briefed the City Mayor and the health workers on the A(H1N1). She also updated the group on the trainings the the DOH will be extending to Calbayog health workers. These trainings will include among other, A(H1N1) patients handling and transport.

Courtesy Call by the DSWD Undersecretary

Mayor Mel Sarmiento received (on May 19, 2009) Ms. Celia C. Yanco of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Ms. Yanco is the DSWD Undersecretary for Operations and Capability-Building Groups. Ms. Yanco was accompanied by DSWD FO-8 OIC-Director Leticia Corillo.

Orientation on the AH1N1 virus

As part of the measures to combat the threat brought about by the AH1N1 virus, the City Health Office in coordination with the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of the Department of Health Eastern Visayas conducted an Orientation on the AH1N1 virus. The activity was held late last week at the Conference Hall of the St. Camillus Hospital.

Topics discussed were:

• "Preventive Measures against pandemic flu in Region 8" by Dr. Raita Tamaki.
• "Infection Control" by Mr. Boyd Cero
• "Surveillance of Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT)" by Dr. Nick Antonio Bautista.

The activity was attended by various stakeholders which included the City Health Office staff, members of the City Disaster Coordinating Council, staff of the City Veterinary Services Office, the PNP, the Philippine Ports Authority, the Civil Aviation Agency, the three private hospitals in Cabayog, media practitioners from DYOG-Radyo ng Bayan, FilProducts and CTIO and the Sangguniang Panlungsod through the Chair of the SP Committee on Health, Councilor Raymond Uy.

Dr. Nick Antonio Bautista, Regional Epidemiologist; Chief of Regulation, Licensing and Enforcement Division of the DOH-RO-8.

Mr. Boyd Cero, Regional Sentinel Nurse.

Dr. Raita Tamaki.

DOST techno-demo on portable micro fish smoking machine

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the City Government of Calbayog through the City Cooperatives Office conducted a techno-demo on the Portable Micro Fish Smoking Machine. The event was held last Friday, May 8, 2009 at the I's Plant activity area.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento was on hand to welcome the participants which included Engr. Alfredo Apolinar and Dr. Dominica Sajonas, resource persons both of the Pangasinan State University (PSU); guests from the DOST; tinapa processors from Barangay Matobato namely Maritess Tapahan, Estring's Tapahan, Yayang's Tinapang Tagalog and Babe's Tapahan; 6 Calbayog Food Processors Associations; the Rural Improvement Center; TTMIST; and Barangay Saljag.

The activity was done in line with the One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) program of the LGU. It was held to introduce and demonstrate the operation and utilization of a new design of smoking machine which is easy to operate, more hygienic, has control for smoke and temperature and is suitable for small-scale producers. Said machine which can be an alternative to the traditional smoking oven was developed by PSU with funding from the DOST and the Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development (PCIERD).

Mayor Mel Sarmiento as he delivered his message. Seated are Engr. Ramil Uy of DOST -8 and Engr. Rosella Gopo of DOST-Samar.

Courtesy Call

Mayor Mel Sarmiento received Dr. Elizabeth Fernandez earlier today. Dr. Fernandez is the RO VIII Regional Vice President of the Phillippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhiHealth).

Courtesy Call

Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento received CSC Director Michael De La Cruz yesterday. Director De La Cruz is the Samar Provincial Director of the Civil Service Commission. He is in town in connection with the Anti-Red Tape campaign and the launching of the Calbayog Citizen's Charter which will be held at 2:00 pm tomorrow (May 7, 2009) at the LMA Auditorium.

20 million pesos for Calbayog

(April 24, 2009) The City of Calbayog received a check amounting to 9.850 million pesos from the Department of Agriculture. The amount is the first tranche release of the 20 million-peso assistance the Agriculture Department will be providing to the City for the concreting / asphalting of the Brgy. Villahermosa - Brgy. San Jose Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) and other related projects.

The check was received by Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino during the PalayCheck Field Day and Farmers/Fisherfolks Forum held in Brgy. Carayman. DA-8 Director Leo Cañeda represented Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap who failed to make it to the program.

Aside from the turn-over of the check, the day's activity included field orientation and visit, field performance show, distribution of 24,000 Tilapia fry to local Tilapia growers and a forum facilitated by Engr. Guillermo Calderon.

The activity was attended by farmer-graduates from Carayman, Cag-Anibong and San Joaquin.

The City officials in attendance were City Councilors Ver Porlares, Ina Rabuya, Sonny Salurio and Arturo Pasacas. Also present were Acting City Administrator Arnol Trani, DA RD on Fisheries Juan Albaladejo, ATI-RTC VIII Center Director Paulino Cabahit, City Agriculturis Adela Ocenar and Ass't City Agriculturist Guillermo Calderon, among others.

Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino (2nd from the right) as he received from DA-8 RD Leo Cañeda the 9.850-M check. Looking on are (l-r) City Agriculturist Adela Ocenar, Councilors Ver Porlares, Ina Rabuya, Sonny Salurio and Arturo Pasacas (CAO photo) .

Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino receiving from DA-8 RD Leo Cañeda the 9.850-M check. In photo are (l-r) Councilors Ina Rabuya, Sonny Salurio and Arturo Pasacas, ATI-RTC VIII Center Director Paulino Cabahit and Acting City Administrator Arnol trani. (CTIO photo)

Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino delivering a welcome message on behalf of Mayor Mel Sarmiento. (CTIO photo)

Director Leo Cañeda delivering his message. (CAO photo)

Some beneficiaries as they received Tilapia fry from RD Leo Cañeda and RD Juan Albaladejo.

(l-r) Councilor Ver Porlares, Engr. Arnol Trani, Mr. Juan Albaladejo, RD Leo Cañeda, Dir. PAulino Cabahit, Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino, Councilors Arturo Pasacas, Sonny Salurio and Ina Rabuya. (CAO photo)

A farmer-graduate receives his certificate from RD Cañeda. (CAO photo)

Some of the farmer-graduates who attended the activity (top and bottom photos from CAO)