Friday, October 31, 2008

Mayor Mel Sarmiento to moderate two events at the World Urban Forum in Nanjing, China

Calbayog City Mayor and RDC-8 Chair Mel Senen Sarmiento will be in Nanjing, China from November 3 – 6, 2008. He was invited by UN Habitat to moderate two events during the Fourth Session of the World Urban Forum. These events are the “Mayors’ Roundtable” and “Land Markets, Social Inclusion and the right to the City”, a high-level panel discussion on the difficulties of socially and physically integrating the urban poor into cities.

Roundtables are organized by Habitat Agenda partners such as ministers, mayors, youth, women, parliamentarians, and others. These action-oriented sessions enable peers to exchange views on key urban issues. Some roundtables will be closed door events, while others will be open to the public.

The Mayors’ roundtable on November 3, 2008 will build on the momentum gathered by the local authorities' movement around the world and discuss the role of cities and city managers in assisting national government in the search for "harmonious urbanization". The event will emphasize the important contribution local authorities are making to ensure harmonious urbanization, based on the fact that - if local authorities were responsible for implementing policies in order to respond to the changing conditions in increasingly multicultural societies - then they must be internationally recognized and nationally empowered to create an environment that is conducive to sustainable development for all.

The following officials have confirmed their participation in the Roundtable Event:
Mayor Zhang Guangning, Co-President UCLG (chair)
Representative from the China Association of Mayors (co-chair)
Dr. Wolfgang Schuster, Mayor, Stuttgart, Germany
H.E. Mir Abdul Ahad Sahibi, Mayor, Kabul, Afghanistan
Hon. Anders Knape, President of the Swedish Association of Local authorities, Sweden
Hon. Mel Senen S. Sarmiento, Mayor, Calbayog City, The Philippines
Hon. Michel Destot, President, Association des maires de grandes villes de France, Deputy and mayor, Grenoble, France
Mr. Simon Compaore, Mayor, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Mr. Kep Chuk Tema, Governor, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Mr. François Amichia, Mayor, Treichville and President, Union des Villes et Communes de Côte d’Ivoire, Côte d’Ivoire
Ms. Olga Ramasalon, Mayor, Antsirabe, Madagascar
Mr. Ousmane Masseck Ndiaye, Mayor, Saint Louis and Ministre d’Etat de la Décentralisation et des Collectivités locales, Senegal
Mr. Mohamed Hadj Taieb, Mayor, Sfax, Tunisia
Mr. Konrad Otto-Zimmermann, Secretary General, ICLEI
Ms. Anita Normark, Building and Wood Workers' International, BWI
Mr. Serguei Lazarev, Chief of UNESCO’s Struggle against Discrimination and Racism Section, Paris

On November 5, 2008, Mayor Sarmiento will moderate “Land Markets, Social Inclusion and the right to the City”, the high-level panel discussion on the difficulties of socially and physically integrating the urban poor into cities. Panelists will discuss issues affecting the functioning of the land markets, particularly recent legislative and policy interventions. This networking event is linked to the dialogue on socially harmonious cities which explores the obstacles that many cities and countries are face in integrating the urban (and urbanising) poor into existing cities and social formations. Each of the countries represented on the panel – Brazil, India, South Africa and Spain – have faced different practical, financial, legal and social obstacles to overcome fragmented and divided urban development, as well as distorted land markets. Each has used varying methods to overcome these obstacles, including legislative mechanisms.

Panelists in this event are:
Hon. Lindiw Sisulu, Minister of Housing, South Africa
Hon. Kumari Selja, Minister of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, India
Teresa Surita Juca, Ministry of Cities, Brazil
Maria Rosario Alonso Ibañez, Ministry of Housing, Spain

The World Urban Forum was established by the United Nations to examine one of the most pressing issues facing the world today: rapid urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies and policies. It is projected that in the next fifty years, two-thirds of humanity will be living in towns and cities. A major challenge is to minimize burgeoning poverty in cities, improve the urban poor's access to basic facilities such as shelter, clean water and sanitation and achieve environment-friendly, sustainable urban growth and development.

It is a biennial gathering that is attended by a wide range of partners, from non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, urban professionals, academics, to governments, local authorities and national and international associations of local governments. It gives all these actors a common platform to discuss urban issues in formal and informal ways and come up with action-oriented proposals to create sustainable cities.

Keynote speakers from the Philippines include Vice President Noli De Castro and Senator Rodolfo Biazon.

Mayor Sarmiento’s expenses for this trip were paid for by the World Bank.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Sustainable Agriculture Program

The Diocese of Calbayog through the Diocesan Social Action Center recently launched its Sustainable Agriculture (SA) Program.

Anchored on a theme "Soil Fertility, a Key to Food Security", the event was attended by organic agriculture farmers of the Social Action Center and some farmers from the Dioceses of Borongan, Catarman and Palo.

Part of the launching activity was the mini Organic Agro-Fair held at the CPC grounds where organic agriculture practitioners of the SAC exhibited their organically-grown products as a way of promoting organic agriculture. The organizers also conducted a tour visit to the Sustainable Agriculture Learning Center (SALC) in Brgy. Limarayon, Calbayog City. The Center showcases some SA technologies being promoted by the SAC.

Currently, there are approximately 466 farming households who are actual organic rice farmers across 31 barangays spread in 11 municipalities in Samar province. These farmers have already undergone the basics of sustainable agriculture and their population is increasing as more farmers continue to convert their farming methods to the organic way.

I will be giving more details about the program in my next blog updates. In the meantime let me give you some pictures from the event.

Ribbon-cutting. Calbayog Bishop Isabelo Abarquez with (r-l) Fr. Cesar Aculan of the SAC, Vice Governor Jesus Redaja, Mayor Mel Sarmiento and Boy Baldomaro.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento as he delivered his message during the program launching the Sustainable Agriculture Program of the Diocesan Social Action Center.


Monday, October 27, 2008

New PNP Chief for Calbayog

P/Supt Isaias Tonog as he turned over the PNP flag to P/Supt Lito Bigoy. Looking on are (l-r) P/Supt Maximo Manicani, Mayor Mel Sarmiento and BM Charlie Coñejos.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento as he delivered his message during the turn-over ceremony.

Calbayog City has a new Chief of Police. In simple ceremonies on October 17, 2008, Police Superintendent Isaias Tonog bid PNP Calbayog farewell as he officially turned-over his post to Police Superintendent Lito Turalba Bigoy. Superintendent Tonog will assume a higher position at the PNP RO8 Mobile Group.

In attendance during the ceremony were Mayor Mel Sarmiento, Board Member Charlie Coñejos, Samar Deputy Provincial Director P/Supt. Maximo Manicani, and the officers of PNP Calbayog.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Secretary Arthur Yap's commitments to Calbayog and Samar

Hi! Still with the recent birthday bash of Calbayog City. I would have wanted to publish this news right after the Charter Day Closing Ceremonies where Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap enumerated a good number of projects for Calbayog and Samar.

I wanted to be sure about the data, so the news had to wait until yesterday when I received the email detailing Secretary Yap's commitments to Calbayog City and in the First District of Samar. The Agriculture Secretary was in Calbayog City on October 16, 2008 in conjunction with the 60th Calbayog Charter Day Celebration and the Turnover of INFRES FMR and Flatbed Mechanical Dryer.

1.) Three (3) Million Pesos for (6) six additional units of flatbed mechanical dryers for Calbayog City.

2.) Four (4) Million Pesos for a SWIP project in Roxas II, Calbayog City

3.) Twenty (20) Million Pesos for a Farm-to-Market-Road (FMR) project from Barangay San Jose to Barangay Himalandrog, Calbayog City

4.) Eight and a half (8.5) Million Pesos funding support for a Farm-to-Market-Road (FMR) Project in Sta. Margarita endorsed by Congressman Reynaldo S. Uy

5.) Four Hundred Fifty Thousand (450,000) Pesos for 26 units of ram pumps coursed thru the Diocese of Calbayog for the 24 municipalities and 2 cities of Samar.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

more Charter Day images

Hi! I got hold of another set of pictures from the Charter Day Celebration.

You may click on the pictures, or please check these links:

Food Tourism Festival, That Man from Samar

(from the Food Tourism Festival) Nijaga Park as it took a different loook during the food competition.

(from the Photo Exhibit) Sen. President Jose Avelino and wife Enriqueta with President Elpidio Quirino

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Secretary Yap in Calbayog

As announced, Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap was in Calbayog as the guest of honor during the 60th Charter Day Celebration.

His first engagement was to speak before the Calbayognons who have gathered in front of the City Hall in time for the traditional Charter Day parade.

His speech was capped by the ceremonial turn-over of a 6-ton flatbed dryer and the ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the various INFRESS projects which the Department of Agriculture has implemented in Calbayog City (more on these in my next blog updates).

Secretary Yap also delivered a message during the closing program at the Nijaga Park (more pitures and details in my next blog update). In the meantime, let me give some pictures courtesy of Henry Puyat.

Secretary Yap as he delivered his speech. Listening to him are (r-l) Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento, Councilors Danny Bernate and Virgil Clemens and Board member Charlie Coñejos.

Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento as he delivered his welcome message. Seated onstage with Secretary Arthur Yap are (r-l) Councilor Ina Rabuya, Loudette Avelino, Vice Mayor Onald Aquino, Councilor Nonoy Pasacas, Ambassador Pedro Chan, Councilors Danny Bernate, Virgil Clemens and Benjie Dean.

Secretary Arthur Yap with Gregorio Lim, President of Roxas 2 Irrigators' Association during the ceremoial turn over of a 6-ton flatbed dryer. Looking on is Mayor Mel Sarmiento.

Secretary Yapo leading the ceremonial ribbon-cutting or the various INFRESS projects in Calbayog. With him are Mayor Mel Sarmiento and (r-l) Councilors Sonny Salurio, Benjie Dean, Virgil Clemens, Ver Porlares and Nonor Pasacas.

Secretary Yap as he received the Certificate of (project) Acceptance from Mayor Sarmiento; and Mayor Sarmiento as he recieved the Certificate of Subproject Completion from Secretary Yap. Looking on are Councilors Noel Sermense and Nonoy Pasacas.

Charter Day pictures

HI! I finally got hold of some pix during the various events in line with the recent Charter Day celebration. Let me share my first set of pix.

Please check these links:

Agro-Industrial Fair

Opening Program

Monday, October 20, 2008

The Mayor and the Senator

Got this only today. When Senator Chiz Escudero came to Calbayog (a few weeks ago), he had a short meeting with Mayor Mel Sarmiento. I am not privy as to what was discussed in the said meeting. Anyway, let me give you one picture taken after their meeting.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Calbayog at 60: Day 8


Today is the 8th day of the set of activities leading to the 60th Calbayog Charter Day Anniversary.

Scheduled for the day is the launching of the Calbayog Coffee Table Book. This will be held at the Nijaga Park at 7:00 pm. The second activity for the night is the concert of Gloc-9.

Ongoing activities:
- Agro - Industrial Fair at the Nijaga Park
- Art Exhibit at I's Plant
- Photo Exhibit: That Man from Samar at the Calbayog Museum.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

The Ten Outstanding Calbayognons (TOC) 2008

The Awardees and the City Officials. (l-r) Councilors Charlie Boy Coñejos and Ina Rabuya. Mr. Greg Urot, Msgr. Francisco Cinco III, Dr. Socorro Bohol, Mr. Ruben Savellano, Councilor Julius Mancol, Mayor Mel Sarmiento, Mr. Cipriano Baldomaro, Ms. Isidra Oriendo, Mr. Marto Calamayo, Ms. Lourdes Matan, SPO2 Genaro Nabual, Councilors Ver Porlares, Florencio Enriquez and Danilo Bernate.(photo by Joel Lagang)

The Awarding Ceremonies for the Ten Outstanding Calbayogons (TOC) 2008 was held last night at the Nijaga Park. The ceremonies commenced with the TOC 2008 Director Cipriano Baldomaro giving out the rationale and the selection process. Mayor Mel Sarmiento delivered a message. There were only eight awardees. As there were no nominees for Outstanding Youth Leader and Outstanding Employee.

Here's the list of the winners in the various categories:
- Outstanding Policeman: SPO2 Genaro B. Nabual
- Outstanding Teacher: Ms. Lourdes Lauderes Matan
- Outstanding Agriculturist: Mr. Marto Gonzaga Calamayo
- Outstanding Punong Barangay: Ms. Isidra F. Oriendo
- Outstanding Entrepreneur: Ms. Julio Co
- Outstanding Non-Government Organization (NGO): Western Samar Development Foundation (WESADEF)
- Outstanding People's Organization (PO): Diocesan Commission on Health Care
- Outstanding Cooperative: BIATUNGAN Marketing Cooperative

(For more images, please check this link)

Calbayog at 60: Day 7


Today is the 7th day of the set of activities leading to the 60th Calbayog Charter Day Anniversary.
Events for the day include the following:

9:00 am. Judging of LADAWAN . . . Kalbayog (a photography contest)

7:00 pm. Oktoberfest with Green Peace Band at the Nijaga Park

Ongoing activities:
- Agro/Eco Fair at the Nijaga Park
- Art Exhibit at I's Plant
- Photo Exhibit: That Man from Samar at the Calbayog Museum

Monday, October 13, 2008

Calbayog at 60: Day 6

Today is the 6th day of the set of activities leading to the 60th Calbayog Charter Day Anniversary.

Scheduled for the day is one of the big events of the Charter Day Celebration:

The Awarding Ceremonies of The Ten Outstanding Calbayognons (TOC) which will be held at the Nijaga Park at 7:00 pm.

This will be followed by a performance of Jose Gomez Songs. Worth noting is the "maiden" performance of "Amoral", a Jose Gomez compostion which has never been performed in public.

Ongoing activities:

- Agro - Industrial Fair at the Nijaga Park
- Art Exhibit at I's Plant
- Photo Exhibit: That Man from Samar at the Calbayog Museum

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Calbayog at 60: Day 5

Today is the 5th day of the set of activities leading to the 60th Calbayog Charter Day Anniversary.

One event is scheduled to the held at the Nijaga Park:

7:00 pm. Calbayog Folkdances (Love Performance / Video)

Ongoing activities:

- Agro/Eco Fair at the Nijaga Park
- Art Exhibit at I's Plant
- Photo Exhibit: That Man from Samar at the Calbayog Museum

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Calbayog at 60: Day 4


Today is the 4th day of the set of activities leading to the 60th Calbayog Charter Day Anniversary.

Two events are scheduled to the held at the Nijaga Park:

7:00 pm. Food Tourism Festival

9:00 pm. LAKUB Performance

Ongoing activities:

- Agro/Eco Fair at the Nijaga Park
- Art Exhibit at I's Plant
- Photo Exhibit: That Man from Samar at the Calbayog Museum

Friday, October 10, 2008

break anay: something new from Dennis Villegas

(This picture entitled "Calbayog Port at early morning" is the latest 'header' of Dennis Villegas' blogspot)

Let's give ourselves a break. Sorry for giving this rather late, got it only this morning that's why. Dennis Villegas was in Calbayog during the last city fiesta. He featured his new pictures in his blog.

You may check these: link1, link 2.

Calbayog at 60: Day 3

Today is the 3rd day of the set of activities in line with the 60th Calbayog Charter Day Anniversary.
Events for today will include the following:

8:00 am. Calbayog - Kahi-araan Seminar Workshop

7:00 pm. Quiz Bee Finals: Calbayog Kahi-araan at the Nijaga Park

Ongoing events:
- Agro/Eco Fair at the Nijaga Park
- Art Exhibit at I's Plant
- Photo Exhibit: That Man from Samar at the Calbayog Museum

Bulawanon nga Handumanan

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

Hi there! It’s another weekend and yes, WE ARE 6 DAYS AWAY TO THE 60th CALBAYOG CITY CHARTER DAY ANNIVERSARY. This celebration, dubbed as Bulawanon nga Handumanan 2008 is anchored on the theme: “CALBAYOG . . . towards Excellence, Service and Leadership”.

The Celebration formally opened last Wednesday, with a bang if I may add. Well, that’s literally taking into consideration the fireworks display that capped the Opening Ceremonies and the day’s other events.

The day started with the opening of the Agro-Industrial Fair at the Nijaga Park where booths have been set up for various groups to display their wares. Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento together with the Director for the Agro-Industrial Fair, Councilor Arturo Pasacas and DA-RFU-8 ARD Rufino Ayaso (who represented Director Leo Cañeda) led the officials and some Department Managers in the opening ceremonies. The said fair will run ‘til the big day on the 16th of October.

Two other events opened yesterday (I think I’ll refer to it as soft opening), the Art Exhibit at I’s Plant and the Photo Exhibit dubbed “That Man from Samar” at the Calbayog Museum.

The Day’s big event was the Opening Ceremonies which included the Mayor’s Message, the maiden presentation of “KALBAYOG . . . An Pag-Ilawod (the musical play which depicted the history of Calbayog. More about this in my next column), the Formal Declaration of Bulawanon nga Handumanan, the flying of the Traditional Lobo and the Fireworks Display.

A good number of Calbayognons turned out for the affair. Among them were school heads, artists, businessmen and students. Among the VIPs present were the members of the SOS Philippines National Board of Trustees. The members of the City Council were also present (in their Filipinana fineries) not just as part of the audience, but as part of the cast of “Kalbayog… An Pag-Ilawod”.

* * *

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap has confirmed his attendance in the Charter Day celebration. He is expected to arrive in Calbayog on the 16th of October.

In his itinerary is the Farmers’ Congress which will be held at the TTMIST Socio-Cultural Center. He is also expected to deliver a message before the employees of the LGU and the stakeholders of the city. He will also speak during the Closing Ceremonies which will cap the celebration.

* * *

The other big event last Wednesday was the SOS Children’s Villages Philippines National Board of Trustees Annual Board Meeting which at SOS Village Calbayog. The Board Members were in town together with their Board Chairman, Archbishop Fernando Capalla of Davao.

One of the highlights of the said meeting was the signing if the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SOS Children’s Villages Philippines and the LGU on the utilization of the old CKC-Herman Gmeiner Elementary School campus for the Calbayog Millennium Voc-Tech Training Center.

* * *

Calbayog at 60. Let me give you some more of the set of activities in slated for the 60th Calbayog Charter Day Anniversary:

For today, October 10, 2008. two activities are slated:
- 8:00 am. Continuation of the Calbayog Kahi-araan Seminar Workshop
- 7:00 pm. The Quiz Bee Finals (on Calbayog Kahi-araan) will be held at the Nijaga Park. This will be participated in by students from the public and private secondary schools of Calbayog.

October 11, 2008 (Saturday)
- 7:00 pm. Food Tourism Festival. This is a competition on the preparation and presentation of traditional Calbayog fare. The event which will be held at the Nijaga Park is under the auspices of the City Tourism and Information Office.
- LAKUB Performance will be held simultaneously with the Food Festival. This is a presentation of Calbayog art and culture.

October 12, 2008 (Sunday)
- Focus on Calbayog Foldances. There will be live performances and video presentations at the Nijaga Park.

* * *

This is it for now. Have a nice weekend everyone! Ciao!

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Calbayog at 60: Day 2

Today is the second day of the set of events leading to the 60th Calbayog Charter Day Anniversary.

The events for the day are as follows:

8:00 am. Calbayog-Kahi-araan Seminar Workshop

7:00 pm. (Inter-school) Competitions on SIDAY, ISMAYLING & KURATSA at the Nijaga Park

Ongoing events:
- Agro/Eco Fair at the Nijaga Park
- Art Exhibit at I's Plant
- Photo Exhibit: That Man from Samar at the Calbayog Museum

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Calbayog at 60: Day 1
























The set of activities leading to the 60th Calbayog Charter Day Anniversary opens today with the following events:

10:00 am. Opening of the Agro/Eco Fair.
(Venue: Nijaga Park)

2:00 pm. Opening of the Art Exhibit.
(Venue: I's Plant)

5:00 pm. Opening of the Photo Exhibit: That Man from Samar (A tribute to the late Senate President Jose Avelino).
(Venue: Calbayog Museum located on the ground floor of the Old Barracks Building)

7:00 pm. Opening Ceremonies: Kalbayog . . . An Pag-ilawod.
(Venue: Nijaga Park)

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

almost there

I was at Nijaga Park last weekend and saw some LGU personnel busy with some final nitty gritty in preparation for the activities which will officially open the observance of the 60th Calbayog Charter Day Anniversary.

The streamers are out and the stalls (for the Agro-Indsutrial Fair) are almost finished. Nijaga Park is the venue for a good number of activites slated for the Charter Day celebration.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap has been invited to the celebration.

SOS Children's Villages Philippines National Board of Trustees to meet in Calbayog



The said meeting will be held tomorrow, October 8, 2008.

Some members of the SOS National Board of Directors are expected to arrive in Calbayog City today. Among those who have confirmed their attendance are Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla (the Board Chairman), Pablo Quianzon (Board Member), Ma. Angeles Lapeña (Board Member), Bienvenido Delgado (SOS CV Philippines, National Director) and Felipe Dumpit (SOS CV Philippines Deputy National Director). Also expected to attend are the Board Presidents of the SOS Children's Villages all over the country.

At 7:00 pm tonight, the SOS officials will be treated to Dinner and Fellowship courtesy of Calbayog City Mayor and SOS Calbayog Board President Mel Senen Sarmiento.

Activtites for tomorrow's meeting are as follows:

10:00 am. Arrival and Welcome
- The SARAKIKI-Hadang Performers of Calbayog City will be on hand to welcome the VIPs
- A Welcome Message will be delivered by Mayor Mel Sarmiento

10:30 am Meeting Proper

12:00 pm. Lunch

3:00 pm MOA Signing for the Voctech Center

4:00 pm. WARAY-WARAY Festival Presentation
- FSP Beneficiaries, selected youth and children from SOS Calbayog and workers and FSP mothers will be presenting various numbers.
- Mayor Mel Sarmiento will deliver a message
- Archbishop Fernando Capalla will deliver the Closing Remarks

Saturday, October 4, 2008

A dinner date in SoHo

After his presentation at the U. N. Side Event on the MDG, Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento took a break via dinner with some New York-based Calbayognons. They met at Cendrillon, an upscale Filipino resto in New York's SoHo District.

(In case you would like to take note of some points presented by Mayor Sarmiento, please check my blog update last week. You may check this link).

Here's a pix taken during that dinner:

Mayor Mel Sarmiento with Boy Mancol, Mike & Gwendolyn (the Mayor's New York-based friends), Charito & Loudette Avelino, Freda Ladrero, Guely & Olga Mancol.

(I have also published this in my other blog. Please check this link)

Friday, October 3, 2008

Updating the Score Cards

Mayor Mel Sarmiento was back from New York early this week. He arrived just in time for the short visit of President Gloria Arroyo. After the midweek holiday (Eid'l Fitr), he met with the various Department Managers. On top of the agenda are their updates on the Score Cards of the various LGU Departments.

If you may want to know, the score card system being utilized by the City Government of Calbayog was patterned after the one developed the Harvard University School of Business. It was introduced to Calbayog by the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA), an organization headed by (President Cory Aquino's Finance Secretary) Jesus Estanislao.

The same score card system was introduced by Mayor Sarmiento to the Regional Development Council (RDC-8) and was encouraged to be replicated in various RDCs around the country by no less than President Arroyo.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

PGMA in Lope De Vega

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was in Samar early this week. Last Monday, she visited the Municipalities of Silvino Lobos and Lope De Vega in Northern Samar before proceeding to Guiuan, Eastern Samar for her Cabinet meeting.

In Lope De Vega, the President took time to be with the people of the said municipality who gathered at the town Plaza. She was also given an update on the government projects being implemented in Northern Samar.

President Arroyo being briefed on the Lope De Vega - San Isidro Road Project by Usec Yabut of the DPWH. Looking on are Calbayog Mayor and RDC Chair Mel Sarmiento, DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus, Congressman Paul Daza and Lope De Vega Mayor Erlinda Cinco.

President Arroyo as she adressed the crowd at the Lope De Vega town plaza. With her were (r-l) Congressman Reynaldo Uy, Mayor Mel Sarmiento, DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus, Congressman Paul Daza, Lope De Vega Mayor Erlinda Cinco and Governor Raul Daza.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Eidl'l Fitr

Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento, Vice Mayor Ronaldo Aquino, the City Officials and the People of Calbayog

join their Muslim brothers and sisters in the observance of


EIDL'L FITR