Mayor Uy bumisita san mga bikitma san sunog sa Brgy. Balud

Guin bisita yana nga adlaw (Sitiembre 6) an mga biktima san sunod nga nahinabo sa Barangay Balud. Kaupod niya an pipira nga mga Department Managers nga sira Mrs. Betty Jane Arnejo san CSWDO, City Administrator Emerlito Montealto, si Engr. Ramon Tan san CEO, si Dr. Teody Fortaleza san CDAPRO ug si Mr. Cecinio Oquendo san Urban Housing Department. Guin manduhan ni Mayor Uy si Mrs. Arnejo nga maghatag san tu-ang nga bulig san mga nasunugan.

Si Mayor Reynaldo Uy kaupod si CSWDO Betty Jane Arnejo, Ass't. City Engineer Ramon Tan, Jun Cortado san Community Affairs Office, ug si Kgwd. Teresita Protugaliza san Brgy. Balud.

LGU signs MOA with IJM

Mayor Reynaldo Uy shakes hands with IJM Manila Field Office Director Atty. Carmela Andal - Castro after they signed the Memorandum of Agreement.

Last Monday, after his visit in Barangay Aguit-itan and the Slaughter House, Mayor Reynaldo Uy attended the program of the International Justice Mission (IJM) at Marju Krisel Resort. A highlight of the activity was the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the LGU and IJM.

Subject of the MOA was the CSWDO-operated institution known as Calbayog Response Center for Women and Children (CRESCENT-WC) which is located in Barangay Payahan. It can be recalled that the center was opened sometime in October of 1999 with then Vice President Gloria Arroyo as guest of honor. The center was aimed at enabling Children in Need of Special Protection (CNSP) and Women in Especially Difficult Circumstances (WEDC) resolve their problems and thus restore their normal social functioning through the provision of protective rehabilitative services.

Mayor Reynaldo Uy delivering his message before the MOA signing.

The CRESCENT building is in need of repair. Thus, as stipulated in the MOA, the IJM shall provide support social services, which will include the following:

• The improvement of the facility for the total well-being of the admitted residents. The improvements of the building will cost Php 686,438.78.
• Provision of free legal services to victims of trafficking in person.

For its counterpart, the LGU shall execute the following:

• Allocate funds for labor, equipment rental and contingencies amounting to Php 136,823.24
• Assign the City Engineering Office as the Project Implementation and Management Team; and
• Continuously allocate funds for the maintenance of the CRESCENT-WC Building.

The LGU will also provide manpower and facility for the implementation and sustainability of the programs and services such as temporary shelter to address needs and problems of CNSP and WEDC to include victims of trafficking in persons; make provisions for the continuous awareness raising activities and advocacy campaign on anti-trafficking in person; allow the CSWDO to participate in the programs of the IJM; and accommodate proposals from the CSWDO on the delivery of basic services provided that such proposals are covered within the area of IJM’s program.

IJM is an international human rights organization which provides free investigative, legal and social work assistance to the urban poor especially cases involving child abuse and child sex trafficking in the National Capital Region, the neighboring provinces and Calbayog City.

Calbayog observes 32nd National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week

The City Government through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) is observing the 32nd National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week.

The celebration was launched today, July 19, 2010 through a simple program was held at the City Hall Stage after the flag-raising ceremony. CSWDO Betty Jane Arnejo was on hand to give the rationale of the program and also to inform everyone of the activities lined up for the celebration. Also present were some visually-impaired students and members of the Hearing Impaired Class from the Calbayog City SPED Center. They were accompanied by their advisers Mrs. Nimfa Cacait and Mrs. Gemma Tapel.

CSWDO Betty Jane Arnejo delivering the program rationale.

Today's activities will include inspection of "non-accessible" establishments, scouting of children with visual impairments and radio guesting.

On July 20, 2010 Orientations / Updates on the implementation of BP 344 and RA 9442; and the Person with Disability Affairs Office (RA 1070) will be conducted at the Senior Citizens' Center. A Pangkabuhayan Skills Workshop will also be conducted by the City Federation of Persons with Disabilities (CFPD).

On July 21, 2010, the CFPD will have a Family Fun Day and socialization.

On July 22, 2010, a training on family members on the care and management of mentally-challenged children and other learning difficulties will be conducted at the Senior Citizens' Center.

This year's celebration is anchored on the theme: "Istrukturang Accessible, Lahat ay Able"

Michael Corsiga, Mary Joy Corsiga and Merle Corsiga as they delivered the morning prayers using their guide which was in Braile.

Ms. Gemma Tapel and some members of her class.

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 City observes Women's Day

The City of Calbayog in coordination with various government agencies and NGOs celebrated International Women's Day yesterday. Invited to speak during the opening program at the City Hall Stage were Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento, Councilor Regina Rabuya, Atty. Jennylyn Sumagang-Durmiendo and CSWDO Betty Jane Vergara-Arnejo.

The whole day event included a motorcade and the Women's Multi-Services Fair at the Jogger's Court in Barangay East Awang. The fair offered services on Health and Nutrition, Personal Care, Social Services, Optho Services and Advocacy.

The program was hosted by Eleen Lim of DYOG Radyo ng Bayan. Among the agencies and NGOs that participated in the activity were WESADEF, the Bantay-Abuso Network (BAN), International Justice Mission (IJM), DILG, CHO and PNP Calbayog.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento delivering his message.

Councilor Regina Rabuya as she delivered her welcome remarks.

Atty. Jennylyn Sumagang - Durmiendo giving her Inspirational Message.

CSWDO Betty Jane Vergara - Arnejo explaining the rationale of the event.

DYGO's Eleen Lim hosting the opening program.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento with Calbayog PNP Chief PSupt Ramil Ramirez and (seated l-r) CSWDO Betty Jane Vergara-Arnejo, Councilor Regina Rabuya, Atty. Jennylyn Sumagang-Durmiendo and DepEd Calbayog SDS Edita Paculan.

Women's Month Celebration in Calbayog

The DILG-Calbayog streamer announcing Women's Month 2010

In observance of Women's Month 2010, the City of Calbayog will join the Bantay-Abuso Network (BAN), WESADEF and other agencies and non-government organizations in a 7-part program this coming Monday, March 8, 2010.

The day's event will commence at 7:00 am with the registration at the Jogger's Court in Barangay East Awang. The Opening Program will follow at the City Hall stage at 8:00 am. Mayor Mel Sarmiento, Councilor Regina Rabuya and CSWDO Betty Jane Arnejo have been invited to deliver their messages during the opening program which will be followed by a motorcade.

The official opening of the Women's Multi-Services Fair will be held at the Jogger's Court after the motorcade. The said fair will offer various services like Health and Nutrition, Personal Care, Social Services, Advocacy, among others.

The Closing Program will be held at 4:00 pm. BAN member and Broadcast Journalist Eleen Lim and CSWDO Betty Jane Arnejo will deliver their messages. Invited to lead the distribution of certificates are Mayor Mel Sarmiento, Councilor Regina Rabuya and DILG Calbayog City Director Valente Bajet.

The days event will be capped by the Hataw Bayan to be led by SPO3 Gloria Arioja and Prose Bingayen.

This year's celebration is anchored on the theme: "Babae, Tagumpay ka ng Bayan!"

Seminar for Pedicab Drivers

The CSWDO with the PNP and IJM-Calbayog recently conducted a Pedicab Drivers' Seminar on Traffic Rules, City Ordinances, Values Enhancement and Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (R.A. 9208).

The seminar was held at the SK Dormitory Covered Court in Brgy. Pagbalican, Calbayog City. Approximately 2,000 PD cab drivers participated in the activity.

The IJM billboard announcing the seminar. Noteworthy is its message: HIBARO-AN AN BALAUD. ISUMBONG AN MGA TRAFFICKERS. An "Anti-Trafficking n Persons Act of 2003" nahatag sin pinakadako nga sirot sin pagkapreso sa bug-os nga kinabuhi ug multa nga P 2-5 M para san matalapas sini nga balaud. Tawag o Text 0908-627-8639.