DA gives SL P500M Agriculture undertakings get financial boost

ByBong Pedalino By Erna Sy Gorne

By Erna Sy Gorne

(to page 2)

Slope stabilization control tested

December 16-31, 2015 Media Center, 2nd Flr., Capitol Bldg. Vol. III, No. 12

Several municipalities of the province including Maasin City stand as beneficiaries of a major financial assistance to boost agricultural pro-ductivity from the Department of Agriculture in the total amount of Php 467,958,519.34.

The turn-over of agricultural interventions was held at Leyte Park Hotel, Ta-cloban City, November 27 by DA Secretary Proceso Alcala with DA Regional Director Leo Caneda, in the presence of some Mayors of the recipient local gov-ernment units along with agriculture extension personnel, said Rio Cahambing of the Governor’s office who attended the event.

For the LGUs of the province, the specified programs as gleaned from a photo posted in the facebook account of Gov. Roger Mercado included the acquisition of a 12-foot paddle boat to be used as a seaweed service boat, cacao seedlings and production, chest freezer, coffee seedlings, production of organic fertilizers, vegetable production, banana production, rootcrop production enterprise, and livestock production on swine and native chickens raised the organic way.

The fund also covered infra projects such as the concreting of La Purisima Concepcion to Zone V Farm-to-Market road with a footbridge, rehabilitation/concreting of other FMR roads, as well as a provision for incentives to Agricul-tural Extension Workers.

Reached by his cellular phone for more details, Provincial Veterinary Ser-vices Office head Francisco Cabarrubias, who was among those representing the province during the turn-over rites, said some of the funds came as grants, oth-ers have counterparts, adding that he cannot give specifics for now as he was on official travel in Tacloban.

Most of the assistance are still coming, while some checks were directly re-ceived by Mayors who were around, and there were a number of sources of the fund, among them the World Bank-funded Philippine Rural Development Proj-ect (PRDP), Cabarrubias also said.

The provincial agriculture ex-perts identified nine municipali-ties to join in the intercropping of cacao plants under the coconut plantation program.

According to Provincial High Valued Crops Coordinator Ma. Luz Gaviola during the weekly Action Center Kapihan sa PIA recently, the provincial government is assisting the local farmers to engage in inter-cropping of cacao plants under the ninety hectares of coconut planta-tion provincewide.

She said the following beneficia-ry- municipalities which engaged in cacao production were Maasin City, Macrohon, Tomas Oppus, Bontoc, Hinundayan, Lilo-an, San Francisco, Pintuyan and San Ricardo.

The said intercropping program includes the participation of 20 farm-ers from every municipality. Each municipality will dedicate 10 hect-ares of coconut plantations for the mentioned intercropping program,

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)- Southern Leyte District Engineering Office is proposing a P111.5 million budget to pilot a project that would completely prevent rock falls and soil erosion, uti-lizing Swiss technology.

According to DPWH’s press release, the SLDEO would be the first district of-fice in Eastern Visayas to pilot road slope stabilization control system developed by Swiss firm, Geobrugg.

District Engineer Ma. Margarita C. Junia quoted saying that they are propos-ing to pilot a section in Barangay Kahu-pian in Sogod town for the stabilization control project in the most critical sec-tion, which has an ascending roadway and multiple blind curves.

The technology, according to Junia, has been used as permanent solution to geohazards in other parts of the country under the Technical Cooperation Proj-ects of the Japan International Coopera-tion Agency.

“We would like to recommend the use of the said technology, so that once and for all, the problem involving rock

Christmas Message Christmastime is often associated with merry-making, exchanging gifts, and exciting surprises. But the first Christmas was one of suffering, sacrifice, and willing obedience. Thus, in the midst of our celebration let us remember that Christ, His birth, is the reason for the season, and not the emphasis on acquiring commercial things. As your leader in the province, your humble servant, along with our colleagues, struggled to reach a decision in the past few days, especially at this crucial time in our province’s history. Without trying to spoil the joyous mood of the moment, let me assure one and all that our efforts will always be geared towards the overall development and welfare of our province and our people. My vision is that by 2020 our province will be fully detached from the poorest of the poor tag and become the most progressive, if not for the entire country then at least for the whole of Region 8. And this can only be achieved with your full cooperation and sup-port. Together, our actions can make a positive impact, through UNITY, SOLIDARITY, and TEAMWORK. May each one of us have a meaningful, spirit-filled Christmas and a bountiful New Year 2016 to hope and look forward to.

Once again, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

ROGER G. MERCADO Governor

90 has. planted to cacao in

9 towns

(to page 2)

Vol. III, No.12

Page 2 December 16-31, 2015

#2016SL WHO’S IN, WHO’S OUT

SOUTHERN LEYTE, Dec. 11 -- Now it can be told. The rumours of a swap in certifi-cates of candidacies for incumbent Gov. Roger “Oging” Mercado and Cong. Damian “Mian” Mercado -- who had filed for the same po-sitions during the regulatory filing period in October -- came out true.

But they remained in the newly-minted membership of the ruling Liberal Party as the two, backed up by scores of supporters, person-ally trooped to the provincial Commission on Elections (Comelec) office a stone’s throw away from the capitol December 10, the last day al-lowed by the poll body for changes and substi-tutions.

First, they withdrew their earlier candidacies and, second, re-file to trade posts in the presence of Atty. Antonio Gulay, Provincial Election Su-pervisor.

The Governor is now the candidate for the province’s lone seat in Congress, a job he held for more than a decade, while the Representa-tive comes back as the official bet for Governor, a post he had served for six years, from 2007 until 2013.

Still, there was an unanswered question: who will be Cong. Mian’s running mate?

The answer showed up in the person of Christopherson “Coco” Yap, a first-termer Councilor of Sogod town.

In the regulation filing period, when Gov. Oging signed in as re-electionist, his Vice-Governor was incumbent Vice-Gover-nor and co-LP partymate Sheffered Tan, also a native of the progressive municipality of Sogod.

A week later, however, Tan expressed res-ervations on the emerging partnership. He did not wait for the deadline to withdraw; he changed party affiliation and re-file, this time as the standard-bearer of the rival polit-ical party United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) for the position of Governor.

UNA’s candidate for Governor, incum-bent Provincial Board Member Albert Es-calmado, slid to the position of Vice-Gover-nor, while the candidate for Vice-Governor, Jojie Olandria, withdrew and did not re-file for any position.

The candidate for Representative under UNA still remained in the person of Rico Rent-uza, former Mayor of Saint Bernard. (ans)

Battle lines drawn in Southern Leyte political landscapeBy AMSL

POSITION LIBERAL PARTY

Congressman: MERCADO, ROGER GAVIOLA Governor: MERCADO, DAMIAN GAVIOLAVice Governor: YAP, CHRISTOPHERSONSP Members:

First District: BANTUG, MARGARITA AUSA IDJAO, ADRIANO AMOR PANO, JESSICA MARIE ESCAÑO EDILLO, FE Second District: ALMARIO, ABELARDO COLINA GOMEZ, ROMEO ESTRERA, AILEEN LUZON UY, LEONCIO III TEMPLA

UNITED NATIONALIST ALLIANCEPARTY

RENTUZA, RICO CABUG-OSTAN, SHEFFERD LINOESCLAMADO, ALBERT GALVEZ

ASTORGA, SANTIAGO INOCANDODUMANCAS, RUEL VILLACERAN RESOS, DARYLL BUNGCARAS

ASTILLO, VIRGILIO SARVIDAMAAMO, MIGUEL II CAGASANRENTUZA, MYRA CALONIA

NATIONALISTA PARTY

LLANES, DAISY GAMALE

INDEPENDENTSCAMUS, OSCAR AZARCON

CATURAN, MIGUELINO LANICESPINA, FLORO FLORENTINO SILONG LARIBA, FELIXBERTO LICONGSUWAIB, MOHAMAD MAMBUAYALABOC, RUBEN LLEGUE

LIST OF PROVINCIAL CANDIDATES (Post Dec. 10, 2015)

Slope stabilization... (from page 1)falls and soil erosions on mountain ranges within our area of jurisdiction would be solved,” Junia stated.

SLDEO is proposing to install the stabilization con-trol system in 30,400 square meters area in Sogod town, with a total funding requirement of P425.6 million.

The DE added that the vulnerability of the area to falling rocks and landslides justifies the application of this technology. Early this year, a road slip and landslide hit the road section, which cost P96 million to restore the highway.

“I will work hard to make this project come true. The condition of our national road really needs this technol-ogy,” Junia added.

It was learned that recently, the SLDEO commis-

90 hectares planted... (from page 1)Gaviola added.

Gaviola further urged the farmers to take advantage of the rainfall and to plant within this month.She also disclosed that to ensure proper management of the said intercropping, the provincial agricul-

ture arm will conduct cacao production to the mentioned farmer- beneficiaries.It was learned that one of the potential market for their cacao products is the Kennemer Foods, Inc, one

of the manufactorers of chocolate products.

sioned a survey in Kahupian village and gathered some en-gineers and road workers to familiarize the technology.

Based in Switzerland, Geobrugg is the world leader in the design and fabrication of protection systems using high-tensile steel wire mesh and netting. Their systems provide highly sustainable solutions for securing unstable slopes or for strengthening existing retaining structures, shotcrete walls, and other conventional materials, it was learned further.

It also secures loose rocks, blocky rocks, rock spurs, overhangs or unstable rock formations with highly irregular surface structures. Included in the project is the installation of erosion control mat with a three dimensional structure for successful revegetation.

SUBSTITUTION: Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Antonio Gulay (left photo, extreme right) in a pose with the Liberal Party standard bearers during the last day for changes December 10, 2015. From left, Cong. Damian Mercado, Sogod Councilor Christopherson Yap and Gov. Roger G. Mercado. Right photo shows the candidates under United Nationalist Alliance: former Saint Bernard Mayor Rico Rentuza, Vice Gov. Sheffered Tan (top) and Board Member Albert Esclamado.

Vol. III, No.12

Page 3December 16-31, 2015

PARTY-PARTY: Provincial heads of offices and employees give their best moves during the Christmas party (below pho-to). Above right, first prize winner Fredie Mar Dances celebrate with Gov. Mercado. At right, Budget head Sylvia Torredes strikes a pose with ABC Provincial Federation President Nikko Mercado.

CENTER FOR BUSINESS: City Mayor Maloney Samaco and Engr. Joselito Dolauta cut the ribbon to formally open the first Negosyo Center in the province located behind the DTI Office at SJC HS Bldg. (above photo). Below, they are joined by, from left, Ferdie Garvez, Malou Gonzales, Manager of China Bank, City Budget Officer Essie Garvez, Epifania Sy, Presi-dent, So. Leyte Chamber of Commerce & Industry, & DTI Provincial Director Mike Nuñez.

DAYGON: Employees of the National Line Agencies also did their best in the Daygon Contest during their Christmas party (above and below photos) while the three judges - Royen, Emily and Along (below right) - judge their fate.

PRIZES, SURPRISES: Cong. Damian Mercado (above left) assists a child to get hold of an instant prize. At right, a lucky teacher, Flor Caube Cisneros, gets ready to claim her surprized gift, assisted by Cong. Mercado, for being among the many lucky winners.

BRGY. DRRM TRNG: Barangay Officials listen to a lecture on di-saster preparedness training orga-nize by the provincial government (above and below photos).

Vol. III, No.12

Page 4 December 16-31, 2015

KAWAYAN ALANG SA KABUHI-AN

Governor’sOffice-Gitug-anniCongressmanMianMercadongaiyangpa-kigkita-anangmgatag-iyaogyutasaatongdapitarontun-anangiyangnahuna-hu-naan ngamananom kita ogmga kawayan, ilabina niadtong yuta ngawalaymgatanom.MatudniyangasiCongressmanMarkVillarsaLasPiñasCitymaoynag-agnikaniyangahimu-onangnaasoyngainisyatiboparasamalahutayonngapanginab-uhianparamokitaogdakoangmgamag-uuma. NasayranngasailangpagbisitadidtosaChina,angmgayutadidtongdapitaadunaymgapuno-ansanaasoyngatanom.Daghanogkagamitanangkawayan,samasapaghimoogbalay,furniture,paghimoogkatigsabaroto/pumpboat,payaw,jewelrybox,kitchenwares,souveniritems,fishcages,environmentprotection,birdsanctuaryogdaghanpa.Angkawayanmaayousabngagamitonalangsamgamu-sical instruments,oglig-onangpuno-anniiniogdilibasta-bastamabalikungmaybagyo. Saatongdapitdunaydaghanngamgakawayanapanwalapayteknolohiyanganahibaloanangatongmga farmersparasadaghangkagamitan.GikalipayniGov.RogerG.Mercadoangmgagibutyagsaiyangmanghodaronmalipayangmgamag-uuma.

GOBERNONG MERCADO MAGPADALA OG AYUDA SA BIKTIMA SA BAGYO

PSWDO-Kinsamaymagtinabangaykondilikita-kitagayodngatagaRe-hiyon8,maokinianggipamulongniGob.RogerG.MercadosamtangnagkahinabisilaniPSWDOMindaTelenRosette.NahibaloansaGobernadorngasamilabayngabagyong“Nona”gikuso-kusonausabangprobensyasaSamar,ogdaghannausabngamgapanimalayanggiguba,mgaumahangida-otogmaykinabuhinausabnganawala.GumikanniiniangPLGU-salalawiganmehugotogpondogikansaCalam-ityfundngakantidadogkapinokulangP1.1milyon.

AngPaliton: 1.300sacksofNFARice 2. Sardinas 3.Noodlesogmga 4.BottledWater

Si Gobernador Roger G. Mercado, ug ang mga local officials sa Samarhilabihan ka lig-onang ilang relasyon, ilabina siRaulDaza (LP),DILGSecretarySenenSarmiento,ugubanpangtaasngaopisyalsaSamarprovinces.

CHRISTMAS PARTY SA MGA KAPITAN GIPAHIGAYON

MaasinCityCollege,MaasinCity-BisanpamansakabusysaschedulekaronniGob.RogerG.Mercado,apanwalagayudniyahikawiangmgaopisyalesogkatawhansamgapag-imbitarnga iyangnadawat.SamilabayngamgaadlawangAnahawanDistrictHospital nagpahigayon sa ilangChristmasPary, apil usabangPintuyanDistrictHospital,LibagonLGU,RadyongBayan,SogodHospital,LGUSt.Bernard,ProvincialHospital,CityJailofMaasin,ProvincialJail,PEO,AssociatedMedia ofSo. Leyte,MaasinCityHall, Brgy.Kagawads saMaasinCity,MountainBoys,Capitolemployees,ugangmgapinakaulahianggruposamgabarangaykap-itansaenterodakbayan. Saiyangmgamensahegidasigniyaangmgakatawhanngamagpabilinsil-angmosaligsagoberno,kayangatonggobernolamangangtinuoraynganaghatagogmaghatagsamgapanginahanglangtawhanon. Dilipalangdugaykapinsa700kapamilyagikansaHinundayanHinunan-ganogSilagoangnakadawat ogFinancialAssistancegikan saNational govern-ment,ngagipaagisaPLGUsaatonglalawigan,oggitambayayungansaPSWDOdinhisaprobensya.

PEO Christmas Party

Anahawan District HospitalChristmas Party

DepEDChristmas Party