September 19, 2013 1

“in pursuit of PIA’s commitment to provide a national mechanism for the free flow of timely, accurate and relevant information… “

VOL I ISSUE 18 Daily E-Newsletter of Philippine Information Agency - 8 September 19, 2013

Vice-president and BSP national president Jejomar Binay (left) delivers his keynote address to the guests and participants of the BSP/GSP Scout Summit held at the Leyte Provincial Convention Center, Palo, Leyte, September 18. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

Military authorities in EV prepare for

B A R A N G AY E L E C T I O N SBY: CONSUELO B. ALARCON

A ranking military official in Eastern Visayas said that the Philippine Army

is preparing measures to prevent NPA rebels from disrupting the Barangay elections slated on October 28 this year. In an interview with Col. Rafael C. Valencia, Brigade Commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade Philippine Army based in Camp Jorge Downes Ormoc City, he said they expect the rebels will try to influence the outcome of the elections especially in areas where rebels continue

to operate because they want to gain favorable support from local officials. However, Valencia said his troops are always ready to meet whatever threats are being poised by the rebels especially in remote barangays under his jurisdiction. Reports disclosed that NPA rebels are still operating in some Leyte towns such as Jaro, Burauen and Albuera Leyte. Infact, an ambush incident happened last Saturday where two

soldiers were wounded in brgy. Rubas Jaro Leyte. However, Valencia considered the ambush incident an isolated case.But, nevertheless, his troops are focused on said areas. Also part of their efforts is to strengthen their presence on some barangays in Leyte known to have presence of the NPA rebels where they convince people not to be intimidated by the rebels in the coming polls. Futhermore, Valencia expects that officials will not intervene in the conduct of the coming elections as this should be considered a non-partisan political activity. The Province of Leyte, Southern Leyte and Biliran are all under the jurisdiction of Col. Valencia. (PIA-8)

INSIDEFood and Drug Administration promotes generics medicine in Eastern Visayas

BIR –Naval sets another deadline to receive expired official receipts

North Samar finalizes its 2014 annual investment plan

OP-PMS Undersecretary bares government’s good governance and anti-corruption cluster framework

ESamar solon to help facilitate accommodation of scholars

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2 September 19, 2013

PMS USec Ferdinand Cui said that the government has saved P18.4 B because of its good governance and anti-corruption initiatives during the 23rd Samar Island Peace and Development (SIPPAD) Assembly at St Mary’s College of Catbalogan City. The three Bishops of Samar provinces attended the assembly on September 13, 2013. (PIA-Samar)

The Department of Health –Foods and Drugs Administration leads the

Generics Awareness Month celebration with the theme “Generics Pangkalusugan, Gamot Pangkalahatan. Dr. Sonia Cabahit, head of FDA, said that the month-long celebration aims to raise public awareness on generic drugs, which are more affordable but safe and quality medicines. Dr. Cabahit added that the celebration also reminds medical professionals and businesses, especially government hospitals, to abide by the Generics Law or RA 9502 which mandates government and all those employed by the government such as retained hospitals and its medical practitioners the use of generic terminologies in transaction relating to prescribing, dispensing and administering medicines to patients. Furthermore, the celebration focuses on the continued implementation of licensing requirements, like requiring pharmaceutical establishments to display a list of generic drugs with corresponding prices. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is promoting generic medicine for its low cost, safe and as quality medicine. Generic medicine is cheaper, safe and a quality medicine. It is sold in registered and licensed drugstores or establishments. These stores should have a good storage of drugs, air conditioned or well ventilated, and have a good dispensing, Dr. Cabahit said. In line with the month-long celebration, Dr. Cabahit said that a Health Congress was conducted on September 17 at the DepEd Region 8 Conference Hall with the Barangay Health Workers and the Botika ng Barangay operators from all over Eastern Visayas as participants. Dr. Cabahit said that the Barangay Health Workers and the Botika ng Barangay operators play crucial role in the promotion of generic medicine which are pure and easily absorbed by human body compared to branded medicine. Moreover, on September 18, FAD is spearheading a symposium on Bridging

Food and Drug Administration promotes generics medicine in Eastern Visayas

Burauen-Albuera Road

construction resumes after

DENR go signal

the Gap to Patients’ Safety thru Generic Drugs which will have FAD Director Kenneth H. Go as the keynote speaker. The said activity will be conducted at the Patio Victoria at Barangay San Jose, Tacloban City, with medical students from the two medical schools in Leyte and the Pharmacy students of St. Scholastica’s College as participants. (PIA 8)

The Department of Health –Foods and Drugs Administration leads the

Generics Awareness Month celebration with the theme “Generics Pangkalusugan, Gamot Pangkalahatan. Dr. Sonia Cabahit, head of FDA,

said that the month-long celebration aims to raise public awareness on generic drugs, which are more affordable but safe and quality medicines. Dr. Cabahit added that the celebration also reminds medical professionals and businesses, especially government hospitals, to abide by the Generics Law or RA 9502 which mandates government and all those employed by the government such as retained hospitals and its medical practitioners the use of generic terminologies in transaction relating to prescribing, dispensing and administering medicines to patients. Furthermore, the celebration focuses on the continued implementation of licensing requirements, like requiring pharmaceutical establishments to display a list of generic drugs with corresponding prices. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is promoting generic medicine for its low cost, safe and as quality medicine. Generic medicine is cheaper, safe and a quality medicine. It is continued on page 8

September 19, 2013 3Offer priority courses, CHED reminds tertiary schools in East Visayas

BY: AURORA J. CASIMPAN

The top official of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in the region

has reminded the 95 tertiary schools in Eastern Visayas to offer priority courses listed by the agency in answer to the need for jobs in the national and local levels and address labor mismatch. Libertad Garcia, CHED regional director informed that tertiary schools have been furnished the lists of priority courses to be offered since Academic Year 2011-2012. Some of the identified programs are aligned with the thrust of the Regional Development Council (RDC) such as agribusiness, ecotourism and information and communications. Accordingly, the CHED is funding scholarship programs for schools offering priority courses. The national government is currently funding more than 700 scholars in the region. The CHED top official disclosed the agency is very active in career advocacy for graduating high school students in advertising priority courses because of students’ preference to take courses which would easily land jobs abroad. It was learned that CHED is currently monitoring programs with oversupply of graduates. CHED revealed that five of the common courses included in the moratorium are Business Administration; Nursing; Teacher Education (elementary, secondary, masters, doctoral); hotel and restaurant management; and information technology. CHED record shows that the region has 95 tertiary schools with 41 owned by government and 54 managed by the private sector. (PIA-8)

Leyte governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla (right) receives a plaque of appreciation from DepEd 8 regional director Luisa Bautista-Yu for his unity message during the BSP/GSP Scout Summit held at the Leyte Provincial Convention Center, Palo, Leyte, September 18. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

BIR –Naval sets another deadline to receive expired official receipts

BY: RODRIGO VICTORIA

The revenue collection officer of the Bureau of the Internal Revenue

(BIR), this town, has announced another schedule of accepting expired official receipts from business establishments operating in the province of Biliran. Sol E. Penaflor, revenue collection officer of BIR-Naval, said in a telephone interview on Tuesday, September 17, that officials from the BIR Revenue District Office (RDO) 88 based in Tacloban City informed her that acceptance of expired official receipts originally set on September 18-19, 2013 at the Nipa Hut located in the Biliran provincial capitol compound has been moved to another date to be announced later.. Penaflor said that the activity would save time, effort and money on the part of the owners of business establishments because officials from BIR-RDO 88 will be coming over to the

province, instead of going to the district’s office in Tacloban City just to surrender their expired official receipts. No specific schedule was given by the officials from the BIR Revenue District t 88 as to when they will visit Biliran province to collect expired official receipts, she said. Penaflor further said that all official receipts from business establishments printed before January 2011 have already expired on August 31, 2013 with extension period until September 9, 2013 and official receipts printed after January 2011 until this year can still be used until October 31, 2013. However, she added that official receipts that can still be used until October 31, 2013 will be stamped with inscription “Valid Until October 31, 2013 Only”. (PIA 8 Biliran)

www.issuu.com/1easternvisayas

4 September 19, 2013

Hilongos LGU hosts DTI’s Leyte Business Services Caravan

Catbalogan City Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan receives members of the Samar Island Peace and Development (SIPPAD) Assembly at St Mary’s College of Catbalogan City. The three Bishops of Samar provinces attended the assembly on September 13, 2013. (PIA-Samar)

BY: MARIVIC ALCOBER

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Leyte Provincial Office in

coordination with the Local Government Unit of Hilongos will be holding the DTI Leyte Business Services Caravan in Hilongos, Leyte on September 18-20, 2013. This was bared by DTI-Leyte Information Officer Suzette R. Pablo who shared that after the Business Services Caravan, the municipality of Hilongos and its neighboring towns will now be able to avail of the services extended by the DTI thru their on-line business name registration, a one-on-one micro small and medium enterprises (MSME) consultation and the consumer welfare education and fair trade law enforcements, among others. DTI expects that as a result of the said three-day Business Services Caravan activity in the area, the residents will already be well informed on the various

DTI programs and projects, which include the SME Roving Academy, the Shared Service Facility (SSF), the DTI-CARP, financing facilitation, and the Investment Promotion and the Consumer Welfare Protection Program. They are also expected to be more knowledgeable on the Hilongos Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) and Investment Plan after the Local and Regional Economic Development Planning. Likewise, DTI-Leyte is expecting enrollees in the different available training programs in their SME Roving Academy, and also encourages the revitalization and reorganization fo the Hilongos Price Coordinating Council.DTI is also encouraging the barangay residents to be more informed on RA 7494 otherwise known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines and RA 7581 or Price Act and the Standards Law. (PIA-8)

Samar guv asks every constituent to be part of the decision making and planning for the development of Samar

Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan asked everyone to be part of the

decision making and planning for the development of Samar as she gave her message during the 23rd Samar Island Partnership for Peace and Development (SIPPAD) assembly at the Saint Mary’s College, Catbaalogan City recently. “I admit that my leadership is not at all perfect and this is where I sincerely solicit your support and guidance. I have always called on reconciliation and getting united, once and for all, for the interest of the Samarnons,” she said in a message read by Executive Officer Hannia Tan. In her message, the governor acknowledged the vital role of the council and what it has done in bringing about peace and development in Samar. SIPPAD is one venue where she learned the real issues and concerns that would have great implications on

the governance that she would want to pursue, she said. “For me, this is one great opportunity to keep in touch and be in constructive dialogue with the prime movers and catalysts in Samar’s development,” the message added. Meanwhile, in order to come up with a more responsive annual investment plan, the lady governor shared that the province has already started with the sectoral consultations for the drafting of the Executive Legislative Development Agenda and the capacity development of all implementing partners. She stated that the provincial government is actively convening the different councils in order to create programs and activities that would directly address the needs of the communities. (PIA-8 Samar/ Avha H. Ebalde)

North Samar finalizes its 2014 annual investment plan

The province of Northern Samar is now finalizing its Annual Investment Plan

(AIP) for calendar year 2014. Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Engr. Romeo M. Cardenas said that the 2014 AIP basically encompasses all programs. Projects and activities (PPAs) to be funded out of the 20% Economic Development Fund (EDF), and General Fund (GF) including the yearly program of expenditures both capital and current operating requirements as well as PPAs funded or with counterpart funding from national government agencies, and other funding agencies. Cardenas explains that it is a document that strengthens the plan-budget linkage because it assures that the provincial government provides continued on page 8

September 19, 2013 5OP-PMS Undersecretary bares government’s good governance and anti-corruption cluster framework

Presidential Management Staff Undersecretary Ferdinand Cui, Jr.

recently presents to the SIPPAD Assembly at St. Mary’s College of Catbalogan (SMCC), Catbalogan City, the good governance and anti-corruption cluster framework of the government. Cui emphasized that the long term vision of this administration is a decent and humane living condition for all Filipino and the short term goal is inclusive growth and poverty reduction.Cui said, convergence effort in the delivery of frontline services of the national and

BY: AILENE N. DIAZ

local government units should zero in and should all contribute towards this outcome. Convergence however, stressed Cui, is the integration of beneficiaries, space, time and resources, of who the beneficiaries are, what? the program, where? the place where it is intended, and when? the time element. In the absence of this, it is just a coordination and not convergence. The good governance and anti-corruption cluster activities and accomplishments include improve public

service delivery, end corruption and enhance business environment, said Cui The longest goal has the following outcome; improve transparency and citizens’ empowerment, improve public sector performance, improve anti-corruption measures and improve policy for good governance. SIPPAD or the Island Partnership for Peace and Development (SIPPAD), is a partnership of the Church, Government, and Civil Society (NGO, Academe, Youth, etc.), in the three Provinces of Samar Island with its main conveners, the Bishops of the Diocese of Catarman, Most Rev. Emmanuel C. Trance, D.D., the Diocese of Calbayog, Most Rev. Isabelo C. Abarquez, D.D., and the Diocese of Borongan, Most Rev. Crispin B. Varquez, D.D. (ADiaz/PIA8-Northern Samar)

nahingadto hiya ha Malacañang hito ngahaw nga adlaw. Nadidto hiya han iya opisina tikang han alas-12:15 han kulop tubtob nga ginikan hiya han alas-3:00 han kulop para hin usa nga miting ha Quezon City ngan tikang naman han alas-6:00 ngada han alas-7:00 han gab-i nakadto hiya ha DILG agud makigkita hin pira nga mga organizer, sering niya. (Ginbinisaya ni DUM-PIA8, Eastern Samar)

Gin-aaligar...from page 7

www.pia.gov.ph

6 September 19, 2013

Tulo ka andana nga BIR office mobarug pohon sa Maasin

BY: MARCELO M. PEDALINO

Ang ahensiya sa kagamhanan nga maoy tigkobra sa buhis makabaton

na pohon og kaugalingon niining edipisyo ning siyudad, tukoron sa luna nga gitanyag sa city government. Ang maong estruktura dunay pahat nga P 50 million alang sa pasiunang duha ka andana nga building, ug may reserba pa alang sa ikatulong andana, mapahiyomong mipahibalo sa Alexander Laroza, Revenue District Officer (RDO) sa Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) District Office 90 ning lalawigan, diha sa Action Center Kapihan sa PIA sa miaging semana. Si Laroza miingon anaa na kanila ang salapi, ang bidding notice namantala na sa ilang website, ug hayan masugdan na ang trabaho sulod ning tuiga. Gibutyag niya nga may gigahin ang siyudad og 1,700 square meters nga luna sa na-reklem nga dapit sa barangay Combado isip maoy permanente nga puwesto sa BIR, kada andana tag 700

square meters ang sukod. Magbaton unya kinig mga kagamitan sa usa ka modernong buhatan, sama sa haluag nga lobby ug digital gadgets parehas sa gigamit sa mga bangko diin ang mga kliyente hatagag numero ug maghuwat sa ilang turno nga serbihan segun sa gimantala nga numero sa screen. Ang BIR kanunay nag-abang og luna sa ilang opisina sa mga private commercial buildings sulod sa city proper, naa kini pagka karon sa second floor sa bag-ong building sa Saint Joseph College (SJC) High School Campus. Karon nga naa na sila balay sa umaabut nga matawag nang ilang kaugalingon, si Laroza naghandum nga ang mga kawani madugangan aron gyod mas epektibo ang tax collections, kay sa karon ang usa ka personnel usahay magdala og usa o duha ka lungsod isip maoy iyang area of coverage. (translated by mmp,PIA8-Southern Leyte)

CEBUANO NEWS

Sering han Palasyo Indonesia nagpatapod pagbulig han Pilipinas pagresolba kasamok ha Zamboanga

An gobyerno han Indonesia en nagpatapod pagbulig han Pilipinas ha

pagresolba han kasamok ha Zamboanga pinaagi hin pag-abri han mga linya han kumonikasyon ha butnga han gobyerno ngan han Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) ha kampo ni Misuari, sering han Palasyo dida han Martes.

Ginpasilidad han Indonesia an pagrepaso han implementasyon han 1996 peace agreement han MNLF. Dida hin usa nga pakigharampang ha mga peryodista ha Malacañang dida han Martes nagpasabot hi Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda nga nagsering hi Peace adviser Teresita

Deles, nga an gobyerno han Pilipinas an naghihingita han bulig han Indonesia ha pagtapos han diri pagkaarasya ha Zamboanga pinaagi han pagpahatag hin ugar para hin kumunikasyon ha butnga han gobyerno ngan han MNLF.Sering ni Lacierda nga an gobyerno han Indonesia en naghatag hin mando ngadto ha iya embahada ha Manila han iya papel. “An mga opisyal han Embahada en nag-esplikar ha amon nga eni en nangangahulugan nga an era mga linya en abri para kumarawat ngan magpadangat han mga mensahe, tikang ha usa nga panig ngadto han katugbang, nga waray nira makita eni nga magin era papel para manguna pagtawag ha maski diin nga panig,” pasabot ni Lacierda parti han sering ni Deles. “Ginpaabot namon ngadto ha Indonesia han nakalabay nga Martes ngan ngadto han bug-os nga OIC Peace Committee dida han Huweber an amon hangyo nga makabulig hera ha maski ano nga paagi ha pagresolba han insidente. Waray ni usa han mga nasuporta nga mga nasud nga presente en nakagpahamtang hin maski ano nga suhestyon.” An Indonesia en waray pa makakarawat hin maski ano nga impormasyon tikang han MNLF mahitungod han iya interes pagtapos han kasamok, sering ni Lacierda. Han nakalabay nga semana, an Indonesia en nakakarawat hin usa nga mensahe tikang han grupo ni Misuari mahitungod hin pagbiyahe ha pag-atinder han meeting ha Yogjakarta ngada han paghangyo nira han pag-ugsod han meeting han nakalabay nga Huwebes. Hi Pangulo Benigno S. Aquino III en napabilin ha Zamboanga City bali kanan nasud commander-in-chief. Sering ni Lacierda nga an Pangulo en padayon nga nahatag hin suporta ngan mga mando sugad man paghatag hin kusog ngadto han mga kasundalohan ha pakigbisog han mga myembro han MNLF. Hataas an kumpyansa han Pangulo nga ha diri maiha matatapos han pwersa armada an krisis. Eginkakalipay han katawhan han Zamboanga an iya pagigin adto didto han lugar, sering ni Lacierda. (Trans. by MAA/PIA8)

September 19, 2013 7

Vice-president and BSP national president Jejomar Binay (left) inducts into office scout officials during the BSP/GSP Scout Summit held at the Leyte Provincial Convention Center, Palo, Leyte, September 18. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

Gi-aprobahan ni Aquino

ang P 2 million ganti

para madakpan ang mga

mamumuno ni Davantes

Ang ahensiya sa kagamhanan nga maoy tigkobra sa buhis makabaton

na pohon og kaugalingon niining edipisyo ning siyudad, tukoron sa luna nga gitanyag sa city government. Ang maong estruktura dunay pahat nga P 50 million alang sa pasiunang duha ka andana nga building, ug may reserba pa alang sa ikatulong andana, mapahiyomong mipahibalo sa Alexander Laroza, Revenue District Officer (RDO) sa Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) District Office 90 ning lalawigan, diha sa Action Center Kapihan sa PIA sa miaging semana.Si Laroza miingon anaa na kanila ang salapi, ang bidding notice namantala na sa ilang website, ug hayan masugdan na ang trabaho sulod ning tuiga. Gibutyag niya nga may gigahin ang siyudad og 1,700 square meters nga luna sa na-reklem nga dapit sa barangay Combado isip maoy permanente nga puwesto sa BIR, kada andana tag 700 square meters ang sukod. Magbaton unya kinig mga kagamitan sa usa ka modernong buhatan, sama sa haluag nga lobby ug digital gadgets parehas sa gigamit sa mga bangko diin ang mga kliyente hatagag numero ug maghuwat sa ilang turno nga serbihan segun sa gimantala nga numero sa screen. Ang BIR kanunay nag-abang og luna sa ilang opisina sa mga private commercial buildings sulod sa city proper, naa kini pagka karon sa second floor sa bag-ong building sa Saint Joseph College (SJC) High School Campus. Karon nga naa na sila balay sa umaabut nga matawag nang ilang kaugalingon, si Laroza naghandum nga ang mga kawani madugangan aron gyod mas epektibo ang tax collections, kay sa karon ang usa ka personnel usahay magdala og usa o duha ka lungsod isip maoy iyang area of coverage. (translated by mmp,PIA8-Southern Leyte)

Gin-aaligar nga pagkatangka han Pangulo ngan Napoles ha paningudto, inimbento la nga estorya

BY: DANIEL MAUSISA

Ginkokonsiderar han Malacañang komo “pure fiction” o inimbento

la nga estorya an ginsesering ni anay Senador Francisco Tatad nga nagkaada hin patago nga pagkahimangraw hira Pangulo Benigno Aquino III ngan an detenido nga negosyante nga hi Janet Napoles, an gin-aaligar nga utak han P10 bilyon nga pork barrel fund scam, ugsa han iya pagsurender tulo ka semana na an nakakalabay. Dida hin usa nga pahayag, pinanhimuwa ni Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda an akusasyon ni Tatad ngan nagsering nga an gin-iintriga nga estorya ni Tatad en matin-aw daw hinimo-himo la. Natuo an administrasyon Aquino hin matinud-anon ngan waray iginlilipod nga paghahatag hin notisya, nga bangin waray kahi-ara-i han anay Marcos-appointee, sering ni Lacierda. Iginbutang ha katungdanan hi Tatad ni anay Pangulo Ferdinand Marcos komo iya Press Secretary, kondi ginsungay daw an anay Pangulo ni Tatad hadton 1981 nga eleksyon pagkapangulo han igkampanya ni Tatad an pangontra ni

Marcos nga anay Defense Secretary Alejo Santos. Ginpublikar han Malacañang an talaan han mga aktibidad han Pangulo hadton Agosto 28. Nagsering hi Lacierda nga nakadto hin duha nga mga okasyon an Pangulo tikang han alas-10 han aga ngada han ala-1:30 han kulop. Dida han usa hini nga mga okasyon, iginpasamwak han Pangulo en P10 milyon nga premyo para hin ano man nga impormasyon nga magtutugway ngadto hin kaaresto ni Napoles. Nagsurat hi Tatad dida han Manila Standard Today, kon diin usa hiya nga kolumnista, nga inabot hi Napoles ha Malacañang han alas-10:27 han aga ngan gin-aligar nga nakigkita kan Pangulo Aquino, Exec. Sec. Paquito Ochoa Jr. ngan hin pira pa nga mga kaapi han Gabinete. Dida mao gihapon nga adlaw, han mga alas-9:30 han gab-i, ginpahayag ni Lacierda nga sinurender hi Napoles ngadto han Pangulo. Ginpahayag gihapon han Malacañang nga pinanhimuwa gihapon ni Budget Sec. Florencio Abad nga continued on page 8

8 September 19, 2013

www.pia.gov.ph

North Samar...from page 4

Burauen-Albuera...from page 2

sold in registered and licensed drugstores or establishments. These stores should have a good storage of drugs, air conditioned or well ventilated, and have a good dispensing, Dr. Cabahit said. In line with the month-long celebration, Dr. Cabahit said that a Health Congress was conducted on September 17 at the DepEd Region 8 Conference Hall with the Barangay Health Workers and the Botika ng Barangay operators from all over Eastern Visayas as participants. Dr. Cabahit said that the Barangay Health Workers and the Botika ng Barangay operators play crucial role in the promotion of generic medicine which are pure and easily absorbed by human body compared to branded medicine. Moreover, on September 18, FAD is spearheading a symposium on Bridging the Gap to Patients’ Safety thru Generic Drugs which will have FAD Director Kenneth H. Go as the keynote speaker. The said activity will be conducted at the Patio Victoria at Barangay San Jose, Tacloban City, with medical students from the two medical schools in Leyte and the Pharmacy students of St. Scholastica’s College as participants. (PIA 8)

budgetary support to the identified, ranked and prioritized programs and projects in the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP) and the Provincial Development Investment Program (PDIP). The 2014 AIP effectively manifests the provincial thrusts and priorities as articulated in the six point development agenda, change of the current administration with strong emphasis on Community empowerment, health and nutrition, agri-industry and livelihood development, natural resources management and eco-tourism, good governance and education and welfare, he said. The 2014 AIP amounts to Php 6,189,321,840 which distributed as follows: general public services – 459,468.313 or 7.3%; social services - 1,246,397,001 or 20.15%; economic services – 4,295,964.818 or 69.44% and other services 184,491,910 or 2.98%, he concluded. (PIA8/Northern Samar)

ESamar solon to help facilitate accommodation of scholars

Congressman Ben P. Evardone said he will call Doctor Edmundo Campoto,

President of Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) in order to make some arrangements for the more than 3,000 scholars who are currently enrolled in the state-owned university. Evardone said this to ease the anxious students who fear for their approaching final examinations because of the PDAF indefinite suspension. According to him, many of the Congressional scholars have called his office inquiring about their future, since they are dependent on the scholarship program of Congressional District Office(CDO). He added that he feels for the scholars, now that the Priority Development Assistance Fund(PDAF) is in the brim to be abolished since it was the source of funds for the CDO scholars under PDAF soft projects. However, according to him, in whatever way, he will always be supportive of the reforms/programs that are being implemented by President Benigno Aquino III, PDAF abolition for one. He said he is also sold to the proposal that implementing agencies will now have to receive and implement PDAF, e.g. DPWH, CHED or DepEd, but said he can barely extend financial assistance to some of his Kababayans who are in Manila seeking medical treatment and other needs, now that the PDAF is likely to go to line agencies. It can be recalled that a few days back, Supreme Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order(TRO) against PDAF remaining releases for the current year, and until same is lifted, PDAF is likely to be abolished. Cong. Evardone informed further, that until his second term today, he had not been involved in any transaction with any non-government agency(NGO). He admitted though that in the past, a few individuals have visited his Batasan office to convince him to invest

his PDAF in a transaction, which he himself did not understand what was it all about. Besides he said, he was fully aware then and now, that his PDAF is just enough for his District, thus “there is no way to spend it otherwise”. As Vice-Chairman of the most powerful Committee in the Lower House, the Appropriations Committee, the ESamar solon repoted also, that they have agreed with DBM that in future PDAFs, not a single cent will be released to any NGO and he likewise assured his constituents over the radio, that he will make his way, that they will not be left behind in terms of basic and social services.(PIA-8).

Eastern Samar Representative Ben P. Evardone(Photo from Inquirer)