Pili Tree Planting Program officially launched

Pili Tree Planting in Calbayog. Mayor Ronaldo Aquino (in black shirt) as he took time to pose with some stakeholders during the official launching of the Pili Tree Planting Program of Calbayog. The said program which was launched in Barangay Migara is a joint undertaking of LGU-Calbayog, DepEd Calbayog and the Barangay Officials and PTA Officers and members of selected barangays in the Happy Valley area. It is aimed at both for environment protection and to provide livelihood to the barangay folks in the said area. In photo with Mayor Aquino are (l-r) Tomasa Antivo (DepEd Calbayog District III Supervisor), Antonio Eloja (Palayamanan President), Arnold Jaraba (DepEd Calbayog EPS for TLE and EPP), Adela Ocenar (City Agriculturist), Atty. Fiel Almendra (DepeEd Calbayog SDS), Marto Calamayo (3D CUPS Ass't Director), Lorenzo Ras (OIC of CENRO) and the parent leaders from the Happy Valley area.

Payao and Gill Net Project launched

Mayor Ronald Aquino today led the Turn-over Ceremony of Payao and Gill Net Project in Brgy. Bantian, Tinambacan District, Calbayog City. The event was attended by Mr. Teodolfo Castañas (Bantian Barangay Captain), Engr. Rolando Ay-ay (Samar Provincial Director of the Department of Agriculture) and Ms. Adela Ocenar (City Agriculturist), among others.

Barangay Bantian the first beneficiary of the said project. The said Barangay was given 80 pieces of gill net and materials to be used in the making of payao. Payao or arong is a floating structure topped with coconut fronds or some other materials that attract fish to stay under it. Payao can be set both in shallow water and deep sea areas.

This help was given by the government to encourage those illegal fisher folks to stop their illegal fishing activities that destroy the fish industry. They are expected to do their part in giving care and attention for the betterment of the fish industry in Calbayog. This is also one step for the restoration of what was once the good fishing industry of Calbayog City.

In his message, Mayor Aquino asked the fisher folks to ponder as to where the fish of Calbayog has gone. He also noted that 20 years ago, Calbayog City was the number one supplier of fish for Manila. 20% came from the other parts of the Philippines and 80% from Calbayog. He also left a very promising statement that he would help the small fisher folks in every way he can. He also mentioned that in 2013, the local government will give a 1.5 million-peso budget for the purchase of boats and a long nylon line with multiple fish hooks, an implement locally referred to as “kitang” that will be given to the small fisher folks that would be a great help in their living. (Fidel C. Cagomoc / CTIO Intern)

Mayor Aquino attends WESADEF's Passing-On-the-Gifts Ceremoy

Mayor Ronaldo Aquino spent his birthday with the people of Barangay Bontay. He was the guest during the 4th Passing-On-The-Gift (POG) Ceremony which was spearheaded by the Western Samar Development Foundation (WESADEF). The ceremony is one of the good aspect of the program called "Promoting Family thru Sharing and Caring of Gifts". 

This project was made possible initially through the assistance of Heifer International - Philippines (the original donor of the project). It has continued with the support of the LGU through Mayor Ronaldo Aquino, the various donor families in Barangay Bontay and Barangay Dinabongan. The "gifts" that were passed on consist of Carabaos, Goats, Hogs, Mallard Ducks, Chicken, Agricultural Equipments, Seedling and matching fund.

The first POG was done in Brgy. Bontay on December 8, 2009. The 2nd POG was held in December 8, 2010 and the 3rd was in Barangay Dinabongan last March 6, 2012. As of yesterday, the gifts that the folks of Dinabongan  passed on to Bontay consisted of:

• 21 Carabaos (out of the target of 25 heads  )
• 41 goats (our of 75 heads target)
• 24 hogs (out of 55 heads)
• 200 Mallard Ducks (100%)
• 36 Chicken (out of the target of 150 heads)
• Agricultural equipment/supplies/tools (nylon nets, bolo, sprinkler, trimming shear, rake)
• Seedling
• Marching fund of Php 40,000.00

The said gifts will benefit 40 families in Bontay. They are expected to earn income out of these and in a way improve their economic prospects in life. The good stories said about this sustainable project include that of families who are now able to have enough income for their daily sustenance, extra money for home appliances, and helping sending their kids to school, among others.

In a few months time, another POG ceremony is expected to be held in other neighboring barangays as identified and and the beneficiaries already prepared by the WESADEF.

Tony Meloto in Calbayog

Mr. Tony Meloto is in Calbayog. he was on hand as the main speaker in the Gawad Kalinga Multi-Sectoral Partnership Forum which was held at the Calbayog City Convention Center. Mayor Ronald Aquino joined the the good number of prospective donors as well as barangay folks who were invited to the event.
Here are some pictures I managed to take before the event.

Mr. Meloto with Atty. Eddie Gomez, Dr. Helen Gomez and Ms. Irene Pastrana.

Mr. Meloto with some members of the Calbayog LGU Choir. (l-r) Rosalina Nuevo, Roselle Esponilla, Salome Roleda, Irene Pastrana, Jinjin Cinco, Sarah Soterana and Gil Nuevo.

Images from my old hometown

kun sa facebook pa, super like ak sini nga signage.

Our San Rufino experience

We were in Barangay San Rufino yesterday to cover the Mass Wedding where 37 pairs exchanged "I Do" before Mayor Ronaldo Aquino. Here are some pictures we took during the visit.

That's me with Aimee Catalan, Irene Pastrana and Juvan Ramonida.

They have electricity, cellular phone signal (thanks to globe) and satellite dishes for their TV signals.

Mass Wedding sa San Rufino

Guin pangunahan yana nga aga ni Mayor Ronaldo Aquino an siyahan nga Mass Wedding nga guin buhat sa Barangay San Rufino, usa nga tay-aw nga Barangay nga unhan san Barangay Tarabucan sa Oquendo District. An nasabi nga aktibidad diin mayda 37 nga padis an nagpakasal usa san mga buruhatun san Local Civil Registry Office san ciudad san Calbayog. Presente durante san Mass Wedding sira Konsehal Virgil Clemens, Konsehal Susano Salurio ug Konsehal Ronald mark Aquino. Kaupod guihapon an mga empleyado san LCR nga guin pangunahan ni Mrs. Fe Queroljioc ug an iya assistant nga si Leonor Aquino.

From the Philippine Star: Phl wins 5th ASEAN Regional Quiz

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Team has emerged as champion of the 5th ASEAN Quiz Regional Competition held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Friday, besting 27 other contestants from 8 ASEAN states.

The Philippine Team grabbed a total score of 71 points. Cambodia came close with 70 points while Thailand scored 68 points.

The team, composed of fourth year high school students - Franchesca Anne Inacay of St. Albert the Great School in Dagupan City (Region I), Kristiyanne Paul de Pedro of Koronadal National Comprehensive High School (Region XII), and Maria Angela Krizelle Rubin of San Joaquin National High School in Calbayog (Region VIII) - bested 27 other contestants from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam. (Read more . . . )

Coloma meets Philippine team for ASEAN Quiz in Cambodia

Secretary Hermenio "Sonny" Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office with Francesca Ann Inacay of St. Albert the Great School (Dagupan City), Maria Angela Krizelle Rubin of San Joaquin National High School (Calbayog City) and Krystianne Paul de Pedro of Koronadal Comprehensive High School (Koronadal City). (OP Photo)

Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) received on Tuesday the members of the Philippine delegation who will compete at the 5th ASEAN Quiz in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on August 1 to 5. (read more . . . )

Supplemental Milk Feeding sa Malaga

Sugad san guin buhat san iba nga barangay nga nahi-api san lista san mga barangay sa Calbayog nga may ada high incidence of malnutrition, guin lansar yana nga adlaw an supplemental milk feeding program sa Barangay Malaga. An nasabi nga akitbidad guin pangunahan ni Mayor Ronaldo Aquino kaupod an mga miembro san City Nutrition Council ug an mga opisyales san nasabi nga barangay.

Punong Barangay Edgar Muñez delivering his message

City Nutrition Council Focal Person Adela Ocenar

Mayor Ronaldo Aquino delivering his message

Ms. Rosario Gonzaga, the City Nutrition Council Chairperson

PP12: Mangrove Tree Planting

Another Community Relation event of PP12 was held yesterday. A Mangrove tree-planting activity was held yesterday in Barangay Matobato (with the Japanese officers from the Osoomi) and Barangay San Policarpo (with the officers from USNS Mercy). It was done in coordination with the Rotary Club of Calbayog together with the officials of Matobato and San Policarpo. Here are some pictures from the said activity courtesy of Irene Pastrana.

Wazup Malajog Beach?

Work to develop Malajog Beach has started. I still have to get hold of some of the artist's sketch on the plan on Malajog. In the meantime I am happy to inform you that concreting of the access road has started as seen in these pictures.

and when this project is finished, a shaky ride to and from Malajog Beach (as shown by the video below) will be a thing of the past

PP12 in Barangay Bugtong

The official opening of Pacific Partnership 2012 (PP12) is about two weeks away, but the Engineering Component has already commenced in some areas of Samar, Calbayog and Northern Samar. The Health Center of Barangay Bugtong has been identified as one of the centers that will be renovated by the AFP and US Navy engineers.

Mayor Ronaldo Aquino as he talked with UT2 Swann at the Bugtong Health Center. Also in photo is Bugtong Barangay Chairman Mamerto Franco

Brigada Iskwela sa Guinba-oyan Norte

The last school that Brigada Iskwela visited yesterday was Guinba-oyan Norte Elementary School. As the pictures show, it needs help; and it's a far cry from what the Barangay officials of Guinba-oyan Sur has done for their school