Samar, Philippines

TACLOBAN CITY - Producers of a popular television show in London first took interest in the spectacular Calbiga caves in Samar province when they saw it over the Internet. But soon enough, they found themselves coordinating with the Department of Tourism (DOT) here so that they could shoot the climax of their travel series in the caves.

The show, “Rough Guide to Ultimate Escapes”, by Lion TV will have its two-day shooting in Calbiga caves from May 31 to June 1 with a crew consisting of the director/cameraman, an assistant producer and a host.

They will be doing adventurous activities in the caves like rappelling, climbing and abseiling.

ABS-CBN News

By Ninfa B Quirante

Catbalogan City (May 27) — Some 22 erring grains businessmen in Samar have been penalized for various violations of National Food Authority (NFA) policies.

This was bared by NFA-Samar Manager Franny Mercado.

Based on the record of NFA investigator Minda Roldan who also heads the monitoring team, the businessmen were fined for diversion, adulteration and overpricing.

These violators, said Roldan were apprehended, fined and some administrative sanctions were meted to them like suspension of rice allocation for a month.

As to rice supply, Samarnons are again assured that cheap rice is still available in the NFA office at Capitol Park, in fact, said the manager, the twenty bags of rice allocated for a day has been increased to 50 bags.

Just this Saturday, a shipment of some 28,000 bags was added to the stocks, added an NFA employee.

Very soon, said the Information Officer, the P 25.00/kilo USA rice will be injected in the market.

NFA Samar also boosts of a 117 bags of palay procurement from Samar farmers.

Mercado said, the price of P17/ kilo was very attractive that it enticed many farmers to sell their palay to NFA.

When asked whether the same palay if milled will be sold at P 18.25 like the cheap rice, Manager Mercado was quick to reply that processing may cost some more, more than the P18.25 an NFA rice commands as price. (PIA-Samar)

By Ninfa B Quirante

Catbalogan City (27 May) — After some time of distributing rice for elementary pupils, PGMA’s Food for School Program (FSP) will now go down to selected Day Care Centers in Samar.

Ms. Francisca Mercado, NFA-Samar Manager said that a fund transfer has been effected to distribute one kilo/ Day Care child for seven days in the immediate future. They are now in the process of packing the rice for Samar area.

A total of 287.14 bags will be distributed to some 2, 051 Day Care children from Calbiga, Jiabong, Pinabacdao and Tarangnan.

Some 79 Day Care Centers will be receiving the rice.

Very soon, DCC from the municipalities of Gandara, San Sebastian, Hinabangan, Matuginao, Sta Margarita and the City of Calbayog will also be receiving the seven day-allocation pending upon the completion of some requirements.

This will benefit an additional 4,600 day care children from the aforementioned municipalities.

In other provinces in the region, funded by DSWD, Leyte for example has some 1, 616.44 bags that will be distributed to over 487 DCC to benefit some 11,546 children.

As for Southern Leyte, 341 bags will be given to some 2,439 children.

For Eastern Samar, some 123 children will be given rice to total to some 485.80 bags of rice.

For the whole region, some 2, 934.54 bags will be delivered by the different NFA entities assigned all over the region. (PIA-Samar)

By Ninfa B Quirante

Catbalogan City (27 May) — The 8th Infantry Division (ID), Philippine Army (PA) confirmed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s pronouncements in Bacolod City recently to crush insurgency by 2010.

In an interview today with the Civil Military Operations Unit (CMOU) Officer Lt. Col Jaime Fernando Hidalgo, he said that the strategic plan to crush insurgency by 2010 is right on track.

A certain level of clearing has also been achieved in Samar while Leyte is already cleared, the officer added.

While clearing for some military may mean driving the NPA’s away, or even vanquishing them through combat, BGen Allan Ragpala (who now takes the reign of 8th ID after MGen Armando Cunanan) believes that voluntary surrender of those in the ‘movement’ is also good.

During the awarding of cash assistance for the Balik-Baril program to seven Rebel returnees at 8th ID this morning, Ragpala said that he is happy that some of his brothers are beginning to embrace the army’s program to return to the folds of law and start a new life.

He added that after a series of negotiations conducted by his fellow soldiers in the field, the individuals decided to the return to the folds of the law because they are already tired of living an uncertain life in the mountains and continuously hiding from authorities.

However, his stance for being firm was also observed in his addendum when he said, ‘walang patutunguhan ang inyong ipinaglalaban, the government will continue to run against rebels.”

Meanwhile, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said that the insurgency must be crushed by 2010 if the Philippines is to realize its goal of attaining First World status in 20 years.

In her address before the Western Visayas Local Peace and Security Assembly in Bacolod City Thursday, the President said the country must no longer be hobbled by insurgency to enable it to join the elite circle of First World economies.

Peace and security, she pointed out, are part and parcel of the strong foundation of a country’s development and economic growth.

The President said it is imperative that the Philippines attain First World status in 20 years “because in a First World country poverty is marginalized; and the marginalized are raised to a robust middle class. In a modern country, institutions are strong.”

For too long, she said, the insurgency has been a drag on economic growth, especially in the countryside, and it’s time that the disruption caused by ideological upheaval is finally ended.

The President expressed optimism that by 2010, the country would be well on the way to achieving its vision of First World status after insurgency is vanquished in 2010.

A peaceful and secure environment, she stressed, is conducive to more investments, business activities and economic growth. (PIA-Samar)