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An Apple A Day
Eastern Visayas Mail News
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Sunday, October 11, 2015 0
September 21, 2015
Why Japan won’t build a nuclear weapon
Story highlights
- Japan’s neighbors have raised concerns that it could become more aggressive, writes Andrea Berger
- But she says the Japanese public have become increasingly wary of nuclear technology
- Seventy years after WWII, Japan’s nuclear history will not be forgotten any time soon, Berger says
Japan’s upper house of parliament approved a controversial security bill that would allow it to engage in defensive military action overseas in the event that the national security of its allies is severely threatened.
For the first time since the end of World War II, Japanese troops can deploy in overseas operations in a combat role in support of its allies; in other words, for collective self-defense.
Andrea Berger
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s attempts to explain the change to domestic and international audiences have not gone smoothly.
He has faced opposition at home, with fist fights breaking out between lawmakers debating the bill.
In the wider region, China, which Japan perceives to be one of its greatest security threats, has raised the specter of a less-restrained Japan with possible nuclear weapons ambitions. China itself has nuclear weapons, making its first test 1964.
Chinese officials and experts have periodically tied Japan’s reinterpretation of its military posture to the country’s domestic nuclear capability in order to raise concerns that Japan could in future become more aggressive.
While it is reasonable to debate the new security bill, such insinuations are unwarranted. Here’s why Japan is unlikely to ever build a nuclear bomb.
Since the 1960s, Tokyo has developed one of the most advanced civilian nuclear energy programs that exists amongst the international community.
That program generates approximately one third of the country’s electricity at present, but could in theory also be used to produce material for use in a nuclear weapon.
Some assess that the scale and sophistication of Japan’s nuclear infrastructure would enable it to build a nuclear weapon in a matter of months, should the unlikely political decision be taken to do so.
Strategic rival China has sought to draw attention to this fact, issuing loud warnings over Japan’s stocks of nuclear material, for example.
But it should be noted that under the terms of the Non-Proliferation Treaty — which Japan ratified in 1976 — states are entitled to peaceful nuclear technology for energy purposes if they forswear nuclear weapons.
To ensure that the country’s nuclear sites remain exclusively for peaceful use, they are subjected to intensive scrutiny by the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna.
The Agency consistently verifies the accuracy and completeness of Japan’s declarations regarding its nuclear facilities, material, and activities and conducts monitoring and inspections at relevant facilities.
Its role in Japan will continue to be particularly important in order to dispel any fears that the country may harbor nuclear weapons intentions.
China and the International Atomic Energy Agency are not the only ones following Japan’s nuclear activity closely.
Two other audiences are noteworthy.
The first is Japan’s public, who have become increasingly wary of the risks and dangers associated with nuclear technology — whether for civilian or military applications — following the disaster at Fukushima in 2011.
The second is the country’s closest ally, the United States, who is similarly attentive to the state of Japan’s nuclear program.
In fact, it is because of Japan’s alliance with the United States that the former has even less of an incentive to build a nuclear weapon.
In order to guarantee the security of Japan against major threats in its region, whether a militarily assertive China or a belligerent and nuclear-armed North Korea, Washington has vowed to respond to any serious armed aggression against Japan using whatever means necessary, including nuclear weapons.
By demonstrating the depth of its resolve to defend Japan, the U.S. hopes to deter any potential aggressors from attacking in the first place. U.S. troops stationed in Okinawa are a visible reminder of the alliance and the commitment that underpins it.
As long as Japan believes in the strength of the U.S.’s so-called “extended deterrence” guarantee it is unlikely to see any merit in having its own nuclear weapons capability.
For this reason, both countries work tirelessly to ensure the credibility and durability of their defence partnership — an immeasurably important aim.
Despite what many may think, the Abe administration sees the new security bill as part of this broader effort to contribute to a two-way military relationship — not as a legal green light for offensive action.
The bill creates the framework for Japan to give as much to the relationship as it receives, by enabling it to come to the aid of the United States if necessary.
More than anything else, history is likely to undermine any temptation Japan might have to build a bomb.
Japan was the first and only country to ever be attacked with nuclear weapons.
Over 100,000 Japanese citizens were killed in the August 1945 bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Seventy years on, Japan’s nuclear history will not be forgotten any time soon.
Indeed, it is because of that history that Japan has become one of the most active signatories of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Tokyo has invested significant resources into preventing the illegal spread of nuclear weapons-relevant materials and technology, promoting the conditions needed for nuclear disarmament, and reminding the world of the grotesque effects of the use of an atomic bomb.
The non-proliferation norm is one that Japan will have little incentive to abandon in the short, medium, or likely even in the long-term.
Contrary to the suggestions of some watching legislative developments in Japan, the new security bill is not going to change that.
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Monday, September 21, 2015 0
Escaping ISIS and healing through photography
Story highlights
- Yazidis forced from their homes by ISIS advance learn photography at UNICEF refugee camp
- UNICEF says the lessons aimed to empower the young women to tell their own stories
- The women documented life inside the camp, taking photos of fellow refugees, as part of the workshop
Now some Yazidi girls who had to abandon their old lives to escape the militants’ clutches have been given a new chance, thanks to a photography workshop in their refugee camp.
Some of those taking part in the classes were captured when ISIS militants laid siege to Iraq’s Mount Sinjar in August 2014. Abused by the fighters, they are now trying to heal, and rebuild their lives.
The project, run by UNICEF and funded by the Italian government, helps empower the displaced young women to express themselves, using pictures they’ve taken in their new home.
Meeting every day for two months, they were taught photography techniques by two Kurdish photographers before exploring the camp, cameras in hand.
The resulting images tell stories of tragedy and sadness, but also of resilience and strength.
Nisreen, 19, says she chose to photograph a model of “a sacred place” of huge importance to Yazidi people: Lalesh, in Iraq’s Nineveh province — a place of pilgrimage, and home to the Yazidis’ holiest temple.
“This place is called Lalesh — there are sacred Yazidi graves here that people visit,” she explains.
Others chose to focus on the people living inside the camp.
In a nod to their shared heritage, Barfe, 18, trained her lens on a woman in Yazidi dress — white robes and a colorful head covering.
“The clothes she is wearing are traditional Yazidi clothes and that is why I chose to take a photo of her,” she explains.
Safiya, 14, picked out an image of a fellow refugee with a “sad facial expression” as her favorite. “She had been carrying water and was tired so I took a photo of her — there is fatigue in her face,” she says.
While 19-year-old Zina snapped a photograph to illustrate the resilience of the refugees: A woman determined to keep working, despite being forced out of her home.
“I took it in a dressmaking course; this woman was working as a tailor, [and] she hasn’t given up.”
The workshop’s organizers say it has made a huge difference to the participants, motivating them and boosting their confidence.
“Bushra is an entirely different person,” says Nuha Serrac, coordinator for the workshop, talking of another girl in the class. “At first, if we asked her a question, her face would go red as a tomato.
“She wouldn’t even lift her head to give a response. Now look at her, she’s walking up to people on her own and taking their picture.”
When Safiya confided to her photography instructor that she wasn’t going to the UNICEF-supported school, she was told she couldn’t take part if she wasn’t in lessons. The ultimatum helped convince her father to let her attend the school, which is housed in a tent in the camp.
The camp — CNN is not naming it or revealing its location, to protect those living there — is home to almost 20,000 people. More than half of the residents are children up to the aged of 17.
The United Nations estimates that hundreds of girls and women are still missing, and presumed to be being held by ISIS as sex slaves.
But for these lucky few, there is hope — and a possible career path — in the future.
“I am Nisreen. I am a photojournalist,” the teenager says proudly.
“My name is Barfi. I am a photojournalist,” her classmate echoes.
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Monday, September 21, 2015 0
May 16, 2015
May 10, 2015
Eastern Visayas Mail issue of April 27-May 3, 2015
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Sunday, May 10, 2015 0
Is Ormoc EV’s “drug capital”?
ORMOC CITY – Hon. Antonio “Bebot” Villar Jr., (not Bobbit as reported in the hard copy) chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board, in his opinion column at the Journal Online on April 13, 2015 says he has received a report that this city could be the “drug capital” of Eastern Visayas.
Titled “Is Ormoc City Now The Drug Capital of Eastern Visayas”, the DDB chairman said that “In a report submitted to my office by Asec. Amador Pabustan … Ormoc City is now allegedly the illegal drugs’ capital of Region 8. So excessive is the supply that it now supplies the needs of the entire Region 8.”
Hon. Villar adds that “So audacious are the drug distributors that illegal drugs are now allegedly available in every Barangay and peddled in the open. Informatively, from time to time, raids are conducted by law enforcement authorities. However, nothing allegedly comes out of these raids. These raids have not made a dent in the flourishing illegal drugs’ trade. What gives?”
He also observes that “The drug syndicate in the area would not be so bold and daring in its operation if it has no backing from powerful personalities …. It would not have grown roots if the drug syndicate has no powerful padrinos in its payroll.”
The DDB chairman’s column also hints that he is well apprised of the operations of the drug syndicate here. He mentions Brgy. Tambulilid, where three people (not four, as he wrote) were killed in a shootout between the police authorities and “two hired goons of a drug distributor known by his alias as Sinbad.”
“Sinbad”, he said, “is one of the feared henchmen of a certain Espinosa, the alleged leader of the drug syndicate. Information has it, that Sinbad has taken a rest and is cooling his heels out of Region 8. However, his alleged right hand man, “Nokie”, has taken over the operations.”
Meanwhile, he added, “Espinosa is said to be entertaining the idea of running for a local elective post in the coming 2016 elections. With drug money, he has a very strong chance of winning, as we are all well aware that in Philippine politics, money plays a most vital role in elections. In fact, it spells the difference between victory and defeat.”
Villar also lauds the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. “Unlike its US counterpart which has practically unlimited resources, with a multi-billion dollar funding, yet has not succeeded in wiping out the drug cartels, our PDEA’s resources pale in comparison. It’s not even a drop in the bucket. However, despite being undermanned and underfunded, our PDEA has never wavered in the continuing pursuit of its mission of combating illegal drugs.”
The DDB chairman also suggests that “The PDEA must enlist the assistance of the NBI and the AIDSOFT in running after the Ormoc City illegal drugs’ syndicate … There must be no sacred cows in our war against illegal drugs. Coddlers and protectors, regardless of their political affiliations and positions must be brought before the bar of justice.”
Meanwhile, sources at the PDEA said Villar’s column has long been an “open secret.” By Lalaine M. Jimenea
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Sunday, May 10, 2015 0
OLBA prexy says ‘yes’ to council’s appeal to notarize ESA affidavits free of charge
OCCIDENTAL LEYTE Bar Association (OLBA) president Atty. Joy Mejia-Romero said that around 10 members of their group have already signified their intention to help Yolanda victims in the city, who are seeking the services of lawyers to notarize their affidavits of undertaking in relation to the release of the Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA).
This was her response to the appeal of Councilor Vincent Rama, chairman of the committee on social welfare, and Atty. Bennet Pongos Jr., to help the beneficiaries by notarizing their affidavits for free.
Romero, who appeared before the city council during their caucus on Thursday afternoon, April 30, said while they were amenable to the proposal, she said the city should make a formal request on the matter so that it can be calendared for emergency board meeting.
Atty. Romero, however, added that they would have to limit the number of affidavits they will notarize in a day’s time.
The lady lawyer said that on that day alone, she had already notarized around 30 affidavits. This is aside from the other lawyers who have signified their services for free.
Atty. Romero said that hundreds of people trooped to the Bulwagan ng Katarungan that day, April 30, to have their affidavits notarized either at the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), the city or provincial prosecutor’s office. They are expecting more people to come when office resumes on Monday.
She emphasized that while most of them were amenable to the request of the city council, they would want to have a system in place so as not to jeopardize their regular work load. “We also have to work for a living,” she said, aside from attending court hearings that are already scheduled and taking time to meet with paying clients.
The affidavit is a requirement of the Technical Working Group that was composed by Mayor Edward Codilla to ensure that those who will receive the ESA are qualified under the guidelines.
The TWG was composed after the masterlist of beneficiaries was released and found containing the names of unqualified recipients, including the mayor’s brother. The matter has already reached the attention of Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman.
Atty. Francis Pepito, city administrator, told the council on that same afternoon that they came up with this requirement to discourage those who are not qualified from trying to get the assistance, under pain of perjury.
He even claimed that there were already some people who volunteered that their names are dropped, because they did not want to be criminally liable.
Pepito claimed he had already broached the subject matter with the Public Attorney’s Office, but added he would ask the barangays to stop distributing the affidavits yet, considering the sheer number of people. He said they would again meet to find a systematic way to handle the notarization issue.
The ESA masterlist that the City Government wants funded contains some 52,000 names. It is not yet clear if the number would reduce if the names of unqualified beneficiaries are delisted.
Atty. Romero said that even if all OLBA members committed to notarize the affidavits for free, it would take months before all can be notarized.
OLBA, she said, has currently 27 members practicing in the city, aside from the public lawyers. If all would agree to notarize 20 affidavits a day for free, it would take almost three months to notarize all 52,000.
On the other hand, Vice Mayor Toto Locsin Jr., along with Dr. Mayong Rodriguez and councilor Tommy Serafica, profusely thanked OLBA for their civic spirit. By Lalaine M. Jimenea
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Sunday, May 10, 2015 0
DSWD-8 releases P 2-B ESA
TACLOBAN CITY – The regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here has released to date, more than P 2-billion for Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) funds to eight Leyte municipalities, one city and three other municipalities in Samar.
The ESA in Tacloban City has been partially released to the LGU on November 24, 2014 yet, and payouts to Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries were done on the 25th to 28th of November, of the same year.
Leyte towns that have received their ESA in 2014 were Tanauan and Tolosa, while Palompon, Javier, Palo, Mahaplag, Kananga and Tunga received theirs early 2015. Guiuan, Talalora and Mercedes in Eastern Samar also got their share just this year.
The Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) is defined as the provision of emergency “self-build” shelter assistance through limited materials or financial assistance to augment resources of affected families who opted not to be transferred to a resettlement site to enable them to purchase materials for their damaged houses.
Memorandum Circular No. 24 Series of 2014 states the guidelines for the implementation of the Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) project for families with partially and totally damaged houses due to typhoon “Yolanda“.
Its objective is to provide standards for the implementation of ESA project for family-victims of typhoon Yolanda, either with totally or partially damaged shelter units, located in safe areas or in sites provided with engineering or scientific interventions to make their location habitable.
It also provides policy in the identification and selection of households who will be entitled to avail of ESA in all the affected LGUs located within the 50-kilometer radius of Yolanda’s path.
According to the said guidelines, the following are eligible to receive the ESA:
1. Families whose houses were either totally or partially damaged located in safe or in controlled areas;
2. Families who are renting or sharing houses provided they are listed in the official DSWD list (DAFAC);
3. Families whose heads are employed in government/private sector whose terms are not permanent/regular and do not have access to housing loans;
4. Regular employees of government and private sectors with fixed monthly salary below ₱15,000.00, provided they have not received the same assistance from other agencies;
5. Individuals who are considered lone survivors due to the typhoon, provided he/she is issued with DAFAC and in the masterlist of beneficiaries, and
6. Families listed in items 1-4 who already did self-repair, as long as they are included in the masterlist of beneficiaries through the DAFAC.
The ESA’s rate of assistance is ₱30,000.00 for individuals whose houses were totally damaged and ₱10,000.00 for those with partially damaged houses due to super typhoon Yolanda.
In order for an LGU to avail of the ESA, the following requirements had to be submitted to the DSWD-Field Office: 1. Disaster Terminal Report; 2. Project Proposal; 3. Rehabilitation Plan; 4. Certificate of Eligibility of the Beneficiaries; 5. Masterlist of Proposed Beneficiaries, prepared by C/MSWDO and approved by the C/Municipal Mayor; 6. Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP); and 7. Certification from either from the Provincial, City or Municipal Engineering Office certifying the areas as safe from hazards based on the CLUP of the LGU.
Meanwhile, in consideration of the funding constraints of ESA, DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman recently released a memorandum that they are agreeable to the suggestion of LGUs to initially implement a uniform rate of assistance to cover all the families targeted, provided that these families are within the target of DSWD in the Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (CRRP) for the typhoon Yolanda-affected area, regardless of the extent of damage to their shelter units. However, this should be covered by Sangguniang Barangay resolutions submitted to the DSWD thru the FOs emphasizing their request and/or agreement for such arrangement. By Grace Gozo/DSWD 8
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Sunday, May 10, 2015 0
Energy Sec guests VSU grad, mum about Senate plans
BAYBAY CITY – Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla, former governor of Leyte, who is said to be joining the administration for the senatorial fray on 2016, did not categorically confirm nor deny it.
“I am still thinking about it,” adding that there was “more to it than just running.”
In a press conference, he said that to run for senate, “you have to have a goal. You just don’t run because you want to run,” he said, adding that “being an LGU official is more fun” because one gets things done as an executive.
“Maraming gusto tumakbo, but the whole point is, is there is a need to? Do we need to represent Visayas? Is my forte doing things or debating?” He also said, “Maybe it is just looking at the numbers and the possibility (of winning). If lahat tutulong, bakit hindi?”
Petilla, if he runs for Senate and wins, would be the third from the Eastern Visayas region. The region has had only two senators: Jose Avelino of Calbayog City, a founder of the Liberal Party, and Carlos Tan of Ormoc City, who would later be dislodged in an election protest by Eulogio Rodriguez Jr. They were elected in 1947 yet, and since then, nobody from the region has been elected as Senator.
Petilla was in this city this week, to keynote the graduation exercises of the Visayas State University, where 1,060 young men and women romped off with their diplomas.
He also inaugurated the Renewable Energy Research Center at the VSU, where its head Dr. Edilberto Guarte, has successfully invented vehicle that runs on “bio-diesel”.
Afterwards, he had a meeting with the Federation of Regional Eight Cooperatives (FRECOR), which was having a 3-day sports fest at this city, before moving on to meet with heads of various government hospitals in the Province.
Both meetings were “closed door” and Petilla said there were some technical matters that were discussed that were not open to media.
On the other hand, Sec. Petilla’s message to the VSU graduates was for them “to be good leaders” in their chosen careers.
“We need good leaders,” Petilla said, adding they were among the lucky few who are now armed with a degree.
Petilla’s said that a study he commissioned while still governor yielded that only 19% of high school graduates in the country are able to enter college. “Of the 19% that went to college, only one-third of them graduated due to various reasons, hence college graduates, especially from established educational institutions like VSU, can be leaders in their own fields,” Petilla said.
“The biggest workforce in the country consists of high school graduates but the leaders are born in universities such as Visayas State University,” Petilla said.
He also cited the faculty and staff of VSU for sticking to teaching, unlike other state colleges and universities that sometimes prioritized generating income for the university and sacrificing instruction.
“Education is a continuing process,” Petilla stressed, as he led the graduates to appreciate the efforts of their teachers and their parents.
He added that to be good leaders, the graduates must stick to the core values and principles taught by VSU, citing the faculty’s appetite for learning they had imparted to their students, which means the graduates should continue to study, to innovate in the real world where they may find themselves long after they leave the VSU campus.
“For you to have a purpose, stick to your values, your principles,” he said in his 30-minute speech.
Baybay City Mayor Carmen Cari gave the opening remarks, and Dr. Jose Bacusmo, VSU President, introduced the Energy Secretary to the VSU graduates. With reports from Marcelino Pedalino and Consuelo Alarcon of PIA
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Sunday, May 10, 2015 0
PhilHealth cites OSPA-FMC, Gatchalian as among the best hospitals in Eastern Visayas
ORMOC CITY – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) recently recognized hospitals and top performing local government units for their successful contribution in the implementation of the National Health Program.
Cited as “Best Private Hospital” is Ormoc’s own OSPA-Farmers Medical Center. Gatchalian Hospital, on the other hand, was also named as among those with high benefit payments.
The top three best performing LGUs in the region are Hilongos, Leyte; the City Government of Catbalogan and Lavezares, Northern Samar. Other LGUs who were runners-up are Laoang, Northern Samar; Sta. Rita, Samar; Gamay, Northern Samar; Pastrana, Leyte; Basey, Samar; Javier, Leyte and Alang-Alang, Leyte.
Miramar Zabala, PhilHealth information officer, said special awards were also conferred to the municipality of Sogod, Southern Leyte for being the “Highest in Benefit Payment” and Taft, Eastern Samar as the “Highest Achiever in Availment Rate”.
Said LGUs were recognized due to the accreditation of their rural health units as Philhealth provider for maternity care package, TB-DOTS and primary care benefits. Also rated are their compliance to the remittance and reporting system, their implementation of Philhealth certification as a requirement for issuance of business licenses and at least 50% premium payment of their sponsored members.
Among the government hospitals, the top 1 performing hospitals are Schistosomiasis Research & Control Hospital in Palo, Leyte and the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital.
The other hospitals that made it to the runners-up were the Leyte Provincial Hospital in Palo, Leyte; Carigara District Hospital and Samar Provincial Hospital.
Other hospitals that were also given citation were the Leyte Provincial Hospital for achieving the “Highest Benefit Payment”; Felipe Abrigo Memorial Hospital in Borongan E. Samar as the “Highest Achiever in Availment Rate”; Hilongos District Hospital as “Highest Achiever in No Balance Billing Implementation”.
The Northern Samar Provincial Hospital was also cited as the “Top Performer in Claims Turn-Around-Time” which means the fastest in submitting claims to Philhealth.
On the other hand, other top performing private hospitals are Domingo Casano Hospital in Borongan E. Samar; Divine Word Hospital in Tacloban, City; and Borongan Doctors Hospital for being “Highest in Benefit Payment”; Our Lady of Guadalupe Hospital in Gen. MacArthur E. Samar as “Highest Achiever in Bed Occupancy Rate” and Our Lady of Refuge Hospital in Carigara, Leyte as “highest achiever in NBB Implementation”. ‘
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Sunday, May 10, 2015 0
April 29, 2015
Eastern Visayas Mail issue of April 13-19, 2015
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015 0
Ormoc banks deactivate hundreds of ATM cards
ORMOC CITY – Banks here have automatically deactivated hundreds of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards of their clients, who have made withdrawals or balance inquiries during the Holy Week holidays. This, after “skimmings” were reported the week after.
Mark Paul Escollante, manager of Bank of Commerce here and president of the Ormoc Bankers Club, said the deactivations were to protect their client’s accounts. He is also asking ATM cardholders and depositors to visit their respective banks, so that their cards could be replaced immediately. Those who have contact numbers were advised over the phone.
Joey Diez, administrative manager of HISUMCO, the only existing sugar mill here, who was at the Bank of Commerce to pick up his new card at the time of the interview, said he received a call from his bank about the matter. He said he was contented on how the Ormoc bankers handled the situation, and did not mind having to pick up a new card. “What is important is they (the banks) are protecting the depositors’ money,” he said in the vernacular.
The banks here in the city made the decision to deactivate the ATM cards of depositors after they found good reason to believe that some ATM machines in the city were compromised or hacked. Around 30 people have already reported to their various banks that their ATM accounts have been wiped out by unauthorized withdrawals. Some withdrawals were traced to Cebu and Manila.
Escollante said the first reported incident was on April 7 yet. He said that while the bankers’ club was immediately informed about it, they thought it was an isolated incident.
However, red flags were raised by the next day, when around 5 people reported the same problems. The number of complaints has grown to almost 30 already, he said, but he believes they have already stemmed the problem.
The bankers club, he added, immediately had an emergency meeting on April 8, to investigate the issue and find solutions. They already have had two more meetings over it, on April 13 and 15.
He added that they have already pinpointed the “suspected compromised ATMs”. The cards of depositors who have made withdrawals or other transactions over it during the Holy Week holidays have been deactivated since. They believe that these machines were hacked during the holidays, enabling the hackers to copy the PIN of the cardholders.
He also assured depositors whose monies have been wiped out by the scammers that they will get it back, after investigating the veracity of their complaints. How soon, however, he cannot exactly say, because it would depend on how fast the results of the investigation by each bank would be. Ormoc City has 18 banks.
Escollante also said that at the onset, they kept the news of the ATM skimming under wraps, so as not to alarm the public. However, three victims reported their plight to the police and had it recorded.
The first was Geraldine Gascon, manager of Camella Homes here, who lost P 42,900.00 to the ATM thieves. Her money was withdrawn on April 6. She discovered the fraudulent withdrawals on April 8.
By April 9, Daisy Lagapa, an employee of Land Bank, reported to the police that ATM thieves wiped out P 110,000.00 from her account. The withdrawals were done over a period of two days, in an ATM machine in Cebu.
The third victim is Angelita Tulin, 40, a resident of Brgy. Benolho in Albuera, Leyte. She discovered the theft on April 8 in the evening. She was shocked to see that her balance was only 12,357.00 and P 90,000.00 was missing. She decided to wait for the bank to open the next day, to file a complaint. To her dismay, the remaining balance of P 12,357.00 had been withdrawn already by then.
Escollante said that they have also warned other banks in the Eastern Visayas to watch out for similar incidents. So far, however, he has not heard of similar incidents happening in other cities in the region.
They have also beefed up their security measures, with some banks returning to the practice of having 24-hour, round-the-clock security guards to keep an eye on their ATM machines for any suspicious circumstances. By Lalaine M. Jimenea with a report from Paul Libres
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015 0
Pepito says DSWD region made botched masterlist
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ORMOC CITY – Atty. Francis Pepito, city administrator, said it was the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office that made the botched Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) masterlist, contrary to previous announcements by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSDWO) here that they prepared the list and did not even want it […]Source: EVMail News http://ift.tt/WbKhRf
Wednesday, April 29, 2015 0
April 22, 2015
EVMail News
http://ift.tt/WbKhRf EVMAIL Eastern Visayas Mail Mon, 20 Apr 2015 13:45:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://ift.tt/1Dk5req http://ift.tt/1EePGsV Mon, 20 Apr 2015 13:43:27 +0000 http://ift.tt/1Dk5ruE
]]> http://ift.tt/1EePGsZ 0 http://ift.tt/1Dk5sPe http://ift.tt/1EePGt7 Mon, 20 Apr 2015 13:42:24 +0000 http://ift.tt/1Dk5sPjBIRI ISLAND IN NORTHERN SAMAR. The majestic rock formations of Biri is a MUST SEE in Northern Samar. The Department of Tourism once more highlights the island as one of the places to see in Eastern Visayas for its “Summer Fun” familiarization tour. The town is already tourist-ready, especially for those who wants a nature adventure. Other places that are now tourist ready and has interesting places to see and visit in Northern Samar are Capul Island, Sila Island,the Lalaguna Mangrove Forest of Lavezares. The DOT “Summer Fun”, involving tourism stakeholders, media from various outlets to include bloggers, launched the activity in Southern Leyte. Photo courtesy of DOT/Lemuel Palejaro
ORMOC CITY – The name of the mayor’s brother. A practicing lawyer with a Toyota Fortuner. High-income earners living in subdivisions like Camella Homes. The sibling of a barangay councilor who is allegedly not a resident of the barangay. Names of victims with totally damaged houses delisted, or now listed under “partially damaged”; and those who’ve signed up for relocations included.
These are drawing complaints from residents here, after the “masterlist” of the Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) was released to the barangays on Wednesday, April 8. This, after the Department of Social Welfare and Development asked their city counterpart to make public the list, as provided for in the guidelines.
Social media comes into play
The masterlist of Brgy. Cogon, Ormoc’s most populous barangay, immediately made its way to Facebook. On Page 4, No. 168, is the name of Eufrocino Capahi Codilla, presumably the eldest brother of Mayor Edward Codilla, whose middle name is also Capahi.
On Page 6 is the name of Atty. Adelito Solibaga, anchorman of the radio talk show “Krusada”, who has been harping that the list should be made public.
In recapitulation of what he aired over “Krusada” on Friday, April 10, Solibaga told the EV Mail he would not accept the ESA, not because he does not need money, but because getting it would deprive the people who needed it more.
Aside from this, he said, to receive it would be condoning graft and corruption because the guidelines for giving out the ESA was not followed in his case. Under the guidelines, Solibaga is not a qualified beneficiary. The lawyer rents an apartment at Brgy. Cogon. It suffered minimal damage but his Toyota Fortuner, just a few months old when Yolanda hit in November 8, 2013, was not as lucky. Its rear windshield got smashed.
He also opined that the fact that his name appears on the list highlights the fact that the city social welfare and development office (CSWDO) did not do its work properly.
Other “masterlists” have also been posted on Facebook like that of District 19, which included two pages that was supposed to be for Brgy. Curva, more than 20 kilometers away.
Brgy. Alta Vista’s, too, was posted, with the names of allegedly dubious recipients, highlighted in yellow.
To recall, Congress appropriated a total funding of P 689-million for Ormoc City, based on the funding requirement for ESA submitting by the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR) to Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III. This is for around 42,000 damaged households, both partial and total, that would get financial assistance of P 10,000.00 and P 30,000.00, respectively.
However, Mayor Edward Codilla wanted 53,000 households funded, proposing that those listed as “partially” gets the full P 10,000.00, while those with “totally damaged” houses will get P 15,000 each only.
Regional director Nestor Ramos, in a meeting with the city council over the issue, said that the Mayor’s proposal had the “blessings” of DSWD Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman. Until now, however, there is now written approval from the Secretary which would amend her won MC 24 S. of November 2014.
In the same meeting, Ramos also said that the “masterlist” should be made public, so that the “culling” process can take place. Over the radio, Marietta Legaspi, city social welfare officer, however, said she will not have it posted because it would create “chaos” but obviously, Ramos prevailed.
]]> http://ift.tt/1EePHNu 10 http://ift.tt/1Dk5sPs http://ift.tt/1EePHNw Mon, 20 Apr 2015 13:39:46 +0000 http://ift.tt/1Dk5t5MORMOC CITY – How safe are your deposits in ATM accounts? This is the nagging question after the ATM deposits of three people, all women, were skimmed off by still unknown perpetrators over the week.
The first to complain to the police that she lost her ATM deposit is Ms Geraldine Gascon, manager of Camella Homes here in the city. She told police that somebody withdrew P 20,000.00 from her account on April 6 at 10:29 in the morning, followed by another P 20,000.00 withdrawal at 10:30 of the same day.
Not contented, the ATM skimmer wiped off Gascon’s balance of P 2,900.00 and she discovered the unauthorized withdrawals and found out that she already had zero balance. Gascon is a Union Bank card holder, which is a BancNet member.
By April 9, another woman complained to the police about unauthorized withdrawals on her ATM account, totaling to P 110,000.00. The victim is Daisy Lagapa, 45, an employee of the Land Bank. Records show that the withdrawals happened in two days, April 6 and 7. It was withdrawn from a Landbank ATM machine in Cebu.
The third victim is Angelita Tulin, 40, a resident of Brgy. Benolho in Albuera, Leyte. On April 8 in the evening, she went to an ATM and found out that her account balance was only P 12,375.00 and that she lost P 90,000.00 from her account. Since it was evening, she waited until the next day to file her complaint at her bank.
Before the bank opened at 9:00 AM of April 10, Ms Tulin thought it better to just withdraw her remaining balance, and to her surprise, found out that the thief had withdrawn it all.
Records at the bank showed that her money was withdrawn in a Cebu ATM four times in two days.
The concerned banks have not yet been reached to comment on the allegedly fraudulent withdrawals from their ATM deposits, and what remedy they have for their depositors.
]]> http://ift.tt/1Dk5t5O 1 http://ift.tt/1EePJoO http://ift.tt/1EePHNF Mon, 20 Apr 2015 13:37:39 +0000 http://ift.tt/1Dk5rLc ]]> http://ift.tt/1Dk5rLgThis entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service - if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at http://ift.tt/jcXqJW.
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Wednesday, April 22, 2015 0
Eastern Visayas Mail issue of April 6-12, 2015
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Wednesday, April 22, 2015 0
The Majestic Rock Formations of Biri, Northern Samar
BIRI ISLAND IN NORTHERN SAMAR. The majestic rock formations of Biri is a MUST SEE in Northern Samar. The Department of Tourism once more highlights the island as one of the places to see in Eastern Visayas for its “Summer Fun” familiarization tour. The town is already tourist-ready, especially for those who wants a nature adventure. Other places that are now tourist ready and has interesting places to see and visit in Northern Samar are Capul Island, Sila Island,the Lalaguna Mangrove Forest of Lavezares. The DOT “Summer Fun”, involving tourism stakeholders, media from various outlets to include bloggers, launched the activity in Southern Leyte. Photo courtesy of DOT/Lemuel Palejaro
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Wednesday, April 22, 2015 0
ESA masterlist bared, earns complaints and criticisms
ORMOC CITY – The name of the mayor’s brother. A practicing lawyer with a Toyota Fortuner. High-income earners living in subdivisions like Camella Homes. The sibling of a barangay councilor who is allegedly not a resident of the barangay. Names of victims with totally damaged houses delisted, or now listed under “partially damaged”; and those who’ve signed up for relocations included.
These are drawing complaints from residents here, after the “masterlist” of the Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) was released to the barangays on Wednesday, April 8. This, after the Department of Social Welfare and Development asked their city counterpart to make public the list, as provided for in the guidelines.
Social media comes into play
The masterlist of Brgy. Cogon, Ormoc’s most populous barangay, immediately made its way to Facebook. On Page 4, No. 168, is the name of Eufrocino Capahi Codilla, presumably the eldest brother of Mayor Edward Codilla, whose middle name is also Capahi.
On Page 6 is the name of Atty. Adelito Solibaga, anchorman of the radio talk show “Krusada”, who has been harping that the list should be made public.
In recapitulation of what he aired over “Krusada” on Friday, April 10, Solibaga told the EV Mail he would not accept the ESA, not because he does not need money, but because getting it would deprive the people who needed it more.
Aside from this, he said, to receive it would be condoning graft and corruption because the guidelines for giving out the ESA was not followed in his case. Under the guidelines, Solibaga is not a qualified beneficiary. The lawyer rents an apartment at Brgy. Cogon. It suffered minimal damage but his Toyota Fortuner, just a few months old when Yolanda hit in November 8, 2013, was not as lucky. Its rear windshield got smashed.
He also opined that the fact that his name appears on the list highlights the fact that the city social welfare and development office (CSWDO) did not do its work properly.
Other “masterlists” have also been posted on Facebook like that of District 19, which included two pages that was supposed to be for Brgy. Curva, more than 20 kilometers away.
Brgy. Alta Vista’s, too, was posted, with the names of allegedly dubious recipients, highlighted in yellow.
To recall, Congress appropriated a total funding of P 689-million for Ormoc City, based on the funding requirement for ESA submitting by the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR) to Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III. This is for around 42,000 damaged households, both partial and total, that would get financial assistance of P 10,000.00 and P 30,000.00, respectively.
However, Mayor Edward Codilla wanted 53,000 households funded, proposing that those listed as “partially” gets the full P 10,000.00, while those with “totally damaged” houses will get P 15,000 each only.
Regional director Nestor Ramos, in a meeting with the city council over the issue, said that the Mayor’s proposal had the “blessings” of DSWD Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman. Until now, however, there is now written approval from the Secretary which would amend her won MC 24 S. of November 2014.
In the same meeting, Ramos also said that the “masterlist” should be made public, so that the “culling” process can take place. Over the radio, Marietta Legaspi, city social welfare officer, however, said she will not have it posted because it would create “chaos” but obviously, Ramos prevailed.
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Wednesday, April 22, 2015 0
