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VOL. XXV NO. 057 WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 20, 2013 P10.00 IN TACLOBAN

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INSIDENEWS

WEATHER

Scattered thunderstorms in the morning. Partly cloudy skies late.

High 86F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.

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Catholic faithful fl ock in an army headquarter in Catbalogan City during the fi rst arrival of the relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in Eastern Visayas. PHOTO COURTESY OF PHIL ARMY/8ID)

(kgs) of abaca fi ber last year, 2.84 million kgs lower than the 17.43 million kgs output in 2011.

“Most of the abaca farmers were discour-aged to harvest and strip more fi bers be-cause of some traders’ refusal to buy low grade abaca fi bers especially on the latter part of the year,” Espeňa told Leyte

Jesus. Let us all gather at Santo Niño Parish, in Tacloban for the welcome rites, reception and veneration,” Fr. Alvero said.

“From the humble life and works of St. Th erese, this will inspire people that everybody can become a saint. And that it is possible even nowa-days. ”

Th e archdiocese has about 1.4 Catholics.

Philip Jude Acidre, a regional chairman of One Youth and political group based in the region, expressed

GOV’T CENTER, Palo, Leyte- Export of coconut oil from the region appears to be on the rebound as the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)-8 reported of a high demand of coconut oil by the international mar-ket.

Th e PCA-8 reported that the volume of ex-ported coconut oil in January already account around 20 percent of the entire coconut oil export of the region in 2012.

PCA-8 reports of high demand of coco oil abroad

By: JOEY A. GABIETA,Staff Writer

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TACLOBAN CITY-Activities in wel-coming the relics of St. Th erese of the Child Jesus, also known as “Th e Little Flower of Jesus”, are in full swing as the relics arrived in Eastern visayas’s capital Tuesday.

Father Amadeo Alvero, Palo Arch-diocese spokesman, said the pilgrim image will tour in various parishes in the region until February 24 before the relics travel again to Cebu City.

“Th e Archbishop John Du, the cler-gy and the faithful of archdiocese of Palo are very happy to welcome the pil-grim relics of Saint Th erese of the Child

Catholics overjoyed of St � erese of the Child Jesus return

TACLOBAN CITY - Eastern Visayas suf-fered a 16.29% decline in last year’s abaca pro-duction due to continu-ing infestation of abaca diseases, less demand for low grade fi bers and extended rainfall.

Fiber Industry De-velopment Authority Regional Director Jef-frey Espeňa said that the region only produced 14.59 million kilograms

EV’s abaca production dips by 16.29% -- FIDA

Gov’t troops recover NPA

camp

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PRO8 nabs student in buy-bust

Some landowners a� ected by

road diversion project in Baybay

want payment for their land

7th Largabi-sta � lm festival winners bared

Life is better now for 2 Camella sales agents

EV already achieved universal

coverage for health insurance

Leyte Samar Daily Express NEWS Wednesday, 20 February 20132

asked the NPAs to return to the folds of the law and live normal lives.

“With the series of dis-covery of their camps, it is clear that we have al-ready narrowed the sphere of their infl uence and it would not be long for our troops to eventually fi nd them,” Vestuir said.

Th e discoveries of these camps, albeit abandoned, were mainly due to the co-operation of the people in the barangays, the Army offi cial said. (JOEY A. GA-BIETA)

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – Instead of attending his classes in an academic institution, a college student will now be attending classes in a correctional institution as the Police Regional Offi ce 8 (PRO8) stamped out his nefarious activities of sell-ing illegal drugs.

“With the suspect’s ar-rest, his illegal drug trade will now be stopped and this will save his fellow students from falling prey to the illegal drugs men-ace,” said Police Chief Su-perintendent Elmer Raga-dio Soria, PRO8 Regional Director.

Th e region’s top police offi cial informed that at around 11:00 o’ clock on Saturday evening, joint elements of Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group of Leyte Police Provincial

recovery of improvised explosives inside the aban-doned camp only con-fi rmed that the rebels are out to commit “atrocities” against the people.

“Th e use of landmines is a gross violation of the Comprehensive Agree-ment on Respect for Hu-man Rights and Interna-tional Humanitarian Law wherein the Communist Party of the Philippines/NPA/National Democratic Front are signatories,” Ves-tuir said.

Along this line, Vestuir

statement, said that the abandoned camp was dis-covered by the government troops while doing their combat patrol along the area at around 1:05 in the aft ernoon.

Th e Army offi cial said that the soldiers, led by Sergeant Antonio Seberre, recovered, among others, two improvised anti-per-sonnel mines; two deto-nating cord; electric fi ring wires; a rifl e grenade and some personnel belongings of the rebels.

Vestuir said that the

TACLOBAN CITY - An alleged camp of the rebel group, the New Peo-ple’s Army, was recovered by the government troops in San Isidro town, North-ern Samar last Monday aft ernoon.

Th e recovered NPA camp was located in Ba-rangay Happy Valley of said town, Lt. Colonel Noel Vestuir, command-ing offi cer of the 20th Infantry Battalion which is based in Lope de Vega, also in Northern Samar.

Vestuir, in a press

Gov’t troops recover NPA camp

mediately brought to Palo Municipal Police Station for proper dispo-sition while confi scated items were brought to the Regional Crime Labora-tory Offi ce 8 for quanti-tative examination.

Soria added that cas-es for violations of Sec-tions 5 and 11 (selling and possession of illegal drugs) of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehen-sive Drugs Act of 2002 is now being prepared for fi ling against the suspect.

In January this year, PRO8 conducted 24 successful anti-illegal drugs operations result-ing in the arrest of 24 pushers, 10 drug users, confi scation of 5.196 grams of methamphet-amine hydrochloride or “shabu” and 214.890 grams of dried marijua-na leaves with a total es-timated market value of P73,130.00, several drug paraphernalia, and fi ling of 24 drug charges in dif-ferent courts regionwide.(PINSP ROMUEL A. NA-CAR)

Offi ce (LPPO-PAIDSTOG) and Palo Municipal Po-lice Station led by Police Senior Inspector Jonathan Camacho and Police Se-nior Inspector Leo Laraga conducted buy-bust op-eration along the National Highway, Brgy. Guindapu-nan, Palo, Leyte resulting in the arrest of one Alchie Chiquillo y Albano, 23, sin-gle, student and a resident of Public Market site, Cavite East, Palo, Leyte.

“Th e suspect was imme-diately nabbed by police op-eratives posted strategically in the area aft er handing a sachet of suspected ‘shabu’ to an undercover cop who acted as poseur-buyer,” So-ria added.

Recovered from the sus-pect’s possession and con-trol were two P500.00 bills used as buy-bust money, two heat-sealed transpar-ent sachet containing sus-

pected “shabu” with an estimated street value of P10,000.00 and one unit Samsung mobile phone used in his ille-gal transactions.

Chiquillo was im-

PRO8 nabs student in buy-bustsecond coconut-producing region with an annual pro-duction of about 2 billion nuts.

With an increased in-ternational demand of co-conut oil, the price of co-pra have also increased.

As of this week, the price of copra in the region now ranged from P14 a kilogram to P18 per kilo-gram.

Th e current copra price is higher compare to the previous price of P16 per kilogram.

metric tons a year.Yu said that they are

keeping their fi ngers crossed that the increased demand of coconut oil from the region and other coconut-producing regions of the country would con-tinue.

“We just hope that this will continue as the biggest benefi ciary on this are our farmers,” he said.

Th e region has about 368,524 coconut farmers.

Eastern Visayas is con-sidered to be the country’s

“We are happy with this development. Th e trend appears to be increasing as there is a renewed interest of our coconut oil in the in-ternational market,” Benja-min Yu, coconut protection and regulatory offi cer of the PCA-8, said.

As of last month, the re-gion exported coconut oil of 16,700 metric tons which has a value of $10.86 mil-lion. Compare to the same period of last year, the re-gion just exported 2,300 metric tons valued at $3.21 million.

Th e entire export pro-duction of coconut oil from the region was only 81,222 metric tons valued at $69.30 million.

Of the region’s annual coconut production, 80 percent of them are export-ed to other countries like the United States, Europe, Malaysia and Japan, among others.

Th e remaining 20 per-cent are used by various oil mills and refi neries operat-ing in the region which have a combined coconut oil need of more than 451,000

PCA-8...from page 1

3Leyte Samar Daily ExpressWednesday, 20 February 2013 NEWS

Screen shot of winning video Baysay by Jayson Pascual. Photo courtesy of Largabista FB

Office of the PresidentExecutive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.

President Aquino creates Task Force on Bangsamoro Development

President Benigno S. Aquino III has issued a directive for the creation of the Task Force on Bangsamoro Development to push forward the reha-bilitation and reconstruc-tion efforts in the region following the signing of the framework agreement for a peace settlement be-tween the government and the Moro Islamic Libera-tion Front (MILF), Execu-tive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Tuesday.

Ochoa said Admin-istrative Order No. 37, which President Aquino signed on February 13, will ensure that develop-ment projects and pro-grams are implemented in Bangsamoro, a new auton-omous region that will be established in Mindanao, for MILF combatants and their families as well as communities that will be affected by the framework agreement signed in Octo-ber last year.

The task force, accord-ing to Ochoa, is mandated to develop and implement programs that will re-

spond to the health, edu-cation and livelihood needs of MILF priority beneficia-ries and poverty-stricken communities throughout Mindanao.

“The peaceful resolution of the conflict in Mindanao goes beyond the signing of the framework agreement. This administration wants to ensure that peace and progress go hand in hand,” Ochoa said.

The Aquino administra-tion last week took the ini-tial step to help MILF forc-es and their families and affected persons and com-munities with the launch of the social development plan called Sajahatra Bangsam-oro Program in Maguin-danao.

“Although the initial beneficiaries of the program will be MILF members and their families, other resi-dents in the region will also receive the benefits of the peace agreement and the development and liveli-hood initiatives that go with it,” the Executive Secretary said.

The task force is com-

posed of the Cabinet secre-tary as chairperson and the heads of the Departments of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Labor and Employment (DOLE), Health (DOH), Education (DepEd), Ag-riculture (DA), the Inte-rior and Local Govern-ment (DILG), and Budget and Management, and the presidential adviser on the peace process (OPAPP) as members.

Other members are the secretaries of the Presi-dential Management Staff (PMS), the Presidential Communications Devel-opment and Strategic Plan-ning Office (PCDSPO), the Presidential Com-munications Operations Office (PCOO), and the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson (OPS), as well as the heads of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Technical Education and Skills Development Au-thority (TESDA), and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PHIC).

performed by Autho-rized ft. Niña directed by Donna Navarro and Abegaile Bastes; Best Musicality- Baysay per-formed by Elvorr Nierva, directed by Jayson Pas-cual; Best Cinematog-raphy- Jayson Pascual of Baysay; Best Editing-Jayson Pascual of Baysay; and Best Direction-Jay-son Pascual of Baysay.

Music video of the year went to Jayson Pas-cual for Baysay.

(RONALD O. REYES)

into a dirt road without first settling the compen-sation. He occupies 300 square meters of lot as the only source of living for his family.

Angolo Anacleto and Susan Anacleto Bahala, heirs of Vicente Anacleto, also complained of non-payment for a large por-tion of their land where rice fields, 60 coconut trees, pigpens and an ar-tesian well are located.

Susan acknowledges that the value of their land will increase when the new road will be com-pleted. But she maintains the importance of hav-ing their heirs benefit the bounty of their farm-land. “Sir, our grandsons would still benefit from this land.”

Citing the continu-ing assessments of land values, Atty. Ernesto Bu-tawan, city councilor, ad-mitted that they have not paid the landowners.

(EDGAR ALLAN VILBAR)

eyed, she agreed to sell her land because the City Assessor’s Office promised to pay her immediately. Her field is now filled with soil since February yet but no payment was paid. “Naguol na jud tawn ko sir. Unsa nalang ang among panginabuhian ani. Nagpasalig man gud sila nga kung mat-ambakan na, isunod diretso ang bayad. Pero hangtod karon wala pa man, Sige na kog follow-up pero moin-gon ra nga wala pa,” she said.

Baron roughly owns a 3,000 square meters of lot with harvestable rice. She tried to nego-tiate with the contrac-tor to give her ample time to harvest the fruits of her labor, but to no avail.

The same fate hap-pened to Felipe Gutier-rez, 72 years old, when his field was converted

BAYBAY CITY — The ground breaking ceremony for the P500 million-worth diver-sion road on Feb.18 was met with mixed reac-tions.

For the city’s politi-cal leaders, it is a sigh of relief for motorists tra-versing the city streets filled with pedicabs – a signature of Baybay worse traffic condition. But for the affected landowners and tillers, it marks another sacri-fice as they have yet to receive the promised compensation for their properties. They also lobby for fair and just compensation for their fields with growing rice when the contrac-tor backfilled the pad-dies without entering into an agreement with the farmers and other stakeholders.

According to Cres-encia Baron, 70 years old who was teary-

Some landowners affected by road diversion project want

payment for their land

line- Jig-jig and Perry of Dalagan Bats by South Town Culture Betamax; Best Cinematography- Jeyow Evangelista of One Fatal Wrath by Noriel Ja-rito; Best Editing- Noriel Jarito of One Fatal Wrath; and Best Direction- Noriel Jarito of One Fatal Wrath.

Short film of the year: Dalagan Bats by South Town Culture Betamax.

For music video cat-egory: Audience’s Choice Awards- Munting Hiling

TACLOBAN CITY-The University of the Philippines-Visayas Ta-cloban has announced this year’s winners of the 7th Largabista Film Festi-val: Emotion on Motion- Short Film and Music video competition.

Below is the list of winners according to Fes-tival adviser/organizer Prof. Dulce Cuna:

Short film catego-ry: Audience’s Choice Awards- Ilad directed by Jed Dycoco; Best Story-

7th Largabista Film Festival winners bared

to 2011: Leyte (5.08 mil-lion kgs from 6.14 million kgs), Southern Leyte (1.37 million kgs from 1.79 mil-lion kgs), Northern Samar (6.26 million kgs from 7.46 million kgs), Eastern Samar (846,986 kgs from 791,875 kgs), and Biliran (138,180 kgs from 181,490 kgs).

Northern Samar has emerged as the top abaca producing province in the region with its output ac-counting 43% of the total harvest. Southern Leyte and Leyte used to be the top producer in the region and in the country before the disease played havoc in farms.

Eastern Visayas has around 40,000 hectares of farm area planted with abaca (SARWELL Q. ME-NIANO)

In its latest estimate, FIDA said that some 19,000 hectares of abaca farms in the region have been infested with dis-eases with some 8,000 hectares have remained untreated.

“We use to be num-ber one in the country in terms of production but in 2010, Bicol area dislodged our regional output due to harvest decline in abaca producing provinces,” he added.

Five of the region’s six provinces posted output decrease last year. Only Samar province exhibited an increase from 791,875 kgs a year ago to 886,814 kgs in 2012.

Other provinces re-corded a negative growth last year ranging from 16% to 24% compared

Samar Daily Express.The official said that

despite higher trading price and growing de-mand for high grade fi-ber, many farmers opted to produce low grade be-cause of simple stripping process.

“Continuous heavy rains triggered decrease in output since it disrupted farmers’ activities such as harvesting, stripping, dry-ing, and even transport from farm to market.”

Espeňa also believed that disease infestation is one of the factors that dragged down last year’s yield with their very lim-ited resources to combat the spread of abaca mo-saic and bunchy-top dis-eases.

EV’s abaca...from page 3

The President also instruct-ed the task force to coor-dinate with the Transition Commission, created under Executive Order No. 120 last year, in the develop-ment and implementation of the program.

He likewise ordered the task force and Transi-

tion Commission to joint-ly monitor the implemen-tation of the development projects and submit regu-lar reports to the Office of the President.

Funding for the op-eration of the task force will be drawn initially from the current budgets

of member-agencies and subsequent appropria-tions will be incorporat-ed in their annual budget proposals.

AO 37 shall take ef-fect immediately. Ref-erence: Katherine G. Adraneda / Tel. No. 733-7472

Leyte Samar Daily Express OPINION Wednesday, 20 February 20134

I

EDITORIAL

This is a timely re-minder from Fr. Socrates Misiona, national direc-tor of Pontifi cal Mission Societies Philippines and Executive Director of the Catholic Bishops Confer-ence of the Philippines (CBCP).

Lent is a season of the liturgical year of the Ro-man Catholic Church when it encourages the faithful to make penance and sacrifi c-es to atone for sins and also to do acts of charity – an identity breastplate among Christians.

Per observation how-ever only the average -in-come people and the poor religiously observe Lent

“Reconnect with Christ”

per that characteriza-tion. Of late the luckier people, the rich and the famous make the season an excuse to relax by spending Holy Weeks and travel to popular tourist spots here and abroad.

(Awa ka la, says my partner, hehehe!)

By and large, Lent is an opportunity for all professing Christians to be reconnected with JE-SUS CHRIST, Son of the Living God, our Lord and Saviour.

-oOo-“Where have all the

Buses Gone?”Some 7,000 high

school students all over Biliran province, once upon a time, enjoyed signifi cant savings, ex-perienced rare comfort and school attendance on time during the 1st term of Congressman, Atty. Glenn Chong. The young legislator has a special heart that beat for the young; eagerly and sincerely by help-ing them prepare edu-cationally to be good citizens and leaders in the small Biliran prov-ince in the next genera-tion.

Aside from the many achievements Glenn ac-

Philippines for the midterm elections this May. However, in spite of this, it seems that the warning fell on deaf ears as there remain some candidates who apparently are not af-fected by the warning, feigning to possess the permission to use it. There are also campaign jingles, using the same viral tune of Psy but with different lyrics in Tagalog or the dialect, that are repeatedly heard over broadcast sta-tions and in campaign sorties.

What do these persistent acts of some can-didates impart? Does it mean that they are not compelled to follow an order that is not conveyed to them personally? Or is it simply a clear manifestation of the inability of candi-dates to grasp every intent of the warning. In law, there is the well-respected principle and which in fact is embedded in the New Civil Code: Ignorance of the law excuses no one from compliance therewith. This warning of Psy and the duly authorized license holder to

den fame across the globe with his “phenome-nal” Oppa Gangnam Style single that has made a hit of almost 1.4 billion in eight months online, had issued warning to all politicians who will use his Guinness world record bearer song as cam-paign jingle. Those caught doing so without prior permission from the publisher MCA Universal Music Group and composer and corresponding payment for the license to use it, which could be worth a million pesos, will have to face the legal consequence. The warning further extends to al-teration of the lyrics of the viral music video.

Speaking through the president of MCA UMG Ricky Ilacad, the owner of the song warned, “If there is anything out there using Gangnam, they should stop”. Same source was also quoted in emphatically stating that Psy is not endors-ing any candidate or any political party in the

Simply irrepressiblen the national news – print, broadcast and the World Wide Web, Psy, the very sensa-tional Korean pop artist who leaped to sud-

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5Leyte Samar Daily ExpressWednesday, 20 February 2013 NEWS

The Sower

complished during his 1-term incumbency, he bought 14 new buses from his Priority Devel-opment Assistance Fund (PDAF) to provide trans-port to student especially those coming from far-away places to their re-spective schools and after classes are taken back-home – for free.

When he “lost” (em-phasized quotation mark) in his re-election to Dr. Roger Espina, these bus-es ceased operation. Two of these are lying unused in Maripipi, island town; 8 likewise are unused in the garage of a school in Naval – designated as garage of the school bus system.

-oOo-Millions of Pesos

were invested in the pur-chase of these buses in-tended initially for poor students, no doubt is a very laudable project of Atty. Glenn Chong. These unused but in run-ning condition then could be attributed to ugly poli-tics a “telling outcome” of a very questionable election results in 2010.

Reconnect...from page 4

Wednesday of the First Week of Lent Jon 3:1-10 * Ps 51* Lk 11:29-32

THE DEMAND FOR A SIGN

While still more people gathered in the crowd, [Jesus] said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the judg-ment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

SIGNS

Not only prophets, but even concerned scientists in our day often have the same difficulty as Jesus. Economists tell us that the world will run out of resources if we continue to exploit the earth as we are cur-rently doing. Biologists speak about the disastrous effects of our waste of energy, of the destruction of the rain forests, of the pollution of the atmosphere, of the dumping of radioactive waste, of using materials like plastics that are not biodegradable. Physicians warn us that we’re eating too much fatty stuff, that many drink too much, that we should drive our cars less and use our feet and bodies more. Sociologists warn that families are falling apart, that children are not well educated, and that there are too many homeless people in our streets. Too few listen. Those who don’t listen often say that they want clearer signs, more proof, stronger evidence, while all around us forests die, fish rot, air and water are polluted, and human beings suffer. We don’t need more signs. We need changes. Of course, it would be impossible to change everything at the same time. But we all can begin and enter the process. Today you might change one of your consumer habits. Take a mug or cup with you to work instead of using paper or styrofoam cups. (With Hearts on Fire by Joseph G. Donders, Published by Paulines. Visit us at www.paulines .ph or at Paulines Media Center, Real St., Tacloban City, Tel. 321-3195)

Sower’s Thought: “Lent should lead us to the practice of penance. It has four aspects: First: to become conscious of the devil done; Sec-ond: to review our life and sins and to consider ourselves to be sinners, though forgiven; Third: to make sincere resolution to avoid faults and dangerous occasions that we can and should avoid; Fourth: be willing to make reparation.” –Blessed James Alberione, SSP, STD, Founder of the Pauline Family

The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI opened the possibility of a Filipino Pope. Cardinal Luis An-tonio Tagle is a member of the 120 College of Cardi-nals who will elect a new pope.

The speculation re-volves around the possibil-ity of a pope from devel-oping countries rather than one from Europe.

In many western coun-tries, the crisis of Catholi-cism is closely tied to the scandal of clerical sexual

A Filipino Pope

abuse. In the Philippines, the crisis is around family planning and reproductive health and divorce. In the years to come, regardless of who becomes the next Pope, we will see more changes in Catholic thinking sparred by developments in science and medicine, in gover-nance and state policy.

The challenges will emerge as more and more people have to respond to personal issues, in planning our families, in dealing with and of life issues.

Cardinal Tagle can count on the clamor of the Latin Americans who re-side in the most populous Catholic region outside Europe, and of the young African church yearning for recognition and salvation. Asia also constitutes half of the world’s 6 Billion popu-lation.

Cardinal Tagle is only 55 years old and respected for his deep theological mind, humility and his abil-ity to communicate through the media.

Pope Benedict XVI pleaded advanced age and deteriorating health as rea-sons for his voluntary resig-nation. He must have con-sidered the greater good of the Church. When the Pope realized that his service as pontiff could no longer be fruitful, his resignation be-came inevitable.

Let’s pray that we get a Filipino Pope.

the song in the Philip-pines MCA UMG is moored on law. Bla-tant disregard of the warning by the lawful owner means fearless defiance of the law.

In such premise, is it like saying that these politicians who have the guts to defy the warning have the propensity to confront lawful orders of duly instituted authori-ties? Maybe not, but that is what the mind is coached to perceive. To be fair , though, with these candi-dates, considering the exemption allowed

by the one who cau-tioned, the candidates who continually use the world renowned Oppa Gangnam Style song in their election campaign could been armed with the per-mission from the li-cense-holder and have paid the required fee for the use of the song. It is better thought this way than surmise that the obstinate will get the chance to “gal-lop” their way to vic-tory in the elections in May with the help of this internationally popular Gangnam song in spite of violat-ing a lawful owner’s rights.

Simply...from page 4

Due to the many loopholes in our elec-tion laws, it is tough enforcing the many prohibitions as there are many ways out of getting answerable for committing violations. The difficulty in imple-menting election laws is the major reason why the conduct of elections is less than honest, or-derly and peaceful. Can-didates are very creative and resourceful in find-ing ways to go around every prohibition writ-ten in our election law.

Gimmicks that can-didates apply in the campaign trail are often on the edge of the pro-hibition. There is too much stretching to the limit in every move that candidates perform to win the support of the voters. In some instanc-es, the prohibition is

transgressed purposely to test the efficacy of the law in the effectiveness of law enforcement as-pect.

This is why we have a chaotic topsy-turvy campaign where every candidate is pulling ev-ery trick or gimmick that will ensure victory at the polls. Campaign strategies are often done in violation of laws for as long as the perpetrators are not caught. These violators are very much certain that law enforc-ers are undermanned to make apprehensions. Worse, even those per-petrators who are caught and apprehended are eventually released for failure to hold them lia-ble under the law. With-out complainants and witnesses that will indict a violator, there can be no prosecution that can

stand in court.But the gravest un-

abated transgression is the famous and popular vote buying. Candidates know very well that money plays a vital and influential role in win-ning elections. So much is allocated for the voters as the practice had long become widespread. The preparedness of candi-dates to spend for every voter is met with a cor-responding expectation on the part of the voters that indeed there will be money in exchange for his vote.

It is public knowledge that candidates are not just giving money out of sincere generosity. They give for a consid-eration that voters will list their names on the official ballot. This is no doubt a deal whereby money is given for the vote. If candidates are just generous by their nature, they must be ex-travagantly generous to people by giving money anytime as needed even when there is no elec-tion.

The flow of money is at its peak during elec-tions. This fact is no-ticed by the public as well as business, banks and government. Sud-denly, there is a tempo-

rary and artificial scar-city of small bills and such is a clear indicator that politicians are bad-ly hoarding such small bills in preparation for vote buying. Unfortu-nately, laws are strict in the observance of con-stitutional rights that protect suspected viola-tors from being held lia-ble for their acts without due process.

Without tackling the most obvious recipe to victory, people are well aware that all campaign gimmicks are nothing compared to the ram-pant and pervasive vote buying that candidates employ to lure voters into shading their num-ber on the ballots. But the voter must learn that the shading can easily be done marking the apt number according to one’s conscience, though in most cases, money talk speaks the loudest voice for voters to toe according to the dictates of the highest bidders.

Comments to alel-lema@yahoo.com

Bidders

Leyte Samar Daily Express NOTICES Wednesday, 20 February 20136

SELF-ADJUDICATION WITH SALENOTICE is hereby given that Eduardo M.

Badilla heir of late Sps. Cresencia Badilla and Pedro Badilla executed an affi davit of Self-Adjudication over a parcel of land, Cad. Lot No. 747, situated at Dist. 1, Babatngon, Leyte, containing an area of 91 square meters, more or less. A Deed of Sale was executed infavor of Tito E. Cachero, as vendee for the above-described property together with improve-ments thereon; per Doc. No. 144, Page No. 65, Book No. XXVIII, Series of 2012 of Notary Public Bienvenido G. Say. LSDE: February 13, 20 & 27, 2013

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENTNOTICE is hereby given that heirs of the

late Eduardo C. Luban extrajudicially settled, partitioned and adjudicated over a parcel of land, Lot No. 152-Case 2, Cad 863, situated in Brgy. II, Rizal, Tabon-Tabon, Leyte, with O.C.T. No. P-97873, containing an area of 268 square meters. That heir Irenea Luban Salva-tierra, deceased is represented by Conigunda S. Cinco executed a Deed of Sale the 1/4 por-tion of the above-described property in favor of Sps. Nemesio and Imelda Laming; please see Doc. No. 280, Page No. 56, Book No. 01, Series of 2012 of Notary Public Atty. Sheena May O. Tejano. LSDE: February 13, 20 & 27, 2013

Republic of thePhilippines

Municipal Trial Court8th Judicial Region

Dulag, LeyteIN RE: APPLICATION

FOR ORIGINAL REGISTRATION OF TITLE OF A PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED AT DULAG, LEYTE,SPS. MARCIAL M.

GOTICO, JR.and MYLENE L.

GOTICO,Applicant/PetitionerLAND REG. CASE

NO. N-02LRA RECORD NO. E-

ORD-2011000211x- - - - - - - - - x

ORDERFiled before this Court is a

Petition for Land Registration by petitioners Sps. Marcial M. Gotico, Jr. and Mylene L. Gotico, over a parcel of land situated at Kempis St., Brgy. Market Site, Dulag, Leyte, Philippines, with an assessed value of Sixty Nine Thou-sand Eight Hundred Twenty (P68,820.00) Pesos.

Finding the petition suf-fi cient in form and substance, the Clerk of Court is ordered to set this case for Initial Hearing on March 19, 2013

at 2:00 o’clock in the after-noon. Let this Order and the Notice of Initial Hearing be published once (1) in the Of-fi cial Gazette and in news-paper of General Circulation in the Philippines. Likewise a copy thereof be served by mails upon the persons named in the petition and also posted by the Court Process Server in a conspicuous places on the parcel of land subject of the petition and on the Bulletin Board of the Municipal Buil-diong at least fourteen (14) days before this date of Initial Hearing, all pursuant to sec-tion 23 of P.D. 1529. Furnish a copy of this Order to the Hon. Solicitor General, The Com-missioner Land Registration Authority, Asst. Provincial Prosecutor Adnres Yu, Jr., The Chief, Docket Section, Land Registration Authority, Land Registration Authority, Prov-ince of Leyte, Mayor Manuel Sia Que, Sangguniang Bayan, Dulag, Leyte (Vice Mayor Montalo Labadia) the CEN-RO Offi cer, Palo, Leyte, Atty. Asterio Villero and Sps. Mar-cial M. Gotico, Jr.,

SO ORDERED.Dulag, Leyte, September

14, 2012.(Sgd.) MARIO P. NICOLASORAJudge Designate

LSDE: Feb. 6, 13 & 20, 2013

Republic of the PhilippinesProvince of Samar

MUNICIPALITY OF CALBIGAOffi ce of the Municipal Civil Registrar

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Ms. Cristina C. Bacayo has been fi led with this Offi ce a Petition for Change of First Name from DOLORES LOLITA to LOLITA in the Certifi cate of Live Birth of DOLORES LOLITA D. CABUÑAG, who was born on August 25, 1962, at Poblacion, Calbiga, Samar, and whose parents are Domingo Cabuñag and Engracia Dacara.

Any person claiming interest or may be adversely aff ected by said petition may within ten (10) calendar days fi le his written opposition with this Offi ce.

Date: February 11, 2013

(Sgd.) MARIO D. CABUJAT Municipal Civil Registrar Mun. Administrator-Des

LSDE: February 13 & 20, 2013

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH SALE

NOTICE is hereby given that heirs of the late Gregorio Villafl or extrajudicially settled, partitioned and adjudicated over a parcel of land, designated as Lot No. 4892, covered by Tax Dec. No. 99-01017-00334, located at Brgy. San Poli-carpo, Calbayog City, containing an area of 10,657 square meters, more or less. A Deed of Sale was executed in favor of Maria Morena Kemper as vendee for the above-described property; per Doc. No. 7, Page No. 2, Book No. 22, Series of 2012 of Notary Public Atty. Israel E. Peren. LSDE: February 13, 20 & 27, 2013

AFFIDAVIT OF SELF-ADJUDICATIONNOTICE is hereby given that Dario P. Lleve heir of late Alejo Lleve ex-

ecuted an affi davit of Self-Adjudication over a parcel of parcel of land, Lot No. 4289, situated at Brgy. Tabigue, Abuyog, Leyte, covered by Tax Dec. No. 08-01056-00216, having an area of 5,751 square meters; per Doc. No. 2290, Page No. 67, Book No. 63, Series of 2012 of Notary Public Atty. Vi-cente G. Rudas. LSDE: February 13, 20 & 27, 2013

DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENTNOTICE is hereby given that Lilian A. Balaong heir of late Gilbert

A. Balaong, extrajudicially settled, partitioned and adjudicated over a bank deposit with Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (MetroBank) Borongan Branch, Borongan City; per Doc. No. 232, Page No. 48, Book No. XIV, Series of 2013 of Notary Public Atty. Pablito Go. LSDE: February 13, 20 & 27, 2013

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENTNOTICE is hereby given that heirs of the late Sps. Emeterio Bandalan

and Gorgonia Lara extrajudicially settled, partitioned and adjudicated over a parcel of land, Lot No. 1456, Psc-5, situated in Brgy. Palhi, Baybay City, Leyte under Tax Dec. No. 2095-R8, covered by O.C.T. No. 4064, contain-ing an area of 54,750 square meters; per Doc. No. 298, Page No. 50, Book No. XVII, Series of 2008 of Notary Public Atty. Rene Allan G. Jervoso. LSDE: February 13, 20 & 27, 2013

DEED OF EXTRAJUDICAL SETTLEMENT WITH SALENOTICE is hereby given that

heirs of Lazaro Minoc inherited by the 2 siblings Pedro Minoc and Tomas Minoc, extrajudicially set-tled, partitioned and adjudicated over a parcel of residential land, together with all the improvements found thereon situated at San Jose St., District VIII, (Sampao West) Dagami, Leyte, covered by Tax Dec. No. 12004-00109-R13, with an assessed value of P3,830.00, containing an area of 78.26 square meters, more or less. A Deed of Sale was executed by the parties in favor of Genelito P. Balila, married to Purisima P. Balila as vendee; per Doc. No. 145, Book No. 29, Page No. 16, Series of 2011 of Notary Public Atty. Samuel C. Lagunzad. LSDE: February 13, 20 & 27, 2013

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENTNOTICE is hereby given that heirs of the late Margarita Cabada Agron

extrajudicially settled, partitioned and adjudicated over a parcel of land, Cad. Lot No. 887, under Tax Dec. No. 2008-04004-00471 (R13) situated at Brgy. Dist. IV, Babatngon, Leyte, containing an area of 9,284 square metesr, more or less. A Deed of Sale was executed in favor of Brigida A. Mcwherter as vendee for the above-described property; per Doc. No. 234, Page No. 46, Book No. XXV, Series of 2009 of Notary Public Atty. Edwin B. Jomadiao. LSDE: February 13, 20 & 27, 2013

DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL PARTITIONNOTICE is hereby given that heirs of the

late Clara Ruizo extrajudicially settled, parti-tioned and adjudicated over a parcel of land, Lot No. 3060, Cad 519-D, situated at Brgy. Masaba, Palompon, Leyte, containing an area of 2.2445 hectares, more or less, covered by Tax Dec. No. 08-31081-00080 R13, assessed value of P15,520.00; per Doc. No. 354, Page No. 51, Book No. XXXIII, Series of 2012 of Notary Public Atty. Donna Villa M. Gaspan -Cerna.LSDE: February 13, 20 & 27, 2013

CARPER LAD Form No. 45 (Revised CARP-LAD Form No. 22)

Republic of the PhilippinesDEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM

Province of LeyteRegion No. VIII

NOTICE ON THE CONDUCT OF FIELD INVESTIGATION(For LO and ARBs)

February 13, 2013 (Date)

ADELA BATANJaro Leyte

Sir/Madam:

Please be informed that the landholding described as follows:

OCT/TCT No./s : T-3839TD No./s : ________Approved Survey No.s/ : ________Area per OCT/TCT/TD No. (has.) : 12.9563Location (Municipality, Barangay) : Jaro, Licod

has been placed under the coverage of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Pro-gram (CARP) per:

Notice of Coverage (CARPER LAD Form No. 3) served to the LO/published on June 26, 2012

Acceptance Letter (CARPER LAD Form No. 20) of the Voluntary Offer to Sell (VOS) (CARPER LAD Form No. 18), served to the LO/published on_______

In this connection, may we invite you or your authorized representative to participate in the fi eld investigation to be conducted on March 11, 2013_at 9:00 am (indicate time).

Your failure to participate in the fi eld investigation shall be a waiver on your part to question the fi ndings thereof.

We anticiapte your full cooperation and support. Thank you..

Very truly yours(Sgd.) LEOVIGILDO M. MONGEProvincial Agrarian Reform Offi cer II

x

CARPER LAD Form No. 45 (Revised CARP-LAD Form No. 22)

Republic of the PhilippinesDEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM

Province of LeyteRegion No. VIII

NOTICE ON THE CONDUCT OF FIELD INVESTIGATION(For LO and ARBs)

February 13, 2013 (Date)

Philippine Veterans BankTacloban City

Sir/Madam:

Please be informed that the landholding described as follows:

OCT/TCT No./s : T-20613TD No./s : ________Approved Survey No.s/ : ________Area per OCT/TCT/TD No. (has.) : 4.5762Location (Municipality, Barangay) : Jaro, Tuba

has been placed under the coverage of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Pro-gram (CARP) per:

Notice of Coverage (CARPER LAD Form No. 3) served to the LO/published on June 26, 2012

Acceptance Letter (CARPER LAD Form No. 20) of the Voluntary Offer to Sell (VOS) (CARPER LAD Form No. 18), served to the LO/published on_______

In this connection, may we invite you or your authorized representative to participate in the fi eld investigation to be conducted on March 13, 2013_at 9:00 am (indicate time).

Your failure to participate in the fi eld investigation shall be a waiver on your part to question the fi ndings thereof.

We anticiapte your full cooperation and support. Thank you..

Very truly yours(Sgd.) LEOVIGILDO M. MONGEProvincial Agrarian Reform Offi cer II

x

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH SALE

NOTICE is hereby given that heirs of the late Sofronio Bombot extrajudicially settled, partitioned and adjudicated over a parcel of land, situated at Poblacion, Mo-tiong, Samar covered and embraced by O.C.T. No. 10491, under Lot 660, Pls-658-D, containing an area of 7,404 square meters. A Deed of Sale was executed in favor of Elma Fabrigas-Gabieta as vendee for the above-described property together with improvements thereon; per Doc. No. 358, Page No. 73, Book No. 151, Series of 2012 of Notary Public Atty. Medino L. Acuba and Addendum to the extrajudicially settled of Sofronio Bombot execut-ed by heir Reynaldo J. Bombot, and hereby confi rm all the terms and conditions stipulated therein; per Doc. No. 359, Page No. 73, Book No. 151, Series of 2012 of Notary Public Atty. Medino L. Acuba. LSDE: February 13, 20 & 27, 2013

7Leyte Samar Daily ExpressWednesday, 20 February 2013 NEWS

Republic of the PhilippinesLOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

Province of Eastern SamarMunicipality of Dolores

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that PROSERFI-NA R. GERNA has filed with this office a petition for change of First Name from MARIA ELSIE to ELSIE in the birth certificate of MARIA ELSIE RIVERA RONCA-LES who was born on July 31, 1962 at San Juan De Dios St., Dolores, Eastern Samar and whose parents are Rosendo L. Roncales and Maria Rivera.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than March 13, 2013.

(Sgd.) LILIA L. ROBEDIZO Municipal Civil Registrar

LSDE: February 20 & 27, 2013

Republic of the PhilippinesDepartment of Transportation

& CommunicationsLand Transportation Franchising

& Regulatory BoardRegional Office No. 8

Tacloban City

LTFRB CASE NO. VIII-2013-0111Application for Issuance of a CPC operate a VEHICLE FOR HIRE service with Prayer to Adopt Trade/Business Name.

NERI S. TURBANADA Applicant/s/Petitionerx.............................x

NOTICE OF HEARINGAPPLICANT REQUEST AUTHORITY

FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A CPC TO OPER-ATE A VEHICLE FOR HIRE SERVICE FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF PASSENGERS AND FREIGHT ALONG THE LINE: FOR EXCLUSIVE USE OF CONTRACTING PAS-SENGERS FROM LAS NAVAS, NORTHERN SAMAR TO/FROM ANY HOTELS, RE-SORTS & PORTS WITHIN REGION VIII & VICE VERSAS WITH THE USE OF TWO (2) UNITS WITH PRAYER TO ADOPT TRADE NAME, D’ TURBANADA.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THIS APPLICATION WILL BE HEARD BY THIS BOARD ON MARCH 5, 2013 AT 9:00 AM AT ITS OFFICE AT THE ABOVE MEN-TIONED ADDRESS.

At least TEN (10) days prior to the date, applicant/s shall publish this Notice once in one (1) Daily newspaper of general circulation in Eastern Visayas.

Parties opposed to the approval of the ap-plication must file verified written opposition supported by documentary evidences on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the applicant, and may if they so desire, appear on said date and time.

This application shall be acted upon by the Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidences submitted by parties under the board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary or testimonial evi-dences.

WITNESS THE HONORABLE RE-GIONAL DIRECTOR, ARTHUR L. SAIPU-DIN, this 13th day of February 2013.

(Sgd.) GUALBERTO N. GUALBERTOClerk of Board

TACLOBAN CITY- A pedicab driver and a kitchenware seller had their own share of hardships in the past but they both found a common taste of better life from selling quality homes. Thanks to the unlimited opportuni-ties brought by Camella here in Leyte.

Who would have thought that a college dropout pedicab driver could be a unit man-ager, earning more than a common government employee’s salary, but it

happened. The glow of success

is visible in the face of 28-year-old Marvin Poli-son as he carried a bag filled with Camella bro-chures and some sales record. As a unit man-ager, he oversees the performance of a group of agents, apart from his personal selling efforts.

“When I was just a new sales agent, I kept my pedicab driving job by night and hunt for potential home buyers

by day. I did that for few months until I was able to sell two housing units. More exciting things hap-pened and I decided to completely concentrate on the new job,” Polison, a resident of this city said.

In 2011, he received P50,000, the highest pay check he got, which is 333 times higher than his maximum daily income from pedaling.

Polison grabbed the opportunity offered by Camella when the home-

builder was just new in Leyte back in 2009. His wife is also a Camella sales agent. They’re both saving their money to buy their own house as they expect a baby this year.

Another tale reinforc-es the notion that a glim-mer of hope is getting closer amid challenges.

The ownership chang-es of a popular kitchen-ware brand where Rosel-da Rosello worked as unit manager, turned out to be

Life is better now for 2 Camella sales agents

the communities.”BGen. Virgilio Espineli,

assistant division vom-mander of the Philippine Army based in Catbalogan City, led in escorting the relics during its arrival in the region.

Traveling far from the Basilica of St Therese in Li-sieux, France, St. Therese relics consisting her bone fragment started its tour in the country in December 15 last year and is expected to visit around 48 key places in the Philippines.

This year is her third vis-it in the country since 2000 and 2008.

St. Therese’s religious ministry started when she became a Carmelite nun at 15 in 1888. She died at 24 due to tuberculosis. (Ron-ald O. Reyes)

his excitement upon hear-ing the relics’ visit.

“I was part of the orga-nizing staff during the first visit of the Pilgrim relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus way back in the year 2000, and I am happy to know that the holy relics of the saint will be back to visit us.”

“ I am certain that this blessed moment will serve as an inspiration for many Catholics, especially our youths and learn St. Therese ‘little path’ towards living our lives as God’s children. I hope that her intercession, the story and the example of her life will bring more blessings to our communi-ty as we face even growing challenges to our faith and life as Catholics and as Fili-pinos, “ Acidre told Leyte Samar Daily Express in an interview.

Kim Limosnero, 16, a high school student in Palo town is also looking for-ward to see the relics for the first time.

“I’ll take this as a good opportunity to see the rel-

was still selling kitchen-wares,” Rosello recalled.

Camella Leyte gen-eral manager Geraldine Gascon-Garcia said that being a real estate agent is one of the most reward-ing professions as it re-quires patience, strength and skills.

“It would make you your own boss, gives you flexible time and can reach the world without any boundaries in selling homes.

One of the pillars of Vista Land’s strength is the powerhouse brand in real estate industry with 37 years experience in development, marketing and management owned by Senator Manny Villar. (SARWELL Q. MENIANO)

blessing for the 45-year-old mother.

“I used to carry bags full of kitchenware. Now I only have to bring bro-chures and price list. It’s easy to sell kitchen-ware but you can always find prospective buyers through sipag and tiyaga (industry and patience),” Rosello said.

The 45-yeal-old mother has already sold out about 10 units since she joined Camella sales team in 2009. Her earn-ings helped her send their children to college with the support of his self-employed husband.

“My one time pay in Camella is equivalent to one year salary when I

ics and know the life of this child saint. I hope her visit will also invite more young people to be more active in the church.”

“St Therese of Lisieux or better known as St Therese of the Child Jesus is the Patroness of Mission. She taught us many things in life, most especially, the love to Jesus. Her presence here today brings us joy; she brings the love of Jesus to each and every one of us,” said Msgr. Albert Son-co, the Vicar General of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines, in a holy mass welcoming St. Therese’s first arrival in the region at the Sto Niño Chapel of 8th In-fantry division headquarter in Camp Lukban, Catbalo-gan, Samar.

Military chaplain Fr. Elmer Basas said that St. Therese’s spirituality is a semblance of the sufferings of every soldier.

“St. Therese devoted her life loving Jesus until her death at the young age of 24, the soldiers also devoted their lives in the service to our country and people, notwithstanding the danger in order to attain peace in

Catholics...from page 1

Leyte Samar Daily Express NEWS Wednesday, 20 February 20138

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WEEKLY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. House Assistant Minority Leader and Leyte (1st dist) Rep. Ferdinand Martin “FM” Romualdez distributes fi nancial assistance to 680 benefi ciaries of his “fi -nancial assistance program” coming from the different municipalities of the 1st district including Tacloban City that needs of hospitalization,medicines,educational,transportation and burial.The distribution was held at the congressional sub -district offi ce, Real St. Tacloban City .

photo by Ver S. Noveno

Bacareza said the tar-get is realistic with the emphasis on maintaining universal coverage, ac-credit more health facili-ties to include rural health units (RHUs), and simpli-fi ed claims process.

“We have broken the P1 billion mark payments in 2012 and we aim to double that this year. With the new policy changes, we need to pay more than what we collect,” Bacareza said.

He added that from accredited RHUs alone, they are eyeing at least P150 million claims pay-ment, more than tripled than the P48 million re-corded in 2012. (AHLETTE C. REYES)

and defense, which brings the embassy directly to the community. I believe that close relationship lies on the sharing of culture,” Th omas said.

Th e two-day event will be an opportunity for Ta-clobanons to meet many representatives of various embassy sections, includ-ing the visa section, the Department of Veterans Af-fairs, the US Commercial Service, the United States Agency for International Development, the Foreign Agricultural Service, Peace Corps, and the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (Fulbright Commission).

Part of the activity is the America in 3D Tacloban Picture Challenge, a photo contest that would repre-sent Philippine-US friend-

ship.Th e Philippines and the

US have seen an accelerated broadening and deepening of their alliance and part-nership in the past years.

Th e Philippine-US mul-

tifaceted relationship has gained ground as a result of close consultations and candid conversations on issues of bilateral, regional and global concern. (REYAN L. ARINTO)

TACLOBAN CITY – Philppine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Regional Vice President Wal-ter Bacareza says Eastern Vi-sayas has already achieved universal coverage for health insurance with 4.4 million total estimated benefi ciaries in 2012.

Bacareza said this ac-counts to 106% universal coverage, which surpassed the projected 2012 projected population of 4.2 million population in Region 8.

Of this total estimated benefi ciaries, at least 800,000 benefi ciaries are enrolled un-der the sponsored program, due largely to the sponsorship of members of the House of Representatives, local gov-ernment units and other pri-vate sponsors, according to Bacareza.

“We really thank them for pushing and sponsoring their constituents into the program that has helped a lot for the region to achieve universal coverage,” Bacareza said.

In an overall record of Philhealth offi ces in the country, Region 8 ranked number 1 for LGU com-mitment in 2012 of 695, 094 benefi ciaries to be enrolled in the sponsored program. Th e same number was enrolled for the sameyear together with a signed memorandum of agreement between Phil-Health and the sponsors.

SP provides health in-surance coverage to less privileged families through a partnership where health in-surance premiums for a year’s coverage are paid in behalf of deserving members.

Th e annual premiums of enrolled families are jointly shouldered by PhilHealth and sponsors. Some con-gressmen in the region also join the program as sponsors through their priority devel-opment assistance fund.

Meanwhile, Philhealth-8 is eyeing a minimum of P2 billon claims payment this year, double than the state fi rm’s record high payment recorded in 2012.

EV already achieved universalcoverage for health insurance

‘America in 3D’ to be presented in Tacloban TACLOBAN CITY—

Th is city will be hosting on March 2-3 the “America in 3D” road show of the US Embassy in Manila that highlights the American government’s “Diplomacy, Development and Defense.”

Launched by US Ambas-sador Harry Th omas, Jr. in early 2011 in Quezon City, the road show has travelled to Baguio, Laoag, Iloilo and Cebu cities.

In a statement, Ambas-sador Th omas said America in 3D is a celebration of Fili-pino-American friendships, showcasing American cul-ture, US business and US Embassy services in the Philippines. Dance and mu-sical performances will be presented during the show.

“America in 3D is the US Embassy’s road show in diplomacy, development