by: Rodrigo S. Victoria

NAVAL, Biliran – The loud blowing of sirens of ambulances, firetrucks and police patrol cars and firemen, policemen, army reservists, health personnel running in different directions attending to rescue and administering initial treatment to injured individuals trapped within the Biliran Provincial Hospital (BPH) and those coming from the rural health unit of Naval, were the scenes in the simulation drill of a 6.1 magnitude earthquake held at the BPH on Wednesday, July 22, 2015.

Sofronio Dacillo,Jr., Biliran provincial disaster risk reduction and management officer (PDRRMO) said that the earthquake drill conducted the other day was part of the simultaneous nationwide earthquake drill conducted in other parts of the country which is part of the government contingency measure if in case a major quake hits the country.

Dacillo added that the earthquake drill conducted was aimed at giving the concerned government agencies a picture of the things to do and prepare in case a major quake will hit the country.

For his part, Fire Inspector Primitivo B. Tomilluso, fire marshall of Naval who was the designated incident commander of the earthquake drill, the activity which lasted for one hour and 20 minutes, was an opportune time for his men in the fire department to use their skills and knowledge in the rescue of injured individuals trapped inside a collapsed two-storey building using rappel technique and ladder.

“Though there are still things to be improved in rescue procedure, at least they already have in mind a picture on the things to do during earthquake situations”, Tomilluso further said in a brief talk after the earthquake drill.

Dr. Joyce Pla-Caneja, chief of the BPH who actively participated in the drill together with the medical staff and employees of the hospital, said that at least the 6.1 magnitude earthquake simulation drill gave the BPH health personnel an idea on how to respond to injured individuals especially in administering quick initial health treatment.

“We cannot discount the possibility that the BPH will be swarmed with individuals who are injured if in case a major quake will hit the province since this is the only health facility in the province that can accomodate a bigger number of people and we should be ready for it”, Caneja further said.

The 6.1 simulation earthquake drill was participated in by the officers and men of the Biliran provincial fire department, Naval fire station, Naval police station, some faculty and students of Naval State University, members of the Army reservists in Biliran province, health personnel of the BPH and the Naval municipal health office and the employees of the Biliran provincial disaster risk reduction and management office (PDRRMO) and the Naval MDRRMO. # (fj/PIA 8 Biliran)

The post Biliran simulates 6.1 magnitude quake in drill appeared first on Biliran Blogs.

BiliranIsland.com Staff
Photos by Jalmz
BiliranIsland.com
First Posted 07:00:00 07/25/2015

July 25, 2014 – Caibiran, Biliran celebrates the 98th annual town fiesta in honor of the life and deeds of St. James the Apostle. He is the patron and protector of the town of Caibiran.

The illustrious Apostle Senor Santiago, as the town folks fondly call him, is enshrined at the center of six great columns representing the rudiments of the town of Caibiran of which Santiago Apostol claims dominion over it. Six magnificent angels keep watch over the town while singing hymns of praises to the Majesty of God.

At the foot of the apostle is the spectacular fountain of the four great rivers of the town, namely: Salog Caibiran, Salog Tinago, Salog Calambis and Salog Mapula providing the much needed irrigation for the land to produce plenty for the nourishment and livelihood of all Caibiranhoon. The fountain of St. James is owned to the generosity of Mr. & Mrs. Marciano & Toepista Vermug. The town parish priest is Rev. Fr. Bedel Mocorro.

Scheduled List of Activities

4:00 am – DIANA
5:00 am – Eucaristic Celebration
9:00 am – PONTIFICAL CONCELEBRATED MASS
1:00 pm – LARO NG LAHI
4:30 pm – Eucharistic Celebration

5:30 pm – Procession of the Image, St. James the Great
8:00 pm – MNHS ALUMNI NITE
MAUPAY NGA PATRON CAIBIRAN!

St. James was the son of Zebedee and his brother John were among the twelve disciples of Our Lord. They, together with Peter, were privileged to behold the Transfiguration to witness the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law and the raising of the daughter of Jairus and to be called aside to watch and pray with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane on the night before his death.

In Pictures

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by: Rodrigo S. Victoria

NAVAL, Biliran – “It pays to follow transportation laws, rules and regulations to avoid paying big penalties” thus said the head of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) here in Biliran province during the Kapihan at Pulong-pulong ng Bayan over Radyo Natin-Naval.

“I pity motorists who pay big penalties as high as P10,000”, Grace M. Corsido, provincial director of LTO-Biliran, referring to penalty imposed for violation of driving an unregistered motor vehicle.

Carsido strongly urged the owners of vehicles like motorcycles, private utility vehicles, public utility buses and jeepneys to register their vehicles and to renew it if it is already expired to avoid paying big penalties.

She also urged the motorists to bring always their driver’s license evertime they drive since driving without a license bears a penalty of PP3,000 plus driving unregistered vehicles bears a penalty of P10,000, based on the joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01 of th Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) which LTO is part of.

Some of the common violations and their corresponding penalties under AO No. 2014-01 include failure to carry drivers license, ceritificate of registration or official receipt while driving a motor vehicle – P1,000; failure to wear the standard protective helmet or failure to require the backrider to wear the standard protetive motorcycle helmet – P1,000; failure to attach or improper attachment and tampering of authorized motor vehicle license plates or third plate sticker-P5,000.

“Our office is very much willing to extend assistance to motorists and vehicle owners in securing or renewal of driver’s license and the registration and renewal of registration of vehicles” Carsido said.

She further said that her office strictly adheres to the LTO citizen’s charter where there are time elements that are followed for the convenience and fast transaction of their clients in their office.

The lady LTO chief also proudly announced that the continued conduct of apprehensions within the area of responsiblity conducted by the LTO law enforcers have greatly help improved their performance from January to June 2015.

She reported an increase of about 170% in licensing, 125% increase in registration, 170% in law enforcement and 190% in collection.

Carsido reported that about 531 vehicles were impounded at the LTO-Biliran compound and from other assigned impounding areas here in Naval town with corresponding P15 per day storage charge per vehicle impounded. # (fj/PIA 8 Biliran)

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by Ramon Tulfo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

In my 24 years of helping the oppressed through my public service program, “Isumbong Mo kay Tulfo,” I would rate the plight of the couple, retired SPO1 Cristobal Manrique and his wife, Josie, as “10” on a scale of 1 to 10—10 being the highest.

Their sad story started in 2005 when Manrique and a fellow cop in the municipality of Naval in Biliran province said they discovered that the finance officer of the Biliran provincial police headquarters, Insp. James Bunda, was pilfering from their salaries through illegal deductions for many months.

All told, the total amount allegedly pilfered by Inspector Bunda from Manrique and PO2 Narciso Calong was P400,000—P250,000 from Manrique and P150,000 from Calong.

Manrique and Calong filed an administrative case for perjury and grave misconduct against Bunda in the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management in Camp Crame.
There were allegedly other cops from whom Bunda allegedly stole money, but they didn’t file any case against him.

As the administrative case against him was airtight, Bunda sent feelers to amicably settle the case and pay back the money he reportedly stole from them.

The beleaguered finance officer invited them to have lunch with him at Marvin’s Place hotel, one of the few hotel-cum-restaurants in the small town.

The payment was to have been made at the restaurant.

Manrique brought his wife, Josie, and Calong his wife, Elena, with them as the money would be a windfall.

The good news that they would get their money back, however, turned out to be short-lived.
As Bunda was handing them the money, agents from the National Bureau of Investigation arrested the four.

They were taken to the NBI headquarters in Tacloban City where they were charged with robbery-extortion based on Bunda’s complaint.

The couples said they had been set up with the help of the NBI, apparently so they would drop the criminal and administrative cases they had filed against Bunda.

But if Manrique and Calong tried to extort money from Bunda, why bring their wives along?
Cristobal and Josie Manrique, and Narciso and Elena Calong spent 11 months at the Biliran Provincial Jail in Naval.

Judge Enrique Asis of the Naval Regional Trial Court (bless his soul!) ordered them released on their petition for habeas corpus.

Would you believe that in those 11 months they were in jail, Biliran Provincial Prosecutor Gary Cruz never filed a case against the two couples?

That was the reason the Manriques and the Calongs were ordered released by Judge Asis.
The administrative case filed by Bunda against them was dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Because of their acquittal by the Ombudsman in 2006, Manrique and Calong were ordered reinstated in the police service.

Manrique retired in 2009 while Calong died of natural causes while in the service.
Manrique sought my help after the Office of the Ombudsman would not give him a clearance so he could get his retirement benefits as the criminal case filed against him is still pending in the court.

When the Ombudsman’s Office asked Prosecutor Cruz for the status of the criminal case filed against Manrique and Calong, the prosecutor had nothing to show for it and feared he would be punished for the excessively long delay.

On June 25, after withholding the criminal case against Manrique and Calong for 10 long years, Cruz finally filed the case in court!

The bail was set at P100,000 for each of them.

Cristobal and Josie Manrique traveled all the way from Naval to seek my help because they didn’t have any money to post bail.

They borrowed money from friends for their fare.

“Mahirap makulong, sir. Naranasan na naming makulong ng 11 buwan (Life in jail is hard. We experienced being in jail for 11 months),” Manrique said.

Will somebody please help the innocent couple raise P200,000 for their bail?

The post On Target: Couple’s case one for the books appeared first on Biliran Blogs.

BiliranIsland.com Staff
BiliranIsland.com
First Posted 13:38:00 07/05/2015

A thousand-strong top leaders in Naval’s political arena gathers today Aug. 5 at the Biliran Garden Resort to celebrate in advance Governor Gerry Boy’s 45th birthday and as a show of support to its line-up for various elective positions in Naval for the 2016 elections under the Bando Espina ticket; including 25 barangay captains and officials of the town’s 26 barangays, as well as leaders of FOGE, women’s, youths and senior citizen’s groups.

Here are the possible line-up for Bando Espina:

For Mayor -GERARD ROGER ESPINA
For Vice- MAYOR – TITING CURSO

Councilor in Naval:
INCUMBENT
TABLA
GAVIOLA
BOY CASAS
FINA JOSEF
BIBOY CASTRO
EDEN APOLINAR
MAYET EBIO
PAUL CHESTER CASAS

BOARD MEMBERS 1ST DISTRICT
JUSTIN CURSO ROA
KOKOY CANEJA (INCUMBENT)
BOBOY KHO
LANDO TY

BOARD MEMBER 2nd district
CHAN
IGANO
CORPIN
SABORNIDO

The Provincial Election Supervisor in Biliran province, filing of candidacy will be around October for all elective positions. As of July 20, 2015 there are 27,800 registered voters in Naval out of the 102,107 in the ERB hearing.

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by: Rodrigo S. Victoria

NAVAL, Biliran – Elections and healthy lifestyle can’t mix but for a noble cause , it is made possible and is now working in progress.

The fun run dubbed “Run Voters Run” and anchored on the theme: “Dalagan Para Han Kahibaruan Para Imu Botos Dire Masayang” will be held on September 13, 2015, in the municipality of Culaba, said Joelibeth M. Ong, municipal election officer of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC)-Culaba.

Ong, the event organizer said, the fun run is aimed at establishing friendly polling centers for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens in the 17 barangays of the municipality.

“PWDs and senior citizens will use separate precincts to exercise their right of suffrage in line with the conduct of the May 9, 2016 national and local elections”, Ong said.

She added that based on the survey conducted by COMELEC, all of the polling centers of Culaba did not qualify the requirements set by the Association of Architects in the Philippines (AAP).

AAP is tasked to plot the design friendly polling center for PWDs and senior citizens, she further said.

Ong further added that a friendly polling center for PWDs and senior citizens must meet their special needs like ramps, toilet with handrails.

The lady Culaba election officer urged all interested individuals and groups to participate in the fun run since this will greatly help the voting populace in the area particulary the PWDs and senior citizens confort and convenience.

The Culaba fun run sets a registration fee of P250 for 3K; P350 for 5K and P450 for 10K and all categories are already free of singlet per participant, she said.

Ong added that the fun run also set the registration date from August 3 until September 3, 2015.

Aassembly time is as early as 3:30 o’clock in the morning and with the corresponding gun start as follows : 3K – 5:00 o’clock in the morning; 5K – 4:45 o’clock in the morning and 10K – 4:30 o’clock in the morning.

The Culaba fun run has the following start and finish route: 3K-from Culaba coverd court then turning point infront of Culaba National Vocational School then back to Culaba covered court; 5K-from Culaba covered court then turning point between spillway bridge and crossing at Barangay Binongtoan then back to Culaba covered court; and the 10k – from Culaba covered court then turning point at Sitio Bagtak in Barangay Bool West and then back to Culaba covered court, Ong said.

She expressed gratitude to the full support of the voters fun run since the initiative was made possible in coordination with Culaba Municipal Mayor Lorenzo A. Reveldez,Jr. and the municipal offices of the Philippine National Police, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Education and Liga ng mga Barangay. # (fj/PIA 8 Biliran)

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by: Rodrigo S. Victoria

NAVAL, Biliran – With 83 percent of the registered firearms in Biliran already expired based on the report of the Biliran Police Provincial Office (BPPO) from January to June 2015, an intensified campaign on firearms registration and renewal are set this month.

“There are 942 registered firearms in Biliran province, of the number, 782 are already expired”, Police Superintendent Mateo B. Macale, BPPO deputy provincial director for administration and operation reported during the PIA Kapihan at Pulong-Pulong ng Bayan over Radyo Natin-Naval recently.

Macale informed that BPPO has already the conduct of a two-day caravan for the license to own and possess (LTOP) firearms this month of August, however, the schedule is still subject for approval from the regional office of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Palo, Leyte.

As of reporting time, Macale said, there are already additional 160 firearms renewed, 366 gun owners advised to renew their firearms and 54 registration renewal which is still on process based on the BPPO record.

He also reported that based on record, there were 49 firearms sold, 10 denied ownership, 79 were lost, 93 gun owners no longer residing in the province, 66 surrendered and deposited, 66 gun owners already died and one exhibited in court.

“All the chiefs of police in the eight police stations in the province are also ordered to conduct “Oplan Katok” or the conduct of personal visit to firearm holders in Biliran province”, Macale further said to ensure the renewal or registration of their firearms for purposes of proper accounting.

He likewise urged firearms holders in the province to register and renew their firearms to avoid facing penal sanctions as provided by law.

“Though the processing is a little bit tedious because of the several requirements needed for the renewal and registration of firearms, yet it is the most appropriate way to do as a law-abiding citizen” Macale emphasized.

He also said that BPPO, lately, has conducted a gun safety and responsible gun ownership program seminar to some 40 firearm owners in Biliran province and this will be a continuing program of the BPPO. # (fj/PIA 8 Biliran)

The post Biliran police intensifies campain on registration, renewal of expired firearms appeared first on Biliran Blogs.

BiliranIsland.com Staff
BiliranIsland.com
First Posted 13:38:00 08/13/2015

Naval, Biliran – Retired policeman Agustin Manlangit, chief security officer of former Biliran Congressman Glenn Chong, suffered a massive heart attack last night and was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician at the Biliran Provincial Hospital- May God bless his soul.

He was charged with murder in 2005 for allegedly taking the life of Charles Sinangote. He was declared not guilty by the Regional Trial Court last September 25, 2014. (READ: Former Biliran congressman chief security acquitted, Chief security of Former Congressman Glenn Chong arrested)

The post Chong security officer dies appeared first on Biliran Blogs.

BiliranIsland.com Staff
BiliranIsland.com
First Posted 10:51:00 08/15/2015

Almeria, Biliran – For trying to disregard and evade the checkpoint set up by the Almeria police personnel, an incognito military man was arrested for violations of possession of illegal firearm and drugs.

A certain Leonides C. Mergildo, 39 years old,married and a resident of Barangay Canduhao, Maripipi, Biliran, was flagged down in a police checkpoint in Barangay Tabunan, Almeria at around 2:18 in the afternoon of August 14, 2015.

Based on the Almeria police report, when the policemen manning the checkpoint asked for his driver’s license, Mergildo introduced himself as a police officer and presented a CIDG ID but failed to present a genuine PNP ID.

The policemen spotted on his right pocket a handle of a gun while his upper garment was lift up when he was presenting his IDs.

The policemen discovered that the gun in possession of Mergildo was a Colt 45 model 1911 caliber pistol with magazine loaded with seven live ammunitions.

Mergildo was arrested and accorded with the Miranda rights, constitutional rights to be read by the apprehending police authority at the time of arrest of a suspected criminal.

Confiscated from Mergildo after the conduct of search were the following items: one unit painted black 9mm Ingram caliber pistol with magazine loaded with 13 live ammunitions, two pieces badge (PND bearing number 86280 and CIS bearing number 03651), three pieces of various PNP cards, two pieces ATM cards and one Palawan Suki card.

Other items seized from him were: one piece LTO professional driver’s license ,two units cellphone,,one piece army knife,one piece ligther,six pieces small sachet and two pieces big sachet of heat sealed plastic contained with crystaline substance suspected to be shabu, twenty pieces small empty plastic sachet and money amounted  P560.00 and one unit XRM motorcycle bearing plate no.TQ 5523 with CR and OR and key,and one piece firearm license card with control no.I-C092521 owned by Anthony H. Cabusor. He was brought by the team to this police station for documentation and proper disposition.

The members of the Almera police station led by PSI Nonito G. Zuasula who were responsible of the arrest of Mergildo were SPO1 Melrico P. Ebina, PO3 Orlando M. Saboy, PO2 Jacinto M. Gervacio, PO2 Marvyn P. Demate, PO1 Atilano M. Abrigo and PO1 John Clyde R. Cabilin.

The post Cop in civvies nabbed for possession of firearm, illegal drugs appeared first on Biliran Blogs.

BiliranIsland.com Staff
BiliranIsland.com
First Posted 09:15: 00 08/16/2015

Kawayan, Biliran – A stabbing incident that happened in a fiesta in an upland barangay of Kawayan town caused the death of a 48 year-old male as per initial report.

The casualty was identified as Romy Casipit, a resident of Barangay Kansanok, another upland barangay just few kilometers away from Barangay Tubig Ginoo, the place where the stabbing incident happened.

Based on the statement of the victim’s wife, her husband was stab around 12 midnight during the fiesta celebration of Barangay Tubig Ginoo on August 15, 2015. 
 
Kawayan Mayor Rudy Espina immediately dispatched the municipal doctor and chief of police to investigate the stabbing incident which caused the death of Casipit. Mayor Espina also told the investigating team to talk to Tubig Ginoo barangay captain Nina Aberte and her barangay tanods relative to the stabbing incident.

 Mayor Espina extended financial assistance to the bereaved family.

– BiliranIsland.com

The post One died due to stabbing in Kawayan village fiesta appeared first on Biliran Blogs.

BiliranIsland.com Staff
BiliranIsland.com
First Posted 19:37:00 08/17/2015

Globe Telecom Center soon to open in Naval, on Vicentillo St. Tentative date is Sept. 25, 2015.

Interested in owning a Globe Plan? Say goodbye to long travel. Globe Telecom Center soon to open in Naval, bringing us closer to the world.

Globe telecom is a major provider of telecommunication services in the Philippines. The only telecom that offers landline services in Naval and selected 4g areas in Biliran.

Please come and visit their branch this coming September 25, 2015 at Vicentillo Street. They have a wide range of services that tailor to your needs. With Globe, it connects you to the world.

The post Globe Telecom Center soon to open in Naval appeared first on Biliran Blogs.

BiliranIsland.com

The Search is on for Ms. Bagasumbol 2015.

10-L- Events and Naval Fiesta Execom invite all Ladies.

• 16 – 26 Years Old
• At least 5’2 Height
• A resident of Biliran Province of having a family in Biliran
• Competent in English Language
• With good moral character and positive

Bring your:

• Birth certificate
• 2 Medium picture
• 2 Whole body picture

Screening is on August 23, Sunday, 1PM at the Session Hall of Naval Municipal Hall.

Pageant night is on September 29, 2015.

Be a candidate!

For Details call or Text: 0915-961-0341

The post The Search is on for Ms. Bagasumbul 2015 appeared first on Biliran Blogs.

BiliranIsland.com Staff
BiliranIsland.com
First Posted 07:13:00 08/20/2015

Naval will celebrate its 155th town fiesta in honor of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary on Oct. 2-3, 2015.

Sept. 26, 2015 Saturday

Pueblo Day

Sept. 27, 2015 Sunday

8 AM – 6 PM Mountainbike Race (Crosscountry, Enduro, Criterium)
12 PM – 4 PM Senior Citizens Day (Municipal Grounds/Naval Gym)
4 PM – 6 PM Novena/Mass
6 PM – 12 AM Music & Laughter
Kaye Brosas Concert
Rico Lucena Group

Sept 28, 2015 Monday

8 AM – 12 PM Sikad-sikad Race (NSU Grounds)
6 PM – 10 PM Pasundayag
4 PM – 6 PM Novena/Mass
6 PM – 12 AM Boxing Matches

Sept 29, 2015 Tuesday

6 PM – 12 PM Pasundayag
4 PM – 6 PM Novena/Mass
6 PM – 1 AM Miss Bagasumbol 2015 – Rico Lucena

Sept 30, 2015 Wednesday

8 AM – 12 PM Community Games (Municipal Grounds)
6 PM – 10 PM Pasundayag
4 PM – 6 PM Novena/Mass
6 PM – 1 AM NSU Alumni Homecoming (NSU Gym)

Oct. 1, 2015 Thursday

12 PM – 4 PM 2nd Naval Marching Band Competition (Banda Hudyaka) – NSU Grounds
4 PM – 6 PM Novena/Mass
6 PM – 10 PM Pasundayag
6 PM – 1 AM Balikbayan Night – NCES Centennial Homecoming

Oct. 2, 2015 Friday (Vesper)

8 AM – 12 PM Playground Demonstration – NSU Grounds
12 PM – 4 PM Fluvial Procession
4 PM – 6 PM Vesper’s Mass
6 PM – 12 AM Queen of Naval Coronation (Naval Gym)
6 PM – 12 AM Barangay Night

Oct. 3, 2015 Saturday (Fiesta)

5 AM – 8 AM Diana/Aurora/Fiesta Mass
10 AM – 12 PM Pontifical Mass
12 PM – 4:30 PM Bagasumbol Festival – Halad sa Birhen
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM Fiesta Mass/Foot Procession
7PM – 4 AM TSINELAS PARTY

The post Schedule of Activities for Naval Fiesta 2015 appeared first on Biliran Blogs.

BiliranIsland.com Staff
BiliranIsland.com
First Posted 08:38:00 08/20/2015

Woman arrested in buy-bust.

A certain Karen Caparro Amador, 26 years old, single and a resident of Barangay Agpangi, Naval, Biliran was arrested by the elements of PNP-Naval led by PCI Renencio L. Raquipo, in a buy-bust operation at around 4:40 in the afternoon on August 19, 2015.

Recovered items in the possession of Amador are18 sachets containing white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu. Amador is now in the custody of Naval police for proper disposition.

The post 26 years old woman arrested in buy bust appeared first on Biliran Blogs.

BiliranIsland.com Staff
Photos by Matt Meca
BiliranIsland.com
First Posted 01:42:00 08/22/2015

The Candidates for Mr. and Ms. Naval State University 2015

Talent Night on Aug. 28 and Mr. and Ms. NSU Pageant Night on August 29, 2015 at NSU Gym.

Photos by Matt Meca

The post Mr. & Ms. NSU 2015 appeared first on Biliran Blogs.

by: Rodrigo S. Victoria

NAVAL, Biliran (PIA) – Think and picture out what the province of Biliran will be in the next five years? Ouch! Nobody gets the idea that far, except the brilliant concept of the head of the newly reinvigorated Biliran Investment and Economic Promotions Office (BIEPO).

“I’m happy that I am now in the right office where my educational background, trainings, work experiences and networks are most useful” said Diana Bernardes-Chawdhury, the newly designated head of the BIEPO, in her radio appearance at the PIA Kapihan at Pulong-Pulong ng Bayan at Radyo Natin-Naval.

Diana or Diane, as she is fondly called by her close friends and circle of associates in Biliran province, presented a concept in a matrix of what the province of Biliran will be come year 2016 up to 2020.

She conceptualizes a five-year development framework plan called Biliran 2020 anchored on Biliran Paraiso Movement which incorporated major development components ranging from infrastructure, tourism, environment, trade and commerce, support services and the whole development perspective including that of human capital development.

Based on the matrix of Biliran 2020, the year 2016 will be the launching year of the plan with its groundworks already being worked out by her office manned by just three personnel.

In 2017, it is envisioned that zero waste management and the province’ investment code are already implemented; 2018, architect’s perspective of the Biliran Paraiso ready, reforestry program thriving and coconut integrated processing industry also thriving; 2019, infrastructure of the Biliran Paraiso evident, support service and industries set up, physical beautification evident and wholistic tourism systm set up; and in 2020, Biliran is envisioned to become a first class province where unemployment rate and poverty levels are low while its gross domestic product increase and the province as an important tourism destination.

She emphasized that the vision of Biliran 2020 is quite a big thing but with the people’s cooperation as well as the different sectors collaboration, the vision is within everybody’s reach coupled with the full support of the provincial leadership.

Chawdhury, who has been the guest in one regular and one special episodes of the PIA Kapihan forum this month of August just to fully promote the concept of Biliran 2020, expressed full optimism that Biliran 2020 will be realized.

“Let us erase negativity and passitivity and avoid that crab mentality which pull us down everytime somebody espouses a good idea for Biliran province’s development” she said.

The new head of BIEPO further called on all the stakeholders in the province to rally and support the idea of Biliran 2020 since after all, every Biliranon will reap the benefits after it will be realized. (fj/PIA 8 Biliran)

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by: Rodrigo S. Victoria

NAVAL, Biliran (PIA) –The media group partner of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) here in Region 8 in the fight against hunger and in promotion of good nutrition in the region is set to hold a media caravan in the province of Biliran on September 14-16, 2015.

Antonio C. Pueblos, president of the Harmonized Initiatives of Media for the Spread of Good Nutirion in Region 8 (HIMSog 8) said in his invitation letter to concerned local government units in Biliran province that the caravan is among HIMSoG’s nutrition advocacy activities.

“The activity is a measure to see how a certain locality is doing nutritionally, why is it lagging far behind in health and nutrition”, said Pueblos, who is also the station manager of the Radyo ng Bayan stations in the cities of Calbayog and Tacloban.

The media caravan is also aimed at documenting the good practices of the local government units in terms of nutrition plan implementation if it is doing well and for other LGUs to emulate, the HIMSoG 8 prexy added.

Pueblos further said that the media caravan will seek out the rationale for the nutrition situation of the target locality and to learn how its leaders are managing the situation.

The HIMSoG 8 officials and members together with Catalino P. Dotollo,Jr., regional director of NNC 8 will have an advocacy dialogue with the members of the provincial nutrition committee of Biliran province with Biliran Governor GerardoJ. Espina,Jr. as the Biliran PNC chairman on September 14 at the Biliran provincial capitol.

Later in the afternoon of September 14, the HIMSoG 8 officials and members with NNC 8 regional director Dotollo will have a dialogue with Naval Mayor Susan V. Parilla and Almeria Mayor Dominador O.Agajan.

On September 15, the HIMSoG 8 officials and members with NNC 8 regional director Dotollo will have a dialogue with Kawayan Mayor Rodolfo J. Espina,Sr. In the morning and Maripipi Mayor Uldarico P. Macorol in the afternoon.

The media caravan will be capped with the holding of the 5th anniversary celebration of HIMSoG 8 that will be held in the famous Sambawan Beach Resort in Maripipi, Biliran. # (fj/PIA 8 Biliran)

The post HIMSoG-8 to hold media caravan in Biliran appeared first on Biliran Blogs.

by: Rodrigo S. Victoria

NAVAL, Biliran (PIA) – For passing the high standards set by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for local government units (LGUs) to receive the much coveted award, the province of Biliran bagged recently the 2014 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) with other six LGUs in Eastern Visayas.

In a DILG-8 report, the provinces of Biliran and Northern Samar and the municipalities of Barugo, Carigara and Jaro in Leyte province; Limasawa in Southern Leyte province and Gandara in Samar province bagged the 2014 Seal of Good Governance.

The 2014 SGLG award was announced by Board Member Brigido Caneja III as per message relayed to him by Biliran Governor Gerardo J. Espina,Jr. during the quarterly meeting of the members of the Bliran provincial disaster risk reduction and management council held recently at the Biliran operation center of the PDRRMO.

The province of Biliran bagged the award for passing the the SGLG core indicators namely: disaster preparedness, social protection and good financial housekeeping; and at least one of the essential indicators such as business friendliness and competitiveness, peace and order and environment.

DILG cross-posted its field officers during the evaluations based on the criteria, which was a product of a series of workshops and consulatations with trained DILG personnel to ensure objectivity, the DILG report stated.

It was learned from the report that DILG will hold appropriate awarding rites in September 2015 in each winning LGUs where a SGLG marker will be formally conferrred and installed in a conspicous area of the LGU.

The province of Biliran together with Northern Samar will have the opportunity to avail of the DILG Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) in the amount of seven million pesos (P7M) while three millin pesos (P3M) will be availed by the winning municipalities as PCF incentive fund to be used for development projects.

The SGLG was launched by DILG Secretary Mar Roxas in 2014 to build on the successful run of the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) that was introduced by his predecessor, the late Secretary Jesse M. Robredo. SGLG challenges LGUs to continue good governance practices and improve basic services in addition to measuring their compliance to the Full Disclosure Policy and observance of COA guidelines. # (fj/PIA 8 Biliran)

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BiliranIsland.com Staff
BiliranIsland.com
First Posted 07:33:00 08/26/2015

Naval, Biliran – A hardware store located at Vicentillo Street in Naval, Biliran was robbed by an unidentified robber on Monday, August 24.

The PNP-Naval personnel led by PCI Renencio L. Raquipo immediately responded to the call of Mayor Parilla and conducted an initial investigation of the robbery incident.

Initial police investigation, the FCRM Sales Center was robbed at around 10:30 am on August 24, 2015 by a still unidentified robber.

Based on the account of the witnesses, the robber who was estimated at 5‘ 6” in height, wearing a white hat and white shorts, robbed at gunpoint the saleslady of the store and carted P11, 200.

An on-going investigation was conducted by PNP-Naval for the identification and capture of the robber.

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Riza T. Olchondra
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Part of expansion of firm’s renewable energy portfolio

EMERGING Power Inc. (EPI), which is majority owned by listed miner Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC), is set to get control of the Biliran geothermal project in Eastern Visayas region.

An agreement between EPI and Orka Energy Holding Ehf of Iceland stated that EPI would eventually get 60 percent ownership of the project vehicle Biliran Geothermal Inc. (BGI).

The acquisition, for which the parties signed an agreement on Aug. 24, 2015, is subject to regulatory approvals. The companies had not responded to requests for further details, such as the value and terms of the acquisition, as of press time.

BGI has a 25-year geothermal renewable energy contract covering an area of 260 square kilometers in the island-province of Biliran, which used to be a sub-province of Leyte.

The firm has successfully completed drilling eight wells in the southern portion of the concession area, which is estimated to supply 100-megawatts (MW) of power to the grid. Initial research showed that another 170 MW could be developed in the northern part of the concession area.

“We are quickly expanding our renewable energy portfolio. Orka’s expertise will help us in our mission to supply clean energy and provide plenty of job opportunities for the people of Biliran,” said EPI chair Antonio Martin Zamora said in a statement.

Orka Energy is owned by the Singapore-based Chandler Corp., a private investment group that invests globally across a range of industries, including energy, financial services, consumer and healthcare.

The core team of Orka Energy has developed 1,500 MW of geothermal power into operation in the last 30 years.

“Orka Energy and EPI share the same vision: harnessing geothermal energy to meet Asia’s demand for cleaner, sustainable energy. We look forward to working with EPI on the Biliran Project to create long-term value for all stakeholders, and to responsibly and sustainably power homes, communities, and businesses across the Philippines,” said Orka CEO Eirikur Bragason.

NAC is one of the country’s biggest mining firms.

In a recent disclosure, NAC said it would guarantee the loan facility of EPI for up to P3 billion over a three-year period to finance EPI’s renewable energy projects.

EPI is also putting up a 40-MW geothermal power company in Oriental Mindoro, a 100-MW solar and wind project in Subic, a 30-MW hybrid (solar and bunker fuel-fired) project in Palawan, a 10-MW solar project in Camarines Sur and a 2.5-MW biogas project in Quezon Province.

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