03 Dec 2008
K of C to spearhead public forum on HUC
by JOEY A. GABIETA

TACLOBAN CITY - Voters of this city would now have a chance to learn more about the hottest issue in the city - Tacloban's bid to become a highly urbanized city.
A public forum is to be held on December 10 wherein prominent proponents on the HUChood of the city as well as those who are opposing for its reclassification would be invited.

The forum is to be held at the Tacloban Convention Center around 2 in the afternoon.
The Commission on Elections-sanctioned activity is to be spearheaded by the Knights of Columbus with the support of various media outlets based in the city.
Accordingly, those who are pushing for the reclassification as well as those who are opposing for it would be given ample time to explain on their respective stand.

Issues relevant to the HUChood like its political, economic and legal implications would be discussed during the public forum by the concerned parties.
Likewise, audience who would ask questions, in a written form, are to be refrained from asking questions that would tend to embarrass the invited guest.

Among those to be invited to the public forum are Mayor Alfred Romualdez who is endorsing the HUChood and Vice Mayor Arvin Antoni who is among the leading personalities opposing the reclassification.
The public forum is designed to help the residents of this city, especially its more than 107,000 registered voters, decide whether they would vote for "yes" or a "no" on the plebiscite called for this purpose.

The public forum is open to all sectors who want to know more about the issue that has serious implications not only to the city itself but to the entire Eastern Visayas region, the proponents of the said activity said.
The Comelec has scheduled the plebiscite on December 18 with a single question whether the qualified voters of the city would approve the reclassification of Tacloban from being a component city into a highly urbanized city.
The Comelec had earlier encouraged various sectors to initiate "informative" public campaign on the issue to help enlighten the city's residents and its voters about the issue.


Source:
http://leytesamardaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5512&Itemid=233

05 Dec 2008
Gov. Petilla admits he convinced Vice Gov. Bagulaya to reject HUChood
by JOEY A. GABIETA

KANANGA, Leyte - Governor Jericho "Icot" Petilla admitted that he "convinced" his vice governor, Mimiette Bagulaya, to reject the move to reclassify Tacloban into a highly urbanized city as he insisted that the real people's will on the issue should prevail.

But the governor was quick to point out that his convincing of Bagulaya to say "no" on the HUChood of Tacloban was because she would be deprived of her right to serve the people of the city, about 85 kilometers from here.

"I convinced her to say no on the HUChood of Tacloban for her own good. She will be campaigning for effectivity. Mimiette is still very much qualified and capable to serve the people of Tacloban," Governor Petilla, who led in the giving of cash incentives to rebel returnees in a ceremony on Wednesday held at this town gym, said.

Based on the legal opinion of the Commission on Elections, residents of the city would no longer be qualified to vote and be voted upon for any provincial positions once Tacloban become an HUC.
The vice governor, who is serving on her second term, is a resident and a registered voter of Tacloban whom she once served as vice mayor and a councilor.

The Comelec has set Dec. 18 for the plebiscite on the planned reclassification.

Governor Petilla said to deny the vice governor to serve Tacloban would not only be unfair to her but to the city's residents.

The vice governor is leading the campaign to say "no" on the conversion of Tacloban into a highly urbanized city, citing among other grounds, for political reasons.

Mayor Alfred Romualdez, who is pushing for the conversion of Tacloban into an HUC, branded those who oppose it as anti-development.

But the governor defended those who opposes the conversion of the city saying that the proponents should allow them to express their own opinion on the premises that we are still under a democratic country.

While he took side those who opposes the conversion, Petilla was quick to dismiss "speculation" that he is behind them as the governor insisted that he would respect the will of the people on this issue.

"I am not supporting them or anyone for that matter. My take on this issue is let the people on this HUChood of Tacloban. It's not my business to meddle on this matter," Petilla said.

The City Hall has been accusing the governor and his mother, former Representative Remedios "Matin" Petilla of undermining its effort to convert Tacloban into an HUC.

Just like her son, the former lady solon has strongly denied to any move to oppose the HUChood.

The Leyte governor also issued an appeal to Mayor Romualdez to allow freedom of express to flow during this exercise.

"Let us not terrorize our people. If the people of Tacloban say yes, let them be. But if they say no, then respect them. We should not muzzle them," he stressed.


Source:
http://leytesamardaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5539&Itemid=233

The "rollback" should have been implemented. It has been reported many times on the national tv the continues rollback of oil companies
but the upsetting & frustrating part is why our regional "LTFRB" has to go with formal complaints from consumers by getting the plate number of the "jeepney" and operators and have one on one meeting. It is a long process and it will create a great impact in lowering the fare with other jeepney drivers.

You know how hard headed our drivers can be. Taking advantage of our people and our regional director will not do anything about it either.

Why don't he just resign in his position if he can't do anything abt it. It is even reported on TV when abs-cbn tacloban asked the local consumers if there was an decrease in the fare but drivers still insist of asking the same fare and people are still paying the same fare that they used to..


AND WHAT IT WORST MOST TACLOBANONS ARE SO LINIENT ABT IT.

so I say RESIGN from your position! if you can't do anything about lowering the prices of the fare in Tacloban if not an email will be sent directly to manila news, national newspapers etc.

Hahahaha, ka iro man ni Memyet kun ma HUC na an Tacloban, ma iwas hiya ha Tacloban para maka butos la hiya ngan maka Kandidato pa ka Vice Gorvernor, Ngan hi Icot dilikado na ka butangan ha 2010 election, Kay may Kumandidato na ngani nag ROMAULDEZ ka Governor katapus an kuhaon nga Vice-governor taga 5ht district han Leyte, tapus na an maligayang araw han mga PETILLA.. Pati WILSON UY an Tacloban City Councilor, Mawawara na an iya ka COUNCILORS LEAGUE President ha Leyte, Sanglit NO ako ha HUC. Ngan an Board member nga taga Tacloban City, ma pahuway la anay kita iday !!!!!!!!!!

^^ namumulitika ka man. tsk tsk. how sad. I pity you man

10 Dec 2008
PPA proposes P100-M port rehabilitation next year
by SARWELL Q. MENIANO

TACLOBAN CITY - The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) proposed a P100 million budget to rehabilitate the 2,500 square meter deck piles next year in anticipation of the increasing volume of shipped products to the region over the next years.

Tacloban Port Manager Winfred Elizalde said that the area that lies within the 3.5 hectare old wharf has been deteriorating since it was built way back in 1936.

“Since it was constructed, there were no rehabilitation efforts done. It is still being used but we’ve have been imposing load limits from five tons to 15 tons,” Elizalde told Leyte Samar Daily Express.

The proposal was earlier turned in to the central office of PPA with the hope to place the proposed project in the priority list in 2009.

The city’s wharf has 7,756 square meter working areas that serve as loading area for 10 to 40 footer container cargoes.

Last year, Tacloban port recorded a total of 439,566 metric tons (MT) of gross registered tonnage with 422,297 MT as domestic and 17,269 MT as foreign.

“There’s a need to rehabilitate the old deck piles as we expect an increase of cargo vessel arrivals in the next years as construction booms in the city,” Elizalde added.

Despite the absence of passenger ships, the port sustained income growth at present. From January to October 2008, Tacloban port posted P16.8 million revenue, which is 17% up than last year’s P14.36 million income.

However, the number of ships that docked in the city’s port decreased this year compared to 2007. As of last month, number of ship arrivals was pegged at 493.

With less than one month before the end of 2008, port officials voiced optimism that this year’s figure won’t beat the 635 arrivals in 2007. About 90% of ships brought cargoes.

“There are fewer ships that arrived this year but those are large barges that brought materials in support to the city’s boom in construction,” Elizalde said.

Among those supplies were for construction of Gaisano Central Mall and Robinsons Place Tacloban. Gaisano held its soft opening last November 28. The Gokongwei-led Robinsons mall will operate within the first quarter of 2009.

Meanwhile, PPA will open its P80-million three-storey building on February 2009 that sits within the 1,575 square meter lot of the city’s port area in anticipation of the city’s economic boom.

Elizalde said that the construction of big port operation building is in preparation for the bid of the city’s wharf to meet international standard. The Tacloban seaport, however, was not included in the list of 10 priority ports in the country that will be converted as world class by 2010.

“The port here might not meet the international standard by that time, but we’re looking forward more progress over the next years,” he added.

The construction started February 2007 by the J.V. Loreto Construction and Development Corporation. It has a floor a area of 712 square meter. As of today, the project is 87% complete.

The old port operation office will be remodeled into a terminal building once passenger ships will restore their operation in Tacloban.

After the sea mishap of M/V Princess of the Stars last June 2008, the Sulpicio Lines-owned M/V Cebu Princess stopped their operation. The vessel was the only passenger ship that transport people from Tacloban to Cebu and Metro Manila.

Starting 1998, Tacloban seaport noted a decline in volume of passengers. This was due to lack of passenger vessels for this route. Two old vessels, which had been on dry dock most of the time in the past, were finally declared as no longer sea worthy.

“One vessel remained in operation, providing one trip per week. Due to the irregularity of such trips, passenger flow has been diminishing, thus affecting viability of operating such vessel,” a National Economic and Development Authority report said.


Source:
http://leytesamardaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5586&Itemid=233

10 Dec 2008
Convenors cancels Dec. 10 HUC forum
by TOMAS CICERO C. MAYE

Tacloban City, Philippines - The Convenors group officially announces that the scheduled HUC forum on December 10, 2008 has been cancelled as scheduled.

The City Mayor during our meeting was not amenable to the convenor’s proposal for reasons of his own, but rather give counter proposal to the effect that either proponent or opponent would present their respective stand in the HUC issues on separate date/time.

However, still a follow-up was made by the convenors group regarding each proposal bearing in mind that the same might be reconsidered by the City Mayor, such follow-up was made through the city legal office, who however reiterated to the convenors the earlier statement made by the city mayor that he is not amenable to such plan of the convenors group. Such proposal was conveyed to the vice-mayor (OPPONENT/NO TO HUC) personally by the convenors through its chairman Bro. Massey Grafil, Regional Deputy of the Knights of Columbus. However, such counter proposal of the proponent did not get the favorable response from the vice-mayor (NO TO HUC). All facts considered, the convenor’s group agreed that the scheduled HUC forum be cancelled.

However, the convenors is considering a meeting to discuss whatever possible avenue in order to attain the desired objective of the convenor’s to present both sides of the issues, on the HUC to the Taclobanons thereby giving them the opportunity to have an objective and impartial information of the same to help them come up with a sound judgment come December 18, 2008, the plebiscite day.


Source:
http://leytesamardaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5574&Itemid=233

11 Dec 2008
High-impact project set for implementation in Tacloban starting next year, says Alfred
by Jose Rodriguez T. Señase

TACLOBAN CITY — The City Government of Tacloban is going to build high-impact projects beginning next year.

This was disclosed by Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez.

“Our detractors have been saying that the city has no blueprint or plans for the coming year. It is not true. In fact, the city has lined up big projects whose implementation are slated to be started early 2009,” Mayor Romualdez said.

The mayor revealed that high-impact projects planned for next year include construction of a fish port, 50-bed hospital in Abucay, modern slaughterhouse, and 4-kilometer coastal road project.

Also, according to Mayor Romualdez, the city government will undertake next year the rehabilitation of the Daniel Z. Romualdez (DZR) airport and site development of the long-dormant economic growth center.

“I would prioritize these projects because I know they will have the biggest impact and help to the people of this city, especially the poor ones,” the mayor stressed.

Meantime, the bid of the city to become a highly-urbanized city has won the backing of a top official of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in the region.

In an interview at his office Tuesday, PPA Regional Manager Winfred Elizalde said that HUC-hood is what the city needed at this time to attract more capital.

“If businessmen will know that Tacloban is an HUC, they will flock to the city and pour their investments here,” Elizalde said.

The PPA manager added that for him, the city is more than ready to be “promoted” a notch higher as far as classification is concerned.

“I think the city is ready to become an HUC because of the infrastructures that I see around. I have been all over the Philippines. During my stints in those places, I can see that Tacloban is not far away from the development that they have gained,” he stressed.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had issued a proclamation No. 1637 on October 4 declaring Tacloban as an HUC. The proclamation officially takes effect only upon ratification in a plebiscite scheduled to be held on December 18.


Source:
http://leytesamardaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5594&Itemid=233

11 Dec 2008
Barangay 37 chairman switches to "Yes" in Tacloban HUC issue
by Fred Padernos

TACLOBAN CITY - Giving weight to the welfare of his constituents and after a thorough study, Barangays Chairman Francisco Yerro of Barangay 37, reclamation area, decided to go for YES and openly campaign for the December 18 plebiscite.

Speaking before hundreds of people in his Barangay, Yerro without any hesitations, revealed that before his stand on the Highly Urbanization of Tacloban was NO but after weighing things over he opted for YES to protect the interest of his Barangays.

According to Yerro, there are 138 barangays all over the City and the great majority of these is in favor of Highly Urbanized City (HUC).

" If I'm going to make NO win in my barangay I will be at a lose at the City Hall- in the same manner, I can not go to the Governor anymore to ask for projects or assistance because it has no more jurisdiction to Tacloban once it acquires full autonomy with a majority YES votes comes the plebiscite. So, because our barangay belongs to Tacloban- we would rather go for HUC," Yerro said, as he urged the people not listen to the twisted information being circulated by the opposite camp.

Further, Yerro divulged that prior to his coming out to the open to campaign for YES, Mrs. Remedios " Matin" Petilla, mother of Gov. Jericho Icot Petilla and former congresswoman, had been calling him thru his mobile phone, convincing him to remain on her side and campaign for No. But according to the chairman, he frankly told the former congresswoman that he will remain firm on his new stand favoring the HUChood of the city.

According to Yerro, he had been a good ally of the Petillas in the past years during his six years of incumbency as barangay executive, but he can not let go of progress being introduced by the present administration thru Mayor Alfred Romualdez- and as a Taclobanon, he said, he and his constituents should take part in making this City a more progressive place being the center capital of the Eastern Visayas Region.

To recall, Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo handed down proclamation no. 1637 on October 04, 2008, proclaiming the City as a Highly Urbanized City (HUC) and said proclamation shall be ratified thru a plebiscite. Under the Local Government code of 1991, the plebiscite shall be conducted within 120 days upon proclamation of the President, hence the Dec. 18 plebiscite.


Source:
http://leytesamardaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5595&Itemid=233

I'm wondering when will be the start of renovation of DZR Airport

The President has already released its budget of 1 billion then is should start because it will start the the progression of Tacloban but the entire region 8

Visitors and investors will come to Tacloban but the challenge is how to make them STAY
why don't the region develop is natural resources like the beaches ( that is what the local and forenigners loved ) etc for local and international community let's make the entire region open to its door of development and progress.

it is a call center

its account is either us based or europe

so everyone now understands the importance of good english communication!

HUC was misinterpreted by some, misrepresented to others, which misguided the rest!

The Right to Freedom of Speech in our country has been exercised frequently but not responsibly.

Everyone should respect each others opinion.

I respect those people who oppose HUC but I strongly believe in the purpose of HUC so I vote for YES!

Some people tried to make "HUC" look really bad for the people.

-JUST AN OBSERVATION-
The NO to HUC movt is not really campaigning against HUC but against the person behind HUC!

the news last night

rollback of oil by

1 peso/ liter 4 diesel
3 perso/ liter 4 rest


but the "fare" still the same


TACLOBANONS WAKE UP!!!

13 Dec 2008
Members of port delivery group vow to vote for "Yes to HUC"
by Fred Padernos

TACLOBAN CITY - With barely seven days to go before the December 18 plebiscite on the HUChood of Tacloban, more and more groups are supporting the Yes votes and vowed to scribble the three letter word YES, on the ballot.

This week, Aurelio Gacutan, president of the Tacloban Delivery Association at Port Area, said his group of over 300 persons alone is committed to a Yes vote on the plebiscite day. Gacutan said he doesn't see any negative aspect on the promotion of the city into a higher rank because it entails progress for the city and the Taclobanon as a whole.

The association has built a very strong unity ever since and has participated in and supported political figures in the past elections with one strong voice. Now that they made pronouncement to support the HUC, they will not only campaign among the families and relatives of their members but also their friends, and even vowed work for a landslide Yes vote, Gacutan told this writer.

Gacutan, who is a former Barangay chairman at Brgy. 62 from 1982-1989, sees that once the city become a Highly Urbanized City (HUC), it would attract more investors to the city especially on shipping business which would eventually enliven more the port area activities. With that, Gacutan said, more workers in the port will be benefited to support their respective families.

On the other hand, Joey Dueñas, chief checker at the port area and a member of the Leyte Integrated Port Services Incorporated (LIPSI), said their huge group is also for the HUChood of Tacloban and that they were urged by their leaders to cast Yes vote during the plebiscite.

In a related story, personnel of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) had been conducting information drive to the barangays on the HUC matters for them to be aware of the matter ahead of the plebiscite day as mandated by the commission.

Susan Collamar, City Election Officer, pointed out that they are not campaigning for a YES or NO vote-but campaigning to the people to go out and vote whatever is in their heart for the HUChood plebiscite on December 18.


Source:
http://leytesamardaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5617&Itemid=233

Maybe its just in the newspapers that it was released. As far as i know, if theres no SARO (Spepcial Allotment Release Order) theres no budget or funds for it yet.. Maybe because twas late or of the year. It may fall on the next Annual Budget for 2009.

Nevertheless hope it push through, its for the good of the Region.