For most Filipinos, the Philippines is not a hopeless country

Aside from the fact that fewer Filipinos consider themselves as poor and food poor, majority of Filipinos see hope in the Philippines and would rather stay in the Philippines than to move to another country.

The latest Pulse Asia survey said that Filipinos have become hopeful of the Philippines this year and a majority of them would not migrate to another country despite the prevailing controversies in the country.

The number of Filipinos who disagree that the Philippines is a hopeless case have increased to 68 percent compared to the 2007 survey result of 54 percent. This sentiment is highly manifested in Mindanao with 75 percent to 79 percent; in urban Visayas with 77 percent; and among government and private sector employees with 75 percent.

What is more noteworthy is the fact that even the Filipino farmers and fishermen disagree that the Philippines is a hopeless country. When asked if the country is hopeless, 77 percent of them, answered no.

Furthermore, the latest survey showed that a majority of Filipinos would decline if given an opportunity to migrate to another country. About 54 percent would rather not leave if given a chance to migrate while only 20 percent said they will. Pulse Asia said that the desire to leave the country has significantly declined compared to the result of the October 2007 survey at 43 percent.

Pulse Asia noted that most people in Luzon and those in the rural areas of the country do not want to migrate.

The survey also noted that the people who are inclined to migrate to another country have college degrees.

This is a good manifestation that the value of patriotism or love of country has not been lost among Filipinos.(PIA 8)

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Fruits of PGMA's anti-hunger, anti-poverty thrusts starting to be felt by the people

The dramatic reduction of the number of Filipinos who consider themselves poor and food poor as reflected in the latest poll survey, is a manifestation that the government's anti poverty and hunger mitigation programs under the Administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo are already starting to be felt by the people.

There is a reason for the President to be happy because the drop in the self-poverty rating of Filipino families from 59 percent to 52 percent is the lowest since the Marcos regime.

But the President, ever a team player, does not claim the credit all by herself saying that "this is the result of a mixed careful planning, economic reforms and the hard work of many people that enabled us to reduce the self-poverty rating."

Everybody knows however, that because of the President's political will, the implementation of harsh but necessary fiscal reforms as well as the intensified poverty alleviation and hunger mitigation program produced positive results for Filipino families despite the current world financial crisis.

The government has implemented tough economic reforms to raise revenues in order to generate additional resources and invest in human and physical infrastructure that will attract more investments.

The effect was that with the investments in infrastructure, more jobs were created which meant that more people are able to buy food for their families.

The investment in infrastructure stimulated the economy and provided a social safety net at a time when it is most needed.

The country is fortunate because it has a cushion in place to help the poor. As the President said, "all of these actions were taken before there was a hint of global crisis and they are serving us so well now." (PIA 8)

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Tacloban is now a highly urbanized city

Tacloban is now a Highly Urbanized City. The people of Tacloban have spoken. They are for Tacloban's conversion from a component city to highly urbanized city.

Last night, City Elections Officer Susan Collamar proclaimed Tacloban as already a Highly Urbanized City following her announcement of the official result of the plebiscite held on December 18 in the City of Tacloban.

In an interview with Atty. Collamar, she said that the Yes to HUC garnered about 36,352 votes while the NO to HUC got over 21,419 votes. So as of last night, Tacloban City is already a highly urbanized city, she added.

Atty. Collamar said that she has already sent the Department of Interior and Local Government a copy of the results of the plebiscite, so the DILG has been informed already.

The voters turn-out, about 57 percent, is encouraging, Atty. Collamar said. No untoward incidents were recorded in the generally peaceful and orderly conduct of the plebiscite, she added.

There were complaints about their names not included in the voters list and the precincts were still closed, but these are common problems during the conduct of any elections, Atty Collamar said.

Meanwhile, DILG Region 8 Assistant Regional Director Atty. Aida Laruda said that the City DILG has already written the Regional Office informing about the result of the just-concluded plebiscite. The Regional Office in turn will communicate the matter to the DILG Central Office.

President Arroyo earlier, on October 4, 2008, proclaimed that Tacloban City has met all the qualifications of a Highly Urbanized City by virtue of Proclamation No. 1637 entitled Conversion of Tacloban City into a Highly Urbanized City.

The ultimate decision, however, was laid in the hands of the voters, whether they want Tacloban City to be converted into a highly urbanized city or not. Yesterday, they made their decision and it was for the affirmative. (PIA 8)

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Region 8 cites best RDC members' websites

The Search for the Best RDC Members' Websites 2008 is finally over. The winners in the three categories were announced and were cited during the Regional Development Council meeting on December 12 at Calbayog City.

RDC 8 Chairman and Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento congratulated and awarded the citations to Philhealth Region 8, the Best RDC Website for Regional Line Agencies; the Province of Southern Leyte as the Best Local Government Unit Member Website; and Eastern Samar Social Development Organization, Inc. as the only Private Sector Representative Member with a Website.

The Search for the Best RDC Website is aimed at sustaining the gains of the Regional Development Council's EV Online Project which was conceptualized to make way for sharing of information about the Region in the world-wide web.

Another objective of the Search is to upgrade the status of the websites to world class quality and to encourage the RDC members to aim for the best in their websites.

NEDA Director Buenaventura Go-soco Jr., RDC 8 Vice Chair, informed that with the implementation of the EV Online Project in 2007, 38 RDC members' websites have been developed and 46 websites are now being hosted by EVISNet.

Although the websites were developed by a single web designer, the idea and concept of the website design came from the suggestion of the RDC/SecCom members. EV Online made suggestions on what data to put in their respective websites but several agencies provided data which were not included in the list.

The best websites conform with the criteria for world class quality websites, Director Go-soco informed. The Best RDC Websites got the highest point from a given set of criteria which includes functionality, design, content, originality, professionalism and effectiveness.

The Committee on Selection or Awards was composed of representatives from the Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a representative from Student Councils and a Computer Science/ Information Technology Student.

It was noted that there are local government unit members and Regional Line Agency members that have good websites but which were not developed by EV Online. (PIA 8)

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Campaign Period for Tacloban HUC Plebiscite Set November 25 to December 16

Campaign period for the December 18 Plebiscite to ratify the conversion of Tacloban City from a component city to highly urbanized city pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1637, is November 25 to December 16, 2008.

December 5 is the last day of appointment of members of Plebiscite Committees and the City Plebiscite Board of Canvassers while the posting of the posted computerized voters list as of the October 29, 2007 Barangay and SK elections is December 15-18. The inspection of polling places is scheduled on December 16.

On December 17, the eve of Plebiscite day, the Comelec prohibits campaigning; giving, accepting free transportation, foods, drinks, and things of value; and the selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving or taking intoxicating liquor.

On Plebiscite Day, October 18, Comelec prohibits cockfighting and other forms of gambling, holding fairs, boxing, or any other similar sports.

Also prohibited is the giving or accepting free transportation, foods, drinks and other things of value.

The selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving or taking intoxicating liquor; and the opening of booths or stalls for the sale of merchandise, refreshments, etc. with the distance of 30 meters from polling place, are also prohibited.

The Comelec also prohibits on the Plebiscite Day, campaigning, soliciting votes or undertaking any propaganda for or against any candidate or any political party with the polling place or within thirty (30) meters from the polling place.

Very much prohibited is voting more than once or in substitution of another, the Comelec Resolution No. 8515 promulgated on November 12, 2008 provided. (PIA 8)

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Hello Tacloban!

Good day and welcome to My Tacloban!

This blog will be an avenue to tell the world about the city of Tacloban in the island of Leyte. This will also serve as a repository of all the news or happenings in the entire city. Reviews an commentaries from the author will also be an interesting stuff to read.

Though this blog is about mostly about Tacloban city, we cannot avoid to bring up some issues with regards to its neighboring towns and cities. Any relevant events from the other places will be brought up fairly.

Happy reading and support Tacloban City!

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