Governor Corazon Malanyaon of Davao Oriental has done a heroic job of attending to the emergency needs of the people of Baganga, Cateel and Boston where 328 died, 1,829 wounded and 22 missing in the three towns.
Sleeping only 3 hours a day since typhoon Pablo landed in her southernmost province, Gov. Malanyaon has delivered food, water and relief to all the barangays and sitios of the 3 towns.
She was also able to get volunteer doctors from neighboring provinces and Davao City to come and attend to the needs of the injured. She braved to cross the rivers with the bridges destroyed to reach the isolated towns.
She reported in an interview over DZRJ-AM last Sunday that they have done 4 rounds of giving food and water but the province is prepared to extend food aid for 6 months.
She said that the present need is for shelter as 95% of the houses have been destroyed. She is asking for tarpaulins or “trapal” so that the destroyed roofs of the houses can be covered while bunk houses are being built.
Gov. Malanyaon decries the false report of illegal logging and the presence of cut logs or troso in the 3 towns.
She reported however that DENR had issued permits that allowed logging in her province. Sec. Ramon Paje should clarify this.
She said that her team is working round the clock, that it is unfair to blame her or the local mayors for the casualties and damages. She emphasized that with typhoon signal no. 5, no preparation could have prevented the casualties.
Gov. Malanyaon has been the recipient of all the awards given out by DILG, Civil Service Commission and other national government agencies.
She should be given a presidential award for her heroic performance in this emergency.
Meanwhile, NDRRMC reported that the “Pablo” death toll has reached 1,043.
UNLIQUIDATED . . The Commission on Audit (COA) in its report for the first full year (2011) of the Aquino administration said that DSWD had leakages totaling P3 billion in unliquidated fund transfers in the implementation of the social programs, on top of an earlier report that the CCT funds totaling P3 billion were not accounted for.
There should be a full dress investigation by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee especially because another P45 billion has been appropriated for 2013 for the DSWD budget.
According to COA there are recurring reports of unqualified beneficiaries in the DSWD lists despite Dinky Soliman’s denials.
POLITICAL UPDATE . . Samson Gullas, grandson of Rep. Eddie Gullas is running unopposed for Congressman of the 1st district of Cebu. Rep. Eddie Gullas is running for Mayor of Talisay City, Cebu.
Vice Mayor Gus Tambunting is running for Congressman of Paranaque 2nd district against Joey Marquez.
In Cebu’s South district, the contest is between Aristotle Batuhan and Bebot Abellanosa.
Mayor Malou Loot of Daanbantayan is favored to win her reelection bid.
Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama has the edge over Rep. Tommy Osmeña in their fight for the mayorship of Cebu City.
HEADLINE . . “Enrile faces new threat.” Quoting Sen. Miriam D. Santiago, she said Enrile’s opposition to the Sin Tax bill and the RH bill is reason enough for Malacañang to give the go signal for Enrile’s ouster.
Enrile has done his job well. He presided efficiently over the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.
Senators Frank Drilon, Francis Pangilinan and Ralph Recto have denied the existence of a coup plot against Enrile. Malacañang has also denied sanctioning such a move.
I doubt if the move against Enrile led by Miriam and Trillanes will succeed.
A change of Senate leadership means a reorganization of committee chairmanships. The majority of senators are happy with their present chairmanships.
As shown by the Sin Tax ratification, Enrile has a core group of at least 12 senators supporting him.
But of course, Enrile can be ousted if President Noynoy gives the go signal. But to date, Usec. Abigail Valte maintains that Enrile’s relationship with President Aquino is “okay.”
Enrile said he will gladly step down “if they have the numbers.”
FINALLY . . Veteran actor Eddie Garcia who is 83 years old was declared Asia’s best actor at the Macau Film Festival for his role in “Bwakaw.”
Garcia received a standing ovation from the foreign audience at the Asia Pacific Film Festival.
Eddie Garcia is recognized for his talent, hard work and professionalism. He started his career at Sampaguita Pictures in the ’60s. Garcia has also been elevated to the Famas Hall of Fame.
Congratulations Eddie, excellent job.
DEADLY . . Mayor Ruperto Martinez of Infanta, Pangasinan was shot dead at his house by motorcycle riding gunmen in Infanta, Pangasinan.
Councilor Diosdado Gipona of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon was also ambushed and killed.
Two security guards were killed in a brawl in a Quezon City bar. Vicente Anthony Andreza, 34, was shot dead at Barangay Sikatuna, Quezon City.
Harold Duyag, 27, was shot at a Valenzuela City bar, he survived.
3 persons were shot dead in Quezon province.
TIDBITS . . According to Nielsen ratings, a senatorial candidate has already spent P311 million for TV ads from January to November 2012.
Sagip Kapamilya of ABS-CBN has served 50.000 beneficiaries in 10 days time of relief operations in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental.
Congratulations to Nonito Donaire on his knockout victory over Mexican Jorgo Arce in Houston, Texas.
Merry Christmas to Sen. Manny Villar, Amb. Tony Cabangon Chua, Paranaque Vice-Mayor Gus Tambunting, Jesus and Terry Tambunting, Joy Tambunting, Cong. Ted Haresco, Consolacion, Cebu Mayor Nene Pepito Alegado, Councilor Nilo Ferraren, Councilor Julius Alegado, Victoria Pepito, Harold Go of Cebu and San Remigio Mayor Jay Olivar.
Happy birthday to Neng Juliano of Cotabato City.