As a culmination to the 2012 Women’s Month Celebration, the Local Council of Women (LCW) of Catbalogan City organized the “Dinner for a Cause” last March 30, 2012 at New Life Christian Center. Women and men from different walks of life that have the innate willingness to share some of their resources for women gathered on that night for a special dinner whose ticket cost will be donated for the “Pakabuhi para han Kababayen-an” Program.

 

Said program with the assistance of the City Social Welfare and Development Office has identified family beneficiaries who will receive monetary assistance in a form of livelihood showcase. Family beneficiaries were present during the event on which their acceptance served as the commencing activity realizing the very core of the heart of the women council.

The Local Council of Women of Catbalogan City was reorganized by no less than the SP Committee Chair for Women, Children and Family City Councilor Hon. Stephany Uy-Tan along with the different sectoral representatives.

 

Nearly 200 individuals from different sectors attended the “Orientation Seminar on the Implementation of the Anti-Littering Ordinance of Catbalogan City” last March 26, 2012 at the New Maqueda Bay Hotel organized by City Mayor Coefredo “Tekwa” Uy and Ordinance Proponent City Councilor Hon. Stephany Uy-Tan.

Attendees present were the Barangay Chairs of the 57 Barangays as well as Barangay Tanods of select barangays of the city; Traffic Enforcers of the Catbalogan City Auxiliary Traffic Brigade; from the Philippine National Police; from the academe represented by different schools and colleges; Media Partners; youth organizations, and other socio-civic groups.

City Vice Mayor Art Sherwin Gabon gave the welcome remarks, which was followed right after by Mr. Jose Obrero, City Local Government Operations Officer from the DILG whose topic was on the salient points of RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of the Philippines. RA 9003 was one of the basis of the Anti-Littering Ordinance of Catbalogan City.

SP Committee Chair on Environmental Protection and Natural Resources City Councilor Hon. Stephany Uy-Tan was the main proponent of the Anti-Littering Ordinance that was enacted middle of last year. During her overview discussion, she stressed on the need of the said ordinance for three (3) reasons: (1) it being outdated since the original ordinance was enacted way back 1990 and was amended last 1993; (2) because it has been ineffective and therefore not applicable anymore to the current state of the city; and (3) because it is urgent today more than ever as the world faces more ecological and environmental issues.

Sangguniang Panlungsod Secretary Ms. Donna Jane Teves discussed on the content of the ordinance while City Legal Officer Atty. Aileen Forteza discussed on the prohibitions, penalties and sanctions mentioned in the ordinance. An open forum was facilitated right after, that opened concerns of the barangays as to the need for segregation and proper collection, as well as on the enforcement by the PNP and Traffic Enforcers with regards to the ordinance.

Mayor Tekwa gave a strong message that highlighted on the need for political will instead of personal vested interest on the implementation of the ordinance. He further urged everyone by saying, “Pagburublig kita tanan para han mas malimpyo nga Catbalogan City.”

After Mayor Tekwa’s message, the talk of Ms. Lovelle Lapura of the New Life Christian Center, which was on Values Formation received much appreciation with her Three (3) Rights: Do Right Thing, You are the Right Person, and You have the Right Attitude. Ms. Herminia Cabral, City Administrator gave the closing remarks of the event.

The major highlight of the whole-day seminar was the Commitment Signing in support of the Anti-Littering Ordinance of Catbalogan City, which gathered more than one hundred signatures from different sectors.

The Anti-Littering Ordinance (2011-016) will soon be fully and strictly implemented after a one-month intensive warning or grace period to serve as an info-dissemination campaign before the actual implementation of the ordinance.

____________________________

ORDINANCE NO. 2011-016

            A COMPREHENSIVE ORDINANCE PENALIZING LITTERING ON BOTH OPEN AND COVERED PUBLIC PLACES

Sponsors: Hon. Stephany U. Tan

                  Hon. Ernesto C. Arcales

                  Hon. Joselito G. Mendoza

                  Hon. Rodrigo Perez, III

                  Hon. Teodoro V. Ilagan

                  Hon. Edward M. Uy
____________________________

“Ha imo edukasyon, an pag-asenso han pamilya ikaw an paglaum.”

The slogan of the Scholarship Program of Mayor Tekwa of Catbalogan City describes the importance of education towards upliftment from poverty and other social issues faced by families and our community.
It was on March 17, 2012 that graduates from the Mayor Tekwa Scholarship Program celebrated their milestone through the activity dubbed as “ISKOLAR Day” at the City Plaza. Initiated by the City Social Welfare and Development Office through CSWD Officer Ms. Nida Aroza, some 500 scholars braved the streets on that Saturday afternoon that included 249 scholars graduating this school year and 19 successful scholars with different academic distinctions in various secondary schools in the city.

 

City Mayor Coefredo “Tekwa” Uy himself was proudly present along with City Councilor Hon. Stephany “STEP” Uy-Tan and Sangguniang Kabataan City Federation President Hon. Dexter Uy representing in behalf of the City Government of Catbalogan. Ms. Aroza presented the beneficiaries of the said program currently on First Year to Fourth Year studying at different secondary schools and most especially those graduating this year. As shared by CSWD Officer Ms. Aroza, this year was the first batch of graduates under Mayor Tekwa’s program.

 

Mayor Tekwa was like a father to these young and bright minds who were touched and very much grateful for the assistance as shared by many of the graduating scholars during the Sharing of Impressions. Ms. Maricar Luna, a scholar studying at Guinsorongan Integrated School (GIS) who grew up at Barangay Guinsorongan without a father and with only a mother working in between laundries to support their daily family subsistence shared how the scholarship program has helped her continue with her studies and how she wishes that more youth benefit from program. Mr. Jason Magbutay studying at Catbalogan National Comprehensive High School (CNCHS) expressed his most sincere thanks to Mayor Tekwa not only for the educational assistance, which he benefitted much but most especially for bringing great change and progress to Catbalogan.

 

Apart from the warm and sincere stories shared by select graduating scholars, Mayor Tekwa as assisted by Councilor Step Uy-Tan and SK Federation President Dexter Uy, gave out certificates and special tokens to the 19 scholars who graduated with academic distinctions specifically with more than 90% Average Grade and majority are graduating as Valedictorians and with Honorable Mentions. In turn, the scholars gave Mayor Tekwa a framed poster signed by all the beneficiaries expressing their most genuine appreciation.

 

The scholarship program of Mayor Tekwa was his personal commitment to the young Catbaloganons whom he believes to be the society’s foundation. The beneficiaries of the program are receiving a modest financial assistance of nearly P3,000.00 to cover allowance, purchase of necessary school supplies and other needs. To cover more beneficiaries of the program, Mayor Tekwa has expressed to increase the number of scholars this year to aide more deserving students, helping families’ one scholar at a time.

 

On March 08, 2012 in joint celebration with the global event International Women’s Day, Catbalogan City celebrated the said event with three (3) major activities spearheaded by the City Government of Catbalogan.

Partners, stakeholders and other organizations  joined the Fellowship Walk dubbed as “Baraktasay GAD Kita!” along the major streets of the city on the afternoon of March 08. An estimated of nearly 2,000 supporters joined the said walk represented by Barangay Officials and 4Ps beneficiaries of the 57 Barangays of the city; City Employees; National Agencies; the Philippine National Police; the 8th Infantry Division Philippine Army; from the Academe represented by different schools and colleges and from the Samar Division, Department of Education; various religious sector representatives, other women organizations; and different youth organizations, fraternities and other socio-civic groups walked along the streets of Catbalogan as a sign of solidarity to women empowerment.

After the walk, all the participants flocked at the City Plaza to witness the Official Program of the 2012 International Women’s Day Celebration. Women from different sectors gave powerful and inspiring messages of support to the celebration and to the advocacy. In behalf of the government sector, the Provincial Caretaker of Department of Trade and Industry – Samar (DTI-Samar) Engr. Meilou C. Macabare discussed on the important role of women not only in weathering climate change as the theme imply but in the society as a whole. Ms. Marife Zosa, the representative from the Business Sector gave a lengthy discussion on incorporating a spiritual and moral service not only in doing business but in life in general, while Pastor Lovelle Lapura of the New Life Christian Church discussed on the role of women on a spiritual aspect in our society. As the last speaker, representing the academe, newly-appointed Schools Division Superintendent of the Samar Division, Department of Education (DepEd) Dr. Thelma C. Quitalig gave a message of support to all the women not only in the academe but in the society as a whole.

Ending the official program was a message in behalf of the City Government of Catbalogan, City Councilor and Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee Chair on Women, Children and Family Hon. Stephany Uy-Tan spoke with much conviction and admiration towards all the women who are continuously shaping the society and the world. She expressed her strong dedication towards the empowerment of women, combating climate change, and in creating a more responsive Catbalogan City.

The official program ended with the signing of commitment on the Commitment Pledge Wall of all the  sectoral representatives during the event. The program continued on with the Cultural and Variety Show organized by Waray-Waray Youth Advocates (WARAYA) that catered to the younger population offering various song and dance numbers that elated interests of not only fellow young people but those young at hearts as well. WARAYA sitting as one of the members of the Local Council on Women, opted to give a fresher and creative take on the advocacy incorporating messages along with those that interest most youth.

At the end of the night, the celebration of the International Women’s Day in Catbalogan City did not only sparked interests but supported a global call towards women empowerment and in celebrating the major role women play not only in child rearing but in nation-building most importantly. Catering a vast portion of the population, the event was indeed a celebration of women and young girls in the global society.

An Kababayin-an an Kusog han aton Kabubuwason!
The Women are the Strength of our Future!

 

Avail of the One-Time FREE BONE SCREENING sponsored by the BioFemme: Unilab Women’s Health Care on March 12, 2012 starting at 09:00 AM at City Hall Lobby.

Activity is in time for the 2012 Women’s Month Celebration of The City Government of Catbalogan.

In relation to the 2012 Women’s Month Celebration, the Local Council of Women has recently met last March 05, 2012 at New Life Christian Kidz Church for the Gender and Development (GAD) Action Planning.

Planning Session were facilitated by DTI-Samar, which was attended by GAD Focal Persons of various organizations and agencies attended the said activity along with SP Committee Chair on Women Hon. Stephany Uy-Tan in behalf of The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Catbalogan City and The City Government of Catbalogan.

Preparations are being made by the Council for the different activities slated for the Women’s Month, which includes among others are the “Pulong-Pulong han Barangay” scheduled every Tuesday for three weeks; Radio Program Hopping; School Symposia; and a Dinner Dance as a culmination.

Activities has incorporated the topics on Environmental Protection and Disaster Preparedness as anchored on the Women’s Month Theme: “Women Weathering Climate Change: Governance & Accountability, Everyone’s Responsibility. These in partnership with the City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC).

 

The Official Website of The City Government of Catbalogan (http://www.catbalogan.gov.ph/) has already been in operation since 2007 in compliance with DILG’s Improved Local Operations thru e-Governance (ILOG).

To fully utilize the existing information system of LGU-Catbalogan and in compliance with DILG’s Seal of Good Housekeeping, a recent move was made to further promote transparency and accountability of all government operations and transactions.

Last March 02 at SP Hall, an Orientation on Website Updating was conducted with various offices and departments of the LGU thru BBCS Data Systems, the official systems provide of the LGU. The activity was an initial phase to empower all offices in promoting and posting all related government transactions and activities into the website, a move suggested and strongly endorsed by City Councilor Hon. Stephany Uy-Tan.

In celebration of the 2012 Women’s Month, the City Government of Catbalogan organizes various activities through the Local Council of Women (LCW) participated and represented by different organizations, stakeholders and community representatives.