Posted October 16, 2008

Local Farmers Received Fertilizers

901 farmers had been given Ammonium Sulfate fertilizers (each bag is 50 kgs.) last August 18, 2008 at Don Antonio Maceda Civic Center. This P 1M worth of project was made possible thru the initiative of Deputy Speaker Eric D. Singson, Representative of the 2^nd District of Ilocos Sur, who shared P 500, 000.00, our Municipal Government allotted P 100,000.00 from the 20% Municipal Development Fund, P 100, 000.00 General Fund and RA 7171 Municipal Share of P 314, 716.60 with LGU counterpart who had given away discount coupons to each fertilizer recipient.

    Each was also given 15 kilos certified seeds as part of the municipal agricultural assistance to our local farmers before the planting season. For those farmers who purchased hybrid seeds (in minimal price) were also given free organic fertilizers from the Department of Agriculture, Regional Office.

Local farmers registered and waited for their turn for their free fertilizers.

Candon City Mayor Allen G. Singson and our Municipal Mayor Chester A. Elaydo handling
over a bag of fertilizer to a farmer from Barangay Cabaroan.

TYPHOON KAREN STRUCK SE

The signal No. 3 typhoon which struck the Ilocos Region last August 17, 2008 affected San Esteban. Due to heavy rainfall, several places in our town were flooded due to the overflow of creek at eastern barangays, and the Kimul-ong creek in San Rafael. Although San Pablo and Apatot are in a coastal area, both experienced flooding due to insufficient outlet of water to the sea. The low-lying rice fields of Barangay Poblacion and San Nicolas were not even recognized as farm lands due to the accumulated water.

Almost all residents of our municipality were beneficiaries of the assistance from the Provincial, Congressional and Philippine National Red Cross which had given away relief goods in the form of rice, noodles and canned goods. More than 1, 860 families benefited from the 2-part dole out at Don Antonio Maceda Civic Center last August 28 and September 5, 2008. Additional goods, medicines, financial assistance and rental of heavy equipments used were provided by our Local Government Unit (LGU) from its 5% calamity fund worth P 298, 736.00.

Our Municipal Treasurer, Angelita H. Arce supervising the municipal employees during the packing of relief goods to be distributed.

Mayor Chester A. Elaydo, VM Mildred M. Elaydo, ABC Pres. RJ Elaydo, SBM Dickie Edralin, SBM Roger Ismael, SBM Arnold Eala distributing the packed relief goods to the victims of Typhoon Karen

TREE PLANTING

In celebration of the “Fiesta iti Kabanbantayan,” last June 30, 2008, all the municipal officials and employees, local and national, with the Barangay Officials participated in the rehabilitating of the Municipal Controlled Dumpsite and the areas along the Municipal cemetery. More or less 200 mahogany seedlings were given by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO).

JCS MEDICAL, DENTAL AND SURGICAL MISSION

Joint Community Services (JCS) headed by our Governor DV Savellano with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members sponsored a medical, dental and minor surgical mission last April 28, 2008 at Don Antonio Maceda Civic Center. This program initiated by the original JCS, Jeremias Crisologo Singson, provided free consultation, free medicines, x-ray, and minor surgery to the townspeople of SE.

LENDING INSTITUTIONS: A TREND

In the middle of desolation and poverty, the non-stop increase of prices of commodities, and dollar devaluation, some of our town mates are already beginning to look for alternative sources of income – a small business to start. And to make this possible, they would need capital from lending institutions.

Numerous lending institutions appeared simultaneously and rapidly in our town. To name a few, there are the TSPI (Tulay sa Pag-unlad, Incorporated), RSPI (Rangtay sa Pag-unlad, Incorporated), Moneyline Lending Investor, Incorporated, and not to mention the original 5-6, the Bumbay. Initially, Lending Institutions (LI) would lend each member with the amount of P 5,000.00 payable of P 280.00 weekly in 6 months or 24-25 weeks, making a P 1, 720.00- 2, 000.00 in interests. But they still claim that they are NON-PROFITABLE ORGANIZATIONS! After a cycle, if you are a good payer, LI let you borrow for bigger amount, and bigger and bigger – and perhaps bigger interest, too.

These LI’s helps wishful individuals and groups make their desires to become an entrepreneur possible. Their financial assistance leveled up in securing them insurance and death benefits. Furthermore, if the borrower pays his/her dues on time, he/she will get a rebate of P 30.00 weekly, deposited in his/her savings account. This savings can be withdrawn in the event that the borrower can not pay his/her weekly dues and on the end of the 6-months cycle if he/she doesn’t want to continue or start another cycle. Parts of their encouragement are free livelihood seminars and educational loan for their children after 3 consecutive cycles.

While writing this newsbits, I come to realize that these lending investors are surely well-versed with the business because of the assurance of their money that every borrower will be able to pay their loan. To do this, LI will schedule monthly meeting with a group of borrowers insinuating them the importance of insurances, death benefits, educational benefits rebates or savings which actually being paid by every borrower.

ALAY HANAPBUHAY LIVELIHOOD PROGRAM

The Technology, Education, and Skills Development Authority, better known as TESDA, Provincial Director Gemma Q. Rendon together with Congressman Eric D. Singson and the Municipal Government of San Esteban headed by Mayor Chester A. Elaydo, VM Mildred M. Elaydo, and all the Sangguniang Bayan members supported REFLEXOLOGY and THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE TRAINING for the wannabe masseurs and masseuse. This livelihood program was taken part by 27 participants headed by the elected president of the batch 2008, Cecilia B. Racela of Barangay Poblacion.

The seminar ran from September 15-25, 2008 – 5-day training and 5-day outreach program for all the barangays. Each participant had to complete 15 holistic (whole body) and 15 ABC (arms, head, and legs) massages, and pass the examination to become a licensed and certified reflexology consultant. 

Former Congresswoman and better half of Cong. Eric D. Singson, Hon. Grace Singson addressing the participants of the 
importance of the livelihood program.

Souvenir photo with the barangay officials headed by ABC Pres. RJ Elaydo during 
the outreach program of group 1in barangay San Nicolas.

CARABAO: FARMER’S BESTFRIEND?

NOT in Barangay San Nicolas! Sometime of July, 2008, a certain farmer Vernon Abad Y Echalar, 48 years old, married and a resident of Sitio Bigbiga in this barangay happens to check for his rice seedlings (bunobon) untoward incident occurred. His carabao went berserk and swagged Abad at the back that causes him to fall to the ground. While lying on the ground the carabao continuously lurched him until his horn pierced the abdomen where he sustained injuries and hit internal organs that caused his untimely death.

According to Remedios Espejo, a sister–in-law, this was not the first time that Abad tended this kind carabao. Years before, Abad also took care of a carabao with the same behavior to help him in his agricultural needs. After the burial of the farmer, the bereaved family  decided to slaughter the carabao.