ORMOC CITY– A former police personnel and his companion were killed in a shootout incident in connection to a buy-bust operation conducted against them by local police here on Sunday (March 17).
Killed were Nollete Rey Pagasartonga who was previously assigned at the police regional headquarters and Shane Carnacite.
Both were listed by the police operatives as high-value targets.
The two, listed as among the region’s high-value targets, were killed in a buy-bust operation along Tigbao- Pulak-St. Fe bypass Road in Brgy. 104 Salvacion in Tacloban City at about 5:20 am.
During the transaction, Pagasartonga handed four sachets containing white crystalline substances suspected to be shabu to an operative acting as buyer in the amount of P20,000.
However, the suspects sensed the approaching police officers who were just around the area to act as security of the operation and were on their way to arrest them.
The two suspects, according to the police, allegedly drew their firearms and fired towards the operating team, leaving them but to defend themselves by firing back hitting the said suspects.
The two suspects, hit on the different parts of their bodies, were immediately brought to Eastern Visayas Medical Center Hospital for immediate medical attention but were pronounced dead on arrival.
Seized from the suspects were suspected shabu weighing 30 grams with a commercial value of P204,000.
The Tacloban City Forensic Unit that conducted crime scene processing recovered at the crime scene 16 pieces fired cartridges of alleged 5.56, one cal. 45 pistol, one piece magazine assembly with five live ammunition .45 Cal, one unit revolver .38 with one fired cartridge and with four pieces of live ammunition.
The bodies of the two suspects were brought to a local funeral parlor before returning their cadavers to their respective families. (ROBERT DEJON)
CATARMAN, N. Samar-The Department of Public Works and Highways – Northern Samar First District Engineering Office (NSFDEO) recently underwent a surveillance audit conducted by SOCOTEC Certification Philippines, Inc. on March 4-5, 2024.
The audit aimed at assessing the office’s compliance with ISO 9001:2015 standards and if compliance to the DPWH requirements is being sustained by the office.
During the exit conference, the 3rd party Auditor Mr. Joseph Denoga did not find any negative findings nor non-conformities.
The auditor commended the district office for its consistent adherence to department orders, process flows, and other applicable requirements, noting that this consistency was evident across all aspects of the audit, from the planning stage to samples presented, financial aspects, and the project visited.
One of the highlights of the audit was the commendation of the district office for its proactive approach in conducting media forums to inform the public about the status of projects and the district initiatives.
Mr. Denoga further emphasized that said practice not only addresses issues and concerns promptly but also enhances transparency and accountability with the public.
In his message, District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio thanked all employees and staff for the successful audit, stating, “The successful audit reaffirms NSFDEO’s commitment to maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency in its operations.
It also underscores the office’s dedication to upholding ISO 9001:2015 standards, ensuring that it remains compliant with the guidelines and clauses set by the International Organization for Standardization.” (ANALIZA A. PABIA, PIO ALTERNATE/PR)
NSSDEO, Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, N. Samar-– The Department of Public Works and Highways – Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office (DPWH – NSSDEO) through Ms. Ma. Amparo Mariam T. Dapug, Administrative Section Chief, conducted an orientation to students from various educational institutions across the 2nd District of the Province of Northern Samar who will be assigned in the agency to gear up for a hands-on experience as they undergo their Work Immersion Program with the agency.
Schools who requested partnership with DPWH-NSSDEO for Work Immersion Program includes Pambujan National High School (PNHS) with a total of 48 student-interns, San Roque – Pambujan Vocational High School (SRPVHS) with 15 student-interns, Rawis National High School (RNHS) with a total of 86 student-interns, and 3 student-interns from Vigo National High School (VNHS).
The orientation was done sequentially, wherein the first batch of student-interns from RNHS were briefed last February 26, 2024, followed by SRPVHS, PNHS, and the second batch of RNHS on February 29, 2024, and VNHS on March 1-2, 2024.
The orientation, aimed at preparing students for real-world application of their academic knowledge, provided the students invaluable insights into the operations and projects of the country’s key infrastructure agency. With a focus on familiarizing student-interns with the agency’s mission, vision, and core values, Ms. Dapug also delved on the possible roles or job that needs to be carried out during their immersion.
As the orientation concluded, both DPWH-NSSDEO and Work Immersion Coordinators expressed optimism about the upcoming work immersion period, accentuating the mutual benefits of such partnerships in fostering learning, growth, and innovation in the field of public works and infrastructure development.
The DPWH remains committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders in the industry through initiatives such as internship programs, further solidifying its role as a pillar of excellence in nation-building.(KHYZEL M. SOSING, PIO STAFF/PR)
TACLOBAN CITY– At least 12 families were displaced including 19 transients when a fire whose origin is still being investigated engulfed Barangay 51 in Magallanes, this city, at about 4:30 am.
Initial investigation by the responding fire personnel disclosed that the fire originated at the beauty parlor owned by Ernie Amascual located on the first-floor house which also caters to commercial establishments and quickly spread at the six stalls of the same house.
The stalls, which were made of light materials, made the fire spread quickly and despite the effort of the local fire bureau, resulted in the burning of 10 houses.
Fire investigators SFO1 Nolly Lacaba and SFO1 Jonald Lace told the media that the cause of the fire and the estimated damage was placed at more than P870,000.
The fire was controlled at about 4: 45 am and was declared fire out at about 5:03 am.
The fire injured only one person after escaping from the fire. (ROBERT DEJON)
FARM-TO-MARKET ROAD. Residents of Barangays San Isidro and Osmeña, both in MacArthur, Leyte, are now enjoying a concrete road initiated by Leyte’s second engineering district. The project amount at P11.92 million with a length of 992 linear meter.(L2DEO)
FARM-TO-MARKET ROAD. Residents of Barangays San Isidro and Osmeña, both in MacArthur, Leyte, are now enjoying a concrete road initiated by Leyte’s second engineering district. The project amount at P11.92 million with a length of 992 linear meter.(L2DEO)
TACLOBAN CITY– The completed farm-to-market road (FMR) in Barangay San Isidro, MacArthur in Leyte is benefitting the community in improving the mobility of goods and services and serving as a link for better access to basic social services such as healthcare facilities, schools, and employment.
District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura mentioned that since the project has been completed, it has been a great help to the farmers traversing along San Isidro to Brgy. Osmeña.
Adding to that, they will no longer endure the muddy and bumpy roads during the rainy season, while road dust is brought on by the unpaved dirt roads.
Meanwhile, transportation and delivery of agricultural produce such as rice grains and root crops to the nearby towns are now faster and with lower hauling costs, thus increasing the income of the local farmers.
Accessibility and delivery of basic government and healthcare services is now smoother and easier for the villagers, while students will have a better opportunity to seek a better education system in the town proper.
The project involves the construction of 992 linear meters of Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP) in 5 meters of width and is in convergence with the CY 2023 Department of Agriculture (DA) program. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
SOLITARY. The island of Homonhon in Guiuan town, Eastern Samar may be recognize to be historical place but it has become more known due to the mining operations. Photo shows a passenger motorcycle traversing a dirt road in one of the villages of the island.
Amid report of environmental destruction
SOLITARY. The island of Homonhon in Guiuan town, Eastern Samar may be recognize to be historical place but it has become more known due to the mining operations. Photo shows a passenger motorcycle traversing a dirt road in one of the villages of the island.
HOMONHON ISLAND, GUIUAN, Eastern Samar– Be responsible and protect the watersheds of this historic island.
This was the urgent appeal of Rep. Marcelino ‘Nonoy” Libanan of the 4Ps party-list group as he led in the marking of the 503rd anniversary of the landings of Ferdinand Magellan on the island on Sunday (March 17).
Libanan, who is also the minority floor leader of the House of Representatives, said that destroying the island’s watersheds could lead to scarcity of drinking water on the island, home to more than 4,000 people spread on its eight villages.
“I called on our mining companies to show your heart for our people on the island and not just think of your profits. Lack of drinking water on Homonhon Island is a big problem which could potentially lead to a problem among villagers,” he said in his speech.
And this could be done by protecting the watersheds of the island, Libanan added.
The solon said that if these mining companies would not help protect the watersheds of the island, he would not engage himself to any with them, forewarning the operators of possible dire consequences relative to their mining activities.
Residents on the island have claimed that among the ill- effects of mining activities on the island destroyed their watershed.
Patricia Bagania,70 of Barangay Pagbabangnan where the site of the Magellan landings, said that drinking water is indeed a concern to the residents.
“Hope our officials will address this. We need safe drinking water here on the island,” she said whose grandson, Leonil, 29, works in one of the mining companies.
At present, there are four mining operators on the island, Emir Mineral Resources, Techiron Resources Inc., Global Min-Met Resources, and Verrum Terra Geoscience, Inc.
The island, the site of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan’s landing on the country in 1521, is rich in nickel and chromite, minerals being extracted by these mining companies, concentrated in the villages of Casuguran and Cagusuan.
Town Mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan supported this call of Rep. Libanan who said that they have crafted a five-year comprehensive development plan for Homonhon.
And included in this plan is the protection of the island’s watershed and its environment.
Gonzales-Kwan acknowledges that due to the mining activities on the island, ‘environmental problems’ arise as a result, though she did not elaborate.
However, these environmental problems could be corrected by coming up with the Homonhon Comprehensive Development Plan which also consists of providing livelihood opportunities for the people on the island and even promoting Homonhon as a tourist site due to its ‘historical wealth.’
“We have also asked assistance from the experts from the University of the Philippines to help us craft the comprehensive land use plan for Homonhon” Gonzales-Kwan added.
The town mayor also disclosed that several projects would be provided like constructing access roads, connecting the eight villages for easy transport among its people and goods.
Gonzales-Kwan also said that a major part of the P6.3 million excise tax for this quarter alone that would be paid by these mining companies would be poured to Homonhon to help fund various programs and projects on the island.
“I assured our people in Homonhon Island that the municipal government would not abandon them. They are my constituents but we have to balance things out like protecting our environment and at the same livelihood opportunities,” she said, adding that over 2,000 people from the island are working on different mining operators.
Gonzales-Kwan also hoped that the national government would no longer issue mining permits to the island.
“For me, the four mining companies now operating on the island are enough. Hope our national government will listen to my appeal,” she said.
But for town parish priest, Fr. Jonathan Pading, the call of the Church to stop all mining activities on the island remains.
“Our call to stop all mining activities here on Homonhon Island continues. These mining activities destroy our environment, including the supply of clean drinking water,” he said.
According to him, because of mining operations, ‘intentional’ forest fires occur on the island to pave the way for the mining activities, in the process affecting their source of drinking water.
“They should not deny the islanders of safe drinking water,” Pading said.
