ORMOC CITY- A house made mostly of light materials was gutted in Borongan City with fire authorities still conducting their probe as to the cause of the incident.
Based on the report of the city fire office, the incident took place in Barangay Lalawigan at about 12:02 on Sunday (Jan.28) involving the house of Emily Azul, 46, a government employee.
SFO1 Franklin Marzon said that continued that based on their initial investigation, the fire that gutted down the house of Azul could be due to faulty electrical wiring which started at a room of Azul’s son, John Kenneth.
The fire was controlled about 12: 20 pm and was totally out at 12:30 pm.
No one was reported injured from the fire whose estimated damage is pegged at P500, 000.
(ROBERT DEJON)
Suspected faulty electrical fire gutted house in Borongan City
Complaints vs DBSN claim ‘victory’
Owner maintains not violating laws
TACLOBAN CITY– The complainants against a poultry farm accused of violating environmental laws claimed victory after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducted its excavation amid a report that it was burying its hazardous and toxic materials.
The complainants, speaking through their lawyer Lloyd Surigao, said that they are positive that they would be served justice on their complaints against the DBSN Farms Agriventures Corp.
DBSN is owned by the family of Mayor Ramon Oñate of Palompon, Leyte, and is said to be one of the biggest poultry farms in the country with 100,000 of eggs production a day.
“They have been complaining against DBSN since 2018 and were just ignored (by the management). The operation has not only resulted in their health problems but even affected their main source of drinking water,” Surigao said in a press conference Thursday (Jan.27), this city.
“For us, this is a huge victory for the regular citizens who staunchly stood against their mayor whose family owns the DBSN,” Surigao added.
Surigao claimed that the complainants involved several residents of Barangay San Joaquin, where the poultry farm of the DBSN is located.
The complainants alleged that toxic and hazardous wastes like used medicine bottles, plastic drums, chicken parts, chicken droppings, and dead chickens were being buried inside the farm and in most cases, within the watershed portion.
To recall, last Jan.21 a team from the DENR conducted an excavation activity inside the DBSN compound, particularly at Lot 5150 where a forest area and a watershed area, which has springs that serve as sources of drinking water of the residents of San Joaquin and nearby villages, is located.
The watershed area was made possible under Presidential Proclamation 212.
The team collected some bottles of mineral water, empty cans, and ‘foul and black’ water. These were subjected to some laboratory examinations.
But in an earlier interview, Mayor Oñate maintained that they did not violate any environmental laws, particularly RA 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018 which prohibits any dumping of any toxic chemical, noxious, or poisonous substance in any protected area like a watershed.
In fact, he said, during the excavation, the DENR did not find any items that could be said to be toxic or hazardous.
He also stressed that there is no protected area located within the 19-hectare DBSN.
“I feel vindicated. They have not found anything inside the premises of any hazardous and infectious wastes, not even a candy wrapper or a single needle,” he said during the Jan.21 media conference.
But Surigao said that this statement of Oñate was a ‘deliberate lie intended to mislead the public.’
He also maintained that dumping of any material in a protected area is illegal as provided under RA 11038.
JOEY A. GABIETA
Wind energy farm to be built in Northern Samar
To be funded by a Denmark-based company
(PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OF NORTHERN SAMAR)
TACLOBAN CITY – Northern Samar province is positioning itself as the country’s wind energy hub with the implementation of a multi-billion wind energy project to be bankrolled by a Denmark-based investor.
On Thursday (Jan. 25), Governor Edwin Ongchuan met with Board of Investment (BOI) director for investment assistance service director Ernesto de los Reyes regarding the project.
Also present during the meeting were the executives of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) which will finance the P 108-billion 650 MW North Samar Offshore Wind Power Project.
The CIP is renowned for its involvement in developing large-scale offshore wind projects globally and is the first foreign investor to be granted site exclusivity in the Philippines following the authorization of foreign ownership in renewable energy projects in November 2022.
The CIP is planning to establish a large-scale offshore wind project in the municipalities of Bobon, Catarman, Mondragon, San Roque, Pambujan, and Laoang.
The feasibility study of the project has already concluded and the company will start testing wind strength, speeds, seabed conditions, and environmental factors this first quarter until 2025.
Priority of the project is to ensure grid connection which discussions have already begun with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).
Potential grid connection points are the Calbayog 138 kV substation in Samar province; the San Isidro 138 kV substation, a potential new station near a 350 kV transmission line, and the Calbayog-Allen 138 kV transmission project.
To facilitate the project’s development, the BOI issued a certificate of endorsement for the Green Lane Certificate on January 10, 2024.
The project has also received endorsements from various government agencies, including the Department of Energy and other relevant entities.
In addition to the North Samar project, CI NMF (PH) Corp. has applied for BOI registration for other offshore wind power projects, aiming to deliver 1,000 MW in Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, as well as 350 MW in Pangasinan and La Union.
Aside from the CIP, the Aboitiz Renewables Inc., and Vena Energy had already commenced ground work for the San Isidro On-shore Wind Power Project, in San Isidro town, Northern Samar.
The 206 MW wind farm project of the Aboitiz is targeted commercial operation by 2025.
To be called as Lihangin Wind Energy Corp., the project is a joint venture between Aboitiz, Vena Energy, and Vivant Energy Corp.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
FLET intensifies patrol of Tacloban’s coastal waters
TACLOBAN CITY– The Fishery Law Enforcement Team (FLET) has intensified its patrol of the city’s coastal waters with the help of the Philippine Army.
According to FLET Coordinator Felix Dumlao, the Joint Task Group Tacloban of the 8th Infantry Division, currently headquartered at the former Leyte Park Resort compound, has committed to helping them in the conduct of joint operations to ensure the enforcement of fishery laws and territorial security.
Recently, a representative of the Joint Task Force Tacloban under Deputy Commander LTC Celeste Frank L. Sayson of the Philippine Army made a courtesy visit to FLET for this purpose.
Dumlao said the army will serve as a force multiplier in their active enforcement of Ordinance Number 2016-12-09, which penalizes the use of prohibited fishing equipment, marine vessels with expired permits, and breaches of the city’s coastal waters by fishermen from outside of the city.
FLET, with the use of their floating assets, which consist of two motorized bancas, also safeguards the city’s only marine sanctuary on Dio Island.
Meanwhile, the FLET coordinator highlighted their ongoing initiative to register all fishing vessels three gross tons and below and reminded owners that they have until February 29 or they will be issued a citation ticket, or worse, face a legal sanction.
(H.J.ROCA with reports from E. LAGAHIT/CIO)
PRO 8 remembers Fallen SAF 44 in a solemn ceremony
Now on its 9th year
TACLOBAN CITY – In honor of the gallantry of the fallen SAF troopers in Mamasapano nine years ago, the Police Regional Office 8, led by B/Gen. Reynaldo Pawid, paid tribute to their supreme sacrifice during the “Day of National Remembrance for the Heroic Sacrifice of SAF 44”, during a simple program held at the PRO 8 Bantayog ng mga Bayaning Tagapamayapa on Thursday (Jan.25).
Among the 44 SAF troopers who were killed, six of them were from the region: PO3 John Lloyd Sumbilla; PO2 Rodel Ramacula; PO2 Glenn Berecio Bedua; PO2 Noel Balaca; PO1 Joseph Sagonoy; and PO1 Mark Lory Clemencio.
In 2015, the 44 elite members of the police force were deployed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao to arrest Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, who was also known as Marwan.
The Memorial Day celebration was graced by M/Gen. Leo Francisco, the director for operations, with the loved ones of the SAF 44, also in attendance.
In a message from the PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr., M/Gen. Francisco cited that the incident is a stark reminder of the daily challenges faced by law enforcement officers, highlighting the sacrifices of fallen heroes in protecting the nation.
“May their sacrifice serve as a challenge to us all. A challenge to continue their heroism, to embody greatness, and to act with honor and love for our country. May their memory serve as an inspiration for us to continue advocating for justice and peace in our nation,” he said.
The police officer also emphasized the importance of unity, coordination, and effective communication for national security. Likewise encouraging the police force to renew its commitment to strengthen law enforcement agencies, enhance operational capabilities, and ensure support in carrying out crucial missions.
Meanwhile, Pawid gave his assurance that PRO 8 will continuously rally for peace, further strengthening its offenses and defenses against the enemies. He also cited that the entire Philippine National Police and the public will continue to remember their gallantry.
“Their lives were far too brief, but they have lived a meaningful one. In the name of service and love for the country, they have made the greatest sacrifice- fallen but not forgotten,” he stated.
(LIZBETH A. ABELLA)
Rape suspect bolts from detention
ORMOC CITY– An inmate charged with rape bolts from detention in a sub-provincial jail in Allen, Northern Samar on Monday (Jan.22) afternoon.
(ALLEN MPS)
The prisoner, Arjil Alano, 26, and a resident of Lavezares, also in Northern Samar, managed to escape from the jail facility at about 5:30 pm while fetching water, the local police said.
Based on the investigation conducted by the local police, Alano was among the detainees of said sub-provincial jail who were tasked with fetching water a couple of meters near the said facility.
The police said that the duty provincial guards on duty discovered that the said person deprived of liberty was missing when he failed to return after a few minutes.
The duty guards immediately looked for him but their efforts proved futile prompting them to consider that he had bolted the jail and escaped.
Duty building guard, Arnel Policarpio Jr., admitted that they failed to report the incident right away, considering that they first exerted effort to locate the Alano and extended their search to the nearest municipality for possible arrest of the escapee.
The Allen police had appealed to the public to call their station (09164742061) for any information that would lead to the arrest of the inmate.
(ROBERT DEJON).