MAASIN CITY– Three hardware stores and two general merchandise stores in the town of Hinunangan, Southern Leyte were visited by personnel of the Social Security System (SSS) on Thursday, June 22.
As per records, the five business establishments have failed to pay premium contributions of their employees since 2018.
Under the Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) program of the SSS, the visiting team led by Mario Corro, SSS vice president for Visayas Central 2, and Gregorio Baroza, SSS Maasin branch manager, read an order for the delinquent employers to settle their obligations within 15 days, and avail of the offered easy payment options.
The two SSS officials confirmed that this was the first time RACE was conducted in Hinunangan, but definitely not the last, including other towns of the Pacific area and the rest of Southern Leyte province. (PIA Southern Leyte)
ORMOC CITY-Thirteen sachets containing white crystalline substances suspected to be shabu were recovered by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) from a newly-identified drug personality during a buy-bust operation in Lawaan, Eastern Samar on June 21.
PDEA Regional Director Gil Pabilona identified the suspect as Percy Gabito, 45, a resident of Brgy. 8 where the sting operation took place at about 4:57 pm.
Recovered from the suspect were 13 sachets containing suspected shabu with a commercial value of P41,000.
Charges of violations of secs. 5 and 11 of Art. II of R.A 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Law, were filed against the suspect who is now detained at the Lawaan municipal police station. ROBERT DEJON)
MANILA, PHILIPPINES-The Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Gilbert F. Houngbo will be in the Philippines from 25 to 28 June 2023. This is his first official visit, which coincides with the country’s 75th anniversary of ILO membership.
Houngbo will meet with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan Ople and senior government officials. He will also have dialogue with representatives of workers’ and employers’ organizations.
In addition, Houngbo will meet with Masatsugu Asakawa, the President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), heads of agencies and members of the United Nations Country Team, and the UN Resident Coordinator, Gustavo González.
Houngbo will emphasize the need for a new social contract to address growing inequalities and persistent poverty through a Global Coalition for Social Justice.
In celebration of the Philippines’ 75th anniversary of ILO membership, DOLE will host a reception with government, workers’ and employers’ organizations, as well as UN agencies, international organizations and development partners.
Houngbo will deliver the keynote address at global seafarers’ summit Seafarer 2050 – Shaping the Future of Shipping. He will also speak at the National Employers Conference of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP).
Furthermore, while in Metro Manila, Houngbo will visit the Migrant Worker Resource Centre (MRC) in Quezon City. The MRC is the first local government-operated one-stop shop in the National Capital Region to offer gender-responsive services to migrant workers and their families.
Houngbo will engage with Overseas Filipino Workers and their families regarding rights-based migration, fair recruitment, and decent work.(PR)
Kathreen Kaye Dacanay (left) of Borongan City is this year’s Miss Pintados.
Miss Ormoc and Miss Pintados 2023
Kathreen Kaye Dacanay (left) of Borongan City is this year’s Miss Pintados.
TACLOBAN CITY- In glittering ceremonies, new beauty queens were separately declared on Friday (June 24) night.
In Ormoc City, Shaan Morata bested 19 other candidates to bag this year’s Miss Ormoc title while Kathreen Kaye Dacanay of Borongan City was crowned as the new Miss Pintados while Czarynna Kwen Cascayan of Paranas, Samar was crowned as the Miss Teen Pintados.
Morata will represent Ormoc City in next year’s Miss Grand Philippines with her first runner up, Monette Mangcal, to compete for the 2024 Mutya ng Pilipinas as the city’s representative.
Shaan Morata was named as this year’s Miss Ormoc
By winning this year’s title, Morata won P100,000 cash and a crown valued at P50,000.
Also named in the winning circle were Apryl Siaboc as second runner-up; Rio Anne Ronato, 3rd runner-up; and Rafa Fernandez, fourth runner-up.
All received cash prizes.
The Miss Ormoc 2023, held at its superdome before a sell-out crowd, was hosted by James Daiken and Iza Calzado with one of the country’s most popular and winning actors, Piolo Pascual as the main guest.
Both Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez and City Mayor Lucy Torres Gomez expressed their gratitude for the public support of the pageant, held as part of the highlights of the city’s fiesta which give honor to its patron saints, Sts. Peter and Paul.
Sen. Imee Marcos also graced the occasion.
Meantime, Dacanay of Borongan City and Cascayan of Paranas, Samar were crowned as this year’s Miss Pintados and Miss Teen Pintados, respectively held at the Leyte Academic Center in PALO,Leyte.
Dacanay was crowned by Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, Miss World Philippines Gwendolyne Fourniol, and Miss Pintados 2022 Kisha Honey Panis.
Aside from winning the fast track award, she also bagged the Miss Pepsi, Miss TnT, and Best in Swimsuit, special awards.
As winner of Miss Pintados 2023, Dacanay will represent the region at the Miss World Philippines national pageant next year.
Other winners in this year’s Miss Pintados include 1st runner-up Bianca Cassandra Devora of Tacloban City who also won the Beauty with a Purpose fast track award giving her an automatic spot in the top eight, and special awards Miss Sukwan, Best in Evening Gown, and Best in Pintados Costume; Marie Jean Baquilod of Llorente as second runner-up, Jhyry-Ross Yboa of Catbalogan City as third runner-up who also bagged the best in cultural costume award which gives her an automatic spot in top eight, and Justine Casinillo of Bato, Leyte, fourth place.
Shaira Jubelle Torbeles of Marabut, Samar was awarded Miss Congeniality, Jamby Belegorio of Villareal, also in Samar, for Netizen Choice.
Meanwhile, the new Miss Teen Pintados was crowned by Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla, Pintados Foundation president Eugene Tan, and Miss Teen Pintados 2022 Margarette Nicole Odiver.
Aside from bagging the crown, Cascayan also bagged the Best in Pintados Costume award.
Her court include Cstar Estelle Capon of Alangalang, Leyte as first runner-up and also won the fast track award Most Popular Candidate and corporate award Miss TnT.
Second runner-up is Catherine Wardle of Catbalogan City, while Charis Jane Jayma of Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte who also bagged the Face of Pintados Beauty award, and Phoebe Arriane Torita of Tabango, Leyte in fourth runner-up and also won Miss Goldilocks. (LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA, ROEL AMAZONA with JOEY A. GABIETA)
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Eastern Visayas Regional Office in Tacloban City holds Agraryo Trade Fair from June 21 to 27, except on Saturday and Sunday. (JOSE ALSMITH L. SORIA)
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Eastern Visayas Regional Office in Tacloban City holds Agraryo Trade Fair from June 21 to 27, except on Saturday and Sunday. (JOSE ALSMITH L. SORIA)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Eastern Visayas formally opened on June 22 a mini-trade fair at the DAR Regional Office compound located in Sto Niño Extension in this city.
Dubbed as ‘Agraryo’ trade fair, DAR Regional Director Robert Anthony Yu shared that this is among the activities lined up in relation to the agency’s commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
According to him, the success of the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and agrarian reform beneficiary’s organizations (ARBOs) is highlighted in this activity by showcasing their products, ranging from crops to handicrafts and processed foods.
Present also during the opening of the Agraryo Trade Fair was Pedro Bimbo Tan from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), who represented Regional Executive Director Celerina Bato.
DTI had been DAR’s partner for many years now in helping ARBs and ARBOs establish livelihood, both food and non-food products, utilizing local raw materials.
Tan read the message of Bato which disclosed that there are 20 ARBOs now in the region who have License-to-Operate (LTO) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); seven ARBOs with Certificate of Product Registration; and one Halal product.
Meanwhile, Melecia Ong, chief of the Program Beneficiaries Development Division (PBDD), further disclosed that of the 199 active ARBOs throughout the region, 62 participated in this year’s Agraryo Trade Fair.
The said trade fair will run from June 21 to 27, except on Saturday and Sunday. (JOSE ALSMITH L. SORIA)
Climate change has become one of the biggest challenges facing the world today, and it poses a significant threat to socio-economic progress and human existence. This is not only a matter of environmental concern; it also affects human health, security, and economic development. It is then imperative that individuals, governments, and businesses implement proactive measures to mitigate climate change impacts.
The effects of climate change include sea-level rise, increased intensity and frequency of natural disasters, melting glaciers and ice caps, extreme weather conditions, degraded soil quality, and ocean acidification. These impacts not only have adverse impacts on agricultural and economic activities, but also adversely affect human health and well-being. Heatwaves, droughts, and floods have increased the instances of water and food crises, disrupted transportation systems, and destroyed critical infrastructure, resulting in loss of life and property. Mitigating these impacts is not only necessary for environmental sustainability, but also for economic stability and human safety.
To effectively address climate change, efforts must be directed towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adopting sustainable practices. It requires a collaborative effort from individuals, businesses, and governments at all levels to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Sustainable practices such as reducing energy use, promoting renewable energy, improving transportation systems, reducing food waste, and adopting circular economy principles are essential to achieving sustainability and mitigating climate impacts. Governments can implement policies and regulations that encourage businesses and individuals to embrace sustainable practices and adopt clean energy technologies. Additionally, international cooperation and collaborations are crucial to achieving global solutions to climate change.
Educating the public on the urgency and importance of climate change is critical to eliciting action and engagement from individuals and organizations. The educational sector, civil society organizations, and media have a critical role to play in raising awareness on climate change and promoting action towards mitigation and adaptation. Education equips individuals with knowledge and skills to adopt sustainable practices and influence policy change. Thus, addressing climate change requires a collective effort from all stakeholders, active interventions, and a willingness to embrace sustainable practices, policy change, and collaborative efforts towards a sustainable future.
Since climate change affects human health, social and economic development, and ecological integrity, it is then essential to address it through a comprehensive approach that fosters collective efforts, accelerates climate change mitigation and adaptation, and promotes sustainability.
