About 135 schoolchildren from Lope de Vega, Northern Samar receive school supplies from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). (JOSE ALSMITH L. SORIA)
LOPE DE VEGA, Northern Samar – Though Children’s Month is already over, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Eastern Visayas continues to support schoolchildren in agrarian reform communities (ARCs), particularly in disaster-stricken areas.
Last week, 135 pupils at the Lower Caynaga Elementary School in this town received school supplies from DAR after Barangay Lower Caynaga and many other areas in the province were submerged in flood waters due to the heavy rainfall brought by the low pressure area and shear line.
Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer (MARPO) Loradelle Flores, assisted by the school’s head teacher, Bella Doinog, led the said distribution.
Aside from the school supplies, the schoolchildren also received snacks from Flores.
According to Flores, Barangay Lower Caynaga is among the villages within the Northern Samar Settlement project, an ARC area.
Grade five pupil, Jellyn Tonog, expressed gratitude to the DAR for the school items they received. According to her, some of their notebooks and papers were damaged by the flood.
Meanwhile, Doinog became emotional as she reminisced how the water in the river rose at about four early in the morning of November 20 this year prompting residents in low-lying areas to evacuate.
She also shared how grateful they are for the various relief assistance they received from different sectors but stressed that only DAR provided school supplies specifically for the schoolchildren. (JOSE ALSMITH L. SORIA)
TACLOBAN CITY-At least 15 former New People’s Army (NPAs) and six militia members in Eastern Samar received financial assistance from the local government and the military on Wednesday(Dec.13).
The surrender of the rebels and militia members was made under the provincial and city’s task forces to end local communist armed conflict(ELCAC) and FReE (friends rescued engagement through families) conceptualized by the provincial government to encourage NPA members to surrender and return to the fold of the law.
The 15 former rebels each received P50,000 while the six militia members each received P10,000.
Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda, who was among those present during the ceremony held inside the 78th Infantry Battalion which is based in the city, assured the former rebels and militia members of the assistance of the city government.
Of the 21 rehabilitated rebels and militia members, 19 of them were from Borongan City while the rest were from neighboring towns.
B/Gen. Noel Vestuir, the commanding officer of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, also based in Borongan City, lauded the efforts of the city government in the campaign against insurgency.
“The efforts and commitment of the Borongan City Task Force ELCAC headed by Mayor Jose Dayan Agda have greatly influenced the former rebels to abandon their armed struggle and return to their families. As we continue to implement our localized peace engagement activities, I am optimistic that we could still convince the remaining NPA members hiding in the mountains to come down in the coming days,” the Army official said.
He then urged those still active rebels to lay down their arms and return to the fold of the law as he promised that they could avail all the programs of the government they are entitled with.
“Abandoning the armed struggle is the greatest gift you could give to yourself and your family this Christmas season. We in the Philippine Army share with you, your happiness of being reunited with your families and we are always here to help you as you start anew in rebuilding your lives,” Vestuir said. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
The ‘Paskuhan Ha Palo’ was formally opened on Thursday(Dec.14) by Palo Mayor Remedios ‘Matin’ Petilla. The Paskuhan Ha Palo is one of the 4Ps program of the municipality aim to encourage tourists to visit the town.
(PALO LGU FACEBOOK)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Christmas Season in Palo town, Leyte started its celebration after the local government unit formally opened the ‘Pasko Ha Palo 2023’ with the simultaneous ceremonial lighting of all Christmas decorations in various areas of the municipality on Thursday (Dec.14).
The ‘Paskuhan Ha Palo’ was formally opened on Thursday(Dec.14) by Palo Mayor Remedios ‘Matin’ Petilla. The Paskuhan Ha Palo is one of the 4Ps program of the municipality aim to encourage tourists to visit the town. (PALO LGU FACEBOOK)
The lighting was graced by town Mayor Remedios ‘Matin’ Petilla, Vice Mayor Jojo Chiquillo, and members of the municipal council.
Provincial board member Wilson Uy represented Governor Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla.
The Christmas decorations are located at the Palo Pag-ibig Plaza, public market, Purisima Bridge, Saboren’s Christmas House, and at the Luntad Christmas Village.
Mayor Petilla said unlike in previous years when the competition for Christmas decorations participated by different departments of the municipal government were displayed in their respective offices, this year they provided them kiosk around the municipal plaza.
Petilla added that they also assigned every team of Palo employees to bring in gifts that would be given to their selected institutions like the provincial jail, hospitals, and Pope Francis Center for the Poor, among others, where there are less fortunate individuals.
“I think this is the best way to express our love to them because we show them our concern by sharing what we have for Christmas,” the mayor said.
She then expresses her gratitude to all municipal employees and officials for continuously supporting the yearly program that aims to provide joy and let the residents of Palo feel the spirit of Christmas.
“Let the spirit of Christmas dwell in our hearts and minds. Let us celebrate it not just on Christmas Day but in every day of our lives,” Mayor Petilla added.
Also part of the Pasko Ha Palo 2023 festivity is the trade fair at the Enchanting Palo Livelihood and Tourism Information Center where various delicacies and items are displayed for visitors to buy. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
TACLOBAN CITY– Over P272 million worth of humanitarian aid was provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to the families affected by the shearline that struck Eastern Visayas last November.
This was declared by Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs Irene Dumlao who said that the aid provided to the affected families included family food packs (FFPs), non-food items, and cash through the agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
A total of 323,301 food boxes amounting to more than P222 million were distributed by the DSWD to the affected families from the provinces of Biliran, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, and Southern Leyte.
“The DSWD Eastern Visayas is continuously coordinating with the National Resource Operations Center on the delivery of the requested additional FFPs intended for the affected families,” she said in a statement.
Some 584 hygiene kits and 72 kitchen kits were also distributed to the families affected by the weather disturbance in Northern Samar and Samar provinces, Dumlao added.
“Aside from food packs, the DSWD also provided cash assistance to allow the affected families to buy or purchase other necessities in their preference,” she said.
According to Dumlao, some 17,331 beneficiaries from Northern Samar received financial assistance from the DSWD, with a total disbursement of P49.99 million.
Northern Samar was the hard-hit area during the flooding incident, killing four people and displacing tens of thousands of families.
“We are in constant communication with the affected localities so we can facilitate their augmentation requests as soon as possible,” Dumlao said. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
Natasha Jung won as Miss Kananga 2023, giving her the ticket to represent the town to the 2024 Miss Universe-Philippines.
(Photo Courtesy)
Winner Jung veteran of beauty pageants
Natasha Jung won as Miss Kananga 2023, giving her the ticket to represent the town to the 2024 Miss Universe-Philippines. (Photo Courtesy)
KANANGA, Leyte-Despite not feeling well, Natasha Jung was able to bring home the Miss Kananga crown 2023 during a glittering coronation night held at the town gymnasium on December 11.
Jung, representing Barangay Rizal, bested 21 other candidates from different barangays of the town for the crown, making her the official candidate of Kananga for next year’s Miss Universe Philippines.
She aced the final question on how she would use the crown as Miss Kananga to inspire others and drive a meaningful change.
“If I win the Miss Universe Kananga, I will champion resilience and empowerment for broken families. My goal is to support them, nurture their inner strength, and build a supportive community. Let’s turn difficulties into opportunities fostering unity and strength,” she said.
Jung answers to the final question “if crowned Miss Kananga, how do you plant to leverage your unique background and experience to inspire others and drive meaningful change” that sealed her winning of the crown.
She also won several special awards which also including two of the major awards- best in evening gown and Miss Photogenic.
“I’m honored to represent Kananga’s spirit—a reflection of strength and resilience—on the Miss Universe Philippines stage,” Jung said after winning the crown.
“To my co-candidates, thanks for the friendship and memories. I will treasure the memories we made; however, I genuinely wish we could have spent more time together. Remember, we are all queens in our own right, and I wholeheartedly believe everyone deserves a crown. I truly mean it,” the newly-crowned Miss Kananga added.
Jung is not new in national pageantry.
She joined the Miss World 2021 where she placed among the top 10 for the best in the national costume category. A year later, she competed at the Binibining Pilipinas and was crowned as Miss Caloocan 2023.
April Tanhueco, municipal tourism officer, in her message said that Jung’s winning the crown is a testament to the beauty and goodness that resonate within the heart of the Kananga people.
“As you embark on the journey to represent our town on the national and global stage in Miss Universe Philippines 2024, we have full confidence that you will eloquently showcase the spirit and grace of our community,” she said.
Tanhueco assured the newly- crowned queen on the full support of the local government in her quest for the Miss Universe Philippines.
Also crowned were Jhy-ross Yboa, a crowd favorite, as Miss Philippines Kananga and will represent the town in The Miss Philippines pageant in 2024 whose winners will have the chance to represent the country at the Miss Supranational, Miss Charm, and Miss Asia Pacific International.
Just like Jung, Yboa, who represented Brgy. Lim-ao, is not new in pageantry.
She is the current Mutya han Samar titleholder.
In 2018 she joined the Miss Teen Pintados search where she landed 4th runner-up. In 2022 she bagged the crown as Miss Manaragat 2022 in Catbalogan City.
This 2023 she joined the Miss Pintados search and was crowned as 3rd runner-up.
Yboa also bagged the Best in Swimsuit major award, including Miss EDC and Miss Paytaca special award.
Charlene Angel Custodio of Lonoy village was crowned as Miss Tourism Kananga.
She also bagged the Miss Kawa café. Her previous feats in pageantry was being crowned as Miss West Leyte Colleges 2023 second runner-up in April and Miss EVSU-OC 2023 second runner-up last November.
All winners received cash prizes.
The event was hosted by beauty queen MJ Lastimosa and television host Sean Kyle Ortega. (ROEL T.AMAZONA/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
TACLOBAN CITY-The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Eastern Visayas has issued a warning for the public not to eat, collect, or sell all types of shellfish as it issued a red tide alert covering two major bays.
In a local red tide advisory released on Monday (Dec.10) and Monday (Dec.11) respectively, the BFAR said that the presence of Pyrodinium bahamense, a toxic microorganism that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) was detected in San Pedro Bay in Basey, Samar, and Cancabato Bay in Tacloban City, Leyte.
“To safeguard human lives, we are issuing this warning as a precautionary advice to the public to refrain from gathering, selling, and eating, all types of shellfish and Acetes sp., locally known as alamang or hipon from Cancabato Bay and San Pedro Bay to avoid possible shellfish poisoning,” it said.
The BFAR also said that eating squid, crab, fish, and shrimp gathered from these two bays are safe to eat provided that they are fresh, and all entrails are removed and washed thoroughly with running water before cooking.
It added that together with the local government units concerned, they are closely monitoring the affected areas ‘to safeguard public health and to protect the shellfish industry.’ (JOEY A. GABIETA)
