PALO, Leyte– One of the country’s biggest insurance companies is pinning high hopes of achieving its target for the year, thanks to the many infrastructure projects being undertaken by the Marcos administration.

Joseph Carandang, head of the sales and marketing division of the Pacific Union Insurance Company (PUIC), said that for this year, they are targeting to achieve P1.7 billion.
And for 2024, they are eyeing about P2.1 billion income, he said.

“Actually, we are one of the thriving industries during the pandemic. Construction is one of our biggest leverages because our biggest product is the contractor’s all-risk insurance or the bond,” Carandang said in an interview.

“And one of our biggest opportunities included the big projects undertaken by the previous administration of(former president) Duterte under his Build, Build, Build and now we have the Build Better More by the current administration of Pres. (Ferdinand Bongbong) Marcos, Jr. so we are taking advantage of the various constructions under the program,” he added.
Carandang was among the guests during the Christmas party held by the PUIC based here and headed by Ma. Agnes Costuna last Sunday (Dec.3).

The company, one of the leading non-life insurance companies, provides bonds to contractors undertaking government infrastructure projects.

But Carandang said that while they are happy with the positive growth of their company, what gives them more satisfaction is how their agents perform and their welfare.

“When it comes to income, we are very happy but the most important for us is the income of the agent. More than the income of the company, it’s really the agents that help us grow,” he said.

At present, the company operates in 35 key areas across the country and intend to open more offices.

Meantime, Carandang said that they are happy on the performance of their local branch being headed by Costuna.

In fact, they are seeing an increase in the ‘product’ income of the Pacific Union Insurance Co. in the region under the stewardship of Costuna.

For this year, the target of the company in the region is P120 million, of which 90 percent has been reached already.

Costuna said that they are doing their best to attract more clients and continue their position as the leading non-insurance company in Eastern Visayas.

“We are just happy that our clients are steadily growing,” she said.
(JOEY A. GABIETA/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

CATARMAN, Northern Samar-The Bureau of Fire Protection(BFP) of this town is conducting a thorough investigation of the origin of the fire that gutted a warehouse of a huge establishment at about 9:35 pm on Friday(Dec.1) located in Barangay Dalakit.

BFP Catarman Fire Marshall Fire Senior Inspector Victor Ygbuhay identified the gutted warehouse as Sanvic Supermart Dalakit Branch which contained with alcohol, dry good products, and canned goods.

The fire reached up to third alarm with fire stations coming from nearby towns of San Jose, Lavezares, Bobon, Mondragon, and San Roque helped put out the blaze.

The fire was controlled past 10 pm and was totally put out at 1:35 early morning.

Arson investigators are still conducting their probe as to the origin of the fire.
Damage due to the fire was placed at P30 million. (ROBERT DEJON)

BORONGAN CITY – The provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry in Eastern Samar opened the “One Town, One Product (OTOP)” hub in this city which is seen to help boost the income of local producers.

During the December 1 opening of the facility, located at the Fun Borongan building at Baybay Boulevard, DTI provincial director Ruthelma Samonte said that the OTOP hub is not just a place to exhibit products produced by local producers in the province but is also a venue where producers and exhibitors have a chance to connect with possible clients.
The DTI official also said that with the OTOP building now in existence, the local producers could seek assistance from government agencies for the improvement of their products and make them competitive.

Samonte said that the OTOP hub ensures that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) not just in Borongan but in all of Eastern Samar province are assured that they have a place to go to for marketing, promoting, and permanent display or exhibit area.
Samonte added that having an OTOP hub would not only help the MSMEs but also the tourism industry and economy of the city.

Pedro Tan, DTI-8 chief of staff who represented regional director Celerina Bato, lauded the local producers which he said will help in providing identity to the city.

“This time we have the potential, hindi tayo natutulog, and our best can compare with the world’s best. An kinahanglan la an marketing access, financial support, commitment hit LGUs,” he said, adding that the MSME sector is the leading economic driver of the country providing a 99.6% contribution to the Philippine economy.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

In Northern Samar

TACLOBAN CITY– The provincial government will continue to extend support to any health-related initiatives, including addressing HIV-AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

This was assured by Vice Governor Clarence Dato as the province joined the worldwide observance of World’s AIDS Day last Saturday (Dec.2).

Based on the record of the Northern Samar Provincial Health Office, the province has recorded 204 HIV cases since 2015, 72 of which have already died, while 74 are undergoing treatment.

“The provincial government will always look after the health of the Nortehanons. We will work hand-in-hand with different sectors and stakeholders to address health issues which include HIV-AIDS and the stigma that comes with it,” Dato, representing Governor Edwin Ongchuan, said.

Jeane Pelayo, HIV-AIDS control program coordinator in the province, said most of their cases were acquired outside Northern Samar.

“We are offering testing and treatment for free at the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital treatment hub. So those who want to be tested need only come to us for help. With the confidentiality rule, we assure you of utmost privacy in the process,” she said.

The HIV-AIDS control program in the province, Pelayo said, is actively carried out in Northern Samar through the HIV-AIDS core team (HACT) composed of health experts.
Based on the record from the Department of Health, since 1984, Eastern Visayas recorded 1,899 AIDS cases with 128 deaths.

Leyte has the highest at 1,006 cases with 51 deaths followed by Samar with 276 cases with 11 deaths; Northern Samar with 224 cases and 33 deaths; Southern Leyte,172 cases with 14 deaths; and Biliran 87 cases with six deaths.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)