Catarman Northern Samar– The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Northern Samar First District Engineering Office actively participated in the task force “Operation Baklas,” aimed at removing prohibited campaign materials as per the regulations set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
This initiative was in compliance with Comelec rules and was undertaken in preparation for the upcoming October 30, 2023, Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataang Elections.
The task force, in its First Operation Baklas, was mandated to dismantle and clear away unauthorized election materials that were displayed outside the designated areas.
District Engineer Mario D. Villena emphasized the importance of this operation, stating that the unlawful election posters, especially those obstructing major highways and public spaces beyond the authorized posting zones, needed immediate removal.
To efficiently carry out this task, the district office mobilized five (5) teams, each comprising dedicated DPWH maintenance workers, members of the Philippine National Police, and COMELEC personnel. These teams were strategically deployed to identify and remove any illegal election paraphernalia found along major thoroughfares and in public places.”
The District Office’s proactive participation in Operation Baklas demonstrates its commitment to ensuring a safe and compliant electoral environment. (ANALIZA A. PABIA, PIO Alternate/PR)
TACLOBAN CITY-The Department of Education (DepEd)-Leyte Division has launched an investigation following a viral video that involved a public school teacher allegedly imposing a punishment on a group of students through “squatting.”
“Upon promptly receiving the video, DepEd-Leyte immediately conducted validation of the facts directly at the school. Upon hearing the facts, the team convened with the school head and the concerned teacher,” it said in a statement.
“Subsequently, the Office initiated collaboration with the legal office to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident,” it added.
The video was posted on Facebook by a netizen on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.
According to the division office, the incident took place at an elementary school in Burauen town.
In the information gathered by Leyte Samar Daily Express, a prior incident allegedly happened in the school wherein a group of students “bullied” another student on October 18, 2023 during a scouting activity.
The students allegedly undressed the victim and inserted their fingers into his anus.
Upon learning of the incident, the victim’s parents reported it to the teacher, who became the subject of the viral video.
According to the source, the teacher inquired the group of students in the video about who was the culprit in the alleged bullying on October 18.
Amid the incident, the Leyte Division reassured the public that “any concerns or issues concerning learners’ rights and protection will be handled with the utmost urgency.”
“Its primary objective is to ensure the creation of a safe, secure, and conducive learning environment for all students,” it stressed.
Meanwhile, the division office maintained that it is “committed to upholding the learners’ rights and protection.”
“It is firm in its stance against all forms of violence, exploitation, discrimination, bullying, and any other manifestations of abuse within the educational system,” it said. (RONALD O. REYES)
PALOMPON, Leyte– A marine laboratory for ranching and restocking of marine products was inaugurated in this town on October 20.
The activity was launched along the Tres Marias Reef with Mayor Ramon Oñate spearheading the activity in collaboration with Southern Leyte State University, Sogod- Bontoc Campus.
Mayor Oñate said the LGU has been planning and ground-working for this project since October 2018 but unwanted circumstances hampered and prevented them from realizing the project.
The marine products that are being ranch and for re-stocking includes abalone, blue crabs, sea hare, and sea cucumbers.
“With the establishment of the marine laboratory, it is expected that these marine products will increase in the coming years as the laboratory will mean an increase of production,” the town mayor said. (ROBERT DEJON)
ORMOC CITY– Police in Ormoc City continue their probe on the killing of a village councilor as a reward of P150,000 was offered for those who can help identify the gunman.
Francisco Villa, 53, who seeking a reelection in Monday’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSK) elections in their village of Biliboy was gunned down by the assassin.
The police said that Villa was at the diversion road staff house of the said barangay talking with two persons when the gunman with a cap appeared and suddenly shot the victim.
The suspect then casually left on foot.
Villa died on the spot. The responding city rescue unit arrived but the victim had no vital signs already.
Police personnel of the city’s police station 1 immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation and alerted all city patrollers including the adjacent towns to possibly arrest the suspect. (ELVIE ROMAN ROA)
As the nationwide Barangay and SK elections draw near, the integrity of the electoral system is being challenged as candidates seemingly cannot do away with vote-buying activities. While the intent to win over voters is inherent in any democratic process, this unethical practice undermines the essence of fair elections. What are the reasons behind these phenomena and the complex web of motivations that drive candidates to engage in such practices?
One of the primary factors contributing to the prevalence of vote-buying among candidates is the non-transparent campaign financing system. Political campaigns demand substantial funding, especially in competitive races, leading many candidates to use illicit means to secure the necessary resources. With the pressure to raise significant amounts of money in a limited time, some candidates turn to vote-buying as a quick-fix solution to win over undecided voters. This monetary exchange, however, undermines the integrity of the electoral process and erodes trust among citizens.
Furthermore, the perception that vote-buying yields electoral success can contribute to its perpetuation. Candidates who witness their opponents gaining electoral support through these unscrupulous practices might be tempted to follow suit to level the playing field. This unhealthy competition often leads to a downward spiral, normalizing vote-buying and diminishing the importance of genuine policy discussion and debate. The pursuit of political power becomes primarily based on financial strength, diverting attention from the real issues that should guide voters’ decision-making.
Another significant factor behind the persistence of vote-buying practices relates to the socio-economic conditions prevalent in many communities. In regions plagued by poverty and limited access to basic social services, the allure of receiving immediate benefits in exchange for a vote is hard to resist for economically vulnerable citizens. Candidates capitalize on these circumstances by exploiting the vulnerabilities of voters, perpetuating a cycle of dependency that hampers social and economic development. These systemic challenges demand comprehensive efforts to tackle the root causes of vote-buying and uplift disadvantaged communities.
Unfortunately, vote-buying among candidates prior to elections seriously threatens the democratic process. To restore the integrity of elections, robust legislation, strong enforcement mechanisms, and continued civic education campaigns are paramount. Addressing underlying socio-economic disparities and ensuring equitable access to basic necessities are crucial in curbing the prevalence of vote-buying. Only through collective action can societies foster truly fair and representative electoral processes.
As a lover of nature, I always believe that there is much for us to learn from it. Take monkeys, for example, that are equipped with remarkable intelligence and abilities. They possess problem-solving skills, adaptability, and social intelligence. Surely, we can draw valuable parallels that can provide us with a deeper understanding of cognitive abilities and the intricate nature of learning.
In general, monkeys exhibit an impressive level of intelligence. Their ability to recognize complex patterns and demonstrate a keen understanding of the environment showcases their cognitive capabilities. For instance, they can learn to use tools effectively, such as using stones to crack nuts or fashioning improvised tools from branches. This displays a deep level of comprehension and adaptive thinking, qualities that resonate with highly educated individuals.
Also, monkeys possess a remarkable capacity for information retention and recall. They are adept at memory-based tasks and exhibit an ability to learn from past experiences. For instance, studies have shown that monkeys exhibit episodic-like memory, recalling past events with contextual details. This level of memory retention is comparable to humans, who can recall intricate details from past events.
Social intelligence is another domain where monkeys exhibit a profound resemblance to people. Monkeys demonstrate complex social hierarchies, where they engage in intricate social interactions and maintain strong bonds within their groups. These interactions require a high level of emotional intelligence, empathy, and understanding of social dynamics – qualities that closely mirror the social acumen necessary for getting along with people.
Language comprehension is an area in which monkeys have shown astonishing progress, akin to the language proficiency mastered by the average student. Monkeys can learn to decipher different sounds and even understand basic symbolic representations when trained appropriately. For instance, some studies have demonstrated monkeys’ ability to comprehend and respond to certain sign language commands, revealing their innate aptitude to grasp the complexities of human communication.
Monkeys’ capacity to learn from others, particularly through observation and imitation, further highlights their parallel with humans. As highly social beings, monkeys actively engage in observational learning, allowing them to acquire skills and knowledge from their peers. This dynamic mirrors the importance of collaboration with other folks such as students, whereby they learn from their colleagues and mentors through observation, discussion, and sharing of expertise.
So, monkeys exhibit an astonishing level of intelligence and comprehension, which closely resonates with the abilities of people. Through the capacities of monkeys, we can gain profound insights into the realms of intelligence, biology, and the nature of learning—creating a compelling narrative that mirrors our own intellectual journey.
