TACLOBAN CITY – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) chief in this city will be organizing a candidates’ forum in connection to the October 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

The forum is aimed at informing the candidates of the prohibitions imposed during the election period, lawyer Maria Goretti Cañas said.

Based on their record, there were over 3,500 candidates are running for the forthcoming barangay and youth balloting.

“We will inform them on all prohibitions especially now that we already entered the election period; what are the prohibited acts during and outside the campaign period so that we lessen in the filing of cases against a candidate,” Cañas said.

Among these prohibitions include the posting on social media of the candidates or their relatives or even others who will promote their candidacy outside the allocated date of the campaign period.

The Comelec had scheduled the campaign period for the barangay and SK elections to start from October 19 to 28.

“Campaigning also covers their post on social media, this should be taken down unless gusto nira nga cases will be filed against them. Most of our candidates are unaware of this rule pero ignorance of the law excuses no one to compliance therewith,” Caňas said.

Aside from briefing the candidates, the polls official added that they will also conduct training for individuals who will compose the electoral board.

“It is very important considering that the October 30 BSKE is a manual election,” Cañas said, adding that the training will be conducted on all Saturdays of September.
Caňas added that they also have a schedule for posting the names of all official candidates for the BSKE.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY-The abundance of marine life foods in the seawaters of Catarman, Northern Samar resulted in the frequent visit of the world’s biggest fish locally called “butanding” or whale shark.

The latest whale shark citing took place last August 25 at about 3 pm on the shore of Barangay Dalakit in the said town.

The frequent presence of this world’s largest fish was observed by local residents who do not disturb them while they are hunting for food.

The whale shark was seen in the area until 5 pm.

Local residents in the area just observed what the whale shark was doing as the local government of this town prevented them from harming this endangered fish based on national law.

After enjoying the Catarman waters, the whale shark returned to the depths of the waters.
The presence of this giant marine fish is common in Eastern Visayas.

In Southern Leyte, whale sharks have been observed to be present several times in a year passing at their seawaters. Their presence became important to the LGUs as this boosted their tourism industry.
(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY – Rep. Marcelino Libanan of the 4Ps party-list representative reminded mining companies to comply with all laws to avoid any possible opposition to their operations.

Libanan, who is also the minority floor leader in the House of Representatives, stressed while the country has an existing mining law that guides mining companies, it is clear that many of them are not following it reason they are facing strong resistance from their respective host community.

“Itun nga responsabilidad diri kuno mahihibang itun gin miminahan kay mayda man hitun rehabilitation diresto. Itun minero nga responsible, nagtitikang man itun ha exploration, pero an kamatuuran pala an mina nga ira nakukuha gin babaligya na nira and most often binabayaan nira an open pit asya nga nareact an mga tawo,” the party-list solon said.

The issue of mining operations is now in the spotlight, especially in Eastern Samar, particularly at the historic island of Homonhon, Guiuan town.

Catholic leaders are leading in opposing the mining operations in Homonhon as well as in Manicani Island, also in Guiuan town.

“Kun imu ig iimplement properly ngada ha kahuman pagmina, harus an tanan nga flora and fauna will be restored to its original and then an imu pagkita baga’t waray pagminahi kay ibabalik mo man an mga natural flora and fauna pati an mga species nga nakada nga siguro asya it atun angay kitaun ngadi ha Eastern Samar,” Libanan said.

“Itun akun position is responsible mining, karuyag sidngun kun mayda hira permit mayda kaakibat nga responsabilidad,” he added.

Governor Ben Evardone has earlier called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Mines and Geoscience Bureau (MGB) to enforce and implement environmental and mining regulations.

The governor had earlier demanded for the mining companies to pay their real property tax to the province.

There are at least four mining companies operating on Homonhon Island and one on Manicani Island.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)