On November 16, 2023, the United States and the Philippines signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement, commonly known as a “123 Agreement,” at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in San Francisco.

Upon entry into force, the agreement will facilitate and enhance our cooperation on clean energy security and strengthen our alliance. This signing marks the successful culmination of the negotiation process launched by Vice President Kamala Harris during her historic trip to the Philippines in November 2022.

This agreement lays out a comprehensive framework for peaceful nuclear cooperation between the Philippines and United States based on a mutual commitment to nuclear nonproliferation and is required by U.S. law to allow for the transfer of nuclear equipment and material for peaceful uses.

With access to U.S. material and equipment, the U.S. and the Philippines will be able to work together to deploy advanced new technologies, including small modular reactors, to support climate goals as well as critical energy security and baseload power needs within the Philippines.

This agreement also establishes nonproliferation criteria that both governments must uphold such as observing specific standards for covered items used in civil nuclear energy programs, including International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards; physical protection of covered items; and limitations on enriching, reprocessing, and transferring specific items without the other Party’s consent. (PR)

GOVERNMENT CENTER, PALO, Leyte– The regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in collaboration with the Fraternal Order of Eagles (Philippine Eagles), Central Tacloban Engineers Eagles Club, Central Tacloban Engineers Lady Eagles Club and Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) conducted a blood-letting activity on November 15, 2023.

The maintenance and construction divisions of the DPWH-8 spearheaded the blood donation activity held at the basketball court of the said office.

“This bloodletting activity is one way of collectively showcasing volunteerism among employees of the government. We give so others may live. It is our way to show our appreciation to the gift of life that we are blessed with to serve the public,” said DPWH Regional Director Edgar Tabacon.

Donors were screened based on medical guidelines imposed by EVMC. Only those who are fit and well were allowed to donate.

A total of 23 blood donors from DPWH successfully donated their blood with 23 units/bag of blood collected from said activity.

The blood-letting activity dubbed as “Save Life: Donate Blood” aims to augment the blood supply in the region and create awareness of the importance of donating blood to save others’ lives.

The activity was co-sponsored by the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) -Metro Tacloban Chapter and Central Baluarte Tacloban Rotary Club.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

ORMOC CITY– About 96 families from Lope de Vega, Northern Samar were evacuated to the different evacuation centers amid flooding it experienced due to a low-pressure area and shear line-induced rain.

Municipal information officer Francine Saludario, in an interview, disclosed most of the families affected are residents within the town center whose houses were flooded due to the nonstop rain experienced by the town since Sunday (Nov. 19).

She added that the flood water reached up to one-meter depth, adding roads leading to Calbayog City and Catarman were not passable due to flooding.

The displaced families were provided with foods by the local government.

Saludario also reported that a landslide also occurred in Barangay Bonifacio.
(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY– An alleged member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter in Pambujan, Northern Samar.

In a belated report from the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City, the said encounter took place in the morning on November 15 in Barangay Senonogan, Pambujan town.

At least six high-powered firearms said to be from the rebels were recovered by the government troopers from the 19th Infantry Battalion during the 10-minute firefight.

The rebels were said to belong to the Front Committee 1, Sub-Regional Committee Emporium of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee led by Lontoy Jarito alias Amboy, a notorious communist leader who perpetrated numerous atrocities and extortion activities in the areas of Northern Samar.

Lt. Col. Marvin Maraggun, the commanding officer of the 19th IB, expressed his appreciation for the timely information provided by the villagers as he commended the Barangay Task Force-End Local Communist Armed Conflict (BTF-ELCAC) for their support in the anti-insurgency campaign.

“The successful operation underscores the desire of the populace, members of BTF-ELCAC and MTF-ELCAC in their collective effort in ending local armed conflict in the hinterlands of Pambujan,” he said.

Meanwhile, the 8th Infantry Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Camilo Ligayo lauded the troops for their efforts to bring peace to Northern Samar. He also thanked the citizens who gave information vital to the successful operation.

“Let us continue engaging the communities from the Barangays down to Sitios, to build a strong relationship with the communities and encourage them to cooperate with the government. Let us continuously engage the populace to inform them of the government’s programs for those who are willing to surrender,”he said in a statement.

He also extends his deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the killed rebel member.
“It is sad that another Filipino who was deceived by the misleading ideals of the communist terrorists has died. My deepest sympathy to the bereaved family. On the other hand, I encouraged the remaining members of the rebel group to surrender and be with their families while you still have a chance,” Ligayo said.
(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY– A high-valued individual who is on the drug watch list of the Philippine National Police (PNP) was arrested in Maasin City on Sunday (Nov. 19).

Arrested was Jude Toby Aguilar, said to be the ranked number three on the list of high-value targets by the PNP.

He was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Rizal, Maasin City at about 1:20 pm. His companion during the arrest, Leonil Felices, was also arrested.

Seized from the suspects were suspected shabu valued at P34,000 weighing at five grams.
The suspects are now detained at the locked-up facility of the Maasin city police and were charged for possession and selling of illegal drugs.
(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY– A 5.2 magnitude quake in several parts in Leyte and Samar provinces at about 12:57 pm on Monday (Nov. 20).

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported that the tremor, which it first measured at 5.6 magnitude, had an epicenter of Calbiga, Samar.
It added that it expects some damages and aftershocks due to the tremor which was of tectonic in origin.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said that their power transmission services remain normal despite of the quake.

“The grid remains intact as there had been no reported cases of power interruptions and damaged transmissions facilities areas where the earthquake was felt,” it said in an advisory.

In Calbiga, the epicenter of the quake, employees of the municipal government including Mayor Red Nacario rushed outside the building.

“It was strong with the shaking lasting for almost five seconds,” an employee of the municipal disaster risk reduction management office said.

She said that there was no damage reported.
In Tacloban, people who were inside offices, homes, and establishments also went out to the streets for safety.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)