CATARMAN, N. Samar-The Department of Public Works and Highways(DPWH)-Northern Samar First District Engineering Office(NSFDEO) entry for this year’s Christmas lights and Carnival display dubbed as “Karibhungan sa Pasko” earned the second spot during the awarding ceremony last December 15,2022 at Ibabao Hall, Provincial Capitol, Catarman Northern Samar.
To recall, the district office established one of the famous amusement rides-ferris wheel. There were also food stalls offering free sweet treats such as cotton candies, popcorn and ice cream.
The district also showcased full entertainment live band composed by talented NSFDEO employees.
In an interview, District Engineer Mario D. Villena recognized all men and women behind the creation of said Christmas display.
“I am fascinated with the efforts put by my employees and their everyday sacrifices just to entertain and give smile to the Nortehanons who visited the Christmas display. I am sure the competition equipped and developed not only the engineering-related skills of my employees but also improved their social skills by interacting with different people from various walks of life,” said DE Villena.
The district office was awarded with a plaque and a cash prize worth P100,000.
On the other hand, DPWH-NSSDEO won the 1st prize with a plaque and a cash prize of P130,000 and the Fraternal Order of Eagles got the 3rd spot with a plaque and a cash prize of Php 70,000.
The competition is now on its sixth year and was organized by the provincial government of Northern Samar which aims to promote the spirit of giving, sharing and boost local tourism. (PR)
SAN ISIDRO, Leyte– Mayor Remedio Veloso of this town declared that he was the target of a gun attack that killed her elder sister last Dec. 21.
Veloso, in an exclusive interview with Leyte Samar Daily Express, confirmed that he has been receiving death threats since last summer’s elections where he ran unopposed.
He also confirmed that the vehicle where his sister, Juanita,77 and wife Leleena, and driver, Edmil Bacay were unharmed when their vehicle was fired upon by the armed perpetrators along a national highway in Kananga town while they were en route to San Isidro.
“I know who was behind the ambush that killed my sister and you can ask anybody from the 3rd District of Leyte who this person is,” the town mayor said, referring as to who could be behind on the gun attack.
Veloso said that the vehicle where the victims were on board were given to him by brother in 2019 and he used it as his service vehicle.
He added that the perpetrators could have thought that he was on board in the said vehicle.
According to Mayor Veloso, the threat could also be due to the plan of his brother, Weng, to run as a congressman for the third district in the forthcoming 2025 local elections.
The beleaguered mayor has appealed to the police to conduct a checkpoint in the 3rd district to avoid any occurrence of similar incident.
At present, the ancestral house of the Veloso is being secured by police personnel from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion. (ROBERT DEJON)
The Department of Tourism through its attached agency, Tourism Promotion Board, initiated a skills training to six community-based tourism organizations for them to improve their marketing skills through online. (PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY – Six community-based tourism organizations from Samar province attended the marketing enhancement sustainable community-based tourism workshop of the Tourism Promotion Board (TPB), an attached agency of the Department of Tourism.
These includes the Basiao Native Weaver Association (BANWA), Basey Association of Native Industry Growth), and Sohoton Services Cooperatives of Basey; Barobaybay Mangrove and Marine.
Conservationist Association (BMMCA) of Calbiga; Tour Guides and Boat Operators for River Protection and Environmental Development Organization (TORPEDO) and Tenani Association for Women and Development (TAWAD), both from Paranas.
The training aimed to empower and improve the organization’s skills in terms of digital marketing, product branding, and sustainable packaging.
Among the training activities was live selling wherein members of the organization were asked to present and sell their products through social media platform Facebook.
The training was provided by Inclusive Growth Advocate, social media influencer Apple Allison.
“Never delete you videos to make them as recordings of the products that you are selling so that people may watch them again when they have time,” Allison said.
Allison also reminded the participants to always look at the camera when they are doing live selling to make contact with their audience.
BANWA member Karen Cabigon said that they are thankful to be part of this training provided by the TPB.
BANWA has a total of 38 women weaver members whose products includes the traditional banig, bags, slippers, laptop case, wallets, coin purse, and sling bags.
“One of the topics that we like was the branding and doing collaboration with other associations,” she said.
The group used to rely their sales on walk-in customers, but with the presence of social media, they are now accepting orders online.
DOT-8 Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes during the closing ceremony of the 3-day training that ended on December 20, encouraged the participants to do their best and be confident as they sell their products to wider market.
“If you are from the industry you need to be proud of what you are selling, you know how to sell, and you have great confidence to say what you need to say, to market what you need to market because you are already equipped with the skills thru this training. Most importantly, practice what you learn,” she said. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Northern Samar through its health office has recognized health program implementers, partners, and stakeholders with exemplary delivery on health services in their respective local government units, hospitals, and community health services providers.
The provincial government of Northern Samar paid homage to its various partners in the implementation of health-related programs across the province during a simple ceremony. (PHOTO COURTESY)
The awardees include the local government unit of Bobon and Mondragon for their zero open Defecation (ZOD) municipality Grade 1.
ZOD or Grade 1 (G1) status is achieved when the “households have stopped practicing open defecation and are using sanitary toilet facilities and no human feces are openly visible or exposed to the environment.”
Also recognized under the same category were the villages of Sampaguita and UEP Zone 1 in Catarman; Brgys. 1, 3, Hitapian, Nagoocan, Roxas, San Jose, and Sta. Fe in Catubig; Brgys. Bangon, Bato, Cadac-an, Cagamutan del Sur, Guibwangan, G.M Osias, Hegonawe, Lonoy, Malidong, Occidental II, and Oriental II, all in Gamay; Brgys. Genaronagan and San Francisco in Lope de Vega; Brgys. Bagabas, Bugko, Cagmanaba, Chitongco, Doña Lucia, Eco, Imelda, Makiwalo, Mirador, Nenita, and Roxas, all in Mondragon.
Also given recognition were the villages of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Canjumadal, and Paninirongan, all in Pambujan; Brgys. Zone 1, Zone 3, and Laoangan, San Roque; and Brgys Acedillo and San Roman, both in Victoria.
Meanwhile, the villages of Burgos, Del Sur, and E Laodenio were recognized for ZOD Barangay (G2).
Of the 24 towns in the province, 19 of them were recognized for the completion of their local investment plan for health 2023-2025 and annual operational plan for 2023 that was endorsed to the Provincial Health Office.
These are the municipalities of Biri, Bobon, Capul, Catarman, Catubig, Gamay, Laoang, Lapinig, Lavezares, Lope de Vega, Mapanas, Palapag, Rosario, San Antonio, San Isidro, San Jose, San Roque, San Vicente, and Silvino Lobos.
The LGU of Lavezares, Rosario and San Antonio were recognized for their sustainable disaster risk reduction and management in health (DRRM-H) institutionalization (Category 1), while Allen, Capul, Catarman, Gamay, Laoang, Lope de Vega, Mapanas, Pambujan, San Isidro, San Roque, San Vicente, and Victoria for DRRM-H Category 2.
Laoang, Mapanas, and Rosario were recognized as best mental health program implementer; Mapanas as best practice in mental health and for community-based drug rehabilitation program together with the town of Rosario; Bobon for best dengue program implementation.
The Allen District Hospital, Biri District Hospital, Capul District Hospital, GB Tan Memorial Hospital, San Antonio District Hospital, and Northern Samar Provincial Hospital were recognized for their active hospital disease reporting unit.
Allen, Capul, Rosario, San Antonio, San Isidro as best implementer of national voluntary blood service program while the Colegio de San Juan Samar in Lavezares was recognized for highest blood collection among universities and schools.
For best implementer of the national STI-HIV/AIDS prevention and control program, Allen, Capul, Lavezares, Mapanas, Rosario, San Isidro, and San Antonio were recognized while the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital HIV-AIDS Core Team (NSPH HACT) was awarded as the most organized, committed, and dedicated HIV/AIDS core team.
Capul, Lavezares and NSPH were recognized for best treatment coverage rate while Catubig, Lapinig, Mapanas, Mondragon, Rosario, San Jose, Silvino Lobos, Capul, Gamay, Catarman, San Antonio, Laoang for best treatment coverage rate for LGU category.
Catarman was awarded as best in tuberculosis preventive treatment.
For Best in COVID-19 vaccination coverage, top 10 LGUs were Capul, Lapinig, San Jose, Lavezares, San Antonio, Victoria, Mapanas, Laoang, and Palapag.
For nutrition champion best practices, awardees were of Bobon for its “Adoption and Implementation of the Barangay Nutrition Action Plan in 18 Barangays,” and Catarman for “Integrated Active Case Finding of TB Exposure and Infection among Malnourished Children and Contact of TB Patient.”
Biri was awarded for nutrition excellence in operation timbang plus coverage while Bobon, Gamay, Laoang, Mapanas as nutrition champions in governance with full time Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO).
Bobon was recognized as a nutrition champion governance for implementing RA 11148, Asin Law, EO 51 Milk Code, and Wash and Nutrition.
Aside from local government units, the provincial government also recognizes barangay nutrition scholars for loyalty award and service award. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
TACLOBAN CITY– The Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) has warned the public against the use of unauthorized firecrackers and fireworks this coming New Year’s Eve celebration.
The public advisory aims to prevent the incidence of injuries and property damages relating to firecrackers in the city.
In an interview with TCPO Director PCol. Michael Palermo on “Oras han Tacloban,” the radio block time program of the City Information Office, the official enumerated the prohibited and “prescribed” firecrackers and fireworks under R.A. 7183 and EO 28.
According to Director Palermo, there are 26 prohibited firecrackers, which include watusi, Judas belt, five-star, and piccolo. The said firecrackers are prohibited because of their size and potential for danger when used.
On the other hand, there are eight “regulated” firecrackers, such as Baby Rocket, Bawang, Judas Belt, Kwitis, and other average-sized and locally-made firecrackers.
The following firecrackers are allowed: butterfly, fountain, Jumbo Regular and Special, Luces, Mabuhay, Roman Sparklers, and other pyrotechnic devices or “pailaw.”
Prohibited firecrackers will be confiscated by authorities, and violators will face possible penalties.
Meanwhile, in another development, the police force is warning the public to avoid crowded areas and be vigilant during the Dec. 26 anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines to avoid possible terrorist activities.
“The PNP is warning the public to exercise extreme vigilance and avoid flocking towards large mass assemblies as the CTG is known to launch attacks to amplify their anniversary,” the PNP posted on their official Facebook page.
WATER WORLD ON CHRISTMAS DAY. The shear line that hit most parts of Eastern Visayas resulted in massive flooding like in Jipapad town, Eastern Samar on Christmas Day. The bad weather also resulted in the number of fishermen declared as missing with four confirmed to have died. (Photo: VICKY ABESTROS, JIPAPAD MDRRMO)
TACLOBAN CITY– The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Eastern Visayas said that 8,612 families consisting of 32,422 individuals were affected by the flooding incident caused by a shear line that has been experiencing by the region since Friday (Dec. 23).
The affected families were all from Eastern Samar with the towns of Jipapad, Arteche, and Oras that were mostly affected, the OCD said on its report.
Meantime, the number of deaths due to the bad weather has now reached to four with six fishermen still missing.
In Jipapad, where all of its 13 barangays went under water reaching up to the second floor of the houses there, 2,780 families involving 9,913 persons were affected; in Arteche, 1,155 families consisting of 4,652 individuals were also hit by flooding while 4,677 families comprising 17,856 persons from Oras town were likewise affected by flooding.
In Northern Samar, while flooding incidents were also reported in some of its towns like in Catubig, it was more on the missing fishermen who ventured to the seas despite of the rough seas due to the bad weather.
Two fishermen were confirmed to have died with their remains recovered.
They are Pablo Cerbito, 43 of Barangay Rawis, Laoang town whose dead body was recovered on Christmas Day at about 8:40 am along the shores of San Jose town, also in Northern Samar.
Also recovered was the dead body of Jimmy Adante,47 of Brgy. Lao-angan, San Roque town.
His remains were fished out from the seas in Brgy. Magsaysay, Bobon town, also in Northern Samar at about 3:53 pm on Christmas Day.
Earlier, two fishermen from Jasaan town, Misamis Oriental died in the waters of Pintuyan, Southern Leyte after their fishing boat capsized. Six of their companions survived the December 25 incident.
Meantime, six fishermen are confirmed to be missing.
In Palapag town, Northern Samar, two fishermen, Jonathan Ponce and Roy Tusing, remain missing with seven others rescued earlier.
Jeremy Alexandre Evardone, the municipal disaster risk reduction management officer, said that they still continue on their search and rescue operations to find the two missing fishermen who are from Brgy.Talolora.
“We are coordinating with our nearby towns to help us find the two fishermen. We are still hopeful that they are still alive and okay,” he said in a phone interview, adding that going to the seas remains perilous due to rough water.
Also missing are Reinold Zabalsa,39 of Brgy.Cahayagan, Laoang town and Felipe Esmerio, 40 of Brgy.Lao-angan, San Roque, both in Northern Samar.
In Quinapondan town, Eastern Samar, fishermen Jaime Cawaja,50, and his younger brother, Elmer,47 were declared as missing as they failed to return to their village in Palactad since they were last seen on Dec. 23.
But Jaime cawaja was found in the waters of Brgy.Balagawan in Silago, Southern Leyte on Monday(Dec.26) at about 8 am.
In Leyte, one fisherman from Brgy. San Rafael, Dulag town, Dominador Cionelo, 40, is also reported missing since Dec. 24.
Meanwhile, the engineering district in Eastern Samar, where several flooding and landslide incidents were reported, said that all roads are now passable.
“As of 8 am of Dec.25, all roads are passable to all types of vehicles during Christmas Day. Floods have subsided and all landslides were already cleared,” district engineer Maya Junia said in her report to the regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Meantime, residents in Jipapad town who have evacuated due to the severe flooding have returned to their respective houses on Christmas Day after the flood water subsided.
Since Friday (Dec.23), the town has experienced heavy downpour which resulted in flooding reaching up to the second floors of several houses causing the residents to flee their homes.
Most of these affected families took shelter at the municipal hall and to their relatives whose houses are located at higher grounds.
Vicky Abestros, municipal disaster risk reduction management officer, said that the families returned to their homes as early as 6 am as the flood water started to recede.
“But they celebrated the Christmas Eve inside the evacuation center where they were provided with foods by the local government unit. Some of them were able to prepare something to eat like pork, chicken and pancit,” she said.
Power supply was also restored at around 8 am, Abestros said.
“Hope we will have a good weather during the New Year’s celebration,” she said, noting that she had to be at the evacuation center during the Christmas celebration instead with her own family.
Meantime, a tornado hit the village of Hamorawon in Guiuan town, also in Eastern Samar.
Based on the report of village chairwoman Benilda Godoy, the tornado hit their village at about 7:10 am on Saturday (Dec.24) which resulted in the destruction of 12 houses and four motor boats.
