TACLOBAN CITY-The Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), based here, is in a rejoicing mood.

This after four of its examinees of the chemical technician board licensure board examinations made it to the Top 10.

Top placer Jopette Maria Villas, who obtained a 94% rating, said that she was overjoy when she learned the result.

“I’m happy and thankful and grateful to God for this blessing. I still cannot believe that I’m among the top placers,” the 23-year old board acer said.

For his part, Shaquil Sebastian, 22, who with a rating of 93.0% landed third, together with a classmate, Kristil Grace Amistoso.

Aside from Villas, Sebastian, and Amistoso, the other placers from EVSU was Jamaica Fiel, who ranked fourth with a rating of 92.50%.

Sebastian, in a phone interview, said that he could not believe that not only he passed the licensure examination but made it to the top 10 finishers.

“When my friends told me that I ranked number three, I could believe it that I had to see the results for myself,” he said.

“It was really overwhelming! I thought I was just dreaming for I had just woke up at that time. I immediately inform my papa and mama and they too were very happy,” the eldest among the brood of four siblings said.

Sebastian, who is a scholar of the Department of Science and Technology and graduated as a cum laude together with the other three board placers of their school, said that he felt all the efforts he poured in during his reviews paid off.

“I was actually doing my online review and at the same time, working in a BPO. I just thought that I will not even pass the examination as I thought that I did not answer correctly made of the items in the examination,” he added.

For one, the son of a businessman father and a plain house mother admitted that the result has not fully sink in him yet.

”But I am so thankful to our Lord for guiding me during those difficult situations,” Sebastian said.

Lydia Morante, the university’s information officer, said that they are proud of the performance of their students that despite of the current situation, four of their graduates made it to the top 10.

“We are proud of our performance. Even during the pandemic, our faculty continued its commitment and dedication to provide the best education our students deserve,” she added.

It was learned that out of the 66 takers, 45 of them passed the chemical technician board examination conducted last October 19.

Last year, EVSU also produced two Top 10 finishers of the chemical technician board examination, placing fifth and ninth. (JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY-Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres Gomez was named as the chairperson of the Regional Development Council (RDC) for Eastern Visayas by Pres. Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr.

The appointment of Torres Gomez was relayed to her by the regional office of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) which serves as the secretariat of the regional body.

The President signed the appointment of the Ormoc mayor last October 19, a day before he made a visit to the city for its 75th Charter Day celebration.

“Our warmest congratulations! We are truly happy over the honorable Mayor’s appointment, knowing fully well of her sincere commitment to help RDC-VIII deliver its mandate of accelerating the socioeconomic development of Eastern Visayas,” NEDA Regional Director Meylene Rosales said in her October 21 letter to Torres Gomez.

Torres Gomez, in accepting the appointment, said that she is happy for the post extended to her by the President.

“I express my deepest gratitude to Pres. Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. for the honor and opportunity bestowed on me as chairperson of the RDC-8,” she said in a statement.
“I look forward to serving the region by promoting socio-economic projects that will fuel our keystone industries, most especially agriculture and tourism,” the newly-minted RDC chair added.

Also named by Pres. Marcos was Torres vice-chairman representing the private sector, Leo Christian Lauzon, representing the sector of persons with special concerns.

Aside from the Ormoc city mayor, the names of Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, Maasin City Mayor Naccional Mercado, Baybay City Mayor Carlos Cari, and Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez were also considered for the RDC chairmanship.

The RDC is the highest policy-making body of the region wherein its major programs and projects are endorsed to concerned government departments and Malacañang mostly for funding purposes.
(JOEY A. GABIETA/RONALD O.REYES)

Ligayo vows to take the challenge

CATBALOGAN CITY– End the local armed conflict by this year’s end.
This was the marching order of the commanding general of the Philippine Army to Major Gen.Camilo Ligayo who assumed the post as the commanding officer of the 8th Infantry Division, based here, last Friday (Oct. 21).

Lt. Gen. Romero Brawner, the Army’s top official who presided the turnover ceremony, said that Ligayo should make sure that the communist armed group, the New People’s Army, could no longer stage armed battle against government forces.

“The timeline that I set doesn’t mean that they need to totally annihilate the communist group. Instead, they must become insignificant so that they can no longer extort money from companies, from the people, and that they can no longer recruit new members,” he said.

Ligayo assumed the post temporarily occupied by B/Gen. Zosimo Oliveros who returns to his post as the 8th ID assistant commanding officer.

The new commanding officer of the 8th ID familiarity with Eastern Visayas’ terrain particularly Samar Island, is seen to be a big factor for him to accomplish the target.
Ligayo was the former 801st Infantry Brigade commander based in Hinabangan, Samar whose jurisdiction covers Samar and Eastern Samar provinces.

Responding to the challenge of the commanding general of the Philippine Army, MGen Ligayo said that they are within the timeline of crashing the communist armed group.
“I am very hopeful that by the end of the year, and once the military equipment arrives including personnel we will achieve this goal,” Ligayo, who once served as deputy to Brawner, said.

He, however, said that support from the local governments and the villagers will be a big help in their campaign to quell the rebels’ armed movement in the region.

Ligayo noted the number of former communist members who already surrendered is an indication that the war against local armed conflict is nearing to its end.

“The government has a good program for those who surrender and the community is also helping in their reintegration,” he added.

Meantime, the assignment of Ligayo as the new 8th ID commanding general was welcomed by local officials of Samar province.

Rep. Reynolds Michael Tan of the 2nd district said that he is confident that the Ligayo is up to the challenge given to him by Brawner.

“Even if he cannot fully eliminate the number of insurgents in the region, their numbers will significantly decline,” he said.

Matuguinao Mayor Aran Boller promised of his total support to Ligayon to end the insurgency problem.

“All local officials should support the actions of the military in the combat against communist groups to achieve the lasting peace and prosperity and development of Samar,” the town mayor.

The change of command was also witnessed by Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan and other officials of different government agencies.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)