ORMOC CITY-Too much drinking proved to be fatal to a Canadian national after was found dead about 5:40 am Monday (July 3) in a breakwater in Zone II, Brgy. Sto. Niño, Naval, Biliran.

Police said that the victim, William Ronald Haynes, 62, was found lying face down and lifeless on top of the concrete barrier at the seaside in the said place.
A bottle of liquor was found beside the victim.

Based on the investigation conducted by the police, the victim had an argument with his common-law wife who left their hotel room at about 8 pm Sunday (July 2).

A resident in the area, Jusrel Espina, was said to have saw the victim walking along the seawall at about 10 pm and appeared to be drunk.

Espina continued that at around 11 pm, he noticed that the victim was already lying and seemed to be sleeping, prompting him to wake him up but did not respond.

Dr. Ralph Bueno, the duty physician of the Naval rural health unit, said that the cause of death of the victim was due to a heart attack. (ROBERT DEJON)

CATARMAN, Northern Samar – The Planning and Design Section (PDS) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Northern Samar First District Engineering Office has been consistently rated outstanding for the Cost Estimation Audit (CEA) for three consecutive years since 2021.

The Outstanding rating is a direct result of the district’s unwavering commitment in adhering to the guidelines and procedures outlined in Department Order No. 1, Series of 2018.

The CEA is carried out by a team of experts from the DPWH’s Bureau of Construction (BOC) at the Central Office.

During the latest CEA, which took place on May 26-27, 2023, the team conducted an extensive audit of the field office, focusing on various areas such as compliance with existing laws, adherence to DPWH cost estimation-related issuances, accuracy of estimates, document requirements, and overall management practices.

Expressing his appreciation, District Engineer Mario D. Villena remarked that the outstanding performance of the PDS in the CEA is a testament to the unwavering dedication and hard work of its staff. He further emphasized the crucial role that accurate cost estimation plays in the successful execution of infrastructure initiatives, as it facilitates efficient resource allocation and helps prevent budget overruns and delays.

The Cost Estimation Audit is an annual evaluation that scrutinizes various aspects of cost estimation in DPWH projects, including the preparation of the Program of Works (POW); the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC); Detailed Unit Price Analysis (DUPA); Construction Materials Unit Price; Equipment Cost among others. This thorough assessment ensures that cost estimates are precise and reliable, ultimately promoting transparency and accountability in the implementation of infrastructure ventures.

(ANALIZA A. PABIA, PIO DESIGNATE)

TACLOBAN CITY – Agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) have reason to rejoice as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to sign into law the New Agrarian Emancipation Bill on Friday, July 7, this year.

Under the said bill, unpaid amortizations of the principal debt, including interest and surcharges amounting to P57.56 billion incurred by 610,054 beneficiaries of land transfer programs under the Presidential Decree No. 27, Republic Act No 6657, as amended, and Republic Act No. 9700, shall be condoned and written off by the government, once signed into law, relieving the ARBs from the burden of payment.

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Eastern Visayas Regional Director, Robert Anthony Yu, disclosed that in Eastern Visayas, about 207,000 ARBs will be benefitted by this bill.
In San Jorge, Samar, Liberato Nueva, 66, a recipient of a two-hectare farm lot awarded to him under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), could not hide the happiness he feels when informed about the scheduled signing of the said bill.

“Salamat kay waray na ako paghuhunahuna-on nga babaydan kun pananglitan madayon an pagpirma han aton presidente.” (Thank you because I will have no debt to think about anymore if ever the signing by the president will push through), said Nueva.

Nueva, a widower, was among the 40 ARBs who recently received their electronic Certificates of Land Ownership Award (e-CLOAs) generated under DAR’s Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) project.
(JOSE ALSMITH L. SORIA/PR)

CATARMAN, Northern Samar– The Department of Public Works and Highways Northern Samar First District Engineering Office has officially turned over a multi-purpose building (1st Phase) to the Northern Samar Police Provincial Office on June 28, 2023 at Camp Carlos Delgado, Catarman, Northern Samar.

District Engineer Mario D. Villena of the DPWH-NSFDEO officially turned over the newly completed building to the Regional Director, PRO 8, PBGEN Vincent S. Calanoga, and PCOL. Alfredo J. Tadefa, Provincial Director, NSPPO.

In his message, Regional Director PBGEN Vincent S. Calanoga emphasized that the structure symbolizes a “glooming and productive partnership between the community of Northern Samar and the Philippine National Police not only for the Provincial Police office but the entire Philippine National Police.”

He further said that the building will be used for various activities, including meetings, community engagements, and other activities that will contribute to the advancement of the police’s operations and the welfare of its personnel.

Meanwhile, District Engineer Mario D. Villena urged NSPPO to make the most of the said facility.

“Utilize its various spaces for meetings, your various activities be it rainy or sunny season, even with activities that involves community engagement and other activities that will contribute to the advancement of your operations and the welfare of your personnel.

Remember that this structure represents more than just bricks and mortar-it embodies the spirit of unity, professionalism and service. I have full confidence in your ability to uphold the responsibilities entrusted in you. I trust that you will maintain this structure with the same dedication and care that we have put into its construction,” DE Villena concluded.

The project, amounting to P6.91-million, involves the construction of multi-purpose building (Phase 1) with a total floor area of 612.00 square meter which includes earthworks, plain and reinforced concrete works, finishing, roofing and other civil works.
(ANALIZA A. PABIA,PIO DESIGNATE)

TACLOBAN CITY – San Pedro Bay in Samar province has been cleared of red tide after more than three months of infestation, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said on Monday(July 3).

The fisheries bureau said negative results for the toxin causing paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) were obtained from three consecutive weeks of sampling in the seawaters of Basey and Marabut towns in Samar province.

“The public is hereby informed that shellfish samples harvested from San Pedro Bay in Samar are now safe for human consumption. Likewise, gathering or harvesting and marketing of shellfish from the above-mentioned area are now permitted,” said BFAR Eastern Visayas Regional Director Hannibal Chavez.

Under Shellfish Bulletin No. 16, all bays in Eastern Visayas are now red tide-free based on the latest confirmed laboratory sampling of the BFAR main office.

However, a local red tide advisory issued by BFAR regional office here warned against harvesting, trading, and consumption of shellfish from Matarinao Bay to prevent the incidence of PSP, which can occur minutes after ingesting bivalve shellfish (such as mussels, oysters, and clams) that contain red tide toxins.

Matarinao Bay covers the coastal waters of the towns of General MacArthur, Hernani, Quinapondan and Salcedo in Eastern Samar.

“To safeguard human lives, a local red tide warning is issued in this area as a precautionary advice to the public to refrain from gathering, selling, and eating all types of shellfishes and Acetes sp. locally known as alamang or hipon from the said bay,” Chavez said.

The BFAR field office here is still waiting for confirmation from BFAR central office laboratory.

Although the shellfish ban has been lifted in almost all areas in the region, the BFAR regularly monitors all coastal waters to check possible recurrence.

Included in regular water sample checks are the coastal waters of Daram, and Zumarraga, Cambatutay, Irong-irong, Maqueda, and Villareal Bays in Samar; coastal waters of Guiuan in Eastern Samar; coastal waters of Leyte, Calubian, Ormoc, Sogod, Carigara Bay, and Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte; and coastal waters of Biliran Island.

These areas had a history of red tide recurrence in the past years.
(SARWELL Q. MENIANO/PNA)

ORMOC CITY– One of the country’s most popular showbiz personalities, Vice Ganda, held a free concert here on June 29 as the city marks its annual fiesta.

The appearance of Vice Ganda, who headlines the ‘Its Showtime’ noontime show, was a fulfillment of a wish by the people of Ormoc, said Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez.

Gomez, former mayor of Ormoc City, said that the coming of Vice Ganda and other popular showbiz personalities of the country is a testament of the city being the ‘entertainment capital of Eastern Visayas.’

The more than two-hour concert of Vice Ganda, held at the city’s public plaza, was attended by over 150,000 people, some coming from outside Ormoc City.

“Ormoc is now gaining ground as the entertainment capital in the region as the city managed to stage concerts and events,” Gomez said.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)