The House Committee on Legislative Franchises approved House Bill 5215 granting the franchise application of Leyte II Electric Cooperative (Leyeco II) on November 14.

House Bill 5215 seeks to grant a Congressional franchise to Leyeco II to provide electric power distribution systems in the municipalities of Babatngon and Palo, Leyte and the highly-urbanized city of Tacloban.

Assistant Minority Leader Sergio Dagooc, delivering the sponsorship speech of the said measure, declared that it is “imperative” to approve the franchise application of LEYECO II, with a notable distinction as one of the top-performing electric cooperatives in the country while obtaining a “AAA” rating from the National Electrification Administration.

“Since 1978, LEYECO II has provided exceptional services to the municipalities of Babatngon and Palo with a combined population of over 100,000 and the city of Tacloban with a population of over 250,000. LEYECO II’s exemplary performance is evident from its accomplishments. LEYECO II has attained 100% barangay energization within its franchise area, providing electricity to more than 80,000 households and servicing more than 300,000 Filipino end-consumers,” AML Dagooc said.

The Bill is principally sponsored by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, TINGOG Party-List Representatives Yedda Marie Romualdez and Rep. Jude Acidre, and Power Bloc solons, PHILRECA Party-List Representative Presley De Jesus and APEC Party-List Representative Sergio Dagooc. (PR)

In Northern Samar

CATARMAN, Northern Samar– The provincial government held a send-off program in honor of the outgoing secretary of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Adonis Rebadulla last Monday (Nov.14).

Rebadulla, also known as AHR in his radio program at his owned radio station Radyo Bandera 88.1 News FM Catarman, last served as SP secretary in Nov. after he reached the mandatory retirement age of 65.

He served the government for 35 years.
Rebadulla first served the province as a board member for six years, and subsequently, as Secretary to the SP for 28 more years.

Governor Edwin Ongchuan, speaking through provincial administrator, Atty. Efren Sabong, thanked Rebadulla for his service to the province as he wished him more blessed and active years ahead.

To mark their gratitude and recognition of his service, the SP led by Vice Governor Clarence Dato, presented a resolution of commendation to Rebadulla.
(TITO B. TEPACE with report of the Provincial Information Office)

Globe Esports celebrates its gaming ambassador Blacklist International’s championship win in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Professional League (MPL) Philippines (PH) Season 10.

Blacklist added another feather to its cap by defeating ECHO, 4-2, in the grand finals, solidifying its status as one of the top teams in the country. It is the only three-time champion of the league, following similar conquests in Seasons 7 and 8.

“We are very proud of Blacklist International who proved their consistency and championship pedigree. We would like to congratulate the team for their reliability, hardwork and success. Their star-studded starting lineup, led by Johnmar “Ohmyv33nus” Villaluna, have proven how reliable they are, just like Globe’s mobile network,” said Ralph Aligada, Head of Globe Games and Esports.

MPL icons Queen OhMyV33nus and Danerie “Wise” Del Rosario, both earlier inducted in the Mobile Legends Hall of Legends, lead the team.

Together with them are Most Valuable Player (MVP) Edward Jay “Edward” Dapadap, Salic “Hadji” Imam, and Worlds Finals MVP Kiel Calvin “OHEB” Soriano.

The title was not served on a silver platter to Blacklist as they had to scratch and claw against a determined ECHO squad. The codebreakers took Game 1, thanks to the efforts of Wise, who caught ECHO off guard with his selection of Valentina. ECHO responded with victories in the next two games to put Blacklist International on its heels. The codebreakers were not fazed by the deficit and dominated the fourth game to tie the series up at 2-2.

Hadji led Blacklist’s Game 5 conquest with his dominant performance with Pharsa. Ohmyv33nus closed the series out with a masterful showing in Game 6.

It was a #GameWellPlayed and a fitting end to another successful campaign for the Globe-backed esports squad. Edward’s MVP campaign brought the team’s list of MVP winners to four.

Both Blacklist and ECHO will compete in the upcoming MPL Invitational (MPLI) 2022 and the prestigious M4 World Championship in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Blacklist also emerged World Champions in the 2021 Mobile Legends World Championships (M3) and Gold Medalists in the 2022 SEA Games Esports.
To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY-Classes in the elementary and secondary levels were suspended in Leyte and Southern Leyte provinces on Friday (Nov.18) morning due to heavy rains caused by an intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and a low-pressure area (LPA).

Classes were suspended in the towns of Abuyog, Lapaz, Hilongos, Mayorga, and Baybay City, all in Leyte; and in the towns of Saint Bernard, Liloan, and Tomas Oppus, all in Southern Leyte.

Rainwater that resulted in flooding were also reported in Hilongos and Baybay City. Minor landslides hit the villages of Bahay, Candayuman, and Old Malangsa, all in Liloan town.
Public and private elementary and secondary schools in Tacloban City also suspended their classes past 9 am with parents and guardians picking up their students.

Jasmin Calzita, regional information officer of the Department of Education (DepEd), said that with the prevailing bad weather condition, school principals can now suspend their classes to ensure the safety of their students.

She said that the suspension is based on DepEd Order No.37 setting the guideline on the cancellation or suspension of classes in an event of a calamity.

“To minimize the health and safety risk brought about by disasters and other calamities, DepED recognizes that the suspension of classes and work during emergencies remain to be necessary in upholding the physical and mental well-being of learners and school personnel,” she said.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)