TACLOBAN CITY- Two virgin coconut oil (VCO) processing plants are set to be constructed here in the region which is expected to help coconut farmers.
An Waray party-list Rep.Florencio “Bem” Noel said that the two processing plants are to be constructed in the towns of Jaro in Leyte province, and Paranas in Samar province.
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) allocated P17 million for the construction of the two facilities which was proposed under the One Eastern Visayas Food Security and Agricultural Development Plan, Noel said.
“Unlike other produce, VSO has a ready market,” the solon said.
Each facilities will be needing 10,000 coconut husks a day to process VCO which the towns of Jaro and Paranas have the capacity to provide their needs.
Noel said that the PCA had already made an evaluation and already conducted visits at the proposed project sites.
VCO is produce from coconut milk that does not undergoes heat processing as instead uses a cold-processing technology to ensure that its natural goodness, antioxidants in oil, aroma, and nutrients will remain intact.
Aside as food supplement, VCO is also used as an ingredient in other products like soap, massage oils, moisturizing body oil, skin care products and hair conditioners.
In the current problem on coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the government through the Department of Science and Technology, had made a research on VCO as dietary supplement for COVID-19 probable and suspected cases. (ROEL T.AMAZONA)

The San Miguel Police Station has arrested a man suspected to have committed the crime of rape on Monday, March 1 in Barangay Cayare, San Miguel, Leyte at around 11:50am.
The accused, Norly Salazar, 24, single, laborer and resident of the said village, was arrested by the San Miguel Police Station lead by police chief, Police Major James D. Gervacio, with members PEMS Calixto Viador, PCMS Cyril Chu, PMSg Abundio Gayas, and Pat. Jonard Jomao-as, RIU-8, RIU-5 and Libmanan MPS.
The suspect was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for the crime of rape docketed under criminal case no.L6560 issued by presiding judge Irma Isidora Boncodin Zamudio of the 5th Judicial Region Branch 57 Libmanan, Camarines Sur.
Salazar is considered as a top eight most wanted person, provincial level of PRO-5, Camarines Sur PPO.
He was brought to this Police Station for booking procedure prior turn over to the court of origin. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY –Mayor Aran Boller of Matuguinao town, Samar has asked President Rodrigo Duterte to penalize local officials who continue to support the members of the New People’s Army (NPAs).
Boller said that the fight to quell the insurgency problem will not be achieved if some local officials will continue to extend support to the rebels.
“I hope the President will penalize these local chief executives who are not doing their obligation to eradicate insurgency problem,” Boller said.
Support of other LGU officials is very important to ensure that members of the communist groups who are on the run from the operation of government forces have no more place to hide, he added.
“If only all towns in Samar are united in this advocacy to end insurgency problem, these people will no longer have place to hide because they already loss support from the ground,” the Matuguinao mayor said.
The town mayor added that the communist group are thriving because as they continue to receive support from the people.
He added that another reason why the NPAs continue to exist due to support from several politicians who are using them for their own advantage especially during election season.
“During campaign and election time, these NPAs become goons of politicians to ensure that they will win,”he said.
Since winning as local chief executive of Matuguinao town, Boller had started his campaign against local communist group who are operating in the municipality urging members and supporters to return to the folds of the law and live a normal life with their respective families.
Last month, after giving ultimatum, 118 communist members and supporters surrendered to the military and denounced armed group of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY-In the recently concluded Regional Competitiveness Committee First Quarter Meeting Cum Region 8 CMCI 2020 Awarding Ceremony held on February 24, 2021 via Zoom, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-8 recognized the city of Tacloban for faring well in two categories of government efficiency, namely most improved (Rank six) and most competitive (Rank 20) in the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) 2020.
CMCI is an annual ranking of Philippine cities and municipalities developed by the National Competitiveness Council through the Regional Competitiveness Committees (RCCs) with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development.
Participated by 32 other highly urbanized cities (HUCs) in the country, 2020 rankings of cities and municipalities were based on the sum of their scores on four pillars: economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure, and resiliency, while provincial rankings were based on population and income weighted average of the Overall scores of cities and municipalities under a province.
Recognitions like this is a proof that a strong governance coupled with cooperation from the different concerned sectors, a community reaches remarkable milestones together.
The city government, under Mayor Alfred Romualdez, expressed gratitude to the DTI-8, headed by Regional Director Celerina Bato, for the recognition.
(TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)