TACLOBAN CITY – The Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF – ELCAC) of the towns of Paranas and Jiabong, both in Samar, conducted “Serbisyo Caravan” benefitting their respective constituents.

The activity provided basic social and health services like free medical consultation, free circumcision, free haircut, free medicine, appliance repair, free vegetable seedlings, registration for 4Ps and senior citizens, distribution of nutria-bun, eco-bricks exchange program, and tree planting.

Both Mayors Eunice Babalcon of Paranas and Julie Cereno of Jiabong expressed their gratitude to the different government agencies and the military that supported the caravan.
In his message, Lt.Col.Luzelito Betinol, the commanding officer of the 87th Infantry Battalion, the caravan held in the two towns of Samar was part of the mandate to extend assistance to villagers living in remote areas.

“It also aims to solve community challenges such as the problem of insurgency by bridging the gaps in governance and development and implementing the necessary assistance from the government to achieve long-term peace, social equity, and prosperity,” he said.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

NSSDEO, Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, Northern Samar-The Department of Budget and Management (DBM)-Region VIII conducted a Regional Budget Forum for Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Preparation last February 3, 2023 at Madison Park Hotel, Manlurip, San Jose, Tacloban City.

The forum started with an opening remarks given by Ms. Imelda C. Laceras, Regional Director of DBM-RO8. It was followed by series of discussions from various personnel on the following topics: (1) Updating Reminders of RDP/PIP/TRIP and Salient Features of RDC Budget Review Guidelines (Highlighting the Implementation Readiness of ARO Budget Proposal).; (2) Medium Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) and Guidelines in the Formulation of Tier 1 and Tier 2 Budget Proposals was tackled by Ms. Florita M. Lacdo-o, Chief, BMS; (3) Ms. Mylene G. De Veyra, Supervising BMS discussed the Updated Forms for the FY 2024 Budget Preparation FY 2024 Budget Preparation Calendar and Submission Requirements.; (4) Program Convergence Budgeting (PCB) and Civil Society Organization (CSO) Participation in Budget Preparation by Ms. Juvy A. Lobedica, Chief, BMS; and (5) FY 2023 Guidelines on the Release of Funds was discussed by Ms. Rhona B. Capatoy, Supervising BMS respectively.

The said forum was attended by representatives of different government offices, private sector representatives and staffs of congressional districts in Eastern Visayas, Tingog party-list and An Waray party-list.

Lead by OIC-District Engineer Charlito Carlobos, the DPWH-NSSDEO participants were Engr. Fiona Anunciado, Acting Chief, Planning & Design Section and Ms. Ma. Lourdes Sebanes, Administrative Officer IV (Budget Officer II) of Finance Section.

(KRISTIN KALAYAAN R. FLORES,PIO STAFF)

ORMOC CITY– A man, described to be a regional priority target by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-8) was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Laoang, Northern Samar on Saturday (March 18).

Arrested was George Monterola, 56 in a sting operation in Barangay Doña Luisa at 9:30 am, PDEA Regional Director Gil Pabilona.

Pabilona claimed that the suspect is a high valued target and a regional priority target of PDEA.

Recovered from the suspect were 14 sachets of suspected shabu and cash of P7,500 suspected to be proceeds from selling the illegal drugs.

Charges of violations of sections 5 and 11 of Article II of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Law against Illegal Drugs of 2002 were filed against the suspect who is now detained at the locked-up cell of Laoang municipal police station.
(ROBERT DEJON)

KANANGA, Leyte– A woman was found dead in an irrigation canal in sitio Sagka of Barangay Tugbong, this town, on Saturday (Marcy 18).

The dead body of Maricel Edanio,35, and a resident of sitio Napagasan of Brgy. Poblacion, was found by sugar cane workers at about 5 pm along the ramp of an irrigation canal, Staff Sergeant Nicanor Romawak said.

It was Tugbong village chairwoman Leah Empleo who called on the police on the discovery of the dead body of Edanio.

Romawak said that the victim, who was suffering from an epilepsy, was last seen leaving their house about 3 pm on that day to gather firewood.

The woman could have suffered from a seizure which resulted in her being drowned to the canal which led to her death, the police officer added.
(ROBERT DEJON)