TACLOBAN CITY– Despite of a low number of registrants, the Commission on Elections(Comelec) in Eastern Visayas declared as successful the two-day kick-off of its ‘register anywhere project(RAP)’ that ended on Sunday (Dec. 19).

It was learned that only 10 individuals have availed of the RAP held at the Robinsons Mall here in the city, one of the pilot areas of the Comelec program.

Aside from Tacloban City, the program was also piloted in National Capital Region and Bicol Region.

Lawyer Jose Nick Mendros, the regional director of the Comelec-8, said that they are happy with the turnout of the program which he said is a new program being offered to the voters by the poll body.

“We did not set any (prospective) number of people for this two-day pilot testing. But we can still say that the response is good despite the fact that this is just a new program of the Comelec,” he said.

According to Mendros, the program was conceptualized by the Comelec to encourage prospective voters to register at hassle-free, especially for those who are working during their regular listing up period.

“You can register under the program though you are actually a resident outside the city,” he said.

The documents and biometrics taken from these registrants are then forwarded and endorsed to the concerned Comelec office where they actually reside, Mendros said.

He added that like the regular voters’ applications, those who availed of the RAP will have their applications subjected to election registration board (ERB) hearings.

The same program will resume on January, next year.

The listing up will be used for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections scheduled on October 30, 2023.

At present, Eastern Visayas has 3.25 million registered voters of which 1.3 million of them are under the SK voting population.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY – A small town in Eastern Samar has put up replicas of some of the world’s famous landmarks adorned with Christmas lights and decors.

Dubbed as ‘Sulat Festival of Lights around the world’ the municipal government of Sulat has identified major tourist spots from 18 countries put up in the town’s 18 villages.

The replicas are made from recyclable materials lighted with beautiful Christmas lights.
Landmark replicas includes the Golden Gate Bridge and Statue of Liberty, both in the USA; Eiffel Tower, in Paris, France; London Tower Bridge in London, England; CN Tower of Toronto, Canada; Torii Gate and Cherry Blossoms, both in Japan; Golden Hall of Ganesha, Chiang Rai in Thailand; Marina Bay Sands in Singapore; Traditional Korean Temple of South Korea; Pyramids of Giza in Egypt; and Burj Al Arab in Dubai.

Also displayed are the Statue of Jesus Christ in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil; the Great Wall of China in China; St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow, Russia; Bahay Kubo, Philippines; Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy; Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia; Petronas Twin Tower in Malaysia; and Taj Mahal of India.

A description of each landmark are placed next to the replica.
The festival of lights around the world is open from 6 pm to 10 pm.
Mayor Javier Zacate shares that they have two judging schedule.
The top winning landmark replica will win P500, 000 worth of barangay project. Winners are to be announced either on Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Ten overseas Filipino workers from Northern Samar received assistance under the Balik Pinas Balik Hanabuhay (BPBH) program of the Overseas Worker Welfare Administration (OWWA).

BPBH is a program of OWWA for displaced OFWs who are either victims of physical abuse, discrimination, and affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic who preferred to go back to the country to start a new life.

The beneficiaries are from the towns of San Antonio, San Isidro, San Jose, Catarman, Bobon, and Victoria.

The OFWs worked in Kuwait, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, and Macau.

Livelihood assistance given to the OFWs depends of their status; P5,000 for those who are inactive with their OWWA membership but with one contribution; P10,000 for inactive OWWA membership and with more than one contribution, and P20,000 for those with active OWWA membership.

The distribution was held on December 16 and was graced by Governor Edwin Ongchuan.
Ongchuan, who tagged the OFWs in his message as modern-day heroes, highlighted the contribution of the OFWs to the economy of the country.

“By providing livelihood and financial assistance to them, the government is helping them recover from displacement brought by complexities abroad,” Ongchuan said.

Aside from the 10 OFWs, OWWA also turned over scholarship grants to two OFW dependents under the OFW Dependents Scholarship Program.

The beneficiaries are from the University of Eastern Philippines, and Barangay Dalakit, both in Catarman town.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY– A woman was mauled by her live-in partner in Mahaplag, Leyte Sunday (Dec.18).

Police said the victim, Liezel Dancil, legal age and a resident of Barangay Palanogan, and his common-law husband, Roseller “Yoyong” Oro, had a heated argument moments after the victim went to his house to visit her son and daughter.

The victim was supposed to depart for Manila on Monday, December 19.
According to the police, the suspect smashed the victim’s head to the wall until she lost consciousness.

Personnel of Mahaplag Municipal Police Station are conducting a hot pursuit operation for the possible arrest of the suspect.

Jealousy was believed to have been the cause of the mauling incident, according to the police.
(RONALD O. REYES)

TACLOBAN CITY– Two persons were killed while four others were injured when a 12-wheeler truck rammed them in Catbalogan City, Samar on Saturday (Dec.17) at about 10 am.

Dead on the spot were Trinidad Felices,58, and Chardtine May Abalos,7 while the injured were Lorraine Pagliawan,8; Michelle Pallones,18; Jesuah Curiano,11; and Brandy Romana,14.

All were residents of P-1, Barangay Socorro of the said city.

Two others were unhurt, Lit Orquin,36 of Matuguinao, Samar whose vehicle was hit by the 12-wheeler truck; and Romalyn Berdaje,39, also of Brgy. Socorro.

Lt.Col. Jonathan Cuntapay, city police director of Catbalogan City, said that the 12-wheeler truck loaded with 350 sacks of rice and driven by Reagan Canete,36 of Babatngon, Leyte, hit the victims who were on the street at that time.

“The driver noticed that the brakes of his vehicle were not working and park it to check. Unfortunately, the stone that he used as a stopper cracked resulting for the vehicle to slide down, hitting the bystanders in the process,” he said in a phone interview.

All victims were brought to the Samar Provincial Hospital where they were treated with one said to be in serious condition, the city police director said.

The driver of the rampaging vehicle, which was bound for Tacloban City, voluntarily surrendered to them, Cuntapay said.

Still, he said, the suspect will be charged for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide and multiple injuries and damage to properties before the City Prosecutors Office.
(JOEY A. GABIETA/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)