TACLOBAN CITY – At least 99 confiscated uncalibrated or defective weighing scales from the different markets in the city were destroyed as part of a crackdown of the city government under Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez on fraudulent weighing scales on Monday (Oct.22).
The Office of the Market Superintendent led the confiscation of the tampered weighing scales pursuant to City Ordinance No. 2008-10-71 which provides for the regulation of weights and measures in public market and private establishments in the city.
OIC Market Superintendent Bernardo Villarante said that the operation is one way to protect consumers from being cheated as well as to stop some fraudulent vendors from their illegal practices.
Majority of the confiscated weighing scales came from the fish section of the Central Public Market.
According to Villarante, the ordinance carries a maximum penalty of P3,000 fine and revocation of the business permits of the vendor/business establishment.
All weighing scales must be registered and calibrated by the Operation of Market Office which has a corresponding fee of P200 (P150 –calibration free and P 50-sticker fee), Villarante said.
The following are prohibited under the ordinance: tampering with the weights by replacing the inside parts, i.e. springs, which will diminish the measuring capability of weights; replacing of plates other than those provided for such weights; using the weighing scales which are already worn-out and rusted; manipulating of adjustments; removing the seal on the weighing scale; placing of any metal or concealed materials in such manner as to reflects greater weight other than the true weight of goods or merchandise; and use of tampered/defective weighing scales.
To be assured of the right weight of goods purchased, consumers are encouraged to check if the weighing scale has the sticker of the city government.
‘Timbangan ng Bayan’ can also be found in the central public markets for verification of weights. (HENRY JAMES ROCA/Photo: K. NAPALA/CIO)

CARIGARA, Leyte- The P42 million worth of farm-to- market (FMR) road projects being implemented by Leyte’s Second District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways are now underway.
The eight road projects, which is in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), are design to help ease the transport of agricultural products coming from these areas to the public market at the town center.
District Engineer Carlos Veloso reported that as of September, the road project in Barangay Tigbao,worth P6 million and connecting to Brgy. Romualdez in Dulag, Leyte, is already finished.
He added that the additional roads worth P31 million are still ongoing in Brgy.General Luna, Brgy. Sta. Isabel, Brgy. Liwayway connecting to Brgy. Danao, Brgy. Casuntingan connecting to Brgy. Osmeña in MacArthur; Brgy. Calaghusan connecting to Brgy. Caltayan, and Brgy. Cogon connecting to Brgy. Buracan, La Paz; and another road worth P5 million, which has yet to start, in Brgy.San Agustin, Dulag town.
Completion of these road projects would increase agricultural productivity, employment opportunities and provide easier access to basic social services such as health centers and education facilities to the local residents.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY-The Rotary Club of Ormoc Bay joined the global efforts to end polio by immunizing 68 children at Brgy. Tambulilid in the city on Wednesday( Oct. 24).
The activity of the club, which is headed by Apple Anido Alagon, was in support to the Rotary International’s advocacy and commitment to free the world of polio.
“Thankfully, because of the Rotary’s advocacy to eradicate polio, the Philippines has been certified polio-free in the year 2000. But we still need to vaccinate the kids to ensure that we will not have cases in the future,” said Lalaine Marcos, the director for public relations of Rotary Club of Ormoc Bay.
“That’s why, every October 24 which is World Polio Day, Rotarians always hold polio vaccinations to call attention to the dreaded disease, and also create awareness that vaccines are safe and will save lives,” Marcos added.
Dr. Rodrigo Capahi, officer of the club, gave a lecture to the parents on the importance of immunization and how they can end polio.
Joining the team were health workers headed by Cecille Arindain and barangay councilor Esterlina Gabon.
Since the Rotary Club and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative nearly 30 years ago, the incidence of polio has plummeted by more than 99.9 percent, from about 350,000 cases a year to just 37 cases in 2016, according to the organization.
To sustain this progress, and protect all children from polio, the group has committed to raising US$50 million per year over the next three years in support of global polio eradication efforts.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation matches the Rotary Club’s commitment 2:1.
The Rotary Club, along with its partners, maintained that it has reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent worldwide since its first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979.
“We are close to eradicating polio, but we need your help. Whether you have a few minutes or a few hours, here are some ways to make a global impact and protect children against polio,” the organization said.
Meanwhile, Alagon urged the public to “build awareness and become an advocate” to end polio in the world.
(RONALD O. REYES)

Samar Gov. Tan among the first to volunteer

TACLOBAN CITY-Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) officer-in-charge Eduardo Año said that he would still like to see candidates running in next year’s midterm elections undergo drug testing.
However, instead of making it as mandatory, he just ‘challenged’ the candidates to just volunteer themselves for a drug test.
Año made this disclosure during an interview as he led in the inauguration of a Peace and Resilience Center located inside the compound of the regional office of the DILG, this city, on Wednesday(Oct. 24).
“We are challenging the candidates to voluntarily submit themselves for a drug test. If you are clear, if you are not using drugs, ano ikinatatakot mo?” the DILG chief said.
“Ipakita mo sa iyung constituents na ikaw ay isang matino, mahusay, at maaasahan na kandidato,” Año added.
He said that it would be to the advantage of the candidates themselves if they will undergo a drug testing.
“Pag-nakita ng mga voters na hindi ka positive sa drugs, iboboto ka ng mga tao,” Año said.
For her part, Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan said that she would just be willing to undergo a drug test.
”Of course, any time,” Tan, who is running for a congressional seat for Samar’s second district in next year’s elections, said.
Earlier, Año advanced the proposal for all candidates seeking for elective posts in next year’s elections to undergo drug testing.
This proposal, however, was strongly opposed by several candidates. Malacañang had also said that it is still reviewing the proposal which was also suggested by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
With the opposition and if it will contravene with the ruling of the Commission on Elections, Año said that these candidates should just volunteer themselves for a drug test.
No less than President Rodrigo Duterte, who is leading a controversial crackdown on illegal drugs in the country, named several local officials as among protectors of those who are engaging in the illegal drug trade.
In Leyte, one of its mayors, Rolando Espina of Albuera town, was among those named by Mr. Duterte. He was slain while he was inside his cell at the Leyte sub-provincial jail in Baybay City on November 5, 2016 in a shootout with members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). (JOEY A. GABIETA)