TACLOBAN CITY – The municipalities of Matag-ob, Palompon, and Isabel, all in Leyte signed a twinning agreement with the city of Manila on November 18.

The twinning agreement, held at the Manila City Hall, was signed by Manila Mayor Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna and Mayors Bernandino Tacoy of Matag-ob; Ramon Oňate of Palompon; and Edgardo Cordaňo of Isabel.

The agreement was forged to stimulate opportunities in various fields like tourism, education, economy, trade, and others that can be benefited by the four local government units and also to promote understanding and goodwill.

This will also serve as an opportunity in benchmarking projects which they can implement and applicable in their own locality.

“We hope that this exchange of best practices will be used in giving better services and help each other for the benefit of our people,” Mayor Lacuna said in her message.

Lacuna was joined by other city officials of Manila lead by Vice-Mayor John Marvil “Yul” Nieto.

In his message, Mayor Tacoy said that he is excited to the opportunities that the twinning agreement with Manila.

“With one of the leading LGUs of the country, I hope that this twinning will also allow us to help you in any way,” he said.

Mayor Cordaňo, for his part, said that partnering with other LGUs is beneficial for the survival of any locality.

“This agreement is a welcome development raising the profile of each other in showcasing local governance, sharing approaches in business, education, culture and others,” Cordaňo added.(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

In Northern Samar

CATARMAN, Northern Samar– Three barangays of Bobon, this province have been identified as beneficiaries of the provincial government-initiated ‘Serbisyo at Kauswagan’ caravan held on November 16.

These villages, namely, Santander, E. Duran, and Trojillo, were identified for the caravan during a recent meeting attended by personnel from the provincial and municipal officials and partner government agencies.

Bobon Mayor Reny Celespara expressed his gratitude to the provincial government, participating agencies, and the private sector for choosing their town as the recipient of the joint caravan.

During the meeting, Mayor Celespara affirmed his resolve to provide accessible road networks in all the barangays of Bobon in order to deliver essential services to interior communities.

To recall, the past administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte started the Serbisyo Caravan which aims to bring the government closer to the people to provide government services designed to the interior communities affected by terrorism and armed conflict.
Kauswagan Caravan is one also of the flagship programs of Gov. Edwin Marino C. Ongchuan dubbed as Sustained PROGRESS.

This program provides basic services to remote communities in the province and aims to alleviate poverty to improve the quality of life of the people.

Vice Mayor Ligaya Tagros Uy said that this caravan would help uplift the conflict-affected barangays, adding that it is a manifestation of the government’s commitment to supporting its constituents’ best interests.

Uy stressed that this is the best time to break the stigma of armed conflict and build peace for the development of Bobon and the rest of the province.

(TITO A. TEPACE with the Northern Samar Provincial Information Office)

TACLOBAN CITY– The regional Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarter reported that 4, 659 individuals who have outstanding warrants were arrested across the region from the start of the year until October 31.

These arrested individuals were part of the 4,605 operations conducted by the police in the said period, Col. Romeo Desiderio, acting chief of the regional operations division in a report.

He also reported that 185 illegal gun owners were also apprehended resulting in the confiscation of 1,965 loose firearms. Some of these firearms were also voluntarily turned over to the police by the owners.

Desiderio also disclosed that in the same period, 512 individuals engaged in the illegal drugs trade were arrested.

The police seized from these suspects shabu and marijuana with a combined commercial value of over P15.75 million.

Also, 2,116 persons were arrested for illegal fishing with the confiscated items valued at more than P114.15 million. About 402 persons were likewise apprehended on illegal logging valued at P5.57 million.

About 3,380 individuals were also arrested due to illegal gambling activities with bet money confiscated in the amount of P1.58 million.

On the campaign against insurgency, the regional PNP recorded a total of 140 rebels voluntarily surrendered to the police authorities with 45 arrested and 84 surrendered/recovered/confiscated firearms and explosives.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

ORMOC CITY-A woman who recruited members for an organization for a fee was arrested by the local police of Gandara, Samar on Saturday (Nov. 19).

Major Rio Tan, town police chief, identified the suspects as Analiza Austria, 37, a resident of Barangay Oyandic, Motiong, also in Samar.

Her alleged accomplice, Gilberto Abadiano, a resident of Brgy. Adela Heights, of Gandara, is still at-large.

Major Tan, in a telephone interview, disclosed that their station received information that the suspects were in Brgy. Canhumawid to recruit villagers for them to become members of the Alpha Omega World Development Marshall Program and with a corresponding fee of P300 each.

He said that upon receipt of said report he led the station personnel and proceeded to the said barangay. He added that upon arrival in the area, the two suspects were wearing Alpha Omega World Development Marshall Programmed ID’s, with logos of different departments including the Philippine National Police.

Major Tan continued that as the two suspects were asked for their authority to use the logo of the PNP, they two failed to show any and instead they showed a certificate of incorporation from the Security and Exchange Commission.

He said that he immediately called the higher headquarters to verify the said documents, but upon verification it was learned that the Alpha Omega World Development Marshall Programmed, Inc. was revoked by the SEC.

However, during the verification of the documents, Abadiano was able to leave the area and escape arrest as he was no longer seen at the place, the police chief said.
The local police filed charges against Austria, who is now detained, for violation of PD 38, Art. 179 (illegal use of insignia), and Art. 170 of the Revised Penal Code for falsification of public documents. (ROBERT DEJON)