TACLOBAN CITY — Northern Samar is poised to join the country’s rising dive tourism destinations after the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 8 identified six underwater areas across three island municipalities as potential dive sites during an assessment conducted from November 20 to 22.

The three-day activity, carried out by the Eastern Visayas Dive Committee in partnership with Applied Technical Diving and Marine Solutions, supports national efforts to promote sustainable and community-based tourism, in line with the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP), the Tourism Act of 2009 (RA 9593), and Executive Order No. 120 series of 2020, which prioritizes the development of niche tourism products such as dive tourism.

The assessment covered the following areas known for their ecological potential and underwater attractions.

Parola Area, Sitio Milisbigis, and Sitio Belat in Barangay Aguin, Capul; Barangay Pilar Marine Protected Area and Barangay Vinisitahan in San Antonio; and Puntang Taas and Basyaw on Sila Island, San Vicente.

These locations were selected for their biodiversity, coral presence, and suitability for future tourism development.

The dive team completed the survey despite rainy weather and time constraints, with assistance from support divers who ensured safe operations.

DOT-8 expressed appreciation to the local government units of Capul, San Antonio, and San Vicente, as well as the Provincial Government of Northern Samar, for facilitating the assessment. The team also acknowledged the support of Tugkad Freediving Club, Villa Roma, and Sila Island Resort.

Tourism officials said the evaluation brings Northern Samar closer to positioning itself as a major dive tourism destination in Eastern Visayas, boosting both environmental conservation efforts and future livelihood opportunities for coastal communities.

(ROEL T.AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY —The Police Regional Office-8 (PRO-8) recorded a generally peaceful conduct of the nationwide Trillion Peso March across Eastern Visayas during the Bonifacio Day commemoration on November 30.

Police monitored four rallies held in Calbayog City, Tacloban City, Borongan City, and Maasin City with an estimated combined turnout of around 1,475 participants.

More than 3,000 police personnel were deployed across the region to secure activities and ensure the safety of participants and the public.

Regional Director PB/Gen. Jason Capoy commended the personnel for their professionalism and thanked rally organizers and the community for their cooperation, which he said contributed to the incident-free observance.

PRO-8 said it maintained strong visibility and continuous monitoring throughout the day to manage crowds and prevent any untoward incidents.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

Globe is accelerating the country’s digital transformation with the rapid expansion of GFiber Prepaid, its game-changing fiber broadband solution designed to make fast, stable internet more accessible to Filipino households. With a flexible, no lockup, load-as-you-need model, GFiber Prepaid is driving mass-market fiber adoption nationwide, empowering families to stay connected in a way that fits their routines, responsibilities, and budgets.

Now serving up to seven hundred thousand customers, posting a double digit growth from last quarter, GFiber Prepaid has proven that inclusive, affordable broadband can effectively scale across diverse communities. This milestone reflects Globe’s commitment to digital inclusion, especially for cost-conscious families who previously had limited access to reliable home internet.

From supporting digital learning and remote work to enabling online livelihoods and family entertainment, reloadable UNLI fiber internet at home is helping Filipino households unlock new opportunities, without the burden of monthly bills. GFiber Prepaid is not just a product; it’s a platform for progress, allowing families to participate more fully in the digital economy, access education, and stay meaningfully connected to one another.

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As Globe expands GFiber Prepaid’s reach, it deepens its contribution to bridging digital divides and enabling more Filipino families to participate in the country’s growth story. By making high-speed connectivity flexible and accessible, Globe enables Filipinos to pursue education, livelihoods, and meaningful connections, reinforcing its role as a partner in building a more inclusive and future-ready Philippines.(PR)

ORMOC CITY — Two newly identified drug personalities were arrested by the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) during a buy-bust operation at around 6:14 p.m. on November 24, in Barangay Poblacion, Kananga, Leyte.

According to PMAJ Romeo Sudario, the suspects were identified as alias “Leo,” 50, married, jobless, a resident of Sitio Cabugoy, Barangay Poblacion; and alias “Oscar,” 54, a laborer residing along Real Street, also in Barangay Poblacion.

The main target of the operation was “Leo.” Recovered from his possession was one sachet of suspected shabu sold to an undercover operative for P500. A body search conducted in the presence of law-mandated witnesses yielded a black pouch containing nine additional sachets of suspected shabu. Police also recovered a marked P500 bill used in the buy-bust, along with P14 in assorted denominations.

During the body search of “Oscar,” officers recovered a green coin purse containing three sachets of suspected shabu.

Police said the confiscated drug items had an estimated total weight of approximately 3.8 grams, with a Dangerous Drugs Board value of P25,840.

The suspects were informed of the nature of their arrest and apprised of their constitutional rights in a language they understood.

Charges for violations of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. Both suspects remain detained at the locked-up cell of the Kananga Municipal Police Station.

(ROBERT DEJON)