TACLOBAN CITY – Samar Governor Reynolds Michael Tan expressed his appreciation to the frontliners who continue to work despite risking their own lives against the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).
Tan made known of his gratitude to the frontliners during his speech marking the 179th Samar Day celebration last August 11.
Unlike in past celebrations, this year’s provincial founding anniversary was toned down amid the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his message, Gov. Tan urged Samarnons to be thankful for the hard work that all health workers are doing to keep them safe from the spread of the virus.
“Allow me to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all of our frontliners for their back-breaking hard work and commitment to contain and eliminate the virus whenever it appears in our shores,” he said.
“Today as we celebrate Samar Day, let us also celebrate the heroism of our frontliners. Thank you for your sacrifices that benefit of people in Samar,” the governor added.
As of August 13, Samar province has 324 confirmed COVID-19 cases of which 202 were recovered, 120 are still active cases and two deaths, one each from Tarangan and Calbayog City.
Aside from thanking the frontliners which includes not only health workers but also uniformed personnel, village officials, local government unit officials, and volunteers, Gov. Tan also cited the municipality of Tarangnan as example of what the LGU and its residents should do in the fight against COVID-19.
“My hats off to LGU Tarangnan and the people of the municipality for bravely taking on the initial challenge. Their immediate but well-taught off response led to the containment of the virus,” Tan said.
“The same goes to every LGU that has the same positive cases that are still fighting to keep the virus contain while ensuring the recovery of their patients,” he added.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY-In hopes of speeding up the contact tracing and surveillance process of suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other infectious diseases carriers at the community level, the city government of Tacloban convened the 40 designated Persons of Authority (POA) in an orientation on Wednesday, August 12 at the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) Gym.
The POAs, who are all local government employees and currently living in the northern part of the City, will lead the Volunteer Surveillance Officers (VSO), composed of Barangay Health Nutrition Scholars, Barangay Service Point Officers, and other volunteers at the community who have signed up to help the government address this health crisis.
Meantime, Acting City Health Officer Dr. Gloria Fabrigas has appealed to the employees to be more involved in the contact tracing, stressing that it is not solely the responsibility of the government but everyone in the community to help curb the spread of the virus.
“We mobilize them in order to engage and empower the community, especially in the North, wherein there are more than 16,000 families living in the resettlement areas, “ she explained.
Fabrigas stressed that the PAOs, in coordination with the VSOs, are tasked to trace those who have been in close contact with the COVID-19 suspected and confirmed patients.
To date, Tacloban City has 13 active cases and is among the 16 areas in the region which already has a local transmission of COVID-19.(TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)

TACLOBAN CITY- With the rising of local cases of coronavirus disease 2019( COVID-19 ) here in the city, Mayor Alfred Romualdez renewed his earlier directive to strictly enforce curfew in city including the strict implementation of checkpoints.
Mayor Romualdez met with barangay officials this week where he also asked them to cooperate on this campaign.
Several government offices will help carry out the directive of Mayor Romualdez.
The Traffic Operations Management Enforcement and Control Office( Tomeco) and The Tacloban City Police Office will be in charge of the curfew as well as the issuance of citation ticket against minors who will be caught still outdoors even at 10 pm.
The Business Permits and Licensing Division (BPLD) reminded the establishments to not allow minors to enter their establishments.
Meanwhile, those who will enter the city needs to present complete travel documents like medical certificate, QR code and travel authority to the authorities manning the checkpoints.
Travelers who will enter the city as well as residents stranded in other places and wanted to go home must register in the city’s website at www.baliktacloban.tacloban.gov.ph .
(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY- A male spinner dolphin was found dead along the waters of Barangay Masagawsaw, Kawayan town in Biliran province on Tuesday (August 11).
The whale, measuring 1.98 meters, was said to have been found by Janito Rosario, a fisherman in the village at around 7:35 am, the regional office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), based this city, said.
BFAR said that based on the report of their field office in Biliran province, the spinner whale was found entangle at the fish net owned by Rosario.
But based on the initial results of a necropsy conducted on the whale, the cause of death could be due to drowning as his lungs were ‘frothy’ upon incision.
Tissue samples were taken from the whale to really determine its cause of death.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species on Flora and Fauna (CITES)II, spinner whale are considered as among the protected species.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)