TACLOBAN CITY– The Land Transportation Office (LTO) in the region is ready to offer driving course across the region for free.

This was disclosed by Louie Ponferrada of the LTO-8 during a gathering Sunday (Feb. 26) of riders’ group.

Ponferrada also mentioned the collaboration of D’ Marshall Riders and the LTO for a free theoretical driving course (TDC) seminar.

“Kay kun diri kamo kumbaga naka-afford pagkuha hito nga TDC ha mga private driving school kay medyo mahal-mahal ito hiya, kun diri ako nagsasayop mga around P1,500 ito nga TDC. Na-cater kami hito free,” he said.

Additionally, instead of applicants travelling all the way to the city to attend the seminar, the LTO representatives and D’ Marshall riders proposed that they would be the one to visit the respective barangays and/or provinces with at least 100 applicants.

Ponferrada also explained that the lecture will be compressed to just two days–
“That is a two-day seminar. Mayda hito exam, damulaay ito, kay that is a 16-hour lecture. Actually, kumbaga ha lecture, three days ito hiya pero gin compress namon, ginhimo nala namon nga two (2) days. An amon mostly nala nga gindi-discuss hiton, importante nala hin duro,” he said.

The target location for the TDC seminar has not yet been decided as there is still a lack of participants.

Ponferrada advises interested participants to communicate with D’ Marshall Riders Philippines, Inc. founder, Alan Tanjuakio.

Tanjuakio as well has offered manpower of his fellow riders for this activity in scouting for participants.
(SAMANTHA JANE B. CRUZ, LNU Student Intern)

Manila-The United States government, through the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), supported the development of the Philippines’ strategic trade e-licensing platform to help prevent the illicit movement of material used for military purposes or for the production of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).

Funded by DTRA’s Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) Program and administered by the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry-Strategic Trade Management Office (DTI-STMO), this e-licensing platform will serve as a single platform for all strategic trade-related services, making transactions more efficient, transparent, and secure. It also aims to strengthen the Philippines’ export trade controls, increase counter proliferation financing, and position the Philippines as a regional leader in strategic trade management.

DTRA CTR provided hardware, software, and training for the creation and implementation of this platform as part of a larger P1.65 billion ($30 million) Cooperative Threat Reduction Integrating Contract focusing on DTRA’s Biological Threat Reduction and Chemical Security and Elimination programs.

“The launch of the platform is a significant stage in monitoring and controlling trade in the specified strategic goods,” Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said during the e-platform’s launch on February 20. “We aim to balance facilitating legitimate trade and maintaining international peace and security, and we want to trade in tools while ensuring that these tools are not used as weapons. The STMO e-licensing platform is a way forward in responsibly managing strategic goods and providing related services.”

Secretary Pascual further emphasized that the management of weapons of mass destruction, as well as other arms proliferation challenges, are part of the Philippines’ international obligations in pursuing peace and security.

“DTRA CTR values its longstanding partnership with the Philippine government in preventing the proliferation of WMDs and related materials and delivery systems,” DTRA Chemical Security and Elimination Program Manager Michelle Nalabandian said.

“We are pleased to partner with DTI-STMO to develop and implement this platform which we believe will have a positive impact on strategic trade management within the ASEAN region.” (PR)

An alleged member of the New People’s Army (NPA) voluntarily returned to the fold of the law and handed over his firearm to PLt. Col. Rolando C. Dellezo, force commander of 2nd Eastern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company based in Barangay Buenavista, Quinapondan, Eastern Samar on February 23, 2023.

The former rebel was identified as alias ‘Rino’, a PSR listed and member of the Regional Guerilla Unit (RGU) operating in the towns of Samar and Easter Samar.

According to his revelation, he is a nephew of NPA Secretary Gavino Guarino alias ‘Ka Mael’ and was involved who attacked the Quinapondan municipal police station on 2003.
He turned in a Caliber 45 pistol with defaced markings; one magazine assembly; and six 45 live ammunitions.

The surrender was facilitated by the operatives of 2nd ESPFMC and 805th Maneuver Company of Regional Mobile Force Battalion 8 (RMFB 8).

“After series of negotiations, the former rebel decided to return to the folds of law with the support of the above-mentioned units. We wish to achieve peace and progress with every Filipino and we want to walk as united nation, in our journey towards peace and prosperity,” PLt. Col. Dellezo said.

Said communist terrorist group member is now under the custody of 2nd ESPMFC for documentation and proper disposition while further verification in all courts is now being facilitated for any possible standing warrant of arrest and for him to avail the national government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip). (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Eastern Visayas is stepping up its information drive to counter text scams promising relief allowance for older persons and retirees.

DSWD Eastern Visayas regional information officer Jonalyndie Chua sounded the alarm that scammers are using different platforms to dupe unsuspecting seniors, and urged the latter not to entertain text messages about relief allowances.

“We have received a report from a concerned citizen that there is a text message circulating over mobile phone users regarding the alleged unclaimed relief allowances for senior citizens and retired business owners,” Chua said in a phone interview Thursday.
The case prompted the DSWD to double its information drive on the social pension program for senior citizens in the region.

The official clarified that there is no membership fee to become a potential beneficiary of the program. She added that all applicants are potential beneficiaries because they will go through thorough validation if qualified based on the program’s eligibility requirements.
“The validation is done by the staff of the Department of Social Welfare and Development together with our local government and not by authorized persons via text messaging,” she added.

Chua emphasized that no organization is authorized to collect fees for the application to become social pension beneficiaries.

She said the additional PHP500 social pension mandated under Republic Act No. 11916 is not yet implemented pending the issuance of the law’s implementing rules and regulations.
The DSWD encourages senior citizens or their families to inquire from the official page of the DSWD regional office or visit the DSWD provincial offices, city or municipal social welfare and development offices, and local senior citizens affairs offices.

Social pension is additional government assistance in the amount of PHP500 monthly stipend to augment the daily subsistence and other medical needs of indigent elderlies, subject to a review every two years by Congress in consultation with the DSWD.
Indigent senior citizens refer to any elderly who is frail, sickly, or with a disability; without a pension; and no permanent source of income, compensation, or financial assistance from relatives to support his or her basic needs. (PNA)