TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) here in the region is hoping that the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials will support on the anti-smoking campaign of the government.
Their agency’s anti-smoking campaign has involved the youth as among their targets reason why they are soliciting support from the young leaders, Charisse Daya, regional tobacco control program coordinator of the DOH, said.
“We can tap the SK officials through their president(s) for training of peer educators who will form an organization of youth against tobacco smoking,” Daya said.
The DOH, together with advocacy group Rights Network, conducted a forum at the Leyte National High School on June 11 highlighting the ill-effects on smoking and their appeal to local government units and private sector to support their campaign.
This call of the DOH immediately got the support from SK president Dean Aaron Lauron of Carigara, Leyte who said that he is willing to help on this campaign by ensuring that the anti-tobacco law will be implemented.
A self-confessed cigarette smoker, Lauron said that he started smoking when he was in high school and could consumed two packs of cigarette a day.
He, however, said that now that he is in college, he could only consumed a pack a day.
“This is a slow process. I’m doing it slowly,” Lauron said.
He said that while there is already an anti-smoking ordinance in several local government units, smoking remain to be prevalent on these areas as the regulation is not strictly implemented.
The SK leader said he would come up with a program targeting the youth in their town on the ill-effects on smoking.
“The law is there but the enforcement is not strong. On my part, we are much willing to help in achieving the goal of making our town as smoke free with the help of DOH to attain this making into reality,” Lauron said.
For his part, the president of the student council of LNHS, Jonathan Ramirez, issued an appeal to local government units and other government agencies and private institutions to ensure of a healthy and smoke-free environment for the youth.
“We believe that if we achieve in reducing the population of smokers in this city, this will result for a better and healthy environment for the youth. Smoking does not only affect our health, it also destroys our environment because cigarette filter is not easy to dissolve,” Ramirez said.
“That is why we are urging all agency concern to enforce the law for the youth’s welfare and to have a clean environment,” he added.
Responding to Ramirez, Daya said that the DOH is strengthening their partnership with the Department of Education in the implementation of policy for a smoking ban as it is noticed that there are still vendors who sells cigarettes near school campuses.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY- Borrowers of the now-closed Rural Bank of Basey Inc. in Basey, Samar were advised to pay their obligations.
Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC), the receiver of the closed rural bank, said that borrowers are “under obligation to pay their loans notwithstanding the closure of the bank.”
“Deposits of borrowers who have past due loans with the bank are automatically applied to their loans, by operation of law. If the loans are on current status, the borrowers may opt to apply their deposits against their loans, to avoid paying interest on their loans,” said PDIC.
In a statement, PDIC reminded borrowers to transact only with authorized PDIC representatives, adding that it has not engaged any person, agent or agency to collect the loan payments for and in behalf of the bank.
Borrowers are advised to always secure copies of official receipts issued by the PDIC, as liquidator of the closed rural bank, it said.
Borrowers of Rural Bank of Basey may pay their loans and other obligations through any of the following modes:
– by paying directly at any Philippine National Bank (PNB) branch. Payment should be for the account name, PDIC FAO BURL – Rural Bank of Basey (Samar), Inc. Borrowers are advised to indicate their assigned Account Reference Numbers on the PNB payment slips and keep copies of the same to ensure proper recording of their payments;
– by paying through postal money order (PMO) or check payable to PDIC FAO BURL – Rural Bank of Basey (Samar), Inc. Payment should be directly sent via mail to the PDIC Loans Management Department III, 5th Floor, SSS Bldg., Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino St., Makati City; or
– by paying directly at the PDIC Public Assistance Center located at the 3rd Floor, SSS Bldg., Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino St., Makati City.
PDIC, as Receiver, will issue Official Receipts for all payments received upon verification and shall send the Official Receipt to the borrowers through mail.
Borrowers who do not receive their Official Receipts are advised to send by mail/e-mail/fax a copy of their PNB deposit/payment slips to Ms. Madeleine C. Ribay, Deputy Receiver for loans, 5th Floor, SSS Bldg., Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino St., Makati City or via e-mail at mcribay@pdic.gov.ph and to Ms. Thelma A. Peña atbarias@pdic.gov.ph.
Borrowers of the bank may contact the PDIC-Public Assistance Department for any queries or concerns at (02) 841-4630 or send these through email at pad@pdic.gov.ph or private message at PDIC’s Facebook account,www.facebook.com/OfficialPDIC. (RONALD O. REYES)

TACLOBAN CITY – Two persons died in a separate road accidents and injured others, police report said.
The two killed persons were identified as Mateo Versoza from this city and Carmelita Esquerdo from Catbalogan City.
Reports from the Philippine National Police disclosed that Versoza of legal age and a resident of Barangay 48, this city, was riding on a motorcycle when he was hit by another motorcycle which resulted to his instant death.
Esquerdo, meantime, was killed when a rampaging 10-wheeler truck directly hit her as she was about to fetch water.
The said incident in Barangay Maulong, Catbalogan City, also resulted to the injury of seven others.
The wayward truck also damaged three houses and four electric posts.
The 10-wheeler, driven by Romulo Adlaon, 54, married, and a resident of Brgy. Maguikay, Mandaue City, was loaded with grocery items and bound for Calbayog City when it went downward while traversing the diversion road along Brgy. Maulong.
The driver is now detained at the Catbalogan City Police Station as investigation is ongoing. (ROEL T. AMAZONA,
RONALD O. REYES)

NAVAL, Biliran-The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)- Biliran District Engineering Office (DEO) is implementing additional two flood control projects under its 2018 fund.
These flood control projects are implemented at Barangay Mapuyo in Kawayan town and in Brgy. Busali in Biliran town.
District Engineer David P. Adongay Jr. said that these projects are currently on-going with an accomplishment of 50% and 20%, respectively as of May 31, 2019.
“The funds for the additional flood control projects are late release of the 2018 budget under the local infrastructure program, hence also the late in implementation” said Adongay.
According to Adongay, these flood control projects were prioritized to protect the community and agricultural products against flooding and damages.
“There is an urgent need for the completion of these projects especially that it is already rainy season,” said Adongay.
The P9.63 million construction of Busali flood control project entails the construction of a 156-linear meter length on both sides of the river with a height of 3.5-meter. This project is target to be completed on June 30,2019.
Meanwhile, the Mapuyo Flood Control project entails the construction and reconstruction of revetment structure with a total length of 192-linear meter on both sides and a height of 3.5-meter with a contract cost of P14.46 million.
This project is set to be completed on September 23, 2019.
Adongay revealed that the portion of the existing flood control structure in Mapuyo River was damaged during tropical storm “Urduja” in December 2017 due to the impact of the washed out debris, thus the need for a reconstruction of a 65-linear meter length on one side of the river.
Adongay said that with the additional project, Biliran DEO now has a total of 62 projects implemented under 2018 fund from only 60 projects.
Out of the 62 projects, 52 were already completed while 10 are on-going with an overall accomplishment of 91.97% as of May 31, 2019.
On-going projects includes four access roads leading to tourist destinations, one slope protection project, one bypass road, one bridge widening, one multipurpose building and two flood control projects. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY- Police have arrested an alleged drug personality in Ormoc City during a sting operation on June 10.
Authorities identified the suspect as Lito Gonzalo, 34, single, and a resident of the city, who was caught in possession of a piece plastic sachet suspected to contain shabu with a street value of P500.
A police personnel who acted as poseur buyer was able to purchase from Gonzalo the suspected shabu.
Aside from shabu, seized from the suspect were two cellphones and cash in the amount of P10,000.
The suspect is now in the custody of Police Station 3 and cases for violation of Section 5 and 11 of RA 9165 are being readied against him.
(RONALD O.REYES)

CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, PALO, Leyte-At least 10 most wanted persons (MWPs) and 46 others were nabbed by police from the region during a nine-day simultaneous police operations from June 1-9, 2019 under the flagship of Eastern Visayas Police Director, Police Brigadier/Gen. Dionardo Carlos.
Leyte Police Provincial Office (LPPO) nabbed 5 MWPs for the crimes of rape, homicide and violation of section 5 of Article II of R.A. 7610, respectively.
LPPO also arrested 14 other wanted persons for the crimes of theft, attempted rape, estafa, less serious physical injuries, frustrated murder; and for violations of Sec.261 of the Omnibus Election Code as amended by R.A. 7166 in relation to Comelec Resolution No. 10446; PD 449; Sec.2 of B.P. BLG. 33 as amended by P.D.1865; and P.D.1602.
Also nabbed were nine illegal drug personalities and confiscated from them were 21 pieces heat-sealed transparent plastic suspected to be shabu; a total of P2,700 as marked money; 1 unit cal.38 and 3 live ammunitions.
Southern Leyte Police Provincial Office (SLPPO) nabbed four other wanted persons for the crimes of malversation of funds, estafa, and rape and for violation of section 7 under R.A. No 9175.
Also nabbed was an illegal drug personality and confiscated from him were a total 9 pcs. of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet suspected to be shabu; 1 unit revolver loaded with 5 cartridge cases; 1 ammunition; 2 pcs empty shell; 1 unit Kawasaki Rousser; and cash of P 4,783.
Eastern Samar Police Provincial Office (ESPPO) nabbed 1 MWP for the crime of arson and 10 other wanted persons for the crimes of direct assault and less serious physical injuries and for violation of the ban on deadly weapon; R.A.9175; P.D. 1602; and R.A. 8550.
Samar Police Provincial Office (SPPO) nabbed 1 MWP for violation of R.A. 7610 and 5 other wanted persons for the crimes of murder, frustrated murder and estafa and for violation of Sec 5 of R.A. 7610.
Also nabbed was an illegal drug personality and confiscated from him were 4 pcs. heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet suspected to be shabu; 1 unit cellphone; and P500 as marked money.
Northern Samar Police Provincial Office (NSPPO) nabbed 1 MWP for the crime of murder and 9 other wanted persons for the crimes of rape,murder,attempted homicide,violation of Sec. 68 of P.D 705; Sec. 88 of R.A 8550; and illegal possession of firearms.
Also nabbed was an illegal drug personality and confiscated from him were a total of 6 pcs heat-sealed plastic sachet suspected to be shabu; improvised tooter, 1 pc lighter; 1 pc black Sandugo back pack; 1 pack cigarette; 1 pc. small container; 1 pc small sling bag; 1 pc bamboo stick; 1 pc ballpen; 1 pc scissor and P500 as marked money.
Biliran Police Provincial Office nabbed 1 other wanted person for the crime of theft.
Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) nabbed 1 MWP for attempted murder and 2 other wanted persons for violation of Sec 5 of R.A.9262 and for illegal fishing.
Also nabbed were four illegal drug personalities and confiscated from them were a total of 13 heat-sealed plastic sachet suspected to be shabu; and P1,500 as marked money.
Ormoc City Police Office (OCPO) nabbed 1 MWP for violation of Sec. 5 of R.A 7610 and 1 other wanted person for the homicide.
“We are working 24/7 to ensure the safety and security region-wide. Our police will continue to patrol in their respective area of responsibilities for the community to feel secured and to those who violate the law, we will run after them,” PB/Gen.Carlos said. (PR)