TACLOBAN CITY- The regional office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reported that the Irong-Irong Bay in Catbalogan City is positive of the red tide toxin.
Thus, the residents living along the coast are prohibited to gather and eat all types of shellfish to avoid getting poisoned.
Based on the examination conducted by the provincial marine biotoxin laboratory of BFAR based in Catbalogan City, the water samples collected along the Irong-Irong Bay are positive of pyrodinium bahamense variety compressum, a toxic microorganism that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning, as they were beyond the normal level of 10 cells per one liter of water.
“To safeguard human lives, while waiting for the result of confirmatory test of shellfish samples sent to BFAR Central Marine Biotoxin Laboratory in Manila, we are issuing a warning as a precautionary advice to the public to refrain from gathering, selling, and eating all types of shellfishes and Acetes sp. locally known as “alamang or hipon” from the said areas to avoid possible shellfish poisoning,” BFAR said of its advisory.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
TACLOBAN CITY- As part of the month-long Sangyaw Festival celebration, the Tacloban International Jetski Race 2nd leg will rev up the shores of Patio Victoria Baluarte, San Jose on June 13-15.
Jetski enthusiasts coming from different locations from around the Philippines and other countries are expected to join the annual event according to the organizing team.
The Jetski Association of the Philippines chose Tacloban City for the second leg of the Jetski Competition.
According to the organizing team, Jetski racers as young as 13 years old can participate in the event provided all requirements are met.
In fact, Enzo Pontino, the youngest racer from General Santos City who won in the Novice Ski Lites division last year is expected to rumba again the seas for this year’s race.
In a post by the Tacloban Annual Jetski Competition Facebook Page, the following were mentioned as the categories for this year’s race: Novice 2 Stroke Mod Lites, Novice Ski Limited, Novice Ski Stock, Amateur Ski GP, Amateur Ski Stock, Novice Women’s Ski Limited, Pro/Am Runabout Open, Beginners Runabout Stock, Novice Runabout Stock, Novice Runabout Stock 1100, Novice Runabout Limited, Amateur Runabout Limited, Amateur Runabout Stock, Novice Runabout 1100 Limited, Novice Women’s Runabout Limited, Masters Runabout Limited, 2 Stroke Open Runabout and Expert Ski 2 Stroke Open,
Dual Cooling modifications are allowed for these categories as per careful consideration from the Board. Also, Yamaha EXR model skis are allowed for the Runabout 1100 categories, added the post.
Justin Lee, a well-known international race director from Singapore, is directing the race.(J.M.A/SPES)
Members of the Kapa in Tacloban City and other parts of Eastern Visayas remain optimistic that they could still recover their investment after its office was raided by members of the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation on June 10.
Members of the Kapa in Tacloban City and other parts of Eastern Visayas remain optimistic that they could still recover their investment after its office was raided by members of the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation on June 10.
TACLOBAN CITY- Rey Rosendal was supposed to have his ‘blessing’ in the amount of P15,000 from the Kappa Community Ministry International(Kapa)-Tacloban Branch on Tuesday(June 11) only to discover that the office was already closed and appeared to have been abandoned.
On Monday (June 10) afternoon, members of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Philippine National Police raided the Kappa office which was already abandoned by its staff and only managed to obtain several documents and certificates.
“I came here to get my money. I did not know that it was closed already though my son told me that he heard about it,” the 55 year old man from Barangay Cabalawan, this city, said.
It was learned that members of the Kapa described their invested money as a ‘donation’ and a ‘blessing’ if they are to receive the monthly interest of their money.
Rosendal has invested a total amount of P25,000 starting on March 22 of this year.
On Tuesday, he was to receive P15,000 as his blessing.
“I hope they will still operate and have my money back which I was supposed to use for the repair of my house,”he said.
A woman who is from Pinabacdao, Samar was also scheduled to receive her blessing in the amount of P45,000, covering for three months of supposed interest, on Tuesday.
She made an investment of P50,000 March of this year.
She, too, was shocked that the Kapa office in Tacloban, located along Marasbaras District, was closed.
“It’s supposed to be my first blessing. I hope I can still receive it,” the 32-year old woman, who declined to give her name, said.
It was learned from her that she was encouraged to join the Kapa by her employer who plunk in P100,000 and was able to receive his monthly interest.
Another woman, who resides just within the area where the Kapa office is located, was also supposed to join it but discovered that it was also closed.
“I just thought that they are late in opening their office,” she said.
The woman, who also declined to give her name, said that she heard a lot of ‘good news’ from her friends about the Kapa and how their money grew fast.
Asked if she will still put her money in an investment-scheme, the woman just smile.
The Kapa was said to first operate in Tacloban January of this year with more than 10,000 members from different parts of Eastern Visayas.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has ordered for the closure of Kapa, among others, for practicing pyramiding scheme.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
TACLOBAN CITY- Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla expressed his support on the move to have the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) revived as mandated by President Rodrigo Duterte.
According to the governor, the planned revival of ROTC is timely as the country faces ‘threat’ not only from within but even from outside forces.
“The idea is good. The more that we need to with the ongoing threat,” Petilla said during the interview after he led the provincial ceremony of the 122th Philippine Independence Day held at the provincial capitol building, this city.
Petilla, who chairs the Provincial Peace and Order Council, made mention on the ongoing dispute between the Philippines and China on the West Philippine Sea as a reason why he supports the revival of the ROTC.
“Anyway, it’s only in case of emergency. Today is Independence Day, it’s better if we will show our love for our country,” he added.
Pres. Duterte had earlier certified a bill for the revival of the ROTC as urgent saying it is needed for the Filipino youth ‘to invigorate their sense of nationalism and patriotism necessary in defending the State and further promote their role in nation-building.’
Those who are required to take the ROTC are students who are in Grade 11 and Grade 12.
Petilla said that during his visit in the barangays, he asked the people if they are ‘willing’ to sacrifice for the country’s sake.
“I asked them if they are willing to sacrifice and they told me, that they were willing to fight. But the problem, they should be equipped. It’s really good if they are to undergo training, even at least how to handle a gun,” the governor added.
Petilla said that just like the case of South Korea where all its male citizens between 18 and 28 are to undergo military training for about two years, depending on the military branch.
He, however, acknowledge that parents may just raise their objection for this could cause additional cost for their students as those who will undergo ROTC classes will need to have a uniform.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
TACLOBAN CITY- Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico ‘Mic’ Petilla is willing to support the speakership bid of Rep.Ferdinand Martin ‘FM” Romualdez on condition that he will espouse programs similar with those of his administration.
Rep. Romualdez (1st district) is considered to be among the leading contenders for the Speakership for the incoming 18th Congress, a post currently occupied by outgoing congresswoman, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
The Petillas and the Romualdezes are not politically allies and though they have yet to contest in same post in Leyte, they have figured in a dummy political war by fielding their candidates for other elective posts like for mayor.
And of the five congressional representatives of Leyte, to include the party-list An Waray, only Romualdez is not within the camp of the Petillas.
Two of them are relatives of the governor, Vicente ‘Ching’ Veloso (3rd district), who is an uncle, and Carl Nicholas Cari (5th district), a nephew.
The two other congressional representatives of Leyte are reelected Rep. Lucy Torres Gomez (4th district) and Karen Javier, a neophyte politician who defeated incumbent congressman Henry Ong for the second district.
Gov. Petilla, who just won on his third and last term during the recently-concluded elections, said that he would support on the Speakership bid of Romualdez if all his programs would ‘align’ with his programs and that of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“It’s ok(for him to become Speaker) but he should have programs that are align with that of the administration of President Duterte like anti-insurgency and poverty alleviation, two programs that we in Leyte are also pushing,” Petilla said.
“I hope he will,” the governor added.
The governor said that during the May 13 elections, he supported the senatorial bid of Romualdez’ cousin, outgoing Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos.
“I supported Imee during the last elections who is a Waray-Waray who I’m sure will help us, to some extent,” he said.
Marcos placed third behind Senator Cynthia Villar and former special assistant to Pres. Duterte Christopher ‘Bong’ Go.
ORAS, Eastern Samar – The 14th Infantry (Avenger) Battalion, under the leadership of its commanding officer, LTC Jasper Justito M. Pecson INF (GSC) PA, participated in the conduct of gift-giving activity of GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc. with the theme “Unang Hakbang sa Kinabukasan 2019”spearheaded by Ms Amabelle Rusiana, Eastern Visayas coordinator of GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc. with the Department of Education (DepEd) Eastern Samar last June 4 -8, 2019.
The four day gift-giving activity of GMA Kapuso Foundation is composed of complete school supplies with backpacks that were distributed to the kindergarten and Grade I pupils in the different barangays of the municipalities of Dolores, San Policarpo and Arteche, all of Eastern Samar.
About 3,300 children benefited from the said activity.
The said gift-giving activity recognizes the burden of less fortunate families in providing school supplies for their children.
It also creates an impact to the community in order for the people to support the government’s mandate in sustaining the promotion of peace and development of the community and at the same time to bring happiness to the people, making them feel that they are not forgotten.
It further encourage children to continue to go to school and learn for a better future.
The unit expressed its gratitude to the foundation in collaboration with the DepEd for the successful conduct of the gift-giving activity, which contributed to the sustainment of peace through the efforts of different stakeholders in the province of Eastern Samar. (PR)
TACLOBAN CITY- The regional office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reported that the Irong-Irong Bay in Catbalogan City is positive of the red tide toxin.