TACLOBAN CITY- Biliran Rep. Gerardo Espina Jr. said that a new evacuation center is soon to rise in the province.
The solon said that the 3,000 square meters evacuation center will be located in Barangay Larrazabal in Naval town.
According to Espina, the P40 million fund needed for the construction of the building is now available for the Department of Public Works and Highways to use.
It was learned that the lot was donated by the provincial government under Governor Roger Espina.
Meantime, the solon continue to provide his other activities in helping his people who are grappling the impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-190.
Rep. Espina has been going around different barangays and municipalities of the province to distribute food packs and other relief items.
The lawmakers likewise provided financial assistance to some of his residents who were affected by the pandemic.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY- The 14-day suspension of travel authority for locally stranded individuals (LSIs) to Eastern Visayas starting June 25, 2020 is a “welcome move” from the national government in the midst of rising cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the region.
“I believe all local government units in Eastern Visayas are relieved with the news. It will allow them at least two weeks to review and recalibrate their Covid-19 response programs,” said Tacloban Vice Mayor Jerry Yaokasin.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año formally announced the suspension after meeting with the officials from regional Inter-Agency Task Force in Palo, Leyte on June 24.
“DILG Secretary Año heeded the request of the mayors to temporarily suspend the return to Leyte of the LSIs until such time that the municipal quarantine and isolation centers can accommodate them already,” said Leyte Vice Governor Carlo Loreto.
According to Loreto, Año also requested for a list of Leyteños stranded in Cebu and Manila so that they may be provided with relief assistance.
“We are at a very uncertain time but we will continue our fight against COVID-19. Let us help each other in stopping this pandemic by following health protocols,” the vice governor said in a statement.
The Department of Health (DOH) has identified Leyte, Samar, Southern Leyte and Ormoc City as “emerging hotspots” for coronavirus due to the sudden increase in COVID-19 cases.
As of Saturday evening, June 26, Eastern Visayas has a total of 496 COVID-19 cases, with three deaths.
Several lawmakers in Eastern Visayas suspected the national government’s “Hatid Probinsya/Hatid Tulong” program as the reason in the rapid spread of coronavirus in the region.
“…We firmly believe that it is the duty of the government to ensure that these constituents of ours are free from coronavirus infection and other diseases before they are allowed to rejoin their family members. Their freedom from Covid-19 infection means that their loved ones are free from harm, too,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement.
(RONALD O. REYES)

TACLOBAN CITY- At least five people were arrested for illegal cockfighting or “sabong” in separate police operations in Eastern Visayas towns Saturday (June 27).
In Can-avid, Eastern Samar, police arrested two individuals while one other person was at-large in Barangay Can-ilay at around 4:25 pm Saturday.
Confiscated from their possession and control were five fighting cocks with an estimated market value of P 4, 500 and bet money amounting to P250.
Can-avid Municipal Police Station led by Major Clark Chavarria and Eastern Samar Provincial Police Office-Provincial Intelligence Unity (ESPPO-PUI) under supervision of Major Herbert Joey Grata, chief of PUI, conducted the operation.
In Bobon, Northern Samar, two persons were also arrested at around 1:45 pm Saturday at Sitio Kagpangi, Barangay Acereda.
Operatives from Bobon Municipal Police Station led by Captain Ricardo Banjawan, chief of police, confiscated from the suspects bet money amounting to P2,548 and cockfighting paraphernalia with an estimated worth of P1, 260.
Meanwhile, police in Matalom, Leyte arrested one suspect while his companions eluded arrest at around 3:10 pm Saturday at Sitio Casilihan, Barangay San Juan.
Personnel from Matalom Municipal Police led by Lieutenant Arvin Presbitero confiscated from the suspect’s possession and control one fighting cock with estimated market value of P1,000.
Also recovered from the area were two fighting cocks and gaff with an estimated total market value of P2, 300.
The suspects will be facing charges for violation of Presidential Decree 449, or Illegal Cockfighting Law, as amended by Presidential Decree 1602, which prescribes stiffer penalties for illegal gambling.
(RONALD O. REYES)