TACLOBAN CITY- More than P7.6 billion worth of projects and programs have been approved by the Provincial Development Council(PDC) of Leyte for its annual investment program(AIP) for next year.
The funding of the AIP, which will serve as the basis for the annual budget of the province, will come from its P2 billion annual internal revenue(IRA) as well as funding from government agencies, to include rehabilitation funding due to super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ and projected foreign assistance.
The 2018 AIP was approved by the members of the PDC, which is chaired by Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla, during their October 2 meeting.
Nex year’’s AIP is higher compare to the current P7.1 billion.
The P7,602,260,934 AIP will then be submitted to the provincial board for its approval.
Petilla said that next year’s AIP includes the required tagging tracking of the climate change expenditures of the programs, activities, and projects in the local budget.
The programs, activities, and projects on the AIP are categorized under the general public services, economic services, and social services.
Under the P7. 6 billion AIP for next year, economic services gets the huge chunk of the budget at P3.94 billion followed by general public services at P1.31 billion; and social services at P1.94 billion.
About P110.2 million has also been earmarked for the special education fund under the 2018 AIP. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY- Anti-drug elements of the regional Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Provincial Police Drug Enforcement Unit arrested a garbage collector from this city during a buy-bust operation.
Arrested by the operatives was Noel Balasabas, 31, married and a resident of Barangay 27, Seawall area in a buy-bust Wednesday (Sept.4) at about 9:30 pm in Barangay 66, Paseo de Legaspi.
Purchased and seized during the buy-bust operation were three pieces of a heat-sealed plastic transparent sachet containing suspected shabu weighing 0.3 gram with an estimated market value of P1,500.
Balasabas will be charged for violations of Section 5 (sale of dangerous drugs) and Section 11 (possession of dangerous drugs), Article II of RA 9165.
The suspect is now temporarily detained at PDEA-8 detention facility while waiting for his commitment order. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY (CIO) – As part of its extensive anti-criminality campaign The City Government of Tacloban under the leadership of Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez is set install CCTV (Closed-circuit Television) Cameras in strategic areas around the City; this was announced by City Administrator Atty. Irene Chiu at a Media Conference held to coincide with the Local Government Code Month Celebration at the City DILG Conference Function Hall on Tuesday, October 5.
Representing Mayor Romualdez during the event, Chiu said that the CCTV Cameras , which are targeted to be installed this year, will be equipped with facial detection software that will be helpful in tracking lawless elements. A command and control center will be set up at the City Hall to maintain the operation of the Smart Cameras which will be connected through fiber optic technology.
The City Administrator also announced programs targeted at enhancing the delivery of front-line services of the City Government, such as the Electronic Payment Portal (EPP) – an online payment system for taxpayers and business operators that will be launched within the year.
The City Government is planning to secure an ISO Certification for its Business Permit and Licensing Processes at Kanhuraw Business Center. ISO or the International Standardization Organization is an international organization that promotes world propriety, industrial and commercial standards.
Chiu likewise disclosed that the City government-owned Tacloban City Hospital provides free hospitalization services through its Services Delivery Network (SDN) Program in partnership with the Office of Leyte 1st District Representative Yedda K. Romualdez who earmarked funds for the project.
The event was also attended by City Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Director Atty. Darwin Bibar, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director Edgardo Jubay and MIS Head Randy Calahi.
Meantime, Bibar said that the local government code was passed in 1991 to promote autonomy and empower local government units.
He added that it also seeks to highlight the best practices and achievement of LGUs that is worth replicating by other local governments units.
Among the “Best Practices” of the Tacloban LGU are the Tacloban City Rescue Unit (TACRU), the Community Climate Guide and Response (CCGR) and MASA MASID App Text Alert and reporting Systems, and the outpatient Drug Rehabilitation Program – New Beginnings – the first community-based drug rehab program implemented in Region 8 following President Rodrigo R. Duterte War on drugs.
Under Mayor Romualdez, the lone Highly Urbanized City (HUC) in Region 8 was recently named the Most Improved HUC in the country by the National Competitiveness Council. It was also shortlisted for the Presidential Seal for Child Friendly Local Governance and named a qualifier for the Seal of Good Local Governance.
Other activities slated for the month-long Local Government Code Month are the Skills Enhancement Training for Barangay Tanods (Oct 6); Synchronized Barangay Assembly Day (October 8); the Recognition Awards for Punong Barangays, ISO Orientation, and Partnership Forum (October 27). – Henry James G. Roca