TACLOBAN CITY– The Leyte II Electric Cooperative (Leyeco II) management is calling all its member-consumer-owners (MCOs) to take caution after its social media account was hacked.

On November 11, the Leyeco II page was still controlled by the management with a post relative to the residential power rate advisory for the current month.

However, posts not connected to Leyeco II appeared the following day with its profile photo changed into an online game application, indicating that it was hacked.

This prompted the management of Leyeco II to issue a press statement cautioning all its member-consumers regarding the hacking incident.

The management of Leyeco II said that any content posted by the hacked account moving forward and until further notice is unrelated to their office, their services and employees.
Thus, they urged the public to exercise and refrain from sharing the content to avoid repercussions.

The power utility informed that their office has nowa temporary page the www.facebook.com/leyte2electriccoop they also ha their 24/7 hotline for concerns related to their office 09173044316.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Central Office conducted a two-day assessment to monitor the ongoing infrastructure projects implemented by Leyte Second District Engineering Office (L2DEO).

The assessment, conducted through its quality assurance unit, was carried out on November 8 and 9 by engineers from the Bureau of Research and Standards with assistance from the construction and quality assurance sections of the district office to provide the necessary inputs and project-related data.

The team assessed and evaluated six projects were assessed and evaluated if they were compliant with the plans and standard specifications.

These projects were the construction/rehabilitation of the Binahaan flood control structure and drainage system, Binahaan river basin in Barangay Balilit, Dagami; construction of missing links/new roads along the Burauen – Albuera Road; retrofitting/strengthening of the Marabong Bridge along Jaro-Dagami-Burauen-La Paz Road, Burauen, Leyte; construction of by-pass and diversion roads in La Paz; and the completion of the construction of a two- storey office building of the in MacArthur town.

According to District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura, regular assessment is necessary to monitor the quality of the projects so that if there are issues during the implementation, corrective measures will be immediately addressed.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

Manila-The United States government, through the Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), recently gathered international experts to train local government representatives in developing strategies to mitigate the impact of and reduce the demand for illegal drugs in the Philippines.

From October 31 to November 2, 120 delegates representing 19 local government units attended the 5th National Conference of Anti-Drug Abuse Coalitions on the theme “Strengthening Prevention Strategies for Drug Free Communities,” organized by the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, the Association of Anti-Drug Abuse Coalitions of the Philippines, Inc. (AADAC), and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) in Makati City.
During the conference, international experts trained participants on conducting community assessments and developing sustainable and comprehensive strategies for anti-drug abuse coalition activities. Two certified youth trainers led sessions for 60 youth leaders on countering stigma associated with drug use, promoting mental health, and strengthening youth engagement in anti-drug abuse coalitions.

AADAC also awarded ten local chief executives for their grassroots efforts in strengthening multisectoral cooperation to address illegal drugs and in allocating financial support for AADAC programs in their communities. The ten officials named “champions in anti-drug abuse coalition work” are Angono Municipal Vice Mayor Gerardo Calderon, Calamba City Vice Mayor Angelito Lazaro, Jr., Cavite City Mayor Denver Chua, Muntinlupa City Mayor Rozzano Rufino Biazon, Tanay Municipal Mayor Rafael Tanjuatco, Barangay Caticlan Chairman Ralf Tolosa, Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores, Barangay Poblacion Makati Chairman Benhur Cruz, Makati City Mayor Mar-Len Abigail Binay, and Quezon City Mayor Maria Josefina Belmonte.

“Coalitions carry out vital work, such as educating and engaging the youth, volunteering time to holistic care, and ensuring the availability of mental health support, often with very little resources,” INL Manila Director Kelia Cummins said. “This is why cooperation among coalitions is so essential—we are stronger together. We can pool not only financial resources, but also knowledge, time, and collective experience to ensure that our communities are safe, healthy, and productive.”

“Law enforcement alone is not enough. We must pursue a holistic approach to this fight by strengthening our drug prevention and control strategies. This cannot be done without the unity of the Filipino people,” Department of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez said.

“We share one goal, and that is to achieve a health and drug free community,” Dangerous Drugs Board Undersecretary Gilberto Cruz added.

AADAC is an umbrella association of 27 community anti-drug abuse coalitions located across the Philippines.

The INL-sponsored multi-year program “Building and Sustaining Effective Community Anti-Drug Coalitions in the Philippines” aims to establish community anti-drug coalitions and strengthen existing communities with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to build effective and sustainable coalitions that combat illegal drugs and drug-related crime. Learn more about the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement and its global drug demand reduction programs at www.state.gov/j/inl. (PR)

ORMOC CITY-A village chief shot dead a constituent after he tried to pacify him during a confrontation in Basey, Samar on Sunday (Nov.13) evening.

Venerando Bacayo, 57, barangay chairman of San Agustin, shot to the head Rodel Lapinig,32, after the latter challenged him to shoot him.

Lapinig, who was said to be heavily intoxicated at that time and armed with a ‘sundang’, was causing havoc in the village, prompting the village chairman to pacify him.
But instead of heeding his appeal, Lapinig instead challenged the village leader to shoot him.

Apparently, the village official lost his cool and drew a gun pointing at Lapinig, hitting him on his head, the local police said.
The suspect voluntarily surrendered to Basey Municipal Police Station. (ROBERT DEJON)