ORMOC CITY- One of the most wanted persons in Samar was finally by the law enforcers.
Arrested was Pampilo Labong, Sr.,70, and resident of Barangay Calundan, San Jorge town.
Labong, who is facing a string of homicide cases, was arrested by virtue of a warrant, was arrested in Brgy. Blanca Aurora, also in San Jorge, at about 12:10 pm last Sept. 29.

San Jorge chief of police, Capt. Michael Ray Cañete said that the cases filed against Labong were in relation to his being an alleged former member of the communist armed group, the New People’s Army.

The warrant, issued by Judge Maricar Lucero of Branch 41 in Gandara town, Samar, recommended P72,000 bail bond for each of the 10 frustrated homicide charges filed against the suspect.

Labong was brought to San Jorge Municipal Police Station for proper disposition prior turn- over to the court of origin. (ROBERT DEJON)

Manila-The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and its Philippine partners recently gathered more than 750 representatives from government, the private sector, and civil society to highlight the role of local governments in ensuring internet access for marginalized and remote communities across the country.

On September 28, USAID’s Better Access and Connectivity (BEACON) and Cities for Enhanced Governance and Engagement (CHANGE) projects, in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Department of Interior and Local Government, and the League of Cities of the Philippines, organized the “Improving Broadband Internet Connectivity in Cities and LGUs” conference where participants were able to share best practices in addressing internet connectivity issues and strengthening policies on ICT governance, financing, and investment.

The COVID-19 pandemic compelled cities to quickly adopt ICT approaches to mitigate impacts, improve accessibility to public services, promote transparency in government, and enhance citizens’ participation in governance. Cities are also finding ways to improve their business environment for ICT services to spur economic activity and create more jobs.

However, reliable internet connectivity remains a challenge in many cities and municipalities across the country. A 2021 survey by Pulse Asia found that about 63 percent of adult Filipinos had access to the internet, with internet access and usage lowest in Mindanao at 47 percent.

“With affordable and secure internet connectivity, the government can deliver basic services to more people, create avenues for collective action and stronger partnerships, and improve transparency and accountability in governance,” USAID Mission Director Ryan Washburn said. “As a friend, partner, and ally, the U.S. government, through USAID, will continue to support the Philippine government in building a future where digital technology promotes inclusive growth, fosters resilient and democratic societies, and empowers all, including the most vulnerable.”

“Our vision is to promote an inclusive and sustainable digitally empowered Philippines for all Filipinos where the specific needs of each city and municipality, even those in hard-to-reach islands, can be addressed in order to help them thrive and grow in the digital economy,” said DICT Assistant Secretary Maria Teresa Camba.

USAID supports the Philippine government in improving internet connectivity by sharing potential solutions and supporting the development of implementable policies. This assistance is in line with the U.S. government’s commitment to foster economic growth through improved digital connectivity.

Through its Cities Development Initiative, USAID has been working with nine secondary cities across the country to boost the cities’ economic competitiveness, resilience, and responsive governance, with most of the cities becoming trailblazers in providing e-services to citizens, such as online processes for payments and applications for business and construction permitting, and online payment systems for water services. (PR)

Over and illegal fishing among reasons cited

CALBIGA, Samar- Sardines catch in the San Bernardino Strait is now declining and their sizes are getting smaller.

This was the conclusion reached during the meeting of the members of the Fishery Management Area (FMA)7, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources officials from Region 5 and 8, together with the ocean conservation group, Oceana this town last Sept.30.
The reduction of sardines is affecting fishermen in Northern Samar.

The Northern Samar waters are considered to be part of the FMA7 that covers Sorsogon Bay, Ragay Gulf, and Ticao-Burias Pass in Bicol region, and Samar Sea, Carigara Bay, Maqueda Bay, and Irong-Irong Bay in Region 8.

Among the affected is the Ken Matthew Sardines, the only sardine processor in Northern Samar province that employs about 50 individuals.

Martha Cadano shared that they used to cut sardines in two during processing but now, the entire fish can already fit in a glass container due to the small size of the sardines.
Oceana said that based on their study, the depletion of the fish caught in Northern Samar is due to several factors which include overfishing, illegal fishing, and the weak implementation of the National Sardines Management Plan (NSMP).

However, it did not say as to the volume of decrease of sardines in the Northern Samar waters.
But Oceana said that majority of the fish found at FMA7 needs a management measure for sustainability.

During the meeting, it was proposed to regulate fishing in the area through the implementation of harvest control rule (HCR) by increasing the mesh size of the fish net and its length from 500 meters from the current 300 meters.

By increasing the mesh size, it will ensure that juvenile fish will not be catch while reducing the length will ensure that other fishermen will also able to catch a fish when they go out fishing, Oceana added.

To implement it, a memorandum will be made by officials of FMA7 which will be cascaded to local government units within their jurisdiction to enforce it by enacting an ordinance.
It was also revealed during the meeting that most of the fish catch in Northern Samar are directly transported by fishermen to Bulan, Sorsogon where the volume of fish catch in the seawater of the province are recorded in said province and not in Northern Samar.

To address this, Cadano suggested that a cold storage facility should be put up in Northern Samar so that fishermen will no longer have to sell their catch in Sorsogon.
Cadano added that the lack of cold storage facility also affects their sardine processing because they have to process their catch within few hours or the sardine will be spoiled.
Once they get spoiled, they have no recourse but to give their catch to the community for free.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)