TACLOBAN CITY-A jobless lady and a government employee were arrested over alleged illegal drugs activities in two separate buy- bust operations on April 8.
Elements from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Philippine National Police (PNP) identified the lady suspect as Mary Jane Estoque, 28, single, jobless, from Bato town, Leyte.
Authorities purchased and confiscated from Estoque one piece plastic sachet containing suspected “shabu” weighing 0.14 gram with an estimated market value of P952.
The anti-drug units also nabbed a high-value target and government employee in Capoocan, also in Leyte.
Police identified the suspect as Renato Villaflor, 48, married, and resident of the said town.
Retrieved from the suspect were two pieces plastic sachet containing suspected shabu weighing 0.15 gram with an estimated market value of P2,000.
Both suspects are now detained and will be charged for violations of section 5 (sale of dangerous drugs) and section 11 (possession of dangerous drugs), Article II of RA 9165, PDEA said in a press statement.
Meanwhile, the anti-drug agency in the region continued the distribution of PDEA comics to different as one of its innovations on drug abuse prevention and education. (RONALD O. REYES)

CATARMAN, Northern Samar – Members of the Philippine Rural Development Project – Provincial Project Management and Implementing Unit (PRDP-PPMIU) held their monthly meeting on April 10.
Projects under the I-BUILD component of the PRDP were given focus during the meeting.
While the rehabilitation/improvement of Bantayan-Malobago-Pagsang-an Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) in San Roque is nearing completion, the concreting of Burabod-Cadac-an FMR in Gamay continues to miss monthly targets resulting in slippage of -43.71% as of March 31.
The body advised the contractor of the latter FMR project to directly report to the regional office of the Department of Agriculture-PRDP to seek advice on how to resolve this problem. They continue to highlight the importance of completing this project as failure to do so may still compromise the construction/improvement of Camparanga-Manahaw-San Ramon-Canjumadal FMR in Pambujan.
Under the I-REAP component, six out of 13 Small Livelihood Projects (SLPs) for typhoons ‘Yolanda’ and ‘Nona’ have already been satisfactorily completed and complied with all the required processes and procedures stipulated in their signed enterprise implementation agreements (EIAs) with the provincial government of Northern Samar.
These completed SLPs consist of hog fattening and trading (Allen, Mondragon and San Jose); goat production and marketing (Catarman); bio-organic and vermin-culture project (Allen); and duck egg production and Processing Enterprise (Catarman).
The financial grant for each SLP is worth P1 million.
Finally, no local government unit has yet submitted a proposal under the potable water system project of the PRDP.
Training on detailed engineering design and program of works can still be conducted in the province but LGUs must first signify their intent to avail of this project. (PR)

CARIGARA, Leyte—Three teams from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Leyte Second District Engineering Office will be deployed for the “Lakbay Alalay” in anticipation of the enormous volume of traffic during the Holy Week.
District Engineer Gerald Pacanan said that the teams will be stationed in three strategic locations which include the Leyte second district office in Carigara, Lemon junction in Capoocan, and along Burauen-Julita junction in Dulag on a round-the-clock shift starting 12:00 noon of April 17 to 12:00 noon of April 22.
“These teams would deliver prompt and reliable assistance to the motorists and pedestrians along the major thoroughfares, especially for emergency situations,” he added.
The district engineering office would adhere with measures such as providing proper signage for warnings, directions and information, reflectorized pavement markings for night- driving motorists, and making sure that road sections are well-maintained and free from obstructions.
The district office will make proper coordination with the Land Transportation Office, Philippine National Police, Local Government Units, and other concerned government entities for any assistance that may be needed.
Holy week is a traditionally solemn occasion in the country when Filipinos remember Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. It starts from Palm Sunday to Black Saturday, then Easter Sunday.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, PALO, Leyte- The house of the incumbent president of the Association of Barangay Chairmen (ABC) of Matalom, Leyte was peppered with bullets by still unknown suspects.
Reports reaching the regional headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP), this town, disclosed that at about 4:05 am of April 11, 2019, Matalom Municipal Police Station (MPS) received a report from Elias Sister, a barangay tanod of Brgy. Sta. Fe of said town informing that the house of Rogelio Daño,54, married and chairman of said village, was fired upon by unidentified suspects using still unknown firearm.
Immediately personnel of said station led by PCPT Ronald A. Puso proceeded to the area to verify the veracity of the report.
Initial investigation disclosed that the incident transpired at about 2:30 am on Thursday (April 11).
According to Cresilda Daño, wife of the victim, while they were asleep, she heard a sound of a broken glass, prompting her to check where the sounds came from.
They then discovered the entire portion of the sliding door of their house broken due to bullet shots.
Their vehicle, a Navarra with plate number YJD-492, was also peppered with bullets.
No one was hit in the strafing incident.
Motive of the incident and the identity of the perpetrators are now the subject of an ongoing investigation. (PR)