ORMOC CITY— Police arrested a high-value individual listed in the Regional Priority Target List (RPTL) after a buy-bust operation in Barangay Ichon, Macrohon, Southern Leyte, on Thursday afternoon, December 18.

Operatives of the Station Drug Enforcement Team of the Macrohon Municipal Police Station arrested the suspect, identified only as alias “Pert,” 45, single, unemployed, and a resident of the same barangay, at around 2:14 p.m.

Recovered from the suspect were eight sachets containing white crystalline substances suspected to be shabu. Four sachets were allegedly sold to a police operative for P4,000 during the buy-bust transaction.

A subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of law-mandated witnesses, yielded four more sachets concealed in a white paper.

Police also recovered four P1,000 bills, one of which was genuine and pre-marked, while the remaining three were boodle money used as buy-bust bait. Additional items seized included P1,020 in cash believed to be proceeds from illegal drug sales and a green lighter.
The total weight of the confiscated suspected shabu is still subject to confirmation by the Regional Forensic Unit 8 (RFU-8).

Authorities said the suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and apprised of his constitutional rights in a language he understood.

Charges for violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. The suspect is currently detained at the Macrohon Municipal Police Station’s custodial facility.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — A major renewable energy producer has turned over nearly P32 million to a local electric cooperative in Leyte, underscoring how revenues from power generation are being shared to strengthen electricity distribution services in host communities.

First Gen–Energy Development Corporation (First Gen-EDC) recently remitted P31.9 million to the Leyte V Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Leyeco)V as part of its obligations under the Department of Energy’s ER 1-94 program, a benefit-sharing scheme that channels a portion of power generation revenues to host local government units and distribution utilities.

The amount represents Leyeco V’s share from First Gen-EDC’s renewable energy operations in Leyte, particularly geothermal power generation. Under ER 1-94, generation companies are required to allocate financial benefits to communities and electric cooperatives affected by or hosting energy facilities, helping support improved power services and local development.

Leyeco V said the remitted funds will be used for operational improvements and system upgrades, aimed at enhancing the reliability and efficiency of electricity distribution across its franchise area, which covers Ormoc City and several municipalities in the third and fourth districts of Leyte.

The turnover was led by First Gen-EDC officials, led by Leyte site head and head of facility operations Engr. Estanislao Pialago Jr.

First Gen-EDC said the remittance highlights its continued partnership with local electric cooperatives and its commitment to sustainable energy development and community support in areas hosting its power facilities.

EDC, a subsidiary of First Gen Corporation, is the country’s largest 100-percent renewable energy company, with nearly 1,400 megawatts of installed capacity nationwide. This includes more than 1,000 megawatts of geothermal power, making it the world’s largest vertically integrated geothermal company. One of its major geothermal plants is located in Tongonan, Ormoc City.

Leyeco V serves Ormoc City and distributes electricity to the municipalities of Merida, Isabel, Palompon, Kananga, Matag-ob, and Albuera in Leyte’s 4th District, as well as Villaba, Tabango, San Isidro, Calubian, and Leyte in the 3rd District.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Strengthening government efforts to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has turned over 60 kilograms of soft plastic waste to the local government of Naval, supporting the town’s “RESIKLO” waste-to-rewards program.

The turnover was led by BFP Provincial Director FCINSP Zardoz Abela, who said the initiative ensures that plastic waste collected by the agency will be diverted from landfills and instead processed at Naval’s municipal recycling facility. The recovered materials will be transformed into durable, eco-friendly school chairs.

In a demonstration of the circular economy in action, the upcycled chairs will be used at the BFP Fire Safety Education Center which serves as both a training venue for fire personnel and an interactive learning space for students in the municipality.

Mayor Gretchen Stephanie Espina welcomed the BFP’s participation, saying it shows how the RESIKLO framework is gaining support across various government institutions and encouraging wider public involvement in waste reduction efforts.

According to the LGU, soft plastics—often among the most difficult materials to manage in conventional waste systems—are shredded and molded into “plastic lumber.” The resulting chairs are not only long-lasting but also serve as a tangible reminder to young learners about the value of recycling and the principles of the circular economy.

The RESIKLO program, a flagship environmental initiative of Mayor Espina, follows a “waste-to-rewards” model that incentivizes proper waste disposal. Earlier this year, the program expanded through “RESIKLO sa Empleyado,” which encourages government workers to participate in plastic recovery.

Under the system, participants earn 10 points for every kilogram of soft plastic—such as food wrappers, sachets, and foil packs—turned over to the Resiklo Hub. These points can be redeemed for basic necessities, including groceries, school supplies, and clothing.

The LGU said it is eyeing a broader, community-wide rollout of the program to help address the municipality’s plastic waste problem while providing sustainable livelihood opportunities for residents.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)