TACLOBAN CITY- The police should always protect the rights of the children and make them feel closer to them.
Thus said Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar, regional police director, during his speech at the culmination of the Philippine National Police’s observance of children’s month on Wednesday (November 30).
As part of the organization’s observance of the children’s month, a search of “Batang Probinsiyano”, a take-off from a popular television series, was held which was won by Wielvynn John Brato.
The seven-year old boy, who also received the People’s Choice Award, was the candidate of the Samar Police Provincial Office, besting 10 other young candidates.
This year’s theme of the children’s month celebration was “Isulong: Kalidad ng Edukasyon Para sa Lahat ng Bata.”
“The activity is one of the thrusts of the PNP to make children closer to the PNP. Supporting children for a great cause is a fulfillment not only of the mere fact that they were able to give joy to the people, they were given a good lesson, ensuring their role for the future generation,” the police regional director said.
Among those who served as judges of the “Batang Probinsiyano” search was the regional director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Restituto Macuto.
Carlos Miguel Advincula, representing the Leyte Provincial Police Office, placed second while the representative of the Biliran Provincial Police Office, Ron Cezar, landed third. He also received the special award as best in GOA uniform.
Meantime, the representative of the Regional Public Safety Battalion, Francis Zhek Anthony Tomas, was named as best in athletic uniform and the best in talent award was bestowed to Kyle Don Veliganio of the Ormoc City Police Station.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Red tide toxins remain on the seven bays of the region, raising shellfish ban in some coastal towns to prevent poisoning, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reported.
For months now, the contamination thrives in Irong-Irong and Cambatutay Bays in Samar; Carigara Bay in Leyte; coastal waters of Leyte, Leyte; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar and coastal waters of Naval, Biliran.
Last week, the phenomenon expanded to Calubian, Leyte.
BFAR Regional Director Juan Albaladejo warned that all types of shellfish taken from affected bays are positive of red tide toxins.
Albaladejo said that the red tide toxins found in these seven bays are beyond the regulatory limit of 10 cells per liter in seawater and 49 saxitoxin per gram in shellfish meat.
In affected areas, the density is as high as 600 cells per liter in water and 129 saxitoxin per gram in meat.
“All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from these areas are not safe for human consumption,” Albaladejo said.
“Thus, the public is advised to refrain from eating, harvesting, marketing, and buying shellfish and Acetes sp. from Irong-Irong Bay and Cambatutay Bay until such time that the shellfish toxicity level has gone down below the regulatory level,” he added.
Fish, squid, shrimp and crab are safe to eat “provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking”, according to BFAR.
With the recent spate of red tide bloom, the fisheries bureau asked local government units to enforce shellfish ban to ensure public safety.
“We have been issuing local bulletins to inform local officials but I have to admit that some are not really seriously enforcing the ban,” Albaladejo said.
Earlier, BFAR lifted the shellfish ban in Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Samar, and Cancabato Bay in Leyte.
During the peak of red tide bloom this year, local authorities buried at least four tons of shellfish gathered in Samar province.
(SARWELL Q. MENIANO)

TACLOBAN CITY-The city government through Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez and Public Employment Service Office (PESO), in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment, turned over 30 ovens and baking pans on Tuesday (November 29) to beneficiaries of the Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP).
The livelihood package worth P12,000 each was distributed to beneficiaries who have undergone baking classes offered by the Cristina’s Learn and Earn Program (CLEP) and the City Cooperative Office.
Mayor Romualdez was joined by DOLE 8 chief of North Leyte Office Bernardita Navarra during the turn over ceremony held at the City Hall lobby, witnessed by PESO chief Emilia Cruz.
The second batch of beneficiaries will receive their ovens on December 9, coinciding with the grand barangayan that will be held at the City Hall grounds.
On that day, 30 pedicab drivers will also receive their units availed through the Kabuhayan Restoration Program of DILEEP. The beneficiaries who came from Yolanda-stricken communities was validated and screened by PESO. (HENRY JAMES G. ROCA, CIO)

STA.RITA, Samar – Soldiers in the region remains to be loyal to their Commander-in-Chief, President Rodrigo Duterte.
This was assured by the deputy commanding officer of the 8th Infantry Division, Colonel Cesar Idio, who said that they don’t find it imperative to conduct any loyalty check among its forces.
“Our soldiers in the region remain faithful to the chain of command and the Constitution,” Idio said.
On August 8, Mr. Duterte became the first President to visit the 8th ID headquarters in Catbalogan City wherein he assured the soldiers of the region of his unequivocal support to them.
Col. Idio said that they have not received any information that soldiers in the region are restive on the administration of the President who was overwhelmingly voted to office on his pledge to stamp out the illegal drug trade in the country.
His administration also initiated another fresh round of peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front(CPP-NDF) with the hope to end the more than four decades of insurgency problem in the country.
The Army recognizes that loyalty is the thread that binds their actions together and defines their commitment to each other, to their units, country and the Constitution, Idio said. (JAZMIN BONIFACIO)