In Samar

TACLOBAN CITY — The municipal government of Paranas, Samar, has intensified its campaign for better maternal and child health by highlighting the importance of proper nutrition and breastfeeding during the first 1,000 days of life.

The campaign, held as part of Breastfeeding Awareness Month, brought together 15 adolescent pregnant and lactating women, including mothers with malnourished children, along with their male partners or significant others.

Participants received information on maternal nutrition, breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and infant and young child feeding through interactive learning sessions and health assessments.

The first 1,000 days—from conception until a child’s second birthday—was emphasized as a critical period for establishing the foundation for lifelong health, growth and cognitive development.

The activity also promoted exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months, followed by the timely introduction of safe and nutritionally adequate complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding.

Held in line with Republic Act No. 10028, or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009, the event also featured a practical cooking contest dubbed “Idol Ko si Nanay.”

Municipal Vice Mayor Atty. Eunice Babalcon urged the young mothers to remain resilient, pursue their education whenever possible, and prioritize their health and nutrition and the well-being of their children.

Babalcon assured the participants of the local government’s continued support for their welfare and that of their babies, encouraging them to work toward a better future for their families.

The activity also emphasized the role of fathers, partners and other family members in supporting breastfeeding, proper nutrition and childcare.

Organizers said involving the entire family in maternal and child health programs promotes shared responsibility and contributes to the overall well-being of mothers and children.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

Catarman N. Samar-The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) continues to make significant progress in its efforts to restore the capacity and improve the water flow of heavily silted waterways in Catarman, Northern Samar, with more than 93,000 cubic meters of dredged material already removed from Maroyondoyon and Kaglangkoy Creeks.
The DPWH Regional Office VIII Equipment Management Division (EMD), through its amphibious excavator K4-80, remains deployed in the area for the ongoing desilting operations.

According to Engr. John Von B. Asid, Dredge Master of the DPWH Regional EMD, the operation has already reached 73.29% of its target, equivalent to approximately 93,728 cubic meters of dredged material cleared from the waterways.

District Engineer Alvin Ignacio continues to monitor the operation with visible progress achieved.

“We can see significant progress and good accomplishments in the dredging operation conducted by the EMD team. In fact, some residents have shared positive feedback on the impact of the dredging. Noon, binabaha sila, ngayon hindi na. This kind of relief inspires us to continue and complete what we have started, providing much-needed relief and greater protection to residents, especially during inclement weather.” Ignacio said.

DE Ignacio also clarified that the sustained implementation of the said initiative is made possible through the coordinated efforts and resource-sharing of the DPWH Regional Office VIII, Equipment Management Division, DPWH Northern Samar First District Engineering Office in partnership with the Provincial and Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (PENRO and CENRO) and the Local Government Unit of Catarman.

Once completed, the dredging operation will help improve the flow of waterways, reduce flood risks and provide greater protection to residents and their properties during periods of heavy rainfall.

(ANALIZA A. PABIA/PR)

TACLOBAN CITY — The legal camp of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez remains confident that the Office of the Ombudsman will dismiss the complaints filed against him over alleged irregularities involving flood control projects.

Atty. Ade Fajardo, Romualdez’s legal counsel, said during a press briefing on Aug. 20 that the former Speaker’s camp is “101 percent” confident that the cases will be dismissed.
“We are 101 percent confident that the case will be dismissed,” Fajardo said.

The statement came after Orly Guteza reportedly recanted his allegations and three former Marines repudiated earlier statements that allegedly linked Romualdez to claims that millions of pesos in cash were delivered in suitcases to his residence.

Guteza’s allegations and the statements of the three former Marines were cited by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former congressman Mike Defensor in their accusations against Romualdez.

Fajardo said the individuals concerned have withdrawn their earlier statements through affidavits, with the latest affidavit reportedly executed on Aug. 13.

Romualdez has denied the allegations and previously asked the Ombudsman to dismiss the plunder, graft and other criminal complaints filed against him in connection with an alleged flood control kickback scheme.

His legal camp has maintained that the recantations weaken the allegations and remove the supposed direct link between Romualdez and the alleged unlawful transactions.
The complaints remain subject to the Ombudsman’s evaluation and determination.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Seven live protected birds were seized and a man was arrested during an entrapment operation targeting the alleged illegal sale and trade of wildlife species in Ormoc City, Leyte, authorities said.

The suspect, a resident of Barangay Caridad, Baybay City, was arrested on Aug. 19 in Barangay South, Ormoc City, after he was allegedly caught selling or trading the wildlife specimens without the permits and documents required by law.

The operation was conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Northern Leyte Provincial Field Unit (PFU), in coordination with the Ormoc City Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO), Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Ormoc, the Energy Development Corp. (EDC) Wildlife Conservation Unit, and Station 1 of the Ormoc City Police Office.

Authorities confiscated three live Rufous hornbills, two live Samar hornbills and two live yellow-breasted fruit doves.

Also recovered during the operation were a genuine P500 bill used as buy-bust money and four P1,000 boodle bills.

Police said the suspect was caught in possession and control of the birds without the necessary permits, authority or supporting documents required under existing wildlife laws and regulations.

The rescued birds were turned over to the appropriate authorities for identification, documentation, physical examination and safekeeping.

A case for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001, particularly Section 27(e)(i), is being prepared for filing before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Ormoc City.

Following the operation, the birds were brought to the Ormoc City Veterinary Office for physical examination and assessment.

After the required documentation and clearances are secured, the birds will be transferred to the Ormoc City Terrestrial Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Barangay Dolores for rehabilitation, care and proper disposition.

RA 9147 prohibits the unauthorized collection, possession, transport and trade of wildlife and provides penalties for violations involving protected wildlife species.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Tourism workers and frontline responders in Guiuan, Eastern Samar underwent five days of water safety and aquatic rescue training as part of efforts to improve visitor protection amid the municipality’s growing water-based tourism activities.
The Water Safety Symposium–Public Safety and Aquatic Rescue (WSS-PSAR), held from Aug. 17 to 21, was organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Eastern Visayas in partnership with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the local government of Guiuan.
The training brought together lifeguards, tour guides, Community-Based Tourism Office personnel, barangay officials, resort operators, tourism establishment representatives, surfers and other responders.

DOT Eastern Visayas OIC Regional Director Ma. Catherina Apostol said visitor safety should remain a key foundation of tourism development as Guiuan continues to expand its tourism potential.

She stressed the importance of strengthening local capabilities in water safety, aquatic rescue and emergency response so visitors can safely enjoy the municipality’s coastal and marine attractions.

Guiuan is among Eastern Visayas’ emerging surfing destinations, making water safety and emergency preparedness particularly important for tourism stakeholders.

The training was conducted with the Philippine Life Saving and Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary as partners and featured lectures, demonstrations and hands-on exercises.
Participants received instruction on Basic Life Support with Resuscitation and Emergency Care, including basic life support, resuscitation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency care.

They also underwent training in basic swimming, water safety and lifesaving techniques, followed by practical aquatic rescue exercises involving surf rescue board handling and the loading of conscious and unconscious casualties at ABCD Beach.

The participants also conducted cave-in rescue exercises at Linao Cave, where they applied rescue techniques in a different environment while strengthening teamwork and emergency preparedness.

Safety training kits were distributed to the participants to support the continued application of the skills they gained during the training.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)