TACLOBAN CITY — At least 615 fisherfolk from 10 municipalities in Samar province received fuel subsidy cards from the national government to help them cope with rising fuel prices.

Gov. Sharee Ann Tan led the distribution of the assistance during a ceremony held at the Samar Provincial gymnasium on March 9.

The fuel cards, each worth P3,000, were provided through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources as part of the government’s fuel subsidy program for small-scale fisherfolk. The cards can be used to purchase gasoline or diesel for motorized fishing boats.
Tan thanked BFAR for the assistance and stressed the importance of cooperation in helping fishing communities cope with the rising cost of fuel.

The provincial government is also exploring additional support programs and will coordinate with the Department of Labor and Employment for possible livelihood assistance for fisherfolk, officials said.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Police rescued a 13-year-old girl who was reportedly abandoned in a village in Hilongos, Leyte following a report made through the emergency hotline on March 10.

Personnel of the Hilongos Municipal Police Station responded to the call and proceeded to Barangay Concepcion where concerned residents reported the presence of the minor.
The girl, a resident of Barangay Poblacion 2 in Hindang, Leyte, was found safe and in stable condition when police arrived.

According to the report, the minor had been brought to the barangay by a friend on February 26 but was later left there, prompting residents to alert authorities through the 911 emergency hotline.

Police officers brought the girl to the police station for proper documentation and assistance before she was later turned over to her father.

Col. Dionisio DC Apas Jr., provincial director of the Leyte Police Provincial Office, commended the swift response of the responding officers and the vigilance of the community.

He said the incident highlights the importance of promptly reporting emergencies through the 911 hotline so authorities can respond quickly and ensure public safety.

(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Several local government units in Eastern Samar have received computer sets from the National Council on Disability Affairs to improve programs and services for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

The equipment was distributed to support local PWD offices in managing data and processing identification cards under the PWD Unified ID System.

According to Provincial Persons with Disability Affairs Officer Hendrick Dacuyan, the computer sets were delivered to San Policarpo, Arteche,and Jipapad.

Additional units were also turned over to PWD offices in Borongan City and San Julian where the equipment was received by their respective social welfare offices.

Dacuyan said the computers will help speed up the processing and verification of PWD identification cards and prevent the misuse of fake IDs while ensuring that benefits reach legitimate recipients.

Another computer set was also provided to the Municipal Persons with Disabilities Office in Guiuan to support data management and identification of the needs of persons with disabilities in the town.

Provincial officials said the initiative is part of efforts of the administration of Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone to strengthen programs and ensure that persons with disabilities are properly served across the province.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)