TACLOBAN CITY — Local governments and barangays across Samar were recognized for their governance performance, environmental initiatives and innovative legislation during the province’s Samar Day celebration led by Gov. Sharee Ann Tan.

The awards highlighted local initiatives in transparency, disaster preparedness, environmental protection, public service delivery and sustainable resource management.
Among those recognized were barangays that passed the 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance for Barangay (SGLGB) assessment of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The SGLGB recognizes barangays that demonstrate satisfactory performance in financial administration, disaster preparedness, safety, peace and order, as well as at least one essential governance area, including social protection, environmental management or business-friendliness and competitiveness.

The DILG Samar Provincial Operations Office earlier transmitted to Tan the official list of provincial passers for Performance Year 2024 from the province’s second congressional district.

The passers came from Basey, Jiabong, Marabut, Motiong, Paranas, Pinabacdao, San Sebastian, Sta. Rita, Gandara, Matuguinao, Pagsanghan, San Jorge, Sta. Margarita, Sto. Niño and Tarangnan, as well as Catbalogan and Calbayog cities.

Jiabong posted the highest number of passing barangays among the listed municipalities with 34, followed by Basey with 15, Pinabacdao with 10, Paranas with nine, Motiong with eight and Sta. Rita with eight.

Catbalogan City had 14 passing barangays, while Calbayog City had 10.

The DILG said the passing barangays demonstrated their commitment to transparency, accountability, responsiveness and effective delivery of basic services.

Also recognized were the winners of the Provincial Search for the Gawad Galing Kalikasan Awards 2026, which honors outstanding environmental management and sustainability programs of local governments.

Calbayog City won first place for its “From Trash to Triumph” program implemented by the City Solid Waste Management Office under Jannett O. Cabujat, J.D. The city received a rating of 90.67 and a P50,000 prize and plaque.

Paranas placed second for its “Exchange Your Ecobrick Program,” implemented by the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office under Maria Myla O. Corales. It received a rating of 90.02, a P30,000 prize and a plaque.

Santa Rita placed third with its “Trashcycle” program under MENRO Forester Abraham B. Ibañez. The program received a rating of 83.15, along with a P20,000 prize and plaque.
The Sangguniang Bayan of Daram was also recognized after receiving the Silver Award in the Gawad Galing Lokal na Batas 2026.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Samar unanimously adopted Resolution No. 18-583-26, sponsored by Board Member Beethoven M. Bermejo, recognizing the Daram council for its award-winning legislation.

Daram was cited for enacting Municipal Ordinance No. 23-2024, or the Municipal Fishery Code of Daram, which strengthened the municipality’s management and protection of its fisheries resources.

The ordinance was credited with increasing the number of registered fisherfolk in the municipality from 377 in 2023 to 1,905 in 2025. Fisheries revenue also reached P538,615 in 2025, the highest recorded in four years.

The measure institutionalized marine zoning, fish catch monitoring and red tide surveillance, while strengthening seaborne patrol operations.

The recognitions underscored the efforts of Samar’s local governments and barangays to strengthen governance, protect the environment, improve resource management and deliver better services to their communities.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Matag-ob Mayor Bernandino “Bernie” Tacoy has denied a viral Facebook post alleging that his administration ordered the arrest of a senior citizen selling corn along a roadside, calling the report misleading and an attempt to discredit his administration.

Tacoy said the allegations circulating online were false and should be dismissed, adding that he would continue performing his duties despite what he described as efforts by political opponents to undermine his administration.

“Our political opponents may try every means to undermine and persecute us, but we will not be deterred from fulfilling our duties. This is the price that we have to pay for exposing widespread corruption and irregularities in our district,” Tacoy said.

The Facebook post claimed that 71-year-old Paulito Bayong was arrested for selling corn in an unauthorized area in Matag-ob.

It also quoted Tacoy as saying that existing ordinances and regulations on the use of roadsides and public spaces must be enforced.

However, the authenticity of the post has been questioned, particularly the photograph used to identify the alleged victim.

Available information showed that the photograph had reportedly been taken from a legitimate news report published in 2022 and did not depict a senior citizen from Matag-ob. The man in the photograph was reportedly from Pangasinan.

Tacoy urged the public to dismiss the allegations, while the incident highlights the importance of verifying the source and accuracy of social media posts and photographs before sharing them.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)