TACLOBAN CITY – Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda has pledged continued efforts to resolve the city’s ongoing water supply shortage, particularly affecting northern barangays, after a social media post by a resident brought renewed public attention to the issue.

In a statement on his official Facebook page, Mayor Agda thanked the concerned resident for speaking out, saying that it is the public’s right to demand quality services from the government.

“I thank you for voicing out your concern, and I stand with you in affirming that it is our right to demand the quality of public service we rightfully deserve from our government,” the mayor wrote.

Mayor Agda explained that the immediate cause of the shortage is a broken submersible pump at the Borongan Water District (BWD), the government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) tasked with managing the city’s water system. While the BWD operates independently from the Local Government Unit (LGU), the city is allowed to assist in finding and developing new water sources.

He assured residents that the LGU is taking action, citing the ongoing development of the Chapinan Watershed and the exploration of additional water sources to supplement the current supply.

Calling the matter both urgent and deeply concerning, the mayor emphasized that water is essential to life and the community’s well-being.

“This is a pressing issue for all of us, ngan puera la hit kamakaarawud, makahuhulop — kay tubig it nagbubuhi ha aton ngaranan,” Agda said. “We ask for your understanding during this time as we endeavor to help alleviate this plight for all of us.”

The mayor reiterated the LGU’s commitment to work with the BWD and other stakeholders to ensure a long-term, sustainable solution to Borongan’s water woes — a recurring problem in recent years, especially during dry seasons.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY-A 50-year-old businesswoman lost more than half a million pesos to an unidentified woman who posed as a quack doctor in what police believe was a budol-budol (confidence scam) on Friday morning, August 1, in Barangay P.I. Garcia, Naval, Biliran.

Police identified the victim only as “Marie,” a married resident of the same barangay.

According to the Naval Municipal Police Station, the victim reported that the suspect arrived at her home around 11 a.m., introducing herself as a traditional healer from Siquijor. The woman allegedly claimed that the victim had been cursed by her husband’s mistress and needed a ritual to break the spell.

Initially skeptical, the victim eventually agreed to the suspect’s instructions, which included preparing a bundle of assorted fruits with needles stuck into them, a piece of her husband’s clothing, a spool of red thread, a sheet of paper with unknown markings, and cash amounting to P500,000.

To raise the amount, the victim said she borrowed P300,000 from a lending firm, pawned jewelry worth P167,000, and used P33,000 from her eatery’s earnings that day. She handed all items, including the cash, to the suspect, who then left and never returned.
The total amount lost was estimated at P500,000.

Police are reviewing nearby CCTV footage to help identify the suspect and continue to warn the public against similar fraudulent schemes.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY – Authorities apprehended Leyte’s No. 5 most wanted person at the provincial level on August 11, 2025, in connection with 46 counts of qualified theft.

The suspect, identified as Mary Joy Salera, 24, single, and unemployed, is a resident of Poblacion, Tabango, Leyte. She was arrested around 10:29 a.m. along F. Ablen Street, Barangay Cogon, Ormoc City.

The arrest was carried out by personnel from Police Station 1 of the Ormoc City Police Office (OCPO), with support from the City Intelligence Unit (CIU) and the San Isidro Municipal Police Station.

The warrant of arrest, issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 47 Presiding Judge Hon. Maria Corazon Vergara-Naraja, carries a total recommended bail of P1,156,000.

Salera is now in the custody of Police Station 1, OCPO, for proper disposition.

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)

ORMOC CITY– A 10-year-old boy was rushed to the Biliran Provincial Hospital after being electrocuted while playing along the shoreline in Sitio Laca, Barangay Atipolo, Naval, Biliran on Sunday afternoon, August 10.

Police identified the victim only as “Ric,” a Grade 4 pupil and resident of the same barangay.

Based on the initial investigation, the boy was playing near an abandoned structure at around 5:40 p.m. when he accidentally stepped on an exposed live electric wire buried beneath the ground.

A concerned citizen reported the incident to the police at around 6:10 p.m., prompting authorities to respond and verify the report. Residents confirmed the occurrence of the electrocution, after which the boy’s family immediately brought him to the hospital for treatment.

Authorities are looking into how the live wire was left exposed in the area.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY– Police are investigating the reported loss of a gold Seiko watch and P1,000 in cash belonging to a student in Naval, Biliran on Sunday, August 3.
The incident occurred at around 12:30 p.m. at A&S Apartment along Caneja Street in Barangay P.I. Garcia, police said.

The victim, identified only as “Justine,” 24, single, and a native of Barangay Marvel, Culaba, Biliran, is currently residing in Barangay P.I. Garcia, Naval.

Authorities said “Justine” called the 911 hotline to report that the missing items were last seen on top of a table in the apartment’s living room.

Responding police immediately proceeded to the scene to verify the report and conduct an initial investigation. The victim told investigators that he was inside the apartment at the time and did not notice anyone entering the premises.

The Naval Municipal Police Station said a follow-up investigation is ongoing.

(ROBERT DEJON)