ORMOC CITY-Police operatives arrested the Rank No. 2 Most Wanted Person in Biliran province during a warrant operation conducted on July 8, in Sitio Bagacay, Barangay Haguikhikan, Naval.
The suspect, identified by authorities only as alias “Jojo”, 30 years old and a resident of the said barangay, was apprehended by personnel of the warrant server division of the Naval Municipal Police Station at around 11:02 a.m.
The arrest was made by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued on May 26, 2025, by Judge Luz Petilla Navarrete, presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 16, Eighth Judicial Region, in connection with three counts of qualified rape.
No bail was recommended for the temporary liberty of the accused.
Police reported that the suspect was informed of the nature of the charges and was apprised of his constitutional rights in a language he fully understood. He is now under police custody at the Naval MPS for booking and processing, prior to his presentation to the issuing court.
Authorities said the arrest is part of the intensified campaign of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Biliran against fugitives and individuals with standing warrants for heinous crimes. (ROBERT DEJON)
NSSDEO, Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, Northern Samar – To alleviate the problem in one of the flood-prone barangays in Las Navas, Northern Samar, the Department of Public Works and Highways Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office (DPWH-NSSDEO) has wrapped-up the construction of multi-purpose building at Brgy. Bugtosan, which aims to enhance public safety and help the Barangay Local Government Unit in their pursuit of local governance.
The multi-purpose building project has a contract amount of P24.7 million, intended for the complete construction of Multi-Purpose Building, complete with painting & installation of fabricated materials, aluminum composite panels, with toilet and ramps for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, water pumping system includes elevated water tank 1500 gallons, 1HP water pump, complete with plumbing and electrical works which includes 25KVA transformer and 25KVA generator set, under the General Appropriation Act (GAA) of 2024.
The Evacuation Center has a total floor area of 420 square meters which can be used a temporary shelter for riverside communities who will be displaced in times of catastrophes and other emergencies. This would also serve as alternative site for sports and recreational events, community gatherings, and other socio-civic activities.
The 90 square-meter Barangay Hall meets the community’s need for accessible venue for public consultation and improved public services, since it gives them enough space to serve their constituents. Thus, barangay officials may now carry out their administrative duties in the barangay hall.
“Sadto san pag lingkod ko bilang punong barangay, an amon barangay sayo nga makuri, sayo nga problema namo in pag abot sa kalamidad, tungod nga waray kami evacuation, waray kami gin-sesessionan kay waray kami barangay hall. So, yana po nga nagkayaon na kami sin evacuation ngan barangay hall, gidadakoi po akon pagpapasalamat kay sayo gud nga nabuligan kami in may mga naabot nga kalamidad. Mayaon ak na gibubutangan sa akon mulopyo san Barangay para pag evacuate-an, sa mga tawo nga nangangailangan bulig sa area san mga balay nga affected along the river.” Barangay Chairperson, Hon. Roliza Z. Ambon, stated. [When I was elected as Barangay Chairperson, our Barangay was one of the poorest barangays, one of our problems when there is a calamity, because we don’t have an evacuation center, and a place to hold sessions as we don’t have a barangay hall as well. Now that we have an evacuation center and a barangay hall, I am very grateful because we are among those who have been helped and will benefit from the project. People and the riverside communities living the area who are constantly affected now have a place to stay in case they need to evacuate.]
The Barangay Officials are grateful to the DPWH in particular for putting an end to the community’s struggle, wherein this project is deemed important in the whole community of Barangay Bugtosan, Las Navas, Northern Samar. (dpwh8/nssdeo/rnl/jmp)
(From left) Chef Don Baldosano, food content producer Erwan Heussaff, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, Chef Angelo Comsti, and California Raisins Southeast Asia Regional Representative Thomas Wee lead a media event on July 8 in Makati City to showcase the various uses of California raisins in Filipino cuisine.
MANILA-U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson joined James Beard Award-winning food content producer Erwan Heussaff and renowned chefs Angelo Comsti and Don Baldosano at a media event on July 8 to showcase the premium quality and versatility of California raisins for Filipino cooking.
(From left) Chef Don Baldosano, food content producer Erwan Heussaff, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, Chef Angelo Comsti, and California Raisins Southeast Asia Regional Representative Thomas Wee lead a media event on July 8 in Makati City to showcase the various uses of California raisins in Filipino cuisine.
California raisins are naturally sun-dried, free of additives, and rich in fiber, antioxidants, and essential minerals. They are a versatile ingredient that enhances savory dishes and adds sweetness to desserts, making them a perfect complement to Filipino cuisine.
“Our shared love for food brings Filipinos and Americans closer together. It’s an honor to be among such talented and passionate culinary champions to celebrate the richness and diversity of Philippine cuisine,” said Ambassador Carlson during the event held at Offbeat Bistro, a newly opened modern-retro Filipino restaurant in Makati City.
Ambassador Carlson joined Mr. Heussaff in preparing “Steak Frites and Potato Pave with California Raisins and Roasted Eggplant Sauce,” pairing the richness of seared steak with a sauce made from talong, or eggplant—a staple in Pinoy households—and elevated by the natural sweetness of California raisins. Mr. Heussaff also presented an appetizer featuring malasugi, the local term for swordfish, complemented by coconut cream and a California raisins tapenade.
“The Filipino flavor profile blends itself very well to California raisins in a sense that we love the mixture of sweet and savory. It’s the perfect match for any type of Filipino dish,” said Mr. Heussaff.
Chef Comsti’s recipe featured a pan-fried bacoco, a local term for sea bream, paired with a kusido-style California raisins sauce inspired by the traditional Filipino stew known for its rich, slow-cooked flavors. For dessert, Chef Baldosano reimagined sorbetes, the iconic Filipino-style ice cream traditionally sold from street carts, using milk and California raisins, accompanied by a crisp milk tuile and bold burnt raisin oil.
In 2024, the Philippines ranked as the fifth-largest global market for California raisin exports, totaling Php522.5 million ($9.5 million). The United States was also the leading exporter of raisins to the Philippines, with an 80 percent market share.
The event was supported by the Raisin Administrative Committee, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service in Manila, and the U.S. Embassy in Manila. (PR)
INAUGURAL SESSION. The 16th Sangguniang Panlungsod of Tacloban City held its inaugural session on Friday, July 11, with all 10 city councilors delivering their maiden speeches as newly elected members of the council. The session was presided over by Vice Mayor Raymund Romualdez. The city council is to hold sessions on the third floor of Tacloban City Hall as the legislative building undergoes repairs. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
DPWH commits following Marcos’ directive
PALO, Leyte– The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the region has committed to completing the retrofitting of the iconic San Juanico Bridge by December 2025, aiming to restore its original 15-ton load capacity following a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
This assurance comes as the current 3-ton weight limit—imposed in May due to structural concerns—continues to cripple trade and transport between Leyte and Samar, severely impacting local economies.
“We will move heaven and earth just to complete the retrofitting of the San Juanico Bridge on or before December this year,” said DPWH Eastern Visayas Regional Director Engr. Edgar Tabacon in a press briefing held Friday, July 11. “No less than our President directed us to do so and to increase the weight limit to 15 metric tons.”
According to Tabacon, preliminary work is already in motion, including portal shoring, a temporary steel support system to stabilize the bridge during construction. The DPWH also plans to rent barges from Cebu to support equipment and personnel access during the retrofitting phase.
However, actual rehabilitation can only begin once the P520 million budget—earmarked by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)—is released. Marcos has tasked the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and DPWH to fast-track funding and implementation.
Speaking in Palo, Leyte on July 7 during the launch of the National Fiber Backbone Project (Phases 2 and 3), President Marcos emphasized the need to fast-track the project so the bridge can handle heavier traffic before year’s end.
“Kaya sa DPWH ay talagang tinutulak natin sila na bilisan ang retrofitting… ‘Yung San Juanico, kaya na ang 12 tons na tatawid. Kaya sa 12 tons, puwede na ang bus, puwede na ang mga van,” Marcos said.
He added that the P520 million funding is part of the administration’s commitment to rehabilitate the bridge, which was inaugurated in 1973 during the term of his late father, President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
“I have instructed the DPWH and DBM to act swiftly and find a solution. We must act urgently to make the San Juanico Bridge safe and fully functional again,” Marcos stressed.
Since the 3-ton limit took effect on May 14, cargo trucks and buses have been prohibited from crossing the 2.16-kilometer bridge, prompting serious logistical issues for industries and local economies on both islands.
To mitigate disruptions, the government deployed roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels to transport cargo trucks between Amandayehan Port in Basey, Samar, and Tacloban Port in Leyte. A “libreng sakay” (free ride) program was also launched for affected public transport operators.
The worsening situation compelled President Marcos to declare a state of calamity in Eastern Visayas on June 5, unlocking emergency funds and allowing for faster implementation of infrastructure projects.
More than just a physical structure, the San Juanico Bridge stands as a symbol of inter-island unity and regional development. The swift restoration of its full capacity is widely seen as critical not only for logistical recovery but also for restoring confidence in the region’s infrastructure resilience.
ORMOC CITY– Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa has begun fulfilling one of his key campaign promises: to address the illegal drug problem in his town.
Just two days after assuming office, on July 2, Espinosa ordered surprise and random drug testing among local government employees, including elected officials of the Sangguniang Bayan.
“This random drug testing started on July 2. For example, before my meeting with the members of the Sangguniang Bayan, I had them tested,” Espinosa said in an online interview on Tuesday, July 8.
The initial round of testing yielded negative results. However, in subsequent surprise tests, one casual employee and two job order (JO) workers tested positive for illegal drug use based on urine samples.
Espinosa said the two JO workers were immediately dismissed from their posts, while the municipal government is seeking guidance from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on the appropriate action to be taken against the casual employee.
“For regular employees who may test positive in the future, the municipal government is ready to help them undergo rehabilitation,” he said.
The mayor added that random drug testing would now be a regular and unannounced activity within the municipal government.
The testing is conducted by the Municipal Health Office in coordination with the local police, using urine samples.
Espinosa’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs marks a personal and political shift.
In past years, he was publicly accused by former President Rodrigo Duterte of being a major drug lord in Eastern Visayas, alongside his late father, former mayor Rolando Espinosa, who was killed while in police custody in 2016 under controversial circumstances.
Espinosa has since claimed to have left the illegal drug trade behind and is now committed to turning Albuera into a “drug-free” town.
During the local campaign period, he vowed that his administration’s anti-drug efforts would focus on prevention, rehabilitation, and internal cleansing—not on violence or killings, drawing contrast with the Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs.
LIBRENG SAKAY. Secondary students coming from the 12 barangays of Calbayog City are to avail of a free service to and from schools. The program is an initiative of Mayor Raymund ‘Mon’ Uy.
(CALBAYOG CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
LIBRENG SAKAY. Secondary students coming from the 12 barangays of Calbayog City are to avail of a free service to and from schools. The program is an initiative of Mayor Raymund ‘Mon’ Uy. (CALBAYOG CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
TACLOBAN CITY – In a bid to ensure that students from far-flung areas can attend school safely and regularly, Calbayog City Mayor Raymund “Mon” Uy officially launched the Sakay Na Program—a free transportation initiative aimed at addressing daily commute challenges faced by learners in remote barangays.
The ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement was held Monday, July 8, marking the formal partnership between the city government and 12 participating barangays.
Mayor Uy was joined by Vice Mayor Rex Daguman, Atty. Rhea Aguado of the Department of Education (DepEd) Calbayog Division, and leaders of the participating village officials during the event.
“This program goes beyond providing transportation—it’s about shared action and making education more accessible to every learner, regardless of where they live,” said Mayor Uy.
Under the agreement, participating barangays will provide vehicles to ferry high school students to and from school while the city government will shoulder the costs for fuel and drivers’ wages, and will provide support for vehicle maintenance and monitoring.
The 12 barangays included in the program’s initial rollout are Tomaliguez, San Rufino, Saljag, Mawacat, Macatingog, Marcatubig, Malopalo, Malajog, Cag-anibong, Binaliw, Danao-1, and Bantian.
The initiative is backed by Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution No. 2025-16-454, along with corresponding barangay resolutions. It is legally grounded in Section 33 of Republic Act 7160, which promotes inter-local government cooperation.
The Sakay Na Program is part of Mayor Uy’s broader “Mabulig” campaign—a governance philosophy centered on shared responsibility, grassroots empowerment, and practical solutions that address the daily needs of 9 constituents.
“We believe in inclusive governance, and this is what it looks like when the city and barangays work together for the welfare of our students,” Mayor Uy added.
The city government also plans to expand the program in phases, depending on its success and community feedback, with the goal of eventually covering more underserved areas.
For many students in upland or geographically isolated barangays, access to education is often hindered by lack of reliable transportation. Officials hope that Sakay Na will improve school attendance and reduce dropout rates, especially among disadvantaged learners.
DepEd officials present at the launch expressed full support for the program, citing its potential to strengthen the city’s commitment to quality and equitable education.
“This is a strong step toward learner-centered governance. When we address the needs outside the classroom, we create better conditions for learning inside it,” said Atty. Aguado.
