“We are not a dumpsite”

TACLOBAN CITY – Provincial officials in Leyte have expressed outrage and strong opposition to the reported transfer of hazardous medical waste from Mandaue City, Cebu to the province, describing the plan as unacceptable and lacking due coordination.

The concern stems from a report published by Cebu-based ‘The Freeman’ on July 9, which stated that Mandaue City Mayor Jonkie Ouano had personally overseen the collection of 301 drums of stockpiled medical waste from the old north bus terminal—now housing the city’s Environment and Natural Resources Office—for eventual transport to Leyte.

The waste, reportedly from the Mandaue City Hospital, was said to be bound for processing at Cleanway Environmental Management Solutions Inc. (CEMSI), a DENR-accredited hazardous waste treatment facility located within the Leyte Industrial Development Estate (LIDE) in Isabel, Leyte.

Atty. Carlo Loreto, board member representing Leyte’s 5th district, told Leyte Samar Daily Express via Facebook Messenger that no consent—express or implied—was given by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) to allow the entry of such waste into the province.

“There was a complete lack of prior consultation or coordination with our office,” Loreto said. “Leyte must not be treated as a dumpsite for other LGUs.”

He cited Section 21 of the Leyte Environmental Code, which mandates prior informed consent from local government units for any activities or projects that may affect the province’s natural resources or public health.

First District Board Member Wilson Uy echoed the objections, questioning why Cebu’s hazardous waste should be shipped to Leyte at all—particularly given the absence of direct community engagement or an official risk assessment.

“Before any medical waste from Cebu is dumped at CEMSI in Isabel, we demand a thorough, on-site inspection of their incineration units, effluent treatment systems, and storage areas,” Uy wrote in an open letter addressed to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Health (DOH), and other concerned agencies on Thursday, July 10.

Uy also revealed that he only learned about the planned shipment through media reports, adding that such critical matters should not be kept from local officials and the communities potentially affected.

“Let us remain vigilant and demand transparency—not just in reporting, but also in how hazardous waste is handled in our province,” Uy said. “Our environment and public health must come first. We will not settle for anything less than full accountability.”

In a statement posted on its official social media page, CEMSI said it is the country’s first fully-integrated hazardous waste treatment facility, offering services such as on-site waste collection, accredited transport, proper storage, certified treatment, and disposal.
CEMSI operates nationwide—in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao—and claims to maintain high standards of compliance with government regulations.

However, both DENR and DOH have yet to issue official statements responding to the concerns raised by Leyte officials.

(RONALD O. REYES, JAZMINE BONIFACIO)

TACLOBAN CITY – A tricycle driver tagged as a high-value drug personality was arrested during a buy-bust operation that yielded P1.2 million worth of suspected shabu in Brgy. 96, Calanipawan, early morning Tuesday, July 8.

The suspect, identified as alias “Cesar,” 53, married, and a resident of the same barangay, was apprehended at around 4:32 a.m. by operatives of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group – Special Operations Unit 8 (PDEG-SOU 8).

According to PLt. Col. Arturo Fullero, SOU 8 chief, Cesar is listed as a Regional Priority Target and considered a high-value individual (HVI) in the region’s anti-drug campaign.
Seized from the suspect was a sachet of suspected shabu worth P34,000, followed by the discovery of a transparent pouch inside his sling bag containing 180 more sachets of the same white crystalline substance. The total weight was estimated at 180 grams, with a street value of P1,224,000.

Authorities also recovered P34,000 buy-bust money, including one marked bill; 67 pieces of boodle money; transparent plastic pouch and the suspect’s voter’s ID.
The suspect was informed of his arrest and constitutional rights in a language he fully understood.

Charges for violations of Sections 5 and 11 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (RA 9165) have been filed before the Tacloban City Prosecutor’s Office. The suspect is currently awaiting transfer to the BJMP.

(ROBERT DEJON)

NAVAL, Biliran– The provincial office of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Biliran has inaugurated its newly completed rappelling facility on June 26, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of firefighters’ training in the region.

Based on BFP records, this is the first rappelling facility in the entire Eastern Visayas region — a development hailed as a major step forward in strengthening the operational capability of local fire personnel not only in Biliran but across the region.

The state-of-the-art facility will serve as a dedicated training ground for realistic and high-risk emergency drills, particularly high-angle rescue operations, which are considered critical tasks requiring advanced skill, precision, and courage.

The facility aims to equip firefighters with the necessary tools and experience to respond effectively to emergencies involving heights, confined spaces, and vertical rescues.
More than a physical structure, the facility is a symbol of unity, resilience, and preparedness among the firefighters of Biliran, said Fire Senior Superintendent Joelito S. Sabandal, BFP regional director for administration, who delivered a message on behalf of BFP-8 Regional Director Adel De Paz Bautista.

“This new structure stands as a testament to our shared commitment to build a stronger, more capable fire service — not only in responding to fires but also in complex rescue operations that require skill, focus, and bravery,” Sabandal said.

“Its completion represents a firm investment in excellence and preparedness,” Sabandal said, emphasizing that the President and the Filipino people “deserve only the best” when it comes to public safety.

Through the leadership of Fire Senior Inspector Zardoz B. Abela, the provincial fire marshal of Biliran, his efforts in the realization of this project was instrumental in turning the idea into a tangible facility that will benefit generations of firefighters to come.

BFP Biliran likewise expressed gratitude to the local government of Biliran, under the leadership of Governor Gerard Roger M. Espina, and to the municipality of Naval headed by Mayor Gretchen Stephanie Espina, for their unwavering support of the BFP’s programs and initiatives.

“This facility stands not only because of the efforts of the BFP, but also because of the strong collaboration between government officials, the fire service, and the community. It is an example of effective governance and meaningful partnership for the safety and welfare of the people of Biliran,” Sabandal said.

The event was attended by local officials, partner agencies, firefighters from across the province, and representatives from BFP Region 8.

With the facility now fully operational, the BFP Biliran is set to begin intensified training activities that simulate real-life rescue scenarios—enhancing preparedness and raising the standard of fire service professionalism in the province.

(RSV/PIA Biliran)

TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Samar Governor Ralph Vincent ‘RV’ Evardone has expressed strong support for the rollout of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) project in Eastern Visayas, describing it as a vital initiative to bridge the digital divide and accelerate development across the region.

The NFB project, spearheaded by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), is part of the government’s broader strategy to improve internet infrastructure nationwide.

The project involves laying down high-capacity fiber optic cables to create a backbone network that can support fast, stable, and affordable internet access, particularly in underserved and remote areas.

Governor Evardone said the project will be a “game-changer” for Eastern Visayas, as improved digital connectivity will enhance the delivery of essential services in education, healthcare, business, and disaster response. He noted that the benefits will be especially transformative for rural communities, where poor internet access has long hindered progress.

“This is a huge step toward inclusive development. Reliable internet is no longer a luxury — it is a necessity for our people to access opportunities and services,” Evardone said.
Once completed, the NFB project is expected to bolster e-governance, online learning, telemedicine, and e-commerce throughout the region. It will also strengthen the region’s disaster preparedness systems by ensuring faster communication and information dissemination during emergencies.

The support of local leaders like Governor Evardone highlights the crucial role of regional stakeholders in the successful implementation of national infrastructure projects, especially in geographically challenging areas like Eastern Visayas.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — In a bid to cushion the impact of rising commodity prices in Eastern Samar, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD-8) is set to roll out its Libreng Sakay program this month to cover cargo deliveries from Tacloban City to the province.

Regional Director Lord Byron Torrecarion said the free transport initiative will include trucks carrying essential goods such as rice, fuel, and perishable items.

The program is expected to complement the existing Libreng Sakay service from Tacloban to Amandayehan, which was launched earlier to help stabilize the supply chain across Samar and Leyte provinces.

“This is our response to the increasing prices of basic commodities in Eastern Samar. We want to minimize the impact, especially in far-flung areas,” Torrecarion said in an interview.
He noted that the expansion of the program to Eastern Samar was prompted by a request from former Governor Ben Evardone during their recent consultation. The OCD is now completing the necessary paperwork and targets to begin the operations within the month of July.

Under the proposed route, the Libreng Sakay will offer at least two daily trips from Tacloban City to Guiuan, Eastern Samar, a journey that takes approximately four to five hours.

Aside from helping regulate prices, the program also aims to ease the congestion of delivery trucks that has been observed on the Samar and Tacloban side.
Torrecarion said that opening up a dedicated route to Eastern Samar will significantly improve the flow of goods and reduce logistical bottlenecks.

The Libreng Sakay program, originally conceived to assist commuters and frontliners during the pandemic, has since evolved into a logistical support initiative designed to assist in regional food security, particularly in times of supply chain disruption and economic instability.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)