TACLOBAN CITY – The province of Samar proudly showcased its rich culinary heritage during the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) “SALO-SALO: Taste the Flavor, Experience the Culture” celebration, highlighting the province’s unique heirloom dishes through its acclaimed “Secret Kitchens of Samar” initiative.

The province’s participation reflects its full support for the DOT’s Strategic Framework and Roadmap for Food and Gastronomy Tourism, aimed at strengthening culinary tourism as a driver of economic and cultural development.

Governor Sharee Ann Tan emphasized the role of food as a medium for storytelling and community empowerment. “‘Secret Kitchens of Samar’ not only preserves our culinary traditions but also creates sustainable livelihoods in our local communities,” she said.

Through the SALO-SALO celebration, Samar seeks to promote its cultural assets and position itself as a rising destination for food and heritage tourism—where tradition, flavor, and identity come together.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

ORMOC CITY– The maintenance section of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) welcomes a major boost to its emergency response capability with the arrival of new equipment: three brand new light towers and one portable air compressor with jack hammer.

The demonstration and commissioning were led by representatives from Atlas Copco at the DPWH Area V compound to walk the team through proper use and maintenance. The light towers, worth P3,125,792 and the air compressor, priced at P1,664,208 bring the total investment to nearly P4.8 million.

With these additions, the Maintenance Section is now better equipped to respond to urgent situations, especially during night-time operations. Whether it’s search and rescue during calamities or emergency road repairs in the dark, the team can now work more safely and efficiently.

“These tools will help us do our jobs better, especially when time is critical,” said District Engineer Rosita A. Tinawin. “It’s a big step forward in making sure we’re always ready to serve the public, no matter the hour or the conditions.” (PR)

ORMOC CITY– A member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) was arrested Thursday night, May 28, for illegal possession of a firearm and violation of Comelec Resolution No. 11067 under the Omnibus Election Code.

The suspect, identified by police as alias “Nil,” 39 years old, single, and a resident of Barangay Igot, Villareal, Samar was apprehended at around 9:46 pm inside Vanessa Restobar in Barangay Tayud, said town.

According to the Villareal Municipal Police Station, officers were conducting Oplan Bakal Sita when they noticed two individuals drinking at the said restobar. While monitoring the pair, police observed a suspicious bulge at the back waistline of one of them.

As a precaution, authorities approached the suspect and instructed him to stand up, turn around, and lift his jacket and shirt. This revealed a .45 caliber Colt pistol tucked into his waistband. He was immediately placed under arrest.

Police recovered from his possession one Colt .45 caliber pistol; two magazines; and 14 live rounds of ammunition.

The suspect failed to produce legal documents for the firearm, prompting his arrest. He was informed of the charges and apprised of his constitutional rights in a language he understood.

He is now detained at the Villareal Police Station along with the confiscated firearm and ammunition for proper documentation and filing of appropriate charges. His drinking companion was released after verification.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY – A barangay councilor was shot dead in broad daylight while escorting his live-in partner on Thursday afternoon, May 28, in Sitio Santa Maria, Brgy. Cabunga-an, Villaba, Leyte.

The victim, identified by police as alias “Ion,” 36 years old, a resident and barangay kagawad of Cabunga-an, was killed by an unidentified gunman.

He was reportedly riding his motorcycle to accompany his live-in partner, who was on a separate motorcycle headed toward the town proper of Villaba.

According to police, a concerned citizen called the station to report the shooting incident. Responding officers arrived to find the victim lying sideways on the road, bleeding from a head wound believed to be caused by gunshots.

Initial investigation revealed that while the couple was en route to the town center, the suspect—riding another motorcycle—approached from behind and fired multiple shots at the victim, fatally hitting him in the head with an unknown caliber of firearm. The assailant fled in an unknown direction after the attack.

The Villaba Municipal Police Station is conducting a thorough investigation and has coordinated with neighboring police units to launch a dragnet operation for the identification and arrest of the suspect.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY – The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has recommended to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the declaration of a state of calamity in Eastern Visayas due to the severe impact of the structural compromise of the San Juanico Bridge, which has triggered widespread economic and logistical disruptions across the region.

In its Resolution No. 01, Series of 2025, the NDRRMC cited findings from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office VIII, which revealed significant structural damage to the iconic bridge, prompting authorities to enforce a strict 3-ton vehicle load limit starting May 15, 2025.

The council convened with key agencies on May 23, 2025, and determined that the situation met the criteria for a state of calamity under NDRRMC Memorandum Order No. 60, Series of 2019—particularly the disruption of lifeline infrastructure and the severe effect on livelihoods.

“[We resolve] to recommend to His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. the declaration of a State of Calamity in Eastern Visayas to expedite the release of necessary funds and facilitate immediate repair and rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge,” the resolution signed by Defense Secretary and NDRRMC Chairperson Gilberto Teodoro Jr. stated.

Local government officials, including Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez and Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone, have earlier expressed concern over the economic and social repercussions of the bridge’s restricted access and have welcomed the national government’s swift action on the matter.

The bridge, completed in 1972, is the only permanent land connection between the islands of Samar and Leyte. It serves as a critical artery for the transport of goods, services, and people along the Pan-Philippine Highway (Maharlika Highway/AH26), linking Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The restriction on heavy vehicles, including cargo trucks, has caused a logistical bottleneck and severely hampered the delivery of food, medicine, construction materials, and other essential supplies.

The NDRRMC estimates economic losses of between P300 million to P600 million monthly, with over 200 cargo vehicles now stranded daily.

The resolution also noted that about 1,400 vehicles use the San Juanico Bridge every day, with cargo trucks accounting for 10 percent of this volume.

The bridge’s limited capacity has forced the use of insufficient alternative routes, such as roll-on/roll-off (RORO) services, which have failed to meet the region’s transport demands.
The NDRRMC also raised the alarm over disrupted healthcare deliveries and the adverse impact on local agriculture, fisheries, and commercial trade. The estimated cost for full repair and rehabilitation of the bridge is pegged at P7 billion, and delays in funding could worsen the crisis.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)