TACLOBAN CITY — The National Authority for Child Care (NACC) and several local government units (LGUs) in Southern Leyte, Ormoc City, Samar, and Northern Samar signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to implement the Philippine Foster Care Program and Domestic Administrative Adoption.

The MOA signing, held in Ormoc City, was led by NACC Undersecretary Janella Ejercito-Estrada, along with local chief executives and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office VIII.

The agreement formalizes a partnership to better serve children in need of special protection by establishing local foster care networks, providing support services, and strengthening LGU capacity to care for children.

“We at NACC are happy because this partnership protects the rights of children, especially those abandoned, neglected, orphaned, surrendered, abused, or exploited,” USec Ejercito-Estrada said. She added that the program ensures children have hope and a home through foster care and adoption.

The agency also emphasized that the program helps curb illegal adoption and online baby selling. “Adoption is a legal process with requirements and penalties for those who violate it,” Ejercito-Estrada said. Under NACC, adoption approvals now take six to nine months, compared to the previous two to ten years under the judiciary.

In the region, 56 children are now eligible for adoption, while 29 have already been placed with their new families. During the MOA signing, two children from Northern Samar and Southern Leyte were announced to have completed their adoption process and are now living with their adoptive parents.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Two high-value drug suspects were arrested and P16.3 million worth of shabu was seized in a buy-bust operation in Brgy. Guindapunan, Palo, Leyte on November 14.

The operation led to the capture of aliases “Liza,” 22, a cook, and “Budoy,” 33, a vendor, both confirmed to be involved in illegal drug activities in Utap, Tacloban City.

Joint operatives from the Palo Municipal Drug Enforcement Unit, Regional Intelligence Division 8, Leyte Police Provincial Intelligence Unit, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agencies from Region 8, and PDEA Region 7 carried out the sting.

Authorities recovered around 2.4 kilograms of suspected shabu along with marked money, mobile phones, weighing scales, and other drug paraphernalia.

PRO-8 Regional Director PBGen. Jason Capoy lauded the operating teams, saying the arrest reflects the organization’s firm commitment to shielding communities from illegal drugs.
Charges are now being prepared against the suspects.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian led the distribution of relief assistance to families affected by Typhoon Tino in Hinunangan, Southern Leyte.

A total of 445 residents whose houses were totally destroyed received P10,000 cash each, along with family food packs, drinking water, and non-food items. The assistance forms part of the agency’s recovery intervention for typhoon victims.

“The President sent me here to ensure that all typhoon victims will be assisted and to let you know that you are not alone. The government is here to help you,” Gatchalian told residents during the cash distribution held on Nov. 14.

The secretary added that financial aid will also be extended to households with partially damaged houses — not only in Hinunangan but across Southern Leyte. Each recipient will receive P5,000.

Based on data from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the province recorded 6,697 totally damaged houses and 21,862 partially damaged houses. DSWD said funding for remaining beneficiaries is now being prepared.

Gatchalian also assured continued provision of food packs and non-food items such as hygiene and kitchen kits. “We have enough food packs in our warehouses, and we will continue to assist as long as LGUs need it,” he said.

Typhoon Tino, which battered Southern Leyte on November 4, affected 232,534 residents and displaced 110,323 individuals, many of whom remain in evacuation centers. Power and telecommunications remain down in several municipalities, particularly those facing the Pacific and the Panaon area.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)