TACLOBAN CITY– The Philippine Statistics Authority – Regional Statistical Services Office VIII (PSA – RSSO 8) lauds the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) 8 for the successful launching of the eGovPH Kiosk and Project Click projects during the NICT Month 2025 Regional Culminating Activity.

Director Melvyn Carlo T. Barroa of the DICT Regional Office VIII cited PSA – RSSO 8 as one of the recipients of the eGovPH Kiosk now installed at the lobby of PSA – RSSO 8 at the 2nd floor of Gaisano Capital, Real Street, Tacloban City.

In her message of support, Ms. Mae Almonte, Chief Statistical Specialist, Statistical Operations and Coordination Division (CSS, SOCD) of PSA – RSSO 8, assured DICT that PSA will continue to be an active partner in bridging the digital divide and modernizing public service efficiency.

She added that the eGovPH Kiosk is the first e-government portal that houses the thrusts and services of PSA and other government programs, making it a one-stop digital outlet for PSA clients and other stakeholders.

Ms. Almonte commends the advancement of the national digitalization goal of DICT as it shares similar endeavors with the National ID System, Statistical, Civil Registration and other national and local government initiatives.

With the eGovPH kiosk, PSA clients can now book online appointments, access civil registration services, statistical information, among others, while they are at the regional office. (PR)

ORMOC CITY– A person deprived of liberty (PDL) facing charges of rape through sexual assault was re-arrested by joint operatives of the Calubian Municipal Police Station and Leyte Sub-Provincial Jail guards on Saturday morning, June 22.

The suspect, identified as alias “Bobby,” 57, single, and a resident of Barangay Villanueva, Calubian, Leyte was apprehended at around 10:55 a.m. in Sitio Hubasan, Barangay Tuburan, this town.

According to Major Alexander Alfonzo, chief of police of Calubian, the suspect escaped from the Leyte Sub-Provincial Jail in Barangay Veloso around 12 midnight the same day. Jail personnel immediately reported the escape to local police.

“A manhunt operation was launched as soon as we received the report,” said PMAJ Alfonzo. “Fortunately, we were able to locate and re-arrest the suspect within hours.”

The suspect offered no resistance and peacefully surrendered to authorities.

He was brought to the Calubian Police Station for processing before being returned to the Leyte Sub-Provincial Jail for proper documentation and disposition.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY – What was supposed to be a routine study tour turned into a life-threatening ordeal for Barugo, Leyte Mayor Aaron Balais and other Filipino officials, who found themselves trapped in Israel during the height of its missile conflict with Iran earlier this month.

Balais was among 17 Philippine mayors and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) officials attending a study program on urban agriculture when hostilities escalated between Israel and Iran, triggering nightly missile strikes.

In an interview on June 26 during a mass oath-taking of Leyte officials in Palo, Balais recalled the fear and uncertainty they experienced while staying in a hotel in Shifayem, a coastal town known for its agricultural initiatives.

“We thought we wouldn’t make it home,” he said. “We were in a hotel bunker and could clearly hear the missiles during the attacks. It was a very terrifying experience.”

Balais said that during the most intense nights—typically around midnight—they sought shelter in bomb-proof rooms, lying on foam mattresses as explosions echoed nearby.

Despite the chaos, he expressed deep gratitude to the Israeli government for ensuring their safety.

“They deployed about 150 soldiers to guard our hotel and treated us like diplomats,” he said. “But honestly, I also feared that their presence might make us a target.”

Joining him on the trip were Mayor Athene Mendros of Lawaan, Eastern Samar, and Mayor Betty Cabal of Hindang, Leyte.

The group arrived in Israel on June 7, and the first missile strike occurred on June 13. They safely returned to the Philippines via Dubai on June 20.

Balais admitted that the conflict took them by surprise. “Of course, had the Israeli government known they would be attacked, they wouldn’t have invited us,” he said.

Half-joking, the mayor added that he would now check international headlines before accepting foreign invitations. “But at least, we were able to return home safely,” he said.

(JOEY A. GABIETA, LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA, ROEL T. AMAZONA)