TACLOBAN CITY – The local government of Catarman, Northern Samar, in coordination with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), has identified a site for the construction of a medium-rise residential housing project under the national government’s ‘Pambansang Pabahay para sa mga Pilipino’ (4PH) Program.

The 4PH program aims to address the country’s housing backlog by targeting the construction of one million housing units annually, with the ultimate goal of achieving zero informal settlers by 2028.

Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) Officer-in-Charge Manager Engr. Frederick De Real revealed the development following a site mapping conducted on April 3 in coordination with Catarman municipal administrator Renato Esidera.

According to the initial plan, the housing project will rise on a three-hectare lot located in Barangay Washington. The project will consist of 15 four-storey buildings, each floor containing 27 units, for a total of 1,440 housing units.

The intended beneficiaries include government and private sector employees, as well as members of the informal sector with Pag-IBIG Fund membership.

While the cost per unit has yet to be finalized, SHFC officials informed local authorities that payment will be made annually at a six percent interest rate. Of this, five percent will be subsidized by the national government, while beneficiaries will shoulder the remaining one percent.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY– A 65-year-old American national is recovering at a private hospital this city after sustaining injuries in a motorcycle accident on Saturday, April 5, along the national highway in Barangay Damulaan, Albuera, Leyte.

The victim, identified as alias “Kapensky,” was driving a black Honda TMX motorcycle when the incident occurred at around 6:20 p.m. The other motorcycle involved, a RUSI 125, was being ridden by a 25-year-old production trainee, identified as alias “Ebie,” who was uninjured in the collision. Ebie’s motorcycle did not have a plate number or an official receipt and certificate of registration at the time of the accident.

According to local police, both motorcycles were traveling in the same direction, with the RUSI 125 ahead of the Honda TMX. While attempting to overtake, the Honda TMX struck the RUSI, causing the American national to lose control and crash. He was immediately transported to OSPA Medical Center in Ormoc City for treatment.

The other driver, Ebie, was unharmed. Both motorcycles and their respective drivers were brought to the Albuera Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has announced a scheduled power interruption on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, affecting Tacloban City and other areas in Leyte serviced by the Leyte II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Leyeco II).
April 9 is a declared holiday to mark “Araw ng Kagitingan.’

According to NGCP, the 12-hour outage, which will run from 6 am to 6 pm, is necessary to carry out reconductoring activities along the Babatngon-Abucay 69kV transmission line.
The maintenance work is part of NGCP’s ongoing efforts to upgrade transmission capacity and prevent potential overloading of the power line.

NGCP noted that the specific areas to be affected will be determined and announced by Leyeco II. The grid operator also assured that restoration of power may be done ahead of schedule once maintenance activities are completed.

The NGCP urges the public to take necessary precautions and prepare for the scheduled interruption.

(PRINCESS MANZANARES, LNU STUDENT INTERN)

ORMOC CITY– A motorcyclist died after being hit by a pickup truck reportedly owned by a prominent politician in Biliran province.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, April 3, and has since resulted in the filing of formal charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and damage to property against the SUV driver.

The suspect, identified only by the alias “Oscar,” 30, married, and a resident of Barangay Matango, Almeria, Biliran, was reportedly behind the wheel of the pickup truck at the time of the incident.

The victim, identified as “Alan,” 38, married, and a resident of Barangay Bulalacao, Kawayan, Biliran, was driving a black Rusi Macho TC150 motorcycle when the collision happened.

According to police reports, the victim was immediately brought to the Biliran Provincial Hospital in Naval for medical treatment but was declared dead by attending physician Dr. Nathaniel Borromeo at around 3:30 am due to traumatic brain injury caused by blunt head trauma.

The victim’s body was taken to a local funeral parlor before being turned over to his family.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

(ROBERT DEJON)