ORMOC CITY– Authorities arrested a high-value individual (HVI) and recovered suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) of the Southern Leyte Police Provincial Office and the Station Drug Enforcement Team on Monday afternoon, April 21, 2025, in Barangay Upper Ichon, Macrohon.

The suspect, identified only by the alias “Joey,” 31, single, and jobless, is a resident of said village.

Police said the operatives initially recovered five sachets of a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu after the suspect sold it to an undercover agent for P7,000.

During the subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of mandatory witnesses, authorities found an additional medium-sized sachet containing more suspected shabu.
Also recovered from the suspect were P7,000 in cash used in the operation; and boodle money worth P6,000 used to simulate the transaction).

Police noted that the actual weight and value of the seized illegal drugs will be determined by the Regional Forensic Unit (RFU) 8.

The suspect was immediately informed of the nature of his arrest and apprised of his constitutional rights under the Miranda Doctrine, using a language he fully understood.

He is currently detained at the Macrohon Municipal Police Station as charges for violations of Sections 5 (sale of illegal drugs) and 11 (possession of illegal drugs) under Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed against him at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — In a continued effort to support solo parents, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), this city, held an information and Serbisyo Caravan on April 21 as part of the city’s observance of Solo Parents Week.

In an interview, Jo-Ann A. Luna, focal person of the family and community welfare program, stated that the event was organized in line with the local government unit’s mandate to celebrate Solo Parents Week, traditionally held during the third week of April. This year, however, the schedule was adjusted to a later date to avoid coinciding with Holy Week.

“One of the objectives of the caravan is the implementation of Republic Act 11861, which is the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act,” Luna said. “We invited different stakeholders who are critical in implementing the said Republic Act 11861.”

Among the agencies present during the one-stop-shop event were the Public Attorney’s Office, PhilHealth, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Public Employment Service Office (PESO). These partners offered on-site services and expressed their commitment to supporting solo parents in line with the new law.

More than 200 solo parents from Tacloban participated in the caravan.

The most common concerns raised during the event included queries about the monthly subsidy, scholarship programs for children, and additional benefits such as nutritional support for children under six years old, including vitamins and diapers.

Reaching solo parents in remote areas is another challenge the CSWDO continues to address.

Luna explained that the city’s 138 barangays have been clustered into 10 areas, each with designated coordinators. These coordinators work closely with barangay officials to inform, organize, and assist solo parents in accessing the benefits and services available to them.
“We have coordinators who go to places and then come up with meetings, organizing the solo parents to make sure they know that we have this program for them, so they have to avail of any benefits intended for them,” Luna said.

One of the major challenges faced by the office is encouraging solo parents to comply with documentary requirements such as the Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR), which some find costly or burdensome to secure.

Despite these hurdles, Luna assured that more programs are in the pipeline as the national government continues to refine and expand support mechanisms under the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act.

“Since solo parents have subsidies and other packages from DSWD, we are still in the process of, especially the national, we are still in the process of coming up with other services. In time being, we just have to wait,” Luna added.

(NAPOLEON JASPER BALTAR, LNU STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY — The services sector continued to drive the economy of Eastern Visayas in 2024, accounting for nearly half of the region’s total economic output, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) reported.

Speaking at the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) Regional Economic Performance press conference on April 22, NEDA Regional Director Meylene Rosales said that the services sector contributed 48.1 percent to the region’s economy last year.

Although sectoral growth slightly dipped to 7.1 percent from 7.3 percent in 2023, Rosales underscored the sustained optimism in business and the strong expansion of tourism-driven industries.

“These gains highlight continued business optimism and the ongoing expansion of tourism-related activities,” she said.

Rosales noted that tourism played a crucial role in the services sector’s performance.
Total tourist spending in the region rose significantly from P31.52 billion in 2023 to P39.33 billion in 2024. The Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) segment in particular surged, with 832 events held and 210,487 participants recorded — a fourfold increase compared to the previous year.

“This upbeat performance indicates the sector’s growing contribution to job creation, local business activity, and consumer spending, especially in urban centers and tourism hubs,” Rosales added.

At the sub-industry level, wholesale and retail trade, including the repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, made up the largest share of the services sector at 12.1 percent.
This segment drove growth with a 12.7 percent contribution, fueled by the opening of major retail hubs such as new Gaisano Grand branches in Catbalogan and Maasin cities. Trade fairs organized throughout the year also bolstered micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) activity, with sales climbing to P59 million in 2024 from P44 million the previous year.

Financial and insurance activities were the second-largest growth driver, accounting for 11.6 percent of the services sector. Deposit liabilities rose by 7.7 percent to P191 billion by December 2024, while loan portfolios expanded by 9.8 percent, reaching P74 billion.

Other service subsectors showed significant improvement as well: Public administration and defense grew by 12.0 percent, driven by enhanced government service delivery; human health and social work services rose by 12.6 percent, up from 5.2 percent in 2023, partly due to investments in healthcare infrastructure; professional and business services posted a remarkable 15.7 percent growth, nearly doubling its 8.5 percent performance in 2023.

Looking ahead, Rosales emphasized the importance of sustaining economic momentum while remaining cautious of looming challenges, particularly managing disinflation and a possible slowdown in manufacturing.

“This year, we will embark on the midterm update of the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Plan 2023–2028,” she said. “Guided by a clear understanding of our strengths and weaknesses as a region — and mindful of both threats and opportunities — we must approach this with clarity and purpose.”

Eastern Visayas’ continued focus on expanding its services sector, alongside promoting tourism, MSMEs, and financial activities, is expected to remain pivotal in strengthening its regional economy moving forward.

(NAPOLEON JASPER BALTAR, LNU STUDENT INTERN)

ORMOC CITY– A newly identified drug peddler was arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) of Carigara Police on Saturday evening, April 19, 2025, in Barangay Sawang, Carigara, Leyte.

The suspect, identified as alias “Levis”, 42, a single and unemployed resident of Barangay Baybay, was apprehended at around 10:31 pm.

Recovered from his possession were four sachets containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu. One sachet was sold to an operative for P500, while three more sachets were found during a body search, along with a P500 bill marked with a serial number, which was used as court-subscribed money for the operation.

The estimated total weight of the confiscated shabu was 0.40 grams, with an estimated value of P2,720, based on the Dangerous Drugs Board valuation.

The suspect was informed of his rights and arrested for violations of Sections 5 (selling illegal drugs) and 11 (possession of illegal drugs) of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (RA 9165).

He is currently detained at the Carigara Municipal Police Station pending further proceedings.

(ROBERT DEJON)