FLOODING. Several areas in the provinces of Eastern Samar and Northern Samar have been experiencing flooding spawned by shear line.
(NORTHERN SAMAR NEWS
AND INFORMATION)
Work and classes suspended on affected areas
FLOODING. Several areas in the provinces of Eastern Samar and Northern Samar have been experiencing flooding spawned by shear line. (NORTHERN SAMAR NEWS AND INFORMATION)
TACLOBAN CITY — Continuous rains brought by a shear line have caused widespread flooding in several areas of Eastern Samar and Northern Samar provinces on Friday, January 10, prompting the suspension of work and classes.
In Northern Samar, flooding incidents led to the suspension of work and classes in the municipalities of Lope de Vega, Catubig, and Catarman.
Governor Edwin Ongchuan ordered the suspension of work at the provincial capitol in Catarman due to flooding.
Other towns in the province, including San Roque, Mondragon, and Laoang, also reported flooding.
According to Rei Josiah Echano, provincial disaster risk reduction management officer, the floods affected 232 families consisting of 609 individuals, in Catarman, Mondragon, and San Roque.
Power outages were reported in Catarman, Laoang, Lapinig, Lope de Vega, and Mapanas as of Friday morning, with communication lines in these areas also slowing down.
In Eastern Samar, classes were suspended in Sulat, Dolores, and Can-avid due to the adverse weather conditions.
Borongan City, the provincial capital, reported flooding in 19 barangays, affecting 533 families or 1,722 individuals.
Since Thursday, January 9, both Eastern Samar and Northern Samar have been experiencing nonstop rains caused by the shear line, leading to flooding in several towns.
The towns of San Julian, Can-avid, Dolores, Arteche, and Jipapad in Eastern Samar were also affected by the continuous downpour.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Eastern Visayas has advised local government units to remain vigilant and monitor the situation as heavy rainfall continues to pose risks to communities. (JOEY A. GABIETA/ROEL T. AMAZONA)
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTORS. Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez issued a pastoral letter on Sunday, Jan.5, calling voters of Eastern Samar to reject candidates who are supporting mining operations like in Homonhon Island comes the May,2025 elections. Homonhon Island off Guiuan town, presently, being mined by four mining companies. (SAVE HOMONHON MOVEMENT)
Calling mining as ‘destructive’
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTORS. Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez issued a pastoral letter on Sunday, Jan.5, calling voters of Eastern Samar to reject candidates who are supporting mining operations like in Homonhon Island comes the May,2025 elections. Homonhon Island off Guiuan town, presently, being mined by four mining companies. (SAVE HOMONHON MOVEMENT)
TACLOBAN CITY— In a pastoral letter ahead of the May midterm elections, the bishop of Borongan Diocese, Crispin Varquez, urged the faithful to vote for candidates who prioritize environmental protection and reject those supported by destructive mining interests, particularly on Homonhon Island.
Titled “Make a Firm Stand for the Country and the Environment”, the letter issued on Sunday, Jan.5, highlighted the urgent need to address the environmental degradation caused by mining operations in Eastern Samar.
Bishop Varquez expressed deep concern over the worsening state of the environment, emphasizing that the destructive activities due to mining activities are a stark reminder of the consequences of poor governance and misguided priorities.
“Environmental destruction has reached alarming levels. The ever-worsening conditions due to mining operations in Homonhon Island and Manicani Island in our Eastern Samar are a case in point,” he said.
Homonhon Island, a historically significant site where Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan first landed in 1521, has long been plagued by mining activities that have caused extensive environmental damage.
At present, there are four mining companies operating on the island, namely, Emir Mineral Resources, Techiron Resources Inc., Global Min-Met Resources, and Verrum Terra Geoscience, Inc., extracting nickel and chromite.
Another island, Manicani, also in Guiuan like in Homonhon, is also targeted for mining due to its rich in nickel deposits. Residents on the said island have also registered their opposition to any mining activities like that in Homonhon.
Local communities have repeatedly expressed their opposition to mining, citing the detrimental effects on their livelihoods and the island’s fragile ecosystem.
Bishop Varquez called on voters to reject candidates backed by mining interests, urging them to scrutinize the track records of those seeking public office. He stressed that political leaders must serve as stewards of creation, prioritizing sustainable development and the welfare of future generations.
“Let us not be duped by words,” the bishop stated. “We must be guided by a candidate’s track record or history in holding responsibilities.”
The pastoral letter also reminded voters to elect leaders who embody integrity, promote justice, and champion the common good. The bishop emphasized that politics should be viewed as a service to the people, not a means to amass wealth and power.
Apart from environmental concerns, the letter underscored the importance of avoiding political dynasties and supporting leaders who are willing to sacrifice for the country and the environment.
Bishop Varquez urged voters to choose candidates who inspire productivity and resiliency, particularly in ensuring food security and economic stability for calamity-prone areas like Eastern Samar.
The bishop’s message comes at a crucial time as the province continues to recover from the devastating impacts of natural calamities and climate change. He called on every citizen to take an active role in the upcoming elections by engaging in discussions, educating themselves on candidates, and encouraging others to do the same.
“We must stand united in our resolve to demand accountability, integrity, and genuine leadership,” he wrote. “It is time to reclaim our democracy and protect our planet not only for ourselves but also for the sake of future generations.”
The pastoral letter concluded with a prayer, invoking the intercession of Our Lady of the Assumption to uplift the people of Eastern Samar and guide them toward a brighter future.
TACLOBAN CITY – Diocese of Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez has issued a strong pastoral letter on Sunday, January 5, addressed to the faithful of Eastern Samar, urging them to make informed and ethical choices in the upcoming elections.
In his message, Bishop Varquez called on voters to reject candidates from political dynasties and instead support leaders who prioritize public service, environmental protection, and social justice.
“Political dynasties persist. Money has become the primary means to win elections. Vote buying has become commonplace, with the disturbing trend of selling and buying candidates leading to a lack of genuine contenders,” the bishop emphasized.
He expressed concern over the misuse of government aid and financial assistance, stating that it is often manipulated by politicians to foster a culture of dependency.
The bishop also warned against voting for candidates who advocate for or receive backing from mining companies. “Study the history of the candidate’s acts for and against the poor and the environment. Let us not be duped by words. Let us be guided by a candidate’s track record or history in holding responsibilities,” he urged.
Bishop Varquez encouraged voters to elect leaders who demonstrate selflessness and a commitment to the welfare of the province and the nation. He stressed the importance of choosing candidates who promote productivity, particularly in food production and economic resiliency.
“Vote for leaders who are willing to sacrifice for the sake of the country and the environment,” he said. “Choose candidates who inspire our people to be productive and enterprising, particularly in ensuring food and financial security for all.”
The pastoral letter also highlighted the need for leaders who can effectively respond to the challenges posed by Eastern Samar’s vulnerability to natural calamities.
“In our calamity-prone province, great leaders are determined by their ability to bring out the best in people so they can help themselves best,” he added.
Bishop Varquez called on residents to actively participate in political discussions, educate themselves on the candidates’ platforms, and encourage others to do the same.
“We must stand united in demanding accountability, integrity, and genuine leadership for the sake of future generations,” he concluded.
The country is set to conduct midterm elections this May, 2025.
TACLOBAN CITY – The city government here is urging delinquent real property owners to settle their tax obligations before the January 31 deadline, as unpaid real property taxes have accumulated to more than P200 million over the past five years.
City Treasurer’s Office Officer-in-Charge Jennifer Guy disclosed during a press conference on Friday, January 3, that over 1,000 property owners in the city have yet to pay their delinquent taxes, prompting the local government to consider implementing a tax amnesty program.
“The amount of about P200 million represents accumulated delinquencies from more than 1,000 real property owners over the past five years,” Guy said later in an interview with Leyte Samar Daily Express.
Guy made an appeal to delinquent taxpayers to settle their unpaid taxes, emphasizing that the city government is considering adopting a tax amnesty program similar to the one implemented by the national government.
“The national government has imposed a tax amnesty, and we are considering adopting a similar measure. It’s now up to the city mayor to endorse this proposal to the city council for the passage of a corresponding ordinance,” Guy explained.
Under the proposed tax amnesty, delinquent property owners will be allowed to pay only the basic amount of their unpaid taxes and special assessment fees without incurring penalties or surcharges.
Guy stressed the importance of collecting the P200 million in unpaid real property taxes, saying the funds are crucial to sustaining the city government’s operations and funding various programs and services.
“This involves a huge amount of money that could help sustain the city government’s operations and fund important programs and services,” she said.
The City Treasurer’s Office has been conducting campaigns to remind delinquent property owners of their obligations.
Guy said they have sent out notices at least three times to these taxpayers, and if they fail to settle their accounts, the office issues a warrant of levy.
“We are sending notices to delinquent property owners at least three times. If they still fail to pay, we issue a warrant of levy, which allows the city government to seize the property and subject it to public auction,” Guy explained.
The city government is hopeful that the proposed amnesty program will encourage delinquent property owners to settle their unpaid taxes and help boost the city’s financial resources.
“Ultimately, we want them to pay their obligations because the city government needs this funding to continue providing essential services to our constituents,” Guy said. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
CATARMAN, NORTHERN SAMAR– As 2024 ends, Northern Samar celebrates a year marked by significant milestones and accomplishments.
Under the leadership of Governor Edwin Ongchuan, the province saw national and regional recognition for its public service, good governance, and development efforts, thanks to the hard work of government officials, agencies, NGOs, the private sector, and the community.
Seal of Good Local Governance 2024.
For the second year in a row, Northern Samar earned the prestigious Seal of Good Local Governance, a testament to its excellence in financial management, disaster preparedness, health compliance, and other governance areas. This achievement reflects the dedication of Gov.Ongchuan, Vice Governor Clarence Dato, and the entire provincial team.
Presidential Award: Outstanding Development Partner.
In 2024, Northern Samar was recognized by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as an Outstanding Development Partner, highlighting its success in fostering a business-friendly environment. This recognition supports the province’s economic growth, with an annual income surpassing P2.3 billion, qualifying Northern Samar as a first-class province starting January 2025.
Gawad Parangal Award
Northern Samar received the 2024 Gawad Parangal for its efforts in promoting peace and development, notably through the Kauswagan Village and the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) Committee.
Gawad KALASAG Seal of Excellence
The province earned the Gawad KALASAG Seal of Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management for the fourth consecutive year, highlighting its commitment to building resilient communities.
Parangal 2024 Award for Public Communication Excellence
Northern Samar’s Kauswagan Caravan Program won national recognition, securing the Regional Winner and National Runner Up in Public Service Campaigns for its innovative public-private partnerships.
Healthcare and Sustainability Recognition
The Northern Samar Provincial Hospital received a 4-star rating in the DOH Green Health Facilities Program for its commitment to environmental sustainability and resilient healthcare practices.
Silver Award in Health Service Excellence
Northern Samar was honored with a Silver Award by DOH Region 8 for its high standards in healthcare delivery, including maintaining malaria and filariasis-free status and implementing health education programs.
Top Performing Project Monitoring Committee
The Provincial Project Monitoring Committee was recognized as the top-performing committee in Eastern Visayas, reflecting its success in managing infrastructure projects.
Outstanding Youth Development Recognition.
The Provincial Youth Development Office was named Outstanding Local Youth Development Office at the 2024 Youth Awards for empowering young leaders and innovators.
Best Digital Media Page
The Provincial Information Office won the Best Digital Media Page Award for its excellence in digital journalism and promoting positive online content.
As 2024 concludes, Northern Samar looks ahead to even greater achievements in 2025. The collaboration between provincial leaders, government agencies, and the community lays the foundation for continued growth and progress. Together, the province will work towards a brighter future for Northern Samar.
ORMOC CITY– A 14-year-old male student from Barangay Dalakit, Catarman in Northern Samar sustained a minor injury after picking up an unidentified firecracker on January 1, 2025.
The incident occurred around 11:00 a.m. The boy suffered a blast injury to his left index finger and was immediately brought to the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital (NSPH) for medical treatment.
At about 11:30 am, personnel from the Catarman Municipal Police Station (MPS) arrived at the hospital to monitor the incident. According to the attending physician, the victim’s injury was minor, and he was discharged after receiving appropriate care.
The regional office of the Department of Health reported of 34 incidents across the region due to firecracker-related injuries during the 2025 New Year celebration which was higher compared to the 2024 celebration of only 29 cases.
Most of the victims were injured due to ‘kwitis,’ five-star, and ‘lantaka.’ (ROBERT DEJON)
