ORMOC CITY-The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) builds a one-story, two-classroom school building at Macabug Elementary School in Brgy. Macabug, Ormoc City.
Covering an area of 171 square meters, the building is designed with student comfort and accessibility in mind. Each classroom is equipped with its own comfort room, a Persons with Disabilities (PWD) ramp ensures ease of access, and ten faucets installed along the side of the building promote proper hygiene.
Funded under the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) with a contract amount of P4,925,161.47, the project helps address classroom shortages while enhancing the overall learning experience. With improved facilities, students can concentrate better, teachers can engage more effectively, and the school community benefits from a more conducive educational setting.
Through this project, DPWH Leyte 4th DEO continues to support the improvement of school infrastructure in the district, ensuring better educational opportunities for young learners. (PR)
TACLOBAN CITY – Candidates across Eastern Visayas officially launched their local campaigns on Friday, March 28, starting with Holy Masses before engaging in house-to-house visits, motorcades, and proclamation rallies.
In Tacloban City, reelectionist Mayor Alfred Romualdez and his slate began their campaign with a motorcade from Daniel Z. Romualdez (DZR) Airport, passing through the downtown area and heading toward the northern part of the city.
Ferdinand Martin “Marty” Romualdez Jr., son of House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez, went on a house-to-house campaign, personally introducing himself to voters. He is vying for a seat in the city council, while his brother, Andrew Julian Romualdez, is the first nominee of the Tingog party-list. This marks the first electoral run for both siblings.
Meanwhile, Speaker Romualdez held a meeting with mayors from Leyte’s 1st District, including Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla, mother of Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla.
The younger Petilla, a former political rival of the Romualdezes, is seeking a second term as governor unopposed.
In Southern Leyte, Governor Damian Mercado and his brother, Roger Mercado, who is running for congressman, also attended a Mass before launching their campaign.
In Samar, reelectionist Governor Sharee Ann Tan joined the proclamation rally of Calbayog City Mayor Raymund Uy and his slate.
Borongan City, Eastern Samar, also saw a major campaign kickoff as reelectionist Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda and his team held their proclamation rally.
Some other key candidates in the region opted for a low-key start to their campaigns, either planning rallies over the weekend or maintaining a minimal campaign presence due to a lack of strong opponents.
The first day of the campaign period was also marked by “Operation Baklas,” an initiative led by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to remove campaign materials placed outside designated areas.
Comelec-8 legal officer Atty. Ma. Krishna Athena Elardo warned candidates that violations could lead to disqualification.
“Of course, due process will be observed,” she assured.
(JOEY A. GABIETA, ROEL T.AMAZONA, LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
ORMOC CITY-A barangay chairman is currently recuperating in a hospital after surviving a shooting incident on Sunday morning, March 23, at Purok 2, Barangay Sinidman Occidental, Oquendo District, Calbayog City.
Authorities identified the victim as alias “Rom,” 50, married, and the incumbent chairman of Brgy. Sinidman Occidental.
The suspect, identified as alias “Rene,” 50, unemployed, and a resident of Purok 1, Barangay Sinidman Occidental, was reportedly accompanied by an unidentified male during the attack.
According to the Calbayog City Police Station (CPS), they received information from PEMS Erwin Beso, Oquendo PCP Commander, regarding the shooting incident at around 11:30 am.
The victim had already been rushed to St. Camillus Hospital when police arrived to verify the report and conduct an investigation.
Authorities disclosed that the motive behind the attack was a personal grudge. Fortunately, the barangay chairman was in stable condition during the police interview at the hospital.
Meanwhile, Calbayog police launched a hot pursuit operation to track down the suspect, and charges of frustrated murder are being prepared against him.
ORMOC CITY– A 39-year-old woman was arrested for engaging in illegal ‘swertres’ operations during an anti-illegal gambling operation conducted by the San Roque Municipal Police Station (MPS) and the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Northern Samar Provincial Police Office on Friday, March 21, at around 6:30 pm in Purok 10, Barangay Bantayan, San Roque in Northern Samar.
Police identified the suspect as alias “Elsie,” a housewife and resident of Brgy. Bantayan.
Authorities seized the following items from the suspect’s possession: P1,471 in cash of various denominations, believed to be proceeds from the illegal numbers game; one small green pouch; one black ballpen; six betting sheets; 10 stub lotto result sheets dated March 20, 2025; and two stub lotto result sheets dated March 17, 2025.
The suspect, together with the confiscated evidence, was taken to the San Roque Municipal Police Station for proper documentation and legal proceedings.
ORMOC CITY– A ‘habal-habal’ driver was apprehended in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) of the Biliran Provincial Police Office and the Station Drug Enforcement Team of the local police on Monday, March 24, at around 8:29 pm in Blk 1, lot 38, Cool Mont Crest, Barangay Caneja, Naval, Biliran.
Police identified the suspect as alias “Arnold,” 48, and a resident of Barangay Villa Caneja.
During the operation, an undercover operative successfully purchased one sachet of suspected shabu from the suspect for P500. A subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of required witnesses, led to the recovery of two additional sachets containing a white crystalline substance, also suspected to be shabu and a marked P500 bill used in the transaction.
Authorities have yet to determine the total weight and estimated value of the confiscated illegal drugs, pending verification by the Regional Forensic Unit (RFU) 8.
The suspect was informed of his constitutional rights in a language he understood. Charges for violations of Sections 5 (sale of illegal drugs) and 11 (possession of illegal drugs) of Article II of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) have been filed against him at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
He is currently detained at the Naval Municipal Police Station’s lock-up cell, awaiting further legal proceedings.
MISS U-PH IN NORTHERN SAMAR. Candidates of this year’s Miss Universe-Philippines are to visit Northern Samar for their photoshoots. (PHOTO COURTESY)
MISS U-PH IN NORTHERN SAMAR. Candidates of this year’s Miss Universe-Philippines are to visit Northern Samar for their photoshoots. (PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY – The upcoming photoshoot of Miss Universe Philippines (MUPh) candidates in Northern Samar is expected to boost the province’s tourism marketing and promotion, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Eastern Visayas.
“Northern Samar is one of the less-traveled destinations despite having so much to offer. This is a great opportunity, and we are happy that MUPh collaborated with the provincial government of Northern Samar, through Governor Edwin Ongchuan, to showcase the province in such a prestigious event,” said DOT Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes.
Tiopes emphasized that the tourism department and local government units are exploring various platforms to promote the region’s tourism sites, cultural heritage, and cuisine to a wider audience, both locally and internationally.
“This is a significant chance to promote Northern Samar and let the world know that it is a unique place to visit. The destinations here are not the usual tourist spots people see every day,” she added.
Northern Samar Provincial Tourism Officer Maria Josette Doctor echoed Tiopes’ statement, highlighting the potential impact of the pageant candidates as social media influencers with large followings.
“When they visit Northern Samar, we will make sure to bring them to our best destinations, showcase our hospitality, and let them enjoy our food. Through them, we can present to the world what we have to offer as a tourist destination,” she said.
More than 60 candidates of this year’s MUPh pageant are set to visit Northern Samar from March 30 to April 2 for the photoshoot, which is one of the competition’s major events, according to John Allen Berbon, chief of the Provincial Information Office.
The event not only highlights the contestants’ grace and style but also places Northern Samar’s breathtaking landscapes in the spotlight. The province, known for its tagline “Explore, Experience, Enjoy,” is being positioned as a jewel of Philippine tourism.
“The selection of locations for the photoshoot has been carefully planned to showcase Northern Samar’s natural and cultural heritage. This collaboration provides a unique opportunity to elevate the province’s visibility on a global platform, in line with the Miss Universe Philippines organization’s vision of celebrating beauty, diversity, and cultural richness,” Berbon said.
Among the featured destinations are the Pink Sand Beach in Sila Island, San Vicente; Capul Island, the Biri Rock Formations in Biri; and the Pinusilan Blue Lagoon in Mapanas.
This marks the second time MUPh has chosen Eastern Visayas for a photoshoot, following their 2023 visit to Leyte, where they explored Kalanggaman Island in Palompon and sites in Basey and Marabut, both in Samar.
With this event, Northern Samar hopes to capture the interest of travelers and establish itself as a must-visit destination in the Philippines.
