ORMOC CITY– A river sand hauler became the latest drug suspect apprehended by the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) of the Ormoc City Police Station during a buy-bust operation at around 1:00 am on December 17, in District 26, Brgy. North of this city.
Captain Flora Mae Molina, chief of police of the Ormoc City Police Station 1, said that the suspect was identified as alias “Jonas,” 27, a river sand hauler, resident of District 26, Brgy. West, and living with a partner.

Recovered from his possession was one sachet containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu, which was sold to an operative for P500.

During a body search, conducted in the presence of law-mandated witnesses, authorities found a matchbox labeled “Fuego” in his right pocket.

Upon opening the matchbox, five more sachets containing the same suspected substance were discovered. A further search revealed a P500 bill which was pre-marked as court-subscribed money for the operation.

The suspect admitted to becoming involved in illegal drugs after his children were hospitalized for pneumonia.

He claimed that his income from hauling sand at Anilao River was insufficient, especially since extracting sand from the river is illegal. He said a friend had enticed him into selling shabu, and he felt compelled to join.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY – Two former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) from Borongan City and Pinabacdao, Samar, have received financial assistance under the Local Social Integration Program (LSIP), marking a significant step in their reintegration into society.

The former rebels, identified as alias “Eta,” secretary and political instructor of the Apoy Platoon under the Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Sesame of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC), and alias “Ina,” squad leader of Squad 2, Apoy Platoon, were each granted P50,000 by the city government of Borongan. Additionally, the local government unit (LGU) of Pinabacdao provided them with P10,000 each.

The LSIP is a key government initiative aimed at assisting former rebels in their transition back to civilian life. It provides livelihood support, basic provisions, and financial aid to address their urgent needs. The program also fosters trust and cooperation with NPA families, encouraging others to lay down arms and rejoin society peacefully.

During the awarding ceremony, the two beneficiaries expressed heartfelt gratitude to the 78th Infantry Battalion and the LGUs of Borongan and Pinabacdao for their unwavering support.

They acknowledged the financial assistance as vital to rebuilding their lives and credited the LGUs and military for guiding them in reintegrating into mainstream society.

“Your encouragement and support have shown us that change is possible and that we all have a role to play in building a brighter future for our families and communities,” the former rebels said.

Lt.Col. Joseph Bugaoan, acting commanding officer of the 78th Infantry Battalion, commended the LGUs for their continuous support in ending local armed conflicts and assisting former rebels.

“This assistance not only symbolizes the government’s sincere intention to help those who want to change their lives for the better but also reinforces our collective pursuit of peace and development in Eastern Samar and Samar,” he said.

The initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to fostering peace and stability in conflict-affected areas while providing hope for former insurgents seeking a new beginning.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY—The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) regional office celebrated the best and brightest in public service during its prestigious 2024 Dayaw Awards, held on December 19, 2024, at the People’s Center and Library, this city.

The Dayaw Awards, held on December 19, 2024, at the People’s Center and Library, this city, is considered as a hallmark of excellence within DILG, recognized employees and teams whose contributions exemplified the department’s core values of ‘Matino, Mahusay, and Maaasahan’.

These awards highlight the impact of outstanding individuals and groups on local governance and public service delivery.

The sub-regional office individual awardees were best Performing Sub-Regional Office Non-LGOO Personnel: Kenneth P. Gacutan, Information Officer I (DILG Samar); best performing sub-regional office administrative Personnel: Jeramy B. Bado, Administrative Aide VI (DILG Southern Leyte); best performing sub-regional focal officer: John Clifford B. Rado, LGOO V (DILG Samar); best performing SRO/HUC program manager: Ma. Vanessa C. Borja, LGOO VI (DILG Samar); best performing cluster Head: Carolina O. Ampong, LGOO VII (DILG Biliran);and best performing municipal local government operations officer: Bernarda M. Saboy, LGOO VI (DILG Almeria)

Meantime, the sub-regional office group awards were best performing ICC/CC and city local government operations officer: DILG Ormoc City & CLGOO Jean Redi T. Briones; and best performing sub-regional LGRC: DILG Southern Leyte Sub-Regional LGRC

The regional office awards include on the best performing division: Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division (LGMED); and the best performing city/provincial office and city/provincial director, DILG Southern Leyte & Provincial Director Danilo A. Laguitan.
The program also honored retirees for their years of dedicated government service and celebrated 21 graduates of the 57th Batch Apprenticeship Program. Special recognition was given to two top achievers: Top 2: Melford G. Maderazo, LGOO II (DILG Tacloban City); and Top 3: John Rafael P. Delantar, LGOO II (DILG Leyte).

DILG Region 8 Regional Director Arnel Agabe, in his message during the State of the Region Address (SORA), congratulated the awardees and emphasized the importance of teamwork in achieving the department’s goals for 2025.

“We’ve done great so far, and I am proud of what we have accomplished this year. As long as we keep working together, I am certain that we can achieve our goals for 2025. As I always say, TEAM stands for Together, Everyone Achieves More,” he said.
(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Eastern Visayas has been experiencing massive and heavy rains since Sunday, Dec. 22, resulting in flooding, landslides, and the suspension of work in various areas.

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) issued an advisory on Monday, Dec.23, urging local disaster councils to implement proactive measures and preparedness actions in response to the shear line and the threat of Tropical Depression “Romina.”

“Preemptive evacuation is highly encouraged, especially in high-risk areas,” the RDRRMC advised.

In Jipapad, Eastern Samar, 16 families comprising 55 individuals were evacuated to higher ground after floodwaters rose to more than 54 feet, according to Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management officer Victorian Abestros.

“All 13 barangays in the town have been inundated by nonstop rains, and power supply has been out since Sunday at around 7 p.m. Communication lines have also been disrupted,” Abestros reported.

Other towns in Eastern Samar, including Dolores, Can-avid, Arteche, Balangkayan, Taft, and Borongan City, the provincial capital, also reported flooding.

Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda suspended work and classes in response to the heavy rains caused by the shearline and Tropical Depression “Romina.” One of the city’s major waterways, the Look River, has swollen significantly.

In Northern Samar, Governor Edwin Ongchuan also suspended work on Monday as several towns in the province were affected by flooding.

Rei Josiah Echano, the provincial disaster risk reduction and management officer, reported that all 24 towns in Northern Samar experienced flooding, with the most affected areas being San Roque, Catubig, Mondragon, Palapag, Laoang, Rosario, Las Navas, and Catarman.

In Catarman, the provincial capital, a landslide was reported in Barangay Gulalan-agan, though no injuries were recorded. Classes and work were also suspended due to the weather conditions.

In Samar, flooding incidents were reported in the towns of San Jose de Buan, San Sebastian, Paranas, and Matuguinao. The road in Barangay Buray in Paranas, leading to Borongan City in Eastern Samar, was rendered impassable due to flooding.

Despite the adverse weather conditions, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines reported that sea and air travel have not been suspended.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY-At least P9 million is in the pipeline for the Professional Regulation Commission Regional Office 8 (PRC-8) to fund its computerization of licensure examination by the third quarter of 2025.

PRC-8 Regional Armond M. Englis said the office is currently in the procurement process for the venue for their Computer-Based Licensure Examination (CBLE) while the internet infrastructure will follow soon.

This particular modality of licensure examination involves the examinees’ use of fully computerized facilities such as laptops in a virtual private network (VPN) and in a securely proctored venue to ensure the integrity and credibility of the examination administered.

Resorting to the utilization of ICT infrastructure in the conduct of the CBLE will not only yield efficient, systematic and fast results but could prove to be a better option saving time, space and resources particularly with logistics, and in mobilizing, administering and consummating the licensure examinations being held, Englis said.

Further, Englis added,fixing it in appropriate venue for the conduct of the CBLE will no longer require rental and use of classrooms in various private and public schools therefore avoiding interruption of classes.

However, the CBLE will still be conducted simultaneously with the pen and paper examinations, prioritizing first licensure examinations with fewer examinees, the PRC-8 regional head said.

The CBLE is part of PRC’s modernization efforts which will replace the traditional paper-and-pencil test. With CBLE, the examinees can now type their answers on a computer, allowing for faster processing and enabling results to be released on the final day of the examination period.

Since the passage of the PRC Modernization Act of 2000, the agency has steadily moved towards digitalization to improve its services for professionals and aspiring professionals nationwide.

In 2024 alone, PRC-8 tested 21,435 examinees. Among the licensure examinations conducted in the region in the past three years include professional teachers, criminologists, medical technologists, nurses, architects, civil engineers, real estate brokers/appraisers, master plumbers, physicians, fisheries professionals, geodetic engineers, mechanical engineers, pharmacists, agricultural and biosystems engineers, midwives, agriculturists and radiologic technologists.
(ACR/PIA Eastern Visayas)