TACLOBAN CITY – More than 23,000 residents of Calbayog City are expected to benefit from the services offered at the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) this Thursday and Friday, November 22 and 23.

Approximately 2,000 representatives from various government agencies will be on hand to assist attendees during the two-day event.

Led by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, more than 100 congressmen from different congressional districts and party-list groups are also expected to attend the caravan.

Mayor Raymund Uy said the BPSF will feature a serbisyo caravan with the participation of 48 national agencies, in partnership with Tingog Partylist and other local offices. The event aims to deliver government services and assistance directly to Calbayog residents.

The BPSF services will be available at several venues across the city, including the Northwest Samar State University, Christ the King College (CKC), and the Calbayog City Convention Center.

During a press conference, Mayor Uy shared that college students from private schools will receive assistance through the Integrated Scholarship and Incentives Program (ISIP) by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“College students from private schools were prioritized because students in state universities already receive free education, including tuition,” Mayor Uy explained.
He praised the financial assistance initiative introduced by the Office of Speaker Martin Romualdez in partnership with the Marcos administration.

Vice Mayor Daguman, for his part, appealed to residents to understand that traffic congestion in the city proper may occur due to the influx of people attending the caravan. He also urged business owners to extend their operating hours, as evening events, including a concert, will take place.

The concert, scheduled for November 16 at the Calbayog coastal road, will feature performances by Bamboo, Marlo Mortel, Iyah Mina, Makki Lucino, and Viva Hot Babes.
The BPSF was originally scheduled for November 16 and 17 but was postponed and rescheduled to November 22 and 23 due to the threat of Super Typhoon ‘Pepito’.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY– Local police are conducting a thorough investigation following the discovery of a farmer’s lifeless body inside his home in Barangay Lawaan, Laoang town, Northern Samar at about 7:30 am on November 14.

The victim, identified only as “Esto,” was a resident of the area and lived with his common-law wife.

Police were alerted by a concerned citizen who reported the discovery of the body via a phone call to the station.

Upon arriving at the scene, authorities found the victim lying in bed, drenched in blood, with suspected gunshot wounds.

The body was transported to the Laoang Rural Health Unit for a post-mortem examination.
Meanwhile, personnel from the Laoang Municipal Police Station continue to investigate the motive and work to identify the suspect responsible for the killing.
(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY-Local police suspect a personal grudge as the motive behind the fatal stabbing of a farmer by another farmer on November 9, in Barangay Bugas, Borongan City.
The victim, identified as “Sam,” a married and a resident of Brgy. Bugas, was allegedly attacked by “Boy,” a single resident of the same barangay.

According to the initial police investigation, the suspect arrived at the victim’s house and, without provocation, stabbed him twice in the abdomen with a sharp-bladed weapon locally known as a “sundang,” resulting in the victim’s immediate death.

The victim’s family informed police that a personal grudge may have driven the suspect to commit the crime.

Following the attack, the suspect fled with the weapon. The victim’s body was brought to St. Peter Funeral Services in Barangay Sabang South, Borongan City.

Borongan City Police Station is conducting a hot pursuit operation to apprehend the suspect, and a murder charge has already been filed with the Prosecutor’s Office.
(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY– Two female students were declared dead on arrival at the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital following a head-on collision between their motorcycle and an SUV on November 10, in Barangay Bangkerohan, Catarman, Northern Samar.

The fatalities were identified as “Aiza,” 19, a resident of Brgy.Calachuchi, and “Chikay,” 19, from Brgy.San Antonio, Biri, Northern Samar.

Another passenger, “Ana,” 18, also from Brgy.San Antonio, remains in critical condition at the hospital.

The SUV involved, a gray Mitsubishi Strada driven by “Elly,” 36, a self-employed resident of Midtown Village, Cainta, Rizal, was traveling in the opposite direction of the motorcycle.

According to the initial police investigation, the SUV suddenly swerved into the opposite lane, resulting in the collision with the blue Honda Click 125 motorcycle driven by “Aiza.”

The impact caused serious injuries to all three riders. Despite immediate medical attention, “Aiza” and “Chikay” succumbed to their injuries, as confirmed by attending physician Dr. Gilbert O. Moises.

The SUV driver and the vehicle were taken to the Catarman Municipal Police Station for proper disposition and further investigation.
(ROBERT DEJON)

CATARMAN, Northern Samar– The provincial government of Northern Samar (PGNS) has been awarded the prestigious Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), a recognition given to local government units (LGUs) that meet the rigorous standards in ten key governance areas.

One of the key areas in which PGNS excelled is Business Friendliness and Competitiveness, where it has gained attention for its significant improvements in creating a more favorable investment climate and advanced business development. These efforts have been driven by enhanced investment policies and initiatives aimed at facilitating business growth and attracting investors to the province.

Among the notable initiatives that contributed to PGNS’s recognition were the establishment of the Northern Samar Green Lane. This initiative streamlines business registration and permit processing, removing the multiplicity and duplicity of business permits and licenses in the province. This alleviates the bureaucratic hurdles that investors face when trying to operate in their desired locations; the PGNS through its Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (PEDIPO) organized the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Officers from the 24 municipalities to establish a faster and more streamlined communication system, further aiding the province in its investment promotion and facilitation initiatives.

Northern Samar also successfully organized the programs of national government agencies through its Food Security and Sustainable Economic Development Cluster (FSSED), thus eliminating the duplication of programs within one location or target beneficiary. This optimizes government programs and distributes them more effectively.

Over the years, the province also has created a platform for its Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to promote their products and establish a stronger market.

Another initiative is the establishment of the Kauswagan Caravan, a platform that began as an initiative of the provincial government to deliver basic services to remote and underserved areas. It has since evolved into a platform for private entities to carry out their corporate social responsibility programs. Now in its 31st installment, the caravan continues to serve communities across the province.

The provincial government of Northern Samar continues to deliver results that drive local economic development, implementing innovative programs that improve governance and enhance the investment climate. Through strategic initiatives like streamlined business processes, community support programs, and effective partnerships, PGNS is paving the way for sustainable growth and progress for the Nortehanon people.
(THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF NORTHERN SAMAR)

PALO, Leyte — The Department of Trade and Industry has recently conducted its 2024 Bagwis Awarding Ceremony, honoring 10 businesses that protect consumer rights and offer great value. The program also promotes the establishment of Consumer Welfare Desks or Relations Offices to expedite complaint resolution.

The Bagwis Award Program has three categories: Gold, Silver, and Bronze.
Five establishments were awarded the Bronze Seal during the Regional Bagwis Committee Screening: Puregold Price Club Inc. in Guiuan, Eastern Samar; Puregold Price Club Inc. in Calbayog City, Samar; J & F Department Store in Dolores, Eastern Samar; J & F Department Store in Naval, Biliran; and Auto Tech Car Care Services in Catarman, Northern Samar.

This seal signifies compliance with Fair Trade Laws and establishing a Consumer Welfare Desk (CWD) or a similar customer relations office within the mall.

Three establishments received the Silver Seal for meeting the bronze criteria and demonstrating social responsibility: Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. in Maasin City, Southern Leyte; Robinsons Handyman Inc. in Catarman, Northern Samar; and Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. in Calbayog City, Samar.

Additionally, two establishments were awarded Bronze and Silver Awards, respectively, following the revalidation of their existing seals. These are RL Appliance Inc. in Ormoc City, Leyte, and National Tires and Service Center in Maasin City, Leyte.

The Bagwis Seal signifies to consumers that participating establishments prioritize ethical business practices. This includes offering quality products at reasonable prices and providing proactive customer assistance.

Establishments eligible to join the Bagwis program include supermarkets, department stores, specialty shops, appliance centers, hardware stores, and DTI-accredited service and repair shops. They can apply for the program by seeking endorsement or directly applying through the DTI Regional Office.

The awarding ceremony also acknowledged partners for their support in upholding consumer rights and responsibilities and promoting ethical business practices.
Business permit licensing officers Joel E. Mendoza from Ormoc City and Kristine D. Mangalindan from Naval, Biliran, attended the event. Maria Cristina Rivera represented the local government unit of Dolores, Eastern Samar.

Meanwhile, local government units and their respective business permit licensing offices received recognition for their contributions. The LGUs honored included Ormoc City, Maasin City, Naval, Calbayog City, Guiuan, Dolores, and Catarman. These municipalities’ local chambers of commerce and consumer organizations were also acknowledged.

LGUs, chambers of commerce, and consumer organizations can endorse and encourage qualified establishments to apply for the program. Potential awardees are encouraged to participate in the Department’s active consumer advocacy initiatives, such as forums and seminars.

(AAC with reports from Anthea Aivi Borbon-Ancheta, DTI-8 Information Officer)