Leading retail company Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. (MRSGI) makes progress with its expansion in Visayas as it opens Metro Catbalogan in Catbalogan City, Samar.

Metro Catbalogan, the 65th store for the publicly listed MRSGI, is a two-storey compact department store and supermarket with leasable spaces, and a planned community center on the third level.

Grand Opening of the supermarket is on August 30, 2024. With a selling floor of over 2,000 sqm, the world class supermarket will offer a well curated range of the best quality brands from trusted local and international suppliers at affordable prices.

The Metro multi-store complex, is conveniently complemented with a government center, convention center, and transport terminal which are part of phase 1 of the development on San Francisco Street corner Arteche Street, Catbalogan City Proper.

Phase 2 of the retail development will involve an annex expansion of about 6,000 sqm for a community mall component with home retail section.

The convention center has been turned over to the Provincial Government of Samar while the convention center and terminal are scheduled for turnover in the coming days.

“We are excited to offer the people of Catbalogan the Metro brand of world-class shopping experience, where families and students can converge conveniently in a modern and comfortable place… so they don’t have to go out of town.” said Manuel Alberto, President & Chief Operating Officer of MRSGI.

Aside from high-quality one-stop shopping, Metro Catbalogan will also serve as a platform for local businesses to showcase their products. This, as MRSGI pledge to continue its collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to uplift and empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The Metro Catbalogan Supermarket will have its grand opening on August 30, while the Department Store is slated on September 28, 2024.

Metro Catbalogan Supermarket will be giving exclusive treats to shoppers who will visit the store from opening day until November 28.

Big discounts on international goods, health and beauty aid, and home essentials; bundle deals on grocery, snacks and beverages, great savings on fresh produce, gift with purchase, and exciting raffle are in store for everyone.

Get rewards when you shop with your Metro Rewards Card or Metro Business Card. For minimum single-receipt purchase of P1,000 and P3,500 cash or credit at Metro Supermarket, shopper will receive Metro gift certificate worth P50 and P200, respectively.
And be among the lucky winners of a Honda TMX and Grocery Hakot-Hakot worth P5,000 when you shop at Metro Supermarket Catbalogan. Every P1,000 single-receipt purchase of products entitles shoppers to (1) raffle entry.

For those who are not Metro Rewards Card or Metro Business Card members yet, sign up for free at designated booth so you can enjoy exclusive offers and benefits. Because at Metro Supermarket Catbalogan, “Damo nga pagpipilian. Tipid kada adlaw.”
#WeMakeLifeEasy #ShopTheMetroStores

ORMOC CITY– A minor student was arrested by local police for stabbing a fellow student early in the morning on Saturday, August 17, at Sitio Ilawod, Barangay Caraycaray, Naval in Biliran province.

The suspect, a male minor, is a resident of the area, while the victim, identified as “Josh,” 18, also a student and resident of Brgy. Caraycaray, has a common-law wife.

According to the local police, at around 6:30 am on August 17, a woman identified as “Rina,” 43, married, personally appeared at the local police station to report that her son, the victim, had been stabbed by the suspect.

Initial investigation revealed that prior to the incident, the victim was involved in a fistfight with another male.

During the altercation, the victim was knocked to the ground and was subsequently attacked by a group of males.

A witness, identified as “Ronnie,” 26, single, and a welder, who is also the victim’s cousin, attempted to intervene but was restrained by his uncle.

“Ronnie” witnessed the suspect stab the victim in the back with a knife.

After the stabbing, the suspect and the group of males fled the scene, while the victim was rushed to Biliran Provincial Hospital for immediate medical attention.

Naval Municipal Police Station (MPS) officers launched a hot pursuit operation and successfully apprehended the minor suspect.

The suspect was taken to Naval MPS for proper disposition.

The Women and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD) of Naval MPS has contacted the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) to assess the suspect’s discernment as a Child in Conflict with the Law (CICL).

The minor has been turned over to the MSWD office, and appropriate charges are being prepared by the local police.
(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY– A merchandiser involved in selling illegal drugs was arrested by operatives of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) during a buy-bust operation early Thursday morning, August 22, in Barangay San Pablo, this city.

CDEU Chief PMAJ Michael Ray Cañete identified the suspect as Mar Jalla, alias “Jan-Jan,” a 27-year-old single merchandiser and resident of said village.

During the operation, the police recovered one sachet containing a white crystalline substance, suspected to be shabu, purchased by an undercover operative for P5,000.

In a subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of an elected barangay official and a local media representative, two more sachets containing the same substance, also suspected to be shabu, were found on the suspect.

The suspect admitted ownership of the illegal items, explaining that financial hardship led him to engage in drug dealing. He claimed that his income as a merchandiser was insufficient to meet his needs.

According to the police, the total weight of the suspected shabu recovered from the suspect was 4.19 grams, with an estimated street value of P28,492.

Charges for violations of RA 9165, the Comprehensive Law against Illegal Drugs of 2002, were filed against the suspect who is currently detained at the locked-up cell of Police Station 1 at the Government Center in Brgy. Cogon, this city.
(ROBERT DEJON)

Globe continues to make significant strides in expanding its network infrastructure across the country, building 352 cell towers and upgrading 1,942 existing mobile sites to LTE technology for the first half of 2024. The network buildup aims to enhance Globe’s mobile services and data speeds to provide reliable life-enabling connectivity to Filipinos.

In addition to mobile network improvements, Globe has made notable advancements in its fiber infrastructure. The company deployed 39,880 fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) lines from January to June this year, further expanding its high-speed fiber internet coverage.

This year’s rollout is strategically planned to maximize the utilization of Globe’s existing fiber inventory, aligning with its reduced cash Capital Expenditure (Capex) allocation.

Globe’s network expansion efforts extend beyond urban centers, having successfully brought connectivity to over 500 Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) as part of its commitment to bridging the digital divide.

By connecting remote communities, Globe enables residents to access vital online services, educational resources, and economic opportunities that were once limited by geographical barriers.

Joel Agustin, Head of Service Planning and Engineering of Globe, emphasized the company’s dedication to inclusive connectivity: “We believe that every Filipino deserves access to reliable communication services. We’re here to empower them with the tools they need to thrive in a digital world.”

Globe’s network expansion strategy has evolved since 2023, with a shift towards optimizing network investments rather than pursuing opportunistic capacity expansion. This strategic pivot has yielded positive results, allowing the mobile leader to return to sustainable Capex levels without compromising network quality or capacity.

The company’s efforts align with its mission to improve the country’s digital infrastructure and support the government’s initiatives to enhance nationwide connectivity and improve quality of life. (PR)

ORMOC CITY-A motorcycle mechanic was apprehended during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Station Drug Enforcement Team of Police Station 5 on Thursday, August 22, at Purok 3, Barangay Dolores in this city, at about 10:05 pm.

The suspect, identified as Lando Laurente, 58, a resident of Brgy. Bagong, was listed as a street-level individual on the local police’s drug watchlist.

Laurente, who lives with his partner, was found in possession of suspected shabu.
During the operation, an undercover operative purchased a sachet containing a white crystalline substance, believed to be shabu, for P500 from Laurente.

A subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of an elected barangay official and a representative from the local media, led to the discovery of P650 in cash, in various denominations, and a cigarette pack labeled “Winston.”

Upon inspection, the cigarette pack contained a larger sachet of suspected shabu, weighing 5.0 grams, with an estimated street value of P34,000.

In total, the police recovered 5.4 grams of suspected shabu from the suspect, with an estimated street value of P36,720.

Charges for violations of RA 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, were charged against the suspect who is currently detained at the locked-up cell of Police Station 6 in Brgy. Dolores.(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY – The local government units of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, and Baybay City formalized a sisterhood partnership agreement on August 20, 2024 aims to foster cooperation between the two LGUs in areas such as local governance, economic trade and development, public safety, environmental sustainability, disaster preparedness, mitigation and response programs, and social welfare.

The twinning agreement and memorandum of understanding (MOU) held at the Guiuan municipal function hall, were signed by Mayor Jose Carlos Cari of Baybay City and Mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan of Guiuan, representing their respective local governments.
They were accompanied by members of their Sanggunian and department heads.

Through this partnership, Baybay hopes to gain insights into Guiuan’s efficient tourism programs, while offering technical assistance to Guiuan in adopting the Barangay Management Information System (BMIS), among other initiatives.

“This sisterhood will enhance local governance in our respective localities and allow us to support each other in areas where we excel,” Mayor Cari stated.

As part of the partnership, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Baybay, in collaboration with the Guiuan Emergency Response Team, installed an ambient weather station at the Guiuan Municipal Hall.

This weather station provides data on wind, temperature, rainfall, heat index, ultraviolet index, and other variables, which will be crucial for disaster preparedness, especially during typhoon season.

In her message after the signing, Mayor Kwan highlighted the unique features of Guiuan, including its eco and adventure tourism offerings, strong historical and heritage programs, and abundant marine resources.

She expressed hope that the partnership would allow Guiuan to learn from Baybay’s best practices in solid waste management, local economic enterprise management, transportation, disaster response, investment promotion, and efficient delivery of social services.

Prior to the signing, members of Guiuan’s Local Economic Development Council (LEDC) and Sanggunian visited Baybay in June for a benchmarking “Lakbay Aral” activity.

During their visit, they learned about the best practices and programs that have significantly contributed to Baybay’s economic development.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)