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BJMP: EV jail congestion remains an issue

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ROAD REBLOCKING. The Tacloban city government through the City Engineering Office is now in the midst of finishing a road reblocking and concreting in Barangay 37, Reclamation Area which is adjacent to the fish port area. (CEO)

Congestion rate as high as over 400%

ROAD REBLOCKING. The Tacloban city government through the City Engineering Office is now in the midst of finishing a road reblocking and concreting in Barangay 37, Reclamation Area which is adjacent to the fish port area. (CEO)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) here in the region continues to grapple with severe congestion across most of its jail facilities.

Jail Superintendent Bernardo Sanchez, the regional jail chief, however, stated that measures are being implemented to decongest the 24 facilities under their management.
Among the most congested are the jails in Borongan City and Tacloban City.

The Borongan City jail, designed for just 15 inmates, currently holds 83 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), resulting in a staggering congestion rate of 453% within its 71 square meter cell area.

Similarly, the Tacloban City jail, intended for 187 inmates, is now accommodating 521 PDLs, leading to a congestion rate of 184% within its 877 square-meter cell area.

“Our PDLs in these congested jails are in a pitiful situation. We cannot provide the full program for their welfare and development due to the lack of space for rehabilitation services,” Sanchez said during a media conference ‘Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas’ on Tuesday, July 30.

Efforts to decongest these facilities include expediting court hearings for potential releases and granting releases through good conduct time allowance, which reduces jail time, the BJMP official said.

Additionally, new and larger facilities are under construction, he added.

For instance, a new jail in Baybay City, set to open in October, will accommodate at least 500 PDLs.

“These new facilities will significantly aid our decongestion campaign,” Sanchez added.
Currently, 1,907 PDLs occupy the 24 jail facilities in the region managed by the BJMP.
Meanwhile, Sanchez expressed hope for an increase in the meal allowance per inmate from P70 to P100.

The current budget allocates P70 per PDL for three meals a day, which Sanchez admitted is insufficient.

This shortfall has prompted interventions such as establishing vegetable gardens within the facilities to help meet the food needs of the inmates.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the parent unit of BJMP, previously advocated for an increase in meal allowance to P100 and P30 for medical needs, but this proposal has yet to be acted upon by the Department of Budget and Management.

JOEY A. GABIETA

Leyte town, plagued with water woes, welcomes JE Hydro and Bio-energy Corp.

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SUFFICIENT WATER. The JE Hydro and Bio-energy Corp., a Cagayan de Oro-based water company, vows to offer a 24/7 water supply to the people of Barugo as it will soon operate in the said Leyte town. Photo shows the company’s president and CEO with Mayor Aron Balais and board member, Raisa Villasin representing Governor Carlos Jericho ‘Icot” Petilla, leading the July 30 groundbreaking ceremony. (GIL TAMAYO)

Water company vows to provide 24/7 water supply

SUFFICIENT WATER. The JE Hydro and Bio-energy Corp., a Cagayan de Oro-based water company, vows to offer a 24/7 water supply to the people of Barugo as it will soon operate in the said Leyte town. Photo shows the company’s president and CEO with Mayor Aron Balais and board member, Raisa Villasin representing Governor Carlos Jericho ‘Icot” Petilla, leading the July 30 groundbreaking ceremony. (GIL TAMAYO)

BARUGO, Leyte – A new water facility is set to operate in this town, with the mayor expressing high hopes that it will lead to better water services for his constituents.
On Tuesday, July 30, JE Hydro and Bio-energy Corp., a Cagayan de Oro-based water company, inaugurated its water treatment facility located in Barangay Calingcaguing, about five kilometers from the town center.

Town Mayor Aron Balais expressed his satisfaction with the arrival of JE Hydro and Bio-energy Corp., as he believes it will help address the town’s persistent water supply issues.
“The lack of water supply here in Barugo has always been a problem, and we see the coming of JE Hydro as a solution to this recurring issue,” he said in an interview.

According to Balais, the current water district serving his town and nearby municipalities fails to deliver adequate water supply, making it a daily challenge for residents.

“We are paying our monthly bills with no water coming out from our taps,” he lamented.
Balais shared that when the representatives of JE Hydro and Bio-energy Corp. approached him earlier this year with their proposal, he immediately agreed.

“For one, the local government will not be spending even a single centavo on this project, except for facilitating the necessary documents like the building permit,” he explained.
He also mentioned that the company would provide meters and connections at no cost and that there would be no maintaining monthly bills.

Currently, out of the more than 7,600 households in the town, which has a population of over 34,700 people, 70 percent have water connections served by the Carigara Water District, a private entity.

Mayor Balais noted that the residents are pleased with the arrival of JE Hydro, with officials from all 37 barangays passing a resolution expressing their support.

Peachy Hapitan, president and COO of JE Hydro and Bio-energy Corp., stated that their initial operation, expected to begin in May next year, will supply water to 2,500 households, primarily in the town center.

“By November 2025, a total of 5,000 households in Barugo will benefit from the JE Hydro Level-3 Water Supply Project,” she added.

Hapitan emphasized that the project will provide continuous safe and potable water to households, schools, health centers, and other essential facilities in Barugo, a 4th-class town with a local income of P12.5 million and a P175 million tax share from the national government.

The water company will source its water from the Himanglus River, located about five kilometers from the future site of their water treatment facility in Calingcaguing.
Nino Gabon, the authorized managing officer of JE Hydro and Bio-energy Corp., explained that they will extract 5 million liters of water from the Himanglus River, which will be delivered directly to households.

“The river has more than enough to meet our supply needs,” he assured.
The company will fund the project at P200 million.(JOEY A. GABIETA)

New law vs financial scams a welcome step to deter fraud

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Globe welcomes President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s recent signing of the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA), seen to address prevalent online scams through more robust deterrence and enforcement measures.

The law aims to “protect all persons from falling prey to the various cybercrime schemes by regulating the use of financial accounts, and preventing their use in fraudulent activities.”
Globe believes this law will complement the Cybercrime Prevention Act and the SIM Registration Act, strengthening security measures against ever evolving scam tactics by fraudsters.

“As a service provider that deals with fraudsters every day, Globe is grateful that the Philippines now has a law that is up to date and addresses fast-evolving threats to the security of our financial system,” said Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO.

“We especially appreciate how the law covers in great detail various emerging fraud methods, including the recruitment of money mules, social engineering schemes, and other modes assisted by tech, including SMS, email, and even generative AI. This ultimately gives regulators and law enforcers sharper teeth in stopping financial fraud,” he added.
He said the law will serve to reinforce Globe’s ongoing efforts against financial fraud, including proactive blocking of person-to-person SMS and bank-related phishing and vishing.

In the first half of the year, Globe blocked over 2.74 million bank-related spam and scam messages, a decline of 43.56% compared to the 4.85 million messages blocked in the same period of 2023. This reflects how Globe’s collaboration with banks and other financial institutions to curb financial fraud has been working.

Cu reaffirmed Globe’s commitment to stringent monitoring and blocking of potential financial fraud in its network.

“Globe will remain a staunch ally of the government and financial institutions in beating fraud. Through the passage of AFASA, we look forward to a safer financial environment for our customers and the public,” he said.

AFASA mandates banks and other financial institutions to implement stringent security measures and robust fraud management systems to protect financial accounts.

It empowers the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to thoroughly investigate and scrutinize financial accounts potentially involved in illicit activities. It also authorizes the BSP to apply for cybercrime warrants for electronic communications implicated in violations of this law, effectively bypassing the usual constraints imposed by bank secrecy and data privacy regulations.

The law penalizes financial fraud schemes with heavier penalties, including imprisonment of 6 to 8 years and fines of up to Php 500,000 for money mule schemes; prison time of 10 to 12 years or fines of up to Php 1 million for social engineering schemes; and life imprisonment or fines of up to Php 5 million for economic sabotage. (PR)

Congress receives P6.35 Trillion proposed 2025 national budget from DBM

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TACLOBAN CITY –The House of Representatives, led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, received on Monday, July 29, the proposed P6.352-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) for fiscal year 2025 from Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.

The committee on appropriations will soon begin deliberations on the national spending plan, aiming to deliver social and economic transformation and position the Philippines as a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient society.

The budget proposal focuses on social services and economic growth and will fund education and training programs, expanded quality healthcare services, and the development of job opportunities.

During the turnover ceremony, Speaker Romualdez emphasized the House’s collective responsibility for the swift and timely passage of the proposed 2025 national budget.
He stressed the importance of ensuring the budget meets the immediate needs of the Filipino people while setting the stage for a prosperous and equitable Philippines.

Among those who joined the Speaker in receiving the 2025 NEP were Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe, Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, Appropriations Committee Chair Elizaldy Co and Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

DPWH-Northern Samar First DEO joins DepEd’s Brigada Eskwela 2024

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CATARMAN,Northern Samar –The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Northern Samar First District Engineering Office (NSFDEO) participated in the Brigada Eskwela of the Department of Education (DepEd) for School Year (SY) 2024-2025.

DPWH personnel focused on various ground and school facilities improvement activities.
These included extensive grass cutting, painting of classrooms and school facilities, and other necessary maintenance work to ensure that schools are safe, clean, and ready for students. So far, the district office has extended its support to eighteen schools within its jurisdiction.

In a statement, District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio said that the district is committed in supporting the DepEd’s Brigada Eskwela and ensuring that all schools in the district are ready for the opening of classes.

“By contributing our resources and skills, we help create an environment where students can thrive and focus on their studies. Education is the foundation of our future, and we are proud to play a role in supporting it,” said District Engineer Ignacio.

The Brigada Eskwela is an annual nationwide activity that aims to ensure the readiness of schools for the opening of classes.

The DPWH is one of the government agencies that support the DepEd’s by creating an environment that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also conducive to learning and development.
(ANALIZA A.PABIA, PIO DESIGNATE/PR)

Marbil leads ceremony for PRO8’s command center and PTCFOR satellite hub

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INAUGURATION. PNP Chief, General Rommel Francisco Marbil on Tuesday, July 30, led in the inauguration of a command center and the permit to carry firearms outside of residence (PTCFOR) secretariat satellite hub at the regional PNP headquarters at Camp Ruperto Kangleon, Palo, Leyte. PNP Regional Director B / Gen. Reynaldo Pawid joined the police chief. (PRO-8)
INAUGURATION. PNP Chief, General Rommel Francisco Marbil on Tuesday, July 30, led in the inauguration of a command center and the permit to carry firearms outside of residence (PTCFOR) secretariat satellite hub at the regional PNP headquarters at Camp Ruperto Kangleon, Palo, Leyte. PNP Regional Director B / Gen. Reynaldo Pawid joined the police chief. (PRO-8)

CAMP KANGLEON, PALO, Leyte– The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) marked a significant milestone with the ceremonial blessing of its command center and the inaugural launch of the permit to carry firearms outside of residence (PTCFOR) secretariat satellite Hub.

The event, held at the PRO8 grounds was graced by the Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Rommel Francisco Marbil.

The ceremony commenced with a ribbon-cutting and marker unveiling, led by Marbil and assisted by PRO8 Director B/Gen. Reynaldo Pawid with Father Major Rhey Dollesin, regional pastoral officer, officiating the blessing of the new facilities.

In his message, Marbil emphasized the commitment to professionalism and public service.
“Let us wear our uniform with pride and honor. As committed police officers, we safeguard communities and uphold the values of integrity and courage. Together, we embody the essence of public service and strive to improve as public servants,” he said.

The establishment of the PTCFOR secretariat satellite hub represents a significant development for firearm regulation in the Philippines.

As the first PTCFOR satellite office in the country, this hub will streamline the processing of applications for the permit to carry firearms outside of residence for all licensed firearm holders in the region and nearby regions.

This new facility is expected to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of firearm permits, contributing to improved public safety.

Simultaneously with the PTCFOR Hub launch, the PRO8 Command Center was officially blessed and inaugurated. It was constructed sometime last year in the amount of P5.12 million.

This state-of-the-art facility will be the central coordination hub for all regional police operations, enhancing public safety and security, particularly during emergencies and natural disasters.

It ensures seamless communication and collaboration among various units and agencies, coordinating swift rescue and relief efforts during emergencies.

Moreover, the command center includes a war room designed for strategic planning and operational deployment, featuring a short-throw projector for clear and concise displays.
Additionally, the central operations area, managed by regional tactical and technical personnel, boasts a large LED wall that provides real-time feeds, maps, and data from body cameras, CCTV, and drones.

This area also includes a TV monitor dedicated to vehicle tracking, all of which support proactive responses and efficient resource deployment.

Pawid expressed his gratitude to Marbil for his support in establishing the projects.
“The establishment of both the PTCFOR Secretariat Satellite Hub and the PRO8 Command Center marks a new chapter in PRO8’s advancement of public safety and operational efficiency. These new facilities will play a crucial role in enhancing law enforcement and emergency response capabilities across the region,” Pawid said.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

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