ORMOC CITY-Three persons were arrested in a sting operation conducted by the elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Station Drug Enforcement Team of Police Station 2 of the Tacloban City Police Office that also resulted in the dismantling of a drug den at about 3:25 pm on Monday (May 27) in Barangay 91, Abucay of said city.
PDEA8 Regional Director Jacqueline De Guzman identified the arrested suspects as “James”, 39, pedicab driver and said to be the drug den maintainer; alias “Van-van”, 27, sales agent, both residents of Brgy. 91; and alias “Virgil”, 29, unemployed and a resident of Brgy. 71, Naga-Naga, Tacloban City (visitor).
The three arrested suspects are listed as high-value individuals on the drug watchlist of the agency.
The target of the operation was the den maintainer with the operatives recovered from his possession a sachet containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu procured by an agent in the amount of P500.
During the conduct of a body search done in the presence of an elected official and a representative from the local media, the operatives recovered five more sachets containing the same white crystalline substances from the suspect with an estimated weight of 15. 03 grams with an estimated street value of P102,500.
Charges of violations of sections 5 (selling illegal drugs) & 11 (possession of illegal drugs) of Article II of RA 9165, the Comprehensive Law against Illegal Drugs of 2002, were filed against them who are now detained at the locked-up cell of the Police Station 2 of Tacloban City Police Office.(ROBERT DEJON)
CATARMAN, Northern Samar – The Department of Public Works and Highways-Northern Samar First District Engineering Office (DPWH-NSFDEO) has completed the construction of a P6.78 million, one-story, two-classroom school building at Tarnate Elementary School in Brgy. Tarnate, San Vicente, Northern Samar.
The project involves the complete construction of One storey, two classroom school building with a total floor area of 171 square meters including clearing and grubbing, removal of trees, embankment, CHB gutter.
Each classroom is equipped with essential amenities, including handwashing area, window grills at front and rear windows, parapet wall and comfort rooms. The facility also features ramps with handrails to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities (PWD).
District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio said that the project will provide a conducive learning environment for kindergarten and grade two pupils of Tarnate Elementary School.
“This new school building will significantly enhance the learning experience for kindergarten and grade two pupils. Providing a safe and comfortable learning environment is crucial for the academic and personal growth of young students.”
Meanwhile, velyn Seragon, teacher-in-charge at Tarnate Elementary School, expressed her gratitude for the new classrooms.
“This project has a significant impact on our school. Most of our existing classrooms require repairs, and with the completion of this new building, we will be able to utilize it in the upcoming school year. Our students will greatly benefit from the improved facilities, which will undoubtedly enhance their learning experience and motivation to attend school.”
With the completion of this project, the DPWH-NSFDEO reiterates its commitment to advancing education by providing essential infrastructure.
The project commenced on November 21, 2023, and was completed on March 29, 2024, as part of the Department of Education’s Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEEF) for FY 2023. (ANALIZA A. PABIA, PIO ALTERNATE/PR)
TACLOBAN CITY – The regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced through the ‘Kapihan sa Barong Pilipinas’ program that the causeway project in this city is now underway and is expected to be completed by 2025 and onwards.
The causeway project is primarily a storm surge protection structure designed to withstand disasters and high humidity, offering protection to nearby communities.
Its alignment starts at Magsaysay Boulevard and ends at Kataisan Point in Brgy. San Jose and includes a navigational opening sufficient for boat traffic and waterways that allow the continuous flow of seawater.
According to Engr. Edgar Tabacon, the DPWH regional director, the project has an allocation of P4.5 billion and involves the construction of a 4-lane road embankment approximately 2.566 kilometers in length, which includes separate bike lanes, concrete canals, sidewalks, and wave deflectors on both sides.
To ensure the continuous flow of seawater, the structure includes five reinforced concrete box culverts and a bridge spanning 360 meters, extended from the initially planned 180 meters based on the recommendation by the city council.
The total project cost is P4.586 billion, with a total released amount of P880 million (2022 & 2024 General Appropriations Act).
The project schedule is from February 2023 to January 2025 and onwards. Currently, the project has a 5.16% completion based on the total project cost.
The project, also serving as an alternate route for the traveling public, aims to reduce travel time from Tacloban City proper to the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport and decongest traffic along the existing thoroughfare.
Once completed, the usual travel time of 45 minutes from the city proper to DZR Airport will be reduced to just 10 minutes.
This reduction in travel time will result in cheaper logistics costs, faster financial returns, easier access to essential goods and services, and a more affordable and safer travel experience in Leyte’s capital city and the entire Eastern Visayas region, Tabacon said. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
BANOG-BANOG FESTIVAL. As part of the month-long celebration of the 59th founding anniversary of Northern Samar, several activities have been lined up, including the ‘Summer Saya sa Ibabao Banog-banog’ competition. The province, under Gov. Edwin Ongchuan, will mark its founding anniversary on June 19.(THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF NORTHERN SAMAR)
BANOG-BANOG FESTIVAL. As part of the month-long celebration of the 59th founding anniversary of Northern Samar, several activities have been lined up, including the ‘Summer Saya sa Ibabao Banog-banog’ competition. The province, under Gov. Edwin Ongchuan, will mark its founding anniversary on June 19.(THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF NORTHERN SAMAR)
Tornado hit N. Samar town
TACLOBAN CITY—Tropical storm ‘Aghon’ did not result in significant damages to Eastern Visayas, which was among the areas where the storm was expected to hit.
In a related development, a rally organized by the group of former President Rodrigo Duterte was canceled on Saturday (May 25) due to the bad weather.
According to a report from the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), about 475 families, consisting of 2,026 individuals, were affected by the bad weather. These families were from Samar, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar provinces.
In Lavezares, Northern Samar, a tornado hit Sitio Feeder Road of Barangay Caburihan, causing significant damage. Four houses were totally destroyed, while eight others were damaged. The tornado, which lasted for four minutes, occurred around 2 am on Saturday (May 25).
Rei Josiah Echano, provincial disaster risk reduction management officer of Northern Samar, reported that the tornado affected 14 families, consisting of 53 individuals.
“Governor Edwin Ongchuan has already mobilized the province’s resources to provide shelter assistance and other needs of the victims,” he said. The affected families are temporarily taking shelter at their barangay hall.
Police Staff Sergeant Amiel Galdonez, head of operations of the Lavezares police, confirmed that out of the 12 houses damaged, four were totally destroyed. Most of these houses were made of light materials.
The tornado also damaged the covered court of Sitio Feeder, blowing away some of its roofs.
“According to the residents, the tornado lasted around one minute. Fortunately, no one was hurt,” Galdonez said in a phone interview.
He added that the tornado could have been spawned by Typhoon ‘Aghon.’
The bad weather also disrupted sea travel across the region, as the Coast Guard issued an advisory prohibiting sea travel.
More than 500 sea travelers were affected by the order in the three ports of Allen, Northern Samar: Dapdap, Balwhartico, and Santa Clara.
In Macrohon, Southern Leyte, a fisherman named Celso Plasabas, 67, was reported missing after he ventured out to sea to fish on the afternoon of May 23.
The DSWD in Eastern Visayas had prepositioned P119.29 million worth of relief items in preparation for the possible impact of Tropical Depression ‘Aghon’ in the region.
These resources include P114.76 million worth of food and non-food items and a P4.52 million standby fund, according to DSWD regional information officer Jonalyndie Chua.
The relief goods include 91,130 family food packs (FFPs) and 35,602 non-food items (NFIs).
“In response to the possible effects of this weather disturbance, the DSWD field office held a quick response team meeting to discuss preparedness measures to respond to the needs of the local government units,” Chua said.
The stock of food supplies in strategic areas of the region will ensure faster delivery of relief goods in case of severe flooding and other disasters.
These goods are prepositioned in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and DSWD regional resource operations centers in Palo, Leyte, Sogod, Southern Leyte, and Biliran province.
Each FFP contains six kilos of rice, four cans of corned beef, four cans of tuna flakes, two cans of sardines, five sachets of coffee, and five sachets of cereal drinks. The NFIs include sleeping kits, hygiene kits, mosquito nets, laminated sacks, plastic mats, modular tents, and kitchen utensils.
Meanwhile, the scheduled ‘Maisug’ rally of former President Duterte’s group was also affected by the bad weather. The organizers were forced to cancel their rally at the Remedios Trinidad Romualdez (RTR) Plaza, located in the city proper but owned by the provincial government of Leyte.
The former president was expected to arrive from Davao City to Tacloban for the rally.
His son, Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte, in a press conference on Sunday (May 26), expressed disappointment that their ‘prayer rally’ did not take place but hoped to reschedule it.
“We hope to come back again to Tacloban for the Maisug rally,” he said.
FREE LAPTOPS. Biliran Governor Gerard Roger Espina said that he will be giving away 10 laptop units to deserving students of Biliran Province State University to help them on their studies.
(GERARD ESPINA FULL FACEBOOK)
FREE LAPTOPS. Biliran Governor Gerard Roger Espina said that he will be giving away 10 laptop units to deserving students of Biliran Province State University to help them on their studies. (GERARD ESPINA FULL FACEBOOK)
TACLOBAN CITY – Biliran Governor Gerard Roger Espina has announced that he will be distributing 10 laptops to deserving university students of the Biliran Province State University (BiPSU).
The governor made this announcement through his personal Facebook account after attending the commencement exercises of the state university in Biliran province last May 23.
Initially, he planned to distribute five laptops but later increased the number to 10.
Gov. Espina stated that he will be using his personal funds to purchase the laptops. The laptops will be intended for internet browsing and document encoding purposes.
“I specifically chose laptops without gaming specifications. They don’t have video cards. They are for browsing and MS applications only to ensure they won’t be used for gaming,” Espina explained.
Espina encouraged residents of the province to nominate university students who they believe are deserving of receiving a laptop.
“If you wish to nominate a university student who is truly in need. Classmates can vouch for that particular beneficiary by liking the nomination. It is more preferable if the nominee is an honor student from a 4Ps family,” he said.
The recipients of the laptops will be announced next month through Gov.Espina’s Facebook account.
NAVAL, Biliran– The provincial office of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Biliran has awarded top-performing agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) in Biliran province during its first ARBO summit in Eastern Visayas.
According to John Colasito, information officer of DAR Leyte and Biliran provinces, ARBOs that excelled in their respective categories are recognized to inspire them to higher levels of achievement and performance.
“They are game changers in enhancing the quality of life and a multiplier effect in the community. They maximize the impact of government resources and interventions,” Colasito emphasized.
He said 49 of the ARBOs in Biliran province joining the summit are agricultural cooperatives registered with the Cooperative Development Authority.
Almeria Seafarers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ASEMCO) was awarded the ARBO Recruitment Award for posting the highest record of members recruited into the cooperative.
ASEMCO was cited in the Agricultural Credit Award for having the highest number of agrarian reform beneficiaries who availed of agricultural credit loans without collateral. The cooperative was also given the Highest Sales in Marketing of Product Award for topping the sales or revenues of their identified products within a given period.
The Lico Agrarian Reform Cooperative was awarded the Microfinance Award for having the most number of agrarian reform beneficiaries with microfinance services, while the Looc Cabucgayan Agrarian Reform Cooperative was awarded the ARBO Product of the Year for their “romblon” bags and other handicraft products.
ASEMCO, Lico Agrarian Reform Cooperative, and Balaquid Agrarian Reform Cooperative bagged the Best ARBOs Managing an Enterprise for their profitable and well-managed operations.
The Villa Farmers Agricultural Association, Villa Cornejo Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association, Salangi-Almeria Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association, Sanggalang Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association, Tabunan Multi-Purpose Association, and Villa Caneja Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association received awards for their successful transition from an association to a cooperative, registering either with CDA or SEC.
Special awards were given to Villa Farmers Agricultural Association, Imelda Agrarian Reform Cooperative, Union Agrarian Reform Cooperative, and Talustusan Agrarian Reform Cooperative.
DAR 8 Assistant Regional Director for Administration Ismael Aya-ay was proud that the organized ARBOs in Biliran province in the past have flourished and survived. He also recognized their crucial role in the delivery of support services as a conduit of government assistance. (RSV with reports from John Colasito, information officer of DAR Leyte-Biliran)
