ORMOC CITY– Local authorities apprehended a farmer for his absence during a court hearing in Malabon, Metro Manila, around 6:30 pm on Friday (May 10) in Isabel, Leyte.
Arrested by local police was Leodegario Cañete, 53, and a resident of Brgy. Sto Niño of the said town.
Cañete’s arrest was executed based on a bench warrant issued by Judge Rhoda Magdaline Mapili-Osinada, pairing judge of the Regional Trial Court- National Capital Judicial Region, Branch 170, dated April 30, 2024, for the crime of estafa.
The court set bail at P40,000 for Cañete’s temporary release.
Upon apprehension, Cañete was informed of the reasons behind his arrest and was briefed on his constitutional rights in a language he understood.
Subsequently, he was transported to Isabel municipal police station for proper documentation and disposition before being returned to the court that issued the bench warrant. (ROBERT DEJON)
SAAD NGA BALAY. Former members of the New People’s Army are sure to have their own houses.Thanks to the program of the provincial government of Samar and the local government of Calbiga which funded the housing project located in Polangi of the said town. (EMY CALAGOS)
‘Saad nga Balay’
SAAD NGA BALAY. Former members of the New People’s Army are sure to have their own houses.Thanks to the program of the provincial government of Samar and the local government of Calbiga which funded the housing project located in Polangi of the said town. (EMY CALAGOS)
TACLOBAN CITY-The construction of another “Saad nga Balay” housing project in Eastern Visayas commenced on Friday (May 10), in Calbiga town, Samar province.
Saad nga Balay is a housing initiative conceived by the 801st Brigade under the leadership of Brigadier General Lenart Lelina, employing the “bayanihan” concept to engage government agencies actively in providing decent shelter for former members of the communist armed group, the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) who have surrendered and seek to reintegrate into society with their families.
The project, located in Barangay Polangi, aims to construct at least 10 housing units in Calbiga, funded by the Samar provincial government with a budget of P2.8 million.
Aside from local officials led by Mayor Red Nacario, among those who witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony were Vice Governor Arnold Tan and Office for the Presidential Adviser on Peace and Reconciliation and Unity Program Manager, Imelda Bonifacio.
Representatives from various national and regional line agencies also participated as signatories to the signing of a memorandum of partnership agreement.
“The housing project is designed to offer a safe and stable environment for former rebels, fostering a supportive government framework where former adversaries can thrive and coexist in the community with equality and respect, encouraging them to realize their potential and commitment,” reads a statement from the 801st Brigade.
“The initiative aims to break the cycle of conflict and promote peace and security within the community. The launch of this project signifies a significant step forward in the ongoing journey towards peace and reconciliation,” it added.
Deodario Nablo, president of the Calbiga Peacebuilders and Development Federation (CPBDF), expressed profound gratitude for the collective support, recognizing the government’s sincere dedication to effecting meaningful change.
Established as early as 2021, the CPBDF, comprised of former rebels turned peacebuilders, signifies a historic collaboration between the federation and the provincial government, aimed at enhancing local peacebuilding efforts and fostering sustainable development within the region.
Mayor Nacario pledged his unwavering support for the cause, committing to lead the implementation of a dignified housing project tailored to meet the unique needs of the former rebels.
In addition, the Office for the Presidential Adviser on Peace and Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) vowed to assist by partnering with various agencies to provide essential livelihood support, skills training programs, and capacity-building activities, empowering individuals and promoting sustainable development.
Aside from Calbiga, Saad nga Balay was successfully implemented in San Jose de Buan town, also in Samar with 10 out of 17 houses for former rebels already turned over.
Similar projects are ongoing in Cav-avid town and Dolores, both in Eastern Samar province. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Eastern Visayas is eyeing an 8.7 percent increase in rice production this year with the minimal impact of El Niño phenomenon in the region.
DA Regional Executive Director Andrew Orais said on Friday they are targeting to harvest 918,003 metric tons (MT) of palay (unhusked rice) this year, higher than the 844,372 metric tons (MT) actual yield in 2023.
“We expect (to) harvest more rice this year since we’re not hit by a strong typhoon. The below normal rainfall this year is just part of the normal weather condition in the region,” he said.
Based on the latest report, not one of the six provinces in Eastern Visayas is included in the list of El Niño-hit provinces in the country, he added.
Of the projected regional harvest, 480,091 MT will be from rice fields in Leyte province; 167,099 MT in Samar; 85,808 MT in Northern Samar; 71,728 MT in Southern Leyte; 56,981 MT in Eastern Samar; and 56,296 MT in Biliran province.
The DA regional office aims to surpass its 2023 rice production in Eastern Visayas to support other regions badly affected by the El Niño phenomenon.
Orais said several interventions have been extended to farmers in the early part of the year to ensure higher yields this year.
Aside from providing seeds, the government continues to provide assistance through the fertilizer discount voucher program, which entitles rice farmers registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture a price cut in their fertilizer purchase.
Eastern Visayas devoted 45 percent of its land area, or 976,415 hectares, to agriculture. The rest are forest lands, grasslands, and other purposes.
Of its agricultural lands, 70 percent are for coconut production, and rice and corn in the remaining areas. (SARWELL Q. MENIANO/PNA)
DREDGING. The Tacloban City District Engineering Office conducted a dredging operation on a creek covering four barangays in Marasbaras district. (TCDEO)
DREDGING. The Tacloban City District Engineering Office conducted a dredging operation on a creek covering four barangays in Marasbaras district. (TCDEO)
TACLOBAN CITY– The Tacloban City District Engineering Office has recently conducted an inspection for the planned dredging operations of the creek situated between the boundaries of Barangay 109-A, Barangay 80, Barangay 81, and Barangay 82 in Marasbaras, Tacloban City on May 7, 2024.
Led by Engr. Lemuel Mikkael R. Sibayan, the inspection aimed to assess the conditions of the creek in response to a request from the Sangguniang Barangay of Barangay 82.
The barangay had sought assistance from the Tacloban City LGU to address the clogging issues plaguing the creek, which have caused inconvenience and potential health hazards to the residents residing in the affected areas.
“We understand the concerns of the residents and the potential health hazards posed by the clogged creek,” said Engr. Sibayan.
“Rest assured, the Tacloban City District Engineering Office is committed to addressing this issue promptly. The recent inspection is a step towards the planned dredging operations to declog the creek and alleviate the inconvenience caused to the residents.” (IAN YVES G. DE PAZ, PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSISTANT/PR)
The eerie silence that shrouds the alleged clandestine dealings between the Duterte administration and communist China is deafening. With each passing day, whispers grow louder and rumors become more persistent. If these speculations hold any truth and not just political propaganda, we are not merely witnessing a threat to our sovereignty but embarking on a new chapter in our history.
The notion that our leaders may have struck Faustian bargains with a foreign power, sacrificing our nation’s interests at the altar of self-preservation, is nothing short of a national tragedy. Reports suggest that hundreds of thousands of Chinese nationals have already flooded our shores under the tacit approval of the Duterte administration, deepening the sense of foreboding that grips our collective consciousness.
Every day, China’s encroachment into the West Philippine Sea inches closer to becoming an irrevocable reality. The territorial waters that have long been our birthright now hang precariously in the balance, threatened by the unchecked ambition of a hegemonic force.
The specter of a feared confrontation looms large, fueled by China’s insatiable appetite for our natural resources and emboldened by our government’s apparent acquiescence.
Should the effects of these insidious machinations persist, we stand to become mere pawns in China’s grand design for regional dominance. Economic and political hegemony will pave the way for outright ownership, relegating the Philippines to little more than a vassal state in the shadow of a burgeoning empire. Our fate, it seems, lies precariously in the hands of those who have forsaken their sworn duty to protect and uphold our nation’s sovereignty.
In the face of such existential threats, we find ourselves clinging to the last vestiges of hope, praying for divine intervention to deliver us from the clutches of avarice and betrayal. Yet, as the shadows lengthen and the darkness deepens, it’s increasingly evident that our salvation may ultimately rest in our own hands. The time for complacency has long since passed; we must stand united in defiance against those who would sell our birthright for a fleeting semblance of stability.
The smashing success of Ormoc City in the recently held 2024 Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) Meet serves as a perfect example of the impact a local government unit (LGU) can create when it prioritizes certain programs, particularly sports. Surely, Ormoc’s remarkable achievement, where it secured hundreds of medals compared to other divisions, highlights the benefits of all-out support for athletic development.
Behind Ormoc City’s triumph must have been a comprehensive approach to sports development that spans training, infrastructure, and financial support for aspiring athletes. Long before the regional competitions commenced, the city government had already laid the groundwork for success by investing in state-of-the-art sports facilities, providing specialized training programs, and allocating resources to identify and nurture potential talents. Aware of the intrinsic value of sports as a tool for holistic development, Ormoc City has not just cultivated a generation of skilled athletes but also created a sense of pride and unity within the community.
The ripple effects of the city’s investment in sports resonated far beyond the confines of the athletic arena. Empowering its youth through sports, the LGU has instilled invaluable life skills such as discipline, teamwork, and resilience, which are indispensable assets in any endeavor. This success, then, has bolstered the city’s reputation as a beacon of excellence, attracting attention and admiration from neighboring regions and beyond. The city has positioned itself as a shining example of what can be achieved when vision, dedication, and resources are aligned toward a common goal.
Indeed, the lessons gleaned from Ormoc City’s triumph could extend beyond the realm of local athletics, offering valuable insights that could inform national-level initiatives aimed at preparing athletes for international competitions. Through a holistic approach to sports development, the Philippines’ national athletic committee could potentially unlock untapped reservoirs of talent and elevate the country’s standing on the global stage. Yes, the success of Ormoc City serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, demonstrating that with the right support structures in place, Filipino athletes could achieve greatness in the international arena.
But Ormoc City’s achievement also underscores the stark disparities existing among LGUs in terms of their capacity to invest in sports development. While Ormoc City has demonstrated what is possible with visionary leadership and adequate resources, many other communities across the country continue to grapple with limited funding and infrastructure deficits. It would require concerted efforts at both the local and national levels to ensure that all Filipino youth have access to the opportunities and resources needed to fulfill their athletic potential.
But then again, the city’s superior performance in the EVRAA Meet serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of sports when prioritized by an LGU. It has not only reaped the rewards of athletic excellence but has also enriched the lives of its citizens and inspired future generations. Let us all celebrate Ormoc City’s achievement and redouble our efforts to ensure that every Filipino youth has the opportunity to pursue their athletic dreams, regardless of their background or circumstance.
For sure, this success story underscores the pivotal role played by visionary leadership, strategic planning, and sustained commitment to sports excellence within a community. Ormoc City has just set a very good example for other LGUs in the region to emulate.
