TACLOBAN CITY – The municipality of Matag-ob, Leyte held its inaugural BGT Cares Award on Sunday, Sept.29, recognizing exemplary barangays and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) units for their outstanding service delivery and commitment to fostering good governance in their communities.
BGT Cares stands for Barangay Governance Tracking Community Assessment and Reward System. The initiative aims to promote excellence by setting high standards for barangay governance, encouraging continuous improvement and innovation among local leaders, and ensuring sustainability through a participatory approach that reflects the diverse needs of the community.
“We are doing this to encourage our barangay officials to be proactive in alignment with the efforts of the local government unit of Matag-ob,” Mayor Bernardino Tacoy said in his message.
“With this reward system, our barangay officials will work harder because their efforts will now be recognized, and they will be motivated to do their jobs,” Mayor Tacoy added.
Winners received cash prizes of P5,000 for third place, P10,000 for second place, and P15,000 for first place.
ORMOC CITY-Operatives from the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of the Biliran Provincial Police Office and the Station Drug Enforcement Team of the local police of Naval arrested a drug peddler during a buy-bust operation at about 9:55 pm on September 24, in Barangay San Pablo, Naval town.
Naval Chief of Police PMajor Chamberline Ludevise identified the suspect as Angelito Panolde, a 38-year-old single, unemployed resident of Brgy. San Pablo.
During the operation, authorities recovered approximately 1.0189 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of P6, 928.52.
The suspect was found in possession of one sachet containing a white crystalline substance, which was sold to an operative for P500.
Following a body search conducted in the presence of law-mandated witnesses, officers discovered four additional sachets of suspected shabu concealed inside a piece of white paper wrapped with masking tape.
The suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and was apprised of his constitutional rights under the Miranda Doctrine in a language he understood.
Charges are being prepared against Panolde for violations of Sections 5 (selling illegal drugs) and 11 (possession of illegal drugs) of Article II of RA 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
He is currently detained at the Naval Municipal Police Station. (ROBERT DEJON)
ROAD NETWORK. The DPWH’s Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office announced the completion of the road network, located in Carigara. The project has a cost of P60.28 million. (L2DEO)
ROAD NETWORK. The DPWH’s Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office announced the completion of the road network, located in Carigara. The project has a cost of P60.28 million. (L2DEO)
TACLOBAN CITY — Motorists and commuters in Leyte can now enjoy smoother and faster travel following the completion of the road network improvement project by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office (L2DEO).
The project, which covers Barangays Ponong, Nauguisan, and Tangnan in Carigara, focused on the Palo-Carigara-Ormoc road section.
The L2DEO has ensured the proper maintenance of the Palo-Carigara-Ormoc road, particularly the stretch from Jaro to Capoocan, which is one of the busiest routes in Leyte, connecting the cities of Ormoc, Tacloban, and Biliran.
According to District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura, the project involved the removal of 8,174.29 square meters of old asphalt, the re-blocking of 2,229.98 square meters of damaged pavement, and the application of 20,081.77 square meters of new asphalt overlay.
The total cost of the project reached P60.28 million. Additionally, thermoplastic pavement markings were installed to enhance traffic safety, particularly during nighttime, in a bid to reduce accidents.
This preventive maintenance project is part of the DPWH’s commitment to minimizing early pavement deterioration caused by heavy traffic. The goal is to create a better and safer national road network that ensures smoother transportation for the traveling public.
The project began on February 27, 2024, and was completed on September 6, 2024, as scheduled. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
DURABLE AND ICONIC — Olympic bronze medalist Aira Villegas is likened to the Tamaraw for her courage and determination in achieving her goals. Villegas attended the sneak preview of the New Generation Tamaraw, which is exclusively sold by Toyota. The photo features Villegas with Jimmy Yaokasin, chairman and president of Toyota Tacloban Leyte, Inc., and his family.
(PHOTO COURTESY)
DURABLE AND ICONIC — Olympic bronze medalist Aira Villegas is likened to the Tamaraw for her courage and determination in achieving her goals. Villegas attended the sneak preview of the New Generation Tamaraw, which is exclusively sold by Toyota. The photo features Villegas with Jimmy Yaokasin, chairman and president of Toyota Tacloban Leyte, Inc., and his family. (PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY — Olympic bronze medalist Aira Villegas embodies the Filipino spirit of grit, determination, and ingenuity.
These qualities also reflect the New Generation Tamaraw, which is why Villegas was invited to the sneak preview of this entirely Filipino-made vehicle, according to Jimmy Yaokasin, chairman and president of Toyota Tacloban Leyte, Inc.
Yaokasin expressed pride in having Villegas attend the event, held last Saturday, September 28.
“Aside from being a true Taclobanon, we invited Aira for the sneak preview of the New Generation Tamaraw because she symbolizes determination, courage, and ingenuity—qualities that the Tamaraw also represents,” he said during the event at the company’s showroom.
According to Yaokasin, the new Tamaraw model is locally manufactured and comparable to foreign-made vehicles regarding durability and quality.
He emphasized that it aligns with the national government’s modernization program for public transport vehicles.
“It is an environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient vehicle,” Yaokasin stressed.
He added that the Tamaraw is versatile and can be reconfigured for various purposes, including serving as an ambulance, people carrier, or patrol car.
“It’s truly flexible and affordable. Prices range from P750,000 to P1.5 million, depending on the vehicle’s configuration,” Yaokasin explained.
The new Tamaraw is a modernized version of the iconic vehicle that dominated the streets of the Philippines in the 1970s and 1990s. It has since become a cultural symbol of the country. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
TACLOBAN CITY — House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan has introduced two bills aimed at enhancing the coconut industry in Eastern Samar by establishing two government-run coconut oil refineries.
The proposed plants are expected to significantly boost local farmers’ productivity and income while stimulating economic growth in the region.
Libanan’s House Bill (HB) No. 10834 proposes the establishment of the Eastern Samar Coconut Oil Milling and Refinery Plant in Sulat, while HB No. 10849 seeks to set up the South Eastern Samar Coconut Oil Milling and Refinery Plant in Quinapondan.
These facilities will focus on processing raw coconuts into refined coconut oil and other high-value products for both domestic and international markets.
“We expect these facilities to elevate coconut processing, create jobs, and invigorate the economies of Eastern Samar and neighboring areas. Ultimately, they will contribute to poverty reduction,” Libanan said on Sunday, Sept.29.
He also emphasized the plants’ potential to strengthen the national economy through increased coconut oil exports.
Coconut oil remains a top export product for the Philippines.
From January to July 2024, the country exported $1.115 billion worth of crude and refined coconut oil, marking a 58.5 percent increase compared to $704 million during the same period in 2023, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.
The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), would be responsible for overseeing the construction and operation of these plants. The projects’ funding would come from the current appropriations of both the DA and PCA.
Additionally, the two proposed refineries would benefit from a five-year income tax holiday and exemptions from customs duties and national taxes on imported capital equipment, raw materials, and other necessary inputs. They would also receive priority access to government credit facilities to support their operations.
Coconut oil is widely used in industries ranging from food production and infant formula to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. It is produced by crushing copra, the dried coconut meat, which contains around 65 percent oil.
Libanan, who previously represented Eastern Samar’s lone district in Congress from 1998 to 2007 and served as the province’s vice governor, is currently the 4Ps party-list representative. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. Siblings Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano, extended financial assistance to various groups in Leyte and Eastern Samar last week. The giving of assistance was also in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development. (PHOTO COURTESY)
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. Siblings Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano, extended financial assistance to various groups in Leyte and Eastern Samar last week. The giving of assistance was also in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development. (PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY– Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), provided livelihood assistance to 2,446 residents from Eastern Samar and Leyte this week.
From September 24 to 26, 2024, aid was distributed under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program in Ormoc City as well as the municipalities of Jipapad and Arteche, both in Eastern Samar.
The beneficiaries included a diverse group, such as senior citizens, fisherfolk, farmers, small business owners, barangay health workers (BHWs), barangay nutrition scholars (BNS), day care workers, solo parents, women’s group leaders, and participants in maternal health seminars.
This successful initiative was made possible through the support of Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, as represented by Rep. Richard Gomez of Leyte’s 4th district along with Jipapad Mayor Benjamin Ver and Arteche Mayor Roland Evardone. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
