TACLOBAN CITY – Melboy Hechanova was named as the new Regional Fisherfolk Director (RFD) for Eastern Visayas.

Hailing from Catbalogan City, Samar, his deep understanding of the region’s fishing challenges positions him well for the role which he formally took during a ceremony last April 22 at the Regional Freshwater Aquaculture Production Center (RFAPC) Training Center in Babatngon, Leyte.

He pledged to collaborate closely with government agencies and industry partners to enhance fishing communities.

Among those present were top officials of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources headed by its regional director, Hannibal Chavez, whose office spearheaded the event attended by fisherfolk leaders and representatives from the different provinces of the region.

Hechanova’s responsibilities include visiting fisherfolk associations and production centers to better understand their needs and ongoing programs. This initiative coincides with the upcoming Farmers and Fisherfolks Month in May, honoring the nationwide contributions of farmers and fishermen.

His leadership marks a promising step towards addressing the needs of fishermen in Eastern Visayas and fostering a more empowered fishing community.

(THERESE A.CASTILLANO, EASTERN VISAYAS STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY-The Department of Education has allowed the teaching and non–teaching personnel not wear collared shirts as alternate uniforms amid this rising heat index across the country which led to suspension of in –person classes.

This was disclosed by Nilo Eder, information officer of the schools’ division here in the city, citing DepEd Memorandum Order 0662 issued on April 11.

The order allows all teaching and non–teaching personnel the option to wear “comfortable clothing” as the country experiences intense heat caused by the El Niño phenomenon.

In the same order, teaching personnel can opt to include their existing DepEd collared shirts used during official events and activities like Brigada Eskwela, Palarong Pambansa, Oplan Balik Eskwela and conference, among others.

Also listed were white collared shirts with the DepEd and “Matatag” logos.

T-shirts must be paired with matte black pants of any fabric or textile, such as jeans, slacks, and cargo pants, with the alternative uniform compliant with dress code rules set by the Civil Service Commission. This meant that leggings, jogging pants and tights were prohibited, Eder said.

(NICOLE A. FANONGA, EASTERN SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY-The Samar Electric Cooperative (Samelco) II records of up to 19 million megawatts of electricity demand from their consumers behind the Yellow Grid Alert in the entire Visayas.

“The increase in demand for electricity is about the ability of many of the consumers of the cooperative to use appliances that reduce heat, like fans, air conditioners, and refrigerators, where those appliances consume a lot of electricity,” Dickson Bernales, institutional services department head of Samelco II stated.

Furthermore, consumers will still be able to use appliances at night, like televisions, which continue to consume several watts of electricity.

The Samelco II substations will perform scheduled power interruptions as preventive measures, as well as check-up maintenance and filtering if needed to avoid overloading on Saturdays and Sundays.

The office of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) launched a yellow grid alert in the Visayas area after a forced power outage of up to 15 power stations in the said area.

The demand for electricity cannot be increased anymore, and the reason for the thinning of supply is the electric cooperatives.

Samelco II serves the second district of Samar with its offices located in Paranas town.

(MIYLENE C. CATUBAY, EASTERN SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY – A rider is currently hospitalized and undergoing surgery following an accident in Palapag, Northern Samar on April 20, 2022.

The victim, identified as Mijad Jauhari, 33, is a resident of Sta. Margarita, Samar. According to reports, the incident occurred around 6 am when a group of motorcycle riders was traveling along Samar-Palapag Road in Barangay Jangtud. Suddenly, a dog darted across the road, causing the rider to lose control and resulting in a significant accident.
Rescuers and fellow riders promptly rushed the victim to the hospital, where he required surgery for injuries sustained to his foot.

(JANESSA T. MOSCOSA, EASTERN SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY-The Philippine National Police (PNP) has issued guidelines concerning tattoos or body markings that must be followed by police officers, including those aspiring to join the force.

Based on Memorandum Circular No. 2024-23, all PNP personnel, whether uniformed or non-uniformed, are required to submit an affidavit detailing the location of their tattoos and the reasons behind their choice to get inked.

Col. Jean Fajardo, PNP spokesperson, clarified that individuals with tattoos are not permitted to enter the police force and must have them removed before applying.

For existing police officers with tattoos, they must provide information on the nature and location of their tattoos. Additionally, obtaining new tattoos, particularly those visible in areas not covered by the uniform, is now prohibited.

Moreover, existing tattoos cannot be modified or expanded upon. Tattoos depicting extremism, racism, sexism, or other offensive themes are strictly forbidden.

The PNP introduced these regulations due to the prevalence of tattoos among police officers, particularly in areas not concealed by the uniform.

Fajardo emphasized that while tattooing may be considered a form of expression, it is not permitted within the strict confines of the PNP’s organizational standards.

Failure to comply with these directives may result in administrative action being taken against the individual, including the possibility of facing disciplinary proceedings or termination.

This mandate will be officially published in the Official Gazette and will take effect 15 days after its publication.
(MARY ANN M.OLAYA, LEYTE NORMAL UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTERN)

ORMOC CITY-A newly identified drug peddler was arrested during a buy-bust operation in Palompon town, Leyte on April 22.

Palompon chief of police, Captain Rhealthur Tabernero identified the suspect as Sonny Poblete, alias “Sanning”, 45, and a resident of Barangay Guiwan II of the said town where the sting operation conducted by the anti-narcotics operatives was conducted at about 1:15 pm.

Recovered from the possession of the suspect was one sachet containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu procured by an operative in the amount of P1,000.

During the conduct of a body search witnessed by an elected barangay official and a representative from the local media, the searching cops recovered five more sachets containing the same suspected shabu placed inside a coin pouch and cash worth P10,460.

The suspect, according to the police, was already arrested on the same offense in 2002 but was released in 2010 after he was acquitted of his offense but went back into the illegal trade resulting in his arrest.

Charges of violations of sections 5 (selling illegal drugs) and 11 (possession of illegal drugs) of Article II of RA 9165, the Comprehensive Law against illegal Drugs of 2002, were filed against the suspect who is now detained at the detention facility of the Palompon police office.
(ROBERT DEJON)