Amid controversy involving Mayor Guo

TACLOBAN CITY-Congress is set to conduct hearings aimed at reviewing the process of late birth registration following the controversy involving Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, who initially underwent the process but has since been confirmed to be a Chinese national.
This was disclosed by Rep. Jude Acidre of the Tingog party-list group, who indicated that Mayor Guo’s case may not be an isolated incident.

“In Congress, there will be hearings to review the process of late birth registration. Mayor Guo has not only mocked our electoral system but also the essence of being Filipino,” Acidre stated in a media interview on Sunday (June 30).

“I believe this may not be an isolated case. There could be others,” he added.

However, Acidre was quick not to attribute blame to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) for allowing the controversial mayor to register her birth through the late registration process.

“It’s not fair to point fingers because the PSA operates on the presumption of the regularity of the process,” the lawmaker remarked.

“However, additional safeguards should be in place, such as a counter-checking,” Acidre emphasized.

When asked if the previous administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte should be held accountable for Guo’s entry into the country and assumption of Filipino nationality, Acidre dismissed the notion.

“I don’t think it’s fair to assign responsibility to the former administration. Let the investigation and the courts determine that,” Acidre asserted.

Earlier, the National Bureau of Investigation reported that Mayor Guo’s fingerprints matched those of Chinese national Guo Hua Ping.

Furthermore, the mayor faces a quo warranto complaint which Acidre supports, stating that all evidence uncovered suggests she is not a genuine Filipino.

“The law must be enforced now that there is proof of deceit. In this case, the logical step is to urge the Solicitor General to file a quo warranto so that any anomalies can be corrected,” Acidre concluded. (JOEY A. GABIETA)

During his visit to Calbayog City and Palo

TACLOBAN CITY – President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. distributed a total of P136.30 million in financial assistance to various local government units (LGUs) in the region during his visit on Thursday(July 4) in Calbayog City and Palo, Leyte.

This assistance was aimed at supporting farmers, fisherfolk, and their families affected by the El Niño phenomenon in the region.

In his Calbayog visit, the President handed over P50 million to Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan; P25.99 million to Northern Samar Gov. Edwin Marino Ongchuan; and P19.30 million to Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone.

In Palo, the President extended financial assistance of P17.02 million to Leyte Gov. Jericho Petilla;P10.31 million to Southern Leyte Gov. Damian Mercado; and P13.68 million to Biliran Vice Governor Brigido Caneja III

At least three LGUs were hit by El Niño in the region, affecting 19,971 families and causing agricultural losses of P23 million. A total of 504 farmers were affected in Samar, Biliran, and Leyte.

To mitigate El Niño’s effects, the government allotted standby funds and stockpiles totaling P179.69 million.

Additional assistance included P10,000 cash to each of the 8,930 beneficiaries in Samar under the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The President also distributed P10,000 cash to each of the 1,500 beneficiaries in Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Biliran under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the DSWD.

Farm machinery, equipment, and various government projects were also given to identified recipients from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), DSWD, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The Office of Speaker Martin Romualdez distributed 10 and five kilos of rice each to beneficiaries in Samar and Leyte, respectively.

Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla expressed her gratitude, noting that despite the bad weather, the President was able to distribute assistance to fisherfolk, farmers, and selected families.
Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla was pleased with the President’s visit, even though it was not initially scheduled.

He suggested that the President’s frequent visits might be because of his Leyte roots. Petilla welcomed all forms of assistance from the President and other national agencies. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

Intended to preserve endangered and critical animals

BURAUEN, Leyte-Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga expressed gratitude to House Speaker Martin Romualdez for approving funding for the preservation and conservation of endangered and critical wildlife in the country.

Sec.Yulo-Loyzaga shared this news during her recent visit to Barangay Kagbana, this town, for the release of two Philippine Eagles, part of the Philippine Eagle Foundation’s translocation project aimed at aiding the repopulation process of the country’s largest raptor.

Congress, upon the directive of Speaker Romualdez, has allocated at least P100 million for the preservation and conservation of five critically endangered Philippine wildlife species.

These include the Philippine Eagle, Palawan Cockatoo, dugong, marine turtles, and tamaraw. Each species has been allocated P20 million in conservation funding.

“Each species has specific needs, which is why a thorough review of their current status and immediate needs is necessary,” Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga said.

She added that the DENR is thankful for this year’s budget, which specifies which critical wildlife will benefit from the funds.

“We are grateful to our legislators. Previously, the allocation was given in a lump sum, making it unclear which species should be prioritized,” she added.

Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga visited Kagbana, located 37 kilometers from the town proper of Burauen, on June 28, for the release of “Uswag” and “Carlito” as part of the translocation project.

She was joined by top officials of the DENR from both the Central Office and regional office.
The two eagles arrived in Leyte on June 11 and were released 17 days later after undergoing acclimatization due to their transfer from a different region and minimal human interaction.

Their translocation to Leyte, particularly at the Anonang-Lobi mountain range, is part of the Philippine Eagle Foundation’s program to repopulate the Philippine Eagle across the country.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY– In a concerted effort to strengthen flood resilience and infrastructure in Dulag, Leyte, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office (L2DEO), has initiated a flood management program aiming to protect the shoreline of Barangay San Jose in Dulag town along the Labiranan River.

District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura said that the construction of the riverbank protection project will measure 80 meters in the downstream area and 254 meters in the upstream area.

Additionally, 2,553.96 cubic meters of grouted riprap and 2,673.76 cubic meters of hand-laid rock embankment are included.

The construction of the riverbank retaining wall serves as a proactive measure to mitigate the potential flood risks and protect the community residing along the Labiranan River.

By fortifying vulnerable riverbanks with sturdy infrastructure, L2DEO aims to enhance the area’s capacity to withstand flooding events and safeguard lives and properties.

The project has an allotted amount of P76.82 million, with 66.64% reported work accomplishments and is funded under the DPWH-CY 2024 General Appropriations Act.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)