ORMOC CITY-Six sachets containing white crystalline substances suspected to be shabu with an estimated value of P408,000 weighing 60 grams were recovered by operatives of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) from a suspected high-value individual in a buy-bust operation in Purok 9, Barangay Linao, this city, on Saturday at about 4:15 pm.

Police Lt.Col. Arturo Fullero, OIC SOU 8, identified the suspect as Tross Estupa, single, 39, jobless, and resident of Purok 9, Brgy Linao here.

The suspect is listed as a high-value individual in the PNP drugs watchlist.

Charges of violation 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, was charged against the suspect who is temporarily detained at the locked-up cell of Police Station 4 of the Ormoc City Police Office in Brgy. Linao. (ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY– DPWH Tacloban District Engineering Office is pleased to inform the public about the completion of the Shore Protection Project at Old Road Sagkahan. This was an initiative taken into action in order to provide an enhanced protection around the coastal area against the threat of water-related disasters. Thus, this ensures the safety of the people living nearby.

The project was made possible through the budget allocated amounting P50, 000, 000.00 that was taken under the Appropriation Act of 2023. It involves the installation of various protective measures along the shoreline, including the placement of reinforced concrete pipe culverts (RCPC) to improve drainage and manage storm water flow effectively.

The project area extends from the Tacloban-Baybay-South Road to the Astrodome, incorporating key features such as an access road, a basketball court, and the Yolanda Marker. The use of existing revetment and new concrete pipes, along with slope protection, are central to the plan, ensuring long-term stability and resilience of the shoreline.

“Our investment in infrastructure and protection is a demonstration of commitment to resilience and preparedness in the face of natural calamities.” OIC District Engineer Rebecca G. Yuse said in a statement.

The successful completion of the Shore Protection Project at Old Road Sagkahan is one of the testaments that DPWH Tacloban City District Engineering Office continues to provide high quality and reliable infrastructure that would impose great benefits to the different areas of the City.
(PUBLIC INFORMATION UNIT/PR)

TACLOBAN CITY- The Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño here in the city is all set to celebrate its 135th parish fiesta with the holding of the pre-Balyuan rites kicking the celebration.

The pre-Balyuan rites, where in Sto. Niño de Tacloban travels to Basey, Samar, took place on Tuesday (June 18), marking the religious activities.

The Mass Celebrants of this year’s novena masses will be priests who were either born or are residents of Tacloban City.

The Vigil Mass will be on June 29, 2024 at 5 pm to be presided by Most. Rev. Oscar Jaime Florencio, D.D., bishop of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines.

On the feast day or on June 30, Archbishop John Du, D.D. will be the main celebrant of the stational mass to be held at 9:30 am at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño.

Fluvial and land procession will follow in the afternoon.

This year’s theme, “Urusa Pagmisyon ha Singbahan nga Sinodo,” invites devotees to unite in proclaiming the need to be in communion with one another as they walk towards the Kingdom of God.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

BORONGAN CITY– The Department of Public Works and Highways – Eastern Samar District Engineering Office (DPWH-ESDEO) with the Department of Education is set to implement 16 school building projects all over Eastern Samar this year.

In an interview during the PIA Eastern Samar’s Huruhimangraw ha Este radio program, Jayson Espeso, DPWH-ESDEO information officer, said the projects involve the construction of several one-storey two-classroom school building in the province.

The total budget for the projects amounts to P79.8 million under the DepEd Basic Educational Facilities Fund (BEFF) for Fiscal Year 2024.

The schools benefiting from this budget allocation include Bulawan Elementary School in Maslog; Guiuan East Central Elementary School, Tubabao National High School, and National High School in Guiuan; Naparaan Elementary School and Tagbacan Elementary School in Salcedo; San Isidro Elementary School and Hilabaan National High School in Dolores; San Jose Elementary School in Mercedes; Tinago Elementary School in Quinapondan; Can-avid National High School in Can-avid; Eastern Samar Comprehensive National High School in Borongan City; Malinao Elementary School in Taft; Giporlos Central School in Giporlos; Llorente National High School- Barobo Extension in Llorente; and Maydolong Central Elementary School in Maydolong.

District Engineer Domcelio Natividad announced that the Notices of Award for the school building projects were already issued within May 2024.

Natividad added that the timing allows for the optimal implementation of the construction projects while the students are on vacation, minimizing disruption to their classes.
The district engineer also emphasized the importance of this period for contractors to expedite construction efforts.

“We urge contractors to take full advantage of the vacation period to ensure timely completion of these projects,” said Natividad.

In 2023, DPWH-ESDEO has also implemented 21 school building projects with a total appropriation of P152.898 million under DepEd BEFF FY 2023 funding.

The district engineer mentioned that out of the 21 projects, 20 school buildings have already been completed and turned over to the schools while the remaining project, located in San Isidro Primary School in Lawaan Eastern Samar, is nearly complete with an accomplishment of 95.07 percent.

Natividad assured that the district office is fully committed to fast-tracking the implementation of these projects.

“We are dedicated to ensuring that these school buildings are constructed efficiently and in accordance with DPWH standards specifications. Also, this initiative underscores the commitment of the DPWH to improve educational infrastructure, providing a better learning environment for students in the province,” the district engineer said.
(VEE TOLENTINO GUMBAN, PIA EASTERN SAMAR)

ORMOC CITY-A fire watcher for a local company was apprehended with seven sachets containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu during a buy-bust operation.

The operation was conducted by the Station Drug Enforcement Team of Police Station 2 of the Ormoc City Police Office at about 10:50 pm on Friday (June 14) in Purok 2, Brgy. Cagbuhangin, this city.

The suspect, identified as Roselle Macaban, also known as “Amaw,” is 26 years old, single, and employed as a fire watcher at Tacophil Construction.

Macaban is listed as a street level individual on the local police’s drug watch list.

During the operation, authorities recovered one cut plastic straw containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu, weighing approximately 0.54 grams, purchased by an operative for P500.

A body search, conducted in the presence of an elected official and a local media representative, yielded five sachets and one heat-sealed transparent cut plastic straw of suspected shabu.

The total estimated weight of the recovered substances was 2.20 grams, with an estimated street value of P15,000.

No statement was issued by the arrested suspect to the media covering the operation.
Charges for 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, have been filed against the suspect at the City Prosecutor’s Office.

Macaban is temporarily detained at the lock-up cell of Police Station 2 of OCPO in Brgy. Cagbuhangin. (ROBERT DEJON)