ORMOC CITY– Two former barangay officials of the defunct Barangay District 3 were arrested by the local police after a local court issued a warrant of arrest for malversation of public funds in the afternoon of Saturday (June 1) in Rizal St., Brgy West of this city.
The accused were identified as alias “Anna” 46, married, former barangay chairwoman and alias “Desiree” 55, married, former barangay treasurer all residents of Rizal St., of the newly created Brgy. West here.
The first to be arrested was Anna at about 3: 55 pm in his house in Rizal St., followed by Desiree at about 4: 05 pm last Saturday.
The arrest of the two accused was made by virtue of a warrant of arrest dated May 29, 2024, for the crime of seven counts of malversation of public funds.
The charges stemmed when the two accused were incumbent officials of the Dist. 3.
The court recommended a bail at P60,000 for each count for their temporary liberty or a total of P420,000 for each of the accused.
The arrested persons were detained at the OCPS1 before they were turned over to the court of origin. (ROBERT DEJON)
ORMOC CITY-A long chase happened between local police and a drunk man for several minutes that resulted in his arrest at about 4:30 am on Friday(May 31) in Barangay Hacienda Maria, San Isidro, Leyte.
Police Major Reymund Quinagutan, the town police chief, identified the suspect as Efren Holum, 38, and a resident of Brgy. Capiñahan, also in San Isidro.
Quinagutan, in an interview, said that one of his policemen detailed at Brgy. Hacienda Maria, Patrolman Ponciano Olazo confronted a suspicious person wearing a red ball cap standing along the road for a long period, and a few meters away from the barangay hall where the police office was detailed.
Upon confronting the suspect, who was drunk, asked the policeman if he wanted to buy shabu which alarmed Pat. Olazo prompting him to introduce himself as a police officer.
But after the suspect learned that he was selling illegal drugs to a cop he immediately ran away from the police but was chased and then outran by the Pat. Olazo, Quinagutan said.
In the course of the chase, the ball cap of the suspect fell to the pavement which he used to cover a coin purse containing two small heat-sealed sachets suspected to be shabu which later discovered to have weight 0.2 grams with a commercial value of P1,200.
The arrested suspect is now detained at the local police station’s custodial facility for proper disposition while cases for violation of Sec. 11 of R.A 9165 were filed against him. (ROBERT DEJON)
SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET. Leyte board member Carlo Loreto disclosed that the provincial board approved a supplemental ordinance in the amount of over P239 million intended for hospitals under the management of the provincial government.
(PHOTO COURTESY)
SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET. Leyte board member Carlo Loreto disclosed that the provincial board approved a supplemental ordinance in the amount of over P239 million intended for hospitals under the management of the provincial government. (PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY—The provincial board of Leyte has approved a supplemental budget amounting to P239.92 million intended to help finance necessary support to all hospitals under the management of the provincial government.
Board member Carlo Loreto (5th district) said that the approval of Supplemental Budget Number 2 marks a significant development that will positively impact the province’s healthcare system and the delivery of essential services to its residents.
The supplemental budget, approved during their regular session last May 29, was sourced from hospital receipts for the first quarter of 2024 and the unappropriated balance as of December 31, 2023.
“By allocating resources to hospitals, the provincial government can ensure that healthcare facilities are adequately funded to provide quality medical services to the people. This will ultimately contribute to improving the health outcomes and well-being of the residents of Leyte,” Loreto said.
Additionally, Loreto mentioned that the supplemental budget includes funds for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE).
“By allocating funds for MOOE, the province can address issues related to equipment maintenance, facility repairs, and other operational expenses, enhancing the overall efficiency of health service delivery,” he stressed. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
NSSDEO, Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, N. Samar– The Department of Public Works & Highways Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office revamps the PAMAGALA Road, enabling the public to attain a better travel experience leading to the alluring spots in the Pacific Towns of Northern Samar.
This project involves the construction of 235.00 meters slope protection (structural concrete gravity wall), construction of 70.00 meters slope protection (structural concrete), concreting/widening of 470.00 meters roadway, and the construction of 355.00 meters structural concrete drainage canal, which has a budget appropriation of P50 million.
Furthermore, this project is a vital step towards ensuring the safety and convenience of motorists in the area, as well as alleviating and intensifying the transport of local goods to neighboring towns and barangays.
Thus, locals can expect a boost in the economy, providing them a safer and more efficient transport route in delivering products to market centers.
Upon project completion, it will significantly enhance the mobility of the traversing residents, and it will promote the safety of both motorists and pedestrians, while mitigating the risk of accidents arising from road hazards.
Through the supervision of Project Engineer Nicanor L. Mejos, Jr., this project has an accomplishment of 68.69 percent as of May 15, 2024.
Refinement works on the existing pavement is underway and is likely to be done prior to its expected completion date this September 2024. (RONEL L. GALUPO, PIO ALTERNATE/PR)
ORMOC CITY-A delivery rider was arrested by the local police through an entrapment operation after a woman asked police assistance after she was threatened with exposing her explicit pictures and videos at about 11:55 am on Friday (May 31) in Barangay Campesao, Borongan City.
Police identified the victim as alias “Joy”, 20, a student, and a resident of Brgy. Campesao while the suspect as alias “Kit” 38, and a resident of Brgy. 3, Taft, also in Eastern Samar.
The police said that they conducted an entrapment operation that resulted in the arrest of the suspect after threatening the victim that he would expose in social media her alleged explicit pictures and sex videos.
An initial investigation conducted by the responding police disclosed that the victim had sought police assistance after the suspect asked her to meet him so that he would not post her explicit pictures and sex videos in exchange for sex and money.
The arrested suspect is now in the custody of the Borongan city police for documentation as appropriate charges were filed against him in court. (ROBERT DEJON)
Waters of Sogod and Panaon Bays, both in Southern Leyte, are now in danger due to the presence of crown of thorns, locally known as ‘dap-ang,’ affecting the livelihood of the local fishermen and destruction of coral reefs. (Oceana)
In Southern Leyte
Waters of Sogod and Panaon Bays, both in Southern Leyte, are now in danger due to the presence of crown of thorns, locally known as ‘dap-ang,’ affecting the livelihood of the local fishermen and destruction of coral reefs. (Oceana)
TACLOBAN CITY – The persistent presence of crown of thorns (COTS), locally known as ‘dap-ag’, in the coastal waters of Sogod Bay poses a significant threat to the coral reefs in Panaon Bay.
This issue also impacts the local fishing community and the tourism sector.
The COTS infestation has been recorded in the territorial waters of Liloan, Libagon, San Francisco, Malitbog, and Padre Burgos, and has been a recurring problem since 2012.
COTS is one of the world’s largest starfish species, with venomous spikes covering its body, posing a danger to both humans and marine life.
Currently, local volunteers and conservation groups are implementing measures to address this problem, but they need more help and resources to prevent the spread of COTS to more coral areas in Panaon Island which is recognized as one of the priority reefs worldwide due to its resilience to climate change.
Leading the effort are members of the Dap-ag Boys, a group of volunteers headed by Ryan Tomol.
In their clean-up drive conducted last month, they collected 3,000 COTS within Liloan Bay.
However, according to Tomol, their efforts are insufficient due to a lack of resources and manpower. Currently, only 12 members actively participate in the clean-up drive, as other volunteers have found jobs outside the province and region.
The group receives support from Oceana, an international advocacy organization promoting ocean conservation and protection, in partnership with government agencies, local government units, and non-government organizations.
“Connecting with Oceana has allowed us to receive assistance, but we need more help,” Tomol said.
“Without healthy coral reefs, our fishery sector is greatly affected,” Tomol added, emphasizing that the need to protect corals transcends political beliefs, affiliations, personal differences, and territorial boundaries.
The House of Representatives has approved a bill authored by Christopherson Yap of Southern Leyte 2nd district declaring Panaon Island as a protected seascape under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act or Republic Act 11038.
The bill is now in the Senate, awaiting approval in the third reading.
The proposed Panaon Island protected seascape encompasses 61,204 hectares, covering the municipalities of San Ricardo, Pintuyan, San Francisco, and Liloan.
Oceana stated that the anticipated passage of the bill by the Senate would help strengthen the conservation and protection of the island’s resources for future generations.
The passage of the Senate bill and the sustainable management practices under ENIPAS can contribute to the sustainability and longevity of the island’s ecosystems, according to a socio-economic survey conducted among Panaon Island residents by the University of the Philippines Tacloban and Oceana in 2020.
The bill’s passage will also strengthen the island’s protection, significantly aiding the local governments of Liloan, Pintuyan, San Ricardo, and Pintuyan in addressing the threats faced, while ensuring the thriving abundance of the island’s ecosystems.
Oceana and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources have been collaborating with local stakeholders to prepare them to participate effectively in the plan’s development.
“The management plan is crucial because it ensures the protection and proper management of the island’s resources by all stakeholders for the benefit of the people of Panaon,” said Atty. Rose-Liza Osorio, Oceana’s Senior Director for Campaigns, Legal, and Policy.
“It will also help us achieve this goal by providing a framework for sustainable management practices,” she added.
Panaon Island, with its rich biodiversity, including threatened and endangered wildlife such as whale sharks, sea turtles, rays, the endemic Philippine Duck, vibrant corals, and hundreds of fish species, is aptly called the hidden gem at the tip of Southern Leyte.
Its resilient coral reefs have earned it the distinction of being cited as one of the top 50 in the world that will likely withstand the impacts of climate change. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
