With 508% increase compared to last year

TACLOBAN CITY—A dengue outbreak in Calbayog City, Samar, has prompted Mayor Raymund Uy to declare a state of calamity across the city, effective Wednesday, August 21.
According to the City Health Office (CHO), Calbayog has recorded 422 dengue cases from January 1 to August 21, marking a 508% increase compared to the 83 cases reported during the same period last year.

The CHO also reported that at least two patients have died due to the mosquito-borne disease, though no further details were provided.

City Health Officer Dr. Sylvia De Guzman stated that 57 of the city’s 187 barangays have reported dengue cases, with nearly all 20 barangays in the city proper affected.
“Practically all the barangays in the city proper have dengue fever cases,” she noted during a media interview on Wednesday.

Dr. De Guzman highlighted that the surge in dengue cases was observed between July 14 and August 17, during which 249 cases were recorded.

She attributed the spike in cases to continuous rains during this period.

Mayor Uy explained that with the declaration of a dengue fever outbreak, made through a resolution by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the city government can now utilize its 30% quick response fund to procure necessary medicines and equipment, such as sprayers.

“The barangays can also now use their funds to purchase medicines and supplies to address the rising cases of dengue in our city,” Uy said.

The mayor also announced plans to coordinate with the Department of Education to conduct cleanup drives in all schools across Calbayog, given that many of the dengue patients are students.

“We also urge all our residents to conduct extensive cleanup drives not only around their surroundings but also inside their homes, especially focusing on containers that can serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus,” Uy emphasized.

Additionally, due to the surge in dengue cases, a portion of the city’s sports complex has been designated as a dengue fever center, as most hospitals in the area are struggling to accommodate the growing number of patients.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)

BORONGAN CITY-In pursuit of a peaceful and insurgency-free nation, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), engaged over 25 media practitioners from the three provinces of Samar Island in an Orientation on Local Peace Engagement and Transformation.

Held on August 15-16 in Borongan City, the event was part of the agencies’ nationwide information drive for peace communicators.

Major General Edgardo de Leon, former commander of the 8th Infantry “Stormtrooper” Division (8ID) and now the regional adviser on Peace and Security of OPAPRU, highlighted the crucial role of the media in disseminating information that advocates for a peaceful community.

He recognized them as catalysts of change and instruments of peace, stating, “You, the media, are our very first partners in raising public awareness of any government programs. That is why you are here today; you are our partners.”

De Leon discussed the multi-dimensional nature of local communist armed conflict and the government’s transformation program, emphasizing that armed conflict stems from behaviors like conflict, hatred, and anger.

He explained that the transformation program for former rebels focuses on behavioral change.

He also called on media partners and local government units (LGUs) to assist the army in sustaining insurgency-free communities.

“We are nearing the end of armed conflict with weakened guerilla fronts (WGF) or dismantled guerilla fronts (DGF),” de Leon stated.

He attributed the weakened armed conflict in the country to effective localized peace engagement, good governance by LGUs, the whole-of-nation approach, government interventions for former rebels, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) kinetic or offensive combat operations.

PIA-8 Regional Head Reyan Arinto emphasized the event’s aim to strengthen ties with media practitioners as part of maintaining peace in the region by disseminating timely, accurate, and important information to the public regarding the government’s efforts to achieve full security, peace, and prosperity.

He explained that the meeting provided media partners in Eastern Samar, Samar, and Northern Samar the opportunity to learn how to tell stories about local peace engagement and the government’s transformation programs, particularly those of OPAPRU.

PIA Director General Jose A. Torres Jr., also a former private media practitioner, expressed gratitude to the media partners on Samar Island for their continued support of government programs.

He called for unity in providing truthful information to the people and urged the media to encourage active members of the CPP-NPA to return to the fold of the law.

“President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration is sincere in its willingness to engage in dialogue with everyone. We hope the peace process continues. The government is striving to help all our countrymen, prioritizing those in remote areas to bring projects closer to them,” Torres said.

Also present were PIA Deputy Director-General Adolfo Ares Gutierrez; Lt. Col. Joseph Bugaoan, commanding officer of the 78th Infantry Battalion; OPAPRU Regional Manager Imelda Bonifacio; and Engr. Joselito Mutia, representative of Governor Ben Evardone; and City Administrator Celestino Cabato, representative of Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda.

(VTG, PIA, Eastern Samar)

TACLOBAN CITY– AGRI party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee has filed a measure to liberalize and expand opportunities in Agarwood industry that will not only increase the income of farmers, but also has the potential to create up to 30,000 jobs and livelihood in the country.

According to Lee, principal author of House Bill No. 10320 or the “Agarwood Industry Development Act”, “Our countrymen deserve to be given more opportunities to venture into such a high-value industry and to compete globally.”

“Napakalaki ng potensyal na makatulong nitong Agarwood industry hindi lang sa sektor ng agrikultura kundi sa ating buong ekonomiya. Mula sa seedlings hanggang sa pagiging puno, lahat may pakinabang,” said the solon from Bicol.

“Its seedlings alone can generate income of thousands of pesos per month. If maximized, it could also generate opportunities up to approximately 20,000 to 30,000 jobs directly and indirectly, including roles in cultivation, harvesting, processing, marketing, and sales,” he added.

Agarwood, locally known as “lapnisan,” is a high-value tree known for its distinctive fragrance which is commonly sourced from Aquilaria. This forest product is used as a material for incense, perfume, and medicine.

Reportedly, price of Agarwood per kilo ranges from P24,000 to P53 million, depending on quality. Being classified as a threatened plant and endangered species, the government highly regulates its trade and commercialization to protect it from further extinction.

“Currently, we have regulations for farmed Aquilaria, those which are cultivated for trade.

But with the promising profits from a sustainable Agarwood industry which can generate jobs and livelihood across the country and contribute to the Philippine economy, the government must optimize the industry by allowing more Filipinos to venture into it while ensuring protection of our natural resources to avoid exploitation,” Lee pointed out.

Under HB 10320, the Agarwood Industry Authority (AIA) shall be created to promote and provide direction for farming, propagation, harvesting, trading, commercialization, development, and sustainability of Aquilaria.

It will also institutionalize the Agarwood Research Office (ARO) which will lead in conducting extensive research on the value chain and best practices in cultivation of Aquilaria to guide our farmers to maximize its benefits.

And to prevent proliferation of poaching Agarwood species, the said measure will also establish the Aquilaria Registration Office which will facilitate the registration of Aquilaria farms and trees, nursery farm permit, and report of harvest and trade to keep a consolidated record of data of all value chains of Aquilaria in the Philippines.(PR)

The Tactical Operations Group 8 (TOG 8) actively participated in the Brigada Eskwela from July 22-26, 2024, with the theme “Bayanihan para sa Matatag na Paaralan” wherein its involvement highlighted the power of collective effort in enhancing school facilities.

TOG 8 personnel engaged in various schools including San Jose Central School and Mercyville Elementary School, Tacloban City, as well as Malaguinabot Elementary School, San Miguel Central School, and Bahay Elementary School, San Miguel, Leyte. The Unit’s contributions were crucial in preparing these schools for the upcoming school year.

The team took on essential tasks such as cutting grasses, repairing fences, and sweeping school grounds. These activities were integral to the Brigada Eskwela program, which mobilizes education stakeholders to ensure public schools are ready for the new school year.

TOG 8 helped create a safer and more welcoming learning environment for students and teachers alike. The efforts underscore the importance of community support in education and the collective responsibility to foster a positive and effective learning atmosphere.

Likewise, TOG 8 donated a total of seventy-two (72) trash cans to the following schools:Guadalupe Heights Integrated School,Tigbao Elementary School, Alternative Learning System, Tacloban City Night High School, Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Elementary School, Marasbaras Elementary School, Nula Tula Elementary School, Kapuso Village Integrated School. (PR)