Office marks Farmers and Fisherfolks Month

TACLOBAN CITY—In celebration of Farmers and Fisherfolks Month, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-8) held the Farmers and Fisherfolks Month Celebration (FFMC) culmination program on Tuesday (May 21).

The event aimed to recognize the exemplary efforts of model fisherfolk leaders in Eastern Visayas.

BFAR Regional Director, Dr. Hannibal M. Chavez, inaugurated the celebration with a welcoming address, honoring the contributions of the region’s farmers and fisherfolk. “With heads held high, we salute all our fisherfolk and farmers, especially those here in Region 8,” he said.

The highlight of the event was the acknowledgment of the outstanding efforts by the provincial fisherfolk representatives of Region 8, led by 2024 BFAR-RO8 Regional Fisherfolks Director (RFD) Melboy Hechanova.

Hechanova has been a key advocate for the fisherfolk sector, voicing their concerns and aspirations.

The honored provincial fisherfolk representatives included Martha Cadano from Northern Samar, Cyrill Pallado from Leyte, Editha Mabini from Eastern Samar, Julio Solana from Southern Leyte, and Bebito Matuguinas from Biliran.

In his address, Hechanova emphasized the critical role of BFAR in the nation’s food security initiatives.

He highlighted the importance of both agricultural and marine resources.
“Food security does not only involve the fields; it also involves the seas,” Hechanova asserted.

Reflecting on his tenure, Hechanova expressed his commitment to fostering unity and collaboration within the sector.

“During my time as RFD, I realized that we really need to work together. Let’s help each other in hopes that BFAR becomes its own Department,” he stated.
(GOLDA MEIR C. CABIDOG, LEYTE NORMAL UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTERN)

ORMOC CITY– A housewife reported to the police that five individuals, including two unidentified men armed with short firearms, broke into her house and robbed her on the evening of Saturday (May 18) in Barangay Hiabangan, Dagami, Leyte.

The complainant, identified as “Beth,” 47, self-employed and a resident of the said village, provided details about the incident.

The suspects were identified as “Sid,” 49, a farmer; “Nano,” 18; and “Mar,” of legal age. All three are residents of Brgy. Hiabangan. The two other suspects remain unidentified.

According to the police investigation, while Beth was at home with her children and granddaughter, the suspects, all carrying short firearms of unknown caliber and flashlights, arrived and demanded to know the whereabouts of her husband.

Beth informed them that her husband was not home. During the confrontation, the two unidentified suspects took a light brown wallet containing P40,000, which was the proceeds from the sale of her carabao, from the table. During the robbery, Sid fired his firearm into the air before the suspects fled in an unknown direction.

The Dagami Municipal Police Station is conducting a follow-up investigation, and an appropriate complaint is being prepared for filing in court against the identified suspects.
(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY– In a significant step towards improving public awareness and understanding of the Philippine Statistics System, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) hosted a Media Stakeholders’ Forum at Hotel Alejandro, this city, on Tuesday(May 21).
The gathering aimed to foster a collaborative environment where media practitioners and government information officers could gain valuable insights into the statistical services and systems provided by the PSA.

Attendees included media practitioners, government information officers from various agencies, and representatives from the Leyte Provincial Police Office.

The orientation, titled “Stakeholders Orientation on Philippine Statistics System, PSA Statistical Indicators, PhilSys Check, and PSA Products and Services among Information Officers and Media Practitioners,” aimed to equip participants with the necessary knowledge to effectively communicate statistical information to the public.

This initiative is crucial for increasing registration in the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) and enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the country’s statistical and identification systems.

The event commenced with the acknowledgment of participants, setting a collaborative tone for the day, followed by the orientation proper led by member specialists and officers of the PSA and Philippine Information Agency Leyte.

Experts covered a range of topics, including the Philippine Statistical System, PSA products and services, UN fundamental principles of official statistics, PSA statistical indicators, basic mobile photography, salient features of RA 1105, replacement of PhilID, updating of PSA facilities, and PhilSys check.

(GOLDA MEIR C. CABIDOG, LEYTE NORMAL UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTERN)