ORMOC CITY-The ill-fated ship that ran aground in the municipality of Capul, Northern Samar earlier this year and was brought to Balwharteco Port in Allen, also in the same province, met another sad fate when it was found half submerged at 3:30 am at the said port.
Coast Guard SN2 Hernandez of the Allen Coast Guard informed the media that the vessel, MV Reina Hosanna, was discovered half submerged while docked at the port.
According to the crew, the vessel became half submerged for an unidentified reason.
The MV Reina Hosanna, operated by Montenegro Shipping, ran aground in Capul on February 11 this year due to engine failure.
A salvage operation was conducted, and the ship was successfully towed and brought to Allen on May 13, 2024.
However, it was found half submerged on Tuesday (May 14).
Personnel from Coast Guard Northern Samar immediately proceeded to the location to verify the situation and coordinated with MEPU personnel for the possible layout of oil spill booms.
Fortunately, no sightings of oil spillage or leakage were reported. (ROBERT DEJON)
TACLOBAN CITY—The inaugural “Manggad san Northern Samar Trade Fair,” a key component of the Ibabao Festival honoring the Month-long celebration of Northern Samar’s founding anniversary, officially commences today, May 16, 2024, in Tacloban City, and will run until May 19, 2024.
This trade fair serves as a pivotal platform for promoting and showcasing the Ibabao Heritage Cuisine, a cornerstone of the province’s cultural richness. It celebrates the distinctive culinary traditions that contribute to the vibrant cultural mosaic of Northern Samar.
Featuring a thoughtfully curated selection of 44 Nortehanon exhibitors, the trade fair offers a diverse range of locally crafted products, with a focus on food items that epitomize the creativity and uniqueness of Northern Samar’s culinary legacy.
Beyond boosting sales, the primary aim of the event is to raise awareness about the exceptional gastronomic heritage of the province by providing local entrepreneurs with an avenue to present their offerings.
Moreover, the trade fair acts as a crucial bridge linking Nortehanon entrepreneurs with potential customers from beyond the province, thereby broadening their market presence and fostering economic growth within the region.
The attendance of DTI Regional Director Celerina T. Bato at the event underscores the significance of this initiative in supporting local industries and preserving cultural heritage.
In her opening remarks, Director Bato commended Northern Samar’s pioneering efforts in organizing an independent trade fair, expressing admiration for the province’s commitment to promoting its unique offerings.
She even issued a friendly challenge to other provinces in the Eastern Visayas Region to follow suit and host their own provincial trade fairs.
By cultivating a collaborative business ecosystem, the success of the Manggad san Northern Samar Trade Fair underscores the province’s steadfast dedication to conserving its cultural heritage while driving economic prosperity through the promotion of local products and traditions.
This event symbolizes the united efforts of the Provincial Government of Northern Samar and DTI-Northern Samar in nurturing a vibrant and sustainable local economy.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office (L2DEO) has conducted a preventive maintenance project on the Jaro-Dagami-Burauen-La Paz Road network to enhance safety and promote smoother travel for motorists. The project involves 14,317.92 square meters of asphalt overlay and re-blocking with a cost of P45 million. (L2DEO)
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office (L2DEO) has conducted a preventive maintenance project on the Jaro-Dagami-Burauen-La Paz Road network to enhance safety and promote smoother travel for motorists. The project involves 14,317.92 square meters of asphalt overlay and re-blocking with a cost of P45 million. (L2DEO)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office (L2DEO) has initiated a preventive maintenance project on the Jaro-Dagami-Burauen-La Paz Road network to enhance safety and promote smoother travel for motorists.
According to District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura, the project is currently underway and involves 14,317.92 square meters of asphalt overlay and re-blocking of damaged pavement from Barangay Malobago to Santa Cruz, Jaro, Leyte.
With an allocation of P45 million, the project covers a net road length of 3.2 lane kilometers.
Oppura emphasized the importance of preventive maintenance in sustaining the functionality and longevity of road networks.
The surface restoration and repair works aim to address existing road surface issues and prevent further deterioration caused by wear and tear.
Also, the DPWH L2DEO aims to extend the lifespan of the road infrastructure, reduce road hazards, improve accessibility for motorists and commuters, and ensure the continuous flow of goods and services in the region.
Funded under the DPWH CY 2024 Basic Infrastructure Program, the construction began on February 16, 2024, and is expected to be completed by June 10, 2024. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
SECURITY. The Philippine Army has declared the island town of Biri as stable internal peace and security (SIPS), becoming the latest area in Northern Samar to declared as SIPS. The town is known largely of its iconic rock formations.(PHOTO COURTESY)
In Northern Samar
SECURITY. The Philippine Army has declared the island town of Biri as stable internal peace and security (SIPS), becoming the latest area in Northern Samar to declared as SIPS. The town is known largely of its iconic rock formations.(PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY – The declaration of Biri, an island municipality in Northern Samar, as having a stable internal peace and security (SIPS) is still a work in progress, according to Mayor Amelita Balanquit-Delos Reyes during this week’s SIPS declaration ceremony.
Biri is the second island town in Northern Samar to receive this designation from the 803rd Infantry Brigade, following Capul. It is also the fifth municipality in the province to achieve SIPS status, joining Allen, San Jose, and Rosario.
“This milestone is not just a mere proclamation; it is a testament to the resilience and determination of our community,” Mayor Delos Reyes said.
She emphasized that this achievement is the result of collective resolve, dialogue, reconciliation, and cooperation among the residents.
The SIPS declaration indicates that there has been no reported insurgency presence or activities for one year. However, the municipality is not completely insurgency-free, as there are still remnants of guerrilla fronts targeted by ongoing military operations.
Brigadier General Efren Morados, commanding officer of the 802nd Brigade, noted attempts by the Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army (CPP/NPA) to recruit members and organize communities in Biri.
These attempts were unsuccessful, according to Morados.
“Addressing and eradicating the problem of insurgency in Samar Island, particularly in Northern Samar, is crucial because this area is part of the revolutionary highway. Northern Samar’s strategic location is significant for the CPP/NPA’s campaign to expand their influence,” he said.
Morados added that their goal is to encourage local government units to participate actively in the government’s anti-insurgency drive through a whole-of-nation approach, addressing the root causes of community issues exploited by the CPP-NPA.
“Our vision is to declare the entire Northern Samar as SIPS because we want to change the province’s image from being tagged as the last bastion of insurgency,” the Army general stated.
Improving Biri’s image is essential for its tourism promotion and marketing.
Biri is a top tourist destination in Northern Samar and the Eastern Visayas region, known for its rock formations dating back 24 million years, as identified by the National Institute of Geological Sciences Research of the University of the Philippines.
Last year, Biri was listed among regional cruise destinations catering to international tourists. The 5th class municipality, divided into eight villages, faces the Pacific Ocean to the east and San Bernardino Strait to the west, accessible by a two-hour motorboat ride from a port in Lavezares town.
Besides its famous rock formations, Biri, part of the Biri Larosa Protected Landscape and Seascape, boasts several dive sites and surfing areas. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
TACLOBAN CITY – The groundbreaking ceremony for the “Saad nga Balay” housing project for peacebuilders was held on May 10, 2024, in Calbiga, Samar.
This event marks the start of the construction of houses that will be handed over to peacebuilders or former members of the New People’s Army who returned to the fold of the law, in the municipality.
The ceremony was attended by Samar Vice-Governor Arnold Tan, Calbiga Mayor Red Nacario, Brigadier General Lenart Lelina, the commanding officer of the 801st Brigade, and Imelda Bonifacio, program manager of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU).
During the event, the provincial government of Samar, under Governor Sharee Ann Tan, donated P2.8 million to the Calbiga Peacebuilders and Development Federation (CPBDF).
The donation was received by the organization’s president Deodario Nablo and is intended to help former rebels rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.
In April 2024, the province of Samar handed over 10 “Saad nga Balay” houses in San Jose de Buan.
This initiative is part of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, reinforcing the province’s commitment to breaking the cycle of conflict and paving the way for peace and security in Samar. (KATRYNA MAE N. MALLARI, LEYTE NORMAL UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTERN)
