ORMOC CITY-A former barangay chairman in one of the villages in Calbayog City was fatally shot by an unidentified gunman at approximately 9:09 am on February 14 in Purok 8, Sitio Talahib, Barangay Trinidad, in the same city.
The victim, identified as Ronaldo Comision, 51, and a former barangay chairman of Brgy.Langoyon, resided in Purok 7, Barangay Trinidad.
Local authorities received a phone call from a concerned citizen reporting a shooting incident in Brgy. Trinidad.
Duty investigators and mobile patrollers promptly responded to verify the report and initiate an investigation. Upon arrival, they found the victim lying lifeless in a pool of blood in the middle of the road.
Initial findings from the responding police revealed that the victim was riding his motorcycle from his residence towards Calbayog City.
Upon reaching Purok 8 of Trinidad, an unidentified man, riding in tandem with another individual, approached and shot the victim, causing him to fall to the ground and succumb to his injuries. The suspects then fled the scene on a green Suzuki motorcycle.
Despite efforts by local police and mobile patrollers to establish choke points and checkpoints for the possible apprehension of the suspects, they evaded capture. (ROBERT DEJON)
ORMOC CITY– A barangay chairman was fatally shot while a councilor sustained wounds in a shooting incident on Friday (Feb.16) at about 7 pm in SM Village in Purok 2 of Barangay Catmon, this city.
The victims were identified as village chairman Patricio Laude, 60, of Brgy. Catmon, who succumbed to his injuries, and Christopher Casimong, 45, barangay kagawad.
Initial investigation conducted by local police revealed that the two barangay officials were engaged in conversation in front of Casimong’s house when an unidentified lone gunman arrived at the scene.
The suspect greeted the chairman with “Maayong gabii Kap” (“Good evening Kap” in the local vernacular) and engaged in a brief conversation with both officials before suddenly drawing a short firearm from his waist and opening fire.
The barangay chairman sustained multiple gunshot wounds to various parts of his body, while the kagawad was also injured in the shooting. The suspect also struck Casimong with a chair before fleeing the area.
The chairman died at the scene, while the injured kagawad was rushed to the Ormoc Sugarcane Planters Association Family Medical Center for urgent medical treatment, where he underwent surgery.
The lone suspect, described by witnesses as tall and thin and wearing a hood, swiftly fled from the crime scene and boarded a waiting single motorcycle driven by another unidentified individual.
The Ormoc City Police are currently conducting a comprehensive investigation to determine the motive behind the attack and to bring the perpetrator to justice. (ROBERT DEJON)
TACLOBAN CITY – The mayor of Kananga town, Leyte, together with 802nd Brigade Commander Noel Vestuir and 93rd Infantry Battalion Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Charlie Saclot, held a dialogue last week with families of identified active New People’s Army (NPA) members from the municipality.
The meeting took place following an encounter on February 10, which resulted in the death of two NPA members who were residents of the municipality.
Mayor Manuel Vicente Torres and the military officials convened the meeting to seek the cooperation of the family members in persuading the remaining active NPA members to surrender.
They assured the families that if they decide to reintegrate into peaceful communities, they would receive comprehensive support from the government.
As family members, the local chief executive believes they can convince their relatives who are NPA members to surrender by explaining the government’s efforts to address social and basic issues, thereby improving the lives of Kananga residents.
During the meeting, government officials explained the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which offers benefits to NPA members who peacefully lay down their arms.
At least four active NPA members operating in Leyte province are identified as residents of Kananga.
Two of these individuals, belonging to the groups led by Rolande Caballera and Crispolo Agunos Jr., were slain in Albuera town during a 15-minute encounter with troops from the 93rd IB.
The other two are members of a communist group operating in Southern Leyte province. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
CATARMAN, Northern Samar– The Department of Education lauded the Provincial Government of Northern Samar’s support to the advancement of education in the region, citing the dedication and support of the Provincial Government under the leadership of Governor Edwin Ongchuan to have significantly contributed to the enrichment of the learning environment and the educational landscape.
The award was presented to the Governor by Schools Division Superintendent Gaudencio Aljibe, Jr. after the recently-held School Board Meeting at the Provincial Capitol which Governor Ongchuan gratefully received, along with Vice Governor Clarence Dato.
As Chairperson of the Provincial School Board, Governor Ongchuan ensures that the Provincial Government dedicate resources for the development of children and youth in the province which include the Special Education Fund.
This fund plays a crucial role in supporting various initiatives aimed at enhancing the learning environment in the province, to include the construction of school buildings especially in remote areas of Northern Samar, the hiring of Provincial Government-paid Learning Support Aides, provision of IT equipment, accessing text books and other reading materials for learners and supporting school-based sports development activities.
DepEd has recognized these efforts with a Certificate of Recognition during the Local Stakeholders Convergence held in Palo, Leyte, received by Division Superintendent Aljibe and formally handed over to the governor. This recognition serves as proof of the Provincial Government’s steadfast support for the education sector, especially for the future leaders of the province – the Nortehanon children. (DBN/NLO/act)
iTAX. The provincial government of Leyte will soon introduce the digital-based real property tax payment, dubbed as iTax, making it easy and fast payment of taxes. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
iTAX. The provincial government of Leyte will soon introduce the digital-based real property tax payment, dubbed as iTax, making it easy and fast payment of taxes. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Leyte launched the digital-based real property tax payment system last week, dubbed iTax.
The initiative is set to be rolled out to local government units across the province, board member Carlo Loreto said.
The launching took place at the mini-theater of the provincial capitol building in Palo town, presided over by Governor Carlo Jericho Petilla and attended by members of the provincial board along with several municipal chief executives from the province.
The iTax system represents a significant shift in real property tax payment procedures, offering taxpayers the convenience of paying anytime, anywhere.
This marks a noteworthy milestone as it simplifies procedures and addresses challenges associated with traditional tax payment methods.
Utilizing technology in tax payment alleviates issues such as long queues and the potential misuse of funds, Loreto said.
Taxpayers can now fulfill their obligations using their computers or mobile phones, bypassing the need for physical visits to assessors’ and treasurers’ offices.
“With the implementation of the new Web-based version of iTax, Leyte province aims to alleviate the burden placed on taxpayers, eliminating the need to physically visit the assessors’ office and endure long queues at the treasurers’ office,” Loreto said.
He further emphasized, “The ability to pay taxes online empowers individuals, including those residing abroad, to fulfill their tax obligations conveniently through computers or smartphones. This seamless accessibility enables taxpayers to manage their tax affairs at any time, from anywhere in the world, resulting in substantial time and cost savings.”
The adoption of technology to streamline tax payments benefits local governments by significantly increasing revenue collection, thereby generating more income to fund various infrastructure projects, healthcare programs and facilities, educational initiatives, and other projects aimed at improving the lives of the community. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
SEA AMBULANCE. The Department of Health has provided sea ambulance to the municipal government of Guiuan, Eastern Samar. The sea ambulance, in particular, will benefit the residents of Homonhon and Suluan, two islands off the town proper of Guiuan.(PHOTO COURTESY)
SEA AMBULANCE. The Department of Health has provided sea ambulance to the municipal government of Guiuan, Eastern Samar. The sea ambulance, in particular, will benefit the residents of Homonhon and Suluan, two islands off the town proper of Guiuan.(PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY – Residents of the island villages in Guiuan town, Eastern Samar express gratitude to the Department of Health for providing them with a sea ambulance which they can rely on during medical emergencies.
Romulo Francillo, chairman of Barangay Cagusuan, representing officials from eight villages in Homonhon Island and the island village of Suluan, conveyed their long-awaited anticipation for this project.
Located along the Pacific Ocean, Suluan and Homonhon islands hold historical significance and are accessible by a two-hour boat ride during fair weather.
“We are immensely grateful for this project bestowed upon us by the government,” Francillo said during the turnover ceremony held at Sulangan Island.
“We recognize the significant assistance this sea ambulance will provide, especially during medical emergencies in our island villages,” he added.
The turnover of the P4.6 million sea ambulance was spearheaded by Department of Health Eastern Visayas Regional Director Exuperia Sabalberino, Guiuan Mayor Annaliza Kwan, 4Ps party-list Representative and Minority Floor Leader Marcelino Libanan, Vice Governor Maricar Sison-Goteesan, and members of the municipal council led by Vice Mayor Veronica Ramirez.
“I hope that the LGU will ensure the proper maintenance of this sea ambulance to benefit more patients, especially those residing in the island villages,” Sabalberino during the turnover ceremony on Thursday (Feb. 15).
“We, at the national government, are committed to assisting LGUs in need, particularly those with urgent requests,” the DOH regional director added.
Equipped with a stretcher, automatic defibrillator, nebulizer, portable suction machine, and other medical equipment, the sea ambulance is prepared to provide essential medical care.
Mayor Kwan expressed her appreciation for the swift response of the DOH to her request for a sea ambulance, which will serve residents living on islands under her town’s jurisdiction.
She assured that the LGU will responsibly manage the sea ambulance and will cover the salaries of the two individuals assigned to operate it.
The sea ambulance will ensure that residents of the two islands receive timely medical care while being transported to mainland health facilities, thus enhancing survivability.
In addition to the sea ambulance, the DOH also blessed the newly-rehabilitated rural health unit in Sulangan Island, catering to the health and medical needs of residents of Suluan and neighboring areas like Calicoan. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
