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Provincial government pampers seniors

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Part of the 59th founding anniversary of N. Samar

CATARMAN, Northern Samar– Acknowledging their contribution to the province, senior citizens of Northern Samar were treated to some fun and great pampering Sunday (June 2) where they received a wide array of essential services at the Capitol Gym, as part of the commemoration of the 59th Founding Anniversary of the province.

From availing free medical and dental check-up to receiving hygiene kits, food packs, vegetables seeds and other essential and basic services, senior citizens across the province had fun and light moments sharing conversations with fellow senior citizens, grooved to their favorite music, and enjoyed various performances.

Informative talks on mental health, preventing common chronic diseases of elderlies, and PhilHealth benefit packages were also conducted.

On behalf of Governor Edwin Ongchuan, Vice Governor Clarence Dato extended appreciation and gratitude to the elderly sector.

“Dako an akon pagpasalamat san aton mga kaarugan nga tungod sa kanra, may-ada kita mga nahibaroan. Sanglit yana, ginsasalin-urog naton an Seniors Day komo paglingi san mga nahibulig san aton mga kaarugan para san aton komunidad. An iyo mga ginagihan, kinaadman, ngan paghigugma, mao an naging gabay san kada tagsa sa amon, ngan kamo an pundasyon ngan naghahatag kolor sa aton komunidad,” Vice Governor Dato echoed.

Considered as the pillar of the community, the elderlies are the great mentors of the individuals in the community as they are equipped with knowledge and wisdom from their rich experiences.

With Vice Governor Dato were Board Member Leonida Laodenio, municipal social welfare and development officers, and the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) who graced the event to conduct data gathering on developing programs and initiatives for the elderlies.

Governor Ongchuan and the provincial government continues to recognize and address the needs of all sectors, including the elderly.
(THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF NORTHERN SAMAR)

Biri rock formations pushed as global geopark

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STUNNING VIEW. The provincial government of Northern Samar under Gov. Edwin Ongchuan has submitted the majestic Biri rock formations to Unesco for consideration and be declared as a global geopark. (TRAVEL VENTOURS)

Move could elevate it a protected tourism site

STUNNING VIEW. The provincial government of Northern Samar under Gov. Edwin Ongchuan has submitted the majestic Biri rock formations to Unesco for consideration and be declared as a global geopark. (TRAVEL VENTOURS)

TACLOBAN CITY – The renowned rock formations in Biri Island, Northern Samar, have been submitted by the provincial government for consideration as a global geopark under the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization(Unesco).

On May 23, Ivan Anthony Henares, the secretary-general of the Unesco National Commission of the Philippines, led a group of experts in visiting the Biri rock formations in Barangay Progress for their initial assessment.

Unesco defines a global geopark as a single, unified geographical area where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education, and sustainable development.

Local officials are confident that the Biri rock formations, composed of limestone, could qualify as a global geopark.

“We believe that Biri’s majestic rock formations are places of outstanding geological heritage. This designation will support sustainable development through conservation, education, community engagement, and sustainable tourism,” Carl Sanchez Bordeos, the culture and arts coordinator of the Provincial Tourism Office of Northern Samar, said in an interview.

The rock formations in Biri, located about 38 kilometers from the provincial capital of Catarman, were formed around 18 million years ago through natural processes such as tectonic movements, wave actions, and weathering.

Bordeos noted that the intricate patterns and imposing structures of these rocks have fascinated both geologists and tourists.

The formations exhibit a variety of sedimentary and volcanic features, making them valuable for scientific study and captivating for eco-tourism.

There are seven rock formations in Brgy. Progress, which occupies 246,932.867 square meters, named by locals as Magasang, Magsapad, Macadlaw, Puhunan, Caranas, Pinanahawan, and Bel-at, where a natural pool can be found.

“The declaration of the Biri rock formations as a global geopark would help preserve its cultural, historical, and natural heritage,” Bordeos said.

“These rock formations were formed millions of years ago, highlighting their superior geological, natural, and cultural heritage. We aim to protect this natural heritage and share it with the world,” he added.

Biri Island, facing the Pacific Ocean and San Bernardino Strait, played a significant role during the Manila Galleon trade, adding to its cultural and historical significance.

The provincial and municipal governments of Biri requested Unesco to assess the Biri rock formations in December of last year. Geologists from Unesco are expected to visit the formations for further assessment and study.

Vicky Mabutin, the tourism officer of Biri, expressed excitement about the prospect of Unesco recognition.

“The rock formations are our town’s tourism gem. Last year alone, over 5,000 tourists visited the place,” she said.

If approved, the Biri rock formations would become the second Unesco global geopark in the Philippines, the first being the island of Bohol declared last year.

JOEY A. GABIETA

Back by the DOT, seniors now serve as tour guides

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TACLOBAN CITY – About 35 elderly residents from Tacloban City and Palo town have undergone a community tour guiding training program organized by the regional office of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

The initiative is part of the department’s goal to make tour guiding inclusive for all sectors of the community.

The training, conducted in partnership with the tourism offices of the Tacloban City government and the municipal government of Palo, as well as their respective Offices of Senior Citizens Affairs, aimed to equip the elderly with the skills needed for effective tour guiding.

“The skills you have taught us will not go to waste and will help improve the tourism industry in Tacloban City and the municipality of Palo,” said Marino Cinco of Palo town, one of the trainees.

The seven-day training program included first aid training, a lecture on the ‘Filipino Brand of Service Excellence’ by accredited trainer Jerick Florano, and tour guiding topics with Rey Jorda.

The program also featured a mock tour.

The mock tour route included Real St, passing Tacloban Hall, Madonna of Japan Shrine, Magsaysay Boulevard, the old provincial capitol building of Leyte, and finally McArthur Park in Palo town.

During the culmination program, DOT-8 Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes encouraged participants to gather more reliable and factual information about their locality to enhance their storytelling skills and deepen their knowledge of their place.

“Tour guiding is storytelling. Tourism is all about stories. You may have a very beautiful natural site, but that is just a site if there is no story to tell,” Tiopes said.

“As guides, we have a great responsibility to bring out the best of our place, the place we call home. You are the heart of the tour,” she added.

Tiopes also showed pictures of Eastern Visayas tour guides, such as Eugene Igdalino from Paranas town, who operates the Ulot River Torpedo boat extreme ride and adventure, and Larry Rambacod, who has transitioned from a community tour guide in Basey town to a regional tour guide. She aimed to inspire the participants to become valuable assets in the tourism industry.

“We give you this opportunity to learn. It is now up to you if you really have the passion to become part of the tourism family,” she concluded.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

P79.8 million school building projects set to begin this vacation

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BORONGAN CITY,Eastern Samar – The Department of Public Works and Highways Eastern Samar District Engineering Office (DPWH ESDEO) is set to implement 16 school building projects of the Department of Education in Eastern Samar during the upcoming school vacation.

These school building projects with a total budget of P79.8 million funded under the DepEd Basic Educational Facilities Fund (BEFF) FY 2024 involve the construction of one-storey – two classroom school buildings across several schools in the province.

The schools benefiting from this budget allocation include Bulawan Elementary School in Maslog; Guiuan East Central Elementary School, Tubabao National High School, and National High School in Guiuan; Naparaan Elementary School and Tagbacan Elementary School in Salcedo; San Isidro Elementary School and Hilabaan National High School in Dolores; San Jose Elementary School in Mercedes; Tinago Elementary School in Quinapondan; Can-avid National High School in Can-avid; Eastern Samar Comprehensive National High School in Borongan City; Malinao Elementary School in Taft; Giporlos Central School in Giporlos; Llorente National High School- Barobo Extension in Llorente; and Maydolong Central Elementary School in Maydolong.

DPWH ESDEO District Engineer Domcelio M. Natividad announced that the Notices of Award for these school building projects were already issued within this month of May, 2024. The timing allows for the optimal implementation of the construction projects while the students are on vacation minimizing disruption to their classes.

The district engineer emphasized the importance of this period for contractors to expedite construction efforts.

“We urge contractors to take full advantage of the vacation period to ensure timely completion of these projects,” said DE Natividad.

In 2023, DPWH ESDEO has also implemented 21 school building projects with a total appropriation of P152.898 million under DepEd BEFF FY 2023 funding.

The district engineer mentioned that out of the 21 projects, 20 school buildings have already been completed and turned over to the schools while the remaining project, located in San Isidro Primary School in Lawaan Eastern Samar, is nearly complete with an accomplishment of 95.07%.

Furthermore, DE Natividad assured that the district office is fully committed to the fast-tracking the implementation of these projects.

“We are dedicated to ensuring that these school buildings are constructed efficiently and in accordance with DPWH standards specifications. Also, this initiative underscores the commitment of the DPWH to improve educational infrastructure, providing better learning environment for students in the province,” the district engineer added.

These school building projects are convergence projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways Eastern Samar in partnership with the Department of Education.

(JAYSON ESPESO/PR)

BJMP-8 recognizes PDLs talents during the 1st ‘BIDA’ competitions

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The Coast Guard District Eastern Visayas (CGDEV) joined the Regional Peace and Order Council Eastern Visayas Second Quarter Meeting held in Tacloban City, Leyte, yesterday, 28 May 2024. During the event, the CGDEV said the participants assessed agenda items, ongoing initiatives, and operational activities crucial to upholding peace and order within Region VIII.
The Coast Guard District Eastern Visayas (CGDEV) joined the Regional Peace and Order Council Eastern Visayas Second Quarter Meeting held in Tacloban City, Leyte, yesterday, 28 May 2024. During the event, the CGDEV said the participants assessed agenda items, ongoing initiatives, and operational activities crucial to upholding peace and order within Region VIII.

TACLOBAN CITY – The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), held its 1st Regional “BIDA” Painting, Handicraft-Making, and Songwriting Challenge at Robinsons Place, here in the city.

About 55 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from 24 district and city jail facilities under BJMP-8 participated in the event, showcasing their talents in handicraft making, painting, and songwriting.

The competition, held on May 26, featured 22 entries for handicraft making, 15 for painting, and 20 for songwriting.

BJMP-8 Regional Director Jail S/Supt. Bernardo Sanchez highlighted that the event marks a significant milestone in their goal of rehabilitating PDLs and providing them meaningful activities.

“This underscores our commitment to fighting illegal drugs, respecting human rights, and focusing on the rehabilitation of PDL,” he said.

“We celebrated the creativity of the PDLs. Their artworks are not just an entry for a contest but a powerful message advocating for the eradication of illegal drugs,” Sanchez added.

The top three winners in the songwriting competition were the Male Dorm Tacloban City Jail with their song “Magbabago pa ba?” Sogod District Jail with “Kapatid kong Kaibigan,” and Catbalogan City District Jail with “Kaibigan Iyong Isipin.”

In the painting category, the top winners were entries from Isabel District Jail, Male Dorm Tacloban City Jail, and Female Dorm Tacloban City Jail.

For the handicraft category, winners were entries from Naval District Jail, Carigara District Jail, and Maasin City Jail.

The winners of the competition will represent the region at the national level “BIDA” Painting, Handicraft-Making, and Songwriting Challenge.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

American national found dead inside his rented apartment in Tacloban City

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ORMOC CITY-Operatives of Police Station 1 of the Tacloban City Police Office are now conducting a thorough investigation surrounding the death of a foreign national found dead inside his apartment at about 8:41 pm on Thursday (May 30) t Room 10, Barreda Apartment in Barangay 79, Marasbaras in the said city.

Police identified the deceased as alias “Mike Krohn” (66), a US national, retired aeronautics engineer, and tenant of Room 10 in the said apartment.

The police said that at around 9:55 on Thursday evening, they received information from a certain Socorro Barreda, 72 owner of the said regarding an alleged found dead body in one of the rooms of the apartment.

The police said that Barreda told them that the said foreign national was discovered lifeless and lying naked on his couch by his helper identified as Margie Longcanaya, 31.

The police added that Barreda immediately called ACE Medical Center Hospital for assistance who later arrived onboard an ambulance to check the said foreign national but declared that the foreign national had no signs of life.

Elements of PS1, TCPO are now conducting a follow-up investigation and coordinated with the Tacloban City Forensic Unit to process the scene.
(ROBERT DEJON)

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