NSSDEO, Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, N. Samar-Staff and employees of the Department of Public Works & Highways Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office (DPWH-NSSDEO) took their time off from their hectic and routine work schedules and elated each other’s company in the recently conducted high-spirited team building activities.

This year’s team building, held at Somoray Park & Resort, Bobon, Northern Samar, anchors on the theme, “United, We ROLE”, where R means Real, O means Obey, L means Love, and E stands for Example.

Spearheaded by District Engineer Charlito S. Carlobos, a 2-day team building activities on April 30-May 1, 2024, was conducted.

The program commenced with well-informative message of the guest speaker, Merly P. Allado, wherein she tackled the hindrances of unity which are jealousy, self-focus, bitterness, and unforgiving. She also imparted to all how to restore unity with respect, understand, love, and become a walking example to others.

Then, she also conducted a team workshop that created jovial memories and lessons which has something to do with their day-to-day job. Thereafter, she emphasized and helped the participants to internalize the holistic significance of unity in order to attain success and betterment.

The second part of the program consisted of various physical games such as ball relay, carry your leader, shoot the straw, pass the message with a twist and pass the ball, and each team battled for toughness, pace, tactics or game plan, and a lot of teamwork, where cooperation and unity were tested. At the end of the games, White Team was declared the overall winner.

By nightfall, there were team presentations that spurred entertainment and laughter among the participants. The event wrapped up with the awarding of winners, where Beige Team got the first place.

The next day, the event winded up with the employees happily paddling in the swimming pool.

Thereby, NSSDEO staff and employees went home with the lesson and unity gained in the 2-day team building activities.
(RONEL L. GALUPO, PIO ALTERNATE/PR)

ORMOC CITY– A house with a sari-sari store sustained an undetermined amount of damage after a van driver lost control of his vehicle at approximately 7:15 pm on Sunday (May 19) in Barangay Sabang Daguitan, Dulag, Leyte.

The police reported that a white L300 van, bearing plate number PZO852, registered to an individual known as “Claire” and driven by “MJ,” a self-employed individual of legal age, was involved in the incident.

MJ, who did not present a driver’s license, was accompanied by a passenger named “Mar.” Both are residents of Quezon province.

Local police responded to the scene following a call from a concerned citizen. Upon arrival, they observed significant damage caused by the van’s collision with the house. Fortunately, no one inside the house was injured during the incident.

The initial investigation revealed that the L300 van was traveling from Brgy. Fatima to Brgy. Sabang Daguitan.

Upon reaching the incident location, the driver lost control, swerved into the left lane, and collided with the sari-sari store and house owned by “Elvin.”

The collision resulted in damage to both the house and the store.

The driver and his passenger sustained injuries and were transported to Leyte Provincial Hospital in Palo, Leyte by the Dulag Rescue Unit ambulance for immediate medical attention. (ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY-An individual with an outstanding warrant of arrest for illegal gambling was apprehended by the police at about 11:05 am on Thursday (May 23) in Barangay P.I. Garcia, Naval, Biliran.

The arrest of the suspect, “Chris,” 46, and a resident of the said village, was carried out based on a warrant issued by Judge Phenalyn P. Brazil-Abellar, presiding judge of the 8th Judicial Region, Municipal Trial Court, Naval dated March 5, 2024.

The warrant pertains to a violation of Presidential Decree 1602, or the illegal gambling law, with a recommended bail of P30,000.

Chris was informed of the nature of his arrest and apprised of his constitutional rights in a language he understood.

The suspect was taken to the Naval Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition. (ROBERT DEJON)

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)