ORMOC CITY – A 56-year-old from this city died from a suspected heat stroke around 11:45 am on Saturday (May 11) at Sitio Tabuk, Barangay Mabato, this city.
Police identified the man as Melchor Mercado, a resident of Brgy. Lao, also in the same city.
According to Police Corporal Johannes Macalinao, the case investigator, Mercado had visited a friend in Brgy. Mayahag, Merida, also in Leyte and was returning home around 8 am. He arrived home after 11 am.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing Mercado stop his motorcycle and park it on the side.
They observed him disembark and stand beside it before eventually sitting down. When approached by a concerned resident, Mercado indicated he was not feeling well.
Shortly after, Mercado collapsed onto the ground, prompting the resident to move him to a shaded area and seek assistance from neighbors.
Despite the prompt arrival of rescue personnel, Mercado was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending nurse.
His remains were swiftly transported to a local funeral parlor for a post-mortem examination. (ROBERT DEJON)
ORMOC CITY– A passenger tricycle en route to its owner’s residence was engulfed in flames along Arradaza St., in front of the Saints Peter and Paul Parish in this city, at about 11:30 am on Saturday(May 11).
Fire Investigator Fire Officer 2 Michael Puña identified the driver as Romulo Luceños, 59, married and a resident of Brgy. Margen.
Luceños was driving a red Honda Supremo, bearing a temporary plate number 083207, with a blue passenger sidecar marked with police number 1114.
In an interview, FO2 Puña stated that the tricycle had just completed a trip from SM Hypermart Ormoc, transporting a passenger from Brgy. Bantigue.
Upon dropping off the passenger at the mall, Luceños returned to the tricycle’s owner, identified as Elyer Abenio of Bantigue.
However, he noticed flames emanating from the carburetor beneath the gas tank. Despite attempting to detach the gas tank, which was bolted onto the chassis, the fire rapidly intensified, forcing Luceños to flee and seek assistance.
FO2 Puña said that firefighters were already on the scene, and at about 11:38 am, the blaze had been completely extinguished.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported from the fire, which caused an estimated damage of P150, 000. (ROBERT DEJON)
ORMOC CITY– Local authorities apprehended a farmer for his absence during a court hearing in Malabon, Metro Manila, around 6:30 pm on Friday (May 10) in Isabel, Leyte.
Arrested by local police was Leodegario Cañete, 53, and a resident of Brgy. Sto Niño of the said town.
Cañete’s arrest was executed based on a bench warrant issued by Judge Rhoda Magdaline Mapili-Osinada, pairing judge of the Regional Trial Court- National Capital Judicial Region, Branch 170, dated April 30, 2024, for the crime of estafa.
The court set bail at P40,000 for Cañete’s temporary release.
Upon apprehension, Cañete was informed of the reasons behind his arrest and was briefed on his constitutional rights in a language he understood.
Subsequently, he was transported to Isabel municipal police station for proper documentation and disposition before being returned to the court that issued the bench warrant. (ROBERT DEJON)
SAAD NGA BALAY. Former members of the New People’s Army are sure to have their own houses.Thanks to the program of the provincial government of Samar and the local government of Calbiga which funded the housing project located in Polangi of the said town. (EMY CALAGOS)
‘Saad nga Balay’
SAAD NGA BALAY. Former members of the New People’s Army are sure to have their own houses.Thanks to the program of the provincial government of Samar and the local government of Calbiga which funded the housing project located in Polangi of the said town. (EMY CALAGOS)
TACLOBAN CITY-The construction of another “Saad nga Balay” housing project in Eastern Visayas commenced on Friday (May 10), in Calbiga town, Samar province.
Saad nga Balay is a housing initiative conceived by the 801st Brigade under the leadership of Brigadier General Lenart Lelina, employing the “bayanihan” concept to engage government agencies actively in providing decent shelter for former members of the communist armed group, the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) who have surrendered and seek to reintegrate into society with their families.
The project, located in Barangay Polangi, aims to construct at least 10 housing units in Calbiga, funded by the Samar provincial government with a budget of P2.8 million.
Aside from local officials led by Mayor Red Nacario, among those who witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony were Vice Governor Arnold Tan and Office for the Presidential Adviser on Peace and Reconciliation and Unity Program Manager, Imelda Bonifacio.
Representatives from various national and regional line agencies also participated as signatories to the signing of a memorandum of partnership agreement.
“The housing project is designed to offer a safe and stable environment for former rebels, fostering a supportive government framework where former adversaries can thrive and coexist in the community with equality and respect, encouraging them to realize their potential and commitment,” reads a statement from the 801st Brigade.
“The initiative aims to break the cycle of conflict and promote peace and security within the community. The launch of this project signifies a significant step forward in the ongoing journey towards peace and reconciliation,” it added.
Deodario Nablo, president of the Calbiga Peacebuilders and Development Federation (CPBDF), expressed profound gratitude for the collective support, recognizing the government’s sincere dedication to effecting meaningful change.
Established as early as 2021, the CPBDF, comprised of former rebels turned peacebuilders, signifies a historic collaboration between the federation and the provincial government, aimed at enhancing local peacebuilding efforts and fostering sustainable development within the region.
Mayor Nacario pledged his unwavering support for the cause, committing to lead the implementation of a dignified housing project tailored to meet the unique needs of the former rebels.
In addition, the Office for the Presidential Adviser on Peace and Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) vowed to assist by partnering with various agencies to provide essential livelihood support, skills training programs, and capacity-building activities, empowering individuals and promoting sustainable development.
Aside from Calbiga, Saad nga Balay was successfully implemented in San Jose de Buan town, also in Samar with 10 out of 17 houses for former rebels already turned over.
Similar projects are ongoing in Cav-avid town and Dolores, both in Eastern Samar province. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Eastern Visayas is eyeing an 8.7 percent increase in rice production this year with the minimal impact of El Niño phenomenon in the region.
DA Regional Executive Director Andrew Orais said on Friday they are targeting to harvest 918,003 metric tons (MT) of palay (unhusked rice) this year, higher than the 844,372 metric tons (MT) actual yield in 2023.
“We expect (to) harvest more rice this year since we’re not hit by a strong typhoon. The below normal rainfall this year is just part of the normal weather condition in the region,” he said.
Based on the latest report, not one of the six provinces in Eastern Visayas is included in the list of El Niño-hit provinces in the country, he added.
Of the projected regional harvest, 480,091 MT will be from rice fields in Leyte province; 167,099 MT in Samar; 85,808 MT in Northern Samar; 71,728 MT in Southern Leyte; 56,981 MT in Eastern Samar; and 56,296 MT in Biliran province.
The DA regional office aims to surpass its 2023 rice production in Eastern Visayas to support other regions badly affected by the El Niño phenomenon.
Orais said several interventions have been extended to farmers in the early part of the year to ensure higher yields this year.
Aside from providing seeds, the government continues to provide assistance through the fertilizer discount voucher program, which entitles rice farmers registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture a price cut in their fertilizer purchase.
Eastern Visayas devoted 45 percent of its land area, or 976,415 hectares, to agriculture. The rest are forest lands, grasslands, and other purposes.
Of its agricultural lands, 70 percent are for coconut production, and rice and corn in the remaining areas. (SARWELL Q. MENIANO/PNA)
DREDGING. The Tacloban City District Engineering Office conducted a dredging operation on a creek covering four barangays in Marasbaras district. (TCDEO)
DREDGING. The Tacloban City District Engineering Office conducted a dredging operation on a creek covering four barangays in Marasbaras district. (TCDEO)
TACLOBAN CITY– The Tacloban City District Engineering Office has recently conducted an inspection for the planned dredging operations of the creek situated between the boundaries of Barangay 109-A, Barangay 80, Barangay 81, and Barangay 82 in Marasbaras, Tacloban City on May 7, 2024.
Led by Engr. Lemuel Mikkael R. Sibayan, the inspection aimed to assess the conditions of the creek in response to a request from the Sangguniang Barangay of Barangay 82.
The barangay had sought assistance from the Tacloban City LGU to address the clogging issues plaguing the creek, which have caused inconvenience and potential health hazards to the residents residing in the affected areas.
“We understand the concerns of the residents and the potential health hazards posed by the clogged creek,” said Engr. Sibayan.
“Rest assured, the Tacloban City District Engineering Office is committed to addressing this issue promptly. The recent inspection is a step towards the planned dredging operations to declog the creek and alleviate the inconvenience caused to the residents.” (IAN YVES G. DE PAZ, PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSISTANT/PR)
