TACLOBAN CITY – With voter registration resuming on February 12th, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is intensifying its efforts to bolster voter turnout in the upcoming 2025 midterm polls.

The Comelec has launched various initiatives to facilitate registration for eligible voters nationwide.

The ‘Register Anywhere Program’ (RAP) allows voters to register in their respective municipalities or cities, regardless of their current residence.

This initiative, which runs until August 31 of this year, primarily targets larger population clusters in select capital cities, towns, and highly urbanized areas.

RAP sites have been established within the region in the cities of Tacloban, Ormoc, Borongan, and Catbalogan and in the provincial capitals of Naval in Biliran, and Catarman in Northern Samar.

Satellite sites were also set up in malls and other institutions.

Eligible voters residing anywhere in the Philippines can submit their application forms along with the necessary documentary requirements and have their biometrics captured onsite.
Notably, there are no additional documents required for registration through the RAP.

It was initially pilot-tested during the registration period for last year’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections and is now in full swing nationwide.

The RAP primarily targets workers residing outside their registered municipality or city and aims to simplify the registration process.

The Comelec is also organizing voter education and registration fairs in schools across the region. These fairs, specifically targeting senior high school and university students, aim to increase voter participation among the youth.

Students who will turn 18 by the time of the elections are highly encouraged to register. Three fairs have been conducted so far: at the UP Tacloban College (February 26), Visayas State University (March 5) in Baybay City, and the University of Eastern Philippines (March 14-15) in Catarman, respectively.

The RAP was also established at the venue to make registration more convenient for unregistered voters during the fair.

In an interview, city elections officer, lawyer Ma. Goretti Cañas also highlighted the efforts of the Comelec in anticipation of vote-buying.

“The Comelec is really working on it. In fact, nag start na kita han Kontra Bigay, and we’ve already sought the assistance of the Department of Justice,” she said.

Cañas also encouraged voters to register earlier to avoid the sudden surge in registrants during the last month of registration. The registration period lasts from February 12 to September 30, 2024.
(WILBEN SEBASTIAN A. ONG, STEFTI INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY– Vehicular accidents were the number one cause of accidents in the city last year.

Based on the records from the city police station 2, out of the 948 accidents recorded in 2023, 549 vehicular accidents were recorded.

And as of March 12, 138 vehicular accidents were also recorded.

These vehicular accidents involve collisions, speeding, wrong parking, and sideswiping.
According to Police Major Jose Gallanes Jr., while accidents cannot be predicted, these vehicular accidents often occur due to distracted driving and speeding with the driver’s negligence in yielding to other vehicles.

Additionally, while these accidents may not always result in serious injuries or damages, they frequently involve human recklessness leading to property destructions.

Gallanes also added that despite having numerous reports about vehicular accidents, being able to prepare for sudden accidents and maintain a safe and peaceful road operations is not an easy task as there are only 49 police officers in their station that ought to manage 73 barangays.

Additionally, vehicular accidents in the said area have no peak places, leaving them without a clue as to which place will there be a need for regular duty.

He also emphasized the importance of the public’s cooperation in preventing vehicular accidents.

“Crime prevention is everybody’s responsibility and not the job of the police alone. Unfortunately, some of our people do not cooperate with us,” Gallanes said.

Police Major Gallanes once again reminds the public that it’s very important to always be conscious and careful when driving. (JOYLIN MEDINO, STEFTI STUDENT INTERN)

ALBUERA, LEYTE –The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) progresses with the Construction of Missing Links/New Roads – Burauen – Albuera Road (Albuera Section), Leyte.

The project encompasses 110 meters or 0.22 lane kilometers of Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP), along with a road slope protection structure spanning 110 meters and covering 252 square meters.

Additionally, it includes the construction of a line canal extending 220 meters, ensuring efficient drainage along the road stretch.

Farmers, such as Jose Brono Relleseba, have expressed optimism about the project’s benefits. He recalled that in the past, large vehicles encountered difficulties traversing the area.

“Karon, dako jud ni nga tabang sa amo nga mga mag-uuma kay nindot na ang agianan padung Liberty, Burauen, ug Albuera (This is a big help to us farmers since the road to Liberty, Burauen, and Albuera is now great),” he stated.

Once completed, the project is anticipated to reduce travel time between towns, thereby enhancing accessibility and connectivity for residents, commuters, and businesses alike.
With a contract cost of P115,799,998.75, it is made possible through funding allocated under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2023. (PR)

ORMOC CITY – The body of a man discovered in an upland of this city on the afternoon of March 7, 2024, was identified by his common-law wife who came to claim his remains at the funeral parlor.

Presidio Saguiped, 46, was found buried in a shallow grave within a sugarcane plantation in Barangay Patag by Master Sergeant Mercado, a member of the 802nd Brigade Philippine Army, who then reported the discovery to village chairman Gilbert Pilapil, stated Police Station 6 officer-in-charge Police Captain Jefferson Barrios.

Saguiped’s head was wrapped in cloth, with a tie wire encircling his neck. He had been reported missing by his family two days earlier when he failed to return home.
A post-mortem examination confirmed his cause of death as asphyxiation. The City Forensic Unit found no evidence of gunshot or stab wounds.

Authorities are investigating whether Saguiped was killed at the scene or if his body was transported there after his death.

Saguiped had previously been detained at the Ormoc City jail for illegal drug offenses following his arrest in a buy-bust operation in July 2015 at his residence in Brgy. Valencia, Ormoc City, by the Regional Anti-Illegal Drug Operations Task Group. He was released from prison in 2022 under a plea-bargaining agreement.

According to Mercado’s account, Barrios stated that the Army had received reports of sightings of suspected members of a leftist group in the area. This group was believed to be the same one the Army had encountered the previous night in the hinterlands of nearby Albuera town, prompting Mercado’s patrol. It was during this patrol that he discovered Saguiped’s partially buried body.

“Although I am not concluding that he was involved in drug-related activities at the time of his death, as we are still conducting further investigation,” Barrios said.

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)