TACLOBAN CITY– The Tingog party-list is hoping to complete their plan of putting up 200 Tingog offices all over the country before the elections start next year.
Thus said Tingog party-list Rep. Philip Jude Acidre in a press briefing.
To date there, are 117 offices all over the country and 40 offices are in the pipeline.
Acidre said that they are hopeful that by October of this year, before the filing of the list of nominees for party-list, they could accomplish their goal.
Acidre said that this is part of their commitment to bring the government closer to the people, prioritizing their home base region, Eastern Visayas, where more than 30 of its offices are located.
Acidre also asks for the people’s understanding in the times there are delays in providing services in considering the bulk of requests for assistance their offices receive daily.
He is also hopeful that with the kind of service they are providing for the people, they are bringing positive changes to their lives which is the goal of the party-list.
“But as long as the party-list hasn’t achieved its goal in making people’s lives better, as long as the Samar medical Center is not yet finished, as long as we are not yet able to modernize the state colleges and universities, as well as the Eastern Medical Center, we will still work hard, we will not stop in providing services,” Acidre said.
He further added that he and Rep. Yedda Romualdez as well as Leyte Rep. and Speaker Martin Romualdez are all in one in providing assistance and services to the people, particularly from Region 8. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
TACLOBAN CITY– Senator Imee Marcos said that she will call for an ‘urgent investigation’ as to what are the preparations of the government on the El Niño phenomenon, considering its adverse impacts, particularly on the agriculture.
The senator, who was in the city last Saturday to attend a gathering of the Commission on Higher Education of its ‘Tulong Dulong’ scholarship program, said that there is a need to address the concerns of those in the agriculture and fisherfolk sectors as they were hard-hit by the dry spell.
“We will convene on Monday, and I will request an urgent investigation into the government’s El Niño plans because the impact on us is too severe. It’s really serious,” Marcos said.
According to the senator, because of the dry spell, those in the agriculture and fisher sectors, are the most affected and thus need immediate assistance from the government.
“I think we have to hasten the giving of assistance to them. The Department of Agriculture is supposed to be giving P5,000 to the rice farmers. There is a subsidy for transport of P3,000 for our fisherfolks,” the presidential sister said.
According to her, the farmers and fishermen have been waiting for their stipend or financial assistance from the government due to the destruction of their crops in the aftermath of the El Niño phenomenon.
“I think a lot of rice farmers, for example, are still waiting for their stipends because so much of their crops have been destroyed. It’s really heartbreaking,” she said.
The DA has earlier reported that due to the prolonged dry spell, losses to the agriculture sector have already exceeded P4 billion, prompting several affected local government units to declare a state of calamity.
Asked if she finds the performance of Agriculture Sec. Francisco Laurel Jr. wanting amid this situation, Sen. Marcos replied in the negative.
“Well, he is very new (to the post),” she said.
Laurel was appointed as DA chief in November of last year, succeeding the President who held the same portfolio after he assumed the presidency.
Meantime, Sen. Marcos chided the government for resorting to importation every time there was a shortage on supplies.
“Parang nagin reaction na lang natin na kada problema natin, mag-import. Hindi naman bumababa ang presyo sa palengke. Sobrang mahal naman pagdating sa palengke.So there seems to be some disconnect in the supply chain,” she said.
The government, she said, must provide more assistance to local farmers, for example, and help them increase their yield and income. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
CATARMAN, N. Samar– The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Northern Samar First District Engineering Office reaffirms its dedication to environmental sustainability by launching initiatives to promote an eco-friendly working environment.
As part of its commitment, DPWH-Northern Samar First will implement various measures to reduce its environmental impact. This includes the use of sustainable materials in construction projects, the adoption of green building practices, and the promotion of energy-efficient technologies.
“We recognize the importance of protecting our environment for future generations,” said District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio.
“By implementing eco-friendly practices in our projects, we aim to minimize our carbon footprint and contribute to a cleaner, greener future.”
In addition to sustainable construction practices, DPWH-Northern Samar First will also undertake community-based initiatives to raise awareness about environmental conservation. This includes tree-planting activities and coastal clean-ups.
To further enhance its environmental efforts, DPWH-Northern Samar First will focus on key areas such as reducing electricity consumption, water conservation, waste management, and implementing greening programs.
The office will install trash bins in strategic locations, plant ornamental plants to beautify surroundings, and install rainwater collector tanks. Additionally, the office will ensure the wise utilization of office supplies and materials to avoid waste. Construction materials, such as asphalt containers, are repurposed into plant holders. Fuel allocation is reduced, and air-conditioning units are turned on within specific time periods to conserve energy.
“We believe that environmental conservation is a shared responsibility,” added DE Ignacio.
“Through collaboration with the community and the implementation of these initiatives, we can create a more sustainable and eco-friendly environment for all.” He further stated.
DPWH-Northern Samar First’s commitment to promoting an eco-friendly working environment aligns with the national government’s efforts to achieve sustainable development goals. By prioritizing environmental sustainability, DPWH-Northern Samar First aims to set a precedent for other government agencies and private organizations to follow suit. (ANALIZA A.PABIA, PIO ALTERNATE/PR)
ORMOC CITY-A four-year-old boy was found floating in the seawater past 11 am in Purok 1, Barangay Nijaga of this city last April 26.
The victim was identified as Daniel Aniban, 4, a resident of Purok 3, Brgy. Hamorawon, here.
Based on the report from the local police, residents in the coastal barangay of Nijaga found a floating object in the seawater and when they went to see it, to their shock and horror, learned it was a child.
The residents immediately brought the child to the shoreline with the hope of reviving him before they brought him to a hospital.
The attending doctor, however, declared him to be dead on arrival.
It was learned that the boy came out of their house unnoticed as his mother was inside their room feeding her other child.
The boy reportedly went to the roasted pig near their house and possibly went to the river. (ROBERT DEJON)
Corporal Denver Jay Busa believes his gender will not be a hindrance his work as a police personnel. The 27-year-old cop also affirms his strong obedience to God as he carries out his duty as a peace officer.
Corporal Denver Jay Busa believes his gender will not be a hindrance his work as a police personnel. The 27-year-old cop also affirms his strong obedience to God as he carries out his duty as a peace officer.
TACLOBAN CITY – POLICE OFFICER Denver Jay Busa reflects on his childhood surrounded by books, flowers, and female friends.
“I grew up with a great love for flowers, especially during Flores de Mayo, because I love to decorate our church with lots of flowers to make it look more beautiful,” says the 27-year-old police corporal from Maydolong town in Eastern Samar province.
His fondness for beautiful flowers traces back to the teachings of his catechist teachers at St. Roch the Healer Chapel in their small village of Maybocog in Maydolong, a quaint fourth-class town in Eastern Samar home to over 15,000 people.
“My religion teachers reminded me that when you offer a flower during Flores de Mayo, you offer it to Mama Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. From this, I realized that we should do our best and give everything to the Lord all the time,” Busa shares.
At the age of nine, Busa began assisting the priest during mass and joining the choir, deeply involving himself in church activities. “Every Sunday, I feel part of a group with a purpose. And that purpose is to serve God and others,” he says, recalling his formative years.
He fondly remembers the late priest Nemesio Quiloña, who influenced him about the Catholic faith and Christian values during his teenage years as a church helper.
A love for knowledge and spiritual matters
As the eldest son of four siblings, Busa already sees himself as the family’s breadwinner. His father, Ernesto Jr., is a coconut farmer, while his mother, Ma. Rodita, works as a laundrywoman.
“My parents work hard for all of us. This is the reason why I also work hard to finish my studies,” he says. Busa expresses gratitude to his neighbor, the late Maximo Mabansag, for introducing him to the Angelus prayer and providing access to educational resources.
“His family strictly observed the Angelus prayer. As a frequent visitor to their house, I discovered the importance of praying for my own family,” Busa shares, reminiscing about his childhood visits to their home.
During his high school years in Maydolong, Busa spent more time with female friends than with males, acknowledging his membership in the LGBTQI community. Despite this, he excelled academically, graduating as valedictorian in elementary and first honor in high school.
In 2015, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at Eastern Samar State University-Maydolong Campus, receiving the “Student Excellence Award.”
A Journey to Law Enforcement
Upon graduation, Busa faced challenges securing a teaching position due to political reasons, leading him to explore alternative career paths. Hearing a radio announcement about the need for new police officer applicants at the Police Regional Office-Eastern Visayas (PRO8) reignited his sense of purpose.
After completing the one-year police training course and becoming a leader in his class, Busa now serves at the PRO8 Regional Public Information Office. He handles information dissemination to the public through various platforms and hosts police radio programs.
Grounded in service and faith
Despite the success in his career, Busa remains grounded in his profession and faith. He emphasizes the importance of serving others and striving for righteousness in his work and community involvement.
Starting his day with prayer and devotion, Busa shares Biblical verses on his social media platforms to inspire others. He remains loyal to his profession, proud of the values upheld by law enforcement officers despite criticisms.
In his seven years in the police force, Busa has only fired his gun during marksmanship training, prioritizing maximum tolerance and protection of lives. He believes in the power of law enforcement to combat evil and protect the community.
Busa’s journey from a church helper to a police corporal exemplifies resilience, idealism, and unwavering faith, proving that one can be both tough in duty and Godly in service.
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways and the Eastern Samar District Engineering Office inaugurated a bridge in Barangay Bigo, Arteche in Eastern Samar.
The inauguration was held on April 25 with Department of Public Works and Highways Assistant Regional Director Ma. Margarita Junia, Eastern Samar District Engineer Domcelio Natividad, and Eastern Samar lone district Rep.Maria Fe Abunda in attendance.
The viaduct is a vital infrastructure that will provide accessibility, especially to residents of nearby town Jipapad even during times of disaster such as flooding.
The portion of the national road in Bigo is frequently close to traffic during heavy due to flood waters that usually reach an average of two meters while during extreme rainfall would reaches six meters.
This would result in road closure that lasts for several days until the flood water subsides.
The 80-meter linear bridge worth P96.499 million, with the construction started April of last year, is also considered a vital point for travelers and motorists from Eastern and Northern Samar using the Arteche-Jipapad-Las Navas road.
The completion of the viaduct will not only help in accessibility even during times of calamity and disaster but will also benefit on economic and social development of the villages of Arteche and Jipapad. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
