TACLOBAN CITY-The Business Permits and Licenses Division (BPLD) noted strong business renewals, with collections reaching about P210 million by January 31, marking a 19.32 percent increase compared to the generated P176 million revenue in the same period last year.

In an interview, BPLD head Gemafiel Gaspay attributed the success to the strategic placement of three satellite offices in malls, providing convenience to business owners and easing congestion at the onsite Business One-Stop Shop in Tacloban City Hall.

Gaspay further disclosed that around 90% or a total of 7,122 business permits have already been renewed, with transport renewals reaching 1,351 or roughly 60-70% of the target.

In connection, she expressed confidence in hitting or even surpassing the P318,974,547.75 target despite the end of the extended surcharge-free period, as renewal processing continues at the City Hall BOSS on weekdays from 8 Am to 5 pm.

However, business owners who have yet to process their permits now will be facing a 25% surcharge on the total amount due and an additional two percent every month of delay until settlement, as stipulated under City Ordinance 99-58.

The official, on the other hand, extended her gratitude to the business community for their cooperation, noting their great contributions to keeping the local economy even more vibrant.

Meanwhile, the release of business plates, according to Gaspay, is scheduled for this month of February.

In a related development, as the city of Tacloban enforces the Plastic and Styrofoam Regulation Ordinance, the BPLD head emphasizes upcoming inspections to ensure businesses comply with the regulation, following extensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns conducted by their office and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) since the ordinance’s enactment in March 2023.
(C.MERIN/R.CABLAO, CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)

ORMOC CITY– A case of murder and frustrated murder were filed against a suspect who confessed to have killed his friend and his brother-in-law in Barangay Bagong, this city, due to a personal grudge.

Mario Casani, 33, a resident of the said barangay, was formally charged at the City Prosecutor’s Office on Saturday (Jan.27) for killing Antonio Abundo, 46, and wounding his brother-in-law Carlito Baloro, 18.

Based on the police report, in the afternoon of January 25, 2024, Abundo was heading to his farm along with Baloro when the suspect appeared and fired at them using an improvised shotgun.

Abundo died immediately while Baloro was hit on his left arm.

It was learned that the suspect and his two victims were at the barangay hall to settle some past grudges in the morning before the incident.

Police Captain Rodolfo Mercolita, station chief of police said that the suspect decided to surrender to their barangay after the incident.

During an interview with the suspect, Casani confirmed in killing and wounding the victims which prompted the duty police officer to arrest him.

Casani narrated how he committed the crime, saying at first, he had no intention of including his brother-in-law.

However, the latter’s action of helping Abundo provoked him and fired Baloro with the use of a makeshift gun with a marble bullet.

The improvised shotgun, which the suspect made himself, was also turned over. He added it was made for the purpose of catching wild pigs and birds for food.

The suspect is now detained at the police station 5. (ELVIE ROMAN-ROA)

TACLOBAN CITY– Filipino journalists have been devastated again following the closure of predominantly English-language media outfit CNN Philippines on January 29, 2024, some three years after the closure of another giant broadcast company ABS-CBN.

“It is with heavy heart that we share the difficult news that we will stop news production operations as a result of serious financial losses,” CNN Philippines President Benjamin Ramos said in a post by one of their reporters on X, formerly Twitter.

“We thank you for delivering news that are fair, accurate, and balanced. You have rightfully earned the trust of Filipinos and we sincerely thank all of you for that,” Ramos told the company employees.

CNN Philippines, which started operation under the management of Nine Media Corporation (NMC) on March 16, 2015, reportedly incurred losses of over P5 billion.

The local franchise holder company however assured that it will provide severance packages to its 300 workers and talents.

“This is very saddening news because aside from the country losing a source of news due to the closure of CNN Philippines, it will also result in the losses of jobs to many employees,” Tacloban City-based journalist Roel Amazona, 43, who worked as CNN Philippines stringer.

“Since 2013, I’ve been working with them as news talent, providing them with regional stories from Eastern Visayas. It was a privilege and honor to work as news talent for CNN Philippines, and work with their staff on big coverage,” Amazona, who also writes for Leyte Samar Daily Express, added.

Stanley Buenafe Gajete, who previously worked for two years at CNN Philippines, also expressed his solidarity with his former colleagues.

“I am forever grateful and honored to be part of this strong broadcast team in the country. So much learning. Mahal kita (I love you), CNN Philippines. Hugs to all former colleagues,” Gajete said.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, the largest media group that supports the welfare of the Philippine media, also hoped that the company “will help its media workers through the transition and hope as well that our colleagues will get to come back to the profession as soon as possible.”

“The loss of another newsroom means one less source of reliable information for the public at a time when disinformation and misinformation are rampant,” it said.
(RONALD O. REYES)