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Mayor: No agreement to ‘merge’ festivals

jybanez — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:22:15 +0000

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THERE was no agreement to “merge” the Leyte Provincial Government-led Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals and the Tacloban City Government’s Sangyaw Festival, also known as The Parade of Lights, said Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla.

“It cannot be called a merger because as far as I know, there was no agreement between our organization and the City Government [of Tacloban]. We only applied a permit for a festival parade around the city’s main streets to be held on June 29 and it was granted. It just so happened that their event is on the same day, but will be held in the evening,” said Petilla, who heads the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals 2013, during Friday’s grand opening of the festival park at the RTR Plaza.

DENR tags Leyte as Philippine eagle rediscovery site

jybanez — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:21:55 +0000

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THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has identified Leyte Mountains as a re-discovery site for the Philippine Eagle following the recent sightings of this critically endangered bird species.

In a statement, DENR Secretary Ramon Paje said the decision came after receiving reports of sightings of the majestic eagle in Apayao and Leyte provinces earlier this year by the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) and the University of the Philippines (UP), respectively.

DOTC to upgrade Tacloban DZR airport

jybanez — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:21:35 +0000

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THE Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has announced that it will upgrade the Daniel Z. Romualdez (DZR) Airport at Tacloban City.

According to the DOTC website, the airport upgrade will follow soon after the auction from bidders within this month.

Mining firm ordered to stop operations

jybanez — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:21:13 +0000

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MEMBERS of the Leyte Provincial Board (PB) had approved a resolution in their 131th regular session ordering Strong Built Mining Development Corporation to stop its operation in MacArthur, Leyte.

The move was the PB’s response to the letter of Governor Maria Mimmiette Bagulaya ordering for the stoppage of the operation of the mining firm after members of the Sand and Gravel Inspection Team of the province intercepted four-wing vans transporting concentrated black sand (magnetite sand) reportedly to Cebu and then to Japan.

Priest reacts to ‘My Husband’s Lover’

jybanez — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:20:51 +0000

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IT’S still a no-way for homosexuals to get married and be tolerated by the church in their homosexual acts, said the director for Social Communications office of the Archdiocese of Palo in reaction to today’s most-talked-about gay-themed GMA drama “My Husband’s Lover.”

“We respect the homosexuals, but the homosexual act is already a different story. A homosexual act is considered as a sin,” said Fr. Amadeo Alvero.

Policewoman wins ‘Pulis Got Talent’

jybanez — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 13:12:44 +0000

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CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – A policewoman in Biliran was hailed Wednesday as the first division winner of “Pulis Got Talent” singing contest, besting 11 other contestants at the RTR Festival Parks in Tacloban City.

“I was surprised when my name was called. It was totally unexpected,” said Police Officer 2 (PO2) Venus Abrigo, 28, the Police-Community Relations Non-Commissioned Officer of Naval Municipal Police Station in Biliran province.

Manual audit of votes shows 100% accuracy

jybanez — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 13:12:18 +0000

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THE random manual audit (RMA) of the votes cast in the May 13 elections showed nearly 100 percent accuracy compared to the results of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines, said an official of the Commission on Elections in Eastern Visayas (Comelec-8).

Lawyer Veronico Petalcorin, officer-in-charge of Comelec-8, said ballot boxes from nine randomly selected areas in the region have so far been checked to determine the accuracy of the votes counted by the PCOS machines.

4 gang members fall

jybanez — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 13:11:57 +0000

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CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – Police authorities have arrested four members of a criminal gang involved in assassinations, armed robberies and working as an armed group of a local politician in Leyte.

Eastern Visayas Police Director Elmer Ragadio Soria said the suspects were identified as Vincent Lonzaga, Aldin Mago, Norman Tojong and Ritchie Bactol were nabbed Tuesday at their hide-out in Sitio Tinago, Barangay Benulho in Albuera town

Myanmar minister visits Eastern Visayas

jybanez — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 13:11:38 +0000

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TACLOBAN CITY – A Myanmar deputy minister visited Eastern Visayas to study key features of Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS).

Deputy Minister Zaw Win of Myanmar Ministry of Border Affairs led the delegation from Myanmar and did an on-site visit and observed more about the projects in the municipalities of Paranas in Samar and Hernani in Eastern Samar.

Kalanggaman Island had 13,000 visitors in summer

jybanez — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:11:28 +0000

TACLOBAN. Nearly 13,000 tourists visited Kalanggaman Island in Palompon, Leyte this summer, according to the Palompon Eco-Tourism Office. The powdery white beach and pristine water continue to lure tourists to the island. (Vicky Arnaiz)

DepEd urged to let LGUs hire new teachers

jybanez — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:07:23 +0000

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MANY parents in Eastern Visayas are urging the Department of Education (DepEd) to reconsider their issued moratorium for local government units (LGU)-hired teachers to address the lack of teachers in the region.

DepEd officials in the region admitted that another reason which triggered to the lack of teachers in the region is the moratorium issued by DepEd on teachers being hired by the LGUs.

The officials said DepEd issued such a memorandum because the LGU-hired teachers are not board passers.

The parents, however, refute to such claim saying that there are also LGU-hired teachers who are board passers. They added that there are many teachers who are board passers but were not hired or accommodated by DepEd due to lack of funds or new items for teachers but LGUs are willing to hire them.

Parents said LGUs should be allowed to hire those teachers who are board passers but were not hired by DepEd due to lack of funds or availability of items.

Kalanggaman Island had 13,000 visitors in summer

jybanez — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:07:02 +0000

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ALMOST 13,000 domestic and foreign tourists have visited Kalanggaman islet, the jewel destination of Palompon, Leyte during the summer months of April and May.

In an interview with Raoul Bacalla of the municipal eco-tourism office, he said the arrivals last April for domestic tourists were 5,474 and 485 foreign. In the month of May, there were 7,143 recorded tourist arrivals composing of 6,569 domestic and 574 foreign tourists, he said.

186 violators nabbed in gun ban

jybanez — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:06:41 +0000

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CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte - Eastern Visayas police will now focus on the prosecution of offenders of election laws particularly the Commission on Elections (Comelec)-imposed gun ban as the region’s top cop has ordered his men to ensure the conviction of all arrested violators.

This after the generally peaceful conduct of the May 13 synchronized national and local elections and the election period over.

Judge files motion for reconsideration

jybanez — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:06:07 +0000

from service on April 2.

Teachers irked on delayed release of poll honoraria

jybanez — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:05:48 +0000

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A MONTH after the election, some teachers who served as Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) are complaining about the delay in the release of their honoraria.

Some teachers in various parts of the region have complained about the process they have to undergo before they could receive their allowance.

A teacher from Tacloban City who requested not to be named said it is hard to process their claims for the release of their honoraria since they have to fill up forms.

EDC to submit work plan to resume operation

jybanez — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:10:22 +0000

site of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) after the geothermal energy producer failed to submit a work plan on May 30.

Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) Regional Director Exequiel Sarcauga said there has been no feedback from EDC after the May 30 deadline as to when they will submit the completed geotechnical plan.

Groups call for Samar forest protection

jybanez — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:10:01 +0000

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CATBALOGAN CITY -- Officials of the Samar Island National Protected Area (SINP) and the Regional Eagle Watch are urging Samar folks, especially those in upland communities, and the local government units (LGU) to help protect Samar wildlife from hunting and trade.

The nation observed Philippine Eagles Week from June 4 to 10 this year with the theme, “Saving our eagles, protecting our forest and securing our future.”

Tacloban Karate Team to represent country in SEA Games

jybanez — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:09:32 +0000

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FOUR members of the Tacloban Karate Team (TKT) are sure to represent the Philippines to the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Myanmar this coming December.

After winning several gold medals during the recently concluded Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission National Games in Manila, the TKT is now all-efforts to hardcore trainings for its members who will become part of the Philippine team to compete in the forthcoming SEA Games.

Mining operations still continue in Leyte towns

jybanez — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:09:14 +0000

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THE Nicua Mining Corporation (NMC) has temporarily ceased its operation in Macarthur, Leyte but the town is not completely free from mining as another mining operator braces for full operation while a junior firm seeks an exploration permit.

Since 2012, Cebu-based Strong Built (Mining) Development Corporation (SBDC) has been extracting minerals in Barangay San Pedro for testing in preparation for commercial production, according to the regional office of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

Village chief nabbed for drugs

jybanez — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:08:57 +0000

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A BARANGAY chairman of Tacloban City is facing charges for possession of prohibited drug after he was arrested by the members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in a buy-bust operation last Tuesday night.

Arrested by the anti-narcotics agents was Reynaldo Abrematea, chairman of Barangay 50-A of this city, who was caught in possession of one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu”, one unit Cherry Mobile phone, and a P500 bill marked money used for the buy-bust operation.

Regional police holds talent search for cops

jybanez — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:29:22 +0000

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CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte –- Ever heard a policeman singing to the latest pop tune? Maybe. But how about cops dancing to the groove of Psy’s “Gentleman”, Zedd’s “Clarity” or even the “Harlem Shake”? Beat it?

Fire hits Catarman commercial center

jybanez — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:29:01 +0000

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CATARMAN, Northern Samar -- A fire razed a commercial building located at the business center of this town Tuesday morning.

The fire started around 8:20 a.m. in Old Catarman Market Chenda Comercial Building located in Barangay Narra near Jollibee Fast Food and Land Bank of the Philippines. It was declared under control around 9:45 a.m.

In an interview, Fire Inspector Hermy Bolosino said they have a hard time putting off the fire because of the low pressure of the water coming from the fire hydrant of the Catarman Water District.

Tacloban celebrates 60th Charter Day anniversary

jybanez — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:28:36 +0000

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THE Tacloban City Government joined the entire nation in celebrating today's 115th Philippine Independence Day and at the same time commemorated its 60th Charter Day Anniversary at Plaza Rizal.

Poll winners warned: Submit expenses

jybanez — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:56:12 +0000

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NON-FILING of statement of election contributions and expenditures (SECE) will bar proclaimed winners of the May 13 midterm elections to assume office in June 30.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said they would be strict on implementing the March 2012 agreement enforcing campaign finance rules.

An Waray to continue programs

jybanez — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:55:37 +0000

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THE An Waray party-list group vowed to continue its program of extending assistance to the indigent patients at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) and its scholarship program in the different universities and colleges across the region.

An Waray representative Neil Benedict Montejo said the organization would also focus on tourism-related projects.

Children urged to eat breakfast

jybanez — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:55:12 +0000

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THE National Nutrition Council in Eastern Visayas urged children to eat breakfast as a good practice to a learner’s physical and mental well being.

NNC-8 program coordinator Segundina Devota Dilao said that aside from high cost of school supplies, parents should also worry about the nutrition of schoolchildren since this will greatly affect children’s performance in the school.

Emergency team holds training

jybanez — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:54:31 +0000

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THE Triskelion Emergency Response Team (TERT) together with the Department of Health-Health Emergency Management and Staff (DOH-HEMS) conducted a two-day Basic Life Support (BLS) training at Sinugba House, San Jose, Tacloban City.

The training aims to add skills needed to protect and support life during emergencies.

Cynthia Villar vows to revive OFW department

jybanez — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 14:18:44 +0000

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SENATOR-ELECT Cynthia Villar vowed to revive legislative measure creating the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers (DOFW).

Villar said she will re-file the measure on DOFW initially filed by her husband, Senator Manny Villar, but was not passed in the previous Congress.

Semi-finalist: No pressure for Dangal ng Bayan awards

jybanez — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 14:18:12 +0000

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TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Visayas semi-finalist Pablo Amascual III said nothing pressures him even with just a few months to go before the Civil Service Commission (CSC) names its annual Outstanding Public Officials and Employees or Dangal ng Bayan awardees.

“There’s nothing that pressures me. It’s really not a competition. The CSC just need to choose who among of us deserves to be awarded as based on our profile,” Amascual said.

Daza files electoral protest

jybanez — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 14:17:39 +0000

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CATARMAN, Northern Samar - Liberal Party (LP) stalwart reelectionist Deputy Speaker Raul Daza (1st district) has filed his election protest before the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET).

Daza, one of the senior LP lawmakers in the Lower House, told reporters in an interview Saturday, that he filed his electoral protest as he was allegedly cheated in the counting of votes at the Northern Samar Provincial Board of Canvassers that led to the proclamation of his opponent, returning Representative Harlin Abayon.