TACLOBAN CITY — The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) has deployed 300 personnel to reinforce security operations in Cebu for the upcoming 461st Fiesta Celebration of Señor Sto. Niño and the Sinulog Festival 2026, one of the country’s largest religious and cultural events.

The send-off ceremony for the contingent was held on Tuesday, January 13, at the PRO-8 Grandstand in Camp Kangleon, Palo, Leyte, led by PRO-8 Regional Director BGen Jason Capoy.

The deployment follows the directive of Acting Philippine National Police Chief PLTGen Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., aimed at strengthening police presence and ensuring effective resource management during major national events scheduled for January 18.

The contingent consists of four Police Commissioned Officers and 296 Non-Commissioned Officers from various PRO-8 units, including Leyte and Southern Leyte Provincial Police Offices, city police offices in Tacloban and Ormoc, the Biliran PPO, the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 8, and other regional support units.

Capoy said the deployed officers will assist with crowd control, emergency preparedness, and rapid response operations throughout the festival, with a rotation period of eight days, subject to operational needs.

“I place my full confidence in each officer and expect them to serve with honor, discipline, and unyielding resolve. I urge everyone to remain vigilant, uphold professionalism, and support one another as they ensure the safety of all during this historic celebration,” PBGen Capoy said.

PRO-8 emphasized that the deployment reflects the PNP’s commitment to inter-regional cooperation, public safety, and the peaceful and orderly conduct of national events, reinforcing the importance of unity among regional police commands.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA, LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Residents of Barangay A. Bonifacio-Camansi in Mayorga, Leyte are now enjoying safer and more convenient travel following the completion of a P19.5-million road concreting project implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office.

District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura said the project involved the construction of a 0.20-meter-thick Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP) covering a total of 2.8418 lane kilometers. The project also included the installation of reinforced concrete pipe culverts (RCPC), a reinforced concrete box culvert (RCBC) with wing walls, and 363.35 cubic meters of stone masonry, all aimed at improving road safety and long-term durability.

Barangay Councilor Roseida Bastante said the newly completed road has significantly improved daily mobility in the community, particularly for students and farmers.

She recalled that before the project, the road was rough and muddy, forcing residents to take longer routes through other barangays. Students, in particular, had to travel farther distances to reach school, often arriving late due to the poor road conditions.

Bastante added that the situation worsened during heavy rains, as the low-lying road would easily flood and become completely impassable. This not only disrupted daily travel but also delayed the transport and delivery of local products to markets.

With the road now fully concreted and elevated, Bastante said travel has become more comfortable and reliable, even during rainy weather. She noted that children can now safely use the road and residents no longer worry about flooding or prolonged detours.

She expressed her gratitude to the DPWH for implementing the project, saying it has greatly improved accessibility and quality of life in the barangay.

The project was funded under the Calendar Year 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and implemented by Fairchild Builders & Developers, Inc. DPWH said the road is expected to enhance mobility and ensure safer, more convenient travel for residents, especially students and farmers transporting goods.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY— Biliran Governor Rogelio Espina has rejected reports circulating on social media about the planned expansion of a geothermal project on the island, clarifying that the provincial government has not approved and will not allow any drilling activities related to the proposed Biliran II Geothermal Project.

In an official statement, Espina said the provincial government issued the clarification to address public concern over reports about the possible revival or expansion of geothermal operations in Biliran.

The governor stressed that no application for permits has been filed with the provincial government for the project and that no authority has been granted for additional drilling or related activities.

“We have not given any approval, and we will not allow any additional drilling or any activity for their expansion,” Espina said.

He emphasized that protecting the island’s environment—including its mountains, forests, and water sources—remains a priority of his administration, even over the prospect of additional power generation. Espina said Biliran’s natural resources are vital to the survival and livelihood of its people.

The governor also urged Biliranons not to believe what he described as malicious and misleading information spreading online, assuring the public that the provincial government stands firm in protecting the island from projects that could harm the environment.

The statement was echoed by Caibiran Mayor Rhodessa Revita, who said the local government unit recognizes public concerns over the possible environmental and geohazard impacts of the proposed geothermal project within the municipality.

Revita clarified that Biliran Geothermal, Inc. (BGI) is not a new project and was initiated under previous administrations. She said the project remains non-operational and that no geothermal drilling has been conducted, particularly since the start of the current administration in 2019.

She added that the LGU of Caibiran has not issued any permit for drilling and will not allow activities that may endanger the municipality’s forests, watersheds, natural resources, or communities.

Revita said any future geothermal proposal would be subject to strict evaluation, full transparency, and meaningful public consultation with affected communities, stakeholders, and concerned government agencies, in compliance with existing laws and regulations.

Both provincial and municipal officials reiterated their commitment to environmental protection and to safeguarding the welfare of present and future generations of Biliranons amid renewed discussion on geothermal development in the province.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)