TACLOBAN CITY — A new multipurpose center will soon be built in Barangay 88, San Jose, this city, as part of a Kalahi-CIDSS (Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay-Community-Driven Development) subproject.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held on November 7, 2024, with the barangay officials and community volunteers present.
This project addresses the community’s need for a proper facility to continue providing essential services.
The Kalahi-CIDSS Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach allowed the community to identify and prioritize their needs.
Valued at P20 million, the project includes a local counterpart contribution of P105,000 from the barangay. The project will benefit 898 households in the area.
TACLOBAN CITY– The Samar POP (SPOP) Music Festival recognized its winners during the fifth-year competition held at the capitol grounds in Catbalogan City.
James Timan from Calbayog City emerged as the champion in the SPOP Aňo 5 contemporary category with his composition ‘Kawil’, defeating nine other contenders from the province of Samar.
According to Timan, Kawil reflects his personal struggles and insecurities, expressing his pursuit of dreams and aspirations. The song also conveys a message of hope and light, emphasizing the importance of sharing one’s dreams with someone who inspires you.
For his victory, Timan received a cash prize of P100,000 and a trophy. He also won three minor awards: best in lyrics, best in musical arrangement, and best music video, earning an additional P15,000 in cash.
“Salamat Ginoo nga nabug’os ini nga SPOP. Salamat sa SPOP nga paghimu sini nga event para mabuligan an mga composer, mga local artists sa Samar,” Timan said in his acceptance speech. He also thanked his wife and child for inspiring him to write songs.
In second place was Kadaugan by Gus Plamenco, Mark Paul Alcala, and Mando De Leon, who won P75,000 and a trophy. The third-place winner was Metyorayt by Lucris Ebalde, earning P50,000 and a trophy.
Yssa Romano, last year’s best interpreter awardee, also took home this year’s best interpreter award for her performance of Kay ‘Ano Daw La?’, winning P5,000.
The audience choice award went to ‘Daw Sugad Hin Uran’ by Elmer Del Monte, Jyce Genotiva, and Jhoanne Leanda, who also received P5,000.
SPOP is an annual songwriting and music festival organized by the provincial government of Samar through the Samar Provincial Tourism Office, with the help of songwriter Lucien Letaba. The event aims to provide a platform for local talents to showcase their passion for music and songwriting. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
TACLOBAN CITY — In a proactive effort to enhance road safety and prevent accidents, the Tacloban City District Engineering Office (TCDEO) takes swift action to address a hazardous, slippery stretch along the Bypass Road in Barangay 91, Abucay.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, TCDEO mobilized its maintenance team to immediately scrape the existing penetration asphalt and replace it with hot mix asphalt, making the road rough enough to prevent slipperiness. This operation aimed to restore proper traction to the road, significantly reducing the likelihood of skidding and accidents, particularly during wet weather.
While the slippery surface has been rectified, TCDEO has also installed road signage along the area to caution drivers and pedestrians about the recent condition, ensuring ongoing awareness and safety for all road users.
“This intervention was carried out to prevent accidents and maintain the safety and quality of our roadways,” explained Engr. Charlie B. Tampil, Chief of the Maintenance Section. “Our team acted quickly to scrape the penetration asphalt and replace it with hot mix asphalt, effectively removing the slippery layer and creating a safer route for everyone traveling here.”
In spite of the action taken to enhance road safety, TCDEO still urges all motorists to drive cautiously and remain attentive to posted signage to avoid the risk of accidents. (PUBLIC INFORMATION UNIT)
ORMOC CITY-The local fire bureau is currently conducting a thorough investigation after the home of a tuba gatherer was reduced to ashes in a fire that broke out around 10:10 am on Saturday, November 2, in Barangay Domogdog, Barugo, Leyte.
Fire investigator SFO2 Fatima Potencia identified the homeowner as “Gadon,” 51, married, and a tuba gatherer residing in the said area.
According to SFO2 Potencia, an investigation based on the homeowner’s testimony revealed that Gadon had left the house at around 9 am to visit another barangay, leaving the residence unoccupied and with no electrical devices plugged in. Upon his return, he found the house already engulfed in flames.
SFO2 Potencia further reported that a bystander claimed to have heard a loud blast from within the house, which may have originated from the electrical wiring.
The Barugo Bureau of Fire Protection declared the fire under control at 10:30 am the same day, with no injuries or casualties reported.
The estimated damage caused by the fire is valued at approximately P30,000.
SFO2 Potencia noted that further investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire.
ORMOC CITY— A visiting rice trader was arrested by local police for possession of an unlicensed firearm at around 3 pm on Sunday, November 3, in Barangay Magaan, Zumarraga, Samar.
The suspect, identified by police as “Jojo,” 57, married, and a resident of Calbiga, Samar, is a rice retailer.
According to the local police, they received a tip from a concerned citizen via phone regarding an individual reportedly carrying an unidentified firearm. Acting on the information, the police proceeded to the location to investigate.
During their investigation, the responding officers found the suspect in possession of a .45 caliber pistol with one magazine loaded with six rounds of ammunition. When asked to present legal documents for carrying the firearm, the suspect failed to produce any, leading to his arrest.
The suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and his constitutional rights in a language he understood, in accordance with the Miranda Doctrine.
The suspect, along with the confiscated firearm, was brought to the Zumarraga Municipal Police Station for proper documentation.
Charges for violation of Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition, have been filed with the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against the suspect who remains temporarily detained at the Zumarraga municipal police station.
YOLANDA.Romil Navidad offers prayers and lights a candle at the gravesite of his daughter, Rimel, one of the 2,200 individuals interred at the mass grave in Brgy. Basper who perished during the onslaught of Yolanda 11 years ago. Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez urged the public to never forget the lessons of Yolanda. (JAG)
Never to be forgotten
YOLANDA.Romil Navidad offers prayers and lights a candle at the gravesite of his daughter, Rimel, one of the 2,200 individuals interred at the mass grave in Brgy. Basper who perished during the onslaught of Yolanda 11 years ago. Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez urged the public to never forget the lessons of Yolanda. (JAG)
TACLOBAN CITY — As with past commemorations of the devastation caused by Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ (international name:Haiyan), Romil Navidad faithfully visits the grave of his daughter, Rimel, who was among the 2,200 individuals interred at the mass grave in Barangay Basper, this city.
On Friday, Nov. 8, marking the 11th year since Yolanda leveled Tacloban, the 49-year-old father continued to grieve for the loss of his only child, who was 10 years old at that time.
“She was with her mother when they clung desperately to a coconut tree as the storm surge hit,” Navidad recalled. “The surge tore them apart. My wife survived, but our daughter did not.”
At the time of the tragedy, the family lived in Sitio Alimasag, Barangay 88, in the San Jose district—the hardest-hit area in Tacloban.
Navidad expressed guilt over not being able to save his daughter, though he managed to rescue a pregnant woman from drowning.
“But I have learned to accept my fate,” he said, standing solemnly at Rimel’s grave with a lit candle and a bottle of soft drink, a traditional offering.
Today, Navidad lives alone in a housing project built by a private organization. His wife left him in 2019, adding another layer of heartache to his story.
During the commemoration, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, along with relatives of the victims, government officials, and local residents, gathered to honor those who perished.
“Some ask if we will still commemorate this tragedy 15 or 20 years from now. My answer is yes,” Romualdez declared. “We do this to ensure that future generations never forget the lessons of Yolanda.”
Romualdez emphasized that these lessons are even more relevant today, as the country faces increasingly frequent and intense natural disasters, particularly typhoons.
“Our focus must be on preparedness,” he said. “When we’re ready for stronger and deadlier storms, we can help the government save on rescue and rehabilitation costs.”
The mayor also urged people to heed warnings about living in danger zones prone to flooding or landslides.
Just last month, the Philippines endured successive severe typhoons, Leon and Kristine, which caused over P11 billion in damage and claimed 150 lives as of Nov. 1. Both typhoons spared Eastern Visayas.
Other local government units in Eastern Visayas, including Palo and Tanauan in Leyte and Guiuan in Eastern Samar, held their own commemorative programs.
Even Maasin City in Southern Leyte, which was spared from Yolanda’s wrath, suspended classes to honor the victims of the massive disaster.
