TACLOBAN CITY- The city schools division here expressed its gratitude to the city government under Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez thru the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRMO) for granting their request to disinfect all 64 public elementary and secondary schools under the division.
CDRRMO Head Ildebrando Bernadas has instructed the disinfection team to go through all these 64 schools as per the schedule given by the city schools division, which started on August 10 and ended on November 11, 2020.
The disinfection operation of all schools is relative to Division Memorandum No. 235, s. 2020 entitled “Conduct of 2020 Brigada,” and to undertake necessary safety measures relative to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City Division, thru the Social Mobilization and Networking Unit (SocMob), and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) units, in partnership with the CDRRMO, made this endeavor a success.
“It greatly helped our schools in combating the threat of coronavirus, and ensured the safety of our teachers, non-teaching personnel, parents, and stakeholders during this pandemic,” says Crisvill M. Villamor, division DRRM officer. (TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
Tacloban’s public schools disinfected as part of anti-COVID measure
DOH renews appeal against mass gatherings
With surging of COVID-19 cases
TACLOBAN CITY-The Department of Health (DOH) renewed its appeal for the public to avoid mass gatherings as it noted continued increase of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the region.
As of Thursday, 72 new COVID-1 cases were added to the region’s cases, raising its total cases to 8,089.
Of the 72 new cases of the region, 38 were from Leyte; 15 from Samar; 10 from Northern Samar; and nine from Eastern Samar.
The DOH, in particular, cited the increasing COVID-19 cases in the provinces of Northern Samar and Eastern Samar.
Mass gathering of people, to include family gathering involving more than 10 people, were cited by the DOH as the most common reason why there is now a surge of COVID-19 cases on these two Samar provinces.
Dr. Exuperia Sabalberino, officer-in-charge of the DOH-8, said that mass gathering of people is considered to be a ‘super spreader’ of COVID-19 which makes the transmission of the dreaded virus faster.
“So, we appeal to our people to avoid any mass gatherings or other high-risk gatherings. Please avoid going to) parties during this time,” she said during a virtual press conference Wednesday.
She noted that even in areas that are under lockdown, COVID-19 cases remain to be high as gatherings among families continue.
Sabalberino also renewed their call for the public to follow the standard health protocols.
“If you are asked to go on quarantine, please quarantine yourself because we are not only after you but we want to protect your family as well for them not to acquire the virus,” she said.
Local transmission has become the main source on the spread of COVID-19 cases in the region as reported by Sabalberino.
Out of the region’s current number of COVID-19 cases, local transmission as source of the virus accounts to 5,963.
Cops net illegal fishers in Northern Samar
TACLOBAN CITY- At least two persons were arrested for alleged illegal fishing in Laoang, Northern Samar last November 14, 2020.
Police identified the violators, aged 44 and 39, as residents of Barangay Talisay, Laoang.
The operating unit from Laoang Municipal Police Station, led by Staff Sergeant Argel Joseph Salva caught the two while in the act of engaging in illegal fishing activity using fine mesh net or ‘biyakus.’
Confiscated from their possession were one motorboat, one wooden boat, one set of fine mesh net measuring 10-meter-long, and five kilos of assorted catch, police said in the report.
The estimated market value of confiscated items was placed at P25,000.
The violators and confiscated fishing paraphernalia were brought to the police station for proper documentation.
(RONALD O. REYES)
N. Samar provincial government strengthens anti-COVID-19 measures
Amid rising of cases
CATARMAN, Northern Samar – In order to slow down the spread COVID-19 in Northern Samar, which is soon to exceed 1,000 cases in our province, Task Force Disiplina was organized to strictly enforce the mandatory wearing of face mask and face shield in public places.
Governor Edwin Ongchuan has asked the Northern Samar Police Provincial Office to strengthen implementation of Sangguniang Panlalawigan Ordinance No. 10, or the mandatory wearing of face mask or other protective equipment in public places. He also asked the police not to spare even the big fishes, particularly government employees, during the conduct of Task Force Disiplina, which started on November 12, 2020 in this town.
“Pag Empleyado sa Gobyerno madakop san Taskforce Disiplina, Police Blotter and multa dayon,” Governor Ongchuan posted in his Facebook account.
Though SP Ordinance No. 10 was passed in May 2020, many Nortehanons have been lax and negligent in observing said law, a behavior credited as one of the factors in the current surge of COVID cases in the province, prompting the governor to organize said task force. Task Force Disiplina is led by PLtCol Crisanto Lleva of the NSPPO.
On November 12 and 13, the task force has apprehended 214 violators from 18 operations conducted in the towns of Catarman, Bobon, Rosario, San Jose, Lavezares, Biri, Gamay, Palapag, Lapinig and Las Navas; 109 of them were from Catarman.
They were brought to their respective police stations and underwent counseling from the Local Health Office on the importance of wearing face protections in order to stop the spread of the virus. They were subsequently subjected to appropriate police processing and disposition. Those who cannot afford to buy their own face mask and face shield were given said items for free by the task force.
Per data from the PDRRMO, in Catarman alone, the task force has already given around 700 face shields and 500 face masks to the public.
Violators of this ordinance will be penalized accordingly: P1,000 or community service for 24 hours for first offense; P2,000 or community service for 48 hours for the second offense; and P5,000 or 1-month imprisonment or both for the third offense.
In relation to pandemic concerns, public places are areas or places where a large number of people go to or congregate, such as public conveyances and public facilities.
In particular, these places include transport terminals and loading areas for pdcabs/tricycles/motorcabs; restaurants, cafeterias and takeout establishments; government buildings; hospitals and pharmacies; churches; public markets, supermarkets and grocery stores; and other similar places/establishments. As a general guideline, wearing face mask and face shield should be practiced upon leaving the house.(NORTHERN SAMAR PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)
Tacloban city gov’t, group launches Christmas Lights on Wheels program to cheer people amid COVID-19 pandemic
TACLOBAN CITY- Smart Communications, in cooperation with the Tacloban City Tourism Operations Office and Star 8 Events Production, launched the first-ever Christmas Lights on Wheels, a PUJ Christmas decorating competition.
The competition aims to spread Christmas cheers in the city amid the pandemic. The contest is likewise possible through the sponsorship of the Tingog Party-list, Uni-Soft Hygienic Product Corporation, and Leyeco II.
Last November 13, the organizers conducted an orientation with the initial participants to explain the mechanics and safety guidelines.
In attendance were Police Lt. Dennis Bardillon of the Highway Patrol Group; Deputy City Director for Operations of Tacloban City Police, Lt.Col Alex Cobacha; Deputy Chief, POR PCPT Marjorie Manuta; Emily Orejola, representative of the Land Transportation Office; Patrick Chico; Smithy Tilao, and Roy Nebrija of Smart Communications.
The LTRFB Office 8, likewise, sent their support for the project.
The month-long competition will kick-off on the 30th of November and will be the initial judging.
Prizes at stake are P10,000 for 3rd place, P15,000 for 2nd place, and a whopping P20,000 for the winning entry.
None winners will receive consolation prizes from LTFRB, TOMECO, LTO, and HPG.
Registration is still ongoing as of writing.
For those who are interested, you may visit the Tacloban City Tourism Operations Office and look for Maeflor Espino.
(TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)