CATARMAN, Northern Samar – Two siblings have died after they were struck by lightning in the rice fields at Sitio Carugyao, Barangay Osmeña in Palapag town this province.
Police Major Joseph Quilitano, Palapag chief of police, identified the victims as Arnel Laoreno Jr,21, Grade 12 student, and his younger sister Airene, 18, a Grade 10 student both residents of Brgy. Laniwan, Palapag.
Based on police reports, at around 10am last May 30,the siblings were tilling their farm along with their father, Arnel Sr., when a heavy downpour occurred prompting the three to take shelter in a nearby nipa hut.
They barely reached the hut when a lightning struck, hitting both Arnel and Airene who died instantly. Their father, though slightly injured, was in a state of shock after the incident Quilitano said.
Village residents assisted in transporting the victims to the Palapag poblacion where municipal health officer Delia Chy conducted a post mortem examination on the cadavers.
The remains of the victims were brought at their residence in Laniwan.
Dr. Chy told Leyte Samar Daily Express in a mobile interview that both victims suffered second degree burns from the head to their anterior chests that caused their instant death. Their clothes were burned and torn.
Catarman Pagasa manager Feleon Corona said that structures like a solitary nipa hut or a tree are commonly hit when lightning strikes in rice field areas.
“Thunderstorms occur most frequently during May; kasagsagan ng init dito sa ating lugar. During thunderstorms when you notice that a thunder and a lightning strike,ibig sabihin niyan yung clouds na pinanggalingan ng lightning is overhead or near your place. And it will hit at the highest object in your area,” he said.
Corona noted that in rice fields usually the highest object is a nipa hut, a coconut tree or a person standing.
“So to avoid being hit don’t shelter in a solitary hut. Go to areas where there are several houses. If you have nowhere to go better just duck in a place where you are not the highest object,” he said.
He also advised not to lie on the ground as the place may be wet or moist. (And) when the lightning hits a tree near you malaki ang posibilidad na makuryente ka din,” Corona said.
Corona said that their agency always include tips on how to avoid being hit by a lightning during Disaster Risk Reduction and Management seminars.
“Disasters from lightning is often disregarded kasi isa o dalawa lang naman an natatamaan. Pero paano kung ikaw o ang pamilya mo ang tamaan?” the official said.
(RACHEL V. ARNAIZ)
Lightning kills siblings in Northern Samar
DPWH-Biliran DEO provides assistance during Brigada Eskwela
NAVAL, Biliran-The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) -Biliran District Engineering Office (DEO) participated the ‘Brigada Eskwela’ of the Department of Education (DepEd) from May 20 to 25, 2019 with the theme “Matatag na Bayan para sa Maunlad na Paaralan.”
Believing that the community cannot stand without the school, and likewise the school without the community, DPWH-Biliran DEO under District Engineer (DE) David P. Adongay Jr. contributed their time, efforts and resources to help prepare the school for the opening of classes Monday (June 3).
The Maintenance Section headed by Engr. Glenda G. Dagalea, Chief Maintenance Engineer, said that Biliran DEO has given assistance to some schools in towns of Naval, Almeria, Kawayan, Caibiran, Cabucgayan, and Biliran during the Brigada Eskwela.
“Among the assistance given were cleaning of school grounds by cutting grasses, repainting of concrete benches, and repainting of pedestrian lanes,” said Dagalea.
Dagalea added that Biliran DEO through DE Adongay has also donated empty containers of asphalt sealant that can be used as trashcans and bags of cement to be used in constructing/ repairing some structures of the school.
“This kind of activity wouldn’t be possible without the help also of our dedicated school personnel, cooperative parents, accountable community and innovative learners,” said Dagalea.
The Brigada Eskwela is the National Schools Maintenance Week that aims to prepare the school one week before its formal opening of classes.
The following schools served by DPWH-Biliran DEO were Naval Central School, Catmon Elementary School, Lucsoon Elementary School, Calumpang Elementary School, Agpangi Elementary School, Naval Night High School, Naval School of Fisheries, Naval National High School, Biliran Province State University (main campus), Jamorawon Elementary School, Masagongsong Elementary School, Information and Communication Technology High School for the Eastern Biliran, Talibong Elementary School and Biliran Province State University (Biliran Campus).(PR)
Tomalistis Falls the sweetest water in the world
BY: JENNIFER CAMARINES
Did you know that the sweetest water in the world is found in the town of Caibiran?
In particular, at Tomalistis Fall which is located in Barangay Asug which is just 20 minutes from the town proper.
The Tomalistis Falls is believed and has been reported to have the “sweetest-tasting” water in the world. Its water’s taste has a different kind of peculiarity that makes it exquisite.
The falls is known to be a main source of fresh water in the place.
Tourists and local folks visited the falls on summer or every special day also because of its cold temperature.
People enjoyed much in the falls and the sea just beside the falls.
Tomalistis Falls in Caibiran is one of its extraordinary attractions that will surely leave an impression on every visitor.
This falls made it to Guinness Book of World Records because it has the “sweetest-tasting water in the world.
(Note: The author is the teacher-in-charge of the Tinocdugan Elementary School, Leyte First Division, Leyte, Leyte)
New farm-to-market roads to improve trade in Leyte towns
LA PAZ, Leyte – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte second district engineering office has recently completed seven farm-to-market road projects meant to improve road access and trade in three Leyte towns.
These projects include the concrete paving of Barangay Calaghusan to Caltayan and Brgy. Cogon to Buracan roads both in La Paz budgeted at P5 million each; Brgy. Tigbao to Romualdez road in Dulag worth P6 million; and four farm-to-market (FMR) roads in Mac Arthur, Brgy. Casuntingan to Osmeña, Brgy. Liwayway to Danao, Brgy. Sta. Isabel and Brgy. Gen. Luna roads with a total worth of P21 million.
According to Engr. Gerald Pacanan, head of the Leyte 2nd engineering district office, the completion of these projects would increase agricultural productivity, income opportunities, and provide easier access to basic social services such as health centers and educational facilities to these communities.
“These concreted roads will help our hardworking farmers transport their farm products to commercial areas easier. Eventually, it will improve the overall economic progress of these towns,” he said.
For 2018, the district is tasked to implement a total of eight FMR roads with a total length of 4.2761 kilometers, of which one is still ongoing.
FMR projects is funded under the convergence program of the DPWH and the Department of Agriculture that aims to promote inclusive growth and poverty reduction in the country’s hard to reach areas through better road connectivity.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
Pampango lass is 2019 Reyna Elena
TACLOBAN CITY – To mark the culmination of the month-long observance of Flores de Mayo in the city, at least 9 barangay contingents participated in the Annual Grand Santacruzan of the city government on May 30.
The iconic Filipino tradition that commemorates the search of the Holy Cross by Reyna Elena and her son, Emperor Constantine was organized by the City Government under Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez to highlight the religious fervor and intimate devotion of Taclobanons to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Cross.
A procession of sagalas (beautiful maidens) and elaborately-decorated arches adorned with flowers and children donning angel costumes was the main attraction of the late afternoon event.
The highlight of the festivities was the crowning of the 2019 Reyna Elena and the announcement of the Best Barangay Contingent and other special awards at the Balyu-an Amphitheater. The winners received trophies, sash, and cash prizes.
Ayanna Angela Espino of Brgy. 35- Pampango was crowned Reyna Elena 2019 and received a cash prize of P 10,000.
First runner-up Donnelyn Kate Espadilla of Barangay 96 Calanipawan received P 8,000 and, while second runner-up Mary Rose Ricafort of Brgy. 31 Pampango got P 5,000.
The grand champion honors went to Barangay 37 Reclamation Area which received P 60,000 cash prize; 1st runner up was Brgy. 35- A Pampango which won P 40,000 and Brgy. 65 Paseo de Legaspi won 2nd runner up and got P 25,000 cash prize.
Third and fourth runners up were Barangay 43-B Quarry District and Brgy. 96 Calanipawan which got P20,000 and P15,000, respectively.
Consolation prizes of P 6,000 were given to the remaining barangays.
Special awardees were Brgy. 99 Mercyville Diit for most disciplined barangay, Brgy. 37 Reclamation Area for the Most Participated Barangay, the best arch award went to Brgy. 35-A Pampango Anibong and Brgy. 37 Reclamation Area for the Best Lantern Award. The special awardees each received cash prizes.
According to the City Tourism Operations Office (CTTOO), the holding of the grand Santacruzan, one of the major tourism event here in the city, is part of the efforts to keep the religious tradition ‘alive’ and relevant to the younger generation.(HENRY JAMES ROCA/CIO).
Leyte teacher wins award for his school-based garden project
PALO,Leyte- The vegetable garden project established by Gary Mosquito proved to be helpful to the students enrolled at the public school in Barangay Cabarasan Daku, this town, after super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ leveled the town in November 8,2013.
“My advocacy program is called Project LIFE or ‘Lifelong Interventions Through a Finest Environment,’ an innovation in which I enhanced the implementation of the ‘Gulayan sa Paaralan’ program to sustainable organic vegetable production in school for malnutrition alleviation,” said Mosquito, 34.
Since 2014, Mosquito led in planting vegetables using organic farming for their 345 pupils at the Cabarasan Daku Elementary School, Palo II District.
“The harvest goes to a feeding program to alleviate malnutrition in school and improve academic and non-academic performance of children,” he said while thanking his fellow teachers in implementing the project.
The excess harvest are sold in the community with the proceeds going to special programs and projects of the school like reproduction of test materials, Christmas party of the pupils and school beautification, Mosquito said.
The project would free the students from the burden of finding money for their school projects and other expenses, he added, noting that the majority of their students are children of ordinary farmers.
Mosquito was selected as Visayas winner in the prestigious 2019 Bayaning Gurong Pilipino of the ABS-CBN Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awards at the ABS-CBN Station in Mandaue, Cebu City on June 1.
He was awarded “for setting aside personal interest, pursuing excellence in all endeavors, and dedicating his life in the service of fellow Filipinos.”
Accompanying him during the awarding ceremony was Dr. Melfe Sanchez, principal-in-charge/district supervisor of Palo II District in Leyte Division.
Mosquito, who has been teaching for 13 years already, recalled that the difficulties in finding a sustainable source of food and livelihood after Yolanda inspired him to launch the Project LIFE.
Seeing the success from the school-based vegetable garden project, Mosquito extended his advocacy to the community as their livelihood program, calling it “Gulayan ha Kabablayan Program.”
“I believe that solution to malnutrition should start at home,” Mosquito said.
“According to Mother Teresa, everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated and passionate about what they do. The plaque that you received is an evidence of how great you are and portrays the best version of yourself as a public servant,” said Sanchez as she lauded the “selfless efforts” of Mosquito.
“You really made a difference in the lives of our fellow Filipinos,” she added.
Meanwhile, Mosquito thanked the support of Sanchez, his seven other fellow teachers at school, Leyte division officials, and local leaders for their full support.
The annual Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awards” is named after the late Don Eugenio “Geny” Lopez Jr., founder of ABS-CBN Corporation, the biggest television network in the country.
It is now on its 25th year. (RONALD O. REYES)