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Eastern Samar hospitals earn over P118 million in 2023 through PhilHealth and aid programs

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TACLOBAN CITY – Despite offering free healthcare services, hospitals under the provincial government of Eastern Samar generated an income of more than P118.21 million last year.
This was disclosed by Governor Ben Evardone who said that the revenue came primarily from payments received through PhilHealth, Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP), Malasakit, and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

According to records, the Eastern Samar Provincial Hospital in Borongan City led with earnings of P62.82 million followed by Felipe Abrigo Memorial Hospital in Guiuan with P24.92 million and Oras District Hospital in Oras, P8.43 million.

Other hospitals contributing to the total income include General MacArthur Memorial Hospital in General MacArthur, P6.77 million; Albino Duran Memorial Hospital in Balangiga, P5.21 million; Llorente District Hospital in Llorente, P3.30 million; Can-avid District Hospital, Can-avid, P2.60 million; Quinapondan District Hospital in Quinapondan, P2.48 million; Taft District Hospital in Taft atP1.0 4 million; and Arteche District Hospital in Arteche, P596, 428.

Gov. Evardone emphasized that all hospital income is reinvested to improve health services, ensuring better medical support for the people of Eastern Samar.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

New solar-powered water system alleviates water shortage in Jaro village

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The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office, completed a solar-powered water system project in Barangay Hibucawan, Jaro, Leyte. The project constructed at a cost of P9.6 million is seen to provide much-needed relief to villagers who had long struggled with water scarcity.(L2DEO)
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office, completed a solar-powered water system project in Barangay Hibucawan, Jaro, Leyte. The project constructed at a cost of P9.6 million is seen to provide much-needed relief to villagers who had long struggled with water scarcity.(L2DEO)

TACLOBAN CITY– The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office, recently completed a solar-powered water system project in Barangay Hibucawan, Jaro, Leyte, providing much-needed relief to villagers who had long struggled with water scarcity.

District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura reported that the P9.6 million project included the construction of a 4×5-meter powerhouse equipped with a 10KVA, 230V, single-phase generator and complete accessories.

The system also features 24 pieces of 450-watt solar mono panels, an inverter, batteries, and other essential components, along with a water pumping system connected to a 20,000-liter stainless steel overhead tank.

Amalia Miralles Espiso, a child development worker in the barangay, reflected on the challenges the community faced before the project’s completion.

“Back then, without the solar-powered water system, we often faced water shortages, and sometimes we even argued about filling our containers. But now, we no longer have to worry. Even if we fill numerous containers, there’s enough water for everyone,” she said.
The new water system has significantly impacted the community.

“We are very grateful to the DPWH for providing this water system to our barangay. It’s a tremendous help in addressing our water needs,” Espiso said.

Funded under the 2023 General Appropriations Act, this solar-powered water system is expected to greatly improve the quality of life for the residents of Brgy. Hibucawan, ensuring a stable water supply for daily use and community needs.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

2 inmates at Leyte subprovincial jail rearrested

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TACLOBAN CITY– Two inmates who escaped from a sub-provincial jail in Calubian, Leyte on Thursday, October 31, were apprehended early Friday morning, November 1, after a swift manhunt operation led by local authorities.

Under the direction of Captain Alexander Alfonso, acting chief of Calubian Municipal Police Station, authorities pursued Arnold Haliclic, 44, and Reggie Pepito, 32, after they escaped at about 3:20 p.m. on Thursday.

The escapees, both charged with illegal drug offenses and illegal possession of firearms, reportedly fled by scaling an unfinished concrete wall and boarding a motorcycle.

The search effort was a coordinated operation involving Calubian police, the 2nd Leyte Provincial Mobile Force Company, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Provincial Intelligence Unit, and Leyte Sub-Provincial Jail personnel. Community force multipliers also supported the mission.

Acting on a tip, the search team converged on a mangrove forest in Barangay Cabalquinto, where the men were believed to be hiding.

Surrounding the area, authorities blocked all escape routes, forcing the men to surrender around 4 a.m. Friday.

Haliclic, a resident of Brgy. Cabalquinto, Calubian, and Pepito, from Brgy.Suba, Villaba, Leyte, were taken into custody without incident.

Captain Alfonso credited the combined efforts of police, military units, and the community’s vigilance for the successful apprehension.

“The collective efforts of the police and other units, along with the active support of force multipliers and the community, were key factors in the surrender of the two escapees,” he said in a statement. (ROBERT DEJON)

BSP brings ‘Piso Caravan’ to Tacloban mall

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TACLOBAN CITY – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has brought its “Piso Caravan” to this city to replace unfit and mutilated bank notes and coins.

The three-day caravan held at the Robinsons Place Tacloban urges the public to conveniently replace their unfit currency with fresh banknotes and coins.

Unfit banknotes are paper money that is soiled, limp, stained, or has faded print, obvious writings, or markings. Unfit coins, on the other hand, are those with corrosion or markings, according to Erma Lagarto, BSP-Cebu senior bank officer.

Classified as mutilated banknotes are those with adhesive and staple wires; charred or decayed; with tear, hole, or missing part; and splitting of substrate.

“The goal of BSP Piso Caravan is to ensure that people’s money is safe and clean. This caravan is a convenient way to do that,” Lagarto added.

Under Republic Act No. 7653, the BSP will retire or destroy all banknotes and coins found to be unfit, mutilated, or demonetized, including seized counterfeits.

This will ensure that only fit and legal tender banknotes and coins are circulated and used to purchase goods and services.

The BSP has continuously warned the public that the illegal defacement, mutilation, burning, or destruction of coins may be subject to imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of P20,000.

The BSP caravan is part of the 14th Leyte Consumer Information and Market Exhibition and brings together consumers, businesses, and agencies to highlight the importance of consumer rights and responsibilities in today’s marketplace.

This year’s theme is “Be Smart, Assert Your Consumer Rights!” (PNA)

29 homestay operators in Biliran receive kits from DOT

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MARIPIPI, Biliran – A total of 29 homestay operators from Biliran province received homestay kits from the Department of Tourism (DOT) to support their accommodations for tourists.

Of the recipients, 18 are from Higatangan Island in Naval town, and 11 are from the island municipality of Maripipi. All underwent a seven-day homestay training provided by DOT-8 in March.

The homestay kits include towels, linens, pillows, and blankets for use in the rooms they offer to tourists.

Among the recipients were Riza Nengasca and Florida Enero from Higatangan Island and Judith Gaviola from Maripipi. All expressed gratitude for the assistance, which will help enhance the comfort and quality of their services.

“This is such a great help for us in the homestay business,” said Enero, who is new to the field. She added that the training provided by DOT-8 has helped her ensure her accommodations are presentable and meet quality standards.

Gaviola shared that the new linens would be used right away, as her current set was due for replacement. Offering three rooms in her Maripipi residence, Gaviola has been in the homestay business since retiring from government service in 2016, which has provided her with an additional income.

Nengasca expressed her appreciation to the DOT, the Naval local government unit, and the Biliran provincial tourism office for encouraging them to engage in the homestay business to meet the area’s accommodation demand.

“This opportunity will help us not only meet new people but also provide income to support our families,” Nengasca said.

Higatangan and Maripipi are emerging tourist destinations in the region, recently added to the list of cruise destinations in Eastern Visayas.

Higatangan is renowned for its shifting sandbar, while Maripipi is known for Sambawan Island.

While there are existing accommodation facilities, the current capacity is insufficient to handle the influx of visitors.

The homestay program helps bridge this gap by offering authentic, cultural experiences for guests, immersing them in the local way of life.

(ROEL T.AMAZONA)

Private sector, local gov’t, other groups join hands for coral restoration project in Padre Burgos

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CORAL REGROWING. A campaign to restore the coral system in the waters of Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte was launched on Oct. 17. The town is considered to be diving paradise in Southern Leyte. (PHOTO COURTESY)
CORAL REGROWING. A campaign to restore the coral system in the waters of Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte was launched on Oct. 17. The town is considered to be diving paradise in Southern Leyte.
(PHOTO COURTESY)

PADRE BURGOS, Southern Leyte-Dive resort operators in this progressive municipality, arguably the dive site capital of the province, have linked hands with the local government unit to restore the coral ecosystem in the town’s seawaters near the coastlines.

At a simple launching ceremony of the Coral Restoration Project on October 17, held at Peter’s Dive Resort in Barangay Lungsodaan, other sectors were also deeply involved, including fisherfolk organizations, barangay officials, and the academe, particularly the Southern Leyte State University (SLSU).

Allan Binnebose, a foreigner who had established residence in the community, led a detailed discussion on how to re-grow corals using seedlings from a healthy reef in neighboring Brgy. Sta. Sofia, transporting and planting them 7 to 9 meters deep underwater about 10 meters away from the shoreline in brgy. Lungsodaan.

A full-length cyclone wire is used as a coral bed secured with steel bars in the seabed as demonstrated by Binnebose, assisted by Arnel Beslig, a dive ranger of the LGU, with plastic soft drink bottles filled with stones attached to the cyclone wire serving as seed pots.
“Seventeen coral beds will be installed during this launching, and this will be done in three days,” said Rey Palero, executive assistant of Mayor Hermenegildo Culpa, adding that the LGU had set aside a budget for this effort this year.

Long before the launching, however, about a couple of years earlier, Binnebose had started laying out at least 10 coral beds on his own initiative in the area called Peter’s Dive Resort House Reef, just off the coastal waters of Brgy. Lungsodaan.

In June 2024, a team led by Bennibose and Beslig assessed the survival rate of the transplanted corals, and the findings were exceptionally positive, Peter’s Dive Resort posted in their social media page.

The total number of grown replanted corals were 125 units and 117 of them survived, a survival rate of 94 percent, spread in 10 coral cyclone wire beds at a deep of 9 meters, the resort reported.

“We want to replicate this to other barangays along the coasts in the municipality,” said Palero.

This initiative extends to other coastal LGUs all over the province whose coral reefs are losing fast, with Padre Burgos leading the way as the first to have confirmed that coral planting works.
(MMP, PIA Southern Leyte)

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