ORMOC CITY– A newly identified drug peddler was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) at 10:49 pm on March 17, in Carigara, Leyte.
Carigara Chief of Police, Major Reymund Quinagutan, identified the suspect as alias “Jonax”, 38, unemployed, and a resident of Barangay Barugohay Norte of said town.
During the operation, authorities recovered one sachet of suspected shabu purchased by an undercover operative for P500.
Three more sachets of suspected shabu, found inside a cigarette pack during a body search conducted in the presence of law-mandated witnesses.
The suspect was informed of his arrest and constitutional rights under the Miranda Doctrine in a language he understood. He was immediately taken to the Carigara Municipal Police Station (MPS) for booking and proper disposition.
Charges for violating Sections 5 (selling illegal drugs) and 11 (possession of illegal drugs) of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) have been filed against the suspect at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
He is currently detained at the Carigara MPS lock-up facility.
CATARMAN,N. Samar-The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Northern Samar First District Engineering Office has successfully completed Phase 1 of the Circumferential Road, providing improved transportation access for locals and farmers in Barangay Kailingan, Rosario, Northern Samar.
The project involves Construction of roads with a total length of 1.01 lane km; 505 meters length (2-lanes, thk=0.23m,cw=3.05m) which includes drainage structures, embankment of 9,014.80 cu.m., slope protection (Sta.0+060-Sta.0+260,Sta.0+298-339 and Sta.0+486-526); and Road Opening of 21m length at Sta.000+505-Sta.000+526.
District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio stated that the district allocated a total of Php 28.93 million for the completion of Phase 1 with plans to implement the remaining sections in the coming years to bring further transport relief to locals specially farmers who face difficulties in transporting their products.
In an interview, Raymundo D. Ballicud, Brgy. Captain of Brgy. Kailingan, Rosario, N. Samar said that the completion of this project has greatly improved transportation, enabling faster deliveries of farm products to neighboring barangays.
“Ako la gin-papasalamatan ini nga inabot sa amon nga proyekto. Dako-dako nga bulig para sa amon barangay tungod kay sadto nga wara pa ini kahihimo makuri didi an pagpagawas sa amon mga produkto pakadto sa luyo nga barangay. Nag-iiha, nalulupa nala an mga kopras bago maka-abot sa luyo nga barangay. Sa yana, nga nahimo na in ini, mas masayon na an transportasyon sa mga produkto ngadi sa uma pakadi ngadto sa iba nga barangay ngan mas masayon na an amo pagpasyada liwat ngadto sa luyo san barangay san San Jose labi na kay sementado na ini nga amon dalan. Nagpapasalamat ako sa DPWH, sayo an amon barangay san natagan sin sini nga proyekto, kami nalilipay didi, salamat”.
The completion of Phase 1 is expected to drastically reduce travel time, making the road more accessible to both commuters and transporters of agricultural products.
In the long run, this road will eventually connect 10 far-flung barangays across 6 municipalities in the first district, fostering stronger economic activities and providing new opportunities for local farmers and residents alike.
TACLOBAN CITY – A Catholic priest in Leyte has called on the Philippine Army to increase its presence in the province’s third and fourth districts in the days leading up to the election to ensure a fair, peaceful, and secure voting process.
Fr. Edwin Perito, a civil society organization representative in the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), emphasized that a stronger military and police presence in villages would help deter election-related crimes and violence.
“We are requesting the army and police to be visible in every village, or at least in sub-villages, especially in the third and fourth districts before the elections, to ensure that voters are not intimidated when casting their votes,” he said.
He stressed that the presence of uniformed personnel would contribute to a peaceful and orderly election.
In response, Brigadier General Noel Vestuir, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, assured that as deputized personnel of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), they are actively supporting the Philippine National Police (PNP) in maintaining security.
“Even before the elections, we have ongoing coordination with the PNP for deployments. Our monitoring continues, and we have strategic plans in place alongside the PNP and COMELEC to ensure security in key areas,” B/Gen. Vestuir said.
The military is currently assisting police forces across its entire jurisdiction, including the third and fourth districts of Leyte, by conducting checkpoints and security operations, which will continue until Election Day.
According to COMELEC’s classification of election hotspots, several towns in Leyte’s third and fourth districts fall under different security categories:
Green Category (no security concerns): Isabel, Kananga, Matag-ob, Merida, and Ormoc City.
Yellow Category (history of election-related violence, partisan rivalry, or private armed groups): Albuera, Palompon, and Villaba.
Orange Category (serious threats due to insurgency and presence of multiple risk factors): Calubian, Leyte, San Isidro, and Tabango.
Authorities are closely monitoring these areas to prevent any incidents that could disrupt the electoral process.
TACLOBAN CITY– The region’s total number of constructions increased by 5.1 percent, from 1,344 constructions recorded in the 3rd quarter of 2023 to 1,413 constructions in the 3rd quarter of 2024.
The regional increase was brought about by the 11.9 percent growth in the non-residential buildings with 421 constructions in the 3rd quarter of 2023 to 471 constructions in the 3rd quarter of 2024. The number of residential buildings also went up by 5.1 percent, from 804 constructions in the 3rd quarter of 2023 to 845 constructions in the 3rd quarter of 2024.
On the other hand, the combined number of additions/alterations and repairs decreased by 18.5 percent, posting 97 constructions in the 3rd quarter of 2024 from 119 construction in the 3rd quarter of 2023.
In the 3rd quarter of 2024, the number of residential buildings comprised 59.8 percent of the total constructions in the region, while non-residential buildings and additions/alterations and repairs accounted for 33.3 percent and 6.9 percent, respectively.
The growth in the total number of constructions led to a 25.0 percent increase in their total value during the 3rd quarter of 2024.
The estimated P 3.0 billion total value of constructions in the 3rd quarter of 2023 went up to P 3.8 billion in the same period in 2024.
This increase was attributed to the 52.5 percent growth in the total value of non-residential buildings, from P1.5 billion in the 3rd quarter of 2023 to P 2.3 billion in the 3rd quarter of 2024.
The total value of residential buildings also increased by 2.9 percent from P 1.20 billion in 3rd quarter of 2023 to P 1.24 billion in the 3rd quarter of 2024. Meanwhile, the total value of additions/alterations and repair of existing structures went down by 25.6 percent from P 0.3 billion in the 3rd quarter of 2023 to P 0.2 billion in the 3rd quarter of 2024.
In terms of share to total value of construction, non-residential buildings’ value of construction comprised the bulk at 61.3 percent. The value of construction of residential buildings contributed 32.6 percent, while, additions/alterations and repairs accounted for 6.1 percent of the region’s total value of constructions in the 3rd quarter of 2024.
Average cost of construction per square meter was estimated at PhP 11,108 for residential buildings and PhP 12,261 for non-residential buildings.
Data were based on the results of construction statistics from approved building permits. (PR)
BRIDGE CLOSURE. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has announced the closure of Daguitan Bridge in Burauen, Leyte, to heavy vehicles and trucks starting March 27, 2025, due to give way for the repair of the bridge’s approach. Light vehicles and motorcycles are still allowed to pass. (L2DEO)
BRIDGE CLOSURE. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has announced the closure of Daguitan Bridge in Burauen, Leyte, to heavy vehicles and trucks starting March 27, 2025, due to give way for the repair of the bridge’s approach. Light vehicles and motorcycles are still allowed to pass. (L2DEO)
TACLOBAN CITY– The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has announced the closure of Daguitan Bridge in Barangay Cantimawa, Burauen, Leyte, to heavy vehicles and trucks starting March 27, 2025, due to structural damage.
According to DPWH 2nd Leyte Engineering District (LED) Engineer Leo Edward Oppura, the bridge’s approach has been damaged, making it unsafe for heavy vehicles to cross. However, light vehicles and motorcycles are still allowed to pass.
Motorists are advised to take an alternate route via the Dulag-Mayorga-La Paz Road until repairs are completed.
The closure is expected to cause inconvenience, particularly for truckers and motorists transporting heavy loads. Oppura apologized for the disruption and assured the public that repairs will be prioritized to restore full access as soon as possible.
Motorists are urged to plan their routes accordingly and exercise caution while traveling in the affected area.
NATIONAL GEOLOGICAL MONUMENTS. A group of renowned geologists recently visited Northern Samar to conduct their study on various geological sites like the rock formations in Biri Island for them to be considered as national geological monuments.
NATIONAL GEOLOGICAL MONUMENTS. A group of renowned geologists recently visited Northern Samar to conduct their study on various geological sites like the rock formations in Biri Island for them to be considered as national geological monuments.
TACLOBAN CITY – A team of geologists from the National Committee on Geological Sciences (NCGS), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), and the University of the Philippines – National Institute of Geological Sciences (UP-NIGS) recently conducted a three-day assessment in Northern Samar to advance the nomination of Biri Rocks and other geological sites in the province as National Geological Monuments (NGM).
The delegation, which arrived in the province on Sunday, March 23, included Dr. Allan Gil Fernando, a famed geologist and micropaleontologist from UP-NIGS, alongside experts from the MGB.
Their mission focused on geological surveys, site validation, and scientific data collection to support the NGM declaration, the Northern Samar Planning and Development Office (NSPDO) in a report on Tuesday, March 25, said.
The fieldwork involved mapping, rock sampling, and microscopic analysis to determine the age and composition of rock formations in the province.
Among the sites under evaluation were the Biri Rock Formations in Biri town and Mampugay Falls, the highest waterfalls in Samar Island, located in Palapag town.
During their visit to Mampugay Falls on Monday, March 24, the geologists collected rock samples, including conglomerate, a coarse sedimentary rock. While its origins remain under study, experts believe it could offer valuable insights into Palapag’s geological history.
Initial findings also indicate the presence of fossil-rich limestone and calcareous siltstone, a type of sedimentary rock composed mainly of silt-sized particles and calcium carbonate, the NSPDO said.
These formations, it added, suggest that parts of Northern Samar may have once been covered by shallow marine or lake environments, offering clues to ancient ecosystems and past depositional conditions.
Governor Edwin Marino Ongchuan has expressed strong support for the initiative, emphasizing its potential to boost geotourism, scientific research, and environmental conservation under his “Padayon nga Kauswagan” or Sustained Progress development agenda.
If granted NGM status, these sites could attract more tourists, researchers, and geology enthusiasts, further promoting responsible tourism while ensuring their long-term preservation, the NSPDO said.
The NGM program, spearheaded by UP-NIGS, aims to recognize and protect sites of exceptional geological significance in the Philippines. These sites showcase outstanding rock formations, landforms, or geological features that hold valuable scientific, educational, and cultural importance.
NGMs are selected based on their role in understanding Earth’s history, geological processes, and natural hazards. Designated sites serve as outdoor laboratories for geology students and researchers while promoting conservation and sustainable tourism.
Among the recognized NGMs in the Philippines are Chocolate Hills in Bohol; Taal Volcano in Batangas; Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao; Hundred Islands in Pangasinan; and Mayon Volcano in Albay.
