ORMOC CITY—Two motorcycles collided in a tragic accident, resulting in the death of one driver and injuries to the other driver and their passengers.
The incident occurred at around 4:25 pm on Oct.12 in Barangay Talahid, Almeria, Biliran.
The motorcycles involved were a red Kawasaki 150, driven by alias “Rick,” 42, a tricycle driver and resident of Del Baño St., Brgy. Poblacion, Almeria, and a red Rusi 125 with no plate number, driven by alias “Vi,” 20, a construction worker from Sitio San Roque, Brgy. Larrazabal, Naval, Biliran.
Riding with “Vi” was alias “Niel,” 39, also a construction worker and resident of Sitio Takong, Brgy. Calumpang, Naval.
According to the local police, they responded to a report of the accident in Brgy. Talahid after receiving a call from a concerned resident.
An initial investigation revealed that the two motorcycles were traveling in opposite directions when the Rusi 125 lost control, swerved into the opposite lane, and collided with the Kawasaki 150.
All four individuals were rushed to Biliran Provincial Hospital in Naval for medical treatment.
Unfortunately, Vi was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
The motorcycles involved in the accident were taken to the Almeria Municipal Police Station for proper disposition. (ROBERT DEJON)
CIGAR HOT SPOT. The National Tobacco Administration has identified Eastern Visayas as a “hot spot” for the illegal cigarette trade. The Bureau of Internal Revenue in the region reported revenue losses exceeding P183 million since 2018. The photo shows boxes of cigarettes confiscated by the Coast Guard at Sta. Clara Port in Allen, Northern Samar, on June 24, 2024 (PCG-Northern Samar).
BIR losses tax due to illegal activity
CIGAR HOT SPOT. The National Tobacco Administration has identified Eastern Visayas as a “hot spot” for the illegal cigarette trade. The Bureau of Internal Revenue in the region reported revenue losses exceeding P183 million since 2018. The photo shows boxes of cigarettes confiscated by the Coast Guard at Sta. Clara Port in Allen, Northern Samar, on June 24, 2024 (PCG-Northern Samar).
TACLOBAN CITY – Eastern Visayas is rapidly becoming a hotspot for the illegal cigarette trade, significantly contributing to the rising smuggling incidence in the Visayas region, which now has a 6%, according to the National Tobacco Administration (NTA).
Among the provinces in Eastern Visayas, Biliran has the highest rate of illegal tobacco sales, accounting for 6% out of 100% of all cigarettes sold, followed by Southern Leyte at 3.7%, based on NTA data covering the second quarter of this year, as released on October 4.
Smuggled cigarettes, primarily sourced from Malaysia and Indonesia, are sold at significantly lower prices, which has led to a steep decline in government revenue from tobacco taxes.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Eastern Visayas estimates that the government has lost P183.3 million in unpaid excise taxes from 2018 to 2023 due to cigarette smuggling.
BIR Regional Director Edith Yap underscored the challenges of combating the smuggling of illegal cigarettes, pointing to the country’s extensive coastline and numerous entry points, as well as the public’s preference for cheaper alternatives.
“Being an archipelagic country with multiple entry and exit points, it is difficult to completely block the influx of smuggled goods. On top of that, Filipinos tend to opt for lower-priced products. A legitimate brand of cigarettes can cost as much as P1,700 per pack, while illegal ones are sold for just P360,” Yap said during an interview. on October 8.
To tackle this issue, Yap said the BIR is collaborating closely with other government agencies, including the Philippine National Police, the Coast Guard, and the Bureau of Customs, to curb the illegal trade.
The NTA also reported that the rampant smuggling of cigarettes has severely impacted government revenues from the tobacco industry, which have dropped from P176 billion in 2021 to just P135 billion in 2023.
Estimates from both Congress and the BIR suggest that the illicit tobacco trade is costing the government between P60 billion and P100 billion annually.
In response to this growing problem, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed government agencies to intensify their efforts to eliminate the illegal tobacco trade.
Also, on Sept.26 of this year, the President signed the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law, which classifies tobacco as a protected commodity.
Under this law, offenses related to tobacco smuggling are now considered acts of economic sabotage, carrying severe penalties, including non-bailable charges.
TACLOBAN CITY-Governor Edwin Ongchuan expressed his gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his commitment to the realization of Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project 2 in Northern Samar.
The multi-year project, which includes the construction of two key bridges, the Talisay-Laoang Bridge (Laoang Bridge 2) and the Calomotan-Pangpang Bridge (Laoang Bridge 3), will be funded through a P6.34 billion loan from the Export-Import Bank of Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund (KEXIM-EDCF).
The loan agreement was finalized during South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s visit to the Philippines on October 7.
“I extend profound gratitude to the national administration, especially President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., for his unwavering support towards this transformative endeavor,” said Governor Edwin Ongchuan in a statement issued on October 10.
Gov. Ongchuan noted that he personally appealed to the President for support on the second phase of the project during Marcos’ visit to the province last year.
“This project aims to enhance connectivity between Laoang Island and mainland Samar, reducing travel time from 65 minutes to just 19 minutes by 2029. This will be a major catalyst for economic progress in the province,” the governor stressed.
Pres. Marcos first visited Northern Samar on July 16, 2023, shortly after assuming office, to inaugurate the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project 1, which had a budget of P1.12 billion.
This earlier phase connected the island municipalities of Palapag, Catubig, and Laoang to the rest of the province.
Gov. Ongchuan also expressed his gratitude to House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan for their support in realizing what he described as a “long-held dream” for the province.
The Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project is expected to be completed by 2029, significantly shortening the travel time between Laoang and Palapag.
Preliminary processes, such as bidding, are set to begin within the year. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Leyte provincial board has approved an ordinance granting Governor Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla the authority to impose load limits on certain cemented provincial roads on a case-by-case basis, aiming to protect infrastructure and preserve road quality.
The ordinance, titled “An Ordinance Establishing Digital Monitoring System on the Operations of Quarry Sand and Gravel Activities in the Province of Leyte and for Other Purposes”,” is an initiative led by the governor himself.
Leyte 5th district board member Carlo Loreto explained that the ordinance introduces the use of digital technology to monitor sand and gravel hauling operations.
“This is an initiative of Gov. Icot. The sand and gravel hauling operations will now be monitored through a digital system,” he said.
Under the ordinance, microchips will be installed in vehicles used by quarry operators. These microchips will track the vehicles’ activities, allowing for real-time monitoring. Quarry operators will have the chips installed when they apply for their permits with the provincial government.
“With this innovation, there will be less human intervention, which we hope will not only protect the environment but also increase the province’s revenue,” Loreto added.
The ordinance is set to take effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
The measure highlights that about 85 percent of Leyte’s provincial roads are already paved, while the remaining 15 percent are gravel roads. However, the technical design of these paved roads, with a thickness of only six to eight inches, is intended to support light vehicles.
The ordinance stresses that many of the vehicles hauling sand, gravel, and other quarry materials are heavy and exceed the capacity of these roads. This excessive weight has impacted negatively on the structural integrity of the roads.
The ordinance aims to safeguard provincial roads from further damage caused by these overloaded vehicles, ensuring their longevity for the benefit of Leyte’s residents and local economy. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
TACLOBAN CITY– Guiuan Mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan revealed a growing sense of betrayal and dissatisfaction with the performance of Eastern Samar Rep. Ma. Fe Abunda has driven her and other local leaders to back Sheen Gonzales, Kwan’s younger brother, in challenging the incumbent lady solon in next year’s elections.
Kwan, along with 18 other mayors, expressed disappointment in Abunda’s leadership, citing a broken agreement made on October 1 between provincial leaders.
The deal, brokered by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, was intended to uphold the “equity of the incumbent” principle, protecting sitting officials from electoral challenges. However, despite the agreement, incumbents in several municipalities now face opposition.
“The principle of ‘equity of the incumbent’ was disregarded,” Kwan explained, adding that this prompted her and other mayors to urge Gonzales to run for Congress. “We were left with no choice but to call on Sheen to take up the challenge.”
Another critical point of frustration among the mayors was the lack of communication from Rep. Abunda.
Kwan said that following the decision of 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan to not run for Congress, they were led to believe Abunda would unite the local leaders.
However, their trust waned as Abunda allegedly failed to reach out or coordinate with them.
As they waited in uncertainty, the mayors were surprised to learn that several candidates had filed certificates of candidacy (COCs) to oppose incumbent officials in their towns, despite the previous agreement.
“We were anxious, sleepless. All 19 mayors felt deceived,” Kwan lamented. “There was no communication, no reassurance—nothing.”
Arteche Mayor Roland Boie Evardone, currently seeking the vice mayoralty, echoed Kwan’s concerns, pointing out that even Abunda’s own municipal coordinator had filed a COC to run against him.
“How can the congresswoman not have control over her own coordinator?” Evardone questioned. “We kept our end of the bargain, but it’s clear who violated the agreement.”
Kwan concluded that the mayors’ collective decision to endorse Gonzales for Congress was motivated by a desire to give the people of Eastern Samar a real choice in leadership. (LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)
CONGRESSIONAL BID. Former congressman Vicente ‘Ching’ Veloso formalized his bid for congressman in Leyte’s 4th district as he filed his certificate of candidacy,challenging reelectionist Rep. Richard Gomez.(PHOTO COURTESY)
Reasons for his congressional bid
CONGRESSIONAL BID. Former congressman Vicente ‘Ching’ Veloso formalized his bid for congressman in Leyte’s 4th district as he filed his certificate of candidacy,challenging reelectionist Rep. Richard Gomez.(PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY-Former Court of Appeals Associate Justice Vicente “Ching” Veloso III has two key reasons for seeking to represent Leyte’s 4th congressional district in the upcoming elections.
First, the five mayors from the district—covering Palompon, Isabel, Merida, Matag-ob, and Albuera—have been urging him to run and second, and more personal, is his commitment to advocating for the poor and marginalized.
Thus he said during an interview with Veloso who is running as a congressman representing Leyte’s fourth congressional district in next year’s balloting.
“I am running to fight for the welfare of the poor and the oppressed,” Veloso declared.
Veloso officially filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) before noon on Oct.4 at the Leyte provincial office of the Commission on Elections, here in the city.
He is set to challenge incumbent Rep. Richard Gomez who is seeking for his own second term in office.
Having previously served as the representative of Leyte’s 3rd district from 2016 to 2022, Veloso relocated to the 4th district last year, positioning himself for this run.
“This is not about popularity,” Veloso emphasized. “It’s about service. If you want to represent the people, you must work for them. We will build more hospitals and schools,” he added, outlining part of his vision for the district. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
