ORMOC CITY– A suspected electrical short circuit ignited a fire that gutted the house of a 47-year-old public school teacher in Barangay Ibarra, Maasin City, on Friday morning, September 12.

Fire investigators identified the homeowner as alias “Willa,” a resident of Purok Bugnay, Barangay Ibarra. Arson investigator FO3 Jaime Navos of the local Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said the blaze likely started from a defective extension wire.

The house, made of mixed concrete and light materials, was quickly engulfed but fire crews managed to control the flames by 9:40 a.m. and declared it out at 9:50 a.m.

No injuries were reported, but damage to property was estimated at around P200,000.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY– A 62-year-old farmer who went missing while gathering seashells was found dead in the seawaters off Barangay Balud, Barugo, Leyte, on Friday morning, September 12.

Police identified the victim as alias “Brad,” a resident of Barangay Balud. He was reported missing the previous evening after failing to return from a shellfish-gathering trip with his son, brother, and four companions at a rocky area known locally as “Hubasan,” about a kilometer from the shore.

Investigators said the group went out to sea during low tide on Thursday and began returning around 8:00 p.m. as the tide rose. The victim, however, failed to make it back to shore. His companions searched overnight and sought help from the Philippine Coast Guard.

At around 8:30 a.m. Friday, the victim’s body was recovered in the same area. It was later brought to a funeral home in Barangay Minuswang for post-mortem examination.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY– Fire investigators are probing the blaze that destroyed four houses in Barangay Ugbon, Leyte town, on Thursday afternoon, September 11, causing an estimated P2 million in damage but no reported casualties.

According to police and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire started around 5:45 p.m. at the residence of alias “Mary,” a vendor, and quickly spread to nearby homes owned by alias “Lawrence,” alias “Mina,” and alias “Ernest.”

Witnesses told police the fire may have been triggered when a man allegedly spilled bottled gasoline on the pavement and ignited it. The BFP said it managed to contain the blaze and declared it “fire out” at 6:52 p.m., preventing it from spreading to more houses.

Local authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and whether criminal or negligence charges will be filed.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY– A 56-year-old farmer died after his motorcycle collided with an SUV in Barangay Maya, MacArthur, Leyte, on Friday afternoon, September 12.

Police identified the victim as alias “Rick,” a resident of Barangay Casuntingan, MacArthur, who was driving his own gray Euro motorcycle. He was declared dead on arrival at the Abuyog District Hospital following the crash.

SUV driver was identified as alias “Ed,” 38, a businessman from Barangay Poblacion Loyonsawang, Abuyog, Leyte, who was driving an ebony black Isuzu DMAX with his 4-year-old son as passenger. Both escaped unharmed.

Initial police investigation showed the Isuzu DMAX was heading toward Abuyog when it struck the Euro motorcycle, which reportedly made a sudden U-turn. The impact caused severe injuries to the motorcycle driver.

Authorities said the SUV driver and his vehicle were brought to the MacArthur Municipal Police Station for proper disposition, along with the motorcycle involved in the crash.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY– The Department of Trade and Industry in Eastern Visayas (DTI-8) conducted its first Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC) Summit on Thursday, bringing together key stakeholders from private and public sector and local government units (LGUs) to enhance price monitoring and consumer protection efforts across the region.

The event aimed to strengthen the role of LPCCs in ensuring stable prices of basic necessities and prime commodities, especially in the face of volatile inflation and supply disruptions.

In her message, DTI-8 Regional Director Celerina T. Bato emphasized the importance of a coordinated response among national and local agencies to prevent price manipulation and ensure fair market practices.

The trade and industry department also recognizes the crucial role the local chief executives play in protecting consumers and promoting fair pricing practices as the summit serves as a venue for discussion of key strategies to enhance monitoring, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, and empower consumer protection.

“Our consumers deserve fair prices and reliable access to essential goods. Through this summit, we aim to empower local governments to be more proactive, data driven and grounded with collaboration in addressing price-related concerns in their areas,” Bato said.
Under Republic Act No. 7581, also known as the Price Act of 1992, provides for the creation of a Local Price Coordinating Council to protect consumers from excessive price increases on basic necessities and prime commodities.

The LPCCs serve as the frontline mechanism for ensuring price stability and protecting the consumers from unfair trade practices, especially during crises such as typhoons, pandemics or supply disruption.

“We want to ensure that LPCCs are functional, active, and well-equipped to monitor prices and protect consumers, especially in times of crisis,” Bato added.

In Eastern Visayas, out of 149 LGUs, a total of 4 provinces and 127 cities and municipalities have established Local Price Coordinating Councils, 117 of these are active according to DTI-8’s monitoring.

(ACR/PIA Leyte)