Over 4,200 families were directly affected

TACLOBAN CITY – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Eastern Visayas reported that all 4,299 families, consisting of 14,528 individuals, affected by Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine” have returned home after temporarily evacuating due to flooding.

OCD Regional Director Lord Byron Torrecarion confirmed on Saturday, Oct. 26, that floodwaters have fully subsided in all affected areas across the region.

“All evacuees have already returned home, and currently, no individuals remain in evacuation centers,” Torrecarion said in a press conference.

He added that power and communication services have been restored throughout the region, particularly in the provinces of Samar, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar.
The storm impacted 178,685 families, or 685,049 people, in total.

According to Torrecarion, 69 houses were completely destroyed, and 1,815 others sustained damage.

Assistance for affected families is underway, with housing materials provided by the OCD.
The OCD has yet to receive a complete report on damages to public infrastructure and agriculture. However, Torrecarion emphasized that their priority remains the immediate support of storm victims.

Preliminary data from the Eastern Samar Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) indicated infrastructure damages in the province amounting to P8.9 million, while agricultural losses, mainly affecting rice crops, totaled P15.12 million.

Earlier, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, upon Governor Ben Evardone’s recommendation, declared a state of calamity in Borongan City and 11 other towns in Eastern Samar due to Kristine’s impact.

Additionally, Calbayog City was placed under a state of calamity on Oct. 24, with flooding affecting 58 out of 157 barangays, impacting 9,307 families, or over 46,500 individuals.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported that 43 local government units have received food packs totaling 56,620.

Regional DSWD Director Grace Subong noted that over 54,000 additional food packs remain prepositioned in warehouses across the region, ready for distribution to those affected by the storm.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)

Manila-The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), recently partnered with the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide specialized training for 24 DOJ prosecutors to enhance their expertise in handling environmental crimes.

Facilitated by USAID-trained experts from the DOJ, the training was held in Pampanga and Bataan from October 15 to 18 as part of USAID’s Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Oceans, and Landscapes (SIBOL) project.

The participants underwent mock court proceedings involving actual expert witnesses and environmental law enforcement officers, as well as crime scene investigation simulations within Bataan Natural Park. These exercises enhanced the state prosecutors’ knowledge about crime scene investigation, evidence handling, and case building.

The training ensures that strong evidence is collected before cases are filed, increasing the chances of successful convictions and strengthening the DOJ’s efforts to effectively safeguard protected areas under Philippine law.

“USAID, through the SIBOL project, is proud to support the DOJ in improving the capacity of state prosecutors to tackle environmental crimes through practical, hands-on training,” said Thomas Kaluzny, Deputy Director of USAID Philippines’ Environment Office.

“We do not just want prosecutors to be skilled in investigating and prosecuting cases, but we also want (them) to live by the principles of environmental leadership,” said DOJ Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Hazel Decena-Valdez.

Since 2022, USAID has trained 209 prosecutors in environmental law enforcement and supported the DOJ in developing additional courses on illegal wildlife trade, forestry, and fisheries.

USAID, through the SIBOL project, works with partners from the Philippine government, private sector, and civil society to strengthen science-based decision-making and address threats to biodiversity created by unsustainable practices, irresponsible tourism, and environmental crimes. (PR)

CAMP VICENTE LUKBAN, Catbalogan City-A member of a communist-terrorist group was killed following an encounter with government forces in Barangay Barayong, Motiong, Samar, on October 23, 2024.

Troops from the 87th Infantry Battalion engaged three suspected members of the Yakal Platoon, Sub-Regional Committee Browser, and Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.
The clash lasted approximately five minutes before the enemy retreated southeast.

The following day, soldiers discovered the body of an insurgent identified as alias “Tisoy” or “Pogi,” along with an M14 rifle, ammunition, anti-personnel mines, and personal belongings.

In a separate incident, a soldier died during military operations amid Typhoon Kristine.
Pvt. Boyet P. Bogtong was reported to have accidentally slipped from a riverbank and was swept away by strong currents on October 22, 2024.

Search and rescue efforts commenced downstream, leading to the recovery of Pvt. Bogtong’s body two days later in the river at Barangay Anagasi, Paranas, Samar.
Brig. Gen. Perfecto P. Peñaredondo, acting commander of the 8th Infantry Division, extended condolences to Pvt. Bogtong’s family and reaffirmed the military’s dedication to safeguarding the region.

“Private Bogtong’s sacrifice stands as a solemn testament to the bravery and dedication of our troops, who remain committed to their duties despite severe weather and challenging conditions,” Peñaredondo said. (PR)