City rejects proposed retirement bill

THE members of the City Council in Tacloban City would not approve the early retirement program (ERP) ordinance proposed by the City Hall for it reportedly violates certain charter followed by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), said a city councilor.

Councilor Jerry Uy, chairman of the committee on laws, rules, and privileges, said: “This particular GSIS charter do not allow any local government units to give additional benefits to the retired employees they have.”

Comelec retrieves ballot boxes for 2013 polls

THE Tacloban City Commission on Elections (Comelec) has conducted a retrieval of the 188 ballot boxes, which were used in the May 2010 polls, to use them in the May 2013 balloting.

An inventory of the ballot boxes was also conducted, said City Comelec officer Rosemarie Anne Polistico.

DTI implements procedures on consumer complaints

PALO, Leyte – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is now implementing a harmonized mediation and arbitration procedures in a bid to enhance the handling mechanism of consumer complaints.

DTI regional director Cynthia Nierras said that all consumer complaints under DTI jurisdiction will be resolved within seven working days through mediation. Cases that are escalated to arbitration will be decided within 20 days after filing.

Tacloban poll bets vow to follow rules, ink peace pact

CANDIDATES seeking for various elective posts in Iloilo City vowed to “play by the rules,” a promise they made during Thursday’s signing of the peace covenant in relation to the May midterm election.

The signing of the covenant, held at the Santo Niño Church around 3 p.m. was the first time that the candidates, who are seeking for the City Government posts, gathered together.

DSWD: Norwegian lass helps troubled youth in center

NORWEGIAN Tina Ramsvik, after six years of working as hairdresser in the famous Dugg in Oslo, said she wanted to do something for other people, an official of the social welfare department said.

“This is actually a homecoming for her,” according to Marcela Lim, head of the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Eastern Visayas (DSWD-8).

Guiuan to celebrate Magellan landing

THE town of Guiuan in Eastern Samar celebrates the 492nd landing of Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan in Homonhon Island which led to the discovery of the Philippines, said Mayor Annaliz Gonzales-Kwan.

Kwan said the celebration of the Magellan landing in March 16 will be highlighted by a commemorative mass at Sitio Cantilado in Barangay Pagbabangnan.

Employees accuses Samelco I of harassing cashier

THE Samar I Electric Cooperative (Samelco I) Employees Union has accused the management of harassing the cashier amid looming strike stemmed by the latter’s refusal to talk on collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

Union president Divina Gracia Balite said the management has attempted this week to divest some of the functions of cashier Nida Barandino, wife of Jose Barandino, the only member of the six-man Samelco I board of directors who is in favor of CBA negotiation.

Young man shot dead in Ormoc City

ORMOC CITY -- A young man was shot dead by two unidentified riding in tandem men Thursday morning along corner Veloso and Beluang Sts., Cogon, Ormoc City, police said.

Senior Police Officer 3 (SPO3) Danny Rebato, the responding team leader of Police Station 1, said the police brought the victim to the Ormoc District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

JV Estrada thanks public for maintaining 5th spot in survey

UNITED Nationalist Alliance senatorial candidate San Juan City Representative JV Ejercito Estrada expressed his gratitude to the public after the latest Pulse Asia survey showed that he remained in 5th place among the so-called "Magic 12" or list of senatorial candidates preferred by Filipinos.

Pulse Asia released in March 11 its February 2013 Pre-Election Survey fielded from February 24 to 28, 2013.

Leyte promotes aggie, environment protection, tourism

THE Provincial Government of Southern Leyte is now promoting the sustainability of agricultural, environment protection and tourism program.

Roger Mercado, Southern Leyte lone district representative, said the entire province of Southern Leyte goes with the progress of the entire country, wherein tourist arrivals booms and infrastructure projects particularly the national roads has been 100 percent completed.

Police capture Calbayog’s most wanted

CAMP KANGLEON - A Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) Active Auxiliary and his two brothers, who have been wanted by law for murder and frustrated murder charges, were the latest addition to the list of wanted criminals captured in manhunt operations by the Police Regional Office-Eastern Visayas.

Government troops engage rebels in Samar firefight

THE Army's 8th Infantry Division said its military troops have engaged in a series of firefights and encounters with the New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Samar and Northern Samar Provinces.

Army spokesperson Gene Orense said the troops of Alpha Company, 43rd Infantry Battalion under 1st Lt. Roue Chris Libunao engaged undetermined numbers of NPA rebels in the boundary of Barangay Calondan, San Jorge and Brgy Barayong, Motiong of Western Samar Province at 10:50 a.m. last March 8.

Drug bureau wants Eastern Visayas to be drug-free

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Eastern Visayas (PDEA) urged Tuesday all government and private business managers and supervisors to ensure a drug-free workplace.

"PDEA is promoting a drug-free workplace in line with the salient provisions of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 which mandates the PDEA to lead the enforcement of a national drug control system particularly in working places such as offices and public utility terminals and schools," said Liza Baoy, PDEA-8 information officer.

Samar road project hires 693 local workers

THE United States’ $214.4-million road project connecting Samar and Eastern Samar has provided almost 1,000 jobs for two contract packages (CP) as of last month, the Millennium Challenge Account-Philippines (MCA-P) reported.

MCA-P managing director and chief executive officer Ma. Victoria Añonuevo said that of the 937 workers, 693 are local residents.

Army reports armed groups in Leyte districts

A MILITARY official in the province of Leyte reported the presence of private armed groups (PAGs) as well as communist rebels and other armed groups in the third district of Leyte and in the nearby province of Biliran, which is under their jurisdiction.

Six towns in Leyte are under category 1 election watchlist or there is presence of communist rebels. These are Kananga, Bato, Matag-ob, San Miguel, Tabango and Inopacan. Seven towns and one city are under category 2, which means that there is a presence of PAGs and intense political rivalry. These are the cities of Ormoc and Baybay and the towns of Carigara, Kananga, Burauen, Capoocan, Jaro, Dagami, MacArthur, and Albuera.

More Leyte women bets seen in May polls

WOMEN in Leyte are definitely active in politics as the premier province in Eastern Visayas has the most number of women candidates running for Congress, provincial board members, and mayors.

For board member, the province has Tanauan ABC president Gina Merilo and Governor Mimmiette Bagulaya, who are running in the first and third district, respectively.

Legarda: Friendship with Erap remains

SENATOR Loren Legarda said she remains confident that her friendship with former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada is not affected despite of her being kicked out from the UNA slate.

Legarda, who barnstorm Leyte since Friday, said she does not see any reason why the former president would campaign against her.

Drug bureau: Beware of fake PDEA agents

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reiterates its warning to the public of unscrupulous individuals posing as PDEA agents.

PDEA Director General Undersecretary Arturo G. Cacdac Jr. reiterated the public advisory following the recent arrest of a police officer gone absent without leave (AWOL) and three others after engaging in a shootout and car chase with members of the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG).

DILG: No copy of Ombudsman’s decision vs mayor

THE Department of Interior and Local Government-Eastern Visayas (DILG) said they have not yet received the official copy of the Ombudsman’s decision amidst the one month suspension of Palompon, Leyte Mayor Ramon Oñate.

DILG legal counsel lawyer Cyrill Blanco said they have not yet received an official copy of the suspension of the mayor, but said they only had a photocopy of it brought to them by the complainant of the mayor.

Labor department conducts career coaching

THE Department of Labor and Employment, Southern Leyte Field Offices (DOLE-SLFO) has conducted a career coaching to address issues and problems on unemployment or underemployment.

Labor employment officer Neil Moraleta said that Dole has conducted various career coaching activities for graduating high school students in the province.

New cops told: Respect human rights

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – Eastern Visayas police regional director Elmer Ragadio Soria has directed the 75 new police recruits to respect human rights at all times as they entered their first day in the Philippine National Police.

“As you enter the early stage of your police career, develop a good character which will be your foundation. You have to start with a right indoctrination of the police service which is critical on how you will perform your job. Service first before self-interest”, Chief Superintendent Soria said.

4 Kananga landslide victims buried

FOUR of the workers who died in a landslide incident on March 1 at the Energy Development Corp. (EDC) geothermal complex in Upper Mahiao, Barangay Lim-ao, Kananga in Leyte province, were buried.

The death toll now reaches to seven when another body was pulled out from the rubble late Monday afternoon.

Leyte government to probe landslide

THE Provincial Government of Leyte will conduct an investigation into the cause of the landslide at the Lopez-led Energy Development Corp. (EDC) geothermal facility.

Another body identified as Uldarico Taburanza was recovered Monday, bringing the death toll to seven from the landslide in EDC’s pad 403 in Upper Mahiao, Barangay Lim-ao, in Kananga, Leyte.

Ombud suspends Oñate for ‘simple misconduct’

PALOMPON, Leyte Mayor Ramon Oñate will face a one-month suspension after the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas found substantial evidence against him for simple misconduct for closing down a complainant’s business, a severe penalty than that prescribed by an ordinance.

Complainant Warblitz Martinez, a businesswoman, charged Oñate and three others for illegally closing down her business for three months for alleged violation of a local anti-noise ordinance.

Tacloban tax bureau targets P6.05-billion collection

PALO, Leyte -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has announced a P6.05-billion tax collection target in 2013 for Eastern Visayas, which is 33 percent higher than 2012’s goal, prompting BIR to call for more cooperation from taxpayers.

BIR regional director Diosdado Mendoza admitted that the big jump of their goal is very challenging, but they are counting on voluntary compliance among business owners.

US-funded anti-poverty projects now in full swing

ALANGALANG, Leyte – The P237.15 million anti-poverty projects in Eastern Visayas funded by the United States government are now in full swing, an official of the Millennium Challenge Account–Philippines (MCA-P) said.

MCA-P managing director and chief executive officer Ma. Victoria Anonuevo said 527 of the 1,497 US-funded Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) projects nationwide are being implemented in the region.

Ma grieves son’s death in landslide

ORMOC CITY -- Teresita de la Austria said she was still in a daze when she recovered the body of her son, Etchield, not only dead but also headless.

Etchield, 31, was one of the five workers of the EDC (Energy Development Corp.) buried alive in a landslide coupled with the bursting of a steam pipe which resulted to the victims suffering burns when they were retrieved from the mounds of debris.

US gives P3.8 million for human trafficking

PALO, Leyte – The United States government is granting P3.8 million to a partner non-government organization in curbing child trafficking in 15 municipalities of Samar and Eastern Samar covered by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)-funded road project.

US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas and Marivic Anonuevo, managing director and chief executive officer of Millennium Challenge Account Philippine, signed a memorandum of agreement with Manila-based Philippines Against Child Trafficking (Pact) that will be their partner anti-trafficking drive.

Tacloban City hosts ‘America in 3D 2013’ road show

THE United States Embassy’s road show ‘America in 3D’ kicked-off in Tacloban City on Saturday.

US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. launched the road show in early 2011. It highlights the American Government’s diplomacy, development and defense efforts.

PCA supports plan to hike biodiesel blend

THE Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) in Eastern Visayas is supportive of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) plan to increase the required biodiesel blend to offset the softening market price of copra.

PCA regional manager Edilberto Nierva said increasing the mandatory blend for biodiesel will redound to more benefits for coconut farmers and increase the demand for coconut.