BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar (PIA) — Elsie Ador, City Social Welfare officer, advises the public to be careful of people posing as beggars as they could be syndicate members. “I wish to inform everyone that Mayor Fe Abunda has not issued any permit to indigent group or groups asking donations from businessmen and well-off families,” Ador said.  The announcement followed a report of “beggars” roaming commercial districts and public markets presenting bogus documents/permits from the city mayor’s office. Ador advises the public to notify the city mayor’s office or the police if they spot bogus beggars.

JOB FAIR

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte (PIA) — National government agencies in Eastern Visayas led by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) launched Monday, July 23 a job fair for persons with disabilities (PWD) at the DOLE office here, in recognition of the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) to employment. The job fair was part of the celebration of National Disability and Prevention Rehabilitation celebrated July 17-23 yearly. Partner agencies in the activity included the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

CHARCOAL-MAKING BAN

KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) — An ordinance banning charcoal-making in Balete town for five years has been passed by the Balete Sangguniang Bayan. The order is aimed at minimizing if not prevent frequent flooding in the vicinity of the Jal-o River, a main tributary in the town which is also a populated area. The ordinance says besides the practice of slash and burn farming within the Jal-o River watershed, local officials have observed the dramatic denudation of the area due to unabated and unregulated charcoal-making no matter if charcoal-makers claim they only use tree branches to make charcoal.

LUMBER SEIZED

CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) — Over 200 pieces of yakal lumber with a volume of 2,913 board feet worth R262,170 were recently seized in Naga City, Cebu by a team of foresters and police officers. Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 7 (DENR-7) executive director Dr. Isabelo R. Montejo said “the operator of the seized forest products including the conveyances used will undergo administrative adjudication proceedings to determine culpability to existing forestry laws and regulations and appropriate criminal cases will be filed.” Illegal timber products possession violates existing environmental laws.

MODEL COPS

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte (PIA) — Two Eastern Visayas police officers are strong contenders in the nationwide search for Model Philippine National Police (PNP) Families. National Police Commission (Napolcom) regional director Nicomedez E. Jose said the annual search aims to promote the PNP rank and file image and morale.  Among the top five finalists in the search’s family category is P/Supt. Orlando Senedrin Gardiola, chief of the Eastern Samar Provincial Police Office Operations Division in Borongan, Eastern Samar, and his family. Other finalists in this category are from Bulacan, Region 3; South Cotabato, Region 12; La Union, Region 1 and Cebu City; Region 7.