PEACE COVENANT
CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte — At the start of the election period, a signing of a peace covenant has been scheduled in the considered election “priority area” in Eastern Visayas. Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas will witness the signing of the peace covenant among the police, church leaders, and local candidates in Samar. Chief Superintendent Elmer Ragadio Soria, the regional police director, expressed gratitude to Roxas for his support for the activity aimed at ensuring a peaceful conduct of elections in Leyte. (PIA)
‘BALIKBAYAN’ PROMOTION
CEBU CITY — The Balik Cebu Committee, along with local tourism stakeholders, is anticipating an increase in the number of “balikabayan” arrivals to Cebu for this year’s Sinulog celebrations. Traditionally we only accommodate 200 seats for the welcome dinner but because of the increase in awareness of the campaign, we have added up to 500 to 600 seats,” said Balik Cebu Chairperson Teta Baad. Baad also said they are rearranging the tie-ups with existing programs of private sector tourism organizations like Cebu Association of Tour Operators and the Ng Khai Group to include more attractions and offerings to balikbayan travelers. (Malou Mozo)
NEW MANAGEMENT
ILOILO CITY, Iloilo — Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. disclosed that the entire management and operation of the Iloilo Provincial Integrated Jail (IPIJ) will be turned over to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP-6). Defensor said the Iloilo provincial government is ready to pull out all guards from the jail compound in Nanga village of Pototan town by end of February or early March this year. “All manpower for operation and manpower of the IPIJ will be under the BJMP,” Defensor reiterated. (Tara Yap)
PATROL BIKES FOR 17 TOWNS
CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte — To enhance mobility, the Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas distributed recently motorcycles to 17 police stations in the region. “This is part of the capability enhancement and part of the strategic focus of the new PNP chief,” said Chief Superintendent Elmer Soria, PRO8 director. Soria identified the police station-recipients as Albuera, Tabango, Pastrana and Leyte-Leyte, all in Leyte; Bontoc in Southern Leyte; Dolores, Oras and Sulat, all in Eastern Samar; Biri, Bobon, Victoria and Palapag, all in Northern Samar and the Marasbaras police station in Tacloban City. (PIA)
WATER ADVISORY
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte — The Leyte Metropolitan Water District (LMWD) would like to inform water concessionaires their schedule of water bill collection in in the following municipalities: Palo, January 19-29; Tanauan, January 21-30; Dagami, January 22-31; Tabon-tabon and Tolosa, January 25; and Pastrana, January 29. On the other hand, areas covered for disconnection in Tacloban City on January 14-17, are as follows: J. Luna, P. Burgos, Real and Interior Real, Independencia, Magallanes and Arellano Sts., Imelda and Esperas Avenue, Pericohon, Dadison, Lukban, El Reposo, Youngfield, Utap, Sampaguita, Apitong, Sagkahan, V&G Subdivision, Calanipawan, Caibaan, and Diversion Road. (PIA)