BUTUAN CITY : Around 71,904 local and foreign tourists have visited the town of Gen. Luna in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte from January to September this year.   Data provided by the Department of Tourism in the Caraga Region (DOT-13) on Monday showed that of the total number, 68,006 were local visitors and 3,898 were foreign tourists.   “The highest arrivals were recorded in August this year where 20,093 local visitors and 1,191 foreign tourists had visited Gen. Luna town,” the DOT-13 said in its report.   July and September also recorded the most arrivals of both local and

BACOLOD CITY: The city government has joined the Negros Occidental provincial government in prohibiting the entry of live birds and poultry products such as meat and eggs from areas affected by the highly pathogenic avian influenza or bird flu, particularly Luzon, Mindanao, and the neighboring islands of Panay and Guimaras.   As of Monday, inspection and monitoring are being conducted mainly in two major piers in the city, the Bredco and Banago ports.   “Whatever the province does, it doesn’t make sense the city will not follow. We just complement each other. (We have) a joint executive order just like

DAVAO CITY: The Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) – Central 911 is keen on training more qualified personnel on disaster preparedness and emergency response early next year.   In a radio interview Monday, CDRRMO chief Alfredo Baloran said they also intend to increase the number of instructors in their lineup.   He said people can expect more training and drills that will increase their knowledge on how to respond to emergencies.   “We will continue to conduct training and orientations not just in government offices but also private offices and establishments,” Baloran said.   On Dec. 7,

  BAGUIO CITY: Law enforcers have seized several firearms and items belonging to members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Kalinga province, the Police Regional Office in Cordillera (PROCor) said Monday.   In an interview, PROCor information officer, Capt. Marnie Abellanida, said the arms cache was discovered during a counter-insurgency operation in Barangay Mabaca in Balbalan town on Dec. 9.   Discovered were one Colt M16 A1; four magazines; two Garand rifles; five magazine clips; 27 pieces of 7.62 mm live ammunition; one carbine rifle; three improvised explosive devices (IED); two M203 live ammunition; three rifle grenades; two sticks

LEGAZPI CITY : The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided eligible individuals with livelihood assistance grants (LAG), a form of financial assistance granted to families whose livelihoods were affected by Covid-19.   In an interview on Monday, Ram Joseph Zaragoza, DSWD-Bicol project development officer for Sustainable Livelihood Program, said DSWD-Bicol started the distribution of LAG through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) to beneficiaries in Sorsogon province.   The recipients of the LAG were from Sorsogon City, 71 beneficiaries (for a total of PHP820,000); Gubat, 122 beneficiaries (PHP697,500); Juban, 73 beneficiaries (PHP476,000); Bulan, 142 beneficiaries (PHP1.4 million); and

TACLOBAN CITY: The Philippine Army in Eastern Visayas is upbeat about ending the “last bastion insurgency” in Samar Island following the arrival of an elite force in the region that fought terrorist groups in Mindanao in recent years.   Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Camilo Ligayo expressed his gratitude to the military leadership for sending the additional forces and equipment that will boost their campaign against insurgency.   “I am indeed grateful to the higher headquarters for sending one of the finest battalions from our elite force to augment our forces here in Eastern Visayas. Your expertise