Police probe Boholano bizman killed in Calbayog City
Police are now investigating the death of a Boholano businessman who was slain by still unidentified perons in Calbayog City on Oct. 30, 2024.
Ireneo Claro Socias Jr., 48, and a native of Getafe town was assisting deliveries for his fried chicken business when the incident happened.
He was killed in Barangay West Awang, Calbayog City, Samar, in broad daylight,
Initial reports revealed that Socias was helping the delivery van driver maneuver the vehicle into the main road at past noon when the two unidentified assailants approached and shot him in the chest.
The victim was brought to a nearby hospital but eventually expired.
The police are now finding clues as to the identity of the suspect as well as the motive.
Zamora: soaking areas identified to ease flooding
City councilor Nerio Zamora II said that a committee report has been finalized identifying the soaking areas in the city to ease flooding.
He mentioned this during an episode of Open Forum on Nov. 1, 2024 with Gloria Leodivica Araneta.
Zamora said that the soaking areas are important where flood waters would be impounded after heavy rains and keep the flooding away from vulnerable areas in the city.
He said the sinkholes in the city will be used as soaking areas.
In the past, flood waters drain towards the sea but development made it harder for flood water to drain out to the sea.
Currently, an anti-flood project is being built at the flood-prone area of Lamdagan and at Bohol Wisdom School, funded by the national government and facilitated by Cong. Edgar Chatto.
DNL claims casino will sprout in Bohol
Former Tagbilaran City mayor Dan Neri Lim claims that there is a possibility a casino would sprout in Panglao and it may come after the elections next year.
He said this during the Oct. 30, 2024 episode of his radio program Barug Bohol with Arlene Karaan.
He did not clearly mention who will be the casino operator if such plan materializes.
He said that he will also be pushing the issues affecting consumers of the Bohol Electric Cooperative (BOHECO) 1 and 2 during the campaign.
Lim said he and the three former governors, Edgar Chatto, Rene Relampagos and Arthur Yap are having another take at the issues that will affect every Boholano.
Lim said that a clearer picture about his gubernatorial aspirations will be revealed on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024.
He will tell the public his take on the purchase of majority of Bohol Light Company Inc. shares and reasons why he was shoved into the gubernatorial race.
Lawyer Kurt Bongabong will explain the alleged lapses in the BLCI deal plus other issues that will be discussed by whistleblower Ronie Orillosa.
Lim admitted that he faces a moonshot in terms of being able to win the governorship, but he wants to use the election platform to let the people know about the issues that will affect the common Boholano.
Driver injured following accident in Anda
A driver was injured following an accident in Anda on Oct. 30, 2024, reports say.
The injured driver was identified as Arnold Berongoy who allegedly drove his motorcycle after having a drinking spree.
The victim was traveling home and allegedly drowsed off causing him to lose control of his motorcycle and crashed.
The victim sustained serious injuries especially in the head as a result of the accident.
As of press time the victim is in the hospital and reportedly in critical condition.
Yap prides over visiting 1st district island barangays
John Geesnell “Baba” Yap
First district congressional aspirant John Geesnell “Baba” Yap prides in his claim that he has visited almost all island barangays in the said district.
He said he has visited island barangays in Loon, Calape, Tubigon, Panglao, and Baclayon.
Reports said that Yap made the claim that he has frequented some of the island barangays such as Pamilacan Island in Baclayon.
He said that his schedule has been tight as he has been having difficulty in fulfilling invitations to visit some island barangays again.
As he visited the island barangays, he learned what the residents in these islands need as he mulls to build more water desalination plants for them.
Oliva lines up programs for Catigbian once he wins
Catigbian mayoralty candidate Benjie Oliva said he has lined up several projects once he wins the seat in next year’s elections.
He said he has done his assignment in terms of projects for the town when he becomes the mayor.
He said that the town has Agriculture as its main economic driver.
Oliva said he will be coming up with more livelihood programs that would benefit the people.
He is going to strengthen the Public Employment Services Office in order to bring employees and workers closer and give the people more job opportunities.
He is also seeking to upgrade the town’s slaughterhouse and train more butchers who are in demand in other places in the country.
There are no butcher training centers in the Visayas, Oliva noted.
SM eyes 2026 to 2027 opening
SM Prime Holdings, the operator of SM branch in Bohol, is looking to open shop either by 2026 or 2027, according to reports.
Reports say that SM Prime Holdings’ Helene Go made the assurance that SM Tagbilaran branch will open in two to three years from now, if plans don’t miscarry.
The provincial government has started to expand the road in front of the property now owned by SM where a supermall will be built in barangay Cogon.
The SM is now doing all the stops, so it will start the construction of the mall.
SM will allow more choices for Boholanos who often travel elsewhere to shop for brands not available in local retailers.
It is also seen as a way to create more jobs for Boholanos and even for other Filipinos from nearby provinces.
Woman killed in Tubigon road accident
A 68-year-old woman was killed following a road accident on Oct. 30, 2024 at barangay Ilijan Norte, Tubigon.
The victim was identified as Lucia Abadendo, of barangay Genonocan, Tubigon, who reportedly came from a vigil before meeting an accident that resulted to her death.
Sources said the victim was hit by a motorcycle driven by a certain Abel Ancajas of Calape town,
Initial investigation revealed that allegedly Ancajas was speeding on his motorcycle as he was traveling towards Calape.
When the driver stepped on the brakes, the motorcycle lowered the brake pedal and hit the ground causing the vehicle to lose balance and causing it to twirl three times eventually hitting the victim.
The collision caused multiple injuries on the victim who was brought to a hospital in Tagbilaran City.
However, in the course of the treatment, the victim expired early morning of Wednesday.
Allegedly, Ancajas had no driver’s license, and he also sustained minor injuries and is now recuperating in a hospital.
Reports say that the suspect’s family entered into an amicable settlement with the victim’s family.
Ordinance mulled to name 146 roads as provincial
There is a proposed ordinance to tag about 146 roads as provincial, reports say.
Once these roads are tagged as provincial, their maintenance and repair will be under the provincial government.
The 146 roads are located across Bohol and they are not tagged as roads under the provincial nor national government.
An ordinance is needed to officially tag these roads as provincial in order to be maintained using provincial funds.
The said ordinance will be discussed at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan soon.
3 BMs leave 1st day of budget hearing early
At least there members of the Committee of Budget and Appropriations left early and did not stay to finish the first day of budget hearing for the proposed P4.4 billion 2025 provincial budget.
Only the committee chairman Romulo Cepedoza and Board Member Aldner Damalerio were left in the said hearing and stayed until the end.
Reports say other members: Greg Jala, Nathaniel Binlod and DJ Balite left early causing a lack of quorum.
Some observers said that allegedly, committee chairman Cepedoza was dismayed with the early exit of the three said board members.
Some said that a budget hearing happens only once a year and they should have stayed until the end.
It was unclear why the three left early but observers hope that the quorum will be observed in the rest of the other budget hearings as it is hoped that the hearings will be finished by middle of November.
Capitol weeds out employees for alleged drug use
At least 10 Capitol employees were reportedly terminated for alleged drug use.
Capitol’s human resources head Marikit Oppus revealed the information during a budget hearing on Oct. 30, 2024 before the Committee on Budget and Appropriations at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Oppus said the provincial government conducted surprise drug testing on employees, which resulted to the positive identification of employees allegedly using drugs.
Among the 10 that tested positive for drug use, one is a female with age ranging from 30 to 50 years old.
Oppus said all of them were automatically terminated from service. While it is unfortunate that they lost their jobs, the reason for termination is something that is their fault,
Those who were terminated were advised to undergo drug rehabilitation and to seek another employment once done with the rehabilitation.
Tagb proposes more than P1.3 B 2025 budget
The executive department of the Tagbilaran City Government has submitted the proposed city budget for next year amounting to a little over P1.3 billion.
In a report on Oct. 30, 2024, the proposed budget was submitted to the Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) and such submission was confirmed by Coun. Tim Butalid, chairman of the Committee on Appropriations and Accounts.
The proposed 2025 budget is a little more than P100 million compared to the 2024 budget.
The increase was brought about by an increase in the National Tax Allocation formerly known as Internal Revenue Allotment, which is at P735 million from P629 million in 2024.
The Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses and the 20 percent development fund reached P692 million.
Moreover, the capital outlay is at P233 million with budget allocated for health, infrastructure, and social services, among others.
The budget hearings will be held by middle of November where different department heads will be facing the committee members with the hope that the budget will be approved before the end of the year.
Bohol fisherman rescued in S. Leyte
Elements of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescued a Bohol fisherman who drifted away from the province and reached Southern Leyte after his boat’s engine reportedly conked out.
The fisherman is identified as Reynante Cadorna, 41, of barangay Mambool, Duero.
He was reported missing for a couple of days and was rescued on Oct. 30, 2024.
He was spotted floating towards Southern Leyte by a ship’s crew who, then, reported the incident to the PCG.
The said fisherman was safely rescued and has returned to Bohol.
Several Bohol LGU get new PTVs
Several local government units (LGUs) in Bohol received new patient transport vehicles (PTVs) on Oct . 30, during rites at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.
The new PTVs are part of the medical transport vehicle donation program of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Among those LGUs that received a PTV are Tagbilaran City, Albur, Alicia, Antequerra, Baclayon, Balilihan, Batuan, Bien Unido, Bilar, Buenavista, Calape, Candijay, Corella, Cortes, Dagohoy, Danao, Dauis, Dimiao, Duero, Garcia Hernandez, Getafe, Guindulman, Inabanga, Jagna, Loay, Loboc, Loon, Mabini, Maribojoc, Panglao, Pilar, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Sagbayan, San Isidro, San Miguel, Sevilla, Sierra Bullones, Sikatuna, Talibon, Trinidad, Tubigon, Ubay, and Valencia.
LGUs that were not given PTVs included Anda, Carmen, Catigbian, Clarin and Lila. These towns were not given due to the five-year prohibitory period.
The distribution coincided with the 90th anniversary of the PCSO.
The PTVs have stretchers, oxygen tanks, and other medical equipment.
SP Committee of the Whole set to tackle DNL letter
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Committee of the Whole is set to tackle the letter of former Tagbilaran mayor Dan Neri Lim’s letter regarding the purchase of Primelectric Holdings Inc. (PHI) of 70 percent stake in Bohol Light Company Inc. (BLCI).
The letter was dated Oct, 25, 2024 and such referral to the Committee of the Whole was done in the last regular session by Vice Gov. Tita Baja.
The letter stems from the admission of Primelectric that it has acquired the stake in BLCI previously owned by SPC Power Corporation.
Primelectric has completed its take over of BLCI starting this month of November.
The said hearing has yet to be scheduled where all members of the SP are expected to attend.
Baba denies hand on Baba-Benjie tarps in Catigbian
Former Tagbilaran mayor John Geesnell Yap denied having a hand in the alleged distribution of tarpaulins containing his name and the name of Catigbian mayoralty aspirant Benjie Oliva.
Oliva has earlier denied having a hand in the tarpaulins containing his and Baba’s name.
He made denial following reports that tarps have been circulating in the said town with his and Oliva’s name.
Yap made the denial in front of supporters of Oliva’s opponent for mayor Jesus Jaum Jr.
He made the clarification in order to remove confusion among Jaum’s supporters.
Jaum is backing Yap for first district congressman.
Abante still no bet for Panglao mayor
Abante Bohol has yet to pick a candidate for Panglao mayor as the group
has not announced a bet during the Oct, 11, 2024 official proclamation rally.
The Abante Bohol group is choosing between Vice Mayor Noel Hormachuelos and former Mayor Leonila Montero.
Sources say the Abante Bohol is now having a difficult choice on who between Hormachuelos and Montero will be chosen as bet.
It was earlier reported that Abante Bohol is backing Hormachuelos, who supported Padayon Bol-anon in the last elections.
Moreover, the choice became difficult when Montero filed to run for mayor and effectively throwing a monkey wrench into the situation.
Montero and her daughter, Aya, were solid Abante Bohol supporters.
Getafe gets funds from province
Getafe mayor Caryboy Camacho confirmed that his town received funds and financial aid from the provincial government.
He is thankful for the funds and aid as it will greatly help the northern town, he said.
Getafe received a little over P6 million in aid and funds.
The provincial government also turned over royalties to barangays that host sand and gravel extraction.
The town also received aid for various projects.
Projects include multi-purpose building, docking facilities, and projects in selected public schools in the town, among others.
Boholanos need to be ready to flock to safety when disaster strikes
Boholanos are urged to learn how to keep themselves safe by moving to safer grounds like evacuation sites when disaster strikes.
People should practice mass evacuation as preparation for disasters that could hit Bohol.
This comes as experts are wary about movements at the active fault offshore of Bohol.
There have been reports that faults in Bohol have the capacity of generating strong quakes similar to what happened in 2013.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has been recording a series of quakes along the faults found offshore in Bohol. There were also movements at the east Bohol fault, the one causing quakes recently.
Experts say that preparedness may avert mass casualties as earthquakes are natural disasters that can not be predicted.
Long weekend in Bohol spurs holiday economics
It is expected that holiday economics will be spurred as Boholanos enjoy a long weekend.
The long weekend was extended as Nov. 1, 2024 was declared a holiday as it was All Saints’ Day.
Moreover, Boholanos will enjoy a holiday on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, as this is the birth anniversary of the late President Carlos P. Garcia.
Last week, Malacañang declared a half day suspension of work in public offices and schools on Oct. 31, 2024.
The suspension of work in private companies was based on the call of management, reports.
This is to afford people the time to attend to the celebrations on the first two days of November.
SP works to craft drug rehab law
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) has been working to create an ordinance that will establish a drug rehabilitation center in the province.
This comes as a proposed ordinance regarding the establishment of the center has been on the table.
The public has been clamoring about the need for a drug rehabilitation center in Bohol.
The need was amplified with the fact that a person with the history of drug use, allegedly killed a nurse in a Tagbilaran hospital.
The measure is being refined and will be soon tackled by the appropriate committee.
Currently, Boholanos who need to undergo rehabilitation need to travel and stay in other places in the country where there are drug rehab centers.
PLO defends Guv on raps, saying vehicle borrowed temporarily
The Provincial Legal Office (PLO) defended the governor from the allegations filed by Board Member Mimi Boniel Maglasang.
PLO Handel Lagunay, in a radio interview said, that there was no technical malversation that happened in the conduct of distributing vehicles to board members.
To recall, Board Member Mimi Boniel filed a case against Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado for alleged vehicle scandal. She also filed a case against the late Vice Gov. Dionisio Victor Balite.
The PLO said that he has seen the governor’s counter affidavit stating that the vehicle was borrowed on a temporary basis.
It was alleged that the vehicle assignment duties fell in the hands of the late vice governor, Lagunay said.
Lagunay said he is not the governor’s lawyer in this case filed by Boniel, and said that the governor has a private lawyer handling the case.
Aumentado alleges that he has no hand in the assignment of the vehicles to the board members.
The PLO said all of the process of vehicle reassignment went through legal process.
Lagunay said the vehicle was returned when it was borrowed temporarily by the governor’s office.
Lagunay said that the case is moot and academic as Boniel has been assigned her own vehicle.
Meanwhile, Lagunay defended the governor on allegations by a watchdog that Aumentado allegedly acted functions while under preventive suspension.
Lagunay said the governor never signed any document as governor that could result in a misconduct.
The PLO said the only time the governor entered the Capitol was during the wake of Balite
Primelectric to develop BLCI equipment, facilities
Primelectric, the new owner of the 70 percent stake of Bohol Light Company Inc. (BLCI) is set to develop the equipment and facilities of the distribution utility.
Moreover, it will also focus on the renewal of the BLCI franchise that is set to expire in October 2025.
Primelectric’s Roel Castro has officially laid out the direction of BLCI under the new management.
The revelation of the new direction was revealed in a recent meeting with all employees and officials of BLCI on Oct, 25, 2024 at Bohol Tropics.
Primeelectric acquired the stake of SPC Power Corporation for P350 million. The BLCI is the entity born from the joint venture agreement of the Salcon Group and the provincial government converting the Provincial Public Utilities Department (PPUD).
SP okays prov. budget on 1st reading
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) has approved on first reading the provincial budget for 2025 worth P4.4 billion during the regular session on Oct. 29, 2024.
Board member Romulo Cepedoza backed the measure containing the budget and such measure was approved by the august body.
The measure will then undergo the second reading, which entails marathon headings that started last Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024.
Department heads will be defending their respective budgets before the board members.
The goal is to wrap the hearings by Nov. 16, 2024, which has been a tradition to finish the budget deliberations before Christmas.
There is an increase in the 2025 proposed budget compared to 2024 and it is due to the increase in the National Tax Allocation (NTA).
Boholano bishop laid to rest
Boholano bishop Arturo Bastes was laid to rest on Oct. 30, 2024 in Sorsogon. according to reports.
The remains of the bishop stayed for a few days at the Sorsogon Cathedral.
The bishop passed away on Oct. 20, 2024.
Reports say that several Boholano fateful made the trip to Sorsogon to bid the late bishop goodbye, including Tagbilaran bishop Alberto Uy.
Bastes, a native of Loboc, was known as a staunch defender of environment and human rights.
Reports say that according to Canon Law, a bishop will be laid to rest in the diocese where he last served.
Dengue kills 18
The death toll from dengue in Bohol since January has reached 18 and majority of the fatalities are young children.
Based on the latest data from January to Oct. 19, 2024, the number of patients afflicted with dengue is 8,121.
This translates to an increase of 392.5 percent compared to the same period last year.
The top five local government units with the most number of cases are Tagbilaran City, Inabanga, Ubay, Talibon, and Getafe.
Last year, there were only 1,694 dengue cases and three died, according to data.
Experts say that preventing mosquitoes from breeding and biting people remain the most effective way of controlling the spread of disease.
Wanted man nabbed in Balilihan
A wanted man was arrested by police in Balilihan town on Oct. 26, 2024, according to reports.
The police arrested a certain Teddy Baculio, 34, of barangay Remedios, Danao but presently residing at barangay Boctol, Balilihan.
The police made the arrest as they were armed with an arrest warrant issued by Judge Glen Pergamino of Regional Trial Court branch 3 based in Tagbilaran City.
The suspect faces allegations of child abuse and the bail was recommended at P80,000.
Batuan’s legacy: 33 families get new homes
Former Bohol police provincial director Col. Lorenzo Batuan left the province with a legacy that 33 families will never forget.
These families were beneficiaries of the Libreng Alagad ug Balay (LAB) program where poor families were chosen to be recipients of homes.
In his two years stint as Bohol police provincial director, Batuan managed to get the support of politicians and the provincial government to make the program a reality.
The last recipients of the program are from Ubay, reports say.
Meanwhile, new provincial director Col. Arnel Banzon said he is keen on continuing the LAB program started by Batuan.
Bohol Water develops old water sources
Aside from developing new sources, Bohol Water Utilities Inc. (BWUI) has started to develop old sources of water, according to reports.
Victor Tambis of BWUI said. that the company reactivated on Oct. 22, 2024, pumping unit no. 13 based in barangay Cogon. The unit has been out of commission for the longest time.
The reactivation of the said unit enables BWUI to serve more customers.
The said unit serves the areas of barangays Cogon and Booy.
While the said unit was not commissioned, consumers in the said areas often would experience low water pressure and there were some instances when a water truck was used to bring water to these residents.
BFAR mulled lifting red tide in Tagb, but new tests say problem still persists
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has been looking at lifting
the red tide warning at Tagbilaran Bay after six years but it may wait a little longer as the problem has made a comeback of sorts.
The BFAR has been issuing a red tide alert on the waters between Tagbilaran City and Dauis where there is a shellfish harvest ban.
In the BFAR bulletin released on Oct. 23, 2024, the said waters have been cleared of red tide.
However, according to reports, the bulletin based its data on samples collected in August 2024..
Reports say BFAR took samples just recently and found out that the shellfish taken in the said waters tested positive for red tide anew.
It would be nice to note that the said body of water has already been free from red tide, but it seems the respite is short lived.
Red tide means that the waters have toxic substances that make shellfish unfit for human consumption including small shrimps,
Fish, as long as they are thoroughly cleaned, are safe to eat with the inside properly discarded.
Police on high alert, traffic flow fixed as Bohol remembers the departed
Bohol police have been tightening its watch since Friday as Bohol joined the rest of the nation in celebrating the day of remembrance for those who have departed.
The police were making sure the public areas where people would congregate are secured as people flocked to cemeteries or memorial parks in different parts of the province.
Moreover, the routes to and from cemeteries and memorial parks were given priority as people went to visit their departed loved ones at barangay Dampas and barangay Taloto.
The City Traffic Management Office (CTMO) beforehand came up with a traffic plan to and from the major cemeteries in the city.
This enabled people to visit the tombs of the departed without much hassle as this has been a yearly tradition.
BMs want PYDO to focus on key issues affecting youth
Board members suggested to the Provincial Youth Development Office (PYDO) to coordinate with other agencies and focus on key issues affecting the youth especially those in Bohol.
The board members said the PYDO should not only focus on sports but also in other issues.
This comes as the board members said the annual investment plan (AIP) of the PYDO is just heavily tilted towards sports and neglecting other issues.
The AIP of PYDO was presented on Oct, 24, 2024 and the board members have something to say about it.
The board members noted that the program on mental health, teenage pregnancy, and rising cases of HIV-AIDS hardly given any attention by the PYDO.
The board members said that it seems the PYDO forgot that it is within its mandate to address the concerns about mental health, teenage pregnancy and HIV-AIDS and not just sports.
BOHECO 1 deploys teams to repair lines damaged by storm Kristine
Bohol Electric Cooperative 1 (BOHECO 1) has deployed teams to conduct repairs on electric lines damaged following the onslaught of storm Kristine.
BOHECO 1 general manager Dino Nicolas Roxas confirmed that the cooperative has deployed teams that are going to repair busted electric lines following the onslaught of the recent storm.
The cooperative has gotten support from the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperative Association (PHILRICA) where the latter is providing help to BOHECO 1 in repairing busted electrical lines.
The support of PHILRICA is under the Task Force Kapatid program, where PHILRICA will be also extending help to BOHECO 2 based in Jagna.
DJ Balite assumes BM post
The son of the late Vice Gov. Dionisio Victor Balite has assumed his post and occupied the vacant seat at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).
DJ Balite has confirmed that he is occupying the vacant seat at the provincial board after Board Member Tita Baja has been elevated to the post vacated by the late vice governor.
Balite said that he was able to get a confirmation coming from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The confirmation was handed to the younger Balite by DILG regional director Leocadio Trovela.
With Balite already confirmed, there are no more vacancies at the SP and Balite will serve until June 30, 2025.
He may get a full term as he is included in the Abante Bohol slate for third district board members.
Alleged shabu, gun seized from suspect in Maribojoc
Police seized alleged shabu substance and a firearm following a buy bust operation in Maribojoc on Oct. 27, 2024.
The police identified the suspect as a Cerwin Ibrahim Ilano, 42, of barangay Poblacion, Maribojoc.
He was tagged as a high-value individual.
The police monitored the suspect allegedly conducting illegal activities and decided to conduct a sting operation.
Seized from the suspect are 50 grams of alleged shabu and valued at P340,000:
Moreover, a .22 caliber pistol was seized from the said suspect.
The suspect will be facing charges of violation of Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and illegal possession of firearms.
Oliva denies hand behind Baba-Benjie tarps
Catigbian mayoralty aspirant Benjie Oliva denied any hand behind tarpaulins featuring his name and the name of congressional aspirant John Geenell “Baba” Yap.
In a report, Oliva said that while he backs Gov. Aris Aumentado for governor he remains loyal to Cong. Edgar Chatto.
He said that it cannot be avoided that some of the members of Uswag Catigbian would support Yap as the group is under Abante and the governor has endorsed Yap as first district congressman.
Oliva said he cannot blame supporters for backing Yap as they have the freedom to choose, as he stressed that officially, his Bando Uswag Catigbian supports Chatto.
More than a kilo of alleged shabu seized from suspect
More than a kilo of alleged shabu worth P6.9 million plus a firearm were seized following a buy bust operation in Tagbilaran City on Oct. 27, 2024.
The police identified the suspect as a certain Mario Aranzado, 44, of barangay Bayacabac, Maribojoc,
He was arrested following a buy bust operation by joint forces coming from the provincial police and Tagbilaran City Police station.
Aside from the alleged shabu, seized from the suspect was a .38 caliber revolver with live ammunition.
Before the sting operation, the suspect was allegedly monitored engaging in drug trade.
The suspect may be facing chares of violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and illegal possession of firearms.
Poverty incidence in Bohol drops
The poverty incidence in Bohol has dropped in 2023 compared to 14.8 percent from 19.1 percent in 2021, according to data coming from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) released on Oct. 28, 2024 at a local restaurant.
Based on data, the poverty incidence in Bohol is at 15.5 percent in 2018 that hiked to 19.1 percent in 2021.
It was during the years 2020 and 2021 when the pandemic hit not only Bohol but the world.
The effects of the pandemic were the main reasons that caused an increase in poverty incidence in Bohol, reports say.
In 2023, only 190,000 families are considered to be living under the poverty threshold.
The data is helpful in providing necessary interventions to alleviate poverty.