SOUTH COTABATO — Hope and relief filled the air in SOCCSKSARGEN Region as the offices of Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano brought much-needed assistance across the provinces of Sarangani and South Cotabato from July 16 to 26, 2024. Benefitting at least 10,000 individuals, the Cayetano team provided aid to farmers, fisherfolk, persons with disabilities (PWD), women’s groups, solo parents, and youth in the municipalities of Alabel, Malapatan, Malungon, Maitum, Kiamba, and Glan in Sarangani, and in Surallah, South Cotabato. One of the beneficiaries, Richel Nacion Buday from Alabel, shared her heartfelt gratitude. “Malaking tulong ito sa amin na galing kila Senador Pia at Alan Peter Cayetano. Barangay official ang husband ko. Malaking tulong ang natanggap namin pambili ng gamit ng mga bata [para sa darating na pasukan],” Buday said during the distribution event at Alabel Municipal Gymnasium on July 16, 2024. A teary-eyed Connie Odron from South Cotabato, who has been a health worker for eight years, also expressed her appreciation. “Minsan medyo pagod lang, pero kailangan magsikap para sa pang-araw araw… Gagamitin ko ito pang bayad ng check-up at pang gamot,” Odron shared during the event held at Surallah Municipal Gym on July 23, 2024. More Sarangans – almost 1,600 – will be given vital assistance on Monday, July 29, in the municipality of Maasim. All these events were made possible in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (DSWD AICS) Program, with the help of DSWD 12 Regional Director Loreto Cabaya. Former You Against Corruption and Poverty (YACAP) Partylist (now LUNAS) Representative Carol Lopez, together with local leaders Malapatan Mayor Salway “Jun” Sumbo Jr., Malungon Councilor Zusima Del Rosario, Kiamba Mayor George Falgui, and Surallah Mayor Pedro “Cano” Matinong also played key roles in this initiative, ensuring that timely aid reached those in need.   Numbering in the thousands in this aid distribution, solo parents are among the target beneficiaries of Senator Pia Cayetano and Rep. Carol Lopez, who played significant roles in the signing into law of the Solo Parents Act in 2000. The law now benefits at least 15 million individuals, most of whom are women. With their combined efforts, Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano have not only delivered essential support but also rekindled hope and resilience within the SOCCSKSARGEN communities.      

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City,Samar – The personnel of Samar Police Provincial Office, led by Colonel Antonietto Eric Mendoza, provincial director, celebrated the 29th Police Community Relations Month thru the “Pamilya ng Pulis (PNP) Family Day” held in the Covered Court of Barangay Maulong, Catbalogan City, Samar, on July 26. The event was aligned with the theme “Ligtas Ka Sa Bagong Pilipinas” which focused on strengthening family bonds, enhancing support networks, and promoting the well-being of PNP personnel and their families. The one-day event featured variety of activities designed to engage and support the PNP personnel and their dependents. Also, there were government agencies from across the Province of Samar that set up booths and provided range of services, including National ID processing, birth certificate applications, livelihood and skills training registration, medical services, National Police Clearance issuance, pet vaccinations, free haircuts, and unlimited snacks. Participating units included the Provincial Legal Office of Samar PPO, Provincial Administrative and Resource Management Unit, Samar Provincial Medical and Dental Team, Highway Patrol Group – Western Samar, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – Western Samar, among others. Further, among the highlights of the event was kid’s enjoyment with the visit of McDo Mascot, clown and magic show, parlor games, unlimited snacks (ice cream, hotdogs, cotton candy, and kwek-kwek) for the children of Samar PPO personnel. The entire day imbibed a festive atmosphere to the attendees especially to the children.   Afterwards, the stakeholders, service providers, partner agencies and personnel shared a sumptuous lunch. Mendoza, underscored the importance of family support to PNP personnel stating, “Family is not an important thing, it is everything.” As husbands and wives, we should maintain peace and love in every home because for the personnel of Samar PPO, their families and dependents are the reason why they strive to excel in their work,” he added. The event concluded successfully at 2:30 PM of the same date leaving a positive impact on the families and the broader community involved.        

CAMP KANGLEON, Leyte – The Regional Public Information Office (RPIO) 8 led by officer-in-charge Maj. Analiza Armeza, recently concluded a series of seminar-workshops aimed at equipping personnel of the Police Regional Office 8 with essential skills for compliant and effective public communication across all social media platforms. According to Armeza, the seminar-workshop underscores PRO 8’s dedication to fostering proactive and informed public communication within PRO 8. “We are committed to ensuring that our personnel are equipped with the necessary skills to communicate transparently and effectively with the communities we serve,” she said. The series of workshops commenced on June 18, in Ormoc City, followed by sessions held on June 20 in Maasin City, Southern Leyte, and June 25 in Catbalogan, Samar. Additional sessions were conducted on July 2 in Borongan City, July 5 in Catarman, Northern Samar, July 9 in Naval, Biliran, and July 11 in Burauen, Leyte. Accordingly, the workshops were attended by Public Information Officers (PIOs), Chiefs of Police, Station Commanders, Writers, and Social Media Handlers from City and Provincial Police Offices, and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 8. The RPIO 8 initiative brought together 456 participants, with 50 from the Ormoc City Police Office, Tacloban City Police Office, and RMFB 8; 42 from the Southern Leyte PPO; 60 from Samar PPO; 102 from Eastern Samar PPO; 57 from Northern Samar PPO; 28 from Biliran PPO; and 117 from the Leyte PPO. Meanwhile, the comprehensive sessions featured lectures on crucial topics including Introduction to Communication, Press Release Writing, Media Relations, Crisis Communication, Photojournalism, and Social Media Management. These covered key aspects necessary for effective public communication and engagement. Furthermore, esteemed guest speakers enriched the seminar-workshop with their expertise, including Reyan L. Arinto, Regional Head, Philippine Information Agency – Eastern Visayas; Dr. Ulderico Alviola, Chair, Development Communication Department – Visayas State University, Baybay City; Lyna Gayas, Division Information Officer, Department of Education – Southern Leyte; Marie Tonette Grace Marticio, Correspondent, Manila Bulletin; Mr. Ronald Reyes, Correspondent, Sunstar Philippines and Manila Standard; and Mr. Roel Amazona, Correspondent/Reporter, Leyte Samar Daily Express and RMN Tacloban. Brig.Gen. Reynaldo Pawid, regional director, expresses appreciation to all participants and resource speakers for their active engagement and contributions to the success of the seminar-workshops. He emphasized that good communication skills are fundamental to police officers in maintaining public safety, building community trust, and effectively carrying out their responsibilities. “The seminar-workshop provided invaluable knowledge and practical skills crucial for effectively engaging with the public and disseminating information responsibly. By employing effective communication strategies, we enhance our professional capabilities and positively impact community relations and public safety,” he added.

SAN CARLOS CITY, Negros Occidental — In their continued commitment to bring aid to more residents of Negros Occidental, the teams of Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano revisited the province on July 13, 2024 to reach out to 600 Negrenses in need of assistance in San Carlos City. In collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Cayetanos provided aid to health workers, sports coaches, and traffic enforcers of San Carlos City under the department’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program. This initiative recognized their critical roles in maintaining public health, sports development, and road safety in their community. One of the beneficiaries, Barangay Health Worker (BHW) Ana Liza Navilla, said the timely assistance she received from the senators will help meet her family’s needs, especially for her children’s school supplies as the school year is about to start. “Malaking tulong po sa amin ito. Magagamit ko po ito para makabili ng school supplies ng mga anak ko dahil malapit na ang pasukan,” she said. The disbursement of assistance was successful through the help of San Carlos City Mayor Renato “Rene” Gustilo, who also expressed his gratitude to the senators for their support of San Carlos City beneficiaries. “Taos-puso po kaming nagpapasalamat sa inyo sa inyong mga programa at sa tulong na ibinibigay ninyo sa amin,” he said. In May and June, the Cayetanos’ teams were busy visiting marginalized communities in the Negros Region, assisting thousands of residents. These initiatives are part of the Cayetanos’ ongoing efforts to support communities in need across the country. They closely collaborate with government agencies and local units to ensure that Filipinos in need receive the necessary assistance. 

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte, – In a significant development, the San Isidro Municipal Police Station conducted an intensive investigation confirming the recovery of shabu from an abandoned hut in Barangay San Roque, San Isidro, Northern Samar. As background, two farmers handed over two plastic bags of suspected shabu to the San Isidro MPS, leading to the discovery of a substantial quantity of suspected drugs in the abandoned hut on July 14, 2024. According to the Chemistry Report released by the Samar Forensic Unit on July 16, 2024, the recovered substance tested positive as methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, weighing 8.138 kilograms with a value of P50,080,000.00. Further investigation revealed that the abandoned hut belongs to a certain “Jaime” and his family, who relocated to the mountainous part of the barangay. It was also discovered that the son of the hut’s owner, a 17-year-old student, and his friend had found a box containing the substance near the national road in April 2024. They mistook it for potassium alum or “tawas” and stored it in their former residence, now the abandoned hut. The substances remained hidden in a sack of charcoal even after the family moved to a new house. Upon inspection, it was found that some bags had been exposed to elements due to the hut’s dilapidated condition. Lt. Millen Charles Vincent Reyes, chief of police, recommends extending the investigation to further shed light on the case. He stated, “Given the magnitude of this drug haul and its implications, an extended investigation will provide clarity on the network behind this operation and prevent such incidents in the future.” San Isidro MPS also urges a coordinated effort involving the Northern Samar Police Provincial Office (NSPPO), other governmental agencies, and stakeholders to assist in identifying and apprehending those responsible for the abandoned shabu. “The San Isidro MPS, together with the local government, remains committed to eradicating the presence of dangerous drugs in the community. Our collective efforts will significantly contribute to dismantling illegal drug networks, ensuring the safety and welfare of our community,” he emphasized.

Camp Kangleon, Palo, Leyte – Through the region’s unwavering commitment to eradicating illegal drugs, the Police Regional Office 8, under the leadership of Brig.Gen. Reynaldo Pawid, carried out a series of successful buy-bust operations which resulted in the arrest of two Regional Priority Target List (RPTL) and three other drug suspects on July 14. The Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU) 8 together with the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) and Palompon Municipal Police Station apprehended the region’s top 2 drug personalities together with other two  High-Value Individuals (HVIs) in Brgy. Mazawalo, Palompon Leyte. Accordingly, the suspects were identified as “Oliver”,42, ranked 2 in the Regional Priority Target List (RPTL); “Nel”,41 and “Go”,32, all are residents of Palompon, Leyte. Seized from the suspects were one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet of suspected shabu (subject of sale), twenty-four heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets of suspected shabu, one .38 caliber without serial number (power custom), one unit .38 without serial number (storm), one rifle grenade with ball trap, one M67 grenade, and buy-bust money. In a separate anti-drug operation, the joint elements of Eastern Samar Police Provincial Office – Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, San Policarpio Municipal Drug Enforcement Unit, 1st Eastern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company (ESPMFC), and the 801st Maneuver Company – Regional Mobile Force Battalion-8(RMFB), arrested the Top 9 drug personality and another drug suspect in Barangay Alugan, San Policarpio, Eastern Samar. Operatives identified the suspects as alias “Zaldy”,57, a fisherman listed as rank 9 RPTL and “Nene”,53, a businesswoman, both residing in San Policarpio, Eastern Samar. Confiscated during the operation were one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet of suspected shabu (subject of sale); six  small heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets of suspected shabu; one (1) heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet of suspected shabu (possession of alias “Marie”), and a buy-bust money. Meanwhile, an onsite marking and inventory of the seized evidence were conducted in the presence of invited witnesses and the suspects. The actual weight and the value of confiscated suspected shabu are yet to be determined by the Regional Forensic Unit (RFU) 8. The filing of criminal charges for violation of Section 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, known as “Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2022” will be filed against the suspects. Pawid lauded the relentless efforts of the operatives in their campaign against illegal drugs. “I commend the exerting efforts of our line units in countering the operations of illicit drugs in the region. This is a testament of our intensified efforts in combating these illegal activities. Let us remain steadfast in our commitment as public servants, aiming to keep our communities safe and free from unlawful activities,” he said. He praised the hard work of the officers involved behind the successful operations. “I commend the dedicated efforts of our teams in stopping drug operations in our region. This shows how hard we’re working to fight these crimes. Let’s stay committed to keeping our communities safe and free from illegal activities.”

MALAYBALAY, Bukidnon — A total of 180 beneficiaries received livelihood opportunities from the offices of Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano during a two-day distribution of assistance in the provinces of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental. This distribution, held from July 10-11, 2024, was conducted under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the two senators in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). With the support of Malaybalay Mayor Jay Warren Pabillaran, the distribution took place on the first day at the Municipal Hall of Malaybalay, Bukidnon. During this event, 150 individuals, including laborers and those who are unemployed, received assistance. “Binigyan kayo ng tulong ng gobyerno para umunlad ang inyong mga buhay. Baguhin na natin ang ating isip, may responsibilidad din tayo sa ating mga sarili,” Mayor Pabillaran said in his message to the beneficiaries. The mayor also extended his thanks to the sibling senators for their help, saying he will be happy if the beneficiaries use this assistance in the proper manner to improve their lives. According to the beneficiaries, the support would significantly help them as it could serve as start-up capital for those wishing to start small businesses and aid in covering their everyday expenses. The social welfare initiative continued on the second day in Claveria, Misamis Oriental, where 30 more beneficiaries were provided with livelihood assistance to engage in business ventures. This distribution was made possible through coordination with the 58th Infantry “Dimalulupig” Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army. The Cayetanos have been collaborating with the DSWD and local government units across the country to extend help to vulnerable sectors, aiming to boost livelihoods and expand economic opportunities.