In the past three weeks, there were several significant incidents concerning peace and order that went largely unreported.
On Feb. 17, 2023, at about 10 PM, residents of F. Tacorda Village reported to authorities that one Dominic Aguilar Alberto, 25, drowned in the sea off sitio Yongao while spearfishing using a flashlight together with eight other companions.
It is claimed that the dead man had blood coming out of both ears, indicating that his ear drums burst while he was underwater.
When the Tribune asked for a copy of the spot report from the Virac police station, there was no answer.
Nothing appeared in the Messenger chat group set up for the local press by the Catanduanes Police Provincial Office.
In San Miguel town, a dead man was found underneath the bridge at barangay District III two weeks ago, with the police station calling in the SOCO team to help in the investigation.
To this day, no report was ever issued by the San Miguel MPS.
Then on Friday, March 3, this writer learned from a local official in the same town that a man committed suicide by hanging.
The Tribune managed to get the name of the victim, a 39-year-old abaca stripper from Solong, but the report went only as far as the “who” of the incident. The “how” was incomplete as it went only as far as who reported the incident to the police.
To get the full report from the San Miguel MPS, one has to file a Freedom of Information (FOI) request and then wait for it to get approved, which could take some time.
The situation is different with Bato MPS, now under the leadership of Capt. Francis Tabo I, as it was quick to issue a press release on the man who fell into and apparently drowned in a drainage canal on the night of March 2 as he was going home from a funeral.
Unfortunately, the report did not state if the man sustained any injury, simply drowned, or was under the influence of liquor at the time.
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The management of Cebu Pacific Airways has reportedly announced that its daily flights to and from Manila would be back to its original schedule.
For several weeks now, the flight has left NAIA 3 sometime after 9 AM and arrive in Virac by 10 AM, before landing back in Manila by 11 AM.
However, frequent flight delays due to runway congestion and the weather in Virac means most of the time anyone going to the metropolis will no longer have time to transact business there due to traffic and lack of time.
Many regular air commuters to Manila prefer the early flight, as it gives leeway to meet with their business or government contacts by lunchtime.
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This week, March 6-10, the Eastern Bicol Medical Center (EBMC), the National Nutrition Council, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) offer JUANA Cares For You: Free Health Services for Women, including medical consultations, laboratory tests, and other health-related services.
Women can get a free haircut, nail care, and massage treatment from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s JUANA Cares for You: A Free Grooming and Wellness Service for Women employees and non-employees, (walk-ins are allowed) of the PLGU-Catanduanes this March 7-8 at the SP Building.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) has an offer for Kalipi ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI) members and identified women with disabilities through Juana Cares for You: Free Skills Training this March 29-30 at TESDA-CSHI.
All these are being held this National Women’s Month 2023.
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ONE LAST WISH. Lying on his deathbed, an elderly man made his final request to his wife: “Honey, I’m almost out of time and there’s something I’d like you to do for me when I’m gone.”
She nodded her head and said, “You can count on me. Anything you ask, I’ll make sure it’s done.”
“I want you to wed my buddy, Jacob,” he said, his voice filled with emotion.
Astonished, his wife replied, “Jacob? But I thought you couldn’t stand him!”
He smiled and looked into her eyes as he answered, “That’s precisely why…”