TACLOBAN CITY – The municipality of Tanauan in Leyte has kicked off a two-week celebration for its 117th founding anniversary and the annual Pasaka Festival, featuring cultural performances, religious activities, talent competitions, and community events from Aug. 1 to 15.

Organized by the local government under Mayor Gina Merilo, the festivities bring together schools, religious groups, youth organizations, and civil society to showcase the town’s culture, faith, and local talent through nightly activities at the Tanauan Freedom Park.
Among the highlights are the “Pista sa Nayon,” Governor’s Night, SK and Youth Night, dance and singing competitions, Little Miss Tanauan 2026, Mister Tanauan Pasaka 2026, Miss Tanauan Pasaka 2026, and the LGU and Pepsi Nights.

The celebration will culminate on Aug. 15 with the 117th Tanauan Day rites in honor of the town’s patroness, Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion.

The Pasaka Festival is Tanauan’s annual cultural and religious celebration that promotes local heritage, tourism, and community participation while commemorating the municipality’s founding anniversary.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Seventy-seven associations of former rebels across Samar Island received a total of P23.1 million in livelihood assistance from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) to help them build sustainable sources of income and strengthen the government’s peacebuilding efforts.

The assistance was released on July 31 through the Pamana Peace and Development–Buong Bansa Mapayapa (PDBBM) Program during a ceremony at the Northern Samar Provincial Capitol in Catarman.

The program is implemented in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and local government units.

Each of the 77 associations received P300,000 in seed capital to establish community-based livelihood enterprises. The beneficiaries are composed of former rebels who have completed the government’s reintegration program and are now pursuing peaceful and productive livelihoods.

Of the total beneficiaries, 40 associations are from Northern Samar, 29 from Samar, and eight from Eastern Samar.

The recipient groups also received certificates of accreditation, authorizing them to implement their respective livelihood projects under the Pamana program.

Officials from OPAPRU, DSWD, the AFP, and local governments led the distribution, describing the assistance as part of the government’s continuing efforts to promote lasting peace, economic empowerment, and inclusive development in Eastern Visayas.

To date, the Pamana Livelihood Program has organized 134 peacebuilder associations out of its target of 141 people’s organizations across the region.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – A 15-year-old boy from Hinabangan, Samar has been rescued from hazardous child labor and is now under government protection after the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) discovered him doing risky construction-related work.
The minor, identified only as “Jerry” to protect his identity, was found during a DOLE field profiling activity in Barangay Bucalan on July 9. The agency said the orphaned teenager had been hauling heavy containers of water and performing construction-related tasks in exchange for food and small amounts of money.

Following validation, DOLE’s Samar Field Office coordinated with the barangay council, municipal and provincial social welfare offices, and other partner agencies to carry out a rescue operation on July 20.

The boy has since been removed from hazardous work and provided with food, clothing, hygiene kits, medical and nutritional assessment, and assistance in securing civil identity documents. He has also been enrolled in the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System (ALS) to help him continue his education.

To support his recovery, the child was placed under the care of social welfare authorities, while DOLE committed livelihood assistance for his acting guardians through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program and TUPAD to help build a temporary shelter.

DOLE said the intervention underscores the government’s continuing campaign to eliminate child labor and ensure that vulnerable children are given access to education, protection, and better opportunities.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)