TACLOBAN CITY — The regional office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported that this year’s Bahandi Eastern Visayas Trade Fair generated P44.9 million in total cash and booked sales during its five-day run in Metro Manila.

DTI Regional Director Celerina Bato lauded the 140 participating local producers and entrepreneurs, noting that the event continues to highlight the region’s cultural and economic wealth.

“For more than three decades, Bahandi has celebrated the richness of Region 8’s culture and resources,” Bato said.

“It connects institutional buyers with local micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs whose products reflect the authenticity and artistry of island living. From handcrafted accessories to heritage-inspired housewares, Bahandi has become a vibrant platform where abundance meets opportunity,” she added.

According to DTI Regional Information Officer Anthea Aivi Borbon-Ancheta, best-selling food items included chocolate moron (sticky rice cake), vinegar, coconut sap juice drinks, and various local noodles such as ‘odong’, ‘misua’, and pancit canton.

Among the top-selling non-food products were pandan woven bags, Basey’s iconic tikog bags, and intricate shell crafts, reflecting the region’s craftsmanship and traditional artistry.
This year’s fair also spotlighted the coconut industry, recognized as the region’s most abundant resource. Through the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), a dedicated coconut pavilion was featured, showcasing high-value coconut-based products such as coco sap, vinegar, tuba (coconut wine), coco flour, desiccated coconut, balsamic vinegar, and bukayo/bukarillo (candied coconut strips).

Buyers also explored coco peat, mixed fertilizers, and planting implements made from coconut-based materials, underscoring the industry’s growing potential for sustainable livelihood.

DTI said the P44.9 million in sales “indicates a promising growth for local entrepreneurs and their communities,” adding that the gains are expected to spur sustainable production and increased employment opportunities in the region.

Now in its 37th year, Bahandi—a Binisayá term for “treasures” or “wealth”—has been DTI’s flagship trade fair in Eastern Visayas since 1987, serving as a premier venue for connecting local producers with national and international buyers.

(RONALD O. REYES)

TACLOBAN CITY — The government-run National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) will begin offering a free Updating Course for Basic Training–Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (BT–PSSR) after receiving approval from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

NMP Executive Director Victor Del Rosario said the program is part of the agency’s continuing effort to support the growth and excellence of Filipino seafarers by providing “accessible, high-quality, and world-class training programs.”

“As the country’s only state-run maritime training and research institution, NMP remains committed to upholding international standards in maritime education and training, reinforcing the Philippines’ position as the world’s leading supplier of maritime professionals,” Del Rosario added.

The initiative, approved through a memorandum signed by DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, aims to help seafarers meet the new requirements of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) while easing the financial burden of mandatory training.

Under Marina Advisory 2025-40 issued on October 15, all seafarers serving aboard seagoing vessels are required to complete the Updating Course or Revised BT starting January 1, 2026.

According to NMP, the revised course introduces strengthened measures against bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct onboard ships.

“This means that all seafarers who completed the BT course but have not yet applied for a Certificate of Proficiency (COP), as well as those with valid COPs issued before November 1, 2025, must take the updating course,” the agency explained.

The BT–PSSR is a core component of the mandatory basic training under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) framework, designed to equip seafarers with essential knowledge and skills to ensure safety, security, and efficiency while at sea.

Meanwhile, NMP clarified that first-time applicants and those with expired COPs must take the revised full BT course.

Online enrollment for the free Updating Course opened on October 29 via register.nmp.gov.ph

The 1.5-day training sessions will be held at NMP Tacloban on the following dates: November 18–19; November 26–27; November 27–28; December 1–2; December 4–5; December 8–9; and December 11–12.

NMP said it will continue offering the Updating Course through 2026 and beyond “to ensure that seafarers can conveniently comply with Marina requirements.”

(RONALD O. REYES)

ORMOC CITY — A 17-year-old female student was found dead at the bottom of a cliff in Purok 5, Barangay Nueva Vista, Ormoc City, around 11:20 a.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2025.

The victim, identified only as “Lian,” a resident of Purok 7 in the same barangay, was reported missing after she left home at around 7:00 p.m. on October 30 and failed to return.

The village chairman reported the incident to authorities after a concerned citizen, identified as alias “Melo,” discovered an abandoned cellphone with flowers placed on top near the edge of a cliff estimated to be about 120 meters deep. Upon checking the device, Melo and his co-worker recognized photos confirming that the phone belonged to the missing teen, prompting them to alert barangay officials.

Barangay tanods immediately conducted a search in the area and later found the lifeless body of the victim at the foot of the cliff.

Responding personnel from Ormoc City Police Station 5 (OCPS5) arrived at the scene, which had already been secured by the Ormoc City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRMMO) team.

Initial investigation revealed that CCTV footage captured the victim walking alone toward the Larrazabal Pineapple Farm, a relatively secluded area, prior to the discovery.

Authorities also recovered a chat message from the victim’s cellphone containing the phrase “gikapoy na siya,” which translates to “she was tired” or “she had enough,” suggesting possible distress before the incident.

Based on gathered evidence, police believe the victim may have jumped off the cliff. The Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) were called to process the area for further investigation.

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)

TACLOBAN CITY-The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)- VIII held a public hearing on minimum determination last October 27, 2025 at Radiant Hotel and Events, this city. The public hearing was attended by more than a hundred participants coming from the labor, management, and kasambahay sectors.

Under Republic Act No. 6727 otherwise known as the “Wage Rationalization Act”, the RTWPB is mandated to determine and fix minimum wage rates applicable in their region, provinces or industries therein and to issue the corresponding wage orders. Further, the wage determination may be by virtue of a petition for wage increase or motu proprio, the Board may initiate an inquiry to determine whether a Wage Order shall be issued.
In his preliminary statement, RTWPB Chairman Atty. Dax B. Villaruel, explained that the Board did not receive a petition for wage increase, thus, it is reviewing the prevailing minimum wage rates motu proprio.

Chairman Villaruel reported that the RTWPB-8 has conducted a series of sectoral consultations in Ormoc City on August 27; in Maasin City on September 3; in Borongan City on September 17; and in Calbayog City on September 18 in order to receive and hear testimonies that will help them to determine if wage adjustment is necessary.

To guide the labor, management, kasambahay, and stakeholders, government agencies presented correct and accurate view of the socio-economic conditions of the region.

Bernadette R. Montana, supervising statistical specialist of PSA-Leyte discussed statistics on the socio-economic indicators in Tacloban City such as poverty and employment statistics. Chief Anna Eunice A. Baylen of DTI Leyte then discussed the comparative prevailing price report of basic necessities and prime commodities. This was followed by the discussion on price and supply situation of selected agri-commodities in Tacloban City Public Market by Marilou Saporas, marketing specialist II of AMAD-DA VIII. Lastly, Lady Jane A. Fermano, senior economic development specialist of DEPDev VIII, presented the Eastern Visayas regional economic performance.

After the presentation of relevant data and statistics, labor, management, and the kasambahay were given the opportunity to express their positions on the issue of wage increase. First, Nelida Cawaa, a kasambahay from Tacloban City, appealed for a monthly wage increase ranging from P1,000.00 to P1,500.00. She shared that just like other kasambahay, her current salary is insufficient to meet the needs of her family.

For labor, Bellsedaize C. Acaso, labor union president of SOLECO, Inc., presented the position of Associated Labor Unions -Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) for a P200.00 daily wage increase for all workers in Region VIII.

Acaso reiterated IBON Foundation’s report that as of July 2025, the family living wage for a family of five is P870 per day and highlighted the 50% wage gap from the current minimum wage. ALU-TUCP laments that even with the proposed P200 increase, the daily wage remains below the P870 family living wage.

Lastly, from the management, Atty. Federico Felipe G. Noel, representative of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) – Tacloban-Leyte, presented the position of the management sector. The management sector prayed that the status quo be maintained due to several factors.

The RTWPB-8 is set to resolve within thirty days, whether a new Wage Order should be issued. Earlier, RTWPB-8 issued Wage Order No. 24 granting a P30 increase in two tranches took effect on December 2, 2024 while the second tranche was effective on June 1, 2025. As for the kasambahay, Wage Order No. 05 took effect on December 2, 2024, that raised the minimum wage of kasambahay in chartered cities and first class municipalities to P6,000 per month and P5,500 for other municipalities. (PR)