TACLOBAN CITY – The Regional Development Council(RDC)- 8 is addressing the high power rate issue in the region through a policy recommendation to amend the EPIRA Law or Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 and the crafting of the sustainable energy transition roadmap for Eastern Visayas.

High power rates were among those challenging issues raised by the council to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during his last visit early in March.

Judah Aliposa, private sectoral representative for disaster resiliency of RDC 8, says even with the region hosting a number of renewable energy generation companies, high power rates continue to affect households.

He said the technical work group created by the council to look into policy recommendations for amendment specifically to the provision of the EPIRA Law that does not allow producers to directly sell to the users but goes to the grid instead.

“The region is host to renewable energy sources such as geothermal, hydropower, solar farms, windmills, however power generated here are not sold to us but sold to the grid which rather supplies other regions,” Aliposa said.

Alongside policy recommendations by the TWG, NEDA-8 Regional Director Meylene Rosales, the RDC-8 Vice-Chairperson, said the regional council has partnered with the United Nations-Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (United Nations ESCAP) for the formulation of the Eastern Visayas Sustainable Energy Transition (SET) Roadmap in 2024.

“The roadmap would encompass renewable energy on wider approach to the power challenge and the roadmap is expected to be finished this year,“ Dir. Rosales said.
In a move towards sustainable energy transition, the SET Roadmap for Eastern Visayas aims to provide policy recommendations for sustainable energy transition, align regional energy targets with global and national goals while considering regional context and priorities.

The region is host to renewable power generators that include the 28MW geothermal power by the Energy Development Corp. (EDC) in Ormoc City, Leyte; 6 MW Biliran Geothermal Inc. in Biliran town and 2 MW in Caibiran town, both in Biliran province.

The 14.16 MW Hydro power plants in Taft, Eastern Samar; and 2MW Leyte Electric Cooperative V in Kananga, Leyte, while there is the 206.25 MW San Isidro wind power project in Northern Samar.

The EDC is developing Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects of 30 MW in Kananga, Leyte while San Miguel Global Power has a 20 MW BESS Power project in Tabango, Leyte.
(AHLETTE C. REYES,PIA-8)

TACLOBAN CITY – Two members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in separate clashes with government forces in Las Navas, Northern Samar, on March 28, 2025, the 8th Infantry Division reported.

The firefights occurred in Barangay San Francisco and Barangay Cuenco after the military launched an operation in response to reports of rebels engaging in extortion activities.
One of the casualties, identified as Domeng Tulin, alias “Pawa,” was killed in Brgy. Cuenco, while authorities are still verifying the identity of the slain rebel in Brgy. San Francisco.
Government troops also recovered firearms, ammunition, and personal belongings from the encounter sites.

Lieutenant Colonel Ricky James Rosalejos, commanding officer of the 19th Infantry Battalion, extended his condolences to the families of the deceased rebels. He also commended his troops for their swift action, emphasizing the military’s commitment to maintaining peace and security in Northern Samar.

“This operation is a direct response to the grievances of the people against the terrorist group’s extortion and intimidation. We assure the public that the 19IB will not waver in its mission to bring lasting peace to the province. We also urge the remaining members of the NPA to embrace peace so they can reunite with their loved ones,” Rosalejos said in a statement.

Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, 8th Infantry Division Commander, reiterated the government’s call for NPA members to surrender and reintegrate into society.

“We are committed to protecting all Filipinos, and we are also providing opportunities for CTG members to surrender and reintegrate peacefully. If they refuse to abandon the armed struggle and their misguided ideology, such tragedies will continue to happen,” Orio said in a separate statement.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – The municipal government of Catarman, Northern Samar, has pledged its continued support for members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu), recognizing their role in maintaining peace and security in the capital town.

As part of this commitment, the Municipal Treasurer’s Office and the Office of the Municipal Mayor distributed cash allowances to Cafgu members for the first quarter of 2025 at the 43rd Infantry Battalion camp in Lope de Vega town.

A total of 77 Cafgu members received P3,000 each for the first quarter, along with an additional P1,000 that was originally intended for release in December 2024.

Under the leadership of Mayor Francisco Aurelio Rosales III, the municipal government has committed to providing a monthly cash allowance of P1,000 to each Cafgu member from Catarman to assist with their family’s needs.

This initiative, which began in October 2024, is a priority of the current administration, with hopes that future town leaders will continue the program.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

BAYBAY CITY-Two individuals listed as street-level individuals (SLIs) on the local police drug watchlist were arrested in a buy-bust operation at around 1:46 am on March 29 in Zone 15, this city.

Authorities identified the suspects as alias “Pao,” 53, a painter, and alias “Polo,” 57, a beautician, both residents of the same barangay.

Confiscated from the suspects were five sachets of suspected shabu, one of which was purchased by an undercover agent for P500.

The remaining four sachets were recovered from the suspects—two sachets each. Also seized was a marked P500 bill used in the operation.

The suspects were informed of their rights in a language they understood and are now detained at the Baybay City Police Station (CPS).

They are set to face charges for violating Sections 5 (sale of illegal drugs) and 11 (possession of illegal drugs) of Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

(ROBERT DEJON)