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Comelec-8 sees peaceful EV polls

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OPERATION BAKLAS: As the campaign period for local candidates officially begins on Friday, March 28, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Eastern Visayas launched “Operation Baklas” to remove campaign materials placed outside designated areas. The initiative aims to ensure compliance with election regulations and maintain fairness in the electoral process. Comelec warned that violators may face possible disqualification cases for non-compliance. (MacArthur, Leyte LGU)

Several areas tagged as hot spots

OPERATION BAKLAS: As the campaign period for local candidates officially begins on Friday, March 28, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Eastern Visayas launched “Operation Baklas” to remove campaign materials placed outside designated areas. The initiative aims to ensure compliance with election regulations and maintain fairness in the electoral process. Comelec warned that violators may face possible disqualification cases for non-compliance.
(MacArthur, Leyte LGU)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Eastern Visayas has expressed confidence that the upcoming midterm elections in the region will be peaceful and orderly with the support of law enforcement agencies and candidates.

This assurance came from Comelec-8 Regional Legal Officer Ma. Krishna Athena Elardo as the campaign period for local elective posts begin on Friday, March 28.

“Of course, we are confident that we can have peaceful and orderly elections in our region. We are being assisted by both the Army and the Philippine National Police (PNP),” Elardo said in an interview on Wednesday, March 26.

She also called on candidates to refrain from actions that could incite election-related violence and emphasized that peace covenants and unity walks—participated in by candidates, election officials, and security forces—will contribute to ensuring a smooth electoral process.

A total of 2,390 candidates are vying for various elective positions across Eastern Visayas, including 6 governors and 6 vice governors; 12 congressional representatives; 56 provincial board members; 143 city and municipal mayors; 143 city and municipal vice mayors; and 1,152 city and municipal councilors.

Comelec-8 has identified several election hotspots in the region, classifying areas based on the color-coded security system: red category (grave concern): Sta. Margarita, Samar due to its history of intense political rivalry and the presence of armed groups; orange category or immediate concern): 13 areas – these have active armed groups posing potential threats; yellow category or area of concern): 13 areas – these have a history of politically motivated violence.

Meantime, the green category or absence of security concerns): 116 areas – including Tacloban City, Ormoc City, Borongan City, Maasin City, and Catbalogan City.

Baybay City in Leyte, has been placed under the orange category, while Calbayog City, Samar, is classified under yellow.

Among the provinces, Eastern Samar, Biliran, and Southern Leyte are categorized as green or having no major security concerns.

However, security concerns persist in Leyte with five areas of concern, five immediate concern areas; Samar with six areas of concern, and one grave area of concern; and Northern Samar, two areas of concern and eight immediate concern areas.

JOEY A. GABIETA

New health station brings vital services closer to remote Samar village

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HEALTH SERVICES AT THEIR DOORSTEP. The residents of Barangay Buenavista, San Jorge town in Samar, will no longer travel to the town proper to have access on health services with the operation of their own barangay health station. Photo shows village chairman Aljun Barrientos(right) and World Vision Philippines executive Romil Jeffrey Juson during the March 27 inauguration. (SHERNAN JABOLI, PHOTO COURTESY)
HEALTH SERVICES AT THEIR DOORSTEP. The residents of Barangay Buenavista, San Jorge town in Samar, will no longer travel to the town proper to have access on health services with the operation of their own barangay health station. Photo shows village chairman Aljun Barrientos(right) and World Vision Philippines executive Romil Jeffrey Juson during the March 27 inauguration.
(SHERNAN JABOLI, PHOTO COURTESY)

SAN JORGE, Samar– Residents of Barangay Buenavista, an interior village of this town, now have direct access to essential health care services following the turnover of a newly constructed health station.

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and World Vision Philippines formally handed over the facility to the community on Thursday, March 27.

Located more than seven kilometers from the town proper, Buenavista is home to over 800 residents who previously had to travel long distances for medical care.

Marie Sirvo, 33, a mother of seven, welcomed the new health center, saying it will provide easier access to medical services.

“We no longer have to travel to the rural health center in town or even to nearby Gandara just for a checkup,” she said in Waray.

Sirvo, who gave birth to her seventh child on October 3 last year, added that having a health center within the village will help families save on transportation costs. Villagers currently pay P40 per ride on a ‘habal-habal’ to reach the town center.

“This is the first time Buenavista will have its own health center,” she said.

Romil Jeffrey Juson, project manager for maternal, newborn, and child health at World Vision, said the health station will serve not just Buenavista but also nine nearby barangays.

“This facility will provide essential health services such as checkups, immunization, and prenatal care,” he said.

The center is also expected to offer birthing services, further improving maternal health in the area.

Juson noted that the facility will provide eight prenatal checkups for pregnant women, following World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.

“Most health centers only offer four prenatal visits, but here, we are ensuring eight, which will help detect potential health concerns for both mother and baby during pregnancy,” he explained.

Shernan Jaboli, project officer, described the new health center as a milestone for the community.

“Today is not just about the physical structure of this health station; it’s about the future and the promise of accessible, quality health care for every resident of Barangay Buenavista,” he said during the inauguration.

The P4-million facility, staffed by a midwife and a nurse, will also have scheduled visits from the town doctor. It sits on a 100-square-meter lot donated by a local resident.

Construction began in November last year and was completed this month. To ensure safety, the building was reinforced with a retaining wall, as it stands on elevated ground prone to landslides.

With this new health station, residents of Buenavista and neighboring villages now have a vital lifeline to medical care—without the burden of long and costly travel.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

DAR E. Visayas’ SPLIT implementation impresses WB

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Representatives from the World Bank hold consultation dialogue with agrarian reform beneficiaries in Barangay Borseth, Alangalang, Leyte in relation to the 11th Implementation Support Mission for the project Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT). (DAR Eastern Visayas)
Representatives from the World Bank hold consultation dialogue with agrarian reform beneficiaries in Barangay Borseth, Alangalang, Leyte in relation to the 11th Implementation Support Mission for the project Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT). (DAR Eastern Visayas)

ALANGALANG, Leyte – World Bank task team leader, Theresa Quiñonez, expressed satisfaction with how the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project is being implemented by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Eastern Visayas over the past four years.

Quiñonez said during the 11th Implementation Support Mission (ISM) held in this region from March 19 to 21 this year, “I am very happy to see the progress made in Region-8.” “Based on what we have heard from the ARBs (agrarian reform beneficiaries), they are happy with the process of SPLIT, how the DAR had conducted the activities under SPLIT, ensuring participation as well as in decision making of ARBs,” she added.

Together with other World Bank representatives, Quiñonez proceeded to Barangay Borseth in this town, some 30 kilometers away from Tacloban City, on the first day, despite heavy rains, and had a consultation-dialogue with ARBs who are recipients of the SPLIT Project.
The World Bank team, accompanied by representatives from the Central Project Management Office (CPMO) of DAR, were happy to note that the ARBs were fully informed and understood the purpose of the SPLIT Project after each one of them were asked to share their individual experiences related to SPLIT implementation.

Meanwhile, the Municipal Agrarian Reform Office (MARO) personnel were likewise commended for knowing the process and doing their job correctly after they were asked to demonstrate the steps in conducting the “pulong-pulong.”

Though, the team decided to forego the observation of the actual conduct of the survey due to the inclement weather, Quiñonez likewise commended how this region accomplished survey activities conducted by administration.

Assistant Regional Director for Operations, Renato Badilla, reported that survey conducted by administration was more efficient and effective over survey conducted by contract. Badilla explained that field activities were completed in a shorter period with surveys conducted by administration.

Further, DAR Eastern Visayas Regional Director, Atty. Robert Anthony Yu, disclosed to the World Bank that “field validation throughout the region is already completed, while redocumentation activities by the MAROs are being monitored daily to make sure that we be able to deliver our target this year.”

ISM, according to Quiñonez, is being conducted jointly by the World Bank and DAR every six months to see the progress of the SPLIT Project as well as determine the areas that need improvement to expedite its implementation. SPLIT Project is going to end in 2027.
The World Bank provides funding to the implementation of the SPLIT Project through a loan.

(JOSE ALSMITH L.SORIA/PR)

Leyte, NHA turn over 278 housing units to beneficiaries in San Isidro

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TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Leyte and the National Housing Authority (NHA) have officially turned over 278 housing units at the Peace and Prosperity Village in San Isidro town to identified beneficiaries.

Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla and NHA Regional Manager Constancio Antiniero led the turnover ceremony, joined by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Arnel Agabe and 802nd Brigade Commander B/Gen. Noel Vestuir.
The P125-million housing project, funded by the NHA, is located on a 120-hectare property owned by the provincial government. Construction began in 2022 under the leadership of then-Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla, who sought technical and financial assistance from the agency.

During the turnover ceremony, Governor Petilla recalled the challenges faced during the site’s land preparation due to adverse weather conditions. Despite these setbacks, the provincial government managed to complete the groundwork, allowing the NHA to proceed with construction.

“Having your own house provides security. Even if you are unemployed, your children and family have a home to call their own. My only request is for the beneficiaries to take good care of this assistance,” Gov. Petilla said.

Initially, the plan was to build 450 housing units, but budget limitations allowed for the construction of only 278 units. The governor assured that the province will explore ways to secure funding to complete the intended number of homes.

The housing project is part of the government’s commitment under Executive Order No. 70, which aims to encourage rebels to surrender and reintegrate into society. The initiative is also aligned with the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which provides support to former insurgents.

As an implementing agency of E-CLIP, Antiniero emphasized the agency’s role in supporting local governments through financial aid for housing programs targeted at former rebels.
He also urged the beneficiaries to follow NHA regulations, which prohibit selling, renting, or transferring ownership of the awarded units.

“This is a one-time grant from the national government, given free of charge. You must maintain the entire subdivision as an environmentally sound and community-friendly space,” Antiniero reminded the recipients.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

DSWD-8 honors outstanding LGUs at ‘Panata Ko sa Bayan’ Awards

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TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the region recognized its outstanding local government unit (LGU) partners during the ‘Panata Ko sa Bayan’ Awards held at the People’s Center and Library, this city, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

The Panata Ko sa Bayan Awards serves as a platform to celebrate the commitment and dedication of LGUs in advancing social welfare programs and providing responsive and sustainable services to communities in need.

Assistant Secretary Rodolfo Santos of the DSWD Policy and Plans Group emphasized the crucial role of LGUs in implementing social protection initiatives, expressing gratitude for their unwavering support.

“We at the DSWD highly appreciate the continued partnership with local government units. Through these awards, we recognize your invaluable contributions to improving the lives of our fellow Filipinos,” he said.

The ceremony brought together around 240 participants, including representatives from Biliran, Leyte, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, and Samar provinces.
The event’s highlight was the presentation of awards to LGUs that have demonstrated excellence, dedication, and innovation in social service delivery.

The following recognitions were given:

Serbisyong Matapat – for LGUs demonstrating integrity in social service implementation; Serbisyong Masigasig – for proactive and passionate service delivery; Serbisyong Mahusay – for outstanding efficiency in social welfare programs; and Serbisyong Mapagkalinga – for compassionate and inclusive social services.

Additionally, the DSWD Kaagapay Award was presented to partners who provided strong support for DSWD initiatives, while the FO8 SWD Champion Award honored exemplary contributions to social welfare and development in Eastern Visayas.

DSWD Eastern Visayas commended LGUs for their dedication in ensuring efficient and effective delivery of assistance, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in achieving meaningful social protection for all.

(LANCE ARCHIE TORING, STUDENT INTERN)

3-Storey Building to Rise for TESDA RO VIII

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NEW TESDA OFFICE. The Tacloban City District Engineering Office (TCDEO) announces that the construction of a three-storey building intended for Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) regional office is now underway. The P48.2 million worth structure is now 25% completed, the TCDEO said.(TCDEO)
NEW TESDA OFFICE. The Tacloban City District Engineering Office (TCDEO) announces that the construction of a three-storey building intended for Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) regional office is now underway. The P48.2 million worth structure is now 25% completed, the TCDEO said.(TCDEO)

A construction project of Tacloban City District Engineering Office (TCDEO) for a three-storey building intended for Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Regional Office VIII in Tacloban City is underway to replace the aging facility currently in use.

The project, now at 25% completion rate, was funded under the 2024 General Appropriations Act with a contract amount of P48.2-million

The construction of the building will include the offices for the Provincial Director, Office of the Regional Director, Finance and Administrative Services Division, and Regional Operation Division. Additionally, the building will feature essential areas including stock rooms, records rooms, pantries, toilet facilities, an elevator room, a meeting conference room, office spaces, and a multi-purpose hall. These improvements are designed to provide a safer and more inviting workspace for TESDA employees and a better service environment for clients.

“This construction project reflects our commitment to modernize government infrastructure. Our goal is to deliver a safe, versatile, and inviting space that not only meets current needs but also supports future growth,” said District Engineer Rebecca G. Yuse.
(PUBLIC INFORMATION UNIT)

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