BORONGAN CITY-A total of 2,359 college students from Can-avid, Dolores, and Taft received P2,000 each in cash assistance last October 29, at the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) Can-avid campus gymnasium.
The Ayuda Para sa Kapos Ang Kita Program (AKAP) provided the financial support, funded by Sen. Mark Villar and Congresswoman Camille Villar, through the initiative of Gov. Ben P. Evardone.
Among the beneficiaries was Anthony Quiza, a 23-year-old resident of Brgy. Polangi, Taft.
Quiza, a fourth-year student in Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Social Science, is undergoing practice teaching at Dolores National High School.
He plans to use the money for transportation and essential document printing related to his teaching.
Quiza expressed his gratitude, saying: “Thank you so much for funding this assistance for the students. I hope you can help many more, not just here in Eastern Samar, but in other areas as well.”
He also extended his thanks to Gov. Evardone, saying: “Maraming Salamat po Gov. Ben P. Evardone. Sana marami pa kayong mabigyan ng tulong sa mga taong nangangailangan.”
During the payout, Committee Chair on Education Board Member RV Evardone, regional president of the Philippine Councilors League, encouraged the students to use the funds wisely.
He announced that there would be a second batch of assistance for those who did not receive support in the first round.
The payout was attended by Gov. Evardone, Atty. Mark Francisco, representing Sen. Villar, Vice Gov. Maricar Sison-Gootesan, BM Byron Suyot, BM Jun Quelitano, and Brgy. Captain Cerilo Leguin of Camantang.
Philippine military personnel unload U.S. government-donated emergency supplies from the Singapore government’s C-130 in Legazpi City on October 27 as part of an international effort to support communities affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.
Philippine military personnel unload U.S. government-donated emergency supplies from the Singapore government’s C-130 in Legazpi City on October 27 as part of an international effort to support communities affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.
Manila-The United States government is providing P84 million ($1.5 million) to support the Philippine government’s response to Tropical Storm Kristine, known internationally as Trami.
This funding will augment the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) ongoing efforts to deliver lifesaving assistance that will help individuals severely affected by the storm in the Bicol region and Batangas recover safely and with dignity. Through this funding, USAID will provide access to essential services such as clean water, sanitation, emergency shelter, and cash assistance. USAID will also provide logistical support in the management of evacuation centers.
On October 27, USAID supported the Philippines’ Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in dispatching 1,500 shelter-grade tarpaulins and 1,500 household relief kits to the Bicol region through a C-130 provided by the Singaporean government. These disaster relief items were prepositioned in the OCD humanitarian relief depot at Fort Magsaysay, an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) site in Nueva Ecija.
U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. launched this critical joint humanitarian prepositioning effort in September.
“My heart goes out to all those suffering the devastating effects of Tropical Storm Kristine,” Ambassador Carlson said. “We are working side by side with the Philippine government to bring relief to communities in need.”
Since October 25, the United States has worked with humanitarian partners to deliver lifesaving humanitarian relief material prepositioned across the country. With USAID funding, the World Food Programme mobilized 33 trucks to support the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development in delivering more than 53,000 family food packs and other relief items to the Bicol region.
This assistance builds on the U.S. government’s previous support to Philippine government’s disaster response efforts, such as during the massive flooding in Mindanao in February, Super Typhoon Carina in July, and Super Typhoon Julian earlier in October.
Since 2010, the U.S. government has provided more than Php21.85 billion ($390.2 million) in disaster relief, preparedness, and early recovery in the Philippines. USAID works year-round to help communities build resilience in preparing for, and responding to, the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters.(PR)
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) officially announces the Opening of the very first PSA Managed Census Serbilis Outlet in PSA Biliran. The ceremony was held at PSA Biliran today led by National Statistician and Civil Registrar General Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa together with Hon. Gerard Roger M. Espina, Civil Registration and Central Support Office (CRCSO) Assistant National Statistician Marizza B. Grande, PSA RSSO 8 Regional Director Wilma A. Perante, Chief Statistical Specialists Renavil V. Cueva, Sheryl Ann A. Jamisola along with other delegates from various PSA regional offices in the country.
The Ribbon Cutting was carried out by USec. Mapa and Biliran Governor Hon. Gerard Roger M. Espina followed by the Launching Program at the Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) Gym. In his inspirational message, Usec Mapa shared the realization of the commitment of PSA to bring civil registration services closer to the public, especially to those areas and municipalities that are disadvantaged by their distance from the existing CRS outlets. He shared that in his visit in 2023, he solicited the support of PSA Management to possibly have CRS Outlet in Biliran to make it accessible to the people of Biliran considering the distance from the Outlet in Tacloban City. Usec Mapa also announced that eight more PSA-Managed CRS Outlets in the country will be established with the main objective of bringing the outlets closer to the public. Now all provinces in Region VIII have CRS Outlets. Further, ANS Grande discussed the services of PSA-Managed CRS Outlet under the Concessionaire, Unisys Managed Services Corporation (UMSC) wherein PSA will allow the office space and site preparation of the outlet including the utilities, human resources/personnel, equipment, communication requirements, and commonly used supplies for the operation while UMSC provides the services with what is required for a CRS outlet and in compliance with industry standards and best practices on the infrastructure side of the project. The CRS Outlet operates under the Civil Registry System Information Technology Project Phase II (CRS-ITP2) involving the computerization of the civil registry operations of the PSA and is designed to collect, access, store, maintain, and manage civil registry documents and specimen signatures of all city and municipal registrars using imaging technology.
Biliran folks and nearby municipalities of Leyte can now avail themselves of civil registry documents right at the heart of its capital situated at PSA Provincial Office, DEMC Complex Commercial Building, P Inocentes Street Naval, Biliran.
For inquiries and further information, you may visit the PSA’s official website at www.psa.gov.ph or contact our office on telephone number (053) 839-1884 and email address rsso08@psa.gov.ph. (PR)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office (L2DEO) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has recently completed a multi-purpose building (MPB) at Carigara II Central School in Barangay Jugaban, Carigara, Leyte.
This new facility provides a dedicated and reliable venue for students and teachers to conduct school-related activities.
According to District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura, DPWH-L2DEO allocated P4.93 million for the construction of the 20-meter by 12-meter MPB under its multi-purpose buildings/facilities to Support Social Services Program.
This project aims to support the school’s operational needs and enhance students’ learning experience by providing a safe and functional space for various programs.
“The MPB project includes the construction of structural concrete for columns and beams, steel trusses, roofing, lighting fixtures, and painting works. The building is also equipped with an elevated stage, toilet facilities, and storage rooms,” Engineer Oppura shared.
The facility will host activities for learners from Kindergarten through Grade 6, fostering creativity and academic engagement. This comfortable and well-equipped venue is set to become an essential space for school events.
The project, implemented by KRC Construction & Supply, commenced on April 23, 2024, and was completed on September 19, 2024. It was funded under the CY 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The abundance of idle farmlands is a pressing concern in our country which is struggling with food security. These lands, often kept barren as their owners wait for property values to rise, represent missed opportunities for agricultural productivity and a stark failure to meet the population’s basic needs. A law is urgently needed to ensure that farmland is used to its full agricultural potential, holding landowners accountable for either cultivating their property or passing it on to those who will.
Many landowners argue that it is their right to leave farmland untouched. Yet, when this choice denies communities access to local food sources, it impacts public welfare. Agricultural lands left unused for years often lie dormant not due to logistical or environmental barriers but because the owners prefer to wait for a lucrative resale opportunity. This practice should be discouraged through substantial penalties, as it prioritizes profit over public need and leaves communities in the lurch, unable to depend on these lands for basic resources.
Land that lies idle often ends up becoming a blight, surrounded by cultivated fields that provide food and jobs to the surrounding community. When owners are financially punished or incentivized to allow farmers to take over cultivation, the situation changes dramatically. Consider how many communities could benefit from fresh, local produce if this idle land was consistently farmed. With a law enforcing productivity on these lands, the government could further support local economies and create self-sustaining food networks.
Additionally, many aspiring farmers face challenges in finding affordable and available land, often due to artificial shortages created by speculative landholding. By requiring farmland to be actively used, we could open up more opportunities for new farmers, encourage greater local food production, and reduce the dependency on imported goods. Such a policy could help young, passionate farmers finally access land, turning idle plots into fruitful fields and ensuring agricultural land truly serves its intended purpose.
A robust legislative measure must then be implemented, one that enforces strict usage requirements and provides pathways for willing farmers to cultivate idle land. Hold landowners accountable, and encourage hi-tech farming to transform idle lands into vital sources of food and income for many communities. It’s for lawmakers to act on, instead of politicking for their personal interests.
Long weekends, or Saturdays and Sundays extended by a holiday or two, are a chance for employees to finally escape the hustle and bustle of office life. But instead of wasting those extra days on the couch or scrolling mindlessly through our phones, let’s see it as an opportunity to get things done—the things we’ve pushed aside during regular workdays. Long weekends don’t come by too often, and when they do, they shouldn’t just fade into nothingness.
When a long weekend rolls around, I can almost hear my to-do list calling me. There are errands, of course, but also essential personal tasks that pile up week after week. I mean, how often do I get the time to stand in line at the bank or update my documents at a government office without rushing? Those precious days gave me the chance to cross things off my list, tasks I normally keep delaying because of my office schedule. There’s a real satisfaction in getting those things done, and I know that by Monday morning, I’ll be thankful for the extra push.
Beyond errands, these longer breaks also allow me to dive into projects that require undivided attention. Whether it’s organizing my cluttered workspace at home, working on a side project, or even just fixing up the backyard, a long weekend gives me the gift of time. It’s the perfect moment to immerse myself in things that I’m passionate about but don’t have time for during a normal week. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about finishing a personal project, even if it’s as simple as repainting the fence or rearranging the living room.
On a long weekend, I can go through my “home maintenance” checklist. You know, the list we all keep ignoring? When was the last time I checked the wiring, the plumbing, or the old cracks in the wall that have been sitting there as silent witnesses to my busy life? A long weekend gives me the time to take care of these home essentials, things that will help me feel more settled and secure in my own space. With every small fix, I feel like I’m making my home a little cozier, a little more “me.”
Then there are the relationships that need nurturing. I’m always caught up with deadlines, projects, and meetings during regular workdays, but with a long weekend, I can finally spend quality time with family and friends. We could go on a simple outing or have a quiet dinner, no rushing, no checking the clock constantly. Sometimes, I just want to sit with my siblings and talk about nothing in particular. These moments are valuable, and they need time—time that a long weekend conveniently provides.
I also find these extended weekends perfect for taking a “mental reset.” Office life can be draining, and by the time Friday hits, my mind feels like a cluttered inbox, brimming with tasks and worries. A long weekend gives me a moment to pause, breathe, and clear my head. It’s a time to relax but with a purpose, to make sure that by the end of it, I’m ready to jump back into work refreshed, with a clearer mind and a better outlook.
Besides, long weekends are a great time for self-improvement. I can pick up that book I’ve been meaning to read or work on my fitness goals. Learning and growth are things we all say we don’t have time for during regular days, but with these extra days off, there’s no more excuse. A little progress here and there, even if it’s just reading a chapter or squeezing in a workout, makes a difference over time. These breaks let me become a better version of myself without interfering with my work life.
As the long weekend wraps up, I feel like I’ve made the most of it by balancing relaxation and productivity. Instead of feeling guilty about lost time, I can feel a sense of accomplishment as I tick off the last of my to-dos and reflect on the moments I shared with people I care about. And maybe, just maybe, that’s the best way to approach a long weekend—not as a simple break, but as a meaningful pause to refresh, catch up, and get ahead.
