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PRO-8 brings government services closer to cops, families through one-stop shop

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SERVICES. Police personnel assigned at the regional police office no longer had to leave camp or queue at multiple offices to access basic government services with the rolled out a one-stop shop of frontline services for uniformed personnel and their dependents on January 28 right at the Camp Ruperto Kangleon, Palo, Leyte.(PRO-8 FACEBOOK)
SERVICES. Police personnel assigned at the regional police office no longer had to leave camp or queue at multiple offices to access basic government services with the rolled out a one-stop shop of frontline services for uniformed personnel and their dependents on January 28 right at the Camp Ruperto Kangleon, Palo, Leyte.(PRO-8 FACEBOOK)

TACLOBAN CITY — Police personnel in Eastern Visayas no longer had to leave camp or queue at multiple offices to access basic government services as the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) rolled out a one-stop shop of frontline services for uniformed personnel and their dependents on January 28.

The activity, held at the PRO-8 Multi-Purpose Hall, was spearheaded by Regional Director B/Gen. Jason Capoy in line with the directive of PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. to deliver faster, more accessible, and people-centered public service under the banner “Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman,” in celebration of PNP Day.

The one-stop shop gathered various government agencies and partner institutions to provide on-site services aimed at easing the administrative and personal needs of police personnel and their families. Among the services offered were license renewals and registrations by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) 8 and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) 8.

Clearance applications and eligibility authentication were facilitated by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Eastern Visayas and the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) 8, while the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) assisted in the registration and issuance of Philippine National ID cards, as well as birth and marriage certificates.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) conducted legal education sessions for police investigators, focusing on proper case filing and strengthening prosecutorial coordination. In support of food security and health initiatives, the Department of Agriculture (DA) distributed free seedlings, provided anti-rabies vaccinations for pets, and operated a KADIWA store, while the Philippine Coconut Authority shared dwarf coconut seedlings.
Health and wellness services were also extended through the PRO-8 OLC Foundation Inc., which offered medical services and health lectures. Financial and social welfare assistance were provided by PhilHealth Eastern Visayas and Pag-IBIG Fund Tacloban, with additional support desks from the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund Inc. (PSMBFI), Philippine Savings and Loan Association Inc. (PSSLAI), and Armed Forces and Police Savings and Loan Association Inc. (AFPSLAI).

Capoy thanked partner agencies for their support, emphasizing that the initiative reflects the organization’s commitment to the welfare of police personnel and their families.
“This one-stop shop shows that the welfare of our personnel and their dependents is a priority. By bringing these services directly to our camp, we ensure that our men and women in uniform truly feel the support of both the organization and the government,” Capoy said.

(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)

House panel OKs P10K one-time allowance for student interns

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TACLOBAN CITY — The House Committee on Higher and Technical Education has approved at the committee level House Bill No. 2778, a proposed measure that seeks to institutionalize a one-time internship allowance for students completing required internship, practicum, or on-the-job training (OJT) programs.

The bill, titled the “Student Internship Allowance Act”, aims to grant a P10,000 one-time allowance to qualified students who successfully complete their required training, in recognition of the financial burden often shouldered by students for transportation, meals, documentation, and other incidental expenses during their internship period.

House Bill No. 2778 is principally authored by Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, together with Tingog party-list Representatives Yedda Marie Romualdez, Andrew Julian Romualdez, and Jude Acidre.

During the committee deliberations on Tuesday, Acidre emphasized that internship and practicum programs serve as a critical bridge between education and employment, but frequently come at a high cost to students and their families.

“This measure recognizes that learning does not stop in the classroom. Internships are an essential part of preparing students for the workforce, and we should not allow financial constraints to prevent them from completing this requirement,” Acidre said.

Under the proposed measure, the allowance will be extended to students enrolled in public and private higher education institutions recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), as well as technical-vocational institutions accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Beneficiaries must have satisfactorily completed the required internship, practicum, or OJT hours under their respective academic or training programs.

The bill further provides that the allowance shall be non-taxable, non-transferable, and not subject to any deductions. Initial funding for the program will be sourced from the existing budgets of CHED and TESDA, with subsequent allocations to be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

The proposed Student Internship Allowance Act was among the policy measures put forward during the First Eastern Visayas Young Leaders Parliament held in December 2024, reflecting youth-led recommendations aimed at easing the transition from education to employment.

Following its approval at the committee level, the measure is now set to advance to the next stage of the legislative process.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

DZR Airport, 2 others among 21 facilities funded for modernization under 2026 GAA

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MORE FUNDING. The Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport, regarded as the premier gateway to Eastern Visayas and is located in Tacloban City, is among 21 airports nationwide slated to receive funding under this year’s national budget. The allocation aims to enhance airport facilities, boost passenger experience, and attract more tourists and investors to the region. (GERRY RUIZ)

Seen to improve connectivity, economic growth

MORE FUNDING. The Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport, regarded as the premier gateway to Eastern Visayas and is located in Tacloban City, is among 21 airports nationwide slated to receive funding under this year’s national budget. The allocation aims to enhance airport facilities, boost passenger experience, and attract more tourists and investors to the region. (GERRY RUIZ)

TACLOBAN CITY — Three airports in Eastern Visayas, led by the Daniel Z. Romualdez (DZR) Airport in Tacloban City, are among 21 airport facilities nationwide that will receive government funding for modernization and facility upgrades under the P7.8-billion capital outlay provided in the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan said.

Libanan, a lawmaker from Eastern Samar and a member of the 4Ps party-list, said the allocation underscores the government’s effort to improve regional air connectivity and support economic growth outside Metro Manila.

Of the three airports in the region, Tacloban Airport will receive P741.7 million, while Ormoc Airport in Leyte and Catbalogan Airport in Samar have been allotted P433 million and P200 million, respectively, for facility development.

Aside from these three facilities, operational airports in the region are located in Borongan City in Eastern Samar and Catarman in Northern Samar. It was not clear why these two airports did not receive funding under the 2026 GAA.

“The upgrades are expected to improve the overall travel experience of passengers, attract more tourists, support the growth of small and medium enterprises, and generate additional jobs,” Libanan said in a statement on Sunday.

He added that the investments are intended to strengthen inter-island air connectivity, boost domestic and international tourism, and stimulate local economies, particularly in geographically isolated and disaster-prone areas such as Eastern Visayas.

Libanan also stressed that making public the budget allocations is part of the Minority bloc’s mandate to promote transparency in government spending and to enable local communities to closely monitor the implementation of infrastructure projects in their areas.
The DZR Airport, considered the region’s premier aviation gateway, serves the Manila and Cebu routes with more than 20 daily flights. It has been undergoing major rehabilitation since 2024, including the construction of a new passenger terminal building that is expected to partially open within the year, in line with plans to decongest the existing terminal and accommodate rising passenger traffic.

Under the 2026 GAA, other airports funded for modernization include New Dumaguete Airport (P2.5 billion); Mati Airport (P700 million); Laoag International Airport (P507.3 million); New Naga Airport (P444.6 million); Busuanga Airport (P415 million); Candon Airport (P350 million); New Manila International Airport (P200 million); Kalibo International Airport (P195.5 million); Bukidnon, Daet, and Bicol International Airports (P150 million each); Central Mindanao (M’lang) Airport and Siargao Airport P100 million each); and Antique Airport (P99.5 million).

In addition, separate allocations have been approved for night-rating improvements, including P70 million for Busuanga Airport, P23 million for Siargao Airport, and P160 million for Cauayan Airport, which will be used for lighting, navigation, and safety systems to allow aircraft operations during nighttime and low-visibility conditions.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the funds will be used for the construction and rehabilitation of runways, taxiways, ramps, control towers, and passenger terminals, as well as for the procurement of modern air navigation and safety equipment.

The airport modernization program comes as the Philippines continues to ease travel restrictions for foreign visitors, including the recent move to allow visa-free entry for Chinese nationals for short-term tourism and business travel, subject to existing requirements. China was the country’s top source of foreign tourists prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Government officials said the improved airport facilities are expected to accommodate increased passenger traffic and support the anticipated rebound of tourism at both major gateways and regional airports nationwide.

JOEY A. GABIETA/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA

Comelec chief reminds voters of shared responsibility in choosing leaders

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VOTERS EDUCATION. Commission on Elections chairman George Edwin Garcia lead a voters education campaign held in Basey, Samar and Maripipi, Biliran on Friday, Jan.23, urging the young voters, in particular, to scrutinize carefully not only the plans of the candidates but their characters as well. (PHOTO COURTESY)
VOTERS EDUCATION. Commission on Elections chairman George Edwin Garcia lead a voters education campaign held in Basey, Samar and Maripipi, Biliran on Friday, Jan.23, urging the young voters, in particular, to scrutinize carefully not only the plans of the candidates but their characters as well. (PHOTO COURTESY)

TACLOBAN CITY — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia on Friday, Jan. 23, underscored the role of voters in shaping the country’s leadership, saying poor governance and corruption are often consequences of public participation—or the lack of it—during elections.

Garcia made the statement during his visit to Eastern Visayas, where he led voter education activities in Basey, Samar, and Naval, Biliran as part of Comelec’s continuing campaign to encourage informed and responsible voting ahead of the 2026 polls.

He said citizens should not place sole blame on elected officials for ineffective or corrupt governance if voters themselves failed to actively and responsibly participate in the electoral process.

“Registering and voting are not just rights, they are responsibilities. They are the means by which citizens can correct the direction of leadership,” Garcia said.

The Comelec chair particularly appealed to young and first-time voters, urging them to carefully evaluate candidates’ integrity, competence, and track record before casting their ballots.

“How can you condemn a leader for being ineffective if you yourselves did not take part in electing or rejecting that leader?” Garcia asked.

“There is no one else to blame in society if society itself neglected or refused to participate in choosing its leaders.”

Garcia added that if current leaders turn out to be negligent or corrupt, voters must also acknowledge their role in allowing such officials to gain power through the electoral process.

With the country continuing to face challenges such as corruption and weak governance, Garcia stressed that elections remain the most democratic and peaceful way to effect change, rather than resorting to calls for revolution or extra-legal actions.

“The business of elections is not only the business of the Comelec; it is the business of everyone. If we fail, you fail,” he said.

Comelec is currently conducting voter registration nationwide until May 18, 2026, and is urging unregistered but qualified voters to register at their respective city or municipal Comelec offices.

The commission also expressed optimism that, as seen in the last two elections, there will be a high turnout of young voters in the November 2, 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Election officials added that senior citizens and persons with disabilities will again be allowed to vote early, from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., to ensure their comfort and safety on election day.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

Eastern Samar Rep. Gonzales pushes fast-track of new 69kV power line to address chronic brownouts

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STEADY POWER SUPPLY. Eastern Samar Rep. recently meet with officials of the National Electrification with the construction of a 69 kilovolts transmission be hasten to help stabilize the power supply in the province. (FILE PHOTO)
STEADY POWER SUPPLY. Eastern Samar Rep. recently meet with officials of the National Electrification with the construction of a 69 kilovolts transmission be hasten to help stabilize the power supply in the province. (FILE PHOTO)

TACLOBAN CITY-Eastern Samar Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales said efforts are underway to fast-track the construction of a new 69-kilovolt (kV) transmission line aimed at addressing persistent power shortages and frequent brownouts in several towns in the province.

Gonzales said he recently met with National Electrification Administration (NEA) Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda and Acting Deputy Administrator Raymond Napilot to ensure the swift implementation of the power project.

“The goal is to make sure that the construction of the new 69kV line is implemented without delay to respond to the power deficiency being experienced by several municipalities in Eastern Samar,” Gonzales said in a statement.

He said the project is the result of sustained efforts in coordination with House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino ‘Nonoy’ Libanan, noting that it seeks to address long-standing complaints from residents who have endured near-daily power interruptions for more than a decade.

“These frequent brownouts have severely affected households and local businesses, and it is time to put an end to this long-standing problem,” the lawmaker said.

Aside from the new transmission line, Gonzales said discussions with NEA also covered measures to strengthen and stabilize the province’s overall power supply.

Among the proposed projects are the construction of a 69kV line from Taft to Jipapad, the establishment of a 10-megavolt-ampere (MVA) substation in Oras town, and the rehabilitation of the 138kV Paranas–Taft transmission line of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), including the construction of a substation in Taft.

Gonzales stressed that the planned power infrastructure projects are not only meant to reduce brownouts but are also crucial to the province’s economic growth.

“With a reliable electricity supply, we can attract more investors into Eastern Samar and create more opportunities for our people,” he said.

The lawmaker assured that he will continue to closely monitor the implementation of the projects to ensure they deliver long-term benefits to every Eastern Samareño.

(JOEY A. GABIETA, LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

School principal dies in a fire incident

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ORMOC CITY — A 58-year-old school principal was found dead inside his home, reportedly suffocated after a fire ignited by an unattended cellphone charger early Saturday morning, Jan.24, authorities said.

The victim, identified as alias “Dolfo”, a resident of Brgy. Malihao, Hinabangan, was discovered inside his bedroom after smoke was noticed by a neighbor around 8:50 a.m. Responding personnel from the Hinabangan Fire Station and Municipal Police Station (MPS) said the fire had been declared out by 9:08 a.m., but the lifeless body was lying near the bedroom door.

According to investigators, a neighbor, alias “Bin”, noticed smoke and alerted the victim’s nephew, alias “Erbi”. When Erbi tried to open the door, he could not, forcing it open and encountering thick smoke and the victim’s body.

The Hinabangan MPS coordinated with the Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) for a post-mortem examination, after which the body was taken to a funeral parlor in Catbalogan City.

Fire officials continue to investigate the incident, estimating damage at around P250,000.
Authorities said preliminary findings suggest the fire originated from a cellphone charger left unattended inside the bedroom.

(ROBERT DEJON)

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