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Acidre lauds PBBM for the release of 143 OFWs in UAE

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APPRECIATED. Rep. Jude Acidre expressed his appreciation to President Marcos Jr. for commitment to protect the welfare of the OFWs after the successful pardon of 143 Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). (PHOTO COURTESY)
APPRECIATED. Rep. Jude Acidre expressed his appreciation to President Marcos Jr. for commitment to protect the welfare of the OFWs after the successful pardon of 143 Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). (PHOTO COURTESY)

TACLOBAN CITY – Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre expressed his appreciation to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his leadership and dedication to the welfare of overseas Filipinos, as demonstrated by the successful pardon of 143 Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during this year’s Eid al-Adha.

Acidre emphasized that this gesture reflects the Philippine government’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of Filipinos abroad.

With over 600,000 Filipinos living and contributing significantly to key sectors such as healthcare, construction, and hospitality in the UAE, ensuring their welfare and protection remains a priority.

“The UAE, as host to one of the largest Filipino communities in the Middle East, plays a vital role in strengthening the ties between our nations,” Acidre said in a statement.

“I also extend my sincere gratitude to the government of the UAE for their generosity and compassion toward the Filipino people. Their kindness and commitment to mercy have not only provided relief and hope to our Kababayans but have also reinforced the bond of friendship and mutual respect between our countries.”

As chairperson of the committee on overseas workers affairs, Acidre reaffirmed his commitment to advancing initiatives such as the Magna Carta for Seafarers and enhancing protections for all Filipino workers abroad.

“I am confident that the growing partnership between the Philippines and the UAE will continue to foster greater cooperation, ensuring that the contributions of our people are recognized and that no Filipino is left behind as we work together toward a more prosperous future,” Acidre said.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

2 Southern Leyte towns earn rebel-free tag

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TACLOBAN CITY – Two more towns in Southern Leyte have been formally declared as completely free from the threats of the New People’s Army (NPA), the Philippine Army said on Monday.

Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, said the declaration led by the town mayors of San Ricardo and Pintuyan marked a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to maintain peace and stability.

“With no sightings of armed rebels for several years now, these towns have achieved insurgency-free status and officially, stable internal peace and security conditions (SIPSC),” Vestuir said in a phone interview.

A town earns SIPSC status if there has been no NPA activity in the area for several years, and no resident is identified as an active armed rebel, according to Vestuir.

Ceremonies were held on Oct. 11 to highlight the declarations, which included the signing of memoranda of agreements and pledges of commitment, along with the simultaneous release of white doves, symbolizing peace and new beginnings.

Earlier this year, officials held the same declaration in 39 towns in Leyte Island, Biliran province, and some parts of Samar and Eastern Samar provinces under the operational area of the 802nd Infantry Brigade.

In Southern Leyte province, the rebel-free status has been declared earlier in the towns of Padre Burgos, Bontoc, and Macrohon.

Vestuir said these municipalities were cleared of communist terrorist group influence for years and have since achieved conflict-manageable status.

The military said several areas in the region have long been peaceful; hence, the declaration of the SIPS condition is just a formal and official manifestation of the commitment of local leaders and people to sustain the peace, and never allow any threat groups to gain a foothold in their communities.
(SARWELL Q. MENIANO/PNA)

2 towns in the region to adopt solar power

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Part of renewable energy campaign

TACLOBAN CITY – The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) has formalized partnerships with two local government units (LGUs) in Eastern Visayas to install rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on their municipal buildings, marking a significant step towards promoting renewable energy in the region.

The beneficiary municipalities, Guiuan in Eastern Samar and Paranas in Samar, will each receive solar PV systems valued at P6.7 million.

The agreements were signed on October 11 by ICSC Executive Director Angelo Kairos dela Cruz, alongside Guiuan Mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan and Paranas Mayor Eunice Babalcon.

The installation of these rooftop solar PV systems is part of ICSC’s initiative to encourage the adoption of renewable energy (RE) at the local level, driving solar uptake in municipal, commercial, industrial, and residential buildings.

Once completed, these projects will bolster the energy independence of the LGUs, reducing reliance on unstable grid power and frequent blackouts that plague Samar Island.

Additionally, the solarization efforts are expected to lower long-term energy costs, allowing savings to be redirected to other municipal investments, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel dependency.

The Solarize Guiuan project will feature the installation of 100 bifacial solar panels, each with a capacity of 600 watts, for a total peak capacity of 60 kilowatts.

Meanwhile, the Solarize Paranas initiative will install 88 bifacial panels with a capacity of 555 watts each, totaling 48.84 kilowatts.

Mayor Kwan emphasized that Guiuan’s reliance on costly and unreliable grid electricity has hampered the municipality’s economic growth.

“Our town has suffered from high energy costs and persistent power outages, discouraging investors and hindering the productivity of our fisheries sector,” said Kwan. “We cannot progress; we remain poor because of power issues.”

Kwan expressed hope that the solarization of the municipal building would encourage private enterprises and other government offices in Guiuan to adopt renewable energy, mitigating the impact of frequent power interruptions on their operations.

Paranas Mayor Babalcon, who initiated the municipality’s solarization efforts in 2019 with the installation of PV systems for the municipal evacuation center and materials recovery facility, said this latest initiative will further strengthen Paranas’ commitment to climate action.

“The Solarize Paranas project fortifies our existing solarization efforts and enhances our focus on climate mitigation and adaptation,” Babalcon noted. “This step contributes to our broader goal of reducing the impacts of climate change.”

She also highlighted the importance of renewable energy during disasters, when grid power is often unavailable. “Solar power ensures that during typhoons, we can keep lights on in evacuation centers and maintain communication, which is critical in emergency situations,” Babalcon said.

Under the agreement, the LGUs will manage and maintain the hybrid photovoltaic systems donated and installed by ICSC.

The agreement also requires the LGUs to apply for net metering with their respective distribution utilities—Samar Electric Cooperative II (Samelco II) for Paranas and Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative (Esamelco) for Guiuan.

This will allow the LGUs to sell surplus electricity generated on weekends when municipal buildings typically have lower power consumption.

If Guiuan’s net metering application is approved, it will become the first member-consumer of Esamelco to benefit from the net metering law.

Additionally, the LGUs are tasked with developing a rooftop-mounted Solar Power Station Roadmap, identifying the solar potential of public buildings in their municipalities, and passing a Municipal Renewable Energy Ordinance to institutionalize rooftop solar adoption. ICSC will provide technical assistance to support these efforts.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

Strategic planning for Tacloban’s 10-year CLUP clarifies dev’t priorities

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TACLOBAN CITY– In a forward-looking action to map out sustainable development, the city government has conducted another phase of workshops to finalize its Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) for 2026-2035.

The three-day workshop, which ended on October 11, 2024.

Facilitated by the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) led by Environmental Planner (Enp.) Janis Claire S. Canta is in partnership with other concerned departments of the LGU Tacloban, including government agencies, and the USAID Urban Connect Project.

The participants in this CLUP workshop include another batch of barangay officials, representing half of the 138 barangays of the city.

Among the resource speakers are City Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Head Jonathan Hijada, and Enp. Camille Lelina Bantaculo, the acting chief of the Environmental Land Use and Urban Planning and Development Division, DSHUD Regional Office 8.

The said speakers emphasized to the barangay officials their roles and importance in the implementation of the CLUP and how they could effectively be partners in the development being leaders and agents of authority in their respective barangays.

The CLUP is a critical planning tool for every local government unit (LGU) that outlines the long-term, sustainable use of land and resources within its jurisdiction.

This underscores important aspects as follows: (1.) Guided Development—serving as a blueprint for physical and spatial development, ensuring that land use aligns with the community’s priorities; (2.) Resource Management—allowing the government to effectively allocate land for residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, and environmental purposes; (3.) Disaster Preparedness—which incorporates hazard mapping and disaster risk assessments to minimize vulnerability to natural disasters, improving the community’s resilience; (4.) Sustainability—this promotes growth while balancing environmental protection and resource conservation; and (5.) Regulatory Framework—providing a legal basis for zoning ordinances, land use permits, and other regulatory measures to control development and land utilization.(TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)

3 ex-NPA members received assistance from Eastern Samar provincial gov’t

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Gov. Ben Evardone
Gov. Ben Evardone

TACLOBAN CITY – Three former rebels from Eastern Samar have received financial assistance through the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), aimed at helping former insurgents reintegrate into society.

E-CLIP is a national program that addresses the legal status, security, and rehabilitation needs—both economic and psychological—of former rebels. It provides them with opportunities to rebuild their lives through various forms of assistance.

During a turnover ceremony held at the provincial government office conference hall in Borongan City on October 16, a total of P195,000 was distributed to the three beneficiaries.
Each former rebel received P65,000, comprising P15,000 for immediate assistance and P50,000 for livelihood support.

Gov. Ben Evardone personally handed over the financial assistance during the E-CLIP Committee meeting, which was attended by various key officials, including 78th Infantry Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Joseph Bugaoan, DILG Eastern Samar provincial director Johannes Dorado, and Eastern Samar Police Provincial Director Col. Ernesto R. Macasil.
Other notable attendees were provincial peace and development officer Engr. Joselito Mutia, provincial social welfare and development officer Lina A. Dulfo, and E-CLIP focal persons Dorris Cajegas and Engr. Finiel Loste.

Gov. Evardone reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting former rebels as they transition back into society.

“The provincial government has a range of programs and services aimed at helping Friends Rescued [former rebels] rebuild their lives. We are always ready to assist those who have turned away from the armed struggle and chosen to work with the government. Eastern Samar is here for them,” the governor said.

He assured the former rebels that the provincial government would continue to provide the necessary support to help them achieve a peaceful and productive life.

The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the Provincial Government and the various agencies that helped facilitate the assistance, noting that the financial aid would be a significant boost to their existing small businesses and new livelihood ventures.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

EV consumers demand refund for costly, ‘illegal’ power contracts

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TACLOBAN CITY-Consumers, Church groups, and civil society organizations are demanding a refund for what they claim are overpriced and illegal power supply agreements (PSAs) in Eastern Visayas.

These groups argue that the agreements, which drive up electricity rates, were executed without undergoing the required competitive selection process (CSP) mandated by the Supreme Court.

A 2019 Supreme Court ruling nullified PSAs that failed to comply with CSP guidelines. The ruling affects 120 PSAs nationwide, including 11 from distribution utilities in Region 8.

“The deceit of distribution utilities is undeniable. As much as 97.5% of the contracted power capacity in Eastern Visayas comes from illegal contracts, according to the Supreme Court,” said Griderick Alila, Visayas Coordinator of the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED).

“These unqualified contracts have been used to justify the region’s high electricity rates, forcing consumers to pay unjustly inflated bills for years,” he added.

Alila further warned that many of these contracts rely on coal-fired power plants, whose prices are subject to extreme volatility, leading to higher costs being passed on to consumers.

“A staggering 90% of the region’s contracted energy comes from expensive coal plants located outside the region. Meanwhile, Region 8 has nearly 100% renewable energy capacity that could provide cheaper power.”

Advocates are also concerned about the environmental and climate impacts of continued reliance on coal in Eastern Visayas, a region highly vulnerable to climate change.

“Consumers are already struggling with rising costs of basic needs, and high electricity prices only add to the burden. Beyond the financial toll, coal energy comes at the cost of lives, as we saw with the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013,” said Farah Gamalo of the Freedom from Debt Coalition(FDC) – Eastern Visayas.

She highlighted how the region’s coal use grew from 51% in 2013 to 90% by 2023, despite the lessons of Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’, one of the strongest storms to ever hit the country.

Ronald Abao, program head of Caritas Palo, emphasized the need for accountability. “The deadliest typhoon to hit the world struck Tacloban, yet we continue to rely on dirty energy. Typhoon Yolanda was a harsh lesson, and we must never forget the vulnerability of our people. We must demand accountability from those responsible for these harmful energy choices.”

Alila outlined alternatives to the illegal coal PSAs, suggesting that the region shift toward renewable energy.

“Eastern Visayas has immense potential for clean, affordable renewable energy. By 2025, greener and cheaper energy should be within reach, but only if we start making the necessary changes now.”

The groups urged distribution utilities and generation companies to refund consumers for the excessive costs they have incurred due to these PSAs and transition to more sustainable and affordable energy solutions.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)

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