Principally authored by Rep. Martin Romualdez

TACLOBAN CITY— Lawmakers are pushing for the passage of House Bill No. 2, a measure that would exempt millions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from directly paying PhilHealth premiums, in response to mounting financial pressures faced by Filipinos working abroad.

The bill, principally authored by former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and co-authored by House Committee on Higher and Technical Education Chair Jude A. Acidre of Tingog party-list, is currently under review by the House Committee on Health and its technical working group.

Under the proposal, the national government would shoulder half of OFWs’ PhilHealth contributions, while the remaining half would be covered by their employers. Any unused subsidy would be redirected to improve benefits or lower future premiums.

Acidre emphasized that the measure recognizes the economic sacrifices of OFWs, who sustain families and businesses back home through remittances and taxes. “Requiring them to pay more for health coverage would be unfair, especially amid rising global costs,” he said.

The move also responds to concerns from labor groups and health policy experts that mandatory payments are often difficult to access abroad, particularly for land-based workers on short-term contracts. Experts note that the bill aligns with global best practices, where migrant workers’ health coverage is typically shared between employers and host governments.

“This is a corrective measure,” Acidre said. “Universal health care must be universal in protection, not universal in burden.”

Economists warn that while remittances remain resilient, OFWs are increasingly affected by higher housing, food, and medical expenses overseas.

Lawmakers stress that swift approval of HB No. 2 would provide timely relief to millions of migrant workers and affirm the government’s commitment to their welfare.

If enacted, the bill would represent one of the most significant reforms in OFW social protection in recent years.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Visayas’ own Onie Balintong Jr. has been elected unopposed as national president of the Local Government Unions of the Philippines (LGUP) for the 2026–2028 term, pledging to lead with integrity, transparency, and a strong focus on empowering government workers.

In his acceptance speech, Balintong, who hails from Leyte, expressed gratitude to union members and officers from organizations in the region, including PAGE Leyte, GATE, PLEA, and REACH, for entrusting him with the leadership role.

“For me, being elected unopposed is one of the highest compliments. It tells me that you trust my leadership, my integrity, and my commitment to the workers we all serve,” he said, emphasizing that the mandate comes with greater responsibility rather than ease.
Under this year’s theme, “Empowering Workers Through Excellent Service, Good Governance, and Transparency,” Balintong vowed to ensure that government employees are treated fairly, have safe working conditions, and enjoy opportunities for growth. He also stressed that leadership must be ethical, accountable, and transparent to maintain public trust.

Eastern Visayas officers elected under the new LGUP administration include: Vice President: Vicente Balajadia (PAGE Leyte); Secretary: Eden Benusa Reyes (REACH); Treasurer: Eumelia Creer (GATE); and Auditor 1: Agapito S. Dela Cruz (PLEA).

Balintong assured members that he will work alongside them to strengthen LGUP as a model organization that is united, empowered, and forward-looking, focusing on service and governance that truly benefits public sector workers.

(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Residents of Dulag, Leyte now enjoy safer and more accessible travel following the completion of a 1.97-kilometer concrete road linking key barangays in the municipality.

The project, implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office, aims to enhance inter-barangay connectivity and facilitate the movement of people and goods.

According to District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura, the road project covers three sections: 782.3 meters at Site 1, 610.3 meters at Site 2, and 576 meters at Site 3, all with a width of 5 meters. The Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP) now links the barangays of San Rafael, San Agustin, Magsaysay, General Roxas, and Tabu, providing an all-weather route for daily travel, emergency access, and transport of agricultural and commercial products.

Local resident Recalyn Sara, 39, of Barangay San Rafael, recalled the challenges before the project:

“Previously, the road in our area was full of potholes, and during the rainy season it would often become flooded, making it very difficult for us to pass. Now, with the road fully concreted, walking to the town proper has become much easier, and we can go to the market without any difficulty,” she said in a dialect.

She added, “Thank you very much to the DPWH for continuing to improve our roads, especially here in Barangay San Rafael. Hopefully, you can help more barangays so that the roads in Dulag will become even better.”

The road project, funded under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), began on March 24, 2025, and was completed at a cost of P20. 52 million. The construction was undertaken by Fairchild Builders & Developers, Incorporated.

The newly concreted road not only improves mobility but also supports economic growth by ensuring reliable transport for farmers, merchants, and students across the municipality.

(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Visayas’ commitment to disaster preparedness and response was spotlighted during the 2025 Gawad Kalasag Awards, where the region was praised for its strong collaboration among local governments, national agencies, and partner organizations.

Civil Defense Administrator and Undersecretary Harold Cabreros, keynote guest at the January 20 event held at the Radiant Hotel and Events Place, commended the region’s sustained efforts in disaster risk reduction, mitigation, and resilience-building.

“Eastern Visayas has become a living example of transformation, and we must continue moving forward with the same dedication,” Cabreros said, emphasizing that past disasters in the region have reshaped the nation’s approach to disaster preparedness.

The awards recognized outstanding local government units, agencies, and institutions for exemplary DRRM, humanitarian assistance, and climate adaptation initiatives.

Top awardees included Southern Leyte and Samar (provincial category); Ormoc City (independent city); Borongan City, Maasin City, and Catbalogan City (component city); and municipalities such as Catarman, Sogod, Laoang, Silago, Can-avid, and San Roque across various income classes.

Additionally, 38 city and municipal DRRM Councils and Offices received Gold Awards, while 69 councils were named Silver Awardees. Special recognitions went to Biliran Provincial Hospital, Police Regional Office 8, Catarman Emergency Response Unit, and Southern Leyte State University.

Organized by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the Gawad Kalasag Awards—also known as Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan—honor exemplary implementation of disaster preparedness and climate resilience programs nationwide.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)