NSSDEO, Brgy, Burabud, Laoang, Northern Samar – The Department of Public Works and Highways Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office (DPWH NSSDEO)-Maintenance Section led by Acting Chief, Nicanor L. Mejos, Jr., conducted an on – site inspection and structural assessment on December 8, 2025, along the affected section of the Mapanas – Siljagon Road, particularly at Sitio Cabungaan, Brgy. Sta. Potenciana, Mapanas, Northern Samar, following reports of a damaged and scoured road foundation. The deterioration was caused by the severe scouring and erosion of the road subbase and base materials due to the strong floodwater flow brought by Typhoon “Wilma”.
Upon receipt of the report, DPWH maintenance personnel were promptly dispatched to assess the extent of the damage, ensure safety of road users, and implement immediate mitigation measures to prevent further deterioration of the affected road section.
During the inspection, the team noted the presence of a hanging or unsupported PCCP slab caused by an undermined foundation. To address this, they immediately installed steel sheet piles along the roadway as a temporary support to serve as a running board, ensuring the safe passage of vehicles while long–term repair plans are being prepared.
The DPWH assures the public that it will continue to closely monitor the condition of the area and implement the necessary interventions to safeguard motorists and restore the integrity of the affected road section. The Department remains steadfast in its commitment in ensuring safe, reliable, and resilient infrastructure for the communities it serves.
BAMBOO CHRISTMAS TREE. Palo, Leyte once again lights up the holiday season with its iconic giant Christmas tree made entirely of bamboo, drawing admiration for its creativity, sustainability, and distinctly local charm. A symbol of community spirit and environmental awareness, the bamboo tree has become a signature Christmas attraction of the town and a highlight of its “Pasko ha Palo” celebrations. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
BAMBOO CHRISTMAS TREE. Palo, Leyte once again lights up the holiday season with its iconic giant Christmas tree made entirely of bamboo, drawing admiration for its creativity, sustainability, and distinctly local charm. A symbol of community spirit and environmental awareness, the bamboo tree has become a signature Christmas attraction of the town and a highlight of its “Pasko ha Palo” celebrations. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
PALO, Leyte — When the holidays roll in, Palo knows exactly how to welcome them—with a towering Christmas tree made of bamboo and a whole lot of community spirit.
The town once again lit up its giant bamboo Christmas tree at the municipal plaza, marking the start of “Pasko ha Palo,” the final leg of the municipality’s 4Ps tourism program.
The festive switch-on, held on Wednesday(Dec.17)night, was led by the Palo municipal government under Mayor Remedios ‘Matin’ Petilla, alongside the lighting of Christmas decorations in various public spaces around town.
Locally crafted and proudly homegrown, the bamboo tree has become Palo’s signature holiday attraction. More than just a Christmas centerpiece, it stands as a reminder of the town’s creativity, resilience, and commitment to sustainability.
“We hope that every light on our giant bamboo Christmas tree will touch our lives, minds, and hearts, and guide us in our daily lives,” Mayor Petilla said in her message.
The choice of bamboo is no accident. Beyond its festive charm, the material symbolizes strength and flexibility—qualities Paloños know well.
The local government has long promoted bamboo planting and utilization, weaving environmental awareness and livelihood opportunities into its holiday celebrations.
The holiday cheer extends well beyond the plaza. Christmas lights and décor now brighten the municipal building, the Purisima and Bernard Reed bridges, the public market, and Barangay Luntad, turning the town into a cozy Christmas stop for residents and visitors alike.
Palo’s giant bamboo Christmas tree first caught nationwide attention in 2024, when photos of the unconventional yet eye-catching structure went viral online.
The municipality, however, has been crafting its bamboo Christmas tree tradition since 2014, long before it became an internet favorite.
“Pasko ha Palo” completes the town’s 4Ps tourism branding, a year-round series of cultural and historical highlights. The other pillars include “Pamalandong ha Palo,” a Holy Week reflection; “Patron ha Palo,” the town fiesta celebrated every August; and “Pagbalik ha Palo,” the commemoration of the Leyte Gulf Landings every October 20.
With twinkling bamboo lights and a whole town glowing in holiday cheer, Palo once again proves that Christmas magic doesn’t need plastic or steel—sometimes, all it takes is bamboo and bayanihan.
HIGHER LOAD LIMIT. Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez said that while retrofitting works on the San Juanico Bridge continue, the maximum load limit for vehicles could be raised from the current 15 tons. (PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE)
The current load limit set at 15-ton
HIGHER LOAD LIMIT. Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez said that while retrofitting works on the San Juanico Bridge continue, the maximum load limit for vehicles could be raised from the current 15 tons. (PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE)
TACLOBAN CITY — Heavier vehicles weighing up to 30 tons may soon be allowed to cross the San Juanico Bridge as authorities study further easing of load restrictions following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s inspection of the landmark structure and the steady progress of its rehabilitation works.
Mayor Alfred Romualdez
Mayor Alfred Romualdez said the possible increase in the allowable load comes after President Marcos directed the city government and concerned agencies to assess the feasibility of permitting heavier trucks beyond the current 15-ton limit, which was restored on Dec.12 after months of strict restrictions.
The San Juanico Bridge, which connects the islands of Samar and Leyte, had been limited to light vehicles of three-tons since May after structural defects were discovered, disrupting the movement of goods and people in Eastern Visayas.
On Friday, Dec. 12, President Marcos announced the increase of the load limit from three tons to 15 tons, restoring two-way traffic on the 2.16-kilometer bridge.
Romualdez said any move to allow 30-ton vehicles will be subject to strict traffic management measures, including one-way traffic operations and limiting the passage of heavier trucks to off-peak hours, possibly between 10 p.m. and early morning, when traffic volume is significantly lower.
He stressed that strict enforcement of the 15-ton limit remains in place as authorities prepare for the next phase. All vehicles are required to undergo mandatory weighing before entering the bridge, with both fixed and portable weighing scales on standby to ensure continuous monitoring.
“What will happen now, before entering the bridge, there is a weighing scale that will weigh all the vehicles that will pass the bridge. We will be strict on this,” Romualdez said in a media interview on Saturday, Dec. 13.
The mayor warned that drivers who violate the load limit may face penalties, including the suspension or cancellation of their driver’s licenses, noting that compliance is crucial to avoid compromising the ongoing retrofitting works.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) earlier reported that it met its December 15 target to increase the bridge’s load capacity. During his visit, President Marcos expressed satisfaction with the pace of the rehabilitation, emphasizing its importance in sustaining economic activity and regional connectivity.
The President also said the P1.1-billion retrofitting project is targeted for completion by the third quarter of 2026, with plans to eventually allow trucks heavier than 15 tons to use the bridge under controlled conditions.
Romualdez welcomed the national government’s commitment, saying he hopes the bridge will undergo not only retrofitting but full long-term rehabilitation, given its critical role in transportation and commerce. On average, about 14,000 vehicles cross the San Juanico Bridge daily, including around 1,400 trucks recorded during the period of strict load restrictions.
REVIVING A TRADITION. Suman-making, a beloved but slowly fading delicacy of Carigara, Leyte, is being promoted by a local group to spark interest among the younger generation. The photo shows a woman preparing suman using traditional methods during the town’s first-ever Suman Festival held on December 9. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
REVIVING A TRADITION. Suman-making, a beloved but slowly fading delicacy of Carigara, Leyte, is being promoted by a local group to spark interest among the younger generation. The photo shows a woman preparing suman using traditional methods during the town’s first-ever Suman Festival held on December 9. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
CARIGARA, Leyte — For Adela Oballo, 78, the aroma of steaming coconut rice is more than just a scent—it is a memory, a livelihood, and a legacy. On December 9 Oballo joined six veteran suman makers at Carigara’s public plaza for the town’s first-ever Suman Festival, organized by the Carigara Cultural Heritage Society (CCHS). The festival aimed to celebrate and revive the traditional craft of suman-making, a delicacy that has been slowly fading from the interest of younger generations.
“I am glad that they organized this festival,” Oballo said. “We hope it will not only rekindle young people’s interest in suman but also in how it is made, its traditions, and the joy behind it.”
Oballo, a resident of Barangay Silago, more than five kilometers from the town proper, lamented that even her own children and grandchildren have largely lost interest in the craft, despite it being passed down by her mother when she was just 10 years old. “They don’t want to spend long hours making suman; they prefer office work or other modern jobs,” she said.
Yet, for Oballo, suman-making has long been more than just tradition—it has been a means of livelihood. She has six children, all of whom she was able to send to college by selling suman, first within her neighborhood and later in Carigara’s public market.
Preparing suman, a Filipino delicacy made of glutinous rice steamed in coconut milk, is a labor-intensive process. It can take almost a full day—from gathering and preparing the ingredients, including sticky rice, coconut milk, sugar, salt, and banana leaves, to cooking and wrapping each piece. The rice must be soaked for at least three hours before cooking, which itself takes about an hour. Oballo adheres to traditional methods, even using coconut husks to cook the rice over fire.
“And of course,” she said with a smile, “while cooking suman, you should always be happy and positive. They say food made with joy tastes better—and it’s true.”
A batch of suman typically requires around P400 for ingredients, but Oballo can earn more than double that, depending on the number of pieces she produces—often more than a hundred in a day.
For Myla Aguilar, founding president of the CCHS, the festival is a way to reintroduce suman to younger generations while supporting those who still practice the craft. “Carigara is known across the region for the best suman, yet young people seem not to appreciate it,” she said. “This is part of our cultural heritage, and it’s important to keep it alive,” Aguilar, who is also a municipal councilor, added.
Aguilar added that the festival also showcases modern techniques that can help suman makers improve production and marketability. The local government is on board. Mayor Eduardo Ong, Jr., expressed his support for the initiative and pledged assistance to suman makers. “We will coordinate with the Department of Trade and Industry to help our suman makers adopt new technologies, like increasing the shelf life of suman, and expand their market,” he said.
Even today, suman remains a cherished gift for Carigara residents who live or work outside the town, often brought home as pasalubong for friends and family—or as a taste of home that carries both flavor and tradition.
TACLOBAN CITY — Tingog party-list Representative Jude Acidre called on local universities and colleges (LUCs) to strengthen governance, build institutional resilience, and uphold quality assurance as key pillars for the future of Philippine higher education.
Acidre, chair of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, made the call during his keynote address at the 2025 National Conference of the Association of Local Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (ALCUCOA) held at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.
He underscored the crucial role of higher education in workforce development, innovation, and poverty reduction, noting that the conference theme, “Building Institutional Resilience and Sustaining Innovation Through Quality Assurance,” reflects the direction the sector must take.
Emphasizing the role of LUCs in expanding access to education and supporting regional development, Acidre acknowledged existing policy gaps in governance and accountability.
He cited House Bill No. 4686, or the proposed Local Universities and Colleges Governance Act, which seeks to establish a clear governance framework, strengthen governing boards, and align LUCs with national quality assurance standards.
The proposed measure, he said, is part of the committee’s 10-point higher education agenda, which includes improving quality assurance, expanding access, modernizing the Commission on Higher Education, and strengthening faculty and research development.
Acidre urged higher education leaders to actively engage in reform efforts and reaffirmed his commitment to support LUCs through legislation and policy initiatives to ensure sustained excellence in Philippine higher education.
TACLOBAN CITY— The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) marked a significant milestone in personnel development as 661 uniformed officers and non-commissioned personnel took their oath, donned new ranks, and received their pins in a region-wide simultaneous promotion ceremony on Monday, December 15.
The event, held during the Monday flag raising ceremony held at the PRO-8 headquarters at Camp Sec. Ruperto K. Kangleon in Palo, Leyte, was led by PRO-8 Regional Director PB/Gen. Jason Capoy under the 2025 Continuous and Regular Promotion Program.
The program covers both second-level uniformed personnel and fourth-quarter Police Lieutenant Colonels (PLt.Col.).
Promotions for commissioned officers included four advancing from Police Major (PMaj) to PLTCOL, one from Police Captain (PCPT) to PMaj, and 15 from Police Lieutenant (PLt) to PCPT.
Among non-commissioned officers, four were promoted from Police Executive Master Sergeant (PEMS) to PLT, three from Police Chief Master Sergeant (PCMS) to PEMS, 13 from Police Senior Master Sergeant (PSMS) to PCMS, 12 from Police Master Sergeant (PMSg) to PSMS, 154 from Police Staff Sergeant (PSSg) to PMSg, 192 from Police Corporal (PCpl) to PSSg, and 263 Patrolmen/Patrolwomen to Corporals (PCpl).
The activity highlights PRO-8’s commitment to merit-based promotions, leadership development, and the continuous strengthening of professionalism and organizational excellence in the delivery of public service across Eastern Visayas.
PB/Gen. Capoy administered the oath and led the ceremonial donning and pinning of ranks, reminding the promotees that their advancement represents both recognition of past performance and a call to greater responsibility.
“As you assume your new ranks, remember that this is both a recognition of your dedication and a call to serve with integrity, leadership, and commitment to the community,” he said.
