TASK FORCE KAPATID. A team from the Leyeco II departs for Sogod, Southern Leyte to help restore the power supply of said typhoon-battered town. Photo shows the team in prayers before they left for Sogod on Friday, Nov. 7. (LEYECO II FACEBOOK)
TASK FORCE KAPATID. A team from the Leyeco II departs for Sogod, Southern Leyte to help restore the power supply of said typhoon-battered town. Photo shows the team in prayers before they left for Sogod on Friday, Nov. 7. (LEYECO II FACEBOOK)
TACLOBAN CITY– In a strong display of unity and public service, the Leyte II Electric Cooperative (Leyeco II) has sent a team of linemen to Southern Leyte to help restore power in communities devastated by Typhoon ‘Tino.’
A contingent of 18 skilled line workers, led by engineer Ronnie Solis, departed on Friday, November 7, 2025, for a 10-day mission in Silago town — one of the hardest-hit areas where power infrastructure was severely damaged when the typhoon made landfall earlier this week.
The deployment is part of Task Force Kapatid, a nationwide initiative under the National Electrification Administration (NEA) that mobilizes electric cooperatives to assist fellow cooperatives affected by natural disasters. The initiative underscores the cooperative movement’s long-standing tradition of solidarity and mutual aid.
Even before joining the mission, Leyeco II’s “Warriors of Light” had been working round-the-clock within their own franchise area, repairing broken lines and restoring electricity to affected households in Tacloban City and nearby towns. Their extension of assistance to Southern Leyte’s electric cooperative (Soleco) highlights their dedication to helping communities beyond their jurisdiction.
“These brave men truly embody the spirit of bayanihan and selfless service. They are modern-day heroes who continue to bring light and hope to disaster-stricken communities,” Leyeco II said in a statement.
The cooperative also expressed appreciation to the linemen’s families for their support and sacrifice, acknowledging that their loved ones’ work often takes them far from home in the name of public service.
Through their courage and expertise, Leyeco II’s “Warriors of Light” continue to prove that in times of disaster, the true strength of the Filipino spirit shines brightest.
TACLOBAN CITY — Tingog Party-list Representative Jude Acidre has come to the defense of former House Speaker, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, saying it is unfair to draw conclusions based solely on speculation and unverified claims.
In an online interview, Acidre, who chairs the House committee on higher and technical education, called for sobriety amid allegations linking Romualdez to alleged irregularities in infrastructure projects, stressing that no credible evidence has yet been presented.
“There is no evidence that directly implicates Martin Romualdez in these controversies,” Acidre said on Friday, Nov.7. “It’s unfair for anyone to be judged based on mere speculation. It’s even possible that he had no knowledge of such matters. We should not make judgments without clear proof.”
The Tingog lawmaker underscored the importance of due process and urged the public to wait for verified findings before making assumptions. He also pointed to Romualdez’s record of public service, citing his leadership and contributions during his stint as Speaker of the House.
“Until there is factual evidence, people should withhold judgment. He has done so much for the country, especially during his time as Speaker,” Acidre added.
Romualdez has been accused of receiving kickbacks from alleged anomalous infrastructure deals. A Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing earlier featured a testimony from witness Orly Guteza, who claimed to have personally delivered suitcases of cash to Romualdez’s residence in McKinley Hill, Forbes Park, in December 2024.
The former Speaker has categorically denied the accusations, saying the claims were “fabricated and politically motivated.” He clarified that the property mentioned had been undergoing renovation since January 2024, and no other witnesses have come forward to support Guteza’s testimony.
STORM PREPARATIONS.Residents of Zone 5, Barangay San Roque, Mayorga, Leyte, are seen securing their homes as part of their preparations for the possible impact of Tropical Storm ‘Tino’. Their community, located along the coast, has been identified as a high-risk area. Local government authorities and police have urged residents to evacuate to safer ground as the storm continues to threaten the region. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
Evacuations, relief efforts intensified
STORM PREPARATIONS.Residents of Zone 5, Barangay San Roque, Mayorga, Leyte, are seen securing their homes as part of their preparations for the possible impact of Tropical Storm ‘Tino’. Their community, located along the coast, has been identified as a high-risk area. Local government authorities and police have urged residents to evacuate to safer ground as the storm continues to threaten the region. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
TACLOBAN CITY — Mandatory evacuations were carried out across Eastern Visayas on Monday, November 3, 2025, as local authorities and disaster response teams braced for the impact of Tropical Storm “Tino,” which threatened to bring destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges to the region.
In Tacloban City, Mayor Alfred Romualdez urged residents, especially those in coastal and low-lying areas, to prepare evacuation plans early and heed safety advisories.
“Let the government do its job to monitor and respond to those who are in need of help,” Romualdez said in a press briefing. He assured residents that the city government would work around the clock to safeguard public welfare.
The mayor had earlier issued Executive Order No. 2025-10-65, suspending classes and work in both public and private institutions from November 3 to 4, and enforcing a temporary liquor ban to maintain order during the storm response.
In Leyte, Governor Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla placed the entire province under red alert status and likewise suspended work and classes until Tuesday, November 4, as a precautionary measure.
As of November 2, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the region had prepositioned 121,331 family food packs, 20,664 non-food items, 18,473 ready-to-eat food boxes, and 4,950 bottled water supplies across strategic locations in the region for rapid deployment.
“These are readily available for augmentation to requesting local government units,” the agency said in a statement.
The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), led by Brigadier General Jason Capoy, also heightened its disaster readiness and mobilized personnel for possible rescue and relief operations.
“Let us all be careful. We must get through the night ready to deploy for search and rescue operations if needed. Make sure all communication lines are charged and open,” Capoy reminded police personnel in a statement.
He added that more than 1,800 members of the Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF) were on alert, with Women and Children Protection Desk officers deployed to evacuation centers to ensure the safety of evacuees.
The PRO-8 reported 2,757 evacuation centers across the region, with 108 currently occupied by 4,060 families—or 14,423 individuals—mostly from Southern Leyte, Biliran, and Ormoc City. Real-time monitoring of water levels, flood-prone areas, and road conditions continued, with all major roads and bridges still passable as of late evening.
In Guiuan, Eastern Samar—expected to bear the brunt of the storm—local authorities enforced mandatory evacuations and designated public buildings such as Sirungan han Guiuan, the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU)-Guiuan Campus, and St. Mary’s Academy classrooms as evacuation sites.
“The time to evacuate is now, while weather conditions are still favorable and safe for movement,” the Guiuan local government said in an advisory ahead of Tino’s expected landfall late Monday or early Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard reported three cancelled ship trips in San Ricardo and Liloan ports, leaving 489 passengers and 176 vehicles stranded in ports across Southern Leyte and Northern Samar.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 8 readied more than 800 field personnel and over 100 heavy equipment units to assist in road-clearing and rescue operations once the storm passes.
In Maasin City, the Diocese of Maasin opened the doors of Saint Joseph College to accommodate evacuees from nearby barangays. Monsignor Oscar Cadayona, the school president and vicar-general, said church institutions stand ready to assist displaced families.
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Southern Leyte Chapter also mobilized volunteers and equipment and joined a virtual pre-disaster conference with its national headquarters and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).
Meanwhile, the 14th Infantry Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Esmeraldo Sumalinog placed its disaster response units on standby in coordination with local MDRRMOs and police stations in Southern Leyte and Leyte.
“Our Avenger troops are fully ready to assist our local counterparts. We are working closely with LGUs to make sure communities are safe and informed,” Sumalinog said, emphasizing that the welfare of residents remains their top priority.
MARICULTURE PARK. Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez and his wife, Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres Gomez intently listens as they were being briefed on the establishment of a mariculture park in the city by Regional Director Dominador Maputol of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.(PHOTO COURTESY)
MARICULTURE PARK. Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez and his wife, Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres Gomez intently listens as they were being briefed on the establishment of a mariculture park in the city by Regional Director Dominador Maputol of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.(PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)in the region, in partnership with the city government of Ormoc, is set to launch the Ormoc Mariculture Park in December 2025 — a P12-million aquaculture initiative aimed at strengthening local fish production and providing sustainable livelihoods for fisherfolk in the city.
The project, to be implemented under the Aquaculture and Mariculture Expansion and Invigoration Project (AMEIP) and the BFAR Regular Fund – Cages for Livelihood Program, forms part of the government’s continuing efforts to modernize the fisheries sector and enhance food security in Eastern Visayas.
The mariculture park, located in Barangay San Juan, includes the installation of eight high-density polyethylene (HDPE) fish cages — four circular and four modular units — along with fingerlings, feeds for one cropping cycle, and harvest support materials.
It will directly benefit eight fisherfolk associations composed of more than 400 members. Beneficiaries will undergo technical and social preparation through financial literacy training, cooperative organizing, and hands-on aquaculture workshops to ensure the sustainability and profitability of their cage operations.
As part of its local counterpart, the Ormoc City government will provide 20 units of 5×5 bamboo cages for family-based aquaculture, extending the project’s reach to individual fisherfolk households.
During a planning meeting at the Ormoc City hall, BFAR 8 officer-in-charge Regional Director Dominador Maputol met with Rep. Richard Gomez, Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, Sangguniang Panlungsod Member Tomas Serafica, and other local officials to finalize the project’s implementation framework.
The meeting was also attended by representatives from BFAR’s Provincial Fisheries Office of Leyte, the Regional Fisheries Production and Support Services Division (FPSSD), and the Regional Fisheries Training and Fisherfolk Coordination Division (RFTFCD).
Director Maputol said the Ormoc Mariculture Park is envisioned not only to boost milkfish (bangus) production but also to promote polyculture systems, such as raising siganids (rabbitfish) alongside milkfish. He also proposed the future establishment of a city-managed feed mill to enhance Ormoc’s aquaculture value chain and reduce production costs.
The mariculture park is expected to begin operations by December 2025, with its first harvest projected by the second half of 2026. Once operational, it is estimated to contribute around 38 metric tons of additional milkfish production annually to the region, helping to stabilize local fish supply and improve income opportunities for fisherfolk.
The launch will coincide with the Ormoc Mariculture Forum, which will bring together service providers, aquaculture technology suppliers, cage fabricators, and fisherfolk groups. The event aims to foster collaboration, connect community beneficiaries with private partners, and promote innovation and sustainability in aquaculture.
Officials say the establishment of the mariculture park marks a significant step toward advancing sustainable aquaculture, increasing fish production, and creating inclusive livelihood opportunities for coastal communities in the 4th District of Leyte.
SCHOLARSHIP FUND. The provincial government of Eastern Samar, led by Gov. Ralph Vincent Evardone and his father, former governor Ben Evardone, initiated the third Isang Propesyonal, Isang Pamilya (IPIP) Invitational Golf Cup which collected P3.5 million which will help fund scholarship among poor but deserving students in the province.(THE PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE OF EASTERN SAMAR)
SCHOLARSHIP FUND. The provincial government of Eastern Samar, led by Gov. Ralph Vincent Evardone and his father, former governor Ben Evardone, initiated the third Isang Propesyonal, Isang Pamilya (IPIP) Invitational Golf Cup which collected P3.5 million which will help fund scholarship among poor but deserving students in the province.(THE PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE OF EASTERN SAMAR)
TACLOBAN CITY — The 3rd Isang Propesyonal, Isang Pamilya (IPIP) Invitational Golf Cup organized by the provincial government of Eastern Samar successfully raised P3.5 million during the tournament held on October 29 at the Valley Golf and Country Club in Antipolo City.
More than 120 golfers from both the government and private sectors participated in the fundraising event, demonstrating their support for the province’s flagship scholarship initiative, which aims to ensure that every Eastern Samar family has at least one member who earns a college degree.
The ceremonial tee-off was led by former governor Ben Evardone, Governor RV Evardone, Atty. Ryan Hornada, and Emmanuel Rapadas, president of the Waray-Waray Golfers Club, Inc., which co-organized the event.
According to IPIP focal person Emmanuel Arago, this year’s tournament exceeded its P3-million target, generating P3.5 million in total from registration fees and donations. In comparison, the inaugural IPIP Golf Cup raised P2 million, while the second edition generated P1.5 million.
Since the program’s launch, IPIP has produced more than 100 college graduates and currently supports 629 active scholars, each receiving a P3,000 monthly allowance to cover educational expenses.
Governor Evardone expressed gratitude to the participants and donors for their continued support, emphasizing that the proceeds directly benefit scholars from remote barangays and low-income families across the province.
“The generosity of our supporters ensures that more young Eastern Samareños can achieve their dreams of completing college and improving their families’ lives,” the governor said.
TACLOBAN CITY — The regional office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported that this year’s Bahandi Eastern Visayas Trade Fair generated P44.9 million in total cash and booked sales during its five-day run in Metro Manila.
DTI Regional Director Celerina Bato lauded the 140 participating local producers and entrepreneurs, noting that the event continues to highlight the region’s cultural and economic wealth.
“For more than three decades, Bahandi has celebrated the richness of Region 8’s culture and resources,” Bato said.
“It connects institutional buyers with local micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs whose products reflect the authenticity and artistry of island living. From handcrafted accessories to heritage-inspired housewares, Bahandi has become a vibrant platform where abundance meets opportunity,” she added.
According to DTI Regional Information Officer Anthea Aivi Borbon-Ancheta, best-selling food items included chocolate moron (sticky rice cake), vinegar, coconut sap juice drinks, and various local noodles such as ‘odong’, ‘misua’, and pancit canton.
Among the top-selling non-food products were pandan woven bags, Basey’s iconic tikog bags, and intricate shell crafts, reflecting the region’s craftsmanship and traditional artistry.
This year’s fair also spotlighted the coconut industry, recognized as the region’s most abundant resource. Through the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), a dedicated coconut pavilion was featured, showcasing high-value coconut-based products such as coco sap, vinegar, tuba (coconut wine), coco flour, desiccated coconut, balsamic vinegar, and bukayo/bukarillo (candied coconut strips).
Buyers also explored coco peat, mixed fertilizers, and planting implements made from coconut-based materials, underscoring the industry’s growing potential for sustainable livelihood.
DTI said the P44.9 million in sales “indicates a promising growth for local entrepreneurs and their communities,” adding that the gains are expected to spur sustainable production and increased employment opportunities in the region.
Now in its 37th year, Bahandi—a Binisayá term for “treasures” or “wealth”—has been DTI’s flagship trade fair in Eastern Visayas since 1987, serving as a premier venue for connecting local producers with national and international buyers.
