TACLOBAN CITY — Students from the Eastern Visayas Regional Science High School brought home top honors at the 14th Regional Congress Search for SEAMEO Young Scientists (SSYS), held February 9–12, 2026, in Penang, Malaysia.
Competing against young researchers from across Southeast Asia, the EVRSHS delegation received the Best Project Report award, including one Gold and two Bronze recognitions for their innovative research projects.
The Gold Award went to the team behind “Project Plast-Mag Trap”, composed of Georgia P. Quiapo, Anneka Emery T. Mabansag, and Viance L. Gabutin. Two other teams earned Bronze Awards: “Project SHIELD” with Yelena Anika C. Cui, Maria Lourdes D. Cale, and Ayesha Viel D. Pelareja, and “Project SARE” with Cassandra Venice T. Bulan, James Morris C. Borasca, and Rhaine M. Belches.
School officials lauded the students’ dedication and hard work in representing the Philippines on the international stage.
EVRSHS also acknowledged the support of Sharee Ann Tan and the provincial government of Samar, noting that their assistance was crucial to the team’s participation and success.
TACLOBAN CITY — Electricity consumers will see higher transmission charges in their February 2026 power bills after rates for the January billing period increased by 13.55 percent, according to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).
Data released by NGCP showed that the overall average transmission rate rose to P1.5279 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), up from P1.3455 per kWh in the previous billing period.
Of the total rate, the ancillary services (AS) charge accounts for P0.6736 per kWh. AS costs cover support services sourced from the reserve market and from providers with bilateral contracts with NGCP to maintain grid stability and reliability.
Meanwhile, NGCP’s transmission wheeling rate—or the fee charged for delivering electricity through the transmission grid—stands at P0.6921 per kWh.
“For the February 2026 electric bill of power consumers, NGCP charges only around 69 centavos per kWh for the delivery of its services,” the grid operator said, emphasizing that its revenues are regulated and capped by the Energy Regulatory Commission.
Transmission charges for the January 2026 billing period are passed on to end-users by distribution utilities and electric cooperatives and are reflected in the February electricity bills.
DIGITAL SKILLS PASSPORT. Rep. Jude Acidre of Tingog party-list said that the digital skills passport being introduced by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is being supported by Congress, saying it could help address persistent job-skills mismatch and underemployment among Filipino workers.(FILE PHOTO)
DIGITAL SKILLS PASSPORT. Rep. Jude Acidre of Tingog party-list said that the digital skills passport being introduced by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is being supported by Congress, saying it could help address persistent job-skills mismatch and underemployment among Filipino workers.(FILE PHOTO)
TACLOBAN CITY — The rollout of a digital skills passport by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has gained support from House Committee on Higher and Technical Education Chair Rep. Jude Acidre, who said the initiative could help address persistent job-skills mismatch and underemployment among Filipino workers.
Acidre, co-chair of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), described the TESDA skills passport as a timely reform aligned with the commission’s final report, “Turning Point: A Decade of Necessary Reforms,” which called for urgent improvements in the country’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system.
The online platform allows learners and workers to securely store their training records, national certificates, and competencies in digital form. It also links users to scholarship opportunities, job matching services, and further training programs.
“As the nature of work continues to change, our skills systems must move faster and become more responsive,” Acidre said, noting that digital tools can help ensure workers’ qualifications are visible, portable, and recognized by employers.
Data from EDCOM II showed that employment rates among TVET graduates increased to 58 percent from 37 percent before training, one year after completion—highlighting TVET’s potential as a pathway to employment. However, the report also flagged weak alignment between scholarships, certifications, and actual labor market requirements, which may leave some graduates underemployed.
Acidre said the skills passport responds to the commission’s call for a learner-centered and industry-aligned TVET system, but stressed that reforms must go beyond expanding training slots.
“The challenge now is not simply expanding training, but ensuring that every credential earned leads to real employment,” he said.
He also underscored the need to strengthen implementation of measures such as the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act, which promotes industry-led training, apprenticeships, and upskilling.
Acidre maintained that TVET should be positioned as a credible route to decent work rather than a fallback option to higher education.
“With the right tools and policies in place, we can ensure that Filipino learners are equipped for the future of work,” he said.
ORMOC CITY — Four people, including the driver, were killed while several others were injured after a passenger van slammed into a parked flatbed truck in Basey, Samar early Tuesday morning, February 10.
The fatal crash occurred around 6:45 a.m. in Sitio Sugpuron, Barangay Balud, Basey. Police identified the fatalities as the van driver, alias “Rom,” 54, of Barangay Calaasni, Alangalang, Leyte; and passengers alias “Licia,” 71; alias “Mel”; and alias “Nimfa,” 57, of Borongan City.
Injured were alias “Jake,” 26, a government employee from San Gabriel, Borongan City; alias “Tom,” 28, a surveyor from Barangay Balud, Borongan City; alias “Exa,” 23, of Maypangdan, Borongan City; alias “Kathy,” 24, of Barangay Carayman, Calbayog City; alias “Ian,” 17, of Barangay Bato, Borongan City; and alias “Lian,” 24, of Barangay 2, Balangkayan, Eastern Samar. They were rushed to Basey District Hospital for treatment.
The vehicles involved were a Toyota Hiace commuter van operating under the “Duptours” UV Express service on the Borongan–Tacloban route, bearing plate number HAH 9752, and a flatbed truck with plate number ALA 8579 that was parked along the roadside.
In a report to the Police Regional Office 8, local police said they received information about the incident at around 7:50 a.m. and immediately dispatched personnel to the scene.
Initial investigation showed that the van was traveling from Borongan City toward Tacloban City when it allegedly swerved into the opposite lane upon reaching Barangay Balud and struck the parked truck.
Authorities sought assistance from the Municipal Health Office of Basey and the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) for further investigation.
Products of agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) across the province of Biliran are now sold at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Biliran Provincial Office. (DAR PHOTO)
Products of agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) across the province of Biliran are now sold at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Biliran Provincial Office. (DAR PHOTO)
NAVAL, Biliran – In its desire to increase the sales of agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations’ (ARBOs) products, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Biliran Provincial Office launched on Monday the “ARBOs Shelf.”
“ARBOs Shelf” is literally a shelf where products produced by the different ARBOs across the province are displayed for sale.
Maryvic Cempron, chief of the Program Beneficiaries Development Division (PBDD) at DAR Biliran, disclosed that Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO II) Thelma Alba provided a corner near the office’s entrance for this purpose, to be visible for everyone, particularly visitors. A first in Eastern Visayas.
“This is one way of helping our ARBOs promote and market their products,” said Cempron. “Anyhow, it was we, in cooperation with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), who helped them develop those products for their livelihood,” she added.
Initially, products that are currently available in the “shelf” are: coco vinegar produced by Villaconsuelo Tree Planters Agriculture Cooperative, ‘sapin-sapin’ (Imelda Agrarian Reform Cooperative), banana chips (Lico Agrarian Reform Cooperative), romblon bags (Looc Cabucgayan Agrarian Reform Cooperative), ‘atsara’, plain and spiced vinegar (Balaquid Agrarian Reform Cooperative), and other products within the agrarian reform community (ARC) areas.
During the opening day alone, the “shelf” was able to register P5,495 in sales from employees and clients.
Last year, ARBO products in said province were able to generate P2,758,458.40 through orders, trade fairs and by linking them to institutional buyers.
This year, Cempron stressed that DAR Biliran is looking forward to hit the P3-million mark by December. To achieve this, DAR-Biliran will soon be going online in marketing ARBO products.
Cempron’s division find ways to identify the necessary support services that would help agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) improve their quality of life through increased production and higher income. Every ARB is encouraged to join ARBO where various government assistance are being poured.
GOOD LUCK. This year’s representative of Leyte to the Miss Universe-Philippines, Kareyl May Cabahug, will bring with herself in the Miss Universe Philippines competition smart and sustainable modern farming through biotechnology, highlighting Leyte’s agricultural roots. Photo shows the beauty queen with Leyte Gov. Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla during her recent visit to the governor at his office. (PHOTO COURTESY)
GOOD LUCK. This year’s representative of Leyte to the Miss Universe-Philippines, Kareyl May Cabahug, will bring with herself in the Miss Universe Philippines competition smart and sustainable modern farming through biotechnology, highlighting Leyte’s agricultural roots. Photo shows the beauty queen with Leyte Gov. Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla during her recent visit to the governor at his office. (PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY — Armed with a strong agricultural advocacy and the support of fellow Leyteños, Miss Universe Philippines–Leyte Kareyl May Cabahug is stepping onto the national stage for the 2026 pageant.
Cabahug, a Biotechnology graduate of Visayas State University and a native of Javier, Leyte, will represent the province in the Miss Universe Philippines competition. She is championing smart and sustainable modern farming through biotechnology, highlighting Leyte’s agricultural roots.
“As a province rooted in agriculture, it is important that we embrace smart and sustainable methods that can uplift our farmers and protect our resources,” she said.
The upcoming competition marks her first national pageant stint. While admitting she feels both nervous and excited, Cabahug said she draws strength from the overwhelming support of her kababayans.
She is currently focusing on personality development, particularly the question-and-answer portion, as she prepares to compete against seasoned candidates. Despite the pressure of representing a province known for producing national and international beauty queens, Cabahug said she is determined to carry Leyte’s pride with confidence.
