FUEL ASSISTANCE.The municipal government of Arteche,Eastern Samar rolls out a fuel voucher program benefiting at least 114 tricycle drivers, providing P1,000 worth of fuel assistance through vouchers to help cushion the impact of rising oil prices, with plans to expand the initiative to other transport and fishing sectors. (ARTECHE LOVES YOU)
FUEL ASSISTANCE.The municipal government of Arteche,Eastern Samar rolls out a fuel voucher program benefiting at least 114 tricycle drivers, providing P1,000 worth of fuel assistance through vouchers to help cushion the impact of rising oil prices, with plans to expand the initiative to other transport and fishing sectors. (ARTECHE LOVES YOU)
TACLOBAN CITY — The municipal government of Arteche in Eastern Samar has launched a localized fuel subsidy program to cushion the impact of rising oil prices on tricycle drivers, marking one of several grassroots initiatives in Eastern Visayas aimed at supporting the transport sector.
The program, known as the Toda Gas Incentive Fund, targets at least 114 registered tricycle drivers in the town who have been affected by the continued surge in fuel costs, largely driven by global supply constraints and tensions in the Middle East.
Vice Mayor Roland Boie Evardone said each qualified beneficiary will receive P1,000 worth of assistance in the form of fuel vouchers. The aid will be distributed in increments of P 200 per voucher to ensure that it is used solely for fuel purchases.
Local officials said the voucher system was adopted to guarantee that the subsidy directly addresses the drivers’ operational needs, preventing misuse of funds.
While the initial rollout covers tricycle drivers, the local government is also exploring the expansion of the program to other sectors, including habal-habal drivers, motorboat operators, and registered fishing boat owners. Profiling of potential beneficiaries is currently underway to determine the scope of the possible expansion.
The initiative comes as local governments across the region seek to mitigate the economic impact of fluctuating fuel prices on vulnerable sectors.
OEVA AWARDS. Department of Tourism Regional Office VIII (DOT-8) Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes and Tingog Partylist Representative Alexis Yu lead the launching of the Outstanding Eastern Visayan Awards (OEVA), a new initiative honoring exemplary individuals in the region. The event highlights the importance of recognizing contributions in public service, education, entrepreneurship, and other fields that promote Eastern Visayas development. Also in photo is Ahlette Reyes of the Philippine Information Agency-8 (PIA-8) who served as moderator during the program.(DOT-EASTERN VISAYAS)
OEVA AWARDS. Department of Tourism Regional Office VIII (DOT-8) Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes and Tingog Partylist Representative Alexis Yu lead the launching of the Outstanding Eastern Visayan Awards (OEVA), a new initiative honoring exemplary individuals in the region. The event highlights the importance of recognizing contributions in public service, education, entrepreneurship, and other fields that promote Eastern Visayas development. Also in photo is Ahlette Reyes of the Philippine Information Agency-8 (PIA-8) who served as moderator during the program.(DOT-EASTERN VISAYAS)
TACLOBAN CITY — In a bid to highlight the achievements of Eastern Visayans and strengthen regional pride, the Department of Tourism Regional Office VIII (DOT-8), in partnership with Tingog Partylist, has launched a new recognition program that will honor outstanding individuals contributing to the region’s development.
The initiative, dubbed the Outstanding Eastern Visayan Awards (OEVA), seeks to recognize residents who have shown exemplary performance in leadership, public service, and other fields that have significantly impacted communities across Eastern Visayas.
DOT-8 Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said the awards are not only about recognition but also about telling the stories of individuals whose work reflects the region’s identity and progress.
“When we talk about awards in Eastern Visayas, we realize—there are many, and they matter. But beyond the programs and performance indicators, there are people. These are stories worth telling again and again—stories that can inspire a young student, a budding entrepreneur, or a dreamer to believe that excellence is possible here at home,” Tiopes said.
She emphasized that the OEVA aligns with DOT’s broader tourism vision of promoting people-centered destinations, where culture, identity, and human stories are placed at the forefront.
“Tourism is not just about places—it is about people, stories, and identity. When visitors come to Eastern Visayas, what they remember most are the people—their strength, creativity, and excellence,” she added.
Tiopes also clarified that the awards will not be based on popularity, stressing that nominees will undergo a formal screening process and will be evaluated by a panel of judges from various sectors.
The OEVA will recognize individuals in several categories, including public service, entrepreneurship, education, healthcare, science, environmental sustainability, arts and culture, youth leadership, journalism and communication, as well as faith and philanthropy. The selection body may also confer special distinctions such as the Outstanding Legacy of Excellence and the Regional Distinction Award.
Tingog Partylist representative Alexis Yu said the program aims to highlight individuals whose contributions embody leadership, integrity, and service to the public.
Nominations for the OEVA opened on April 10 and will run until May 15. The awarding ceremony is set for June 27.
Interested nominators may submit entries through the official OEVA social media page or at the DOT-8 regional office.
TACLOBAN CITY — The municipal government of Arteche in Eastern Samar has launched a localized fuel subsidy program to cushion the impact of rising oil prices on tricycle drivers, marking one of several grassroots initiatives in Eastern Visayas aimed at supporting the transport sector.
The program, known as the Toda Gas Incentive Fund, targets at least 114 registered tricycle drivers in the town who have been affected by the continued surge in fuel costs, largely driven by global supply constraints and tensions in the Middle East.
Vice Mayor Roland Boie Evardone said each qualified beneficiary will receive P1,000 worth of assistance in the form of fuel vouchers. The aid will be distributed in increments of P 200 per voucher to ensure that it is used solely for fuel purchases.
Local officials said the voucher system was adopted to guarantee that the subsidy directly addresses the drivers’ operational needs, preventing misuse of funds.
While the initial rollout covers tricycle drivers, the local government is also exploring the expansion of the program to other sectors, including habal-habal drivers, motorboat operators, and registered fishing boat owners. Profiling of potential beneficiaries is currently underway to determine the scope of the possible expansion.
The initiative comes as local governments across the region seek to mitigate the economic impact of fluctuating fuel prices on vulnerable sectors.
SAFER CITIES. Police personnel under Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) intensify the enforcement of local ordinances across Eastern Visayas as part of the “Safer Cities” initiative of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The campaign has so far recorded 336 violators, mostly for curfew violations, drinking in public places, half-nakedness in public areas, and late-night videoke disturbances.(PRO-8)
SAFER CITIES. Police personnel under Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) intensify the enforcement of local ordinances across Eastern Visayas as part of the “Safer Cities” initiative of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The campaign has so far recorded 336 violators, mostly for curfew violations, drinking in public places, half-nakedness in public areas, and late-night videoke disturbances.(PRO-8)
TACLOBAN CITY — Police authorities in Eastern Visayas have intensified the enforcement of local ordinances, resulting in 336 violators as part of a region-wide campaign to strengthen public order and community safety.
The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), led by B/Gen. Jason Capoy, carried out the drive in support of the “Safer Cities” initiative of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Data from PRO-8 showed that most of the recorded violations were curfew-related, totaling 238 cases. Other offenses included 54 incidents of drinking in public places, 35 cases involving half-naked individuals in public areas, and 9 complaints over late-night videoke disturbances.
Of the total number of violators, 50 were fined while 286 were reprimanded in accordance with existing provincial, city, and municipal ordinances.
Police officials said the campaign targets minor infractions that could potentially lead to more serious crimes if left unchecked, underscoring the importance of discipline at the community level.
Capoy emphasized that maintaining order begins with compliance to local laws, noting that consistent enforcement helps create safer and more peaceful communities across the region.
PRO-8 also urged residents to remain law-abiding and to cooperate with authorities, stressing that public participation is key to sustaining peace and order in Eastern Visayas.
KAN-ANAN SA ISLA. Local officials and community members in Naval, Biliran lead on April 11 the launch of “Kan-anan sa Isla,” a community-based tourism and livelihood initiative in Higatangan Island. The program provides a venue for residents to sell local food products and offer services such as massage and grooming, aiming to boost island livelihood and sustain tourism activities amid efforts to position Higatangan as an emerging destination in the province.(LGU NAVAL)
KAN-ANAN SA ISLA. Local officials and community members in Naval, Biliran lead on April 11 the launch of “Kan-anan sa Isla,” a community-based tourism and livelihood initiative in Higatangan Island. The program provides a venue for residents to sell local food products and offer services such as massage and grooming, aiming to boost island livelihood and sustain tourism activities amid efforts to position Higatangan as an emerging destination in the province.(LGU NAVAL)
TACLOBAN CITY — Residents of Higatangan Island in Naval, Biliran now have a new platform to showcase local products and services following the launch of a community-based tourism and livelihood initiative dubbed “Kan-anan sa Isla” on April 11.
The program, spearheaded by the municipal government of Naval, aims to strengthen local enterprises while promoting the island as a weekend destination for both residents and visitors.
The initiative was rolled out in place of the canceled Higatangan Island Summer Festival, which local authorities called off this year due to concerns over the prevailing fuel crisis.
Local officials, including members of the Sangguniang Bayan and barangay councils of Mabini and Libertad, joined the opening ceremony in support of the project.
“Kan-anan sa Isla” serves as a weekly gathering hub where local vendors sell food products and offer services such as massage and basic grooming, providing additional income opportunities for small entrepreneurs on the island.
The Naval local government unit said the activity will be held every Saturday until May 30, 2026, as part of sustained efforts to revive tourism activity and support community livelihoods.
Officials expressed optimism that the initiative will help position Higatangan Island as an emerging tourism destination in Biliran while strengthening grassroots economic activity.
MALAMPAYA FUND. House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan proposes using government earnings from the Malampaya Deep Water Gas-to-Power Project to fund the Philippine National Oil Company’s planned coastal fuel storage facilities, aimed at strengthening energy security and ensuring buffer stocks during supply disruptions, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao.
(PHOTO COURTESY)
MALAMPAYA FUND. House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan proposes using government earnings from the Malampaya Deep Water Gas-to-Power Project to fund the Philippine National Oil Company’s planned coastal fuel storage facilities, aimed at strengthening energy security and ensuring buffer stocks during supply disruptions, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao. (PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY — House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan is proposing the use of government earnings from the Malampaya Deep Water Gas-to-Power Project to finance a planned fuel storage program of the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC), aimed at strengthening the country’s energy security.
Rep. Libanan of the 4Ps party-list group, said the royalties generated from Malampaya could support the establishment of coastal petroleum storage facilities, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao, to serve as buffer stocks during fuel supply disruptions.
He expressed optimism that Malampaya will continue to yield billions in annual revenues following the successful drilling of two additional gas wells. These funds, he noted, are intended for energy development and could be redirected to support PNOC’s long-term infrastructure plans.
Data from the government’s Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing showed that royalties from the Malampaya project reached around P200 billion from 2014 to 2024, averaging P18.2 billion annually. The government receives a 60 percent share of the project’s net proceeds.
To help fund the initiative, Libanan also suggested allowing PNOC to retain a larger portion of its earnings, instead of remitting at least half as dividends as required by law, subject to presidential approval.
PNOC derives income mainly through its subsidiary, PNOC Exploration Corporation, which holds a 10 percent stake in the Malampaya project.
Meanwhile, Prime Energy Resources Development B.V. said two new wells are expected to begin supplying gas by the fourth quarter of 2026, potentially extending the lifespan of the gas field.
The Malampaya project remains a key component of the country’s energy mix, supplying about 20 percent of Luzon’s electricity and helping reduce dependence on imported fuel.
