TACLOBAN CITY-Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Region VIII is nearing the completion of its field validation efforts for Project SPLIT, currently ranking first nationwide in field validation status.
The region has validated 174,580 hectares out of a global scope of 206,436 hectares, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing land reform initiative.
Among the provinces in the region, Southern Leyte has achieved an impressive 101.92 percent field validation rate, having exceeded its target.
Northern Samar follows closely with 99.91 percent of its field validations completed. Both provinces are at the forefront of ensuring that Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) are accurately documented and provided with individual titles.
Biliran is also making significant progress, with 95.89 percent of its field validation completed, closely followed by Eastern Samar at 93.51 percent. Meanwhile, Leyte and Western Samar are catching up, with validation accomplishments of 83.13 percent and 79.14 percent, respectively.
Overall, Region VIII has reached 86.48 percent of its field validation target, making it a frontrunner in Project SPLIT’s national implementation.
As part of the project’s success, Region VIII has already distributed 10,067 e-titles to 10,481 ARBs, ensuring that these beneficiaries now hold individual land titles, a crucial step in securing their land ownership and advancing agrarian reform in the region.
With the region’s field validation nearing completion, DAR Region VIII remains committed to finalizing the remaining tasks, ensuring all ARBs receive their rightful land titles, and contributing to the success of Project SPLIT across the Philippines. (MARVIN ORQUIOLA/PR)
TOXIC TAHONG. At least 30 people, eight of them children, fell ill after eating ‘tahong’ or green mussels in Barangay Parasan, Daram in Samar on Wednesday, Sept.25. BFAR has issued advisory on the presence of red tide toxins in seven major body of waters including in Daram and Zumarraga where the victims bought the toxic tahong.
Amid red tide advisory
TOXIC TAHONG. At least 30 people, eight of them children, fell ill after eating ‘tahong’ or green mussels in Barangay Parasan, Daram in Samar on Wednesday, Sept.25. BFAR has issued advisory on the presence of red tide toxins in seven major body of waters including in Daram and Zumarraga where the victims bought the toxic tahong.
TACLOBAN CITY — At least 30 people, including eight children, fell ill after consuming green mussels, locally known as ‘tahong,’in Daram, Samar, on Wednesday, September 25.
According to reports from the Department of Health (DOH) regional office, all the victims are residents of Barangay Parasan.
They had eaten tahong harvested from the waters of Tinaogan, Zumarraga, also in Samar province.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) had previously issued a red tide advisory for seven major bodies of water in Eastern Visayas, warning of red tide contamination.
Both Daram and Zumarraga were identified as areas affected by the harmful algae.
Of the 30 victims, 19 were admitted to the Samar Provincial Hospital in Catbalogan City, including the eight children.
The remaining 11 were treated and discharged, returning to Parasan, an island village about 30 minutes by sea travel from the town center.
“The patients exhibited symptoms such as headaches, numbness in the body and extremities, dizziness, vomiting, and abdominal pain,” the DOH reported on Thursday, September 26.
Further investigation into the incident will be conducted by the DOH’s regional epidemiology and surveillance unit.
It was revealed that the family involved had been holding a novena and had brought three sacks of tahong from Tinaogan, Zumarraga, to serve as part of their meal. The mussels were later shared with neighbors around noon, leading to the outbreak.
The municipal government of Daram had previously issued warnings advising residents to refrain from consuming tahong until BFAR lifts the red tide advisory.
In its latest advisory issued on Wednesday, BFAR identified seven major bodies of water in the region contaminated with red tide.
Aside from Daram and Zumarraga, the affected areas include Cambatutay Bay in Tarangnan, Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar, Irong-Irong Bay in Catbalogan City, Maqueda Bay in Samar, and Carigara Bay in Leyte.
While the gathering and consumption of all types of shellfish from these areas are strictly prohibited, BFAR noted that fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs are still safe to eat—provided they are fresh, thoroughly cleaned, and their internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
ICC. The Department of Public Works and Highways reported the start of a feasibility study on the proposed International Convention Center in Tacloban City. Photo shows the perspective design of the proposed ICC.(DPWH-8)
ICC. The Department of Public Works and Highways reported the start of a feasibility study on the proposed International Convention Center in Tacloban City. Photo shows the perspective design of the proposed ICC.(DPWH-8)
TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the region has announced that the feasibility study for the proposed International Convention Center (ICC) in Tacloban City will begin this year, following the recent awarding of the contract.
Engr. Edgardo Tabacon, DPWH regional director, confirmed that funding for the study has already been allocated under the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The contract was awarded to a qualified bidder earlier this month, marking the official start of the project’s preliminary phase.
“The ICC, once realized, will serve as a world-class venue for hosting regional, national, and international events,” said Tabacon. “It represents a major opportunity for Tacloban City, which is poised to become a more future-ready and economically vibrant hub.”
The feasibility study, scheduled to be completed in 100 calendar days, will assess the project’s viability and lay the groundwork for its eventual implementation.
The ICC is planned to be constructed on the site of the former Leyte Park Hotel, which overlooks Cancabato Bay.
The proposed center, which is said to have a sitting capacity of 7,000, aims to provide a spacious environment that encourages social interaction, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas.
With the vision of becoming a catalyst for significant events, the ICC will offer a state-of-the-art venue for conferences, exhibitions, and cultural activities.
In line with the region’s climate, the project’s architectural design will incorporate resilient features, including aerodynamic forms to enhance natural airflow.
This aligns with the goal of ensuring that the structure can withstand the environmental conditions typical of Eastern Visayas.
The development of the ICC is expected to boost the economic growth of Region VIII, with Tacloban City positioned as a key player in both national and international arenas.
ORMOC CITY– A one-year-old girl sustained minor burns after a fire engulfed their home in Barangay Talisayan, Albuera, Leyte, on Sunday afternoon, September 15.
According to the police, the fire started around 1:00 pm while the child’s mother, identified as Jessa Cabintoy, was washing clothes nearby.
The child had been left in the care of her great-aunt, who was outside eating lunch when a neighbor alerted them that the house was on fire.
Upon hearing the alarm, the house occupants rushed inside to find the infant crying in the bedroom, having already suffered minor burns on her face and foot. Fortunately, they were able to rescue the child before the fire spread further.
The fire was brought under control by 1:30 pm and was fully extinguished 30 minutes later. The estimated damage caused by the fire is around P100,000.
The child was immediately taken to Gatchalian Hospital in Ormoc City for medical treatment.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
The garbage problem that plagues many towns and cities is not just an environmental issue, it reflects a deeper failure in governance and social responsibility. Despite numerous programs aimed at waste management, many streets remain littered, landfills overflow, and waterways choke on plastic. It’s time to hold everyone accountable—local governments, businesses, and citizens. Unless we shift from complacency to urgency, the garbage crisis will only grow more insurmountable.
One of the most glaring problems is the inefficiency of local waste management systems. Many towns and cities lack the infrastructure or the political will to implement sustainable solutions. Recycling programs, for instance, are often underfunded or poorly managed, leaving much of the collected waste to end up in dumpsites. Some municipalities even resort to open burning, worsening air pollution. The failure of these systems, then, degrades the environment.
Equally disturbing is the culture of irresponsibility among citizens. Many people continue to throw their trash indiscriminately, despite public campaigns and warnings. In some communities, garbage segregation is seen as more of an inconvenience than a civic duty. This lack of cooperation amplifies the problem, making even the best-designed waste management plans ineffective. Without a collective effort, no system can function as intended.
The private sector also bears a significant share of the blame. Businesses, especially those in the retail and fast-food industries, contribute heavily to the waste stream through excessive packaging and single-use plastics. While some companies have made strides toward more sustainable practices, the majority remain reluctant to shoulder the costs of green alternatives. It’s a troubling imbalance where profits are prioritized over environmental stewardship.
To address this problem, a multi-pronged approach is necessary. First, local governments need to overhaul waste management practices and ensure strict enforcement of environmental laws. Second, citizens must be more educated and held accountable for their role in the waste cycle. Finally, businesses should be incentivized—or mandated—to adopt more eco-friendly practices. If these steps are not taken, we risk leaving future generations buried in the waste of our own making.
The golden age of Philippine komiks in the 70s and 80s was an era of simple, but profound joy for millions of readers like me. The thrill of flipping through pages filled with heroic tales, mythological creatures, and moral dilemmas was unparalleled. Yet, the decline of this once-thriving industry is more than just nostalgia fading into obscurity; it’s a tragic loss of culture and an artistic legacy that we failed to preserve. I believe the death of this art form is a result of our collective failure to adapt and support an evolving creative industry.
Back in those days, I remember how sari-sari stores were a hub of excitement for komiks enthusiasts. People, including myself, would line up just to rent the latest issues of Wakasan, Hiwaga, among many others. For a few centavos, we were transported into worlds where Filipino values, heroism, and culture were deeply embedded. Those stories were not just entertainment; they were lessons on morality, bravery, and resilience. But as we entered the digital age, the industry didn’t adapt fast enough, and we as readers, too, let it slip through our fingers, choosing modern distractions over supporting what was once ours.
The shift from print to digital media played a significant role in this decline. Newer generations, who grew up with the internet and mobile devices, were no longer inclined to read printed komiks. In contrast, other countries like Japan managed to keep their manga industry alive by transitioning effectively into digital platforms. I can’t help but feel that if our own komiks creators and publishers had been more proactive in embracing technology, the industry might have survived, or even thrived, in this new era. We missed the opportunity to evolve and expand our audience.
Another factor contributing to the fall of the komiks industry was the lack of institutional support. During its peak, komiks were a grassroots phenomenon, supported by readers and small businesses like sari-sari stores. However, as media consumption diversified, there was no formal structure or substantial investment from the government or large publishing houses to keep the industry alive. I believe if there had been proper funding, grants, or even educational initiatives promoting komiks creation, the art form would have had a fighting chance against foreign entertainment, especially the deluge of Western comics and films.
What saddens me the most is that the stories that made komiks so appealing were distinctly Filipino. They were a mirror of our values, struggles, and victories as a people. Our love for folk heroes, supernatural beings, and tales of triumph over adversity was palpable on each page. Losing this part of our cultural identity is not just a loss of entertainment, but a severing of a link to our past. The younger generations are now growing up without these local narratives, being more exposed to foreign content that doesn’t always resonate with our history and culture.
Komiks in the Philippines was also a platform for aspiring writers and illustrators to showcase their talents. They were a launching pad for many creatives who eventually made a name for themselves both locally and internationally. I often wonder how many brilliant minds have been left untapped in recent years because the medium that once served as their entry point no longer exists. Without the komiks industry, we are losing not just readers but future artists, writers, and cultural storytellers.
I firmly believe that we must reinvest in our local creative industries. Komiks, in particular, should not be allowed to remain a relic of the past. If other countries can modernize their traditional art forms to fit into the digital age, then so can we. We need to create new platforms, whether online or in print, to make local content accessible once again. And just as importantly, we must reignite the interest in our youth, educating them about the cultural significance of komiks and encouraging them to explore this medium as both readers and creators.
Philippine komiks industry is not a lost cause. By reinvesting in this medium, providing institutional support, and harnessing modern technology, we can revive and modernize our komiks tradition. This isn’t just about bringing back an old industry; it’s about ensuring that future generations have access to uniquely Filipino stories, keeping our culture alive in the hearts and minds of our people.
