ORMOC CITY— A student was killed while several others were injured after a passenger van slammed into four parked vehicles and pedestrians along the roadside in Barangay Balud, Capoocan, Leyte early Tuesday morning, December 30, police said.

The fatality, identified as alias “Ron,” a student and resident of Barangay Balud, was pinned between vehicles during the collision. He was extricated by rescuers and rushed to Carigara District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival by Dr. Ma. Noeme Tuanquil.
Police identified the vehicle involved as a silver Toyota Hi-Ace passenger van (plate number DBA 2687) driven by alias “Rey,” 28, a resident of Villareal, Samar. The van was reportedly en route to Kananga, Leyte, when the accident occurred at around 5:14 a.m.

Initial investigation by the Capoocan Municipal Police Station (MPS) showed that the driver allegedly fell asleep while driving, causing the van to veer off course and hit four parked vehicles before striking pedestrians walking along the side of the road.

The parked vehicles damaged in the crash included a red Toyota Rush (plate number HAG 6302), a white Toyota Hilux (plate number HAC 4239), a blue Mitsubishi L-200 (plate number HAY 800), all registered to Leyte Cable Network Inc., and a motorcycle with sidecar (plate number 082405).

Three pedestrians were hit in the incident. Aside from the fatality, the other two—identified as alias “Chad,” of legal age, and alias “Aqui,” 73—were injured and brought to the Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) in Tacloban City for medical treatment.

Two passengers of the van, including a 9-year-old boy identified as alias “Jhon,” sustained minor injuries and were treated on site by responders from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO). Other passengers were reported unharmed.

Capoocan police chief PLT Sergio M. Llaneta III said the driver was taken into police custody for proper disposition, while the vehicles involved remained at the scene pending assessment of damages and completion of the investigation.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — A year into relying on the Lighterage Cargo Transport (LCT) route as Biliran’s main link to mainland Leyte, the Biliran Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) says it’s time for the national government to step up.

In a statement, the chamber praised the provincial government of Biliran for quickly establishing the barging system, which kept trade and mobility flowing when the province’s main bridge faced limits.

But the BCCI warned that a year of LCT operations has highlighted serious gaps in infrastructure and policy. Docking ports and access roads along the route remain inadequate, unsafe, and poorly equipped to handle sustained cargo operations.

“These deficiencies pose risks to public safety, damage vehicles and goods, slow logistics, and raise operational costs that ultimately affect consumers,” the statement said.
The business group also pointed out that the recently completed P30-million bridge repair only slightly increased its load capacity—from 5 tons to 15 tons—underscoring that LCT operations will continue to be needed in the near to medium term.

Because of this, BCCI is urging the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other relevant agencies to prioritize upgrading docking facilities, access roads, traffic management systems, and safety measures along the LCT corridor.

“These are no longer temporary fixes—they are essential economic infrastructure,” the group emphasized.

The prolonged reliance on the LCT route, BCCI added, continues to affect the province’s economy, from supply chains and market prices to investor confidence. The group also called for a clear, time-bound development plan with transparent funding and implementation schedules.

“The people of Biliran deserve infrastructure solutions that match the scale and urgency of the challenge,” the statement concluded.

The BCCI reaffirmed its commitment to working with government and private stakeholders to ensure the uninterrupted flow of goods, stable prices, and the overall well-being of Biliran’s economy.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Visayas saw a strong rebound in domestic tourism during the recent Christmas long break, with popular destinations in the region drawing tens of thousands of visitors, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT) central office.
In a statement released this week, the DOT said the surge reflects Filipinos’ growing confidence in local destinations and highlights tourism’s role in driving regional economic activity.

Data from the holiday period showed that Tacloban City recorded about 25,194 overnight guests from December 15 to 28, as returning residents and holiday travelers gathered for family reunions and Christmas festivities.

Meanwhile, Malajog Beach in Calbayog City emerged as the region’s top tourist draw, welcoming 56,543 visitors during the same period. Local tourism officials said the turnout underscores the rising appeal of Eastern Visayas’ coastal destinations, particularly in Samar, where beach resorts offered a “summer-like” escape during the holidays.

The DOT noted that the region’s performance mirrored a nationwide increase in domestic travel, with Filipinos flocking to beaches, heritage sites, mountain areas, and island destinations over the Christmas season.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said domestic tourism remains a key pillar of the industry, helping communities recover and sustain livelihoods.

“The Christmas holidays once again showed how Filipinos continue to explore and support our own destinations,” Frasco said, adding that domestic travel boosts local economies, strengthens national pride, and promotes more balanced tourism development across regions.

The DOT said the influx of holiday travelers also provided a welcome boost to local businesses, transport operators, and hospitality establishments, reinforcing Eastern Visayas’ potential as a competitive destination beyond the Christmas season.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Seeking to make public education more inclusive, the local government of Pinabacdao, Samar is moving to establish dedicated classrooms for children with special needs under its Special Needs Education (SNED) program, a first for the municipality.

As part of the initial steps, representatives from the Provincial Engineering Office and developmental pediatrics specialists conducted a site assessment on December 19, 2025, at Parasanon Elementary School and Quintin Quijano Sr. Agricultural School (QQSAS). The visit aimed to ensure that the proposed classrooms meet safety, accessibility, and child-friendly standards for learners with special needs.

Mayor Viannery Mabag said the initiative reflects the municipality’s commitment to recognizing and supporting all children, especially those who require specialized learning environments.

“This is a crucial first step to ensure every child in Pinabacdao is valued and given the opportunity to flourish,” Mabag said.

In preparation for the pilot implementation, 36 children from Pinabacdao underwent neurodevelopmental assessments in Tacloban City in partnership with CogniCare Psychological Center. Those identified with special needs will be enrolled in the municipality’s pilot SNED program.

The LGU has also begun strengthening its teaching force by sending public school teachers to SNED training programs, including Basic Filipino Sign Language, to ensure effective and inclusive instruction.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Police arrested the Eastern Visayas region’s fourth most wanted person during a joint operation in Barangay Guinadiongan, Capoocan, Leyte, on January 5, 2026, authorities said.

The suspect, identified by police as alias “Leo,” 30, a delivery boy and resident of Barangay Pinamopoan, Capoocan, was apprehended by virtue of a warrant of arrest for statutory rape issued on October 7, 2025. The court recommended no bail for his temporary liberty.
The arrest was carried out by personnel of the Capoocan Municipal Police Station, Regional Intelligence Unit 8 (RIU-8), Provincial Intelligence Team–Leyte, and the 2nd Leyte Provincial Mobile Force Company.

Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) Regional Director PB/Gen. Jason Capoy said the arrest reflects the police force’s intensified campaign against criminality and its focus on tracking down high-profile fugitives.

“The arrest of most wanted persons is vital to our law enforcement efforts. Their apprehension protects public safety and sends a clear message that no one is above the law,” Capoy said.

PRO-8 said it will continue strengthening intelligence gathering, police operations, and inter-agency coordination to help ensure safer communities across Eastern Visayas.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — In a move to strengthen public safety and disaster preparedness at the grassroots level, the local government of Palapag in Northern Samar and its local police have formalized their partnership through the implementation of Oplan Joint Community Action for Preparedness and Safety (JCAPS).

The partnership was sealed with the signing of a memorandum of agreement on January 7, 2025, at the Sangguniang Bayan Legislative Session Hall. Signatories included Palapag Mayor Florence “Fawa” Batula, Palapag Police Chief PCpt. Liborio Luces Jr., and other local officials.

Under the agreement, Oplan JCAPS aims to enhance coordination among the police, LGU, and municipal offices in law enforcement, peace and order, disaster preparedness and resilience, crime prevention, and community development.

PCpt. Luces underscored the importance of unity and shared responsibility among government agencies in ensuring public safety, while Mayor Batula expressed the local government’s full support for collaborative efforts that promote peace, preparedness, and the welfare of Palapagnons.

Oplan JCAPS serves as an inter-agency framework designed to build a safer, more prepared, and more resilient Palapag through coordinated action and proactive community engagement.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)