CATARMAN, Northern Samar – Dr. Emil Charles R. Robles, a renowned archaeologist from the University of the Philippines Diliman-School of Archaeology, is currently in Northern Samar to explore potential archaeological collaborations and study the province’s rich cultural history.

With support from the provincial government, Robles visited Mapanas and Palapag on January 22, 2025, where he examined the Sang-at Burial Site and Barangay Jubasan as well as Old Church Ruins, Baluarte, and Daungang Galeon, all in Palapag town.
His visit aims to assess these sites for future archaeological research and preservation efforts.

During his tour, Robles met with Mapanas Mayor Ronn Michael Tejano and Palapag Mayor Florencio Batula Jr., who both expressed strong support for initiatives that seek to protect and promote their towns’ historical landmarks.

He also engaged with local barangay officials and community members, emphasizing how archaeology can contribute to both academic research and local development.

Discussions focused on archaeological surveys, heritage preservation, and the establishment of educational programs to promote awareness of Northern Samar’s historical significance.

“It’s an honor to collaborate with local officials who are committed to preserving cultural heritage,” Robles said. “The archaeological potential of Mapanas and Palapag is immense, and through joint efforts, we can uncover and highlight the fascinating stories beneath the surface.”

The visit sets the stage for future partnerships between local government units, academic institutions, and the wider archaeological community.

Robles stressed the importance of an interdisciplinary approach, involving historians, scholars, and community leaders, to ensure the success of these projects.

Robles is part of the team of Filipino scientists who discovered Homo luzonensis, a human species that lived 67,000 years ago in the Philippines.

His extensive research on public archaeology in Samar has significantly contributed to cultural preservation efforts.

In 2018, he and his team documented archaeological sites and artifacts in the municipality of Lavezares, also in Northern Samar, further underscoring the region’s historical significance.

(THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF NORTHERN SAMAR)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has called on residents in Southern Leyte to avoid six areas in the province affected by landslides and rock fall caused by the recent magnitude 5.8 earthquake.

In an advisory issued Monday, Phivolcs said there are five earthquake-induced landslides and a rock fall documented by their team in the towns of San Francisco, Liloan and Pintuyan.

Specifically, landslides were recorded in Pres. Quezon village in Liloan; Malico, Tuno, and Pinamudlan villages in San Francisco town; and Nueva Estrella Norte and Nueva Estrella Sur villages in Pintuyan town.

Experts also documented a rock fall along Liloan Roadcut within the national highway that links Luzon to Mindanao.

“Avoid areas that may be affected by landslides that may be triggered by strong ground shaking or prolonged and heavy rain,” Phivolcs stated.

The agency said earthquake-induced landslides, rock falls, and other types of mass movement may occur on sloping terrains, specifically in mountainous or hilly areas.
Phivolcs issued the warning as Southern Leyte continued to experience aftershocks following the strong ground shaking on Jan. 23.

In the past three days, Phivolcs has recorded at least 20 plotted earthquakes in Southern Leyte.

“Southern Leyte and its neighboring provinces experience earthquakes as they are situated in one of the seismically active regions in the Archipelago. The presence of onshore and offshore active faults, particularly the Philippine Fault and its segments, generates high seismicity in the area. Additionally, there are local faults nearby, some potentially buried by recent deposits and have the potential to cause minor to strong earthquakes,” Phivolcs added.

The strong quake on Jan. 23 struck 10.01 km southeast of the municipality of San Francisco. (PNA)

PALO, Leyte– Leyte agricultural workers are being equipped to help farmers in the municipalities overcome weather season challenges through new technologies under Project SARAi or the Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines.

Through the Department of Science and Technology Region VIII (DOST 8), agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) from LGUs across the province of Leyte gathered for the Project Sarai training that equipped them with modern farming tools and knowledge to address the challenges being faced by the agriculture sector in the province.

SARAi assists farmers by letting them know what the weather would be like, what kind of crops they should plant for the season, what soil type they should use to improve their crops’ quality and yield, and what kinds of pests and diseases their crops are susceptible to.

Imelda Sievert, head of the Leyte Provincial Agriculturist Office, said the agricultural technologies and systems introduced to the farmers will help them maximize produce and increase the province’s agricultural productivity which has seen a slack in the past year.

“Our farmers are heavily affected by the changing climate, whether its El Nino or LaNina,” Sievert said

However, she noted that Leyte’s agricultural productivity had significantly improved to 9.4% in 2022-2023 from a -9.6% in 2021-2022.

In his message, DOST VIII Regional Director Dr. John Glenn D. Ocaña emphasized the agricultural challenges in the region and underscored the importance of adopting Project SARAi’s smart farming technologies in Eastern Visayas.

Project SARAi encompasses a variety of technologies such as the Automatic Weather Station (AWS), Water Assisted Irrigation Scheduling System (WAISS), Soil Profiling and Characterization, Banana Technology Application (BANATECH), Drought and Crop Assessment and Forecasting (DCAF), and SARAi Knowledge Portal.

Project SARAi was implemented by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), in collaboration with 11 state universities and colleges, and 6 national government agencies. It was funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) and was monitored by DOST-PCAARRD’s Agricultural Resources Management Research Division (ARMRD). (ACR)

TACLOBAN CITY – A 5.8-magnitude earthquake that struck San Francisco, Southern Leyte, on January 23 has affected 452 families or 1,726 individuals, according to a progress report from the municipal disaster risk reduction and management office (MDRRMO).

Of the town’s 22 barangays, only Tinaan, Ubos, and Central were spared from damage in what is considered the strongest earthquake to hit the province in two decades.

Fifteen families remain in evacuation centers, with 10 from Barangay Malico, four from Tuno, and one from Sta. Paz Norte. Some are housed in a gym in Barangay Marayag, while others are staying with relatives after their homes completely collapsed.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) attributed the quake to the movement of a local fault line.

A total of 15 houses were completely destroyed, while 437 sustained partial damage, with collapsed walls and ceilings.

The hardest-hit barangays include Malico with 10 totally damaged houses, 41 partially damaged; Tuno, 4 totally damaged houses, 92 partially damaged; Punta,4 totally damaged houses, 26 partially damaged; and Cuasi with 4 totally damaged houses, 77 partially damaged

Landslides were reported in five barangays: Malico, Tuno, Bongawisan, Gabi, and Sudmon.
In Bongawisan, where the town’s main water source is located, transmission lines were damaged, disrupting water supply across the municipality. A repair team was deployed on January 25 to restore services.

Roads and bridges in Sudmon, Habay, Sta. Paz Norte, and Gabi were also affected, while a flood control dike in Gabi sustained damage.

Several public buildings and schools suffered structural damage, including Sangguniang Bayan building, municipal gym, and municipal hall – visible cracks; Sudmon Elementary School – major retaining wall collapse, embankment damage; Bongawisan Elementary School – minor ceiling collapse; Napantao Elementary School – minor ceiling collapse; San Francisco Elementary School – minor cracks in two classrooms; and Marayag National High School – old classrooms at risk of ceiling collapse.

A church in Barangay Tuno and daycare centers in Malico and Cuasi also sustained damage.
The municipal government has declared a state of calamity to access its P7 million calamity fund, but the MDRRMO has yet to provide an official estimate of the total damage.

Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continue to distribute food and non-food assistance, including shelter kits, food packs, and hygiene kits for displaced residents.

(JOEY A. GABIETA with LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)