TACLOBAN CITY – The Provincial Government of Northern Samar (PGNS) has awarded 31 nursing students with scholarships under its newly launched PGNS Nursing Scholarship Program (PGNS NSP).

The program covers tuition fees, learning expenses, stipends, and allowances to support aspiring nurses in their education.

Governor Edwin Ongchuan initiated the scholarship to address the shortage of healthcare workers in the province and help achieve the Department of Health’s ideal nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:12.

The program aims to provide financial assistance to indigent but deserving nursing students, enabling them to complete their degrees and improve their economic conditions.
Clarice Morillo from San Roque town, the scholarship is a lifeline to fulfilling her dream.

“As a farmer’s daughter, I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to finish my course because nursing is financially demanding. But with this scholarship and my determination, I am hopeful that I will graduate and become the first nurse in my family,” she said.

Another scholar, Ike Kent Caimol from Brgy. 1, Rosario, shared how the program has given him hope.

“Coming from a humble background, this scholarship gives me a new opportunity to pursue my dream in healthcare. I will be forever grateful to my province and our governor for helping me achieve my career goals.”

The PGNS NSP was established through an ordinance authored by Board Member Gilbert Layon.

Governor Ongchuan approved the ordinance in late 2023, followed by the approval of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) in early 2024.

The provincial government allocated P6 million for the initial phase of the scholarship.
Out of 200 applicants, the PGNS NSP Board selected 40 candidates for interviews based on academic performance and financial need. After a panel interview and final assessment, 31 students were chosen for the scholarship.

The PGNS NSP Board is led by OIC Provincial Health Officer Ma. Aurora Dubongco, Provincial Administrator Atty. Efren Sabong, Atty. Mary Grace Royo, and the PGNS NSP Technical Working Group.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – In a move to enhance the operational capabilities of law enforcement across Eastern Visayas, the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO 8), led by Regional Director B/Gen. Jay Cumigad, conducted the ceremonial blessing and turnover of newly issued Philippine National Police (PNP) equipment at the PRO 8 Grandstand, Camp Kangleon, Palo, Leyte, on Monday, February 24.

The blessing of the new equipment was officiated by Major Rey Ibañez, regional pastoral officer, who led prayers for the safe and effective use of the newly procured personnel carriers, communication devices, and other essential gear.

Following the blessing, Cumigad, alongside the Command Group, officially turned over the equipment to representatives from Leyte Police Provincial Office, Samar PPO, Northern Samar PPO, Eastern Samar PPO, Ormoc City Police Office, Southern Leyte PPO, Biliran PPO, and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 8.

The distribution included 13 units of 4×4 Mitsubishi Triton personnel carriers; 36 units of VHF lowband handheld radios with accessories; 731 units of life vests; 731 units of hardhats; 433 units of raincoats; 450 PNP raincoats; and complete sets of search, rescue, and retrieval (SRR) equipment for the Tacloban City Police Office

In his speech, B/Gen. Cumigad emphasized the importance of equipping police forces with the necessary tools to carry out their duties effectively.

“These assets are critical in carrying out our duties with greater efficiency. Please ensure these are used properly so they may serve their purpose in the long run. These are not just tools or equipment but a symbol of our commitment to serving and protecting our communities,” he said.

The new equipment was funded through the Capability Enhancement Program (CEP) 2024, the Trust Receipts Fund, and the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2024.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY – To enhance disaster response coordination in Eastern Visayas, the regional offices of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) are rolling out a standardized disaster reporting system to improve situational assessments and emergency response efforts.

On Tuesday, Feb.25, officials from both agencies discussed the implementation of the harmonized disaster response reporting template which aims to streamline data submission for situational reports during disasters.

The initiative seeks to eliminate redundancies, minimize delays, and provide local government units (LGUs) with a more efficient reporting system for relaying critical disaster-related data to national government agencies.

The introduction of the harmonized disaster response reporting template marks a significant step toward a more coordinated and resilient disaster management system in Eastern Visayas.

With strengthened partnerships and a proactive approach, national and local agencies are working together to ensure a more responsive and efficient disaster response mechanism.
Engr. Duke Renz Peñaranda of DICT 8 presented the agency’s strategic roadmap for the pilot testing and monitoring of the template, which will initially be implemented in Biliran province.

The timeline includes: March 2025, capacity building and template deployment; March-April 2025, pilot testing and monitoring;May 2025, evaluation and refinement; and June 2025,policy integration and sustainability planning.

Representing DILG 8 were Engr. Romeo Faller, Jr. and Vher Kleo Atuel from the Disaster Resiliency and Environmental Protection Section (DREP), who pledged full support for the initiative.

They also proposed a face-to-face meeting with the core group before launching the training for capacity building and template deployment to ensure clear role assignments and a shared understanding among stakeholders.

The meeting was also attended by representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 8 and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) 8, reinforcing inter-agency collaboration for a more effective disaster response framework in the region.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)