TACLOBAN CITY — Local governments across Eastern Visayas earned national recognition after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 8 named the 2025 Local Legislative Awards (LLA) regional winners and finalists, highlighting Sanggunians whose policy-making efforts have driven good governance and community development.

The Local Legislative Awards honor legislative bodies that exemplify effectiveness in crafting ordinances and resolutions aligned with transparency, accountability, and sustainable growth within their local government units.

In its announcement, DILG Region 8 congratulated the awardees, noting that their “dedication, innovation, and commitment continue to uplift governance standards across the region.” The office added that it looks forward to the continued leadership of local legislators as partners in strengthening good governance and genuine local autonomy.
The regional winners with their respective categories include: 1st–3rd class municipalities Category- regional champion: Kananga, Leyte; 1st runner-up: Naval, Biliran; and 2nd runner-up: Sogod, Southern Leyte.

4th–6th Class Municipalities Category: regional champion: Gamay, Northern Samar; 1st runner-up- Macrohon, Southern Leyte and 2nd runner-up: Babatngon, Leyte.
Independent Component City (ICC) Category: regional champion: Ormoc City.
In the component city category: regional champion- Maasin City; 1st runner-up, Calbayog City; and 2nd runner-up, Baybay City.

In the 2025 Local Legislative Awards, the regional finalists include 1st–3rd class municipalities, Dolores, Eastern Samar, Laoang, Northern Samar, and Basey, Samar.
In the 4th–6th class municipalities: Cabucgayan, Biliran; Salcedo, Eastern Samar; and Pinabacdao, Samar.

Component Cities: Borongan City and Highly Urbanized City, Tacloban City.
DILG-8 said the recognition of the region’s top-performing Sanggunians reflects Eastern Visayas’ growing commitment to strong and responsive legislation that directly benefits local communities.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

ORMOC CITY— A 22-year-old student was arrested by police on Wednesday morning after a local court issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with a direct assault case.

The suspect, identified only as “Joaquin,” single and a resident of Brgy. Sto. Niño, was apprehended at around 9:45 a.m. on November 26 in Brgy. Sto. Rosario, Naval, Biliran.

His arrest stemmed from a warrant of arrest dated October 23, 2025, issued by Judge Phenalyn Brazil-Abellar, presiding judge of the Municipal Trial Court, 8th Judicial Region, for the crime of direct assault upon an agent of a person in authority under Criminal Case No. 4506. The court recommended P10,000 bail for his temporary liberty.

According to the report, the accused was informed of the nature of the warrant and apprised of his constitutional rights in a language he fully understood.

The student was brought to the Naval Municipal Police Station for booking and proper documentation before being turned over to the court that issued the warrant.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY– Minimum wage workers and kasambahay in Eastern Visayas will get an increase through Wage Order No. RBVIII-25 for private workers and Wage Order No. RBVIII-DW-06 for kasambahay.

After a series of sectoral consultations in August and September and a public hearing on October 27, 2025, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board VIII issued Wage Order No. RBVIII-25 on November 10, 2025 granting a P35 daily minimum wage increase for workers in the private sector.

The wage increase will be implemented in two tranches, P17.00 effective on December 8, 2025 fifteen days after its publication on November 22, 2025 and the P18 second tranche will be effective on June 1, 2026. The increase brings the minimum wage rates to P440 from P405 for minimum wage workers in agriculture, cottage and handicraft, and in service/retail establishment employing one to ten workers. On the other hand, the wage rate for minimum wage workers in non-agriculture and service/retail establishment employing more than ten workers will be P470 from P435.

The new wage order was issued after a motu proprio review of the prevailing minimum wage rates as the Board did not receive a petition for wage increase. Wage Order No. RBVIII-25 cites existing socio-economic conditions that prompted the Board to grant the wage increase such as Consumer Price Index in the region, the 2023 Poverty Threshold, Gross Regional Domestic Product growth rate and the number of micro establishments and other socio-economic conditions of the region.

On the other hand, the new minimum wage rates for kasambahay employed in chartered cities and first class municipalities will be P6,400 after a P400 monthly increase, while the minimum wage rates for those working in other municipalities will be P5,800 after a P300 monthly increase. Wage Order No. RBVIII-DW-06 further provides that the wage increase applies to all domestic workers, whether on a live-in or live-out arrangement.

according to Republic Act No. 6727 otherwise known as the “Wage Rationalization Act”, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board VIII is mandated to determine and fix minimum wage rates applicable in their region, provinces or industries therein and to issue the corresponding wage orders. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY — The 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army has facilitated the dignified burial of a female New People’s Army (NPA) member killed in recent armed encounters in Gandara and San Jorge, Samar, underscoring its adherence to International Humanitarian Law (IHL) even in active conflict zones.

Troops recovered the body of the slain female rebel — who died during a firefight with soldiers of the 46th Infantry Battalion on November 22 — and worked for days to carry her remains on foot through rugged terrain while under threat of sporadic gunfire. The body was documented and handed over for a proper burial in accordance with IHL protocols.
The encounter unfolded when government forces were fired upon by remnants of the Yakal Platoon, Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Browser of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC). Three high-powered firearms were seized during the pursuit operations.

Aside from the burial facilitation, the 8ID also assisted a wounded rebel who fled the encounter site and voluntarily sought help from the barangay captain for security and medical treatment. He was turned over to the soldiers, who immediately evacuated him to a medical facility where he received treatment.

Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, 8th commander, said the Army remains committed to respecting human dignity regardless of ideology or affiliation.

“Our troops remain steadfast in upholding International Humanitarian Law. Even in the midst of conflict, we ensure that the rights of combatants and non-combatants alike are respected. A life lost is a tragedy, and a life saved is a step toward peace,” he said.

He added that the Army hopes the incident encourages remaining rebels to abandon armed struggle and return to peaceful civilian life.

The 8ID continues to coordinate with local government units, law enforcement agencies, and community partners to safeguard rural communities and promote sustained peace and development across Samar.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)