TACLOBAN CITY-A proposed measure seeking to extend the validity of Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) identification cards from three years to five years has passed second reading in the House of Representatives, a development expected to ease renewal burdens for thousands of Filipino professionals.

The lawmakers approved the measure on second reading House Bill 8876, which consolidates several proposals, including House Bill 6752 authored by former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and other legislators.

The bill aims to lengthen the validity period of PRC IDs from the current three years to five years.

Once enacted into law, the measure is expected to benefit licensed professionals such as teachers, nurses, engineers, and other PRC-registered workers by reducing the frequency of renewals.

Rep. Romualdez said the proposal seeks to lessen both the financial cost and inconvenience associated with repeated renewal processes. He added that extending the validity period would help professionals focus more on their work and public service rather than administrative requirements.

The proposed measure is also being pushed as part of broader efforts to streamline government services and reduce bureaucratic red tape.

The PRC regulates and licenses various professions in the Philippines, including educators, healthcare workers, architects, accountants, and engineers. PRC-issued identification cards currently require renewal every three years, often involving fees, documentary requirements, and continuing professional development (CPD) compliance.

If approved on third and final reading and eventually signed into law, the measure would amend existing PRC regulations to implement the longer five-year validity period nationwide.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Consumers may see a slight relief in their electricity bills this May 2026 after the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported a decrease in overall transmission rates for the April 2026 billing period, driven by lower wheeling and ancillary service charges.

NGCP said the average transmission rate went down by 8.80 percent to P1.5983 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) from March’s P1.7526/kWh.

The reduction was mainly attributed to lower transmission wheeling rates and ancillary services (AS) charges.

Wheeling rates, or the fees NGCP charges for delivering electricity through its transmission network, dropped by 14.16 percent—from P0.7022/kWh in March to P0.6028/kWh in April.
Ancillary services, which refer to reserve power and other support services used to maintain grid stability during supply-demand fluctuations, also declined by 5.02 percent to P0.8088/kWh from P0.8516/kWh in the previous billing period.

“For the May 2026 electric bill of end consumers, NGCP charges only 60 centavos per kWh for the delivery of its services,” the company said, noting that ancillary services still make up the bulk of transmission-related charges.

NGCP also emphasized that it does not earn from ancillary service charges, as these are passed directly to power generators and providers supplying grid support.

Transmission rates are reflected as part of the overall electricity bill paid by consumers, alongside generation and distribution charges.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The 2026 Pagdasig Awards once again highlighted excellence in Philippine journalism, recognizing outstanding journalists, broadcasters, news organizations, and digital platforms for their contribution to responsible and impactful media practice.

Now on its continued run since its establishment in 2021, the awards program—named after the Visayan word “pagdasig,” meaning “to inspire”—was initiated by communication students and educators from academic institutions in Eastern Visayas, particularly Leyte Normal University.

It has since grown into a platform that promotes journalistic integrity, public service, and truth-telling amid the rise of misinformation and digital disinformation.
Organizers said the annual event aims to encourage media practitioners to consistently produce meaningful and community-centered stories that inform, educate, and empower the public.

This year’s honorees included GMA Network, which was named Best TV Station, and 91.1 Love Radio, which received the Best Radio Station award in the regional category.
In the online category, the Leyte Samar Daily Express was recognized as Best Online News Site in the local and regional level, while its editor Joey Gabieta was awarded Best Online News Writer (Male category).

The Pagdasig Awards continues to position itself as a significant recognition body in Philippine media, celebrating excellence while inspiring the next generation of journalists.

(LANCE GABRIEL ENTERESO, LNU STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY — Close to 2,000 public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers across Eastern Visayas received financial assistance from the government as the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 8 (DSWD FO 8) conducted a simultaneous payout on May 8.

A total of 1,913 PUJ drivers were given P5,000 each under the cash assistance program aimed at helping transport workers cope with rising fuel prices, increasing daily operating costs, and other livelihood-related challenges in the transport sector.

The Tacloban City payout was led by DSWD Regional Director Grace Subong in coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Regional Office 8 (LTFRB RO 8), headed by Regional Director Gualberto Gualberto.

Officials from both agencies emphasized the importance of sustained government support for transport workers who continue to be affected by economic pressures.

Subong said the assistance reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that drivers and other transport stakeholders feel prioritized amid ongoing economic challenges.

Gualberto also expressed appreciation for the partnership with DSWD, assuring that programs supporting PUJ operators and drivers in the region will continue.

The simultaneous payout was conducted in nine DSWD Action Centers across Eastern Visayas, including Tacloban City, Ormoc City, Baybay City, Villaba in Leyte, Maasin City in Southern Leyte, and key locations in Samar and Northern Samar such as Calbayog City, Catbalogan City, Borongan City, and Catarman.

DSWD reported that a total of P9.565 million was distributed throughout the region, with payouts in Biliran and parts of Southern Leyte still ongoing.

The agency said the initiative underscores the government’s continued effort to provide timely and compassionate assistance to transport workers affected by economic hardships.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)