TOLOSA, Leyte — Eastern Visayas is set to strengthen its disease surveillance and diagnostic capacity with the construction of a P900-million sub-national reference laboratory of the Department of Health (DOH) in this town, a project seen to significantly reduce the region’s dependence on testing facilities in Metro Manila and Cebu.

The facility, to be known as the DOH Sub-National Reference Laboratory – Eastern Visayas, will be built on a local government–acquired lot in Barangay Telegrafo with a land area of more than 600 square meters.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa led the groundbreaking ceremony, highlighting the laboratory’s role in faster confirmation of bacterial and viral diseases, especially during outbreaks.

“This will not only help during confirmatory testing of samples during outbreaks but also address day-to-day needs, such as testing for safe and potable water,” Herbosa said.
He added that the funding and construction of the facility form part of the government’s commitment to fully implement the Universal Health Care (UHC) program, which aims to ensure that all Filipinos have access to quality and timely health services.

Although the laboratory will not treat patients, Herbosa stressed that its impact on public health will be substantial.

“This facility will have limited on-site activity, handling only samples and producing results rather than treating patients, yet it will have a significant impact on the community,” he said.

DOH officials noted that aside from disease testing, the laboratory may also be used for water testing to help prevent water-borne diseases and possible outbreaks by ensuring the safety of drinking water.

Mayor Erwin Ocaña welcomed the project, saying the laboratory will benefit not only Tolosa but also neighboring municipalities. He added that water-refilling station operators and local government units in nearby towns are expected to take advantage of the facility’s services.

According to the DOH, the regional laboratory is targeted for completion within three years. It will include a one-storey infectious laboratory building, a three-storey non-infectious laboratory and administration building, as well as support facilities such as a wastewater and sewage treatment system, waste holding area, cistern tank, and pump house.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) conducted a basketball clinic for the children of Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel on January 31, 2026, as part of its continuing efforts to promote youth development, family welfare, and healthy lifestyles within the police community.

Held at the PRO-8 gym inside Camp Ruperto K. Kangleon in Campetic, Palo, Leyte, the activity brought together young participants for guided training sessions and interactive drills designed to enhance physical fitness, teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship.
PRO-8 officials said the basketball clinic was not only intended to develop basic sports skills but also to instill positive values among the children of police personnel, including cooperation, respect, and perseverance—qualities seen as essential both on and off the court.

The activity also served as a venue to strengthen camaraderie among PNP families and to reinforce the regional police office’s commitment to the holistic well-being of its personnel and their dependents, beyond the demands of law enforcement duties.

Through initiatives such as sports clinics and youth-oriented programs, PRO-8 said it continues to encourage healthy recreational activities while fostering stronger bonds within the PNP community.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) has formally submitted its final report and a proposed 10-year National Education and Workforce Development Plan (NatPlan) 2026–2035 to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., marking a major step toward long-term reforms in the country’s education system.

The turnover at Malacañang Palace, conducted under Republic Act No. 11899, signals the transition from assessment to sustained, system-wide reform. The NatPlan, built on three years of nationwide and evidence-based evaluation, is intended to guide education policies, legislation, and budget priorities across administrations.

President Marcos received the report, titled “Turning Point: A Decade of Necessary Reform,” alongside key Cabinet officials and congressional leaders, including EDCOM II co-chairpersons from both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The final report highlights a sharp decline in learning proficiency as students progress through basic education. Data cited show that while about 30 percent of learners are proficient by Grade 3, proficiency drops to just over 1 percent by Grade 10 and below 1 percent by Grade 12, pointing to unaddressed learning gaps that worsen over time.

To address this, the NatPlan outlines priority reforms such as strengthening early childhood education, improving learner nutrition, decongesting classrooms, reducing teachers’ non-teaching workloads, and ending mass promotion practices that mask learning deficiencies.
The plan includes time-bound targets for 2028, 2031, and 2035 to restore learning proficiency and ensure assessment results reflect actual mastery. These reforms are supported by a record P1.37-trillion education budget for 2026, the highest in Philippine history and equivalent to 4.4 percent of gross domestic product.

EDCOM II leaders said the roadmap aims to translate evidence into concrete policy action to improve learning outcomes and ensure that no Filipino learner is left behind.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office has completed a new concrete road project connecting Barangay Luneta to Sitio Canuktan in La Paz, Leyte, significantly improving access and safety in the once difficult route.

District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura said the project involved the construction of a 2.64-lane-kilometer, five-meter-wide Portland Cement Concrete Pavement, along with drainage canals and stone masonry works.

The road now provides easier transport of agricultural products, better access to basic services, and safer daily travel for residents.

Barangay Luneta Chairman Gilbert Mercado thanked the DPWH, saying the two-lane farm-to-market road has made transporting goods, such as coconuts, easier and eliminated the need to rely on horses and manual labor.

He recalled that the road used to be rocky, muddy, and filled with potholes, making it impassable to vehicles, especially during rainy days due to the lack of proper drainage. Only horses and pedestrians could pass through at the time.

Funded under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, the P19.57-million project started on March 27, 2025, and was completed on October 23, 2025. The project was implemented by PYUKIE Construction Inc.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)