TACLOBAN CITY- Higher electricity costs contributed to the sharp acceleration of inflation in Eastern Visayas in July, with the region’s headline inflation rate rising to 8.3 percent from 7.0 percent in June, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The 1.3-percentage-point increase marked a reversal from the slowdown recorded in the previous month, when regional inflation eased from 8.2 percent in May to 7.0 percent in June.

In the PSA-8 July 2026 report, the uptrend in the overall inflation in the region was primarily brought about by the higher inflation rate in housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at 9.6 percent during the month from 5.4 percent in June 2026.
The increase came as households faced higher electricity bills following a rise in generation charges.

“A sharp increase in power charges driven by record Line Loss and Congestion Charges (LLCC) and higher prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market contributed to the acceleration of inflation in Eastern Visayas in July,” says PSA-8 chief statistical specialist Mae Almonte.

The region’s 11 electric cooperatives were earlier billed a combined P1.187 billion in the latest WESM-related charges, with P573.53 million, or nearly 48 percent, attributed to LLCC. This was more than double the P276.5 million recorded in June.

Electric cooperatives said the unprecedented LLCC was largely due to transmission constraints and power losses in the grid.

Higher charges came alongside increased WESM prices as several power plants temporarily shut down, supply in the Visayas grid tightened, and electricity demand remained high. These conditions resulted in several yellow and red alerts, pushing up prices in the spot market.

Another main driver to the upward trend of the regional inflation is the higher inflation rate in the heavily weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages, which increased to 7.7 percent in July 2026 from 6.7 percent in the previous month.

Higher prices of rice, fish and other essential food items pushed food inflation higher in Eastern Visayas in July 2026, with rice emerging as the main contributor to the region’s food price increase.

The regional food inflation rate accelerated during the month, largely due to the faster increase in rice prices. Rice inflation rose to 20.4 percent in July, up from 16.7 percent in June 2026.

Fish and other seafood also recorded a higher inflation rate at 8.2 percent, compared with 6.9 percent in the previous month, further contributing to the uptrend in regional food inflation.

The regional inflation rate remains significantly above the government’s target range of 2 to 4 percent. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has earlier projected that inflation in Eastern Visayas could remain above target through 2027, underscoring the need for continued monitoring of price pressures.

For consumers, the higher inflation rate means that prices continue to rise, although the extent varies across commodities. The latest figures reinforce the importance of managing household expenses as families cope with higher costs for essential goods and services.

The July inflation data also underscores the need for measures to stabilize electricity costs and strengthen the region’s energy supply as authorities work to protect consumers from further cost-of-living pressures.

(AHLETTE C. REYES, PIA-LEYTE)

ORMOC CITY — A 58-year-old construction worker who had been wanted for rape for nearly 26 years was arrested by police in Rodriguez (Montalban), Rizal, on August 29, 2026.

Police identified the suspect as Diosdado Pajares, alias “Dade,” a married construction worker and resident of Northern Samar. He was apprehended at about 5 p.m. at Sitio Pag-Asa, Melix Road, Barangay San Rafael, Rodriguez, Rizal.

The arrest was carried out by personnel of the 2nd Northern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company (2nd NSPMFC), serving as the lead unit, in coordination with the Rodriguez Municipal Police Station (MPS), Northern Samar Provincial Intelligence Unit (NSPIU), Regional Special Operations Unit (RSOU), and Lapinig MPS.

Pajares was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for rape under Republic Act No. 8353, also known as the Anti-Rape Law of 1997, dated November 7, 2000.

The warrant was issued by Judge Eustaquio Lagrimas, then presiding judge of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Gamay, Northern Samar, with recommended bail set at P60,000.
With the warrant issued nearly 26 years ago, Pajares had remained at large until his arrest on August 29.

Following his apprehension, he was brought to the Rodriguez MPS for proper disposition and further legal proceedings.

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)

ORMOC CITY — An explosion was reported aboard the motor tanker MTKR Matipuno at around 10:05 a.m. Tuesday, September 1, 2026, while the vessel was at GGC Port in Barangay Punta, Ormoc City, Leyte.

Personnel of the Coast Guard Station Western Leyte (CGSWL), Coast Guard Sub-Station Ormoc (CGSS Ormoc), and other concerned units noticed the sudden explosion and immediately established communication with the vessel.

The responding team coordinated the deployment of MBCA KCQ 3 to proceed to the tanker and assess the situation.

Upon arrival, the team inspected the vessel and conducted an initial investigation.
According to the vessel’s master, the explosion may have been caused by faulty electrical wiring involving the port and starboard windlass funnel board.

The vessel’s firefighting team immediately responded and successfully put out the fire.
No crew member was reported injured or killed in the incident.

Coast Guard personnel continued their assessment of the vessel as further investigation is being conducted to determine the exact cause of the explosion and the extent of any damage.

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Leyte provincial government is seeking stronger support for the province’s corn industry as it moves to raise farm productivity, improve farmers’ incomes and increase the supply of yellow corn for the growing feed industry.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Department Head Engr. Arvin Monge, together with Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Engr. Maria Lourdes Nadera, represented the provincial government during the opening of the National Sectoral Committee on Corn and Feed Crops (NSC-CFC) and Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) Region 8 Collaborative Dialogue-Meeting.

The meeting brought together stakeholders from the corn and feed crops sector to discuss industry concerns, strengthen coordination and identify measures to improve productivity and competitiveness.

Speaking on behalf of Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla, Monge highlighted Leyte’s contribution to corn production in Eastern Visayas and stressed the need for sustained assistance to farmers.

Data from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist showed that

Leyte had 17,123 hectares planted to corn and 20,569 registered corn farmers in 2024.
The province’s average yield for yellow corn ranges from 3.5 to 4 metric tons per hectare, with most production areas located in the Third District.

The municipalities of Calubian, Leyte, San Isidro, Tabango and Villaba account for nearly half of the province’s corn production areas, according to the OPA.

Monge also presented the provincial government’s Community Assistance Program (CAP), which provides production loans of P50,000 to P100,000 to qualified farmers and fisherfolk.
The financial assistance is complemented by technical support, including training programs, technology demonstrations and corn production demonstration farms aimed at improving farmers’ skills and productivity and encouraging more growers to engage in corn production.

Monge said access to affordable working capital, combined with appropriate technical assistance, could help corn farmers increase their production and income while contributing to the supply requirements of the feed industry.

The provincial government also committed to working with national government agencies, agricultural councils and other stakeholders to address the challenges facing corn farmers and maximize Leyte’s production potential.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)