The Tactical Operations Group 8 (TOG 8) marked its 24th founding anniversary, celebrating more than two decades of mission, service, and partnership with the people of Eastern Visayas.

The celebration began with the blessing of newly acquired assets, representing TOG 8’s continuing efforts to strengthen its capabilities and readiness to respond whenever and wherever needed.

The program honored the Group’s history and accomplishments and recognized outstanding personnel, awardees, and valued stakeholders whose contributions have helped TOG 8 accomplish its mission.

At the heart of the celebration, however, were the people behind the mission the men and women who work quietly behind the scenes, whose names may not always be seen and whose efforts may not always be recognized, but whose dedication makes every mission and every accomplishment possible.

The occasion was graced by the Wing Commander, Tactical Operations Wing Central, as Guest of Honor and Speaker, who emphasized unity, commitment, and shared responsibility in accomplishing the mission and serving the nation.

As TOG 8 enters another year, it carries forward not only 24 years of history, but the dedication of its people, the trust of its partners, and a renewed commitment to serve Eastern Visayas. (PR)

CATARMAN, Northern Samar — Senior citizens here were urged to take a more active role in community affairs and local programs, with municipal officials emphasizing that their experience, knowledge and voices remain valuable to society.

The call was made during the culmination of the week-long celebration of Elderly Filipino Week 2026, which ended with a slogan-making contest among senior citizens’ associations at the Senior Citizens Building in Catarman.

Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) Head Merlyn Ambos and Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of Catarman (FSCAC) Vice President Carmen Mejia thanked the participants for their involvement in the activities, which began on Oct. 1.

They encouraged more senior citizens to participate in programs intended for their sector and in activities within their respective communities, stressing that older people have important contributions beyond receiving pensions and government assistance.
Senior citizens, they said, should be recognized not only for their participation in recreational activities but also for their wisdom, experiences and capacity to contribute to community development.

“Let us be active so that our voices continue to be heard, to show that even in old age, we still have contributions to society. Let us attend, especially spiritual activities, because these are important to us,” Ambos said.

The slogan-making contest carried the theme, “Elderly Filipinos: With Value and Rights, With Voice and Contribution to the Nation,” highlighting the dignity, rights and continuing role of older Filipinos in society.

Barangay Narra won first place, followed by Barangay Daganas in second place and Barangay Cervantes in third place. Barangay Acacia placed fourth, followed by Barangay Cawayan in fifth, Barangay Airport Village in sixth and Barangay Old Rizal in seventh.
Atty. Silver Jobi Ambos and Information Officer Rachel Arnaiz served as judges.
The activity was organized by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office through OSCA, in collaboration with FSCAC.

Under the administration of Mayor Dianne Rosales, the municipal government said it would continue strengthening programs for senior citizens, recognizing their important role in the community and promoting their active participation in local affairs.

(EUGENE M. ENANO)

TACLOBAN CITY — The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a measure seeking to strengthen safeguards for children against online exploitation, harmful content and other digital risks, with Tingog party-list lawmakers among its principal authors.

House Bill No. 11566, or the Children’s Digital Safety, Protection, and Well-Being Act, was approved on Tuesday, Oct. 6, and is intended to regulate children’s access to social media, online gaming and other covered digital services.

Tingog party-list Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez, Andrew Julian Romualdez and Jude Acidre are among the authors of the proposed legislation.

Under the bill, children below 13 years old would be prohibited from creating accounts or accessing covered digital services. Those aged 13 to 17 would be allowed to use such platforms only with parental consent and subject to safeguards against harmful content and features.

These safeguards include restrictions on targeted advertising, livestreaming, behavioral profiling, endless scrolling and gambling-like features that could expose minors to potentially harmful online experiences.

The measure would also require digital platforms to establish effective and privacy-preserving age-verification systems, with users’ ages to be re-verified at least twice a year.
Acidre said the proposed law recognizes the growing role of digital technology in children’s education, communication and social interaction but stressed that online platforms must also provide stronger protection for minors.

“Hindi na natin maihihiwalay ang internet at social media sa buhay ng ating mga anak… Our responsibility is to make sure that the digital world they grow up in is one where their safety and well-being are protected,” Acidre said.

He said parents have an important role in protecting children online, but digital platforms and technology companies must also share responsibility for ensuring a safer online environment.

The bill proposes the creation of an Office for Children’s Social Media and Digital Safety under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to oversee its implementation.

It also provides for educational and awareness programs for parents and caregivers to help them understand and address online risks faced by children.

Acidre said the measure is not intended to prevent children from benefiting from technology but to ensure that they can use digital platforms without being unnecessarily exposed to harm.

“Hindi naman natin gustong ilayo ang mga bata sa teknolohiya. We want them to enjoy its benefits… without being unnecessarily exposed to harm,” he said.

The House approval on second reading moves the measure closer to becoming law, subject to further legislative action and approval.

(JOEY A. GABIETA, LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, Northern Samar – The Department of Public Works and Highways Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office (DPWH-NSSDEO) participated in the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the implementation of the Farm-to-Market Road Development Program (FMRDP) funded under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for Fiscal Year 2026.

The MOA signing ceremony was held on October 2, 2026, at Madison Park Hotel, San Jose, Tacloban City, Leyte, pursuant to Department Order No. 14, s. 2024, and the amended DPWH-DA Memorandum of Agreement dated June 2, 2026.

The activity was attended and witnessed by key officials including DPWH NSSDEO District Engineer Atty. Arthur Eric L. Sabong and OIC- Assistant District Engineer Francisco Y. Tanala of DPWH NSSDEO. Also in attendance were DPWH Regional Office VIII Assistant Regional Director Ma. Margarita C. Junia; Department of Agriculture Field Office VIII, OIC Regional Technical Director for Operations Francisco C. Rosaroso, JD; and OIC-Regional Executive Director Rodel G. Macapanas, CESE.

The FMRDP aims to improve connectivity between agricultural production areas and markets by providing and upgrading farm-to-market roads, facilitating the efficient transport of agricultural products, and supporting the livelihood and economic development of farming communities.

Through the partnership between DPWH and DA, the program strengthens inter-agency collaboration in delivering vital infrastructure that will benefit farmers, local communities, and the agricultural sector of Northern Samar.

(Jinky A. Dela Cruz/PR)

TACLOBAN CITY — The city government of Borongan has secured a P1.4-million grant from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to expand its Smart City Borongan program, with satellite internet connectivity in remote communities identified as a priority for its fourth year.

The grant was formally awarded on Oct. 6 during the opening of the Regional Smart Communities Exposition and Networking Engagement (rSCENE) in Catbalogan City under the DOST’s Smart and Sustainable Cities Program (SSCP).

Atty. Jamaila Aboy, who represented Borongan Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda, received the grant together with DOST Eastern Samar Provincial Science and Technology Office Director Arnaldo Amosco.

For the program’s fourth year, the city government will focus on installing satellite internet connectivity systems in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), particularly communities where limited communication infrastructure has affected access to information and government services.

The city government said the project is expected to strengthen emergency response in communities affected by natural disasters by providing more reliable communication facilities.

The satellite connectivity will also support residents in accessing government social services through digital platforms and provide learners in interior barangays with improved internet access for education.

Borongan showcased its previous smart city initiatives during the rSCENE, including the use of digital technology to improve business registration, healthcare services and transport systems.

The Smart City Borongan program seeks to improve government service delivery and make public utility systems more efficient through the use of science and technology.
The initiative is also intended to help the city address challenges in delivering essential services to communities that are difficult to reach because of geographic and infrastructure limitations.

The DOST grant will allow Borongan to build on its previous smart city initiatives while expanding digital connectivity to more communities, particularly those most vulnerable during emergencies.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)