Bureau of Internal Revenue officials Michelle Petilla, chief of the Assessment Section, and Meg Reamico, Revenue Officer IV, brief Contract of Service personnel of the DPWH Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office on the One-Time Abatement of Taxes and/or Penalties for Micro Taxpayers during a briefing on Sept. 18, 2026.(L2DEO)
Bureau of Internal Revenue officials Michelle Petilla, chief of the Assessment Section, and Meg Reamico, Revenue Officer IV, brief Contract of Service personnel of the DPWH Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office on the One-Time Abatement of Taxes and/or Penalties for Micro Taxpayers during a briefing on Sept. 18, 2026.(L2DEO)
TACLOBAN CITY — Contract of Service (COS) personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office were briefed on tax compliance and a one-time tax abatement program aimed at helping micro taxpayers address penalties arising from non-compliance.
The briefing was conducted on Sept. 18, 2026, by the DPWH Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office (L2DEO) in coordination with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue District Office No. 88–Eastern Leyte and Biliran.
The activity focused on concerns involving COS personnel who had failed to update required tax documents and consequently incurred penalties.
DPWH L2DEO Administrative Section Chief Annabelle Asis urged personnel to use the briefing as an opportunity to better understand their tax obligations and the steps needed to address compliance concerns.
“This is an opportunity for us to be enlightened and become more aware of our tax obligations, particularly the penalties that may arise from non-compliance,” Asis said.
She expressed hope that the activity would help personnel understand the requirements and procedures they need to follow to settle their tax-related concerns.
The briefing was facilitated by Michelle Petilla, chief of the BIR Assessment Section, and Meg Reamico, Revenue Officer IV.
They discussed the applicable provisions, documentary requirements and procedures under the One-Time Abatement of Taxes and/or Penalties for Micro Taxpayers.
The activity also emphasized the importance of timely compliance and keeping tax records and requirements updated to prevent the accumulation of penalties.
The DPWH said the briefing was intended to equip COS personnel with information that would help them comply with their tax obligations and address existing tax-related concerns.
TACLOBAN CITY — Authorities have imposed a shellfish ban in parts of Leyte after seawater samples from Carigara Bay tested positive for Pyrodinium bahamense, a microorganism associated with paralytic shellfish poisoning.
The Sept. 29 advisory covers the coastal waters of Babatngon, San Miguel, Capoocan, Barugo and Carigara in Leyte.
The public has been advised to refrain from gathering, selling and consuming all types of shellfish and Acetes sp., locally known as “alamang,” harvested from the affected waters.
The shellfish ban also remains in effect in Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar, covering the coastal waters of General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani and Salcedo, after shellfish meat samples from the area tested positive for red tide toxins, according to Shellfish Bulletin No. 23, series of 2026.
Authorities said fish, squid, shrimp and crab harvested from the affected waters may still be consumed, provided they are fresh and properly prepared.
Consumers are advised to remove the internal organs, including the intestines and gills, and thoroughly wash the meat with running water before cooking.
Pyrodinium bahamense is a dinoflagellate capable of producing toxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning. The organism has previously been associated with harmful algal blooms in Eastern Visayas, including Carigara Bay.
Authorities continue to monitor the affected coastal waters and will issue updates should there be changes in the red tide conditions.
Businessman Eugene Tan, owner of the Air Authority Center–Tacloban, discusses the showroom’s focus on Carrier air-conditioning products, professional installation and after-sales service during its opening in Tacloban City. The new center serves households, offices and businesses in the city and nearby areas.
(Lizbeth Ann A. Abella)
Businessman Eugene Tan, owner of the Air Authority Center–Tacloban, discusses the showroom’s focus on Carrier air-conditioning products, professional installation and after-sales service during its opening in Tacloban City. The new center serves households, offices and businesses in the city and nearby areas. (Lizbeth Ann A. Abella)
TACLOBAN CITY — A new Carrier showroom has opened here in the city, with its owner seeking to address the need for accessible installation, maintenance and technical support for air-conditioning systems in the city and nearby areas.
The Air Authority Center–Tacloban, owned by businessman Eugene Tan, offers Carrier air-conditioning units for homes, offices and commercial establishments, along with installation, maintenance, genuine parts and technical assistance.
During the showroom’s opening held on Sept.28, Tan said his decision to establish the center was influenced by his more than two decades of experience using Carrier air-conditioning units.
“I didn’t just choose Carrier. I have been with Carrier,” Tan said, noting that some Carrier units in his home have been operating for more than 20 years.
Tan said that when he first began using air-conditioning systems, his home had units from four different brands. After about 18 years, he said, the Carrier units remained operational while some of the other units had already failed or reached the end of their service life.
The experience, he said, showed him that the initial purchase price should not be the only consideration when buying an air-conditioning system.
“Sometimes the cheapest purchase is not necessarily your cheapest investment,” Tan said, citing energy efficiency, durability, technology, reliability and long-term operating costs as factors consumers should consider.
Tan also said the establishment of the Tacloban center was partly prompted by his experience with delays in repairing and servicing air-conditioning equipment.
He said the center intends to provide customers with installation and servicing support after the purchase of their units, including access to genuine parts and technical assistance.
Carrier’s inverter systems adjust compressor speed based on cooling demand, a technology the company says can help maintain more consistent indoor temperatures and reduce energy consumption compared with conventional start-stop systems.
Tan urged consumers to consider the appropriate cooling capacity for their rooms, energy efficiency, installation requirements, maintenance needs, parts availability and after-sales support when choosing an air-conditioning system.
The showroom is expected to serve households, offices, businesses and other establishments in Tacloban City and neighboring areas.
“For us, the true value of any air conditioner is not measured by the day you buy it. It is measured by the years you enjoy,” Tan said.
Catarman, Northern Samar– To strengthen infrastructure maintenance and improve the district’s transportation network, the Department of Public Works and Highways Northern Samar First District Engineering Office (DPWH-NSFDEO) continues to intensify its routine road maintenance operations along various road sections within the 1st District of Northern Samar.
Among the maintenance activities being undertaken are vegetation control, pothole patching, canal cleaning, repainting of faded pavement markings, manual ditch cleaning, and other essential road maintenance works along all national roads under the jurisdiction.
Maintenance Chief Engineer Dahlia T. De Asis emphasized that these maintenance activities are conducted regularly as part of the Department’s Road preservation and upkeep program. She further noted that all Maintenance Point Persons (MPPs) were instructed to diligently monitor the condition, safety, and maintenance of all road sections within their respective areas of responsibility.
Meanwhile, District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio also inspects various road sections to monitor and ensure that national roads remain safe, passable and convenient for the travelling public, while minimizing risks and addressing potential hazards.
SCHOOL SECURITY. Police personnel meet with school officials in Catarman, Northern Samar, following the recovery of a .45-caliber pistol, four magazines and 10 rounds of ammunition from a minor student who was reportedly carrying the firearm inside a classroom on Oct. 1, 2026. The incident prompted authorities to strengthen security measures and coordination with schools to help ensure the safety of students and school personnel. (Photo Courtesy, PRO-8)
SCHOOL SECURITY. Police personnel meet with school officials in Catarman, Northern Samar, following the recovery of a .45-caliber pistol, four magazines and 10 rounds of ammunition from a minor student who was reportedly carrying the firearm inside a classroom on Oct. 1, 2026. The incident prompted authorities to strengthen security measures and coordination with schools to help ensure the safety of students and school personnel. (Photo Courtesy, PRO-8)
TACLOBAN CITY — A firearm and ammunition were recovered from a minor student after a fellow student reported that he was allegedly carrying a gun inside a classroom in Catarman, Northern Samar, prompting police to tighten security coordination with school officials.
The incident occurred on Thursday Oct. 1, at the Catarman National High School where a student alerted a teacher about the alleged presence of a firearm inside the classroom, according to the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8).
The teacher immediately reported the matter to the school administration, which notified the Catarman Municipal Police Station.
Police recovered a .45-caliber pistol without a serial number, four magazines and 10 rounds of ammunition from the 15-year old minor. The student reportedly told authorities that the firearm belonged to his father.
The minor, who is in Grade 10, was assisted by personnel of the Women and Children Protection Desk and referred to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office for assessment and appropriate intervention in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.
The incident occurred as schools in Eastern Visayas continue to strengthen security measures following the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School(SJNHS) in Tacloban City that left three students dead and 20 others injured.
Several other incidents happened in other parts of the country following the SJNHS incident.
The Catarman incident prompted police to meet with school officials to review and strengthen safety and security measures for students, teachers and other school personnel.
The initiative is part of the Police Regional Office 8’s efforts, under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Romano V. Cardiño, to strengthen partnerships with schools, local governments and other stakeholders in maintaining safe learning environments.
The move also follows the directive of PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. to strengthen police-community partnerships and ensure responsive police services.
“The safety of our students is a responsibility that we must share. We will continue to strengthen PRO-8’s partnership with schools and other stakeholders to maintain a safe learning environment throughout Eastern Visayas,” Cardiño said.
PRO-8 reminded parents and guardians to ensure that firearms are properly secured and kept away from children and other unauthorized persons.
The regional police office also urged schools and communities to immediately report firearm-related incidents to authorities to ensure prompt and appropriate action.
HISTORIC COMMEMORATION.Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos, the main guest during the 125th anniversary commemoration of the Balangiga Encounter, leads the wreath-laying ceremony at the Balangiga Encounter Monument in Balangiga, Eastern Samar. He was joined by provincial and local officials led by Gov. Ralph Vincent Evardone. The commemoration carried the theme “Rediscovering the Balangiga Encounter.” (PIA-Eastern Samar)
HISTORIC COMMEMORATION.Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos, the main guest during the 125th anniversary commemoration of the Balangiga Encounter, leads the wreath-laying ceremony at the Balangiga Encounter Monument in Balangiga, Eastern Samar. He was joined by provincial and local officials led by Gov. Ralph Vincent Evardone. The commemoration carried the theme “Rediscovering the Balangiga Encounter.” (PIA-Eastern Samar)
TACLOBAN CITY – The business sector in Eastern Visayas is throwing its support behind the proposed construction of a bridge linking Northern Samar and Sorsogon, saying the project could improve the movement of goods, attract investments and boost the region’s economy.
Eugene Tan, former president of the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce-Tacloban Leyte Inc., said the proposed bridge would address longstanding transport problems faced by businesses that rely on the roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry route between Matnog, Sorsogon and Allen, Northern Samar.
“If this plan will be realized, this will help hasten the movement of trade in the region and eventually help its economy,” Tan said in an interview.
Tan said the chamber has been advocating the construction of the bridge for the past four to five years, citing the economic losses incurred by businesses whenever bad weather disrupts ferry operations across the San Bernardino Strait.
“We are thankful to Rep. Libanan for pushing for the project as this will help our economy,” Tan said.
Rep. Marcelino Libanan of the 4Ps party-list group, who is from Eastern Samar, has been pushing for the proposed Northern Samar-Sorsogon Bridge for several years as a long-term solution to the region’s dependence on sea transport for its connection to Luzon.
The proposed crossing is envisioned to span about 20 kilometers across the San Bernardino Strait. Its final length, design, construction cost and other technical details, however, will depend on the results of the feasibility and engineering studies.
Libanan recently said the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has committed at least P500 million to finance the project’s feasibility study.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), meanwhile, has disclosed that it has P130 million allocated for the feasibility study.
The study, including detailed engineering work, is expected to take at least three years, according to Libanan.
If the project proceeds as planned, construction could begin by 2029, with completion targeted for 2035 or 2036, subject to the results of the studies, funding availability and other project requirements.
At present, Eastern Visayas is linked to Luzon primarily through the Ro-Ro ferry route connecting Allen in Northern Samar and Matnog in Sorsogon.
The sea crossing is a vital link for the movement of passengers, commercial vehicles, agricultural products, consumer goods and other cargo between Eastern Visayas and Luzon.
However, ferry operations can be suspended during typhoons and other periods of hazardous weather, leaving trucks, buses and other vehicles stranded for days until sea conditions improve and authorities allow crossings to resume.
Tan said such disruptions translate into additional costs and losses for businesses because of delays in the delivery of goods and the movement of vehicles and passengers.
He said an all-weather bridge would provide businesses with a more reliable land connection to Luzon and could make Eastern Visayas more attractive to investors based in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.
“With an all-weather bridge, investors from Manila, for example, will take a serious look at Eastern Visayas to do business,” Tan said.
He added that the region needs more investments, particularly amid current economic challenges affecting businesses in Eastern Visayas and other parts of the country.
Beyond reducing travel disruptions, the proposed bridge could also provide a more dependable corridor for trade between Eastern Visayas and Luzon, potentially shortening or making more predictable the movement of goods currently dependent on ferry schedules and weather conditions.
The project is also being eyed as a major infrastructure link that could strengthen economic integration between Eastern Visayas and the Bicol Region.
