CHRISTMAS VILLAGE. Colorful lights and decors provides happiness to visitors at the historic Price Mansion in Tacloban City which has been converted into a Christmas village during this time of the year.
(PHOTO COURTESY)
CHRISTMAS VILLAGE. Colorful lights and decors provides happiness to visitors at the historic Price Mansion in Tacloban City which has been converted into a Christmas village during this time of the year. (PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY – The historic Price Mansion has once again transformed into a glowing holiday wonderland as its annual Christmas Village officially opened to the public—bringing sparkle, nostalgia, and plenty of photo ops to Tacloban’s holiday nights.
Organized yearly by the Tingog party-list and the Office of Leyte First District Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, the festive display has become a beloved tradition for families looking to jumpstart the Christmas spirit without spending a peso.
On Wednesday night, Dec.3, Tacloban City Councilor Marty Romualdez led the ceremonial lighting, flipping the switch that set the iconic compound ablaze with lights—prompting cheers from the crowd and the usual scramble for the best selfie spot.
This year’s village features a towering Christmas tree, a traditional belen (Nativity scene), and a whimsical hot-air-balloon-themed installation that has quickly become a favorite among barkadas and kiddos. Other colorful displays scattered across the grounds complete the magical, almost storybook-like atmosphere.
Open nightly from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., the Christmas Village welcomes visitors free of charge—making it one of the season’s most accessible and festive family destinations in the city.
ORMOC CITY — A public school teacher assigned to Dolores Elementary School was arrested in Ormoc City on December 2, 2025, after being accused of sexual assault, rape, and acts of lasciviousness.
The arrest was carried out by Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) in a coordinated operation in Barangay Luna.
The 44-year-old suspect, a resident of Barangay Cogon and ranked the region’s 6th most wanted person, was apprehended under a warrant issued on November 21, 2025. The rape charge carries no bail, while bail for sexual assault and acts of lasciviousness was set at P108,000 each.
The operation involved the Ormoc City Police Office–Police Station 5 (OCPO-PS5), the Ormoc City Intelligence Unit (CIU), and the Regional Special Operations Unit 8 (RSOU-8).
PB/Gen.Jason Capoy, PRO-8 regional director, lauded the officers for their dedication. “This accomplishment reflects our continuous effort to bring wanted persons to justice and maintain peace and order in the region,” he said.
The teacher remains in police custody and will be turned over to the issuing court for further proceedings.
BORONGAN CITY– Access to justice remains a challenge for many Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs), especially those who lack the resources or knowledge to move their cases forward.
To help bridge this gap, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-Eastern Samar Chapter lately launched a Legal Aid Jail Decongestion and PDL Welfare Program at the BJMP Borongan City District Jail.
With guidance from BJMP Region 8, Regional Director JSSupt. Rill Sonon, the initiative created an important space for PDLs to share their experiences, seek legal guidance, and gain a clearer understanding of their rights.
The team, led by lawyer Pergentino Deri-on, chapter president, provided free, one-on-one legal consultations to PDLs—support that is especially crucial for individuals navigating the justice system with limited means.
Sixty-four PDLs received legal advice, helping them clarify next steps in their cases and empowering them to work toward a fair resolution.
Atty. Deri-on said the activity also aims to give PDLs hope and promote speedy justice. He encouraged them to never lose hope and to continue cooperating with their legal processes, reminding them that support and guidance are available every step of the way.
Aside from legal assistance, the initiative highlighted important advocacy on the protection of PDL privacy. Lawyer Richard Banaldia, IBP member and chief of the Community Relations Service (CRS) of BJMP Region 8, explained the strict prohibition of recording devices inside jail facilities.
“This policy exists because we are protecting our PDLs. If their photos are posted online, anyone can use them in ways that may place PDLs at risk,” Banaldia said.
His message emphasized that safeguarding PDL dignity is a vital part of rehabilitation and reintegration—key goals in BJMP’s broader developmental mission.
The IBP Eastern Samar Chapter expressed gratitude to its volunteers whose commitment to public service strengthens justice access and promotes humane treatment for all sectors, including those behind bars.
Through efforts like this, both IBP and BJMP continue to advance a shared goal: ensuring that access to justice, human rights, and dignity remain central to community development.
EDUCATION REFORM. Tingog party-list Representative Jude Acidre asked education leaders to confront long-standing challenges and sustain reforms during the 2025 Philippine Education Congress at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.(PHOTO COURTESY)
EDUCATION REFORM. Tingog party-list Representative Jude Acidre asked education leaders to confront long-standing challenges and sustain reforms during the 2025 Philippine Education Congress at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.(PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY — Tingog party-list Representative Jude Acidre called on education leaders to confront long-standing challenges and sustain reforms during the 2025 Philippine Education Congress at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
Joined by DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, Commission on Higher Education (ChEd) Chairperson Shirley Agrupis, Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Kiko Benitez, and other officials, Acidre urged the sector to reflect on the “story” they are shaping for learners, teachers, and families.
He cited persistent issues such as weak foundational skills, heavy teacher workloads, outdated facilities, and slow governance, stressing that acknowledging these realities is key to meaningful reform. At the same time, he highlighted progress in curriculum recalibration, higher education governance, and technical-vocational pathways.
Acidre described the current alignment among Congress, education agencies, LGUs, and industry partners as a rare opportunity to enact evidence-based reforms, strengthen budgets, and improve classroom outcomes.
“Let us be the generation that delivers reform,” he said, urging the sector to write a story of hope, courage, and change for every Filipino child.
NOT 100 PERCENT AGAINST. Calbayog City Mayor Raymund “Monmon” Uy clarified that he is not entirely opposed to the planned wind turbine project in the city. He emphasized that his objection is specifically against placing turbines within the Calbayog Pan-as Hayiban Protected Landscape, a preserved area that serves as the city’s primary water source. (RAYMUND ‘MONMON’ C. UY)
But rejects turbines in protected watershed
NOT 100 PERCENT AGAINST. Calbayog City Mayor Raymund “Monmon” Uy clarified that he is not entirely opposed to the planned wind turbine project in the city. He emphasized that his objection is specifically against placing turbines within the Calbayog Pan-as Hayiban Protected Landscape, a preserved area that serves as the city’s primary water source. (RAYMUND ‘MONMON’ C. UY)
TACLOBAN CITY — Calbayog City Mayor Raymund Uy clarified that he is not against the establishment of a major wind energy project in the city but firmly opposes the inclusion of a critical protected area in the project’s construction plan.
The project—spearheaded by Singapore-based Vena Energy through its local subsidiary, Gemini Wind Energy Corp. (GWEC)—proposes the installation of 37 wind turbines spanning parts of Calbayog City in Samar and the neighboring town of San Isidro in Northern Samar. Of the 37 turbines, 13 are planned to be built inside the Calbayog Pan-as Hayiban Protected Landscape (CPHPL), a key ecological zone that contains the city’s primary watershed.
“Of the 37 wind turbines that are to be constructed, only 13 are located within the protected area. The remaining 24 are outside the CPHPL,” Mayor Uy said in an interview with Leyte Samar Daily Express.
Uy stressed that these 13 turbines could endanger Calbayog’s watershed, which supplies the city’s potable water. He noted that the city already faces challenges during strong typhoons and heavy rains, when water becomes murky or supply decreases. Further disturbances—particularly tree-cutting, land clearing, and heavy construction—could aggravate the situation.
“It is our main water source,” the mayor emphasized, warning that the wind farm’s intrusion may increase risks of flooding, soil erosion, and water contamination.
The CPHPL was declared a protected area in 1988 and is currently covered under Republic Act 11038, or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS) Act of 2018, which prescribes strict zoning for protection and limited multiple-use activities.
Uy reiterated that he fully supports the expansion of renewable energy, emphasizing its vital role in mitigating climate change and ensuring long-term energy stability. However, he stressed that environmental protection and community safety cannot be compromised.
“What I am opposing is that the project will cover our protected area,” he said.
The Calbayog City Council echoed Uy’s position, passing a resolution on Nov. 5 strongly opposing the inclusion of the watershed in the wind farm plan.
The P20-billion project is expected to generate 304 megawatts of renewable power—significantly more than Calbayog’s current energy demand of around 20 MW. It has gained support from several provincial leaders, including Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan and Northern Samar Representative (and former governor) Edwin Ongchuan, who both highlighted its potential benefits such as improved energy stability, increased local revenue, and job creation.
Mayor Uy said he has already discussed the matter with Governor Tan, who he noted was receptive to the city’s concerns.
In response to environmental issues raised by local officials and stakeholders, Vena Energy assured that the project will comply with all relevant environmental laws and conservation protocols. The company said that only 24 hectares—or 0.48% of the entire 5,067.93-hectare protected landscape—will be directly affected.
Despite these assurances, Mayor Uy remains firm in advocating for the complete exclusion of the protected watershed from the project’s construction plan, stressing that Calbayog’s water security is non-negotiable.
VSU HILONGOS CAMPUS. Leyte Rep. Carl Cari’s proposed measure to put up a satellite campus of the Visayas State University in Hilongos has passed approval from a House panel.
(FILE PHOTO)
VSU HILONGOS CAMPUS. Leyte Rep. Carl Cari’s proposed measure to put up a satellite campus of the Visayas State University in Hilongos has passed approval from a House panel. (FILE PHOTO)
TACLOBAN CITY — A proposal to establish a Visayas State University (VSU) satellite campus in Hilongos, Leyte moved forward in Congress after the House Committee on Higher Education and Technical Education approved House Bill (HB) No. 2046 on November 19, 2025, during the 20th Congress’ first regular session.
Leyte Fifth District Representative Carl Nicolas Cari, principal author of the bill, said that creating a VSU campus in Hilongos would significantly improve access to quality tertiary education for local communities, particularly for students who struggle with long travel distances or financial limitations.
“This marks a major step forward in providing accessible and quality university education for Hilongos and its neighboring communities,” Cari said in a statement posted on his official Facebook page.
HB 2046 seeks to address the needs of students who cannot pursue college due to geographical, economic, and family-related constraints, while also ensuring that academic programs offered in the district align with global educational demands.
Rep. Cari expressed confidence in VSU’s readiness to expand, citing the university’s 3-star rating from Quacquarelli Symonds (QS)—an international assessment body that recognized VSU for its strong research output and its ability to produce globally competitive graduates.
The young legislator also thanked House Committee Chairperson Rep. Jude Acidre for acknowledging the importance of the bill and supporting its passage at the committee level.
VSU officials likewise expressed strong support for the proposed Hilongos campus. The university was represented during the committee meeting by Glenn Pajares, vice president for planning and development, and Moises Neil Seriño, vice president for administration and finance.
VSU president Prose Ivy Yepes welcomed the bill’s committee approval, emphasizing the significance of expanding the university’s reach in Eastern Visayas.
“I am grateful and excited to have this bill be signed into law so that we can further strengthen our commitment to providing top-notch and quality higher education in Eastern Visayas and in the country,” she said.
HB 2046 is a refiled version of HB No. 4292, which Rep. Cari first introduced during the 19th Congress. The earlier version received initial approval on March 18, 2024, but did not reach final passage before the session adjourned.
Cari reintroduced the measure to continue efforts to improve educational access in his district.
With its committee approval, the bill will now proceed to the House plenary for further debates and voting. If approved, it will then move to the Senate for deliberations before being transmitted to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for enactment.
Once signed into law, the proposed VSU Hilongos Campus will be formally integrated into the VSU system and is expected to offer academic programs that uphold the university’s standards in instruction, research, and community extension. Its establishment is anticipated to boost local development and provide long-term benefits to Hilongos and the entire Fifth District of Leyte.
