TACLOBAN CITY — Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre has called for stronger enforcement of waste management policies following recent incidents involving landfill sites in Navotas, Cebu, and Rizal.

Acidre raised concern over the reported fire at the Navotas Sanitary Landfill and trash slides in Cebu and Rodriguez, Rizal, saying these incidents highlight gaps in the country’s solid waste management system.

He stressed the need for the national government to ensure that waste disposal facilities strictly comply with environmental and safety standards, particularly under the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

The lawmaker urged a thorough review of the law’s implementation, emphasizing the importance of proper waste segregation, reduction at source, and the establishment and maintenance of sanitary landfills.

Acidre also called for a review of local government unit (LGU) waste management contracts to ensure accountability, compliance with regulations, and more efficient delivery of services.

He further said LGUs should be supported in improving landfill operations, waste collection systems, and segregation programs, while strengthening initiatives that promote waste reduction, reuse, and circular economy practices.

Acidre added that stronger coordination among concerned agencies and local governments is crucial to protecting public health, safeguarding communities, and ensuring environmental sustainability.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Amid continuing fluctuations in fuel prices, the provincial government of Leyte has launched a digital platform that allows the public to easily check and compare pump prices across different areas in the province.

Dubbed the QGas application, the system is part of Governor Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla’s initiative to improve transparency and help motorists make informed decisions as fuel costs remain unpredictable.

To support the rollout, municipal agriculturists and agricultural extension workers (AEWs) underwent orientation and mobile device whitelisting, equipping them to collect and upload fuel price data from gasoline stations in their respective localities.

Provincial Administrator Corazon Alvero underscored the importance of their role, noting that accurate and timely data collection is crucial in ensuring the platform’s effectiveness, especially as communities continue to feel the impact of rising fuel prices.

Claire Maderazo, head of the province’s special projects office, said the application directly addresses concerns over fuel price volatility by providing real-time updates per municipality. This, she added, empowers consumers with reliable information and promotes fair pricing practices.

Under the system, AEWs will regularly gather fuel price data, which will then be synchronized with a central database and published through the official website of the provincial government of Leyte, making it accessible to the public.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Filipino soldiers are stepping up their readiness for large-scale humanitarian and disaster response operations as troops from the 8th Infantry Division took part in a joint medical response training with the United States Army ahead of the upcoming Exercise Balikatan 2026.

The three-day training, conducted at Camp Lukban, involved personnel from Task Force AYUDA and focused on strengthening their capability to deliver immediate and life-saving medical interventions during emergencies.

Designed to simulate real-world scenarios, the activity emphasized rapid response in disaster-stricken and crisis-affected areas, equipping troops with critical skills needed in both humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions—key components of the annual Balikatan exercises between the Philippines and the United States.

Military officials said the joint training reflects the continuing effort to enhance interoperability and coordination between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and their US counterparts, particularly in responding to natural disasters, which frequently affect vulnerable regions like Eastern Visayas.

The initiative also reinforces the evolving role of the military beyond combat operations, highlighting its growing involvement in community service, emergency response, and life-saving missions.

The 8th Infantry Division reiterated its commitment to building a professional and responsive force capable of addressing both security challenges and humanitarian needs, especially in times of crisis.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)