ORMOC CITY— A fisherman was stabbed and two houses were set ablaze by a man reportedly suffering from a mental condition in Brgy. Cantuhaon, Palompon on Feb.17.
The victim, alias “Jomar,” 34, a fisherman from Sitio Lower Bitoon, was reportedly attacked by 29-year-old “Athan,” a local resident, after rushing to the scene of a fxre at another fisherman’s house. The suspect allegedly ignited two light-material homes using a kerosene lamp and then stabbed Jomar without apparent provocation.

Capt. Rushty Alvarado, town’s police chief officer-in-charge, said responding police coordinated with the Bureau of Fire Protection to control the fire, while conducting a hot pursuit of the suspect. Athan was later found hiding in a pump boat along the seashore and apprehended. The weapon used in the stabbing was not recovered.

Jomar was rushed to Isabel Emergency Hospital for treatment. The fire destroyed two houses along with two motorcycles, two TVs, and other personal belongings, with damages estimated at P283,000.

The suspect was informed of his constitutional rights and brought to Palompon Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper legal disposition.

Authorities emphasized the need for community awareness and monitoring regarding individuals with mental health challenges to prevent such violent incidents.

(ROBERT DEJON)

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has expanded the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) to further bolster priority programs, including additional rice assistance, health facility enhancements, strengthened disaster preparedness initiatives, and improvements to critical infrastructure such as energy and water supply systems.

Speaking during the launch of the “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” initiative at Malacañan Palace on Monday, President Marcos reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that every centavo of public funds is spent wisely on programs that directly benefit Filipinos.

With almost P58 billion in LGSF allocation for 2026, the President said over five million families are expected to receive 60 kilos of rice assistance, lessening food insecurity.
The expanded LGSF will also fund the construction of hospitals and health stations, as well as the procurement of additional medical equipment, to make health services more accessible.

The President likewise underscored the need to intensify disaster preparedness by building multi-purpose halls and sports facilities that can be used as evacuation centers.

“Magsisisilbi ito na lugar para sa pagkatuto, pagsasanay ng mga atleta, at ligtas na masisilungan tuwing may sakuna,” the Chief Executive said.

Farm-to-market roads and local road networks will also be supported by the LGSF, helping make trade and commerce more efficient and cost-effective for sellers and consumers. “Makakatulong ito upang bumaba ang presyo ng mga bilihin at tumaas naman ang kita ng mga nagsasaka.”

Lastly, the LGSF will help improve water supply systems and electrification projects across the country, ensuring people have better access to clean water and safer communities at night.

To make these plans more attainable, the President has ordered the direct release of funds to local government units (LGUs), streamlining processes and accelerating project implementation.

The President also highlighted the importance of unity and coordination among Filipinos in building a better Philippines and enjoined them to get involved, participate, and be one of the government’s key partners in maintaining the integrity of public funds.

“Maisasakatuparan lamang ang ating mga hangarin kung patuloy ang ating pagkakaisa at ang ating koordinasyon,” the President said. (PCO-PND)

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Pilipinas Teleserv, and GCash joined forces to launch the PSAHelpline Mini App, making it easier and more convenient for Filipinos to request civil registry documents anytime, anywhere.

Users can securely request PSA certificates, such as birth, marriage, death, CENOMAR, and CENODEATH, and choose between an e-copy or home delivery, all while paying seamlessly with their GCash e-wallets. The integration brings essential government services closer to millions of Filipinos through a platform they already use daily.

With this launch, GCash becomes the first e-wallet to host PSAHelpline.ph in-app and the first to offer PDF civil registry certificates directly within the app. PSAHelpline is also the first government service available on GLife.

The PSAHelpline Mini App is designed to streamline the end-to-end process of requesting civil registry documents, from placement of requests to payment and delivery, reducing barriers for those in remote areas and ensuring timely, secure, and reliable access to vital records.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to our partners, the PSA and Teleserv, for the trust and for being our first government service app to be integrated inside GCash,” said Cleo Celeste Santos, VP and Head of Public Sector at GCash.

“At GCash, we believe financial inclusion starts with identity. By making essential civil registry documents easier to access, we are helping more Filipinos participate in the digital economy and access the opportunities they deserve,” she added.

The partnership between PSA, Pilipinas Teleserv, and GCash set a strong precedent for future digital government initiatives, showing what is possible when the public and private sectors work together.

“The PSA Helpline Mini App within the GCash app simplifies how Filipinos request civil registry documents by integrating secure requests and payments into a trusted digital platform. This partnership reflects our vision of a citizen-centered and digitally enabled government that delivers faster, more convenient public service to every Filipino wherever they may be,” PSA National Statistician, Undersecretary Claire Dennis Mapa said.

Data privacy and security are critical, as millions of Filipinos rely on PSA-issued documents for various important transactions, including employment, education, travel, benefits, and legal matters. Pilipinas Teleserv, PSA’s long-standing partner for the PSAHelpline service, highlighted that the GCash infrastructure further reinforces the integrity of the document request process.

“GCash has a robust KYC process, which PSAHelpline will fully leverage to ensure that only document owners and properly authorized requesters can apply for PSA certificates”, Pilipinas Teleserv Managing Director and Founder Jun Yupitun said.

The PSAHelpline Mini App streamlines the entire process, from request to payment and delivery, helping reduce barriers, especially for those in remote areas. (PR)