TACLOBAN CITY — The provincial government of Northern Samar has opened a new tissue culture laboratory in Catarman to produce disease-free planting materials and strengthen the province’s agricultural productivity, particularly in its abaca industry.

The Provincial Tissue Culture Laboratory, located at the Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Center (PAFEC) in Barangay Galutan, Catarman, was formally inaugurated on June 8.

Supported by the Department of Agriculture Regional Office 8, the facility is expected to help rehabilitate and expand abaca plantations, one of Northern Samar’s key agricultural industries. It will also produce quality planting materials for banana, ube, and taro to improve crop yields and promote sustainable farming practices.

Governor Harris Ongchuan led the inauguration ceremony together with representatives of partner agencies, including Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Joseph Salas, Department of Agriculture Agricultural Program Coordinating Office-Northern Samar representative Engr. Jennifer Surio, and Department of Trade and Industry Provincial Director Mimosa Regis.

Officials and personnel from PhilFIDA, the Department of Agriculture, and the Provincial Agriculture Office also attended the event.

The Provincial Agriculture Office facilitated the activity, with Provincial Agriculturist Jose Luis Acompanado leading a tour of the laboratory and the PAFEC complex.

The facility is the second tissue culture laboratory in Northern Samar, complementing the existing laboratory operated by the University of Eastern Philippines.

Provincial officials said the laboratory forms part of the local government’s continuing efforts to modernize agriculture, improve the quality of planting materials, and increase the productivity and income of farmers across the province.

They added that the project is expected to contribute to the long-term sustainability and resilience of Northern Samar’s farming communities.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY– In support of the 2026 Oplan Balik Eskwela, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) conducted a three-day school outreach program on June 2-4, 2026.

The activity was spearheaded by OIC-District Engineer Peter Scheler V. Soco and OIC-Assistant District Engineer Jonathan A. Santiago, with employees of the DEO voluntarily contributing donations for the school essentials of five far-flung schools in the district.

A total of 456 learners received backpacks filled with school supplies, along with tumblers, lunchboxes, umbrellas, and food packs. The beneficiaries were 121 pupils of Mahayag Elementary School in Ormoc City, 101 pupils of Esperanza Elementary School in Ormoc City, 66 pupils of Masaba II Elementary School in Matag-ob, 110 pupils of San Francisco Elementary School in Isabel, and 58 pupils of Sto. Domingo Elementary School in Kananga.

During the distribution, OIC-DE Soco encouraged the students to pursue their education and make the most of the opportunities available to them. “These bags are bags of dreams,” OIC-DE Soco said. “We hope that every learning material inside will inspire you to study hard, believe in yourselves, and work toward your dreams.”

The teachers, parents, and pupils were thankful to the DPWH Leyte 4th DEO for extending assistance to their schools and helping ease the burden of preparing children for the new school year. (PR)

In Samar

MATUGUINAO, Samar — This municipality has been officially declared under a Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC), marking what officials described as a major milestone in ending the decades-long influence of insurgency in the area.

The declaration was made during a ceremony at the municipal gymnasium on June 8, attended by local officials led by Mayor Aran Boller, military representatives headed by 8th Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Peter Burgunio, and officials from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
For decades, Matuguinao had been considered one of the strongholds of insurgency in Samar, with communist rebel influence reported in nearly all of its barangays.

Local officials said the situation began to improve in 2019 following intensified government security operations and the municipality’s declaration of the New People’s Army as persona non grata.

Mayor Boller, visibly emotional during his speech, described the declaration as the result of years of effort and sacrifice.

“It has been a long journey toward the total emancipation of Matuguinao from the influence of the CPP-NPA-NDF,” he said, recalling the deaths of soldiers, barangay officials, and civilians during the armed conflict.

The town mayor said the SIPSC declaration signals that the municipality can now fully focus on development and long-term progress.

Boller also cited improved access to the town as a key factor in its transformation. Once accessible only by a four- to six-hour motorboat ride, Matuguinao is now connected by road to Gandara through a PAMANA-funded project completed in 2019, reducing travel time to less than an hour.

“By delivering services to all citizens equally, we have eliminated the grounds for complaints used by the NPA to justify recruitment,” he added.

The mayor credited the sustained support of military units, including the 63rd, 19th, and 43rd Infantry Battalions and the 8th Infantry Division, for helping restore peace in the municipality.

The local government is currently assisting around 60 to 70 former rebels through reintegration programs, livelihood support, and planned housing projects under the “Saad nga Balay” program, in partnership with national and provincial agencies.

Maj. Gen. Burgunio commended the cooperation of the local government and residents, saying the achievement was made possible through community support alongside security operations.

He noted that while Matuguinao had once been a difficult area for peace efforts due to its terrain and isolation, significant improvements have been achieved not only in the municipality but across Samar Island.

The SIPSC declaration means insurgency-related threats have been effectively addressed and that local institutions are now deemed capable of sustaining peace and security, based on assessment and validation by security forces.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Leyte is aiming to generate at least P4.5 million in sales during the five-day Layag Leyte Fiesta Bonanza Trade Expo 2026, which opened on June 10 at Robinsons Place Tacloban in Marasbaras and will run until June 14.

The annual trade fair brings together 36 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from across Leyte, showcasing a diverse range of locally produced goods, including processed food products, fruits and nuts, cacao-based and coconut-based items, wearable products, home décor, furniture, and health and wellness products.

Among the new products featured this year is “Rain Purple,” a healthy beverage made from blue ternate, a plant widely known for its use in herbal and wellness drinks.

According to DTI-Leyte Provincial Director Faustino Gayas Jr., several products on display are outcomes of the agency’s continuing support programs for local entrepreneurs, including training, product development, packaging enhancement, labeling assistance, and capacity-building initiatives.

The trade expo serves as a platform for MSMEs to promote their products, expand market reach, and connect with consumers and potential institutional buyers.

DTI-Leyte said the event is also intended to strengthen local entrepreneurship by enhancing the competitiveness of small businesses and providing opportunities for wider market exposure through trade fairs and business promotion activities.

(TROY B.ABARRATIGUE, LNU STUDENT INTERN)

In Leyte

TABANGO,Leyte– A village in this town served as the site of an earthquake simulation drill aimed at assessing the response capability of the Rural Health Unit (RHU) and other emergency responders during a major disaster.

The drill was conducted in Barangay Tugas on Wednesday, June 10, as part of a two-year program of Americares, which supports disaster preparedness and health system strengthening in communities affected by poverty and emergencies.

The exercise simulated a magnitude 7.8 earthquake, with residents acting as victims while barangay officials led evacuation procedures and accounted for injured and missing persons following the “quake.”

Responders included personnel from the Rural Health Unit, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), and the Municipal Engineering Office.

Americares Philippines Program Manager Rudelly Cabutin said the activity was designed not to find faults but to identify areas for improvement, particularly in coordination among agencies.

Prior to the drill, Americares provided training on first aid, mass casualty management, and evacuation procedures for RHU personnel, along with emergency response equipment support. The simulation served as an evaluation of the skills gained from the program.
Cabutin said the second year of the initiative will focus on strengthening interoperability among the RHU, MDRRMO, and other responding agencies during disasters and emergencies.

Tabango Mayor Ma. Corazon Remandaban welcomed the exercise, saying it is important for communities to remain prepared following recent earthquake incidents in other parts of the country.

Barangay Tugas Captain Joan Sarsalijo expressed gratitude to the LGU and Americares for selecting their community as the training site, saying it helped both residents and officials improve disaster response awareness and coordination.

After the drill, representatives from the Leyte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Philippine Information Agency conducted an assessment to help further improve the municipality’s emergency response systems.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)