TACLOBAN CITY — Efforts to help rice farmers cope with the impacts of climate change are underway in Eastern Samar following a climate risk mapping workshop aimed at improving agricultural planning and protecting rice production in the province.

The participatory workshop was held last month at the provincial government conference hall in Borongan City and was spearheaded by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in partnership with the Office of the Provincial Agricultural Services (OPAS).
The activity forms part of the Climate-Smart Maps for Strengthening the Adoption Plans of Farming Communities Project, which seeks to boost rice productivity by using science-based mapping tools to guide farming decisions.

Through the project, climate-smart maps will be developed to help farmers and local government units plan for the effects of changing weather patterns, including heavy rains, flooding, and drought that frequently affect rice-growing areas.

Experts from PhilRice, including specialists from its Bicol and Central Experiment Stations, shared technical insights and best practices on climate-resilient rice farming during the workshop.

Participants also discussed how scientific data and climate information can help farmers select the most suitable rice varieties, cropping schedules, and farming technologies based on local climate conditions.

Rice farmers and other stakeholders were given the opportunity to share their experiences and concerns regarding climate-related challenges affecting their harvests.

Organizers said the workshop will help generate recommendations and site-specific farming strategies for municipalities across Eastern Samar, taking into account climate patterns, soil characteristics, and appropriate rice varieties.

Among those who attended were municipal rice program coordinators, personnel from OPAS, representatives from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, project management staff, and farmers from different parts of the province.

Officials said the initiative is part of broader efforts to build a more climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture sector in Eastern Samar while safeguarding food production in the face of increasing climate risks.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The cities of Calbayog and Catbalogan will jointly host the 2027 edition of the Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) Meet, local officials announced during the closing ceremony of this year’s regional sporting event.

The announcement was made at the conclusion of the 2026 EVRAA on Friday, March 6 hosted by Baybay City, where education officials and local leaders confirmed the plan for the two Samar cities to share hosting duties for the annual tournament organized by the Department of Education in Eastern Visayas.

Calbayog City Mayor Raymund Uy said initial discussions have already been held on how the two cities will divide the events, although the final schedule and arrangements are still being worked out.

“We already had initial discussions on the flow of the competition, but this still needs to be finalized,” Uy said.

Based on the preliminary plan, some sporting events will be held in Calbayog during the first week of the competition, while the remaining events will be staged in Catbalogan City in the following week.

The proposed arrangement follows a similar multi-host setup used in EVRAA 2025, when three school divisions—Borongan, Tacloban, and Maasin—shared hosting responsibilities for the regional sports meet.

Calbayog last hosted the EVRAA in 2018, when the Ormoc City Division captured its first championship title in the annual competition.

Mayor Uy noted that hosting the event is expected to bring economic benefits to Calbayog as thousands of athletes, coaches, officials, and supporters from across the region are expected to stay in the city during the weeklong sporting competition.

Meanwhile, Mayor Dexter Uy said the hosting is also a gesture of appreciation to the city’s young athletes who have consistently represented Catbalogan in regional competitions.
Catbalogan finished 10th overall in this year’s EVRAA, winning 10 gold medals, an improvement from its 11th-place finish with three gold medals in the previous edition.
“This hosting is my gift to our athletes because I am already on my last term. This hosting is for them who are very passionate in sports,” the mayor said.

The EVRAA is the region’s largest inter-school sporting event, gathering student-athletes from different school divisions across Eastern Visayas to compete in various disciplines and to select representatives for national competitions.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

PALO, Leyte– The Highway Patrol Group (HPG) Director, B/Gen. Hansel Marantan, graced the opening of the Executive Motorcycle Riding Course (EMRC) Classes R8-2026-07 and R8-2026-08, underscoring the importance of advanced riding skills and road safety in Eastern Visayas.

The 16-day specialized program, organized by the Regional Highway Patrol Unit 8 in coordination with the Regional Learning and Doctrine Development Division (RLDDD), kicked off at the Police Regional Office(PRO-8) grandstand on March 6, 2026, Palo, Leyte.
The course aims to enhance tactical riding skills, safety awareness, and discipline among participants, who include 30 Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel, three from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), one from the Philippine Army, and 80 civilian riders.

Weekend training sessions are being held in Catbalogan City, Samar, and Palo, Leyte.
B/Gen.Jason Capoy, PRO 8 regional director, highlighted the significance of the event. “The opening of this training reinforces our commitment to elite skills development and road safety, while the screening of ‘Beyond the Badge’ reflects the noble values of our profession,” he said.

Leyte board member Carlo Loreto of fifth district, who joined the ceremony as a Senior Master Rider of the HPG, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative.

“I am grateful for this opportunity and more motivated than ever to champion road safety here in Leyte. Together, let’s make our roads safer for everyone,” he said.

The EMRC is part of PRO 8’s ongoing effort to professionalize motorcycle operations and promote safer road practices across the region, particularly for law enforcement personnel and civilian riders involved in traffic and community service.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)