PALO, Leyte – Twelve establishments in Eastern Visayas received grants amounting to a total of P4,275,371.00 from the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office No. 8 through its Adjustment Measures Program (AMP) on September 9, 2025 at Fan’s Hotel, this town.

The awarding ceremony was led by DOLE-RO8 Assistant Regional Director Atty. Joan N. Noya-Nidua, who turned over the grants to representatives of the following enterprises:

• DJ Printing Services and Sports Apparel (Naval, Biliran)
• Francine’s Grill (Borongan City)
• Leyte: Pasar Employees Multipurpose Cooperative (Isabel, Leyte)
• Juanito Eco Farm School for Practical Agriculture (Kananga, Leyte)
• Balay Ni Tatay Farm (Babatngon, Leyte)
• Bontoc Multipurpose Cooperative (Bontoc, So. Leyte)
• Gawisan Abaca Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (Maasin City)
• For U Leather Products (Tacloban City)
• MLS Food Processing (Jiabong, Samar)
• Shirley Food Processing (Jiabong, Samar)
• Super Jed Food Processing (Jiabong, Samar)
• Northern Samar Fishermen Cooperative (Catarman, N. Samar)

Before the awarding, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed between DOLE and the representatives of the beneficiary enterprises, formalizing their participation in the program. Representing DOLE-RO8 Regional Director Atty. Dax B. Villaruel were Atty. Noya-Nidua and Atty. Cecilio I. Baleña, Med-Arbiter and DOLE-AMP Regional Focal Person.

In her message, Atty. Noya-Nidua highlighted the objective of the AMP, which is to cushion the impact of economic disruptions on local businesses and workers.

“Through this program, we aim to improve the competitiveness of our local enterprises so they remain viable and relevant amidst economic challenges,” she stated.

Also in attendance were Atty. Marie Ronette Salve Barreda-Campo, representing Board Secretary Reynaldo Soliveres of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) VIII, along with the heads of DOLE-RO8 Field Offices.

The beneficiary enterprises expressed their gratitude for the assistance, noting the program’s positive impact on their operations and workforce.

“We are thankful to DOLE because finally, employers can access grants from the government through the AMP. This support will greatly boost our operations and benefit our workers,” said Dr. Floro “Junji” Camenforte, owner of Balay Ni Tatay Farm in Babatngon, Leyte.

The grants awarded were just the first batch of approved projects in the region and other interested proponents can still submit proposals to DOLE.
The AMP is one of DOLE’s key initiatives designed to mitigate the impact of economic disruptions by supporting enterprises and protecting jobs, ultimately contributing to regional and national economic recovery. (PR)

BORONGAN CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Eastern Samar District Engineering Office (ESDEO) has welcomed its new leadership team with the assumption of District Engineer Engr. Jehela G. Roxas and OIC-Assistant District Engineer Engr. Esteban P. Casillano on September 4, 2025.

DE Roxas, a native of Lipa City, Batangas, brings with her a remarkable career journey marked by perseverance, hard work, and steady professional growth. She began her service at DPWH Batangas 4th District Engineering Office as a Job Order Laborer I in January 2011. Within the same year, she transitioned to Engineer I under a Job Order contract. Her dedication and competence soon earned her a permanent appointment as Engineer II in September 2012.

Her career advanced further when she became Engineer III in August 2016, a position she held until February 2021. On February 4, 2021, she took on a leadership role as OIC-Assistant District Engineer of Batangas 4th DEO and later became a full-fledged ADE in March 2022. By November 2022, she was designated as OIC-District Engineer, and in August 2023, she officially assumed the position of full-fledged District Engineer until her reassignment to Eastern Samar on August 29, 2025.

“It is both an honor and a responsibility to serve the people of Eastern Samar. My journey in DPWH taught me that hard work and teamwork build not only infrastructure but also stronger communities. I am grateful for this opportunity to serve Eastern Samar and I will do my best to bring progress, integrity, and compassion into our work,” said DE Roxas.
Meanwhile, Engr. Esteban P. Casillano, from Borongan City, now serves as OIC-Assistant District Engineer, has been part of DPWH for over two decades. He began his career on March 8, 2004 as a casual employee and, by December 16 of the same year, he was appointed as permanent Engineer II. Promoted to Engineer III on July 1, 2009, he went on to serve as Chief of the Materials and Quality Control Section later renamed Quality Assurance Section, until July 1, 2019. From July 2, 2019 until August 29, 2025, he held the position of Chief of the Maintenance Section before his new designation as OIC-ADE.
“For more than 20 years, I have devoted myself to the mission of DPWH. I am grateful for the trust given to me, and I will do my part to ensure our office remains true to its mandate of providing quality, safe, and reliable infrastructure.”

Despite assuming their new assignments, both DE Roxas and OIC-ADE Casillano have already submitted their qualified courtesy resignations in compliance with the directive of newly designated DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon as part of the anti-corruption drive.
With their combined expertise, DPWH Eastern Samar DEO is confident that its new leaders will continue to strengthen the office’s commitment to quality public service, transparent governance, and infrastructure that builds connections and resilience for the people of Eastern Samar.

Moreover, following the retirement of DE Domcelio M. Natividad, the district was temporarily overseen for more than two weeks by Assistant Regional Director Ma. Margarita C. Junia, D.M., who served as OIC-DE until Engr. Roxas formally assumed office as District Engineer. Meanwhile, OIC-ADE Casillano succeeds Engr. Chito Nelson O. Eusores, the former ADE of Eastern Samar, who is now designated as OIC-DE of Tacloban City District Engineering Office.

(MAY ANTONIETTE O. NABLO, PIO STAFF/PR)

ORMOC CITY— Police are investigating the ambush of a couple traveling aboard a subcompact sedan at around 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, in Barangay Buga-Buga, Villaba town, Leyte.

Police Major Salvador Ian Po, officer-in-charge of Villaba Municipal Police Station, identified the victims as “Rod,” 36, and his live-in partner “Krista,” 21, both residents of Maasin City.
According to witnesses, four unidentified gunmen aboard a gray van opened fire on the victims while they were traveling in a Mitsubishi Mirage 4 en route to Ormoc City and heading toward Maasin City.

Despite sustaining injuries, the driver managed to continue driving until they reached Barangay Hibulangan, Villaba, where they sought help from bystanders.

Responding personnel from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) Villaba rushed the couple to Ormoc Doctors City Hospital for treatment.

Police said they received the first report of the shooting at 4:57 p.m. through a “Pulis sa Barangay” from Barangay Hibulangan. Responding officers from Villaba MPS, the 31st Special Action Company (3SAC) of the 3rd Special Action Battalion (SAB), the 2nd Leyte Provincial Mobile Force Company (LPMFC), and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 8 (RMFB-8) immediately proceeded to the area.

A concerned citizen told police that the suspects were last seen heading toward Barangay Capiñahan, Villaba. Acting on this information, police pursued a gray van matching the description. They found it stuck in mud in a descending, mountainous portion of the barangay, with three male suspects pushing the vehicle.

Upon seeing the arriving officers, the suspects opened fire, prompting the police to return fire. A brief exchange of gunfire ensued but the suspects managed to flee toward the nearby mountains, abandoning the van.

Inside the van, police recovered a backpack containing a .45 caliber pistol with two live rounds and 11 spent shells of the same caliber. Despite a hot pursuit operation in the surrounding areas, the suspects were not apprehended. Neighboring police stations were also alerted to assist in locating and arresting the suspects.

Police also revealed that “Rod” was arrested in 2022 on drug charges but was released after entering into a plea bargaining agreement approved by the court.

(ROBERT DEJON)