TACLOBAN CITY — The Senate on Wednesday, July 1, pressed for stronger school safety measures and updates on the investigation into the fatal school shooting in Tacloban City after Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) Regional Director Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy appeared before a Senate panel to detail the progress of the case that claimed the lives of three students and injured 18 others.

Capoy testified before the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality during its inquiry into the June 22 shooting at a private school in Tacloban City, one of the deadliest school-related attacks in recent years.

The hearing focused on the status of the police investigation, the government’s response to the incident, and possible legislative reforms aimed at strengthening campus security, protecting students, and preventing similar acts of violence.

During the inquiry, Capoy briefed senators on the steps taken by PRO-8 since the incident, including crime scene processing, forensic examination, evidence gathering, witness interviews, and coordination with prosecutors and other government agencies to build a strong case.

He assured lawmakers that the regional police office remains committed to securing justice for the victims and their families, saying investigators are exhausting all legal remedies to ensure that everyone found responsible will be held accountable.

Capoy also emphasized the need for closer collaboration among law enforcement agencies, the Department of Education, local government units, school administrators, parents, and community stakeholders to strengthen security measures in schools and improve emergency response protocols.

The Senate inquiry forms part of the government’s broader review of existing policies on campus safety and child protection following the Tacloban tragedy. Lawmakers said the findings of the investigation would serve as the basis for possible legislation and policy reforms aimed at preventing future school shootings and ensuring safer learning environments nationwide.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY— Ormoc City officially launched ‘Homemade: A Taste of Ormoc’, unveiling a coffee table cookbook that documents the city’s rich culinary traditions through treasured family recipes and personal stories in a bid to preserve its food heritage for future generations.

The launch, held at the Sports Complex Badminton Center in Barangay Juaton on June 27, marked the culmination of a three-year project dedicated to documenting and celebrating Ormoc’s culinary identity.

The book features 77 cherished recipes contributed by Ormocanons, each accompanied by personal narratives that reflect family traditions, cherished memories, and the cultural significance behind every dish. More than a cookbook, the publication captures the city’s heritage, illustrating how food serves as a bridge between generations and strengthens community bonds.

During the launch, Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres Gomez said she hopes readers will discover more than recipes within the pages of the book.

“I hope that each Taste of Ormoc instills a deeper appreciation for the stories, emotions, and values that define Ormoc today,” the mayor said, adding that the publication aims to preserve not only the city’s culinary traditions but also its history, culture, and way of life.
The cookbook is part of the local government’s continuing efforts to promote Ormoc’s cultural identity through gastronomy. By documenting traditional recipes and the stories behind them, the project helps safeguard the city’s intangible cultural heritage while supporting culinary tourism, an emerging driver of local economic and tourism development, Torres Gomez said.

As food tourism continues to gain popularity across the Philippines, initiatives such as Homemade: A Taste of Ormoc help preserve traditional cooking methods, highlight local ingredients, and introduce visitors to the distinctive flavors that define communities. Through the publication, Ormoc hopes to inspire both residents and tourists to appreciate the city’s rich culinary legacy and its growing reputation as a food destination in Eastern Visayas.

Joining Mayor Torres Gomez during the unveiling were Rep. Richard Gomez, daughter Juliana Gomez, members of the city council led by Vice Mayor Leo Carmelo Locsin Jr., among others.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY— Nearly 100 multigrade schools in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) of Southern Leyte have received school-in-a-bag (SIAB) portable digital classrooms, expanding access to technology-enabled education for thousands of learners.

The latest deployment, considered the largest distribution of SIAB kits supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to date, benefited 97 last-mile schools through a partnership involving UNICEF, PLDT Inc., Smart Communications, Inc., the Department of Education (DepEd-8), and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).

Each school-in-a-bag package includes a laptop, 10 tablets, a Smart Bro LTE Pocket WiFi with load allocation, teachers’ guides, and a collection of digital learning resources, including contextualized Learning Activity Sheets and #LearnSmart applications designed to improve learners’ literacy and numeracy skills.

UNICEF Education Specialist Jieun Yoon said the initiative seeks to ensure that children in marginalized communities have equitable access to quality education while equipping teachers with digital tools that make classroom instruction more engaging and effective.
Since 2019, UNICEF and the PLDT Group have deployed more than 300 SIAB kits to underserved schools across the country, helping bridge the digital divide through technology-assisted learning.

Roby Alampay, head of the public engagement and corporate communications group of PLDT and Smart, said the program delivers high-quality digital learning resources directly to children in remote communities, ensuring that learners have access to educational opportunities regardless of their location.

Among the beneficiaries is Benit Elementary School in the town of Malitbog, Southern Leyte where teachers said the SIAB will significantly enhance instruction in multigrade classrooms.

Teacher-in-Charge Merry Ann Tagon said the portable digital classroom can be used even without internet connectivity, enabling teachers and students to access offline educational content and continue learning uninterrupted.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Leyte First District Rep. Martin Romualdez has proposed a regional psychosocial support network, strengthened school safety and child protection systems, and greater parental and community involvement following the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School that left three students dead and 20 others injured.

Romualdez, a former House Speaker, presented the proposals during a consultative meeting on June 30 with national government agencies, local officials, and mental health experts to discuss immediate and long-term interventions in the aftermath of what officials described as one of the country’s most serious school shooting incidents.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd), and Commission on Higher Education (CHED), along with Tingog party-list Representatives Andrew Romualdez and Jude Acidre.

Romualdez emphasized that child protection is a shared responsibility requiring coordination across government agencies, schools, and communities.

“This is not only San Jose’s problem or the problem of the victims’ families. It is everyone’s concern, and we must work together,” he said. “Let us harness our resources, human capital, trained experts, and volunteers. Let us establish structures that will ensure we are prepared to address situations like this.”

Following the consultation, agencies agreed to pursue three key initiatives.

These include the establishment of a Regional Psychosocial Volunteer Network composed of mental health professionals, guidance counselors, social workers, and trained volunteers to provide psychosocial support to students, families, and school personnel affected by the tragedy.

The second initiative focuses on strengthening the School Safety and Child Protection Program, including stricter safety protocols and improved mechanisms to ensure student security within school campuses.

The third initiative involves a Parent and Community Education Program aimed at strengthening the role of families and communities in child protection, mental health awareness, and early identification of behavioral concerns.

Romualdez said participating agencies committed to pooling experts and resources to sustain mental health and psychosocial interventions in affected communities.
“We now have the commitment of the respective departments, through their regional directors, to work as one team,” he said. “We will bring together trained professionals, psychoanalysts, guidance counselors, and other specialists to support this effort.”

He also noted that many children are left under limited supervision due to parents working locally or overseas, stressing the need for stronger community-based support systems.
Romualdez added that he will push for legislative measures in Congress to expand mental health services, strengthen child protection laws, and institutionalize school-based safety and support programs nationwide.

Tingog Party-list Reps. Jude Acidre and Andrew Romualdez also thanked government agencies and partner organizations for their swift response and continued cooperation.
Acidre raised the need to reassess policies on minors’ access to social media, citing concerns over exposure to harmful online content.

“Without appropriate safeguards, teenagers and even younger children may be exposed to violent content that is not suitable for them and could have serious psychological effects,” he said.

Officials said the initiatives aim to complement ongoing efforts to provide assistance to victims and ensure safer learning environments across the country.

The June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School has prompted renewed calls for stronger school security, expanded mental health services, and closer coordination among government agencies, schools, parents, and communities.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)