TACLOBAN CITY — The municipality of Silago in Southern Leyte has taken a pioneering step in boosting early-grade literacy after becoming the first local government unit (LGU) in Eastern Visayas to replicate the government’s “Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program” through a formal technology transfer agreement.

The milestone was sealed with the signing of a tripartite memorandum of agreement led by Mayor Lemuel Honor, signaling the town’s commitment to addressing learning gaps and strengthening foundational reading skills among young learners.

“Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program,” a flagship literacy initiative of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), was originally launched to help improve reading proficiency among children, particularly those affected by learning disruptions in recent years.

Its replication at the local level highlights growing efforts among LGUs to take a more active role in education support.

The Silago initiative brings together key institutions, including the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office VIII, and Southern Leyte State University (SLSU), forming a collaborative framework aimed at enhancing literacy outcomes across communities.

As part of the program rollout, a capability-building training for tutors and youth development workers is set to begin on May 5, 2026, at the SLSU Hinunangan Campus. The training will prepare participants with the necessary tools and strategies to effectively deliver reading interventions.

The actual 20-day tutoring sessions will run from May 11 to June 5, 2026, targeting young learners in Silago and focusing on improving reading comprehension and foundational skills.

Local officials expressed hope that Silago’s initiative will serve as a model for other LGUs in Eastern Visayas, encouraging wider adoption of community-based literacy programs to address educational challenges at the grassroots level.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

In Southern Leyte

TACLOBAN CITY — The municipality of Sogod in Southern Leyte has been formally declared under a Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC), marking its transition to an insurgency-free status and signaling a new phase of peace-driven development.

The declaration was affirmed through Resolution No. 282-2026, unanimously approved by Vice Mayor Jose Ramil G. Golo and members of the Sangguniang Bayan, following a two-day recognition activity that culminated on April 22.

A ceremonial signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the Sogod Municipal Gymnasium highlighted the milestone, which local officials described as the result of sustained peace and order efforts involving both government forces and the community.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Southern Leyte Provincial Director Danilo Laguitan said the improved security environment is expected to enhance investor confidence and spur economic growth in the town.

“A peaceful environment builds investor confidence. However, while this milestone marks the end of one phase, sustaining peace requires continuous effort. Integrating peace and development initiatives into local plans, budgets, and programs is essential. Good governance remains the strongest antidote to insurgency,” Laguitan said.

Vice Mayor Golo said the SIPSC declaration strengthens Sogod’s development prospects, including its long-term goal of becoming a city.

“This development positions us to attract more investors and strengthens our bid toward becoming a city. As a first-class municipality, this milestone serves as a stepping stone toward that goal,” he said.

Officials credited the achievement to the coordinated efforts of the local government, national agencies, and security forces, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

Lt. Col. Celeste Frank Sayson, commander of the 93rd Infantry Battalion, emphasized that while the declaration is a significant accomplishment, maintaining peace will require sustained vigilance and collaboration among stakeholders.

The event was attended by local officials, members of the Sangguniang Bayan, and 45 village chiefs, who reaffirmed their commitment to preserving peace and security in the municipality.

Authorities said the SIPSC declaration reflects not only institutional success but also the collective effort of Sogod’s residents in fostering a culture of peace and resilience.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Thousands of rice farmers in Basey, Samar have received government cash assistance aimed at easing the burden of rising farm input and fuel costs, as part of ongoing efforts to sustain agricultural productivity in rural communities.

A total of 3,489 farmers benefited from the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program (PAFFP), with each recipient receiving P2,325 in unconditional cash aid.
The two-day payout, conducted at the Basey municipal gymnasium, released more than P8.11 million in total assistance.

The distribution was led by the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 8, targeting farmers affected by increasing production expenses, particularly fuel, which is essential for operating farm machinery and transporting goods.

Farmer-beneficiary Guillermo Jadloc Jr. said the financial assistance would help cover day-to-day farming expenses, including minor repairs of equipment.

“Dako an maibubulig hini sugad han mga gudti namon nga baraydan ha pag-uma o sugad han mga taglagudti na araydon han amon mga makinarya. Damo nga salamat han pagpaabot hini ha amon,” he said.

He added that the continued rise in fuel prices has limited their ability to maximize farm operations, further increasing their production costs.

Another beneficiary, Jacquilyn Bacha, shared that registering under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) allowed her family to access government support following years of financial struggle.

“Makuri an hadto nga waray pa kami nakakarawat nga assistance. Labi na an nangingiskwela pa an akon mga anak. Sariling sikap la. Kamatay han akon asawa, asya an akon pakaparegister han RSBSA ngan nakakarawat hin cash assistance,” she said.

Agriculture officials said strict validation and verification procedures were conducted during the payout to ensure that only qualified beneficiaries received assistance.
The PAFFP is part of the national government’s broader intervention to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices on the agriculture sector and help farmers maintain productivity despite economic challenges.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The government has begun rolling out more than P1.2 million in fuel subsidies to hundreds of fisherfolk in Southern Leyte, as part of efforts to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs on the province’s fishing sector.

A total of 420 municipal fisherfolk from the towns of Silago, Liloan, Bontoc, Pintuyan, Tomas Oppus, Sogod, and Hinunangan received fuel discount cards this April under the Fuel Discount for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program (FDFFP).

The distribution was carried out through municipal caravans led by the Provincial Fisheries Office in coordination with local government units.

Each beneficiary is entitled to a fuel subsidy of up to P3,000, which can be redeemed at accredited fuel stations to support daily fishing operations and help sustain their livelihoods.

Local officials underscored that access to the program requires proper registration under the Boat and Gear Registration (BoatR) and Fisherfolk Registration (FishR) systems, which ensure that only legitimate and documented fisherfolk receive assistance.

Perpetua Salan, municipal agriculturist of Tomas Oppus, said beneficiaries with complete and accurate registration records are prioritized in the distribution of aid to promote compliance and responsible fishing practices.

The Provincial Fisheries Office said distribution will continue in the municipality of Libagon in the second quarter of the year, as part of ongoing efforts to reach all qualified beneficiaries.

Authorities are also urging fisherfolk to complete the Know-Your-Client (KYC) process with Universal Storefront Services Corporation, a requirement for the processing and release of fuel cards.

As of the latest update, more than 800 beneficiaries in the province have yet to complete the KYC requirement, causing delays in the distribution in some areas.

Southern Leyte currently has 2,493 registered fisherfolk beneficiaries under the third tranche of the FDFFP—the second highest in the region—highlighting the importance of fuel assistance in sustaining the province’s fisheries sector amid fluctuating fuel prices.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Local officials in Northern Samar are calling for more affordable and transparent airfare pricing, raising concerns over the high cost of flights on the Catarman-Manila route during a recent meeting with airline representatives.

The issue was brought up during the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Northern Samar Chapter meeting at the provincial capitol, where mayors cited mounting complaints from residents over ticket prices that reportedly range from P15,000 to P20,000 per seat.

Catarman Mayor Dianne Rosales led the discussion, asking Philippine Airlines (PAL) officials about possible interventions to lower fares, stressing that the high cost of air travel is affecting not only residents but also tourism and overall economic activity in the province.
PAL Tacloban Area Manager Joery Fallori explained that flights to Catarman are operated using turboprop aircraft, such as the Q400, due to airport limitations, which results in higher operational costs compared to larger jets.

He added that ticket prices tend to be lower when booked in advance but increase closer to departure dates depending on seat availability. However, he noted that fare structures are determined by the airline’s pricing specialists.

Several mayors expressed concern over the absence of these pricing specialists at the meeting, saying their presence could have provided clearer explanations on how fares are computed.

Catubig Mayor Solomon Vicencio questioned the lack of detailed fare breakdown, while Mapanas Mayor Ronn Michael Tejano highlighted the impact of high airfare on students and senior citizens who have limited options and cannot easily endure long land travel.
San Antonio Mayor Gary Lavin also proposed adjusting flight schedules to better accommodate passengers traveling from far-flung municipalities.

LMP Northern Samar Chapter President Mayor Mary Ann Avalon said local leaders are united in seeking “fair fare” and greater transparency from airlines, adding that PAL is expected to present a detailed pricing breakdown during the next LMP meeting in May.
Officials also discussed the need to expand flight routes and increase flight frequency to improve connectivity, support tourism, and stimulate economic growth in Northern Samar.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)