The Philippine National Police (PNP) in the region assures the public of their safety during this summer vacation. More than 2,700 cops were deployed in various public places across the region as part of the security measure. (PHOTO COURTESY)
‘Ligtas Sumvac’ 2025
The Philippine National Police (PNP) in the region assures the public of their safety during this summer vacation. More than 2,700 cops were deployed in various public places across the region as part of the security measure. (PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY – Police in Eastern Visayas have assured residents and tourists of a safe and peaceful summer following the rollout of “Ligtas SumVac” 2025, a region-wide public safety campaign.
“With the entire region under tight security coverage, Police Regional Office-8 is confident that this year’s summer activities will proceed safely and orderly, promoting both public enjoyment and trust in law enforcement,” Brigadier General Jay Cumigad, police regional director, said.
From April 1 to May 31, over 2,700 uniformed police officers have been deployed across the region under a comprehensive security and public safety plan aimed at managing the expected surge of holiday-goers.
“Our security forces are fully mobilized to ensure that the public can enjoy the summer season safely and peacefully,” Cumigad said. He also urged the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious individuals or activities.
The summer months coincide with national events such as Philippine Veterans Week, Araw ng Kagitingan, Labor Day, Flores de Mayo, and various local town fiestas and family reunions.
An influx of tourists and returning overseas Filipinos is also expected to increase foot traffic across public spaces.
This year, a midterm election will also be held on May 12.
In addition to police personnel, 221 augmentation forces from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have been deployed. Around 466 volunteers from groups like the Philippine Red Cross and Rotary Clubs are also participating in the initiative.
Police operations are concentrated in areas with high public activity including transport terminals, business districts, churches, major roads, and tourist sites. Assistance desks have been set up in key areas, and both visible and covert security measures are in place to prevent crime, particularly from pickpockets and threat groups targeting crowds.
TACLOBAN CITY– Thirteen-year-old Jasper Surio marched to receive his elementary diploma on April 14, 2025, with proud police officers by his side—standing in as his “second parents.”
Surio, a resident of Silvino Lubos, Northern Samar, is a beneficiary of the scholarship program of the 803rd Maneuver Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 8 (RMFB8), led by Captain Solomon Agayso.
In a touching show of support, Agayso and several officers attended Surio’s graduation ceremony at Imelda Elementary School in Barangay Imelda, recognizing not just his academic milestone but also his resilience.
“Despite the challenges he faced early in life, he was given the chance to study and slowly work toward his dreams through the guidance and support of his new ‘family’ in uniform,” said Agayso.
He emphasized that Surio’s journey reflects the power of compassion and community. “Education is the key to progress—not just for the individual, but for society. As public servants, our role goes beyond law enforcement. We must also answer the call of social responsibility, especially in helping children in need.”
Agayso vowed continued support as Surio moves into high school. “The 803rd Mobile Company has become his home, and we will continue to be here to guide him in his education and growth.”
School officials and teachers also expressed deep gratitude for the police’s role in shaping Surio’s future, calling it a powerful example of service beyond the badge.
“Jasper’s story reminds us that real public service is not just about keeping peace, but about changing lives—whether it’s one life, a few, or a generation,” the 803rd Mobile Company said in a statement. (RONALD O. REYES)
HIGHER PAY FOR WORKERS. The Senate bets under the Bagong Alyansa vowed to promote higher pay and additional bonus for workers once they get elected. The Alyansa candidates are backed by Pres. Marcos.(FILE PHOTO)
HIGHER PAY FOR WORKERS. The Senate bets under the Bagong Alyansa vowed to promote higher pay and additional bonus for workers once they get elected. The Alyansa candidates are backed by Pres. Marcos.(FILE PHOTO)
Improving the plight of Filipino workers will be a top priority of senatorial aspirants from the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas as they plan to increase the take-home pay of public and private employees nationwide.
Former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said now is time to improve the salary and incentives of contract-of-service (COS) and job order (JO) workers in government, the country’s top employer with close to two million employees as of 2024 based on figures from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Abalos lamented that COS and JO workers do not receive standard employment benefits unlike regular state employees holding permanent, casual, temporary, and co-terminus positions, per a circular of the Commission on Audit and DBM.
“Huwag kayo mag-alala … Basta nandiyan na po tayo, gagawa tayo ng batas na maski incentive pay, gratuity pay, meron po kayo niyan. You deserve it,” said Abalos, who also served as mayor of Mandaluyong City for five terms.
Citing 2023 data from the DBM, Abalos noted that COS and JO workers make up 29.68 percent of the government workforce.
Abalos likewise vowed to remove taxes imposed on fuel being used for power generation to lower electricity rates and unburden employees from the rising cost of living, as well as attract more manufacturing companies to stir job generation.
Former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson would also fight to improve workers’ salaries by pushing for an inflation-based wage adjustment per region.
According to Lacson, an inflation-based wage adjustment would be more beneficial to workers since prices of commodities vary across regions.
He also said that the Regional Wage Board should have the flexibility to decide on the minimum wage rates.
“Halimbawa pumunta ka sa Zapote, sa Bacoor parang Metro Manila na ang presyo. Pumunta ka naman sa Maragondon, Bailen, medyo napapalayo baka iba rin ang presyo,” Lacson noted. “Bigyan natin ng konting flexibility ‘yong wage board na kung saan sila ‘yong makakapag-aral ano ba ‘yong existing inflation rate doon sa iba’t ibang lugar.”
Currently, the average minimum wage in provincial areas is P316-P560 per day as opposed to Metro Manila’s daily minimum wage of P645.
For former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, it is about time that the government provides additional financial relief to Filipino workers.
He vowed to continue fighting for a legislated 14th month pay for workers which shall be released in June to help Filipino families cover expected expenses around that time such as school tuition and other related fees.
Sotto, however, gave assurance that his proposed measure would consider safeguards for employers who could not afford to provide the 14th month pay.
In 2019, Sotto filed Senate Bill No. 10 requiring employers to provide 14th month pay to Filipino workers. According to the lawmaker, there is a need to give extra earnings in the middle of the year since the prevailing 13th month pay is gobbled up by Christmas expenses.
“The needs of the ordinary Filipino must be assisted by our government,” he noted. “The 13th month pay was mandated by Presidential Decree 851 in 1975. We need to push for a 14th month pay now to provide our kababayan additional financial relief.”
If Sotto’s 14th month pay proposal is approved, Makati Mayor Abby Binay, said she would move to exempt the 14th month pay, 13th month pay, and overtime pay from taxes.
“Relieving the tax burden on workers will enable Filipino families, especially those in the low to middle-income sectors, to avoid falling deeper into poverty in the face of rising inflation,” Binay said.
“May domino effect ‘yan. Tataas ang consumer spending, sisigla ang mga negosyo, tataas ang revenue collection ng gobyerno. Na-offset whatever revenue is lost,” Binay also explained. (PR)
TACLOBAN CITY – Residents of Barangay Cabacungan in Dulag, Leyte, now have a new venue for community gatherings, recreational activities, and sports events following the recent completion of a multi-purpose building by the Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The facility, measuring 680.785 square meters, includes a full-size concrete basketball court, bleachers, a stage, and a robust roofing system made of steel framing and pre-painted metal sheets. Structural components such as additional footings, columns, mid-beams, and roof beams were also added to support the extension.
To ensure functionality, the building is fitted with panel boards, conduit rough-ins, electrical wiring, and lighting fixtures. Basketball goals and steel grills were also installed to cater to local sports activities.
District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura said the project began in 2019 with the initial construction of the building’s structural components and roofing for three bays. Funding from the provincial government of Leyte helped advance the structure in subsequent phases.
In 2024, an additional P4.93 million from the DPWH General Appropriations Act—Basic Infrastructure Program was allocated to complete the building, supporting the delivery of social services in the barangay.
“This multi-purpose building will serve as a key venue for various community activities, sports programs, and gatherings, contributing to the social and recreational needs of residents,” Oppura said.
The project began on August 5, 2024, and was completed on January 1, 2025.
TACLOBAN CITY– Filipino fishermen and church leaders have expressed alarm over the continued recovery of suspected Chinese-deployed underwater surveillance drones in Philippine waters.
“We’re deeply concerned. Since they [Chinese forces] arrived, we’ve been blocked from fishing in our own waters,” said Leonardo Cuaresma, a fisherfolk leader in Zambales, who also noted the disappearance of giant clams in the area.
From 2022 to 2024, five undersea drones were recovered in strategic coastal provinces, including Ilocos Norte, Zambales, Cagayan, Misamis Oriental, and Masbate. According to Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, forensic analysis of three devices revealed Chinese components and links to a state-owned defense firm.
“These drones are capable of collecting and transmitting data useful for undersea warfare,” Trinidad said, citing their ability to map underwater terrain.
Community organizers and the Catholic Church also raised concerns over national security and the threat to local livelihoods.
“If China can intimidate the Philippine Coast Guard, what more ordinary fishermen?” said Anthony John Jumauay of Uswag-Este Katarungan in Eastern Samar.
Caritas Philippines called on the government to show political will and protect Filipino fishing communities. “Our resources must benefit our people,” said Caritas’ ecology head, Jing Rey Henderson.
The Chinese Embassy has not issued a comment as of press time.
The Navy urged fishermen to stay alert and report suspicious devices as the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea continues to escalate.
ORMOC CITY – A Manila-based worker was found lifeless inside his barracks in Barangay Cagusuan, Homonhon Island, Guiuan town on April 14, according to a report from the Police Regional Office 8 (PNP-8).
The victim, identified only by his alias “Leo,” 49 years old, married, and a resident of Lot 1, Block 10, 4th Street, Tañong (Pob.), Malabon City, was employed as a fitter, welder, and foreman under Dover Shipping Services Inc., a subcontractor of Verum Tera Geoscience Incorporated (VTGI), a mining company.
Based on the initial investigation of the Guiuan Municipal Police Station(MPS), personnel from the 2nd Eastern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company (2nd ESPMFC) and Guiuan MPS responded to a report from a company worker, alias “Alfie,” regarding a dead body found inside the workers’ barracks.
According to police, the victim was last seen alive around 5:20 am on the same day when he reportedly went to sleep. At around 8:50 am, Alfie and another co-worker, alias “Gimo,” attempted to wake him but received no response.
The company’s registered nurse was then called to assess the situation and declared that the victim had likely been dead for several hours.
VTGI’s company doctor later confirmed the fatality upon the arrival of responding police officers.
Authorities said the body will undergo a post-mortem examination by the Rural Health Unit (RHU) of Guiuan to determine the cause of death.
As of press time, foul play has not been ruled out pending further medical and forensic findings. (ROBERT DEJON)
