TACLOBAN CITY — Around 200 youth leaders from across Eastern Visayas convened in the city on April 22 for “Urban Bayanihan 2026,” an Earth Day summit aimed at mobilizing young people to take a more active role in addressing climate change and promoting environmental sustainability.

Held at Pacific Point in line with the observance of International Earth Day, the gathering underscored Tacloban’s continuing push for climate resilience more than a decade after the devastation of Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’, which exposed the city’s vulnerability to extreme weather events.

Organizers said the summit served as a platform for collaboration and dialogue, encouraging youth participation in environmental protection and community-based initiatives. Participants engaged in discussions and workshops focused on building resilient and inclusive communities amid the growing impacts of climate change.

A highlight of the event was an interactive booth showcase featuring 11 youth-led organizations presenting their climate advocacies and community projects.

Among the participating groups were The Weekender, Estrella Genoring, JJC Metro Tacloban Ruperto Kangleon, Rotaract Club of San Juanico, Brgy. 60 YHES Organization, Panaad Ha Sinirangan AYEJ-Leyte, Tala EcoFloss, Young Entrepreneurs Society, Youth Innovators, Tacloban Mountaineering Advocates Club, and Sumusip Young Builders.

Rasheed Luke Abordo, one of the exhibitors, welcomed the opportunity to connect with fellow advocates. “I love the community that we have here in Tacloban because we are surrounded by like-minded individuals who also stand for the environment,” he said.

The event also featured creative competitions, including poster-making, slogan writing, and siday (poetry), all centered on raising awareness about environmental responsibility.

Project lead Aron Sedrick Caminong said the turnout exceeded expectations, noting the participation of youth leaders from across the region.

“The goal is to unite youth leaders in Tacloban City, but we were surprised to have registrants from across Eastern Visayas,” he said. “We want the youth to feel inspired and to realize that they are not alone in pushing for climate action.”

Organizers said the initiative highlights the critical role of the youth in advancing sustainability efforts, emphasizing that collective action at the community level can drive meaningful environmental change.

(RICARDO TODIO, LNU STUDENT INTERN)

ORMOC CITY — Ten houses were completely destroyed while another was partially damaged after a fire allegedly set by a resident swept through Phase 3, Sitio San Roque, Barangay Larrazabal on Friday evening, April 24.

Police identified the suspect as alias “Mike,” 29, single, unemployed, and a resident of the area. He is currently detained at the municipal police station.

According to initial investigation, the suspect reportedly became enraged over a missing cellphone and allegedly threatened to burn down the neighborhood if it was not found. Shortly after, the fire broke out at around 6:30 p.m.

Witnesses said the suspect even shouted “Happy New Year!” as flames began to spread.
The fire quickly escalated due to the houses being made mostly of wood and other light materials, prompting authorities to raise a second alarm. Fire trucks from neighboring towns—Almeria, Biliran, Cabucgayan, and Kawayan—were deployed to assist in containing the blaze.

Firefighters managed to control the fire by 6:57 p.m. and fully extinguished it by 7:14 p.m., preventing further spread to nearby homes.

The suspect was arrested through a hot pursuit operation with the help of his relatives. Authorities said he was informed of the nature of his arrest and his constitutional rights in a language he understands.

No injuries were reported, but the fire caused an estimated P442,000 in damage.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — A new workplace-based training program aimed at closing the gap between education and employment was formally launched in Eastern Visayas, with Rep. Jude Acidre of Tingog party-list leading the rollout of the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) initiative in the city.

The regional launch, held at ACLC Tacloban Fatima Campus on April 20, gathered key stakeholders from government, industry, and technical-vocational sectors to support the implementation of Republic Act No. 12063, a measure that promotes learning within actual workplace environments.

Rep. Acidre said the EBET program is designed to make skills training more responsive to industry needs by immersing learners in real job settings. He emphasized that the approach helps address persistent challenges such as job-skills mismatch and limited work experience among graduates.

The law positions industries as active partners in designing training programs, ensuring that competencies developed by trainees are aligned with current labor market demands. Among its key goals are improving employability, strengthening industry-led training systems, and creating a more job-ready workforce.

The initiative also highlights the role of collaboration among the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), business groups, and educational institutions in expanding access to relevant training opportunities across the region.

Acidre acknowledged the support of TESDA Director General Jose Francisco Benitez and Deputy Director General Dan Navarro, as well as the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for backing the program’s rollout.

He said EBET ultimately aims to bring employment opportunities closer to local communities, enabling more Filipinos—particularly in Eastern Visayas—to access stable jobs without needing to migrate elsewhere for work.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — In a push toward safer and more sustainable farming, the regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA-8) has introduced biological control agents in Palompon, Leyte to help farmers manage crop pests while reducing dependence on chemical pesticides.

The initiative, carried out on April 14–15 through the agency’s Regional Crop Protection Center, involved the distribution of various biological control agents (BCAs) to the Municipal Agriculture Office for use in local farms and demonstration sites.

Among the agents deployed were earwigs and beneficial organisms such as Trichogramma chilonis, Trichogramma evanescens, and Metarhizium anisopliae, along with wood vinegar. These were introduced in demo areas in Sitio Kamalig, Barangay Taberna, and at the municipal nursery in Barangay Central II.

Agriculture officials said the BCAs are designed to combat major pests affecting corn and vegetable crops, including fall armyworm, corn borers, fruit borers, and earworms—pests that have long impacted farm productivity in the region.

During the rollout, DA-8 personnel conducted field demonstrations on the proper release of earwigs and Trichogramma species in corn fields. Local agricultural technicians were also trained on the correct application of these biological agents and oriented on services offered by the crop protection center.

To ensure sustainability, a hands-on training on the rearing and mass production of predatory earwigs was also held at the municipal nursery, enabling local technicians to continue producing the agents for future use.

The program forms part of the DA’s broader strategy to promote climate-resilient and environmentally friendly agricultural practices across Eastern Visayas, helping farmers maintain yields while protecting soil health and surrounding ecosystems.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)