TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte — Officials from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Regional Office VIII formally installed Roderick Rances as the new Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO II) of DAR Leyte on Tuesday, January 27 this year, marking a new chapter for the agency’s operations in the province.

The installation was carried out at the DAR Provincial Office of Leyte pursuant to Special Order No. 24, series of 2026, issued by Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III. The same directive reassigns outgoing DAR Leyte OIC-PARPO II, Atty. Daniel Pen, to DAR Southern Leyte, where he assumes the post of OIC-PARPO II.

Assistant Regional Director for Administration (ARDA) Ronelo Jose K. Zamora and Assistant Regional Director for Operations (ARDO) Atty. Bryan A. Lassiter, representing Regional Director Atty. Robert Anthony Yu, led the said installation.

In his acceptance message, PARPO II Rances anchored his leadership on the advocacy of Secretary Estrella. He reminded the workforce that their mission goes beyond targets.
“The ultimate goal of our program portfolio is to bring the national government to the people, to bring the national government closer to the agrarian reform beneficiaries,” Rances stated, echoing the Secretary’s directive.

He acknowledged, however, that fulfilling this mandate is rarely straightforward. Rances noted that in the course of implementation, the agency inevitably encounters “various issues and concerns,” but assured the staff that measures are being established to address these problems.

Building on this reality, Rances called on the DAR Leyte workforce to adopt a mindset of resilience.

“Sa ato pagpanaw, duna na juy ato gitawag na hindering factors,” (In our journey, there are indeed what we call hindering factors), Rances remarked. He urged the personnel not to be stopped by these obstacles, but rather to shift their perspective.

“Adunay hulga, ato himoon nga hagit,” (If there is a threat/hindrance, let us turn it into a challenge), he declared. He urged the personnel to meet recurring issues with solutions, aiming to establish a harmonious relationship within the office to ensure the efficient delivery of agrarian justice.

The transition was marked by a strong pledge of support from the DAR Leyte leadership. Speaking on behalf of the Division Chiefs, Chief Legal Officer Atty. Patrecia A. Ramos formally welcomed Rances “with optimism and confidence.” She emphasized that while leadership transitions are natural, the office’s core mission remains steadfast.

“Leadership may change, our commitment does not. We remain dedicated to serving our farmers with integrity, respect, and hard work in every season and every day,” Ramos stated.

She further assured the new PARPO of the division chiefs’ active assistance in managing stakeholder relations. Recognizing the complexities of the field, Atty. Ramos pledged that the chiefs would be there to help in the “pag-istorya ngan pakig-huruharampang” (dialogue and open engagement) with agrarian reform beneficiaries, landowners, and non-governmental organizations.

In response, Rances expressed deep gratitude for this assurance. He noted that the Division Chiefs’ offer of “tiunay ug tim-os nga pagtabang” (genuine and sincere help) allayed his initial apprehensions about the transfer, setting a collaborative tone for his tenure.

The installation comes at a critical time for the agency. Zamora and Lassiter reminded the body of the urgency of Project SPLIT (Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling), noting that the region faces a target of 76,000 hectares for 2026, with the bulk of the accomplishment expected from Leyte province.

“Change is crucial and should serve as an opportunity for us to grow,” Zamora noted, challenging the workforce to unite behind the new leadership to meet these time-bound goals.

Also present to witness the activity were Regional Chief of Legal Division, Atty. Jerome L. Paderes, RCAO Ma. Elsa M. Veloso, Regional CARPOs Felix Dante Espina and Engr. Joel M. Encina, with Consultant for Special Project Renato Badilla, alongside DAR Regional and Provincial Adjudicators, Atty. Pacito Canonoy Jr. and Atty. Florenz Hipe, respectively.
In the afternoon following the ceremony, Rances conducted courtesy calls to the various divisions and sections of the provincial office, signaling the immediate commencement of his official duties.

(PAUL NIKKO M. SANTOS)

TACLOBAN CITY — To address persistent power interruptions and strengthen the province’s energy security, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has begun the pre-construction phase of a new electricity transmission loop connecting Calbayog City, Allen, and Catarman in Northern Samar.

Northern Samar 1st District Rep. Edwin Ongchuan welcomed the development, saying the project is expected to significantly reduce the frequency and duration of brownouts in the province. He described the transmission loop as a long-term infrastructure investment that has been in the pipeline since his term as provincial governor.

The Calbayog–Allen–Catarman transmission loop will complement the existing Calbayog–Lope de Vega–Catarman line by providing an alternative power route during line outages and system disturbances. NGCP said the added loop will improve system flexibility and enhance the overall reliability of electricity supply in Northern Samar.

As part of the project, NGCP will construct a five-hectare substation in the municipality of Victoria and a two-hectare switching station in Catarman. These facilities are designed to reinforce the transmission network and support the province’s increasing power demand.
NGCP noted that the additional loop is critical in maintaining electricity supply when disruptions occur along the Palanas–Cara segment of the Lope de Vega route.

With the Allen loop in place, power can be rerouted to prevent prolonged outages affecting households, businesses, and public facilities.

The Victoria substation is also expected to play a key role in integrating renewable energy into the grid. It will serve as a connection point for power generated by ongoing renewable energy projects, including the 206-megawatt Lihangin Wind Power Project currently under construction.

Officials said the project is part of broader efforts to modernize Northern Samar’s power infrastructure, improve energy resilience, and support the province’s transition toward cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Police personnel in Eastern Visayas no longer had to leave camp or queue at multiple offices to access basic government services as the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) rolled out a one-stop shop of frontline services for uniformed personnel and their dependents on January 28.

The activity, held at the PRO-8 Multi-Purpose Hall, was spearheaded by Regional Director B/Gen. Jason Capoy in line with the directive of PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. to deliver faster, more accessible, and people-centered public service under the banner “Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman,” in celebration of PNP Day.

The one-stop shop gathered various government agencies and partner institutions to provide on-site services aimed at easing the administrative and personal needs of police personnel and their families. Among the services offered were license renewals and registrations by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) 8 and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) 8.

Clearance applications and eligibility authentication were facilitated by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Eastern Visayas and the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) 8, while the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) assisted in the registration and issuance of Philippine National ID cards, as well as birth and marriage certificates.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) conducted legal education sessions for police investigators, focusing on proper case filing and strengthening prosecutorial coordination. In support of food security and health initiatives, the Department of Agriculture (DA) distributed free seedlings, provided anti-rabies vaccinations for pets, and operated a KADIWA store, while the Philippine Coconut Authority shared dwarf coconut seedlings.
Health and wellness services were also extended through the PRO-8 OLC Foundation Inc., which offered medical services and health lectures. Financial and social welfare assistance were provided by PhilHealth Eastern Visayas and Pag-IBIG Fund Tacloban, with additional support desks from the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund Inc. (PSMBFI), Philippine Savings and Loan Association Inc. (PSSLAI), and Armed Forces and Police Savings and Loan Association Inc. (AFPSLAI).

Capoy thanked partner agencies for their support, emphasizing that the initiative reflects the organization’s commitment to the welfare of police personnel and their families.
“This one-stop shop shows that the welfare of our personnel and their dependents is a priority. By bringing these services directly to our camp, we ensure that our men and women in uniform truly feel the support of both the organization and the government,” Capoy said.

(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)