TACLOBAN CITY — Nearly 1,800 tricycle drivers in Tacloban City received P5,000 each in government aid on Wednesday, April 8, offering temporary relief as soaring fuel prices continue to cut into their daily earnings.

The cash assistance, distributed at the Tacloban City Astrodome Convention Center, benefited 1,796 drivers and forms part of a wider P49-million subsidy released to 9,569 registered tricycle drivers across seven cities in Eastern Visayas, including Ormoc, Baybay, Borongan, Catbalogan, Calbayog, and Maasin.

The program, implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), is part of the national government’s fuel subsidy initiative aimed at cushioning the impact of rising oil prices on the transport sector.

DSWD Regional Director Grace Subong said beneficiaries were identified through validated lists submitted by local government units, prioritizing drivers who depend on fuel for their livelihood.

For many drivers, the assistance comes at a critical time.

Tricycle driver Castro Faller, 72, said the subsidy provides much-needed relief as his income has significantly declined due to high fuel costs.

A driver for more than two decades, Faller shared that he was forced to temporarily stop operating because earnings could no longer cover daily expenses.

He noted that his fuel expenses have surged from about P100 to P150 per day before the crisis to as much as P500 to P600 at present.

While grateful, Faller said the one-time assistance may not be enough if fuel prices continue to rise, echoing the concerns of other drivers who are calling for sustained government support.

(ALEXA A. PATAWARAN, LNU STUDENT INTERN)

In Leyte

ORMOC CITY — The municipality of San Isidro in Leyte has been declared under a Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC), signaling a major milestone in the government’s efforts to end insurgency and shift toward sustained development.

The 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army said the declaration reflects the effective neutralization of communist terrorist group influence in the area, creating a safer environment for economic activities, investments, and improved delivery of basic services.
Military officials attributed the achievement to the coordinated efforts of the 93rd Infantry Battalion under the 802nd Infantry Brigade, in partnership with the local government unit, national agencies, and residents of San Isidro.

“This achievement is a testament to the strong partnership between our security forces, local government units, and the people. It reflects our shared commitment to ending insurgency and signals the readiness of the LGU in leading a peaceful environment conducive to development,” the division said.

With the SIPSC declaration, authorities said the municipality can now focus more on infrastructure development, social services, and livelihood programs, as government efforts transition from security operations to community development initiatives.

The 8ID described the milestone as a “people-centered victory,” emphasizing that long-term peace is sustained through active community participation, good governance, and continued vigilance against the possible resurgence of threat groups.

Residents were encouraged to support programs that promote unity, resilience, and peacebuilding to ensure that the gains achieved will translate into lasting progress.
The Army also reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with stakeholders to maintain stability in the area and support inclusive growth.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City has emerged as the top higher education institution in Eastern Visayas in the 2026 uniRank University Ranking, which evaluates universities based on web presence and digital visibility.

Unlike traditional academic league tables, uniRank assesses institutions using independent web metrics that measure online engagement and influence rather than academic reputation or self-reported data.

The ranking includes only universities in the Philippines that are officially chartered, licensed, or accredited and offer at least three-year bachelor’s or postgraduate programs delivered primarily through on-campus learning.

Following VSU, Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) in Tacloban City placed second, while Samar State University in Catbalogan City ranked third.

Northwest Samar State University in Calbayog City, Southern Leyte State University in Sogod, Leyte Normal University in Tacloban City, Eastern Samar State University in Borongan City, Biliran Province State University, and the University of Eastern Philippines in Catarman also made it to the regional list.

Education analysts said the results highlight the growing importance of digital presence in higher education, as students increasingly rely on online platforms for information when choosing schools.

The 2026 uniRank results reaffirm VSU’s position as the leading university in the region, reflecting both its academic offerings and strong online visibility.

(JUSTIN CARL SUBILLO)

TACLOBAN CITY — A proposed measure seeking to elevate a long-standing fisheries school in Eastern Samar into a full-fledged polytechnic institute has moved closer to approval after gaining the endorsement of a House panel.

The House Committee on Higher and Technical Education has approved for plenary deliberation House Bill No. 6785, which aims to convert the Matarinao School of Fisheries (MASOF) into the Eastern Samar Polytechnic Institute of Fisheries and Technology (ESPIFT).

The bill was authored by Eastern Samar Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales, in partnership with 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan, both of whom pushed for the expansion of higher education opportunities in the province.

Gonzales welcomed the committee’s approval, describing it as a major step toward enhancing fisheries education and maximizing the province’s rich marine resources.
“The establishment of ESPIFT will empower our people with advanced skills and modern knowledge in fisheries, aquaculture, and marine sciences. This is a crucial step toward creating sustainable livelihoods and uplifting coastal and rural communities in Eastern Samar,” he said.

Founded in 1967, MASOF has served as a key training institution for technical skills in fisheries. It is located in Barangay Matarinao in the municipality of Salcedo, Eastern Samar.
Under the proposed measure, the school will be upgraded into a polytechnic institute that can offer a broader range of academic programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as technical and short-term courses in fisheries, aquaculture, marine sciences, engineering, and technology.

The envisioned ESPIFT will also function as a center for research and innovation in sustainable fisheries and marine development, while strengthening partnerships with industry stakeholders.

Gonzales emphasized that the initiative seeks to align education with the economic needs of coastal communities that rely heavily on marine resources.

“By investing in education that is directly tied to our natural strengths, we are opening more opportunities for our people and ensuring long-term, inclusive growth,” he added.
The bill also mandates coordination among key government agencies such as the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to ensure effective implementation.

Gonzales expressed optimism that the measure will be approved at the plenary level, citing its potential to expand access to quality education and drive sustainable development in Eastern Samar.

The lawmaker has been actively pushing for improved access to state-supported higher education, including proposals to establish a College of Maritime Studies at the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) in Guiuan, and to upgrade ESSU extension campuses in Balangiga and Arteche.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)