TACLOBAN CITY — A fisheries student from Southern Leyte made history as the first summa cum laude graduate of the Visayas State University (VSU) Tolosa Campus, earning a P50,000 cash incentive from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Eastern Visayas (BFAR-8).

Jomari Tubigan of Silago, Southern Leyte, completed his Bachelor of Science in Fisheries degree with a General Weighted Average of 1.149. He was a scholar under BFAR’s Fisheries Scholarship Program (FSP) Fisherfolk Children’s Educational Grant (FCEG).

BFAR-8 awarded Tubigan P50,000, while 10 other FSP scholars who graduated cum laude in 2026 received P20,000 each in recognition of their academic achievements.

“I am honored to have graduated from the BS Fisheries program as an FSP scholar. Earning this degree would not have been possible without BFAR-8’s support, and for that, I am deeply grateful,” Tubigan said.

The other cum laude graduates were Princess Nover Comeo of VSU Tolosa Campus; Mekayla Lumata of Southern Leyte State University-Bontoc Campus; Danica Pecayo, Ashley Andrea Capate, Simfroso Lucero Jr. and Jhon Mark Tonizol of the University of Eastern Philippines-Catarman Campus; and Ma. Hyacinth May Bergado, Sailyn Ablay, Rosary Mae Gagaboan and Zyra Obina of Eastern Samar State University-Borongan Campus.

A total of 23 BFAR-8 scholars graduated this year from five state universities and colleges in Eastern Visayas, including Biliran Province State University-Biliran Campus.

BFAR-8 currently supports 44 scholars pursuing Bachelor of Science in Fisheries degrees through three scholarship components: the Fisheries Industry Leader Grant, Fisherfolk Children’s Educational Grant, and the Fisheries Scholarship Program for Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples.

The BFAR scholarship program provides educational support to help develop future fisheries professionals, particularly those from fisherfolk families and Indigenous communities. The agency said its goal is to produce graduates who can help strengthen the fisheries sector, improve the welfare of fishing communities and promote the sustainable management of the country’s aquatic resources.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) here has expanded its capacity to treat severe neurological conditions after successfully performing two therapeutic plasma exchange procedures on patients with Myasthenia Gravis (MG).
The procedures were conducted using the hospital’s newly acquired Terumo Spectra Optia Apheresis machine, obtained in January 2026. EVMC said both patients showed gradual improvement following the treatments.

Also known as plasmapheresis, therapeutic plasma exchange removes plasma containing harmful antibodies that interfere with communication between the nerves and muscles and replaces it with donor plasma or a plasma substitute.

The treatment is commonly used for patients experiencing myasthenic crises or severe symptoms requiring rapid clinical improvement.

Myasthenia Gravis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness, which typically worsens with activity and improves with rest. Although there is no known cure, medications, immunotherapy, surgery and plasmapheresis can help manage the condition and reduce serious complications.

The availability of the procedure at EVMC is expected to reduce the need for patients from Eastern Visayas to travel to major medical centers in Metro Manila or Cebu for specialized treatment. It could also help reduce travel expenses and allow critically ill patients to receive care closer to home.

As the region’s largest government referral hospital, EVMC has continued to expand its specialized medical services through investments in modern equipment and advanced treatment capabilities.

Hospital officials said the introduction of therapeutic plasma exchange strengthens EVMC’s commitment to providing accessible, high-quality and patient-centered healthcare for residents of Eastern Visayas, particularly those with complex neurological conditions.

(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY— More than 40 lawmakers from different political parties and regions have formed the Congressional Alliance for Philippine Education (CAPE) to help ensure that the country’s education reform agenda continues beyond the mandate of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II).

The alliance was launched during the Congressional Forum on Philippine Education Reform at the University of the Philippines Bonifacio Global City, where participating legislators signed a Statement of Commitment to advance priority education legislation, strengthen congressional oversight and promote evidence-based policymaking.

Rep. Jude Acidre, chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education and co-chair of EDCOM II, said the commission has provided a roadmap for education reform, but many of its recommendations will require years of sustained implementation.
“Education reform cannot end with the life of a commission, the term of a legislator, or the administration of a president,” Acidre said.

He proposed the Philippine Education Reform Movement (PERM), a multisectoral platform that would bring together Congress, academic institutions, local governments, civil society and other stakeholders to sustain education reforms.

Under the proposal, CAPE would serve as PERM’s legislative arm, focusing on education legislation, budget advocacy and policy oversight.

Acidre also announced the creation of the Congressional Education Policy Academy (CEPA), in partnership with the University of the Philippines Center for Education and Development, to strengthen Congress’ capacity to craft evidence-based education policies.

The initiative comes as the government seeks to address long-standing challenges in the Philippine education system and ensure that reform efforts continue despite changes in political leadership and administration.

Acidre thanked Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, EDCOM II Co-Chair Rep. Roman Romulo, Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee and fellow lawmakers for supporting the initiative, saying their collective commitment would help keep education reform a national priority.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho “Icot” Petilla has distributed armchairs to public schools in various municipalities and barangays across the province as part of the provincial government’s efforts to improve classroom learning conditions.

Petilla said the donations are intended to provide students with safer and more comfortable spaces for learning, describing each armchair as an investment in the future of Leyte’s learners.

“Every armchair we turn over is a small investment in a learner’s journey, a place where lessons are learned, dreams begin to take shape, and futures are quietly built each day,” Petilla said in a Facebook post.

He said his administration remains committed to supporting public schools and improving the quality of education through assistance that directly addresses the needs of students and teachers.

“Education is a shared responsibility, and we remain committed to supporting our schools in ways that matter,” he added.

Petilla also expressed hope that the donated armchairs would remind students that they deserve a safe and comfortable environment conducive to learning.

The distribution forms part of the provincial government’s continuing support for public education in Leyte.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

ORMOC CITY– Host communities of Energy Development Corporation (EDC) geothermal facilities in Leyte are set to benefit from P20.38 million in power-generation revenues released to the provincial and local governments for development projects.

The amount, representing EDC’s share of the Energy Regulation 1-94 (ER 1-94) benefits for the first quarter of 2026, was allocated to the province of Leyte, Ormoc City, Kananga and their host barangays.

The ER 1-94 program provides financial benefits to local governments and communities hosting power-generation facilities.

Beginning January 2026, the benefit increased from P0.01 to P0.03 for every kilowatt-hour of electricity generated, resulting in higher allocations for host communities.

In Ormoc City, the funds will be used to repair the learning center in Barangay Cagbuhangin and install solar-powered streetlights in Barangay Catmon.

In Kananga, the allocation will finance the construction of a community stage and a view deck intended to support local tourism development.

EDC has provided more than P314.87 million in ER 1-94 funds for projects in Eastern Visayas from 2018 to 2025, according to the company.

The funds have supported infrastructure and community development projects, including roads, flood-control facilities, water systems, health facilities, streetlights, waste-management initiatives and livelihood programs.

The company said the increased ER 1-94 rate of P0.03 per kilowatt-hour is expected to generate additional funding for Ormoc, Kananga and other host communities, enabling them to undertake more development projects and improve public services.

ER 1-94 is a government program that provides financial benefits to communities hosting power-generation facilities. The funds are intended to support development projects in host local government units and barangays, with allocations typically directed toward infrastructure, social services, environmental programs and livelihood initiatives.

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA/ROEL T.AMAZONA)