DIGYO ISLAND,INOPACAN,Leyte– More than 80 foreign tourists aboard the luxury expedition cruise ship SH Minerva visited Digyo Island, this town, immersing themselves in the local culture, traditional livelihoods, and island cuisine as Eastern Visayas continues to position itself as a destination for sustainable cruise tourism.

The 85 passengers of the Swan Hellenic cruise ship, mostly Russians and Italians, along with visitors from Brazil, China, and the United States, spent time interacting with residents and learning about the island community’s way of life.

During their half-day visit, the tourists observed traditional weaving using Romblon, a type of screw pine locally crafted into bags, hats, and mats.

They also watched local fishermen repair damaged fishing nets and witnessed the production of dried fish, one of the island’s common livelihood activities.

Another highlight of the cultural immersion was the gathering of coconut nectar used in producing tuba, a traditional coconut wine. Visitors were given a chance to taste both the freshly harvested tuba and its fermented version locally known as bahal.

The guests also sampled various local delicacies, including kabkab — a crispy cassava cracker — as well as puto bilanghoy, puto kutsinta, bibingka, camote cue, and biko.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Eastern Visayas Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said the region hopes to attract more expedition cruise ships, noting that smaller groups are easier to manage and allow deeper cultural interaction with local communities.

“Expedition cruises have fewer guests and they are into immersion. We want fewer crowds so they can easily be managed,” Tiopes said.

She added that the DOT hopes visitors will leave with meaningful experiences worth sharing with others.

Tiopes also expressed gratitude that Eastern Visayas was included in Swan Hellenic’s maiden Philippine voyage.

Aside from cultural activities, the tourists enjoyed swimming in Digyo Island’s turquoise waters and relaxing along its white sand beaches.

Digyo Island was the third Philippine port call of SH Minerva. Prior to Leyte, the cruise ship visited Casulian Island in Dapa, Surigao del Norte, and Bohol.

After Leyte, the vessel is scheduled to continue to Romblon and later visit destinations in Luzon, including Hundred Islands and Batanes, before proceeding to Japan.

Digyo Island is part of the Cuatro Islas Protected Landscape and Seascape located in Leyte’s fifth district. The island group also includes Apid, Mahaba, and Himokilan islands.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

NAVAL, Biliran (PIA) — The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Biliran conducted an Information Dissemination Forum for TESDA-CNSAT students on April 29, emphasizing the importance of factual information and media literacy in today’s digital age.

Charlesse Ann C. Bastes, Instructor II and information officer-designate of Cabucgayan National School of Arts and Trades, underscored the need to empower students and the public through accurate, reliable information.

“Today’s forum serves a very important purpose, which is ensuring that accurate, timely, and relevant information reaches you, our learners, who are at the forefront of building a skilled and informed workforce,” Bastes said.

She added that while information is now widely accessible, it is not always dependable. Initiatives like information fora help bridge the gap between facts and misinformation, equipping students to make better decisions in their careers and daily lives.

Meanwhile, Reyan L. Arinto, regional head of the Philippine Information Agency Region 8, discussed key concepts of media and information literacy, including misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation.

He emphasized the importance of verifying information from credible sources and urged participants to help combat the spread of fake news, particularly on social media platforms.
Arinto also highlighted the agency’s priority programs and services, reinforcing PIA’s role as the government’s grassroots communications arm in delivering accurate and relevant information to communities.

The forum is part of PIA’s continuing efforts to strengthen public awareness and promote responsible information consumption among the youth. (RSV/PIA Biliran)

TACLOBAN CITY — Hundreds of families and all barangays in Tacloban City received government assistance on April 29, as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the distribution of rice aid and direct funding support during a visit to the Tacloban City Convention Center.
The event highlighted the rollout of the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program under the Local Government Support Fund–Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (LGSF-FALGU), where 500 families each received 10 kilograms of high-quality rice.

The program is part of the administration’s efforts to strengthen food security and improve the delivery of basic services amid rising living costs.

Marcos underscored the importance of ensuring that government aid reaches communities quickly and efficiently, especially as households continue to face economic pressures.
Also launched was the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang Program under the Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF), which provides direct financial assistance to barangays nationwide.
In Tacloban, all 138 barangays received P200,000 each. Half of the amount is allocated for education support and the rest for priority community projects identified by barangay officials, including infrastructure improvements, health services, and disaster preparedness initiatives.

The program also includes the Bagong Pilipinas Barangay Scholars component, which grants a P20,000 “finisher fund” to selected graduating college students. In Tacloban, 690 students were identified as beneficiaries to help support their completion of college degrees.

Officials said the initiative aims to reduce student dropouts and support at least 200,000 graduating students nationwide by the end of Academic Year 2026–2027.

Local leaders welcomed the programs, saying direct funding to barangays allows for faster and more responsive implementation of community projects.

The assistance rollout also forms part of the government’s broader response to economic challenges, including rising fuel prices and inflation pressures affecting vulnerable sectors such as transport workers, low-income families, and returning overseas Filipino workers.

Marcos’ visit underscored the national government’s push for grassroots-level development, with barangays serving as key channels for delivering public services.

(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)