TACLOBAN CITY — A total of 160 jobseekers were hired on the spot during simultaneous Trabaho Agad Job Fairs organized by the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office 8 (DOLE-RO8) in three locations across Eastern Visayas, as part of the 128th Philippine Independence Day celebration.

The job fairs were held on June 11 in Catarman, Northern Samar, and on June 12 in Tacloban City and Sogod, Southern Leyte, drawing 1,389 registered applicants who explored both local and overseas employment opportunities.

DOLE-RO8 reported that 85 applicants were hired in Tacloban City, 66 in Catarman, and nine in Sogod. Successful applicants secured positions such as ESL teachers, cashiers, service crew members, technicians, sales assistants, and maintenance staff.

Among those hired was Marian Ruth Antoni of Alangalang, Leyte, who expressed gratitude for finally securing employment through the job fair.

“Malaking tulong ang trabahong ito para matulungan ko ang aking pamilya lalo na ang aking nakababatang kapatid na makapagtapos ng pag-aaral,” Antoni said.

DOLE-8 said around 10,000 job vacancies were made available during the events, with multiple participating companies helping ensure immediate hiring opportunities for qualified applicants.

The agency thanked partner employers and agencies for their support in making the job fairs successful, emphasizing the government’s continued commitment to bringing employment opportunities closer to jobseekers.

The Trabaho Agad Job Fairs form part of DOLE’s continuing efforts to expand access to employment, strengthen partnerships with employers, and help Filipinos secure stable and meaningful jobs.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — A couple who once held key positions in the New People’s Army (NPA) in Samar have surrendered to government forces in Basey, marking the end of more than two decades of involvement in the communist insurgency, the military reported.

The 63rd Infantry Battalion said the two former rebels, identified only by their aliases “Aga” and “Bigo,” also turned over high-powered firearms and ammunition to joint Army units as they formally renounced their armed activities.

Both had reportedly served under the Sub-Regional Committee Sesame of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC), with their roles later rising to leadership positions within the group.

According to the military, the couple cited years of hardship in the mountains, prolonged separation from their children, and disillusionment with the armed movement as key reasons for their surrender.

Aga said she was recruited into the underground movement at the age of 14 through family influence, recalling that she grew up knowing only life in the armed struggle.

“I didn’t know any other life except the armed movement that fueled my youth,” she said.
Bigo, meanwhile, was also recruited at a young age and said he endured years of hunger, fear, and the loss of fellow fighters during encounters with government troops.

The two later met within the organization and rose through its ranks, with Bigo becoming acting secretary of SRC Sesame and Aga serving as vice squad leader.

Despite their positions, both said life in the armed group was marked by constant fear and emotional strain, particularly the long separation from their children, who were left in the care of relatives in the lowlands for safety.

They also cited the surrender of former comrades and the government’s reintegration programs as factors that influenced their decision to return to the fold of the law. Aga noted that her parents, who surrendered in 2024, had benefited from assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).

The couple also credited Localized Peace Engagement (LPE) efforts for opening opportunities for dialogue and encouraging members of insurgent groups to surrender peacefully.

Following their surrender, the former rebels are expected to undergo processing for government reintegration assistance, including livelihood support under ECLIP.

Lt. Col. Ricky James L. Rosalejos, commanding officer of the 63rd Infantry Battalion, said the surrender highlights the effectiveness of government peace initiatives and reintegration programs.

He urged remaining members of the communist terrorist group in Samar to consider returning to their families and availing themselves of government support to start new lives.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The city government of Borongan has started the dry run and initial distribution of fuel subsidy coupons under its fuel assistance program, aimed at easing the burden of rising fuel prices on local transport workers.

Led by Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda, the June 12 launch signals the beginning of the city’s program to extend fuel assistance to tricycle drivers and pump boat operators affected by sustained increases in fuel costs linked to global market pressures.

Mayor Agda said the initiative is the city’s response to the continuing impact of high fuel prices on workers and their families, particularly those in the transport sector.

He added that the program has been institutionalized through a local ordinance and is open to all qualified beneficiaries, provided they meet the required guidelines, without discrimination.

The city government has earmarked P10 million for the program’s implementation, which will run until the allocated funds are fully utilized. Officials also said a second phase is being considered depending on the outcome of the initial rollout.

More than 900 transport sector workers are expected to benefit from the subsidy program.
Six fuel stations have partnered with the local government for the initiative.

Beneficiaries may redeem fuel using coupons issued by the city government, with fuel claims accepted only until 4 p.m. daily to ensure timely processing of payments to participating stations.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Farmers and fisherfolk in Northern Samar received over P300 million in agricultural support and insurance coverage during the visit of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to Mapanas on Thursday, June 11, the Department of Agriculture (DA) regional office said.

The assistance package, anchored largely on crop and fisheries insurance worth nearly P293 million, aims to strengthen the resilience of farming and fishing communities in the province while improving productivity in coastal and agricultural areas.

According to DA-8, the interventions benefited thousands of residents from Mapanas and nearby municipalities, in line with the national government’s food security and rural development agenda.

During the visit, the Department of Agriculture also rolled out the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program in Mapanas, benefiting 1,000 individuals from vulnerable sectors. More than 2,000 farmers and fisherfolk likewise received cash assistance under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program (PAFFP).

Laurel said the government is committed to further strengthening livelihood opportunities in the province, particularly in coastal communities dependent on fisheries.

“I am confident that these projects will help improve your lives,” he said.

He also announced plans to establish a solar-powered ice plant with a 10,000-kilogram capacity in Mapanas to help preserve fish catch and reduce post-harvest losses.

The DA chief added that light fishing boats will also be distributed before the end of the year, while a modular solar-powered cold storage facility is being prepared for fish, meat, and vegetable storage.

Following his address, Laurel led the ceremonial turnover of various interventions to local government units and farmers’ organizations.

Among the assistance distributed were P4.7 million worth of farm inputs, equipment, and facilities under different DA banner programs aimed at increasing productivity and farmers’ income.

The largest share of the package came from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), which provided P293 million in agricultural insurance coverage to protect farmers and fisherfolk from losses caused by typhoons, floods, and other climate-related risks common in Northern Samar.

To support the abaca industry, the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) turned over P1.2 million worth of abaca stripping machines to help modernize fiber processing and improve product quality.

Other DA-attached agencies, including the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), and Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), also extended assistance to local government units and beneficiaries.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) also provided civil registration services to farmers and fisherfolk during the event

(ROEL T. AMAZONA/JOEY A. GABIETA)

ORMOC CITY– Residents of a coastal community in Ormoc City were jolted awake late Sunday night as a massive fire tore through their neighborhood, reducing homes to ashes in a matter of hours.

A third-alarm fire struck Purok 3, Barangay Naugan at around 11:52 p.m. on June 14, 2026, rapidly spreading through the area and destroying 30 houses along with a classroom and laboratory structure, with damage estimated at P2 million.

Fire officials said the blaze was reported at 11:57 p.m., with initial responders arriving at 12:06 a.m. on June 15. Firefighters managed to control the fire by 1:12 a.m. before fully extinguishing it at 2:14 a.m.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD) confirmed that 40 families or 154 individuals were affected. Evacuees are now staying at a temporary shelter set up at the barangay covered court, while additional tents have been installed by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).

Relief assistance has been extended to the displaced families, including hygiene kits from the City Health Department (CHD) and food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Firefighting teams from Ormoc and nearby municipalities, supported by eight Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) fire trucks and one ambulance, responded to the emergency.
Authorities have ruled out no injuries or deaths, but the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)