TACLOBAN CITY — After days of intense heat, sudden rain showers have brought temporary relief to residents of Tacloban City, along with the familiar earthy smell known as petrichor — the scent produced when rain falls on dry ground.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned this week that Tacloban’s heat index could reach as high as 45°C, placing the city under “danger level” conditions. Pagasa said heat indices between 42°C and 51°C may cause heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Even with the extreme heat, rain showers and thunderstorms continue to affect parts of Eastern Visayas due to prevailing easterlies. Pagasa forecasts partly cloudy to cloudy skies with scattered rains throughout the week.

For many residents, the rain offers relief from the high temperatures.

As rain hits dry roads and soil, the scent of petrichor becomes noticeable across the city. Scientists describe petrichor as the smell created when rain releases natural oils from plants and compounds from soil bacteria into the air.

In Tacloban, however, rain also carries emotional meaning. More than a decade after Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ devastated the city, many residents still associate heavy rains and changing weather patterns with memories of disaster and uncertainty.

As extreme heat and unpredictable rainfall continue to affect many parts of the country, the smell of petrichor has become a reminder of both comfort and concern for residents adapting to changing climate conditions.

(LANCE GABRIEL ENTERESO, LNU Student Intern)

CBS China Bank Savings sustained its growth momentum in the first quarter of 2026,posting a net income of P631.2 million, up 11.5% year-on-year (YoY), driven by continued strength across its core businesses.

Net interest income increased by 20.4% YoY to P2.8 billion, supported by sustained growth in the Bank’s lending business.

Total assets stood at P217.3 billion, backed by a growing customer base of more than one million.  Net loans expanded by 11.5% YoY to P155.5 billion, driven mainly by the continued growth of the Bank’s salary loan and business loan segments. Deposits likewise increased by 12.0% to P191.4 billion, reinforcing the Bank’s liquidity position and funding stability.
CBS President James Christian T. Dee is confident in the bank’s ability to sustain the momentum. “CBS prides itself in maintaining strong relationships with its customers, and they have rewarded the Bank with loyalty. There is no substitute for trust and dependability, and the Bank provides that in spades whatever the circumstance.”

Asset quality remained stable, with an NPL ratio of 2.9%. The Bank’s NPLs continue to be adequately covered by loan-loss allowances, reflecting CBS’ conservative provisioning stance.

CBS Chairman Ricardo R. Chua says the youth and vigor of the CBS organization is quite exciting, and he expects the bank to continue outperforming economic conditions. “These are interesting times, but a young bank like CBS, can be more agile and can adapt to the changing environment faster. Already CBS is establishing itself in the thrift banking space as a significant player. Thanks to its mix of affordable and readily available loan products, and its competent and driven workforce which is in tune with the needs of the Bank’s target market.” CBS continues to strengthen its nationwide presence and customer reach through its network of 175 branches, 34 APD lending centers, and 73 APD branch-lite units, supported by more than 3,000 employees.

As part of its ongoing expansion strategy, the Bank converted 10 branch-lite units into full-service branches in April 2026 and is set to open an additional five branches before the end of the second quarter, bringing its total branch network to 190 branches. CBS also continues to enhance its digital capabilities as part of its broader transformation initiatives.
CBS Senior Vice President and Retail Banking Group Head Jan Nikolai M. Lim is leading the branch expansion of CBS nationwide. Lim commented on the drive behind the expansion amidst current economic uncertainties.

“We at CBS are eager to provide our ‘Easy Banking’ services nationwide, and that is why we continue to expand our branch network despite accelerating inflation. We are confident in the resilience of the Philippine economy, and we recognize the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Filipino entrepreneur will require financial support from the banking sector to ensure sustainability as well as prosperity for their endeavors.”

As it moves through the rest of 2026, CBS remains focused on expanding higher-yielding loan segments, growing its CASA base, deepening customer relationships, and sustaining operational efficiency through continued investments in both physical and digital capabilities. (PR)

ORMOC CITY– A jovial beach gathering of friends turned violent after one of the participants allegedly became unruly while under the influence of alcohol, resulting in a stabbing incident at around 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 24, at Anas Beach, Sitio Anas, Barangay Atipolo, Naval, Biliran.

Police identified the suspect as alias “Shamsy,” single, with a live-in partner, and a resident of Caibiran, Biliran. The victim was identified as alias “Lel,” of legal age, single, and a resident of Sitio Manga, Barangay Calumpang, Naval.

Initial investigation showed that the victim, together with alias “Ren,” also of legal age and a resident of the same area, and the suspect’s live-in partner, were having a drinking session when the suspect allegedly became unruly and caused a commotion.

When the victim and the witness attempted to pacify him, the suspect allegedly punched the witness, smashed a glass bottle on the table, and used a broken piece of glass to stab the victim.

The victim was brought to Biliran Provincial Hospital for medical treatment, while the suspect was arrested by responding police officers and brought to Naval Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.

The weapon used in the incident was not recovered.

A charge of homicide has been filed by police before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against the suspect, who remains detained at the Naval MPS lock-up cell.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Visayas recorded a decline in labor force participation and a rise in unemployment in 2025, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Eastern Visayas experienced a slowdown in employment performance in 2025 as fewer residents participated in the labor force while unemployment figures increased compared to the previous year, according to the latest data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

During the Annual 2024–2025 Labor Statistics Press Conference, PSA Region VIII reported that the region’s Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) dropped to 60.5 percent in 2025 from 63.6 percent in 2024.

This means fewer people aged 15 and above were either employed or actively seeking work. The figure placed Eastern Visayas below the national average of 64.1 percent, making it the second lowest among all regions nationwide.

In actual numbers, the labor force in Eastern Visayas declined from about 2.13 million in 2024 to around 2.06 million in 2025.

PSA officials attributed the decrease to continuing economic challenges affecting jobs and household income in the region.

The unemployment rate also rose from 2.8 percent in 2024 to 3.9 percent in 2025, with around 79,000 individuals recorded as unemployed this year, up from 59,000 last year. Despite the increase, the region remained slightly below the national unemployment rate of 4.2 percent.

Among provinces, Leyte posted the highest unemployment rate at 5.3 percent, while Northern Samar recorded the lowest at 1.0 percent. Northern Samar also had the highest employment rate at 99 percent, while Leyte posted the lowest at 94.7 percent.

Sector-wise, construction led job gains with about 22,000 new jobs, followed by transportation and storage with 10,000, and public administration and defense-related services with 8,000.

However, major job losses were recorded in agriculture and wholesale and retail trade, which shed about 55,000 and 37,000 jobs, respectively. Other service sectors also reported declines.

PSA also noted an increase in youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET), which rose from 14.3 percent in 2024 to 15.3 percent in 2025, signaling continued challenges in youth employment.

The services sector remained the region’s largest employer, followed by agriculture despite its decline.

(ROCHELLE T.MORILLA, LNU Student Intern)

TACLOBAN CITY — Several areas in Eastern Visayas continued to experience dangerous heat index levels on Wednesday, May 27, prompting authorities to urge residents to limit outdoor activities and protect themselves from heat-related illnesses.

As early as 9 a.m., the municipality of Guiuan recorded a heat index of 45 degrees Celsius, the highest in the region for the day, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

A heat index refers to the temperature the human body feels when humidity is combined with the actual air temperature. PAGASA classifies heat indices ranging from 42°C to 51°C under the “danger” category, which increases the risk of heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke with prolonged exposure.

Local officials in Guiuan immediately reminded residents to avoid direct exposure to extreme heat, especially during peak afternoon hours, to prevent heat-related illnesses.
Other areas in Eastern Visayas also recorded high heat indices. Borongan,Eastern Samar logged 43 degrees Celsius, while Catarman in Northern Samar reached 44 degrees Celsius.
In Maasin, Southern Leyte the heat index climbed to 43 degrees Celsius. Both Tacloban,Leyte and Catbalogan in Samar registered 42 degrees Celsius, while Baybay,Leyte recorded 41 degrees Celsius.

Health authorities across the region warned that prolonged exposure to extreme heat could lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and even heat stroke, a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by high body temperature, dizziness, confusion, and loss of consciousness.

Residents were advised to stay indoors whenever possible, drink plenty of water, wear light and loose-fitting clothing, and avoid strenuous physical activities under the sun.

Authorities also encouraged the public to check on children, senior citizens, and individuals with existing medical conditions who are more vulnerable to extreme heat.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)