DEAD ON THE SPOT. Responding police officers conduct an investigation along the National Highway in Barangay Montebello, Kananga, Leyte, where a 90-year-old woman was fatally struck by an Isuzu Forward truck while crossing a pedestrian lane on Tuesday evening, June 2. The victim was rushed to a local hospital but was declared dead on arrival. (KANANGA MPS)
DEAD ON THE SPOT. Responding police officers conduct an investigation along the National Highway in Barangay Montebello, Kananga, Leyte, where a 90-year-old woman was fatally struck by an Isuzu Forward truck while crossing a pedestrian lane on Tuesday evening, June 2. The victim was rushed to a local hospital but was declared dead on arrival. (KANANGA MPS)
KANANGA, Leyte — A 90-year-old woman died after she was hit by a truck while crossing a pedestrian lane along the National Highway in Barangay Montebello, Kananga, Leyte, on Tuesday evening, June 2.
Police identified the victim as alias “Ana,” a widow and resident of Barangay Montebello, Kananga, Leyte.
The vehicle involved was an Isuzu Forward drop-side truck driven by alias “Naldo,” 45, married, self-employed, and a resident of Barangay Nipa, Calubian, Leyte.
Personnel of the Kananga Municipal Police Station (MPS) responded to the incident after receiving a report from a concerned citizen regarding a road accident along the highway.
Initial investigation revealed that the truck was traveling from Ormoc City toward the municipality of Calubian when it reached the area of the incident. According to police, the vehicle accidentally sideswiped the victim as she was crossing the road using a pedestrian lane, causing injuries to various parts of her body.
Members of the Kananga Emergency Response Team (ERT) immediately rushed the victim to Kananga Municipal Hospital for treatment. However, she was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
The driver and the truck were subsequently taken to the Kananga Municipal Police Station for proper disposition as authorities continue their investigation into the incident.
ORMOC CITY— A 15-year-old motorcycle rider was killed instantly while his passenger sustained injuries after their motorcycle collided with a passenger bus along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Poblacion Sur, San Isidro, Northern Samar, on Sunday afternoon, June 7.
Police identified the fatality as alias “VI-JLA-06-07-2026,” 15, a resident of Barangay Happy Valley, San Isidro. His back rider, also 15 years old and from the same village, was injured and is currently recovering at Allen District Hospital.
The vehicles involved were a white HIGER passenger bus bearing plate number NHE 8073, driven by alias “Bert,” 31, married, a resident of Barangay Wakas, Bocaue, Bulacan, and a blue RUSI motorcycle with no attached plate number.
According to the San Isidro Municipal Police Station (MPS), officers responded to the accident after receiving a call from a concerned citizen reporting a vehicular collision along the highway.
Initial investigation revealed that the motorcycle was traveling from Barangay Balite toward Barangay Poblacion Norte, while the bus was heading in the opposite direction. Upon reaching the area of the incident, the motorcycle allegedly sideswiped the oncoming bus, resulting in a violent impact.
The teenage driver sustained fatal injuries and was declared dead at the scene. His passenger suffered injuries and was immediately transported to Allen District Hospital for medical treatment.
Police said the victim’s remains were released to his family and later brought to a local funeral parlor.
Meanwhile, the bus driver and the involved vehicle were taken to the San Isidro Municipal Police Station for proper disposition as authorities continue their investigation into the incident.
TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has opened the application period for July 4, 2026 Accreditation Examination for Contractors’ and Consultants’ Project Engineers, a key requirement aimed at strengthening professional standards in the implementation of infrastructure projects nationwide.
The face-to-face examination will be conducted simultaneously in designated testing centers across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Specific examination venues will be announced by the department at a later date.
The accreditation process is being implemented under Department Order No. 169, Series of 2025, which institutionalized the accreditation system for Contractors’ and Consultants’ Project Engineers to ensure they possess the technical competence and qualifications necessary to manage and supervise government infrastructure projects.
DPWH said qualified applicants may submit their applications online through the Field Engineers Accreditation Application (FEAA) System. The application period began on May 25 and will run until June 19, 2026.
Interested applicants may access the FEAA portal through the DPWH website or via the FEAA System available on the agency’s intranet platform.
The department reminded examinees to print and bring their Notice of Examination, which will be generated through the online FEAA system, on the day of the examination.
According to DPWH, the accreditation program forms part of its continuing efforts to promote professionalism, accountability, and quality assurance in the construction industry by ensuring that project engineers meet established standards of competence.
The agency encouraged all eligible Contractors’ and Consultants’ Project Engineers to complete their applications within the prescribed period and begin preparations for the upcoming accreditation examination.
BAYBAY CITY – For decades, Visayas State University (VSU) has been recognized for excellence in agriculture, research, and community development. Today, it is steadily advancing toward a new distinction—becoming a National Green University.
Across its campuses, sustainability is more than a guiding principle; it is woven into instruction, research, extension, and daily operations. The university aligns its programs with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring that environmental stewardship remains at the heart of its mission.
VSU promotes climate-smart agriculture, develops innovative technologies for sustainable food production, and supports research that addresses environmental challenges. On campus, waste management initiatives, conservation efforts, and student-led environmental activities foster a culture of responsibility and ecological awareness.
Beyond its gates, the university extends sustainability programs to communities, helping farmers, fisherfolk, and local stakeholders adopt environmentally sound practices. These are well reflected in the Sustainability Portal of the university to better track and trace sustainability initiatives and projects.
As global calls for climate action grow stronger, VSU continues to demonstrate that higher education can be a powerful force for sustainability and meaningful environmental change. (PR)
ORMOC CITY-A 25-year-old housewife was killed after she was allegedly shot in the head by an unidentified gunman while riding a motorcycle with her husband and another passenger in Barangay Bacubac, Basey, Samar, early Sunday morning, June 7.
Police identified the victim only by her alias “Lyn,” a resident of Barangay Cabacungan, Sta. Rita, Samar.
According to the Basey Municipal Police Station (MPS), the shooting occurred at around 1:50 a.m. Authorities received a report from a concerned citizen regarding the incident, prompting police personnel and members of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) to immediately respond to the area.
Upon arrival, responders found the victim lying beside the road with a gunshot wound to the head. She was rushed to Basey District Hospital by MDRRMO personnel but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Initial investigation revealed that the victim was one of three passengers riding a motorcycle driven by her husband and was heading toward the town proper of Basey when the incident occurred.
While traversing Brgy. Bacubac, an unidentified suspect allegedly riding another motorcycle coming from the opposite direction shot the victim before fleeing the scene.
Investigators said the victim sustained fatal head injuries from the attack. Authorities have yet to determine the motive behind the shooting and are continuing their investigation to identify and arrest the suspect or suspects involved.
Personnel of the Basey MPS are conducting follow-up operations and gathering additional evidence that could lead to the resolution of the case.
AGREEMENT. Officials of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Region VIII and Biliran Provincial Hospital (BPH), together with Biliran Governor Rogelio J. Espina, sign a Memorandum of Agreement for the implementation of the Hospitalization and Medical Care Assistance (HMCA) Program, expanding healthcare support for coconut farmers and their dependents in Biliran. (PCA EASTERN VISAYAS FACEBOOK)
AGREEMENT. Officials of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Region VIII and Biliran Provincial Hospital (BPH), together with Biliran Governor Rogelio J. Espina, sign a Memorandum of Agreement for the implementation of the Hospitalization and Medical Care Assistance (HMCA) Program, expanding healthcare support for coconut farmers and their dependents in Biliran. (PCA EASTERN VISAYAS FACEBOOK)
TACLOBAN CITY — Coconut farmers and their qualified dependents in Biliran province are set to gain improved access to healthcare services following the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Region VIII and the Biliran Provincial Hospital (BPH) for the implementation of the Hospitalization and Medical Care Assistance (HMCA) Program.
The agreement was formalized in a ceremony held at the Office of the Provincial Governor at the Biliran Provincial Capitol, marking BPH’s official inclusion as a partner hospital under the program.
Representing the provincial government were Governor Rogelio Espina and Biliran Provincial Hospital Chief Dr. Joyce Caneja. The PCA was represented by Regional Manager III Atty. Marlon Terrado, Acting Project Development Officer IV Lourdes Grabador, and Acting Division Chief for Northwest Leyte Engr. Nita Babalcon.
The HMCA program is a sub-component of the Health and Medical Program (HMP) under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), which is implemented in accordance with Republic Act No. 11524 or the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act. It is designed to enhance the welfare of coconut farmers through various support mechanisms, including healthcare assistance.
With the signing of the agreement, BPH becomes the fourth partner hospital of PCA Region VIII under the HMCA Program, further expanding the agency’s network of accredited healthcare providers across Eastern Visayas.
Under the program, coconut farmers registered under the National Coconut Farmers Registry System (NCFRS) and other CFIDP-eligible beneficiaries, along with their qualified dependents, may avail of hospitalization and medical assistance at accredited facilities.
Covered benefits include hospitalization assistance of up to P40,000 per patient through a PCA-issued Guarantee Letter, subject to PhilHealth deductions and other applicable discounts. The program also provides outpatient assistance of up to P5,000 for medicines, laboratory tests, and consultations not covered by PhilHealth, as well as post-confinement support of up to P5,000 for follow-up care and medicines.
The assistance may be availed of once every three months per qualified beneficiary, subject to program guidelines. Any hospital expenses exceeding the approved coverage will be shouldered by the patient or their family prior to discharge.
PCA Region VIII expressed its gratitude to the Provincial Government of Biliran and the management of Biliran Provincial Hospital for supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening healthcare access for coconut farming communities.
