TACLOBAN CITY — The Tacloban City government has released a total of P4.5 million in financial assistance to 60 public schools to support campus repairs and preparations ahead of the opening of classes, reinforcing efforts to ensure that schools are ready to welcome students for the new academic year.

The funding, sourced from the city’s Special Education Fund (SEF), provided P75,000 to each public school under the Department of Education (DepEd) Tacloban City Division. The assistance is intended to finance minor repairs, facility improvements, cleanup activities, and other school readiness measures under the annual Brigada Eskwela program.

The distribution of the funds was held on May 28 at Pacific Point Events Place and Resort, just days before the nationwide observance of Brigada Eskwela Week from June 1 to 5.
Brigada Eskwela is a yearly initiative of the Department of Education that mobilizes local governments, parents, teachers, community volunteers, and private sector partners to prepare schools for the opening of classes through maintenance, repairs, and other improvement activities.

During the turnover ceremony, Schools Division Superintendent Sherlita Palma reminded school heads and administrators to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of the funds.

Palma urged recipients to submit detailed utilization plans and programs of work and to properly document all expenditures to guarantee that the assistance is spent for its intended purposes.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Raymond Romualdez said the city government is considering increasing the assistance to P85,000 per school next year as part of its continuing investment in education.

He noted that while the city remains committed to supporting public schools, local officials must also balance education funding with other budget priorities amid economic and fiscal challenges.

The release of the assistance underscores the city’s partnership with DepEd in improving learning conditions and maintaining safe, functional, and learner-friendly school environments.

The official kickoff of Brigada Eskwela activities in the DepEd Tacloban City Division was held on June 2 at Scandinavian National High School, where teachers, parents, volunteers, and local stakeholders joined efforts to prepare classrooms and school facilities for the incoming school year.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

In Samar

TACLOBAN CITY — Twenty barangays in the island municipality of Zumarraga, Samar are poised to benefit from a P25-million solar street lighting project after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) conducted a site validation for its proposed implementation in 2026.

The validation activity was carried out by the DILG Samar Provincial Operations Office through its Project Development and Management Unit (PDMU) as part of the assessment and preparation process for the project funded under the Local Government Support Fund-Growth Equity Fund (LGSF-GEF).

During the inspection, the DILG team assessed the proposed installation sites to determine their accessibility, suitability for public safety purposes, and capacity to maximize solar energy efficiency.

The proposed solar street lighting project aims to improve public safety and security, particularly during nighttime, by providing reliable and sustainable lighting in communities through the use of renewable energy. Officials said the initiative is expected to enhance mobility, reduce accident and crime risks, and support the municipality’s overall development goals.

Among the 20 barangays expected to benefit from the project are Camayse, Macalunod, Boblaran, Poro, Mualbual, Lumalantang, Marapilit, Magaan, Talib, Tubigan, Sugod, Ibarra, Alegria, Arteche, Bioso, Tinaogan, San Isidro, Botaera, Maputi, and Pangdan.
According to the DILG, the site validation ensures that all proposed locations meet the technical and operational requirements necessary for the successful implementation of the project.

“This initiative marks a significant step toward building brighter, safer, and more sustainable communities for the people of Zumarraga,” the DILG Samar Provincial Operations Office said in a statement.

Once completed, the project is expected to provide long-term benefits by promoting energy-efficient infrastructure, improving community safety, and advancing the government’s commitment to sustainable local development.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY-The Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) received 12 new motorcycles from two Chinese-Filipino business organizations on Monday, June 1, in a move aimed at enhancing police mobility, increasing visibility, and improving response capabilities across the city.

The motorcycles were donated by the Tacloban Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (TFCCCII) and the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) during a turnover ceremony held at the TCPO headquarters.

The donation underscores the continuing partnership between the local business community and law enforcement authorities in promoting public safety and maintaining peace and order in Tacloban.

TCPO City Director Col. Noelito Getigan expressed gratitude to the donor groups, saying the additional vehicles would significantly support police operations and strengthen law enforcement efforts throughout the city.

“These motorcycles will greatly help our personnel in carrying out their duties and responsibilities in ensuring peace and order in Tacloban City,” Getigan said.

He added that the donation reflects the confidence and support of the business sector in the Philippine National Police’s mission to safeguard communities.

“This also symbolizes the trust and support of the business community in our mission of maintaining peace and order and ensuring public safety,” he said.

TFCCCII president Johnny Go said the business groups believe that increasing police mobility would lead to greater visibility on the streets, which could help deter criminal activities.

“Visibility is prevention,” Go said, emphasizing the importance of a visible police presence in discouraging crime.

Meanwhile, FFCCCII vice president Jimmy Yaokasin said the motorcycles would help police respond more quickly to incidents and contribute to reducing crime rates in the city.
“These donated motorcycles will help ensure a quicker response to crime incidents. One of the reasons why we decided to donate them is to help increase police visibility,” Yaokasin said.

Yaokasin, a former Tacloban City administrator and president of Toyota Tacloban, also said the donor organizations would initially shoulder the maintenance of the motorcycles for several months before the responsibility is transferred to the TCPO through its maintenance and operating expenses budget.

The motorcycle donation is expected to enhance the mobility of police personnel, particularly in areas that require rapid deployment and regular patrols, further strengthening the city’s peace and security initiatives.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)