FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – The Philippine Army teamed up with Megaworld anew for the Earthquake People and Real Estate Emergency Preparedness Summit (PREPS) aimed at empowering key stakeholders, urban residents and partner agencies on disaster resilience and preparedness at The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion, McKinley Hill, Taguig City on October 27, 2025.

The Philippine Army, through the 525th Combat Engineer Battalion, Combat Engineer Regiment, its primary Disaster Response Unit (DRU), showcased their capability in military mobilization during calamities and earthquakes and shared their actual disaster response operations in Turkey and Myanmar. OPLAN “Metro Yakal”, Metro Manila’s Earthquake Contingency Plan was presented by the Metro Manila Development Authority. This will serve as an integrated framework to orchestrate disaster preparedness and operational procedures of all concerned agencies for the BIG ONE. Megaworld Corporation shared their initiatives on establishing their Earthquake Council which focuses on Extensive Building Audits, embracing technology and innovation on emergencies, mapping out business continuity plan and the launch and distribution of their “life bags” to their tenants, and residents. Further, the Office of Civil Defense presented strategies to mitigate the disasters’ impact citing the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan.

Previously, the PA and Megaworld also conducted a series of Joint Threat and Disaster Interoperability Training in Iloilo City from August 28 to August 29, 2025 and in Metro Manila last May 19 and 26, 2025 at Eastwood City, Quezon City that capacitated around 200 personnel from Megaworld Lifestyle Malls based in the Visayas and NCR to effectively deal with various emergency scenarios. The partnership projects are part of the PA-Megaworld “Pag-Alab” Program Partnership which aims to promote Filipino nationalism, volunteerism and social responsibility.(PR)

TACLOBAN CITY– About 162 individuals were arrested in a weeklong series of simultaneous anti-criminality law enforcement operations (SACLEO) conducted by the Leyte Police Provincial Office (LPPO) from October 19 to 26, 2025.

Led by Police Colonel Dionisio DC Apas Jr., the intensified campaign targeted various criminal activities across the province as part of the LPPO’s continuing efforts to maintain peace and order.

According to the report, the operations led to the arrest of 10 drug suspects, 10 most wanted persons, 27 other wanted individuals, 34 illegal fishing violators, 5 involved in illegal logging, 29 caught in illegal gambling, and 47 others for violations of special laws.

“These accomplishments reflect our collective effort to maintain peace and order in Leyte,” Apas said in a statement. “We will continue these operations to ensure that criminal elements have no place in our communities.”

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Southern Leyte has turned over a series of infrastructure projects worth P25 million to several former conflict-affected and geographically isolated barangays in the town of Sogod, marking another milestone under the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP).

Implemented in partnership with the local government of Sogod and the 14th Infantry Battalion, the projects include farm-to-market roads, water systems, school buildings, and health stations aimed at improving access to essential services and promoting sustainable development in remote areas.

Among the completed projects are the farm-to-market roads (FMR) in Barangays Pancho Villa and SF Mabuhay (Phases 1 and 2), a P5-million FMR and a P2.5-million water system in Barangay Hipantag, and a P2.5-million school building in Barangay Dagsa.

The DILG also turned over a P2.5-million Level II potable water supply system in Barangay Pandan, providing clean and safe water to around 2,000 residents, as well as new health stations worth P2.5 million each in Barangays San Juan and Benit. These facilities are expected to benefit 785 and 405 residents, respectively.

DILG Southern Leyte Provincial Director Danilo Laguitan said the projects symbolize the government’s commitment to peace and progress in previously neglected areas.

“These SBDP projects are not just infrastructure—they are symbols of our government’s commitment to fostering peace, progress, and resilience in our GIDAs. With the leadership of Mayor Sheffered Lino Tan and the support of the Philippine Army, we are creating self-reliant, peaceful communities in Southern Leyte,” Laguitan said.

He also urged residents to take care of the newly turned-over facilities, noting that true development continues through community stewardship.

The SBDP, a flagship initiative of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), seeks to close development gaps in remote communities by delivering essential services, alleviating poverty, and addressing the root causes of insurgency to promote lasting peace.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY– The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) builds a concrete road in Gawad Kalinga, Barangay Sta. Cruz, Isabel, Leyte.

The project, funded under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2025 with an allocation of P14,649,999.36, started in March 2025 and was completed in June 2025.

Gawad Kalinga is a growing residential village in Isabel that has long struggled with unpaved and poorly maintained roads. During the rainy season, residents often faced difficulties traveling in and out of the area which affected access to essential services.

To help address these challenges, the DPWH Leyte 4th DEO constructed a Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP) with a total length of 1.491 lane kilometers. The project also covered structural works, culvert installation, and stone masonry.

With the new concrete road in place, residents now enjoy safer and easier travel, reduced health risks from dust and mud, and an overall improvement in living conditions and community development. (PR)

The Philippine Statistics Authority – Regional Statistical Services Office VIII (PSA RSSO VIII) successfully conducted a three-day Briefing on the Implementation of the Expanded Premium Annotation Under the Civil Registry System Information Technology Project Phase II (CRS ITP II) at the Civil Registry System (CRS) Tacloban City Outlet on 22–24 October 2025 at the PSA RSSO VIII Training Room, 2nd Floor, Gaisano Capital, Real Street, Tacloban City.

The training was led by Ms. Emily R. Macario, Ms. Belen S. Centena, and Ms. Meraflor P. Diegas from the PSA Headquarters. Regional Director Wilma A. Perante welcomed the participants, including presidents of the six Local Civil Registrar Associations, Chief Statistical Specialists (CSSs), PSA RSSO VIII and CRS personnel, and Rose A. Ballera, Officer-in-Charge of the Civil Registration and Administrative Support Division (CRASD).
In the message of RD Perante, she emphasized that the Expanded Premium Annotation under the CRS-ITP2 streamlines and speeds up the annotation of civil registry documents, such as birth, marriage, and death certificates, that have been altered by court decrees or legal instruments. She added that this new system aims to provide faster service delivery, with a target of 10 working days for document issuance, making civil registration services more efficient and accessible to the public.

During the first two days, discussions focused on Premium Annotation processes, as well as the basic concepts and procedures of Republic Acts No. 9048 and 10172, Court Decrees, Legal Instruments, and Supplemental Reports.

On the final day, participants observed the live implementation of the premium annotation process at CRS Tacloban City Outlet.

The civil registry document for Mr. Gilbert E. Gamale from Hinundayan, Southern Leyte was successfully processed, who expressed his appreciation for being one of the first to experience this enhanced service. This marked a significant milestone for the region.

As one of six pilot regions nationwide implementing the Expanded Premium Annotation under the CRS ITP II, PSA RSSO VIII and CRS Tacloban City Outlet remain committed to modernize the civil registration system through digital improvements and expanded services. (PR)