MANILA-On July 6, the U.S. Peace Corps in the Philippines welcomed 49 Volunteers and five Response Volunteers to Manila as the agency celebrates 65 years of service to Filipino communities, dating back to John F. Kennedy’s presidency.

The Peace Corps’ 65th anniversary coincides with other major milestones in 2026, including the 80th anniversary of U.S.-Philippine diplomatic relations and the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.

“For 65 years, Peace Corps Volunteers have lived and worked hand in hand with Filipinos, contributing to shared goals in education, environmental protection, and youth empowerment,” said Peace Corps Philippines Country Director Marguerite Roy. “This new batch will now become part of that story. We are excited to see how this newest group will learn from their host communities while contributing their own skills and experiences.”

Representing the 283rd batch of Peace Corps Volunteers in the country, the 49 new Volunteers will serve for two years alongside partners in communities across the Philippines. They will co-teach English in public elementary and secondary schools, facilitate youth development programs with youth centers managed by the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development, and support coastal resource management initiatives with local government units. Throughout their service, they will integrate into their host communities, learn local languages, and implement projects that respond to locally identified needs.

Meanwhile, the Response Volunteers, representing the 56th batch, are highly skilled professionals serving for 6 to 12 months. They will take on specialized, high-impact assignments in disaster risk reduction, emergency response, and environmental programs that strengthen the capacity of local governments and higher education institutions to address urgent development challenges.

The Philippines is the second oldest U.S. Peace Corps program in the world.  Since 1961, more than 9,700 Americans have set an example of American excellence by serving alongside Filipino communities in support of Philippine government and community development priorities. This year, the Peace Corps is celebrating its 65th anniversary globally and in the Philippines, marking more than six decades of changing lives and transforming global communities through service. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY – Hundreds of emergency responders, disaster risk reduction personnel, firefighters, and volunteers from across Eastern Visayas are now in Ormoc City for the ongoing Regional Rescue Jamboree 2026, a weeklong event aimed at sharpening rescue skills and strengthening disaster preparedness in one of the country’s most disaster-prone regions.

The July 12 to 17 jamboree, organized by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Eastern Visayas in partnership with the Ormoc City government and other regional stakeholders, brings together rescue teams from local government units and national agencies for a series of drills, competitions, and capability-building activities.

The event began with the arrival of participating teams, camp establishment, the organization of the Incident Management Team (IMT), and an opening program.
Participants are currently undergoing various capability-building sessions, including lectures and workshops on emergency response, disaster management, and volunteerism.
Advance teams are also carrying out field preparations and protocol exercises, while medical evaluations and coordination meetings are being conducted to ensure the readiness of all participating contingents.

The highlight of the jamboree is set for July 15, when rescue teams will compete in a series of simulated emergency scenarios designed to test their technical skills, teamwork, and endurance. These include squad swimming, staged obstacle courses, simultaneous water rescue operations, and a mass capsized boat drill.

On July 16, participants will compete in the Firefighter’s Obstacle Competition before the event culminates with an awarding ceremony and solidarity night recognizing the top-performing teams and individual rescuers.

The weeklong activity will conclude Friday, July 17, with camp restoration following the “Leave No Trace” principle before the participating delegations return to their respective provinces.

According to organizers, the Regional Rescue Jamboree serves as a platform for enhancing the operational readiness of emergency responders while strengthening coordination among local government units, volunteer organizations, and national agencies involved in disaster response.

Eastern Visayas is among the country’s most disaster-vulnerable regions, frequently battered by powerful typhoons, floods, storm surges, landslides, earthquakes, and other natural hazards. The region’s exposure to these recurring disasters has underscored the need for continuous training and interoperability among rescue teams to ensure faster and more effective emergency response during calamities.

The OCD said the annual jamboree reflects the government’s continuing commitment to building resilient communities by improving the skills of frontline responders and fostering closer collaboration among agencies tasked with protecting lives and property during disasters.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

ORMOC CITY – What began as an ordinary sea voyage turned into a memorable life event after a 25-year-old woman safely gave birth to a healthy baby boy aboard a passenger ferry bound for Leyte on July 10.

Goldy Kaye Maglasang delivered her son while traveling aboard the M/V Joyful Stars of Roble Shipping Inc., as the vessel was en route from Cebu to Leyte.

With no medical personnel immediately available, fellow passengers with knowledge of childbirth stepped in to assist the mother. They were joined by one of the ship’s newly hired crew members, who was able to help because she had learned basic birthing procedures from her grandmother, a midwife.

The impromptu teamwork ensured the safe delivery of both mother and child before the vessel reached port.

Maglasang was traveling to Maasin City in Southern Leyte to join her partner when she went into labor.

The birth also carried a special significance for the new mother. A recent cum laude graduate of Cebu Technological University–Tuburan Campus with a Bachelor of Industrial Technology major in Computer Technology, Maglasang gave birth on her own birthday.
Born on July 10, 2001, she welcomed her son into the world exactly 25 years later—on July 10, 2026.

Both mother and baby were reported to be in good condition following the successful delivery.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — Health authorities in Samar are closely monitoring a surge in suspected chikungunya infections after cases climbed to 225, affecting three municipalities and prompting intensified surveillance and mosquito control measures.

Data from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) showed that Basey recorded the highest number of suspected cases with 124, followed by Gandara with 98, and Paranas with three.
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes—the same mosquitoes that spread dengue and Zika. While the disease is rarely fatal, it can cause debilitating joint pain that may persist for weeks or even months.

To confirm the outbreak, the PHO has sent 12 blood samples—six each from Basey and Gandara—to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for laboratory testing. Results are expected within two to three weeks.

Provincial health records showed that the first suspected cases were reported on Feb. 5, when nine infections were detected in Gandara. No additional cases were recorded in the succeeding months until the disease resurfaced last month, raising concerns about renewed local transmission.

Health officials said the symptoms of chikungunya closely resemble those of dengue and include sudden fever, severe joint pain, muscle pain, headache, skin rashes, and fatigue.
Unlike dengue, however, chikungunya rarely causes severe bleeding or death, but patients often experience prolonged joint pain that can affect daily activities.

In response, the PHO has issued an advisory to all municipalities, particularly Basey, Gandara, and Paranas, urging residents to eliminate stagnant water and other mosquito breeding sites around their homes.

The office also appealed to the public to rely only on information released by the PHO and other health authorities to prevent misinformation and unnecessary panic, and advised residents to avoid self-medication and seek medical consultation if symptoms develop.
Rural health units have likewise been directed to coordinate closely with barangay officials to intensify case monitoring, health education campaigns, and mosquito control measures aimed at preventing further spread of the disease.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)