TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) in the region successfully concluded the latest leg of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo Trade Fair on May 6, 2025, following its two-day run that kicked off on May 5.

Held in partnership with local government units and farmers’ cooperatives, the trade fair brought fresh produce, seafood, and other agricultural products directly from farmers and fisherfolk to consumers at significantly lower prices. The initiative is part of the national government’s continuing efforts to promote food accessibility and support local producers by eliminating middlemen.

Building on the momentum, the DA announced another Kadiwa ng Pangulo Trade Fair scheduled later this month at Robinsons North Tacloban, providing a more accessible venue for city residents to buy affordable and quality goods.

The department also confirmed the return of Kadiwa on Wheels after the May 2025 elections. This mobile market will reach Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) across Eastern Visayas to ensure communities in remote locations also benefit from the program.

“Our goal is not just to promote local products but to empower our farmers and fisherfolk by giving them direct access to markets. At the same time, we’re helping consumers cope with the rising cost of living,” a DA regional official said in an interview.

Launched under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program continues to demonstrate the government’s commitment to agricultural development, food security, and inclusive local economic growth.

(ELBERT M. YODICO, JR., LNU STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) is poised to modernize its services and infrastructure as it capitalizes on a significant increase in government funding, its leadership announced in a press briefing on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

Dr. Joseph Michael Jaro, EVMC chief of hospital, outlined key developments in the hospital’s expansion efforts, including infrastructure upgrades, new health service programs, and the rollout of a digital records system—all part of its drive to fully establish itself as the region’s premier Level 3 referral hospital.

EVMC’s budget for 2025 has more than doubled to P1.27 billion, up from P500 million in 2024, allowing the hospital to address longstanding service gaps and meet rising patient demand, he said.

Jaro also cited a notable increase in PhilHealth coverage, from just 30% to over 50%, a development expected to ease the financial burden on patients and increase access to essential healthcare.

“We now have a larger budget, but what we lack are project partners,” Jaro said, referring to procurement challenges such as the limited number of bidders for hospital projects—including the critical supply of surgical implants.

“We have the resources, but the immediate need is for suppliers who can help us deliver timely services, especially for patients dependent on financial assistance,” he added.
A central initiative in EVMC’s inclusive healthcare strategy is its “Bill Mo, Sagot Ko” program, which covers medical expenses for indigent patients.

Dr. Jaro said this remains a vital mechanism for ensuring that no patient is denied treatment due to financial constraints.

The hospital is also set to implement the Quick Medical Electronic Record (QMeR) system, a digital solution developed by the provincial government of Leyte and first used at Leyte Provincial Hospital.

The system aims to streamline patient data management, shorten waiting times, and enhance coordination among medical teams. Training of frontline staff is currently ongoing, with full implementation expected soon.

Although legally mandated for 1,500 beds, EVMC is currently serving beyond its capacity. Expansion plans are underway to improve patient accommodation and enhance hospital services.

As EVMC navigates the challenges of modernization, Dr. Jaro emphasized the hospital’s commitment to innovation, stronger partnerships, and improved patient care: “With sustained support from the government and cooperation from stakeholders, we are confident that EVMC can rise to meet the healthcare needs of Eastern Visayas.”

(SHYNNA MAE SESBRENO, ELBERT M.YODICO, LNU STUDENT INTERNS)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Education (DepEd) Tacloban City schools division will roll out three remedial programs under the national DepEd summer program from May 13 to June 6, 2025, as mandated by DepEd Order No. 10, s. 2025.

The initiative includes the Summer Academic Remedial Program (SARP), Regional Remedial Program (RRP), and Literacy Remediation Program (LRP)—each tailored to support elementary and high school students struggling academically during the previous school year.

A total of 254 learners from Grades 4 to 12 have been enrolled in the SARP, which offers intensified instruction in Mathematics, English, Science, and TLE/TLP. Participants will attend four-hour daily sessions from Monday to Friday, with additional three-hour classes in Araling Panlipunan and MAPEH. Successful completion and passing grades in these subjects are required for students to be promoted to the next grade level.

The RRP targets learners from Grades 4 to 12 who face challenges in reading and numeracy, while the LRP is specifically designed for incoming Grade 4 students with identified reading difficulties.

A total of 64 volunteer teachers will facilitate the sessions. They will be granted service credits and meal allowances upon completion of their 20-day teaching commitment.
DepEd Tacloban is calling on parents and guardians to support the initiative, emphasizing the program’s role in bridging learning gaps and reinforcing foundational academic skills critical to student success.

(ELBERT M.YODICO, JR.LNU STUDENT INTERN)

ORMOC CITY– A job order employee of the city government in Catbalogan was killed after the motorcycle he was driving was hit by a passenger bus along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Mercedes in said city at around 11:10 am on Wednesday, May 7.

The victim, identified only as “Al,” a resident of Barangay Guinsorongan and an employee of the city government, was driving a Yamaha Mio motorcycle when the incident occurred.
The involved vehicle was a white Eaglestar Bus, registered under Eaglestar Transit Corporation and driven by a man identified as “Deo,” a resident of Burabod, Biliran.
According to police, they received a report from a concerned citizen regarding the collision and immediately dispatched officers to the scene to verify the incident and conduct an investigation.

Initial findings revealed that the bus was en route from Biliran to Manila when it accidentally collided with the motorcycle, which was traveling in the same direction. The impact caused the motorcycle to become lodged under the bus. The rider sustained severe injuries and was rushed to the Samar Provincial Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival by his attending physician.

The bus driver was unharmed and has been brought to the Catbalogan City Police Station for proper disposition and further investigation.

(ROBERT DEJON)