TACLOBAN CITY — Athletes from Ormoc City played a key role in Team Philippines’ campaign at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Bangkok and Chonburi, Thailand, contributing nine medals to the country’s overall haul at the biennial regional meet.
The Ormoc-based athletes, competing under the Eastern Visayas banner, won three gold, three silver, and three bronze medals, with standout performances in modern pentathlon, fencing, and shooting events.

Gold medals were captured by Melvin Sacay in the men’s laser run, Michael Ver Comaling in the men’s triathlete (swim–laser run), and Samuel German in the men’s obstacle laser run, all in modern pentathlon disciplines.

Silver medals were earned by Princess Arbilon in the women’s laser run, Shyra Arnanzado in the women’s triathlete, and the Philippine team in sporting clays and compak sporting shotgun, composed of Carlo Baltonado, Jakey Ancheta, He’s Rivilla, and Leyte 4th District Representative Richard Gomez.

Ormoc athletes also secured bronze medals through Juliana Sevilla in the women’s obstacle laser run, the women’s team épée fencing squad composed of Alexa Larazabal, Juliana Gomez, and Ivy Claire Dinoy, and the sporting clays team of Baltonado, Gomez, and Ancheta.

The strong medal showing highlighted Ormoc City’s growing prominence in elite sports, particularly in modern pentathlon, fencing, and shooting, where local athletes have consistently figured in national and international competitions.

Overall, Team Philippines finished the 2025 SEA Games with 277 medals, placing sixth among the 10 participating nations, behind Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore. The national tally included 50 gold, 73 silver, and 154 bronze medals—surpassing the country’s medal output in the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia.

Philippine athletes won medals across a wide range of sports, including swimming, athletics, tennis, basketball, baseball, and various combat and precision events.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) will conclude the year serving a total of 22,972 active and aspiring Filipino seafarers, marking the highest number of successful trainees since the start of its training operations in 1983.

According to NMP Executive Director Victor Del Rosario, the record-breaking achievement reflects the agency’s sustained efforts to expand access to maritime education and training nationwide.

“Each year we continuously develop new and responsive training courses, we opened additional batches and classes to accommodate more enrollees, and we partnered with various institutions, particularly schools offering maritime and allied programs across the country, to expand training delivery,” he said.

Further strengthening its service delivery, NMP was granted MARINA accreditation as an assessment center, providing greater access to assessment services for seafarers in Eastern Visayas and nearby areas. This development eliminates the need to travel to distant assessment centers, ensuring a more accessible, efficient, and convenient process.
Beyond training and assessment, the agency also completed three major research projects this year: Profile of Filipino Women in Maritime, Phase 2; Navigating Health and Wellness: Filipino Seafarers in Focus; and the Philippine Maritime Workforce Issues and Challenges: A Rapid Assessment, further strengthening policy development and evidence-based maritime programs.

Complementing these achievements is the agency’s strong fiscal performance, with its budget utilization rate projected at 99 percent, reflecting prudent and responsible use of public funds.

The training and research institution is also poised for further growth as it is set to receive its highest budget allocation in history amounting to Php427-million under the 2026 budget of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

This will support major infrastructure upgrades, including the rehabilitation of two dormitories, construction of a new training pool, and establishment of a firefighting area with a mock building.

Reflecting NMP’s commitment to service excellence, the institution posted an excellent Client Satisfaction Rating of 99 percent, highlighting the trust and confidence of Filipino seafarers in NMP’s training and services.

As part of its expansion effort to enhance accessibility of maritime training, NMP is actively moving forward with plans to establish new office and training center in Cavite and Davao City, currently supported by a continuing feasibility study in partnership with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP).

Strengthening collaboration across the maritime sector, NMP hosted the first Maritime Research, Education, and Training Summit (MRETS) on September 25-26 in Manila Hotel. This landmark event convened key decision-makers from across the maritime sector including representatives from crewing agencies, shipowners, training institutions, maritime associations, technology providers, welfare advocates, among others to tackle emerging challenges and address urgent priorities critical for the future of Filipino seafarers.
In another milestone this year, the NMP honored its first-ever Outstanding Alumnus, conferring the Natatanging Marinong Pilipino award to Chief Salvador Calipes Esquibel, Jr. This recognition will be sustained as one the highlights of the National Maritime Week celebration every September of each year.

Capping off the year was the first official visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., together with DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, signaling strong national support for the modernization of maritime training in the country.

During the Presidential visit on December 12, NMP conducted a brief technical demonstration of the new advanced simulation systems, which include the Php40-million Full Mission Bridge Simulator, Php10-million Liquid Cargo Handling Simulator, and upgraded Engine Room Simulator Software worth Php2-million.

“We express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been part of our journey to serve our modern-day heroes. We have come a long way, yet there is still much we can accomplish together,” said Del Rosario.

As the only state-run maritime training and research institution in the country, NMP is committed to ensure that every Filipino seafarer is globally competitive and future-ready, sustaining the country’s position as the world’s leading supplier of maritime professionals.
Established in 1978, its main office and training complex is located in Cabalawan, Tacloban City, with a Liaison Office at Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) Building in Makati City. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Philippine Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion (19IB) has installed a new commanding officer following a change of command ceremony at its main command post in Barangay Opong, Catubig, Northern Samar, marking a leadership transition for one of the key Army units operating in the province.

Lieutenant Colonel Roger Gobway Jr., formally assumed command of the 19IB from Lieutenant Colonel Ricky James Rosalejos during a simple ceremony held on Dec.21. The battalion operates under the 803rd Brigade of the 8th Infantry Division.

The ceremony was presided over by Major General Peter Burgonio, commander of the 8th Infantry Division, who commended Lt. Col. Rosalejos for his leadership and accomplishments and welcomed Lt. Col. Gobway as the new battalion commander.
Brigadier General Carmelito Pangatungan, commander of the 803rd Brigade, presented a command plaque to Lt. Col. Rosalejos in recognition of his service as the 40th commander of the 19IB.

Under Lt. Col. Rosalejos’ leadership, the battalion registered notable operational gains, including the neutralization of the Sub-Regional Guerrilla Unit under SRC Emporium, which had been operating in parts of Northern Samar and Samar. Military officials said these accomplishments significantly contributed to improved peace and security conditions in the area.

In his relinquishment message, Rosalejos expressed pride in the battalion’s achievements and urged the troops to sustain their dedication to duty. He called on personnel to extend their full support to the new commander and underscored the importance of maintaining strong partnerships with local government units, communities, and other stakeholders in advancing peace and development. He also thanked local officials and partner agencies for their support during his tenure.

In his assumption speech, Lt. Col. Gobway acknowledged the solid groundwork laid by his predecessor and thanked officers, enlisted personnel, and stakeholders for their continued cooperation. He pledged to sustain the battalion’s best practices and to lead a mission-focused and proactive unit, working closely with local government units and partner agencies, particularly in conflict-affected communities.

Maj. Gen. Burgonio, in his message, emphasized the importance of leadership that prioritizes troop welfare, morale, and professionalism, alongside sustained operational excellence.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — In the aftermath of a military encounter in Northern Samar that left two members of the communist insurgency dead, an Army commander has renewed his call for peace, urging remaining rebels to abandon armed struggle and return to civilian life.

Brigadier General Carmelito Pangatungan, commander of the 803rd Infantry Brigade, issued the appeal following a clash on December 19, 2025, in the hinterlands of Barangay Bulao, Las Navas, involving government troops and suspected members of the Communist New People’s Army (NPA).

The encounter stemmed from reports by local farmers who sought military assistance after allegedly being subjected to intimidation and extortion by armed men demanding cash and portions of their harvests.

While describing the operation as a tactical success, Pangatungan underscored the human cost of the decades-long conflict, extending condolences to the families of the fatalities.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, and we hope they find comfort, courage, and strength during this difficult time. May they experience peace and solace amid their loss,” Pangatungan said in a statement.

He also issued a direct appeal to remaining members of the Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) ARCTIC, calling on them to lay down their arms and choose a peaceful path.

“This is a heartfelt appeal to those still involved to abandon violence, embrace dialogue, and choose lasting peace for themselves, their families, and the community,” he added.
According to the 8th Infantry Division, the firefight erupted when troops conducting verification operations encountered armed men believed to be members of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC). The rebels reportedly opened fire, prompting a brief but intense exchange.

Following the clash, government troops recovered the bodies of two deceased rebels along with three firearms and assorted ammunition at the scene.

Military officials said the operation was necessary to protect farmers and rural communities who have long been vulnerable to coercion and extortion by insurgent groups.

The Army also credited the timely reporting of civilians for the successful operation, stressing that public cooperation remains crucial in preventing armed groups from exploiting local residents. Government forces remain on heightened alert in Northern Samar to prevent any regrouping by rebel elements.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — To ease congestion in the town center and help small vendors earn during the peak holiday season, the local government unit of Catarman has opened designated areas inside the Catarman Public Market to ambulant fruit vendors free of charge from December 22 to 31.

The arrangement, agreed upon during a meeting between fruit vendors and the Catarman Market Committee, bars pushcart and ambulant fruit vendors from selling along roads in Poblacion Catarman during the Christmas period. Instead, vendors will be accommodated within the public market to promote order, safety, and convenience for both sellers and shoppers.

The meeting was led by Mayor Dianne Rosales and attended by Market Committee members, including MPOSO Chief Atty. Harold Horcasitas, Local Economic Enterprise (LEE) head Dr. Arlan Ong, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) head Engr. Jay-r Lim, Architect Rafael Villegas, Engr. Clint Opeña, Tina Salazar, and PSSG Jestoni Bacolod.

Under the approved plan, two rows of temporary fruit stalls will be installed along the road between Market Buildings 1 and 2. Each stall will have a width of 1.5 meters, with a half-meter space between stalls. Additional vending spaces will be provided behind the Rayhak Building, located outside the main market area.

A total of 68 slots have been allocated for ambulant fruit vendors. Vendors will be responsible for building their own temporary stalls and, consistent with previous Christmas seasons, will not be charged any rental fees for the duration of the program.

Mayor Rosales said the initiative is part of the local government’s effort to support small-scale vendors while ensuring orderly market operations during the holidays. She also approved the request of regular tenants in the vegetable section to extend their selling areas up to the stairways to better accommodate fruit displays.

Only ambulant fruit vendors who are residents of Catarman are eligible to participate in the program.

To ensure cleanliness, a garbage truck from the MENRO will be stationed at the market throughout the period, with vendors required to dispose of their waste daily. Mayor Rosales stressed that the market should be cleared of garbage by January 1, 2026, warning that vendors who fail to comply with the rules may be blacklisted and barred from participating in future holiday market programs.

Mayor Rosales personally supervised the raffle draw to determine the assigned stall numbers for the participating ambulant fruit vendors.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)