TACLOBAN CITY — Residents and seafood consumers are being warned against gathering and eating shellfish from the coastal waters of Leyte, Leyte after the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) detected paralytic shellfish toxin in samples collected from the area.

In a local red tide advisory issued Tuesday, August 25, BFAR said laboratory tests detected paralytic shellfish toxin, specifically saxitoxin, in the samples.

The agency said the advisory was issued as a precautionary measure while confirmatory testing is being conducted by the BFAR National Fisheries Laboratory Division.

The warning covers all types of shellfish and Acetes species, locally known as alamang, harvested from the affected coastal waters. BFAR urged the public to refrain from gathering, selling, buying, or consuming these products until the advisory is lifted.
The precautionary measure aims to protect public health and minimize the possible impact of the red tide episode on the local shellfish industry.

BFAR also reminded the public that shellfish bans remain in effect in two other areas in Eastern Visayas where previous samples tested positive for red tide toxins.
These areas include Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar, covering the coastal waters of General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo, as well as the coastal waters of Biliran Island.

All shellfish and Acetes, or alamang, harvested from these areas are considered unsafe for human consumption while the shellfish bans remain in effect.

Fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs harvested from affected waters, however, may still be consumed if they are fresh and properly prepared, BFAR said. Consumers are advised to remove internal organs, including the intestines and gills, wash the seafood thoroughly, and cook it properly.

Red tide occurs when certain algae multiply or accumulate in large numbers and produce toxins that can affect humans and marine organisms. People can develop paralytic shellfish poisoning after consuming shellfish that have accumulated these toxins.

BFAR stressed that cooking does not reliably destroy red tide toxins, making compliance with shellfish bans and advisories essential to prevent food poisoning.

The agency urged consumers to purchase shellfish only from safe and approved sources and to avoid harvesting shellfish from areas covered by red tide advisories or shellfish bans.

BFAR said it will issue further updates once confirmatory laboratory results for the Leyte, Leyte samples become available.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Strengthening peace and security in Eastern Visayas took center stage as Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez welcomed newly assigned National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Region 8 Director Atty. Jeremy Lotoc during a courtesy call.
During their meeting on Wednesday,August 26, Romualdez and Lotoc discussed measures to further strengthen peace and order and make communities across the region safer and more secure.

Romualdez highlighted the importance of promoting responsible firearm safety and ownership, particularly in light of recent shooting incidents in schools.

The mayor stressed the need to ensure that firearms do not fall into the hands of individuals who are not legally qualified to possess or handle them, especially minors.
The two officials also discussed the need to strengthen cybersecurity measures in government agencies, along with other initiatives aimed at maintaining peace and order throughout Eastern Visayas.

As chair of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) and chief executive of Tacloban City, Romualdez said he continues to give priority to concerns affecting the safety and security of residents.

He emphasized the importance of close coordination among government agencies to ensure that efforts to protect communities are more efficient, systematic, and effective.

The courtesy call also underscored the shared commitment of the city government and law enforcement agencies to work together in addressing emerging security concerns and promoting a peaceful and secure Eastern Visayas.

TACLOBAN CITY — The courage of a young Taclobanon who put the safety of his friends before his own during a tragic shooting incident was remembered and honored as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) posthumously conferred the Youth Heroism Award on Chris Lorenz Fabian.

The Certificate of Youth Heroism Award was presented to Fabian’s family on August 24, 2026, at the DILG Region 8 Training Center in recognition of his bravery and selfless act of protecting others during the incident.

DILG Eastern Visayas Regional Director Arnel Agabe, representing Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, said Fabian displayed exceptional courage when he chose to shield his friends from danger.

“Chris Lorenz was an ordinary teenager who, in an extraordinary moment, found extraordinary strength within himself to shield his friends,” he said.
He emphasized that heroism is not measured by age, position, or title, but by the willingness to place the safety and welfare of others above one’s own.

Beyond honoring Fabian’s final act, the DILG said the award recognizes the values of courage, compassion, and selflessness that he demonstrated in a moment of grave danger.
The tragedy also highlighted the need to strengthen safety measures in schools and communities through closer coordination among local government units, schools, law enforcement agencies, emergency responders, and other stakeholders.

Through its safer communities, cities, and school zone initiatives, the DILG promotes stronger mechanisms for peace and order, public safety, emergency preparedness, prevention, and coordinated response.

The agency said the incident underscored the shared responsibility of government and communities to ensure that children and young people can learn, grow, and live in safe environments.

Fabian’s family and friends, together with members of the wider community, joined the DILG in remembering the young man whose courage amid tragedy left a lasting legacy.
The DILG said Fabian will be remembered not only for the tragedy that claimed his life, but for the courage and humanity he showed in protecting others.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Education (DepEd) is considering extending its cellphone restriction to students’ recess and break periods as the agency weighs how to address the harmful effects of social media and online content on children.

Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara disclosed the proposal in response to a question from Caibiran Mayor Rhodessa Revita during the 2nd Quarter Joint Regional Task Force 8–End Local Communist Armed Conflict (JRTF8-ELCAC) meeting held in Naval, Biliran.

“The debate now is whether we should ban cellphone use even during recess or break time. That is something we are currently considering,” Angara said.

Under DepEd Order No. 006, s. 2026, or the Guidelines on Ensuring Safe and Motivating Learning Environment, the use of portable electronic devices by learners and personnel is prohibited during instructional hours.

The policy, however, allows exemptions in meritorious cases, including the use of gadgets for academic purposes such as accessing educational platforms and digital resources and participating in authorized collaborative activities.

Gadgets may also be used during emergencies, including disasters, medical emergencies and other situations involving immediate safety concerns.

Angara acknowledged that completely prohibiting cellphone use during school breaks could create practical difficulties because students sometimes need to contact their parents, particularly to arrange transportation or coordinate who will pick them up.

“Sometimes, students need their cellphones to communicate about when they will be picked up,” he said.

He also expressed concern about requiring students to surrender their phones to teachers or school personnel for safekeeping.

“That would be somewhat impractical for us. Teachers also do not want to be put in charge of the cellphones because if something gets lost, they could be held responsible for paying for it,” Angara said.

The proposed extension of the cellphone restriction comes as Congress considers measures seeking to regulate children’s access to social media and other online platforms, particularly those aged 16 and below.

Angara said the discussions are being undertaken alongside similar initiatives in other countries, including Australia, Great Britain and Denmark.

“We must acknowledge that social media really has harmful effects,” he said, citing the shooting incident in Tacloban City and reports identifying the alleged shooter with the online nihilistic violent group 764.

Angara said addressing the possible harmful effects of social media and online content requires a community-wide effort involving parents, teachers, schools and other stakeholders.

He emphasized the importance of adult guidance for adolescents, particularly those aged 14 to 16, whose brains are still developing in areas associated with emotional processing.
Parents should provide support and guidance at home, while teachers and school guidance counselors should help students deal with emotional and behavioral concerns, he said.

DepEd, however, continues to face a shortage of guidance counselors, partly because of the Philippine Regulation Commission’s requirement that counselors hold a master’s degree.
Angara said the department is willing to provide salaries for guidance counselors but is exploring other ways to strengthen psychosocial and learner-support services in schools.
One option is the establishment of learning formation officers, which could involve one or several teachers being assigned to provide additional support to students.

Angara was in Eastern Visayas for several engagements, including the JRTF8-ELCAC meeting hosted by Biliran province on August 10 and the Samar Day celebration in Catbalogan City on August 11, where he served as guest speaker.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)