BAYBAY CITY, Leyte– About 20 campus journalists from various colleges and universities across Leyte will take part in the Green Beat Caravan, an environmental journalism bootcamp jointly organized by the Association of Young Environmental Journalists (AYEJ) and the Visayas State University–Department of Development Communication (VSU-DDC) from May 1 to 3.

“We’re grateful to AYEJ for choosing VSU as a partner for this initiative. Given Leyte’s high vulnerability to natural disasters—typhoons, earthquakes, landslides, and forest fires—we need young environmental storytellers to shape the narrative of resilience and protection,” said assistant professor Ulderico Alviola, VSU-DDC chairperson.

Participants will come from institutions including Leyte Normal University, City College of Ormoc, Palompon Institute of Technology, Abuyog Community College, Eastern Visayas State University, Franciscan College of the Immaculate Conception, and VSU.

Val Amiel Vestil, AYEJ executive director, emphasized that the program aims to equip student journalists with not only technical reporting skills but also tools for navigating the challenges of environmental journalism.

“As the Philippines remains one of the most dangerous countries for both environmental defenders and journalists, the training will also cover journalist safety, legal frameworks, and referral pathways,” said Vestil.

The bootcamp reflects the synergy between AYEJ’s journalism expertise and VSU’s long-standing commitment to environmental conservation. Organizers hope the collaboration will deepen youth understanding of the media’s role in promoting sustainability.

Formed in Dumaguete City in 2017, AYEJ is a youth-led nonprofit advocating environmental sustainability through media and education. It is a member of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network–Youth.

This year’s Green Beat Caravan is supported by the Canadian government through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, in partnership with the Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE).

Launched on December 1, 2024, the Caravan is being conducted in hybrid format, with in-person workshops held from January to June in Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga City, Cebu City, Baybay City, Malolos City, and Naga City. It will culminate in a close-out conference during PACE’s 50th anniversary celebration in October 2025.

AYEJ is also partnering with the Department of Education’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service, Internews, and the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines for the initiative.

(RONALD O. REYES)

Kananga,Leyte– A high-value drug personality was arrested in a buy-bust operation on Wednesday afternoon, April 29, in Sitio Cambugdol, Brgy. Tugbong, Kananga, Leyte yielding an estimated 30 grams of shabu worth P204,000 and a Uzi sub-machine gun.

The suspect, identified only as alias “Sinto,” 57, unemployed, and a resident of the said barangay, also has an outstanding warrant of arrest for violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of RA 9165, placing him on the regional most wanted list, according to PCol. Joseph Boquerin of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group – Southern Operations Unit 8.

During the operation, police recovered a sachet of shabu from the suspect during the transaction, followed by a Cobrayo Ingram M11 9mm firearm loaded with ammunition, marked buy-bust money, and additional sachets of suspected shabu, including one large pack.

Sinto admitted to continued involvement in the illegal drug trade, saying he found it hard to refuse offers from former associates.

He is facing charges for violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, illegal possession of firearms, and the election gun ban, and is now detained at the Kananga Municipal Police Station.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY —The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office has extended much-needed relief by distributing food packs to 189 beneficiaries under the Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program on April 30.

The DSWD food distribution, held amid this heatwave, provided some respite to vulnerable families under the anti-hunger initiative led by the national government.

The Walang Gutom 2027 program aims to reduce involuntary hunger and ensure food security among the country’s poorest households.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Tacloban’s heat index has remained within the ‘Extreme Caution’ range (33°C–41°C) over the past week, raising health concerns for many residents.

Dr. Kelton John Mate of the Tacloban City Health Office warned the public to take extra precautions as the risk of heat-related illnesses increases, including heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and skin diseases such as measles and chickenpox.

“To cool off, stay hydrated and avoid going out unless necessary,” Dr. Mate advised. “If you must go outdoors, bring water, apply sunscreen, and use protective gear like caps or umbrellas.”

He also urged residents to regularly check official heat advisories and weather updates to minimize health risks.

(JUSTIN ANDRIAN F.POTOLI, LNU STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY – The National Food Authority (NFA) in the region is set to receive 20,000 bags of rice from Caraga and the Bicol Region to help support the launch of the P20 per kilo rice program in Eastern Visayas.

NFA-8 Regional Manager May Sara Sabarre revealed that the region’s rice procurement has exceeded expectations, with a significant increase from the typical 80,000 bags to nearly 210,000 bags, despite being in the early stages of the first cropping.

However, Sabarre emphasized that the region’s milling capacity is currently limited to 600 bags per day due to full warehouses.

“Nasa maximum of 80,000 lang ang nabibili ni Region 8 pero ngayon, umabot na tayo ng halos 210,000. First cropping pa lang so napakalayo,” Sabarre said, highlighting the region’s progress.

With the demand for rice expected to rise, neighboring regions such as Caraga and Bicol have stepped forward to assist, agreeing to supply rice once the specific quantities needed by Region 8 are finalized in an upcoming meeting at the NFA central office.

The rice designated for the P20 per kilo program will be the freshest stock, with the NFA specifying that only rice aged between 0 to 2 months will be sold, ensuring the quality of the product.

“The bigas na ibebenta natin sa P20 program natin, ‘yong 0–2 months na age. ‘Yong pinakabago talaga. ‘Yong 3 months, hindi na,” Sabarre explained.

A key meeting with local government units is scheduled for this week to determine the precise quantities of rice needed for distribution.

The P20 per kilo rice program is part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s commitment to addressing rising rice prices and improving food security across the country.

(HNZ MORPHEUS OLAYA, LNU STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY– A global women’s organization has launched a peace initiative in the Philippines by declaring April 26 as International Women’s Peace Day, aiming to unite women worldwide in advocating for the end of war and the establishment of lasting peace.
“This day is about encouraging women peace advocates—regardless of borders, race, religion, or ideology—to continue working for peace, with the hope that many more women will join the movement,” said Na Hyeong Jeon, secretary general of the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG), during a commemorative event hosted by the local government of Kapalong in Davao del Norte.

In a statement, IWPG called on women around the world “to join hands in the pursuit of peace,” adding that the visit of its international branch managers to the Philippines is expected to inspire more collaborations after witnessing local peacebuilding efforts firsthand.

Joining the celebration were IWPG officials and peace advocates from several countries, including Hwi Young Lee, Bitna Lee, and Hyeju Park (IWPG Headquarters); Cecilia Ao, IWPG Hong Kong branch manager; Cathy Xuan and Jiong Xu from IWPG Shanghai; Ana Milana Puspita Sari and Noinsen Elita Helpria Rumapea from IWPG Indonesia’ and April Otadoy and Crysthel Catalan from IWPG Manila.

The event also gathered IWPG Kapalong members, graduates of the Peace Lecturer Training Education (PLTE), wives of pastors from the Moral Recovery Program (MRP), and various local stakeholders.

“The initiative aims to bring together women who share a motherly heart and a desire to protect the lives of their children and future generations,” IWPG noted.

IWPG is a non-governmental organization with special consultative status under the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It advocates for a sustainable global peace order by addressing the root causes of conflicts and war—whether among individuals or between nations.

(RONALD O. REYES)