TACLOBAN CITY — More than 2,000 additional guidance counselors could be deployed to public schools nationwide under a proposed P802-million allocation in the 2027 national budget, aimed at strengthening mental health and student support services.
House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan said Sunday, August 23, that the proposed funding would create 2,021 positions under the Department of Education (DepEd).
The allocation would cover 1,800 school counselor associate I positions and 221 school division counselor positions.
Libanan said the additional personnel are needed amid growing concerns over student mental health, bullying and school violence, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and professional support for learners experiencing emotional or psychological difficulties.
The proposal comes after two fatal school shooting incidents in less than two months, including the June 22 attack at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City that left three students dead and 20 others injured, and the Aug. 18 shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University that killed a student and the assailant.
“These incidents show why we must invest not only in physical security but also in the emotional and psychological support available to our students,” Libanan said.
He also called on private elementary and high schools to strengthen their investments in professional guidance and counseling services, saying the well-being of children is a shared responsibility.
ALKANSSSYA PROGRAM. DSWD regional office and Social Security System officials lead the launch of the 4Ps AlkanSSSya Program in Tacloban City on Aug. 18, 2026. The initiative aims to help Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries build financial security by encouraging savings and enrollment in the SSS as self-employed members. (Photo courtesy of DSWD-8)
ALKANSSSYA PROGRAM. DSWD regional office and Social Security System officials lead the launch of the 4Ps AlkanSSSya Program in Tacloban City on Aug. 18, 2026. The initiative aims to help Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries build financial security by encouraging savings and enrollment in the SSS as self-employed members. (Photo courtesy of DSWD-8)
TACLOBAN CITY — Thousands of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries in Eastern Visayas will be encouraged to build financial protection through a savings and social insurance program launched by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Social Security System (SSS).
The DSWD regional office officially launched the 4Ps AlkanSSSya Program on Aug. 18 in Tacloban City, providing beneficiaries with an opportunity to become self-employed SSS members and gain access to social insurance benefits.
The initiative is a joint effort of the DSWD and SSS to make social insurance more accessible to 4Ps beneficiaries and help strengthen their long-term financial security.
The launch was attended by DSWD Assistant Regional Director for Operations Artemio Bautista, 4Ps Management Division Chief Paula Unay, Tacloban City Links, other DSWD personnel and 4Ps beneficiaries from Barangays 62, 62-B and 64.
James Po, Corporate Executive Officer II of the SSS Tacloban Branch, introduced the AlkanSSSya Program during the activity, while Social Security Officer III Crestian Jaca conducted the orientation and explained the enrollment process.
SSS personnel also provided technical assistance to beneficiaries in enrolling and updating their SSS accounts.
Under the program, beneficiaries are encouraged to set aside small amounts from their personal earnings daily or weekly. The savings are pooled through organized groups, such as Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations, and remitted to the SSS monthly.
Enrolled beneficiaries are registered with the SSS as self-employed members and are required to pay their premiums using income from their livelihoods.
The 4Ps cash grants cannot be used to pay SSS premiums because these are intended by law for health, education and rice subsidies.
By maintaining active SSS membership, beneficiaries can access the standard benefits available to SSS members, providing them with financial assistance during qualifying contingencies.
The program will be rolled out in municipalities across Eastern Visayas as part of efforts to promote financial literacy, expand social protection and help vulnerable families withstand financial shocks without falling back into poverty.
Five remarkable Eastern Visayans whose expertise, innovation,
and dedication are helping advance the region’s development.
Five remarkable Eastern Visayans whose expertise, innovation, and dedication are helping advance the region’s development.
Beyond its breathtaking landscapes, Eastern Visayas is also home to exemplary individuals whose expertise helps create solutions, open opportunities, and move the region forward. To recognize those whose work has made a lasting impact, the Department of Tourism Region VIII, in partnership with Tingog Partylist, held the inaugural Outstanding Eastern Visayan Awards last July 31.
This second feature spotlights five Outstanding Eastern Visayans in Education and Research; Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Health and Medicine; Media, Journalism and Communications; and Science, Technology and Engineering.
Delivering Healthcare Where It’s Needed Most
Dr. Aileen T. Riel-Espina, recipient of the Outstanding Eastern Visayan for Health and Medicine, has dedicated her career to building systems and solutions to make healthcare more accessible for communities in need.
When Typhoon Yolanda struck the region in 2013, only one hospital in Tacloban was left standing. She helped keep it running by leading disaster response, coordinating triage, managing scarce resources, and facilitating international medical teams. For her efforts, she received the Unsung Hero of Yolanda Award from the Secretary of Health.
Her commitment to healthcare began long before the storm. In 2004, she established the region’s first accredited Family and Community Medicine residency program at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC), training doctors to work in rural and underserved areas. She also helped pass the legislation that doubled EVRMC’s bed capacity from 250 to 500.
In 2017, she brought the same approach to Northern Samar, where every graduate passed their board exams and chose to stay and serve in the province. The program was later replicated in Sorsogon and featured in Frontiers in Medicine, a leading open-access medical journal, as a model for other low- and middle-income countries.
Her work gained global recognition in 2018 when she was appointed as chair of the WONCA Working Party on Women in Family Medicine and elected as Executive Member at Large of the WONCA Asia Pacific Regional Council. In 2023, she was elected as Honorary Secretary of the same council, and in March this year she was elected by unanimous vote as President-Elect of the WONCA Asia Pacific Region. She will assume the Regional Presidency in 2027 at the closing ceremony of the WONCA World Conference in Cape Town, South Africa.
Throughout her career, Dr. Riel-Espina has shown that improving healthcare is not only about treating patients; it is also about building the people and systems that allow communities to receive care when they need it most.
A Mentor Making a Mark on the World
The true impact of Outstanding Eastern Visayan for Education and Research Dr. Janet Alexis A. De los Santos’ work can be seen in the lives she has shaped, the communities she has served, and the global pride she has brought to the entire region.
A recipient of the 2025 Civil Service Commission National Semi-Finalist Dangal ng Bayan Award: Gawad Lingkod Bayani, the 2024 CSC Regional Pagasa Award, the Vicente Teves Locsin, Jr. Research and Scholarship in Nursing Award of the International Association of Human Caring, and the Southeast Asia Bioethics Network (SEABION) Research Fellowship Grant, Dr. De los Santos built a career devoted to service as a nurse educator, researcher, and public health advocate.
She holds national positions in scientific groups such as the National Research Council of the Philippines, Section Chair of Public Health under the Medical Science Division, Executive Secretary of the Philippine One Health University Network, and an esteemed member of the House of Delegates of the Philippine Nurses Association, apart from her voluntary work as Chair of the Nurse Researcher Experts Pool of PNA VIII.
She earned global recognition as the only scientist from an Eastern Visayan state university or higher education institution to be among the World’s Top 2% Scientists by Elsevier-Stanford from 2023 to 2025. With 54 publications and 6,000+ Google Scholar citations, her research on HIV stigma, mental health, nursing education, and public health has reached far beyond the region.
Her most enduring impact lives on in the people she has guided and served. In 2023 she was awarded the National Winner for Best Mentor in Health Research by DOST-PCHRD. Her research has also found its way back to the communities that inspire it. She worked with the Department of Health Regional Office VIII and municipalities across Leyte to strengthen the skills of Barangay Health Workers in providing stigma-free HIV care. Her continuing research work on diseases reflects a commitment to making science research useful where it matters most.
Advancing Science in the Region
Dr. Ea Kristine Clarisse B. Tulin-Escueta, an Outstanding Eastern Visayan in Science, Technology, and Engineering, is advancing science and opening doors for the next generation of scientists.
After earning her Chemistry degree from Visayas State University (VSU), she received a Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship for her master’s and doctorate in Japan, then became the first VSU researcher to complete a postdoctoral research fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center–Harvard Medical School.
There, she conducted research in glycobiology and biomedical science, exploring areas such as antibodies, cancer biomarkers, and diagnostics. Her work has been published and presented at scientific conferences locally and abroad, including in Japan and the United States. Despite opportunities abroad, she chose to return home to teach and lead research at VSU, where she now serves as Assistant Professor IV. She mentors young scientists and builds collaborations that expand opportunities for researchers in the region.
For her, science should not stay in the lab. In 2020, she founded Experiments in Art, turning scientific images into visual art to make research more engaging and accessible. She also advocates for a “Science Island” in Leyte, aiming to bring academe, government, industry, and communities together to address regional challenges through innovation.
By bringing her experience home, Dr. Tulin-Escueta is helping strengthen scientific research in the region while creating new opportunities for the next generation.
Bringing Innovation Home
The path to innovation has taken certified public accountant and Outstanding Eastern Visayan for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Gilbert T. Trinchera, far beyond Eastern Visayas. Yet, wherever his work takes him, he remains dedicated to using what he has learned to help move his home region forward.
Trinchera’s work in technology, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and governance has placed him at the forefront of initiatives shaping modern organizations. He has led over 50 advisory engagements across the Philippines and Asia-Pacific, working with institutions such as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Philippine Statistics Authority, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). In 2026, he joined global leaders and experts at the ADB Annual Meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to discuss how technology and innovation can support sustainable development.
Trinchera turned his global exposure into local impact. He spoke at over 30 national and international forums, engaging an estimated 5,000 professionals, executives, and students. He has mentored over 100 emerging leaders and taught more than 500 accountancy and business students in Eastern Visayas.
Perhaps his most meaningful contribution is the bridge he continues to build between global knowledge and local opportunity. By bringing innovation, expertise, and new possibilities closer to home, he is helping build a more connected, capable, and future-ready Eastern Visayas.
A Voice to Inspire a Generation of Storytellers
For years, Outstanding Eastern Visayan for Media, Journalism, and Communications Dr. Michael Jude T. Casaljay has empowered young voices from Sta. Margarita, Samar to become credible storytellers reaching audiences across the nation.
A recipient of the 2018 Ulirang Guro and Pambansang Ulirang Guro for Eastern Visayas, the 2018 Avant-Garde School Paper Adviser of the Philippines, and the 2013 Outstanding School Paper Adviser of the Philippines. His record shows his commitment as an educator, campus journalism mentor, and school leader. Under his mentorship, through the SuratAram: School-Based Campus Journalism and Broadcast Excellence Development Program, which he started in 2006, three students were named Outstanding Campus Journalists of the Philippines. His coaching helped the Clarencio Calagos Memorial School of Fisheries (CCMSF) teams win 11 consecutive titles in Radio Broadcasting and 4 in TV Broadcasting at the National Schools Press Conference.
As the school principal, Dr. Casaljay’s leadership helped CCMSF Senior High School be recognized as the Most Effective Senior High School Implementer in Region VIII for three consecutive school years. Beyond medals and citations, his greatest legacy lies in the students who carried his lessons into their professional lives. One of his former mentees went on to become a DZMM Teleradyo news anchor, and another a coach of Region VIII’s champion Radio Broadcasting Filipino Team at the 2026 National Schools Press Conference.
Dubbed the “Living Legend in Radio Scriptwriting and Broadcasting in the Region,” Dr. Casaljay has helped generations of young Eastern Visayans find their voices and use them to uphold the truth with integrity and purpose.
Expertise Shaping the Future of the Region
These five Outstanding Eastern Visayans may have carved different paths, but they are united by a shared purpose: turning their knowledge, skills, and experience into meaningful contributions. Their work shows how people can become changemakers by creating solutions, opening opportunities, and inspiring local communities for generations to come.
Their stories remind us that the strength of a region is also built by people who share what they know and use it to create possibilities for others. Through their work, they are helping strengthen the people, communities, and institutions that will shape the future of Eastern Visayas.
The recent shooting incidents involving minors should force every firearm-owning household to confront a basic responsibility: children and young people must never be allowed access to guns. A firearm in the home becomes a grave danger when an unauthorized young person can obtain it. Adults who possess firearms must secure them with the seriousness that deadly weapons demand.
This responsibility falls heavily on policemen, soldiers, sailors, security guards, other uniformed personnel, licensed gun owners, and anyone entrusted with an issued or privately owned firearm. Bringing a gun home means bringing home an object capable of killing within seconds, whether it is used deliberately, impulsively, or accidentally. It should therefore never be left in a drawer, cabinet, bag, vehicle, under a mattress, or anywhere else accessible to children. A firearm must be properly secured, and its ammunition should likewise be kept beyond unauthorized access. Ownership or official issuance does not end with the right to possess the weapon; it entails a continuing duty to prevent another person from obtaining it.
Young people should not be expected to possess the judgment and emotional restraint of trained adults. Anger after an argument, humiliation from bullying, family conflict, peer pressure, curiosity, emotional distress, or a desire to frighten someone can become deadly when a gun is within reach. Without a firearm, a moment of rage may end in shouting, threats, or a fistfight; with one readily available, an impulsive decision can leave someone dead and several families ruined. Adults cannot control every thought or emotion of a young person, but they can control whether a loaded weapon is available when judgment fails. That is why secure firearm storage is not excessive caution. It is elementary prevention.
The consequences also extend to the adult who failed to secure the weapon. When a minor uses a parent’s, relative’s, or household member’s firearm in a shooting, questions must be asked about how that child obtained it in the first place. Was it properly locked away? Who had access to the key, code, or storage area? Was the child previously allowed to handle it casually? These questions matter because accountability should not begin only when the trigger is pulled. A responsible gun owner must anticipate unauthorized access before tragedy occurs, especially when children and teenagers live in or regularly visit the household.
Authorities and firearm-owning families must therefore treat safe storage as an absolute obligation rather than a personal option. Police and military commands, security agencies, licensing authorities, and other institutions that issue or regulate firearms should repeatedly enforce strict rules on storage, accountability, and unauthorized access, while parents and guardians must make those rules part of everyday household discipline. Every gun should be secured so that no child, teenager, visitor, or unauthorized family member can obtain it. The lesson from shootings involving minors must be acted upon before another life is lost: if an adult chooses or is required to keep a firearm, that adult must make certain that young hands can never reach it.
Until now, the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte continues, with the nation still watching a constitutional process whose outcome could alter the political landscape leading up to 2028. I once wanted this trial to proceed because I believed Sara deserved the chance to answer her accusers in the proper forum. Now I can see that the proceeding risks becoming less a search for truth than a march toward a politically desired verdict.
My original position was simple: let the trial happen. Allegations as serious as those brought against a sitting vice president should neither be dismissed by supporters nor accepted as gospel by critics. The House-approved case contains allegations involving confidential funds and other accusations against Duterte, and those matters deserve examination rather than resolution by slogans, rallies, Facebook wars, or political loyalties. I wanted witnesses questioned, documents examined, accusations tested, and the defense allowed to answer. If the evidence proved wrongdoing, then let accountability follow. If the evidence failed, let acquittal follow with equal courage. That, to me, was the whole point of a trial.
But watching the process has made me much less comfortable with where it appears to be heading. I cannot honestly say that there is “no evidence at all,” because evidence has, in fact, been presented, and the prosecution itself maintains that it has evidence supporting its case; whether that evidence is sufficient, credible, and strong enough to justify a conviction is precisely what the senator-judges must determine. Indeed, a prosecution adviser recently argued that all four articles should still be presented rather than ending the prosecution case early, which itself shows that the evidentiary process is not yet complete. What’s bothersome is something different and, in a democracy, equally dangerous: the growing impression that political arithmetic may eventually matter more than evidentiary weight. A courtroom should have scales, not a scoreboard.
There is history behind my uneasiness. The earlier 2025 impeachment effort was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, which held that it violated the Constitution’s one-year bar and due process requirements; the Court later denied the House’s motion for reconsideration in January 2026. That episode should have taught everyone an important lesson: removing a high official is not merely about reaching an end considered desirable. The rules governing the journey matter. The Supreme Court put the principle in unusually plain language: “the end does not justify the means.” Those words should hang over this proceeding like a bell that rings whenever political impatience threatens fairness.
The present case has since moved onto different legal ground. On August 5, the Supreme Court dismissed challenges to the current House proceedings as moot because the House had already approved and transmitted the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate, which had begun the trial. That ruling did not decide whether Sara Duterte is guilty of the impeachment charges; it allowed the constitutional process already underway to continue. This distinction matters enormously. Permission to hold a trial is not permission to manufacture a conviction. Clearing the road for the ambulance does not mean declaring the patient dead before reaching the hospital.
This is where my suspicion of the Marcos Jr. administration comes into play. I cannot present as established fact that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has secretly ordered senators to convict Sara Duterte “at all costs”; without solid evidence, that would turn commentary into accusation masquerading as fact. But I can judge the political landscape before me, question the motives of powerful actors, and say plainly that I dislike any appearance that impeachment is becoming an instrument for eliminating a formidable political rival. Sara Duterte is not entitled to immunity because she is popular, because she is a Duterte, or because she may have presidential ambitions. But neither should those very things make her a convenient political target. Impeachment is supposed to protect the Republic from unfit officials, not protect politicians from dangerous opponents.
What disappoints me most is how easily principle disappears once politics puts on its team jersey. Some people seem prepared to believe every allegation against someone they hate and doubt every allegation against someone they love. I refuse to play that game. I supported a trial precisely because I wanted evidence to speak louder than Sara’s supporters. For exactly the same reason, evidence must also speak louder than her enemies. If prosecutors have a strong case, they should prove it patiently and completely. If the defense can dismantle that case, senators must have the independence to acquit her. The dignity of an impeachment court rests not on whether it produces conviction, but on whether Filipinos can look at the verdict afterward and say: That conclusion came from what was proved.
So, my position has changed, but the principle behind it has not. I still believe public officials, including Sara Duterte, must answer credible accusations; what I no longer accept is the idea that an impeachment trial is worthwhile if its destination has effectively been chosen before all the evidence has been weighed. Let the prosecution finish presenting its case, let the defense answer fully, let the senator-judges interrogate both sides, and then let every vote be defended before the Filipino people on the strength of the record. Sara should not be acquitted because she is Sara Duterte, and she should not be convicted because powerful people want her gone. If this proceeding truly seeks justice, there should be no need to drag the scales in either direction. Put the evidence on them—and keep political hands off.
Rural small businesses are vital to the economic and social fabric of rural communities, providing jobs, goods, and services that might otherwise be unavailable. However, these businesses often face unique opportunities and constraints compared to their urban counterparts. Understanding these factors is crucial for fostering a supportive environment that enables rural small businesses to thrive. This article explores the key opportunities and constraints faced by rural small businesses and strategies for navigating them.
The Importance of Rural Small Businesses
Rural small businesses play a critical role in rural economies and communities.
• Job Creation: Small businesses are major employers in rural areas, providing essential job opportunities.
• Economic Diversification: They contribute to economic diversification, reducing reliance on traditional industries such as agriculture and forestry.
• Community Development: Rural small businesses support local community development by providing goods, services, and amenities.
• Preservation of Rural Character: They help preserve the unique character and identity of rural communities.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Rural areas often foster a strong entrepreneurial spirit, with residents starting businesses to meet local needs and pursue their passions.
Opportunities for Rural Small Businesses
Despite the challenges, rural areas offer several unique opportunities for small businesses.
• Niche Markets: Rural areas often have niche markets that are underserved by larger businesses.
o Examples:
Artisan food products made with locally sourced ingredients.
Outdoor recreation services such as guided hiking or fishing trips.
Unique lodging experiences such as bed and breakfasts or glamping sites.
• Lower Operating Costs: Operating costs, such as rent and labor, are often lower in rural areas compared to urban centers.
• Strong Community Support: Rural communities often have a strong sense of community, with residents supporting local businesses.
• Access to Natural Resources: Rural areas often have abundant natural resources that can be used to support businesses in industries such as agriculture, forestry, and tourism.
• Tourism Potential: Many rural areas have significant tourism potential, attracting visitors seeking outdoor recreation, scenic beauty, and cultural experiences.
Constraints Faced by Rural Small Businesses
Rural small businesses also face several significant constraints that can hinder their growth and success.
• Limited Access to Capital: Rural businesses often have difficulty accessing capital from banks and other lenders due to perceived risk and lack of collateral.
• Workforce Challenges: Finding and retaining qualified employees can be challenging in rural areas due to limited labor pools and competition from larger employers.
• Infrastructure Deficiencies: Rural areas often lack adequate infrastructure, such as high-speed internet, transportation, and utilities.
• Limited Market Size: The small population size in rural areas can limit the potential market for goods and services.
• Regulatory Burdens: Rural businesses may face the same regulatory burdens as larger businesses, which can be disproportionately challenging for small operations.
• Geographic Isolation: Geographic isolation can make it difficult for rural businesses to access customers, suppliers, and other resources.
Strategies for Navigating Constraints
Rural small businesses can overcome these constraints by implementing proactive strategies.
• Seek Alternative Funding Sources: Explore alternative funding sources such as microloans, grants, and crowdfunding.
• Develop a Skilled Workforce: Partner with local schools and community colleges to develop training programs that meet the needs of local businesses.
• Advocate for Infrastructure Improvements: Work with local government officials to advocate for infrastructure improvements such as high-speed internet and transportation.
• Expand Market Reach: Utilize e-commerce and online marketing to expand market reach beyond the local community.
• Collaborate with Other Businesses: Collaborate with other local businesses to share resources, market collectively, and offer complementary products and services.
• Leverage Technology: Utilize technology to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and reach new customers.
Government and Community Support
Government and community organizations can play a vital role in supporting rural small businesses.
• Financial Assistance: Providing grants, loans, and tax incentives to help rural businesses access capital.
• Technical Assistance: Offering training, consulting, and mentoring services to help rural businesses improve their operations and management skills.
• Infrastructure Development: Investing in infrastructure improvements such as high-speed internet and transportation.
• Marketing and Promotion: Promoting rural businesses and tourism destinations to attract visitors and customers.
• Advocacy: Advocating for policies that support rural small businesses and address their unique challenges.
Conclusion
Rural small businesses are essential for the economic and social well-being of rural communities. While they face unique constraints, they also have significant opportunities to thrive. By implementing proactive strategies, leveraging technology, and receiving support from government and community organizations, rural small businesses can overcome their challenges and contribute to the vitality of rural economies. Recognizing and addressing the specific needs of rural small businesses is crucial for fostering sustainable economic development in rural areas.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!
