TACLOBAN CITY — More than 100 children aged five and below underwent nutrition screening in Tacloban City as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints launched a program aimed at identifying and addressing malnutrition among children in the area.
The screening was held Saturday,Sept.19, at the Church’s Tacloban Philippines Stake Center as part of its newly launched Child Nutrition Program, which covers children from its Tacloban Philippines Stakes in Tacloban City and the nearby towns of Palo, Tanauan, Alangalang and Santa Fe in Leyte, as well as Basey in Samar.

Rosemary Chibota, general president of the Church’s Primary organization, witnessed the launch. The Primary is the Church’s worldwide organization for children.

“The program makes sure that children are not starving and they’re eating the right food. Equally important is the spiritual nutrition and that parents make sure that their children are feasting upon the words of Christ,” Chibota said.

During the screening, children were measured for height, weight and mid-upper arm circumference to determine their nutritional status.

Church volunteers used the ShareMyHealth app to obtain immediate assessments of the children’s nutritional status during the activity.

The screening aims to identify children who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition so local Church units, known as wards, can provide appropriate assistance to their families.
Children identified as malnourished will be referred to physicians for further assessment and guidance on their nutritional needs.

Local Church leaders will also work with families to determine the assistance they may need. Intervention will continue until the child’s nutritional status returns to normal.
Mothers will also be trained to prepare nutritious food suited to their children’s needs and preferences.

The Church said the program is part of its efforts to support children and families and help children achieve their full potential.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Eastern Visayas can access up to PHP50 million in financing from the Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) to support business expansion, equipment acquisition and working capital requirements.
Landbank first vice president for SME-mid market lending group May Arizadal said the bank’s Lifting MSMEs Lending Program offers loan packages based on the size and stage of a business.

Speaking during the Padayon Eastern Visayas MSME Fair at Summit Hotel Tacloban on Thursday,Sept.17, Arizadal said micro-entrepreneurs may borrow up to P500,000 without collateral.

“For the micro-entrepreneurs, they can borrow up to P500,000 with no collateral,” she said.
More established businesses may access up to P5 million under the Step-Up loan, while enterprises seeking to expand their operations may qualify for up to P50 million through the Level-Up package.

The Lifting MSMEs Lending Program, launched in December 2025, provides financing for working capital, purchase of equipment and business expansion.

Arizadal said Landbank also accepts loan applications from businesses that have been operating for at least six months.

“We want to support local businesses even those that just started for at least six months in operation,” she said.

Entrepreneurs may apply online through the Landbank website, allowing them to check documentary requirements, submit supporting documents and monitor their applications without personally visiting a branch.

Landbank first vice president for agricultural and sustainable development Eden Japitana said the bank has released about P2.4 billion out of P2.7 billion in approved loans under the program, benefiting around 700 entrepreneurs since its launch.

Japitana said financing support could help MSMEs expand their operations and generate employment in local communities.

“Kung mag-improve ang negosyo nila, makakapag-employ tayo, lalago ang negosyo, lalago ang bayan,” she said.

Landbank also introduced its Sulong MSME Solution Suite, which provides deposit and digital banking services designed to help businesses manage payments, payroll, collections and government contributions.

Sole proprietors may also open accounts through the Landbank Mobile Banking App.
The Padayon Eastern Visayas MSME Fair drew about 250 entrepreneurs and showcased businesses involved in agribusiness, fisheries, abaca, food processing and other sectors.
The Tacloban event was the eighth leg of Landbank’s MSME Fair caravan, which promotes financing and other support services available to small businesses.

Landbank said the initiative supports government efforts to improve access to financing and other assistance for MSMEs under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Program.

MSMEs account for about 99 percent of businesses in the Philippines, according to government data.

Landbank said improved access to financing can help viable enterprises sustain operations, acquire equipment and increase their production and business capacity as they grow.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Northern Samar now has 19 of its 24 municipalities under Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC) following the declaration of Gamay on Sept. 18, a day after Palapag town attained the same status.

The consecutive declarations bring the province closer to its goal of sustaining peace in all of its municipalities after years of armed conflict involving communist insurgents.

The 8th Infantry Division (8ID) said the declarations reflect sustained cooperation among local governments, national government agencies, security forces and communities in addressing security concerns and creating conditions for development.

8ID commander Maj. Gen. Peter Burgonio said the SIPSC declarations were the result of years of coordinated efforts by the military, Philippine National Police, local governments and residents.

He said the military’s role does not end with the declarations, adding that the 8ID will continue supporting local governments in sustaining peace gains, assisting former rebels in their reintegration into communities and helping ensure that development reaches areas previously affected by armed conflict.

Burgonio also called on remaining members of communist armed groups to abandon the armed struggle and return to the folds of the law, saying government reintegration programs are available to those who choose to surrender and rebuild their lives with their families.

Gamay Mayor Timoteo Capoquian Jr. said the SIPSC declaration should be measured by its impact on ordinary residents.

“Peace is not just a word. Peace is not just a government program. Peace is not just the absence of armed encounters. Peace is being able to live without fear,” he said.

Capoquian, who survived an ambush by members of the New People’s Army in 2008, said the declaration marks the beginning of a new phase for Gamay.

He said the municipality can now focus more strongly on development programs, basic services, livelihood opportunities, education, infrastructure and youth initiatives.
“This declaration is not the end. It is a beginning,” he said.

Palapag Mayor Florence Batula, whose municipality was declared under SIPSC on Sept. 17, described the milestone as a turning point after nearly four decades of armed conflict.
“For almost four decades, peace in Palapag was a promise repeatedly pursued, but never fully realized. Today, we finally have an answer,” Batula said.

She credited the declaration to the combined efforts of the military, police, local and national government agencies, barangay officials, residents and former rebels who chose to return to the folds of the law.

Batula said Palapag is already seeing signs of renewed economic activity, including increased tourism, business activity and investments.

She stressed, however, that the SIPSC declaration should not be regarded as the end of the peace process.

“This declaration is not the ending of a chapter. It is the beginning of a more difficult period of sustainment. Our responsibility now shifts from achieving peace to protecting peace,” Batula said.

She urged barangay officials, youth leaders and community organizations to remain vigilant, maintain dialogue and address grievances before they escalate, while protecting young people from exploitation.

The 19 municipalities now under SIPSC include all 14 towns in Northern Samar’s first congressional district—Allen, Biri, Bobon, Capul, Catarman, Lavezares, Lope de Vega, Mondragon, Rosario, San Antonio, San Isidro, San Jose, San Vicente and Victoria.
The second district municipalities under SIPSC are Laoang, Lapinig, San Roque, Palapag and Gamay.

The 8ID said sustaining the peace gains will require continued cooperation among security forces, local governments, national agencies and communities.
It said maintaining peace and security would provide a stronger foundation for governance, investment and development in communities previously affected by armed conflict.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)