FOOD SUFFICIENCY. Officials from the Municipality of Arteche, led by its Acting Mayor Roland “Boie” Bowad Evardone, receive recognition during the Walang Gutom Awards after the town’s “One Barangay, One Gulay Program” was named among the Top 10 Outstanding Anti-Hunger Initiatives nationwide.
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FOOD SUFFICIENCY. Officials from the Municipality of Arteche, led by its Acting Mayor Roland “Boie” Bowad Evardone, receive recognition during the Walang Gutom Awards after the town’s “One Barangay, One Gulay Program” was named among the Top 10 Outstanding Anti-Hunger Initiatives nationwide. (ARTECHE LOVES YOU FACEBOOK)
TACLOBAN CITY — The municipality of Arteche, Eastern Samar has been recognized nationally after its “One Barangay, One Gulay Program” was named among the Top 10 Outstanding Anti-Hunger Initiatives during the Walang Gutom Awards organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) held on Tuesday, May 12.
The recognition came with a P2-million grant that will support the expansion and strengthening of the municipality’s food sustainability and community gardening programs.
Acting Mayor Roland “Boie” Bowad Evardone and Municipal Agriculturist Antonio Luceres Jr. received the award on behalf of the local government unit during the awarding ceremony, where Evardone presented Arteche’s anti-hunger initiative before a panel of judges.
The “One Barangay, One Gulay Program” promotes backyard and community gardening as a strategy to improve food security and ensure that families in every barangay have access to fresh and nutritious food. The initiative encourages participation from residents, farmers, barangay officials, and local government agencies in sustaining vegetable production at the community level.
Local officials said the program has become a model of grassroots collaboration in addressing hunger and promoting self-sufficiency among communities.
Arteche was the only municipality from Eastern Samar included among the national awardees. Also recognized during the Walang Gutom Awards were the local government units of Palompon and Baybay City, both in Leyte.
The Walang Gutom Awards is a joint initiative of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Galing Pook Foundation in support of the national government’s campaign to achieve a hunger-free Philippines.
RECOVERED. Police in Northern Samar confiscated nearly P2 million worth of alleged illegally cut lumber which also resulted in the arrest of one individual during an anti-illegal logging operation in Barangay San Juan, San Isidro town on Wednesday evening, May 13.(PRO-8)
RECOVERED. Police in Northern Samar confiscated nearly P2 million worth of alleged illegally cut lumber which also resulted in the arrest of one individual during an anti-illegal logging operation in Barangay San Juan, San Isidro town on Wednesday evening, May 13.(PRO-8)
TACLOBAN CITY — Authorities in Northern Samar confiscated nearly P2 million worth of undocumented lumber and arrested one individual during an anti-illegal logging operation in Barangay San Juan, San Isidro town on Wednesday evening, May 13.
The operation was led by the Police Regional Office 8 in coordination with the San Isidro Municipal Police Station and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–CENRO Catarman, following reports of alleged storage and use of lumber without proper permits.
Police identified the arrested suspect only as alias “Wil,” a resident of San Isidro, Northern Samar, who allegedly failed to present legal documents proving the source of the lumber, in violation of Presidential Decree No. 705 or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines.
Authorities said the recovered materials were intended for the construction of a pump boat.
Seized during the operation were 258 pieces of assorted lumber with an estimated volume of 7,041.41 board feet and a market value of about P1,960,896. Police also recovered an unfinished pump boat made of Yakal and Lauan lumber, additional stockpiled sawn wood, and two chainsaws.
PRO-8 Director B/Gen. Jason Capoy said the operation reflects the continuing effort of law enforcement agencies to intensify the campaign against illegal logging and environmental violations.
“We remain committed to strengthening coordination with concerned agencies to protect the environment and ensure that violators of environmental laws are held accountable,” he said.
The suspect is now facing appropriate charges and remains under police custody.
GRAND SANTACRUZAN. Barangay participants and organizers prepare for the upcoming Grand Santacruzan 2026 in Tacloban City, which will feature a grand procession themed “Light and Hope: The Luminous Journey of Taclobanon Faith” at the Tacloban City Hall grounds on May 30, 2026.
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GRAND SANTACRUZAN. Barangay participants and organizers prepare for the upcoming Grand Santacruzan 2026 in Tacloban City, which will feature a grand procession themed “Light and Hope: The Luminous Journey of Taclobanon Faith” at the Tacloban City Hall grounds on May 30, 2026. (TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE FACEBOOK)
TACLOBAN CITY — Preparations are underway for the return of the Grand Santacruzan 2026, one of the city’s most anticipated religious and cultural celebrations, set on May 30, 2026, at the Tacloban City Hall grounds.
Organized by the Tacloban City Tourism Operations Office, this year’s celebration carries the theme “Light and Hope: The Luminous Journey of Taclobanon Faith,” highlighting the enduring Christian devotion associated with the traditional Santacruzan procession.
The event commemorates the discovery of the True Cross by St. Helena, symbolized in the procession by Reyna Elena, who will be accompanied by a young boy portraying Prince Constantine, representing faith and devotion in Christian tradition.
The grand parade will feature biblical characters and symbolic representations of virtues, continuing a cultural practice deeply rooted in Filipino Catholic heritage.
To encourage participation, the city government will provide a P50,000 subsidy to each barangay joining the procession, based on the information from the City Information Office.
Participating barangays include Barangay 65 Paseo de Legaspi, Barangay 62-B Sagkahan, Barangay 62 Saging, Barangay 100 San Roque, Barangay 35-A Pampango Street, Barangay 83-B Cogon San Jose, Barangay 105 Suhi San Isidro, and Barangay 43-B Quarry District.
Organizers have also encouraged participants to use soft pastel colors, floral designs, and gentle lighting in their presentations to reflect the event’s theme of light, hope, and spiritual renewal.
The Grand Santacruzan remains a significant tradition in Tacloban City, showcasing the city’s strong faith, cultural identity, and community unity through generations.
POVERTY DECLINE. Biliran Governor Rogelio Espina delivers his State of the Provincial Address during the province’s 34th founding anniversary celebration held at the Provincial Capitol Civic Center in Naval, Biliran on Monday, May 11, highlighting poverty reduction and development gains in the province.
(Yhen Estrada)
Province marks it’s 34th anniversary
POVERTY DECLINE. Biliran Governor Rogelio Espina delivers his State of the Provincial Address during the province’s 34th founding anniversary celebration held at the Provincial Capitol Civic Center in Naval, Biliran on Monday, May 11, highlighting poverty reduction and development gains in the province. (Yhen Estrada)
TACLOBAN CITY — Biliran Governor Rogelio Espina on Monday, May 11, vowed to further accelerate development efforts and improve the quality of life of Biliranons as he highlighted the province’s significant gains in poverty reduction and economic progress during his State of the Provincial Address (SOPA).
Speaking during the 34th founding anniversary of Biliran held at the Provincial Capitol Civic Center in Naval, Gov. Espina reported that the province has made notable strides in reducing poverty and improving its economic standing.
Biliran, composed of the capital town of Naval and seven municipalities with a population of more than 180,000, was previously among the country’s 20 poorest provinces. However, Espina said the province has since recorded a significant decline in poverty incidence.
“From 19.9 percent in 2021, our poverty incidence dropped to 8.5 percent in 2023,” he said, noting that the figure is now lower than the national average of 10.9 percent.
He also cited Biliran’s upgraded income classification from a fourth-class to a second-class province, as recognized by the Department of Finance, as proof of sustained economic improvement.
“Nakakasiguro ako na lahat ng pamilyang Biliranon ay maiaangat ang kalidad ng kanilang pamumuhay,” Espina said, adding however that the provincial government will not “relax” its efforts and will continue strengthening unity and cooperation to sustain development.
The governor attributed these gains to the collaboration of the eight local government units, national government support, and the implementation of key provincial programs over the years, including initiatives during the previous administration of his son, former governor Gerard Espina Jr.
Among the programs cited were scholarship grants for students from low-income families, nutrition and health interventions, agricultural support such as free fertilizers, and the establishment of a learning center for farmers and vegetable growers to promote climate-resilient farming practices.
Espina also highlighted improvements in the Biliran Provincial Hospital, including additional medical personnel and dialysis machines, as well as the establishment of “Balay Biliranon,” a halfway house in Tacloban City for patients’ relatives seeking accommodation while their loved ones are confined at the Eastern Visayas Medical Center.
He added that the province has produced 10 doctors under its scholarship program, most of whom are now serving at the provincial hospital.
Youth development and mental health programs were also emphasized, with Espina noting rising concerns over mental health issues among young people in the province.
“We are also focusing on the youth through leadership programs and mental health camps in barangays,” he said.
The governor also acknowledged the support of Biliran’s congressional representative, Rep. Gerardo “Gerryboy” Espina, for helping fund hospital improvements and other provincial projects, as well as assistance from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and national government agencies.
Last year, Biliran was declared as insurgency-free seen to have boosted investor confidence and strengthened its position as an emerging tourism destination in Eastern Visayas.
SCALED DOWN. A quieterTacloban city fiesta celebration this year, as festivities are scaled down to focus on safety, unity, and resilience while keeping the spirit of the fiesta alive.
SCALED DOWN. A quieterTacloban city fiesta celebration this year, as festivities are scaled down to focus on safety, unity, and resilience while keeping the spirit of the fiesta alive.
TACLOBAN CITY — The Tacloban City government has cancelled several major events of this year’s Sangyaw Festival as part of scaled-down fiesta celebrations amid the ongoing fuel crisis affecting the city, a move earlier announced by Mayor Alfred Romualdez as local officials respond to the emergency situation.
In an advisory released by the City Tourism Operations Office in coordination with the city government, organizers confirmed the cancellation of four major festival highlights: the Sangyaw Float Competition, Sangyaw Drum and Lyre Competition, Sangyaw Mardi Gras, and the Lamrag Competition.
City officials said the decision was made after “careful consideration of the current situation,” stressing that public safety and the welfare of residents remain the local government’s primary concern.
Mayor Romualdez had earlier said that several fiesta-related activities would be scrapped as the city grapples with the fuel crisis, which has prompted the local government to realign priorities and conserve resources while addressing the impact of the disruption.
Despite the cancellation of several crowd-drawing events, the city government said a number of activities will still push through as scheduled.
Among those retained in this year’s Sangyaw Festival lineup are the pre-Balyuan activities, the traditional Balyuan rites, Sangyaw Dream Run, Sangyaw Parade of Lights and Festival Dance Competition, Miss Tacloban 2026, and the Sangyaw Music Festival.
The City Tourism Operations Office thanked participating schools, organizations, contingents, and individuals who had already prepared for the cancelled competitions, acknowledging the time, effort, and resources they had invested.
“We deeply regret any disappointment and inconvenience this may cause and respectfully ask for your understanding and continued support as we navigate this challenging period together,” the advisory stated.
The Sangyaw Festival is Tacloban City’s annual cultural celebration held in line with the city fiesta and the observance of the feast of Señor Santo Niño. It is one of Eastern Visayas’ biggest cultural events, known for showcasing Waray heritage through street performances, pageantry, music, and traditional rituals.
This year’s scaled-down celebration reflects the city government’s effort to strike a balance between preserving Tacloban’s cultural traditions and addressing urgent concerns brought about by the fuel crisis.
Tanauan Mayor Ma. Gina Merilo addresses local officials, employees, and supporters during the May 4 flag-raising ceremony as she formally resumes office following the completion of her three-month preventive suspension at the municipal hall in Tanauan, Leyte.(Photo Courtesy)
Tanauan Mayor Ma. Gina Merilo addresses local officials, employees, and supporters during the May 4 flag-raising ceremony as she formally resumes office following the completion of her three-month preventive suspension at the municipal hall in Tanauan, Leyte.(Photo Courtesy)
TACLOBAN CITY— Tanauan Mayor Ma. Gina Merilo officially returned to office on May 4 following the completion of her three-month preventive suspension, resuming her duties during the municipal government’s regular flag-raising ceremony.
Merilo thanked residents and local government employees for their continued support and vowed to remain committed to delivering efficient public service and sustaining development programs in the municipality.
Her return was welcomed by local officials, municipal employees, and supporters who gathered during the ceremony to express solidarity and optimism over the continuation of her administration’s initiatives.
The mayor said she remains focused on strengthening public service and advancing programs aimed at improving the welfare of Tanauan residents.
