TACLOBAN CITY— Delivery riders in Tacloban City secured a major labor win after the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) ruled that 126 Foodpanda riders should be classified as regular employees, entitling them to labor protections and statutory benefits.
The decision marks a significant shift in the status of app-based delivery workers, granting them greater job security and recognition under existing labor laws.

Riders welcomed the ruling, calling it a long-awaited acknowledgment of their rights and contributions in the growing delivery sector. Labor advocates also described it as a landmark decision that underscores the need to protect workers in the gig economy.

The case, according to reports, highlighted the riders’ collective action in asserting their status as employees rather than independent contractors, amid long-standing concerns over job security, compensation, and workplace protections.

Delivery rider groups urged Foodpanda and other platform-based companies to comply with the ruling and ensure fair wages, humane working conditions, and full social protection for workers moving forward.

The ruling comes amid ongoing national discussions on the rights of gig economy workers, many of whom continue to raise issues on employment security and benefits in platform-based jobs.

(GISELLE-ANN A.PADILLA,LNU STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY — The San Juanico Rotonda project in Barangay 97, Cabalawan is nearing completion and is poised to become a prominent landmark and key traffic solution along the San Juanico Bridge corridor by June 2026.

According to Engineer Cesar Gabriola of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office 8, the project is now 96 percent complete, with only four percent of work remaining. Once finished, the rotunda is expected to serve as both a functional traffic improvement and a symbolic gateway to Tacloban City.

Gabriola assured the public that recent inspections confirmed the structure remains stable and free from any structural damage.

He noted that most of the remaining work is concentrated near the NitroFuel area. However, construction has faced challenges involving a cross drainage box culvert after some waterways were reportedly occupied by nearby property owners.

The DPWH is currently coordinating with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to verify the exact locations of the affected waterways.

The development comes amid ongoing rehabilitation works on the San Juanico Bridge, which underwent load restrictions earlier this year. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed optimism that the bridge will be fully operational again by mid-2026, with its original 33-ton load capacity restored.

(LANCE GABRIEL G. EÑTERESO, LNU STUDENT INTERN)

ORMOC CITY — Two alleged high-value drug suspects were arrested and more than a kilo of suspected shabu was confiscated during a buy-bust operation in Barangay 94, Tigbao, Ormoc City early Tuesday, May 5.

Authorities identified the suspects as alias “Mike,” 42, a driver from Barangay 96, Calanipawan, Ormoc City, and alias “Boyet,” 41, a delivery rider from Barangay 57, White Lane Sampaguita, Tacloban City.

The operation was conducted at around 2:23 a.m. by operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), and the Station Drug Enforcement Team of Police Station 2 of the Tacloban City Police Office.

Confiscated from the suspects were approximately 1,055 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board value of P7.17 million. Authorities also recovered buy-bust money, a motorcycle, a mobile phone, bags, packaging materials, and other non-drug evidence.

The suspects were informed of their arrest and apprised of their constitutional rights in a language they understood.

Charges for violation of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 have been filed against the two suspects, who are now detained at the custodial facility of Police Station 2, TCPO.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY — Authorities arrested a 46-year-old welder and recovered more than a kilo of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Barangay San Jose, Palo, Leyte late Monday night, May 4.

The suspect, identified only as alias “Johnny,” a resident of Barangay Cavite West, Palo, was tagged as a high-value individual in the drug watchlist of both the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The operation, conducted at around 11:27 p.m., was led by the PDEA Regional Office 8 in coordination with the Leyte Police Provincial Office–Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, Regional Special Enforcement Team/Tacloban City Office, and the local police Station Drug Enforcement Team.

Authorities said the suspect was caught after selling suspected illegal drugs to undercover operatives. A total of approximately 1,025 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board value of P6.97 million, was confiscated. This included a 25-gram sachet sold during the transaction and a 1,000-gram pack recovered from his possession.
Also seized were marked buy-bust money, a digital weighing scale, packaging materials, and a motorcycle allegedly used in the operation.

The suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and apprised of his constitutional rights in a language he understood.

Charges for violation of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 have been filed by PDEA. The suspect is currently detained at the Palo Municipal Police Station pending further legal proceedings.

(ROBERT DEJON)

Baguio City– As part of the celebration of the 80th anniversary of U.S.-Philippines diplomatic ties and the Freedom 250 commemoration of the 250th anniversary of U.S.

Independence, the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, through its Regional English Language Office, launched a specialized professional development program to help college instructors teach technical subjects more effectively in English. This initiative highlights American excellence in teaching innovation, bringing world-class instructional standards to Philippine classrooms.

The two-day workshop, held in Baguio City on April 28 and 29 and facilitated by Saint Louis University, trained 50 college instructors specializing in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and social sciences. Led by American English Language Fellows, the workshop used experiential learning methods—including mini laboratories and solving complex math problems in English—to help participants experience firsthand the challenges students face when learning technical subjects in English.

“By empowering Filipino faculty with tools to strengthen their English instruction, we are also helping them shape the next generation of subject matter experts who can effectively communicate complex ideas in English. This collaboration bridges a future where the United States and the Philippines can work more easily toward shared goals, making both our nations safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” said U.S. Embassy Regional English Language Officer Jeff McIlvenna.

“This training has benefited the whole region through these professors and instructors to learn more ways of using English as a power and a tool in facilitating content courses. From here, we will always share and pay it forward,” said Dr. Stephanie Busbus, Director of Global Relations at Saint Louis University.

Participants also relied on the American English Toolkit—a collection of resources provided by the U.S. Department of State in collaboration with American educators and professionals. The Toolkit includes interactive games, songs, recorded virtual workshops, and other teaching tools that highlight American values, culture, history, and the arts, offering instructors valuable materials to incorporate into their classrooms.

The Regional English Language Office (RELO) in Manila advances U.S. interests in the Philippines and the region by promoting English language teaching and learning programs that strengthen people-to-people ties between the United States and the Philippines.

Through teacher training, curriculum development, and educational resources, RELO empowers educators and institutions to enhance English language instruction, creating opportunities for Filipinos to engage with American culture, values, and innovation.(PR)