TACLOBAN CITY — The Social Security System (SSS) in Eastern Visayas strengthened its ties with local media during its 2025 Media Appreciation Dinner, held on December 16, 2025, at Antonio’s Event Center in Barangay 83, San Jose Paraiso, this city.

The event highlighted the agency’s recognition of the critical role media plays in informing the public about social security programs, benefits, and services.

Journalists and media practitioners from Tacloban, Ormoc, and Catbalogan attended the gathering, which served as a platform for the SSS to express gratitude for the media’s consistent support in disseminating accurate and timely information to members and beneficiaries.

SSS Senior Vice President for the Visayas Operations Group, Atty. Alberto Montalbo, said the dinner was a way to honor media organizations that have partnered with the agency in promoting public awareness.

“This is the first time we held our Media Appreciation Dinner in December. We wanted to align the event with the holiday season, a perfect time to extend our gratitude to our media partners who help amplify our programs,” he said.

Certificates of appreciation, seasonal giveaways, and other tokens were presented to media representatives in recognition of their sustained contributions to SSS information campaigns and advocacy initiatives.

The evening’s program included a formal dinner, welcome and Christmas messages from SSS officials, raffle draws, live musical performances, and the awarding of certificates to participating media organizations.

SSS Vice President for the Visayas Central 2 Division, Atty. Porferio Salidaga Jr., underscored the media’s essential role in maintaining public trust and ensuring that SSS programs and services effectively reach members and beneficiaries across the region.

Media organizations, including the Leyte Samar Daily Express, expressed appreciation to SSS for the recognition, citing the event as a meaningful acknowledgment of the media’s role in advancing public service and social protection advocacy in Eastern Visayas.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Tingog party-list has voiced full support for President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.’s directive to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to accelerate the implementation of the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) Act, a move aimed at expanding access to higher education through flexible and inclusive learning pathways.

Authored and championed by Tingog Representatives Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Avorque Acidre, the ETEEAP Act (Republic Act No. 12124) institutionalizes lifelong learning by recognizing prior work experience, non-formal education, and skills acquired outside the traditional classroom. The program primarily benefits working Filipinos, overseas Filipino workers, adult learners, and individuals unable to complete college through conventional means.

President Marcos issued the directive during the presentation of the law’s implementing rules and regulations, stressing the need for higher education institutions and CHED to ensure a swift and effective rollout.

Rep. Romualdez emphasized that the law seeks to make higher education more accessible by validating skills and experience gained outside formal schooling. Rep. Acidre highlighted the importance of adapting learning opportunities to the realities of Filipinos, reinforcing that education should extend beyond conventional classroom settings.

Tingog party-list reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the full implementation of the ETEEAP Act, advancing lifelong, flexible, and inclusive learning opportunities for all.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) Leyte Organization has secured a new partnership aimed at strengthening the preparation and overall support system for its 2025 candidate as she competes on the national stage.

The partnership was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Sunday, Dec.21, between MUPH Leyte and Youth Plus Medical Group Inc. during a ceremony held at XYZ Hotel in Tacloban City. The agreement was signed by Dr. Yohann Kae P. Luzano, medical director of Youth Plus Medical Group Inc., and Ma. Rochelle Alfonso, local director of Miss Universe Philippines Leyte.

Also present at the signing were Alyssa Ruiz Taala, Miss Dulag 2025, and Kareyl May Cabahul, the reigning Miss Universe Philippines Leyte titleholder.

Alfonso said the collaboration underscores the organization’s commitment to holistic candidate development, emphasizing confidence, advocacy, and purpose alongside physical preparation.

“Miss Universe Philippines Leyte is not just about beauty. It is about purpose, voice, and representation. With the support of Youth Plus, our candidate will be empowered with greater confidence as she competes at the national level,” Alfonso said.

Under the agreement, Youth Plus Medical Group Inc. will provide professional medical and aesthetic support, including skincare and beauty enhancement services, to help prepare the MUPH Leyte candidate. Luzano said the clinic is committed to extending its best practices and services for at least a year and even beyond as part of the partnership.

In return, MUPH Leyte, through its candidate, will help promote Youth Plus Medical Group Inc. on various social media platforms during national pageant activities. The partnership also includes collaboration on advocacy initiatives and joint promotional efforts during official appearances and events.

Kareyl May Cabahul, the Miss Universe Philippines Leyte 2025 titleholder, is set to represent the province in the national Miss Universe Philippines competition scheduled in May 2026, bringing Leyte’s advocacies and identity to the national spotlight.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

CATARMAN, Northern Samar — The holiday season brought cheer to 89 members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) in Catarman as they received their allowances from the local government for the months of June through November.
Each CAFGU member received a total of P5,000, distributed by the Municipal Treasurer’s Office and the Mayor’s Office at the 43IB function hall in Barangay Magsaysay, Lope De Vega.

Municipal Information Officer and Municipal Task Force–End Local Communist Armed Conflict Focal Person Rachel Arnaiz, representing Mayor Dianne E. Rosales, thanked the CAFGU personnel for their discipline and dedicated service in maintaining peace and security in local communities.

“This allowance is not just financial support but a recognition of the sacrifices you make for the safety of Catarman residents,” she said.

On behalf of the CAFGU members, Post Commander Edwin M. Ochenta expressed gratitude to the LGU, hoping that such support continues in the future.

The monthly allowance of P1,000 per member, funded by the Mayor’s Office, underscores the importance of the auxiliary force in safeguarding the security of Catarman and the broader province of Northern Samar.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

BORONGAN CITY — In a bid to strengthen local law enforcement and enhance emergency response, the Borongan City local government turned over four new patrol cars to the Borongan City Police Station during a ceremony held at the BSPC Grounds in Barangay Campesao on December 18.

Acting Mayor Emmanuel Tiu Sonco, representing Mayor Dayan Agda, led the turnover and highlighted the LGU’s commitment to providing the police with the logistics needed to perform their duties efficiently. “These vehicles will help our police frontliners serve the community better and respond faster to emergencies,” he said.

Acting Chief of Police PLtCol Silver Cabanillas described the patrol cars as a “Christmas gift” for the city’s residents, noting that the new assets are crucial for strengthening community service and maintaining peace and order. Councilor Frich Uy, chairman of the Peace and Order Committee, added that the patrol vehicles are essential tools for a thriving city, as public safety remains the backbone of local progress.

The ceremony also included a blessing of the vehicles by Rev. Fr. Arthur Afable. In a statement read by PLtCol Cabanillas, Eastern Samar Provincial Police Director PCol Ernesto Macasil expressed gratitude to the LGU for its consistent support of public service initiatives.

The turnover forms part of Borongan City’s broader efforts to bolster security and ensure rapid emergency response throughout the city and neighboring areas.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)