TACLOBAN CITY— The Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division (8ID) has formally declared the towns of Sogod in Southern Leyte and Calbiga in Samar under a Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC), marking what authorities described as a significant step toward sustained peace and development in Eastern Visayas.

The declaration signifies that both municipalities are now considered free from active insurgency influence, following years of security operations and community-based peace efforts led by government forces, local officials, and residents.

In a statement, the 8ID said the milestone reflects strong collaboration among stakeholders in maintaining peace and advancing local development initiatives.

In Sogod, Vice Mayor Jose Ramil Golo said the declaration strengthens the municipality’s long-term development plans, including its aspiration for cityhood.

“This development positions us to attract more investors and strengthens our bid toward becoming a city,” Golo said, adding that the town’s improved peace situation serves as a foundation for economic growth.

The Sangguniang Bayan of Sogod also passed a resolution affirming the municipality’s transition to a peaceful and secure environment.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Southern Leyte Provincial Director Danilo Laguitan said the improved security climate is expected to boost investor confidence, while stressing the need to sustain peace through governance and development programs.

“Good governance remains the strongest antidote to insurgency,” Laguitan said.
In Calbiga, Mayor Red Nacario expressed gratitude to the provincial government of Samar and partner agencies for their continued support in addressing long-standing security concerns, particularly in upland barangays.

He said government interventions played a key role in improving access to basic services and restoring stability in previously affected areas.

Authorities said the SIPSC declaration highlights progress in the region’s peace efforts but emphasized that sustaining gains will require continued cooperation among local governments, security forces, and communities.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA, RONALD O. REYES)

TACLOBAN CITY– As fuel prices climb and temperatures continue to rise, daily life has become more challenging for many rural families. In remote villages, the cost of transportation has pushed market trips further out of reach, while extreme heat has made food production and storage more difficult.

In response, Malacañang, through the Office of the President (OP), has rolled out an initiative delivering fresh vegetables directly to communities affected by these pressures.
The Gulay para sa Barangay program aims to bridge gaps in both food access and affordability, ensuring that households can still prepare nutritious meals despite rising costs.

By sourcing vegetables from local farmers and distributing them to barangays, the initiative reduces the need for long-distance transport, cutting costs for consumers while supporting agricultural producers. This way, local vegetable farmers are supported while Filipino families are ensured access to fresh produce amid rising fuel prices.

This initiative recently rolled out to four villages in Tacloban City, just a day after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited the city, bringing with him various services for the local government units in the region.

For many residents in the villages of Sta. Elena, Old Kawayan, Paglaum, and Salvacion, the arrival of fresh vegetables means more than sustenance, it offers a lifeline in their basic needs.

“Diri na kami mamasahe pagkadto merkado pamalit. Porlo menos, mayda na kami maluluto para ha amon pamilya,” says Jane Morados, a resident of Brgy. Paglaum.
Vegetable farmers, too, are feeling the benefits. With fuel costs affecting the delivery of goods and the rising heat impacting crop yields, having a direct and reliable outlet for their produce has become increasingly important. The initiative helps minimize post-harvest losses and ensures that their efforts translate into income.

The tons of vegetables distributed to Tacloban villages were bought from vegetable farmers in Tacloban, some parts of Leyte and in Baybay City. Packed in red bags, the vegetables included eggplants, cabbages, carrots, radish, cucumbers, cauliflower, tomatoes, chillis, garlic, and a lot more.

Village officials noted that fresh vegetables offer a big help especially in this summertime, when growing vegetables is becoming futile as temperatures continue to rise.

“Hindi na kami makapagtanim ng maayos kasi masyadong mainit, hindi maganda ang harvest ng kahit simpleng gulay na pwede sana maitanim dito lang sa aming barangay,” said village chief Ronnel Soriano of Barangay Salvacion.

The program is part of a broader response to overlapping challenges, including inflation, climate-related impacts, and food security concerns.

As the country navigates rising temperatures and economic uncertainties, the initiative underscores the importance of localized, community-driven solutions. For residents in these villages, each delivery is a reminder that even in difficult times, support can arrive in simple but meaningful ways, fresh, nourishing, and within reach.

(ACR/PIA Leyte)

TACLOBAN CITY — Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre has called for greater transparency in the ongoing inquiry into the Vice President’s wealth, urging the disclosure and review of key financial records to establish facts and address lingering questions.

During a hearing of the House Committee on Justice, Acidre emphasized the need to examine documents such as Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs), Income Tax Returns, and reports from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to verify the consistency of declared assets, income, and financial transactions.

In his manifestation, the lawmaker referenced findings from previous hearings, including AMLC data that flagged 18 suspicious transactions out of P6.7 billion in covered transactions, indicating areas that require further explanation.

He also raised concerns over business interests declared in the SALNs of Vice President Sara Duterte and her spouse, noting that several of these appeared to be operating at a loss and may not adequately account for the reported accumulation of wealth.

Acidre pointed out that Duterte’s salary is publicly known and, by itself, would not explain the scale of assets under scrutiny, reinforcing the need for a detailed comparison of financial records.

“This is not a matter of mere suspicion, but of verification,” Acidre said, stressing that conclusions should be based on documentary evidence.

He maintained that allowing access to relevant records would help clarify the issue and strengthen public confidence. “If everything is lawful, opening these documents will serve as the strongest proof,” he added.

Acidre backed proposals to make the documents available for review, underscoring that the objective is to establish facts rather than assign blame.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)