TACLOBAN CITY – The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) has already trained 19,550 active and aspiring seafarers for the first three quarters of the 2025.

This represents 98 percent of the 19,851 total number of enrollees both in NMP Tacloban and Manila Liaison Office from January to September, nearly exceeding the 19,652 successful trainees reported for the entire CY 2024, indicating a sustained training performance.

“This is a manifestation of NMP’s unwavering dedication in upholding its mandate to produce globally-competitive Filipino seafarers. We will continue to enhance our training capacities to meet international standards and sustain the country’s position as the world’s leading supplier of maritime professionals,” said Victor Del Rosario, NMP Executive Director.
Since the pandemic, the state-run maritime institution has seen a significant increase in the number of enrollees, serving a total of 34,374 successful trainees in 2023 and 2024 alone.

This figure is substantially higher than the combined enrollment of 28,674 trainees recorded over the entire three-year period from 2020 to 2022, which was constrained by Covid-19 restrictions.

At present, NMP offers a total of 56 maritime training courses both mandatory and non-mandatory which includes deck courses, engine courses, specialized courses, professional development courses, and safety, security, and medical courses.

In the country, there are 91 MARINA-accredited maritime training institutions (MTIs) as of August 2025 and NMP stands out as the only government-owned and operated that offers subsidized quality training, with 32 of its courses available for free. To date, NMP has trained a total of 464,434 aspiring and active Filipino seafarers since its training operations in 1983.(PR)

DULAG, Leyte – The Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA) Leyte in line with the National Identification System program’s goal to provide a universally accepted and accessible National ID for all Filipinos. The Burauen Registration Team conducted a special registration and issuance of National ID in paper form activity dedicated to Senior Citizens in Dulag, Leyte.

The outreach activity resulted in the successful registration of 53 Senior Citizens, 60 for updating, and 93 issuances of National ID in paper form.

Spearheaded upon the request of the President of the Senior Citizens Association of Dulag, the activity was made possible through the strong support and coordination of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Dulag, and the Local Civil Registrar Office (LCRO), who helped in identifying the target individuals and ensuring the smooth conduct of operations.

This initiative forms part of the broader efforts of PSA to fast track the implementation of the National Identification program and ensure that even those in far flung areas can enjoy the benefits of having National ID.

PSA Leyte encourages all unregistered individuals to visit the nearest registration center and take part in this important national initiative. The National ID will serve as a valid proof of identity for both public and private transactions, making access to government services faster, more efficient, and more inclusive.

For more information on the National ID registration and schedules, individuals may visit the nearest PSA office in Leyte. Moreover, stay updated by following official PSA Leyte’s FB Page: facebook.com/psaleyte2/ or reach us through our email address: leyte@psa.gov.ph. (PR)

ORMOC CITY— A 43-year-old woman working as a ‘swertres’ usher was arrested after she was caught selling suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation conducted by the City Drug Enforcement Team (CDET) of the Catbalogan City Police Station on Friday afternoon, October 3, in Barangay 12, Catbalogan City.

Police identified the suspect as alias “Chacha,” a resident of Barangay Canlapwas of said city.

According to Lt. Col. Norman Ala, officer-in-charge of the Catbalogan City Police, the suspect sold one sachet of suspected shabu worth P500 to an undercover police operative. A subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of barangay and media representatives, yielded four additional sachets of suspected shabu kept in a small transparent plastic container.

The total weight of the confiscated suspected shabu was approximately 0.39 grams, with an estimated market value of P2,652, police said.

The suspect was informed of her constitutional rights and is now detained at the Catbalogan City Police Station’s lock-up facility.

Police have filed charges against her for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Catbalogan City.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY – The National Museum of the Philippines is set to conduct an underwater archaeological exploration in the historic San Bernardino Strait off Allen, Northern Samar, in search of possible shipwrecks, including remnants of the famed Manila Galleons and vessels from World War II.

On October 8, Allen Mayor Katkat Suan met with National Museum representatives led by Museum Curator Bobby Orillaneda of the Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage Division, and Laboratory Aide II Ganielou Magsisi, during a courtesy visit at the Allen Municipal Building.

According to Orillaneda, the team’s expedition will focus on documenting underwater cultural heritage within the San Bernardino Strait, a maritime corridor that has served as a vital trade and naval route for centuries.

The area was also the site of major naval battles during World War II and is believed to hold submerged historical artifacts and shipwrecks of significant heritage value.

Mayor Suan welcomed the initiative, expressing full support for the National Museum’s research efforts. She assured the team of the municipal government’s logistical and coordination assistance throughout the duration of the exploration.

The San Bernardino Strait, which separates the islands of Samar and Luzon, has long been a critical passage in Philippine maritime history, connecting the Pacific Ocean to the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

The forthcoming exploration aims to shed light on the rich underwater heritage hidden beneath its waters.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Several local government units (LGUs) in Eastern Visayas were recognized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for their exemplary implementation of Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and Project BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished) — two flagship initiatives that address water scarcity, food insecurity, and climate change impacts in vulnerable communities.

The recognition was held during a learning summit organized by DSWD Field Office VIII, which showcased the achievements and best practices of partner LGUs that have successfully integrated water access and food production initiatives into their local development strategies.

Among the most outstanding Project LAWA implementers were the municipalities of Dolores, Eastern Samar; Lope de Vega, Northern Samar; Sta. Rita, Samar; and Libagon, Southern Leyte.

For Project BINHI, top implementers included Salcedo, Eastern Samar; Lope de Vega, Northern Samar; Sta. Margarita, Samar; and Anahawan, Southern Leyte.

The Bayanihan Excellence Award was conferred on Oras, Eastern Samar and San Roque, Northern Samar for their strong collaboration in carrying out project activities, while Oras, Eastern Samar and Pambujan, Northern Samar received the Policy Integration Award for successfully incorporating Project LAWA and BINHI into their local development plans and ordinances.

Recognized as most compliant LGUs were Salcedo, Eastern Samar; Capul, Northern Samar; Sta. Margarita, Samar; and San Juan, Southern Leyte, while the most replicable LGU practice award went to Balangiga, Eastern Samar; Lapinig, Northern Samar; and Catbalogan City, Samar for their innovative and scalable project practices.

According to DSWD-8, the summit provided a venue for sharing success stories, lessons, and strategies to sustain and expand the projects’ positive outcomes in the coming years.
This year alone, more than 3,900 beneficiaries across Eastern Visayas have been assisted under Projects LAWA and BINHI, with over P31 million in cash grants distributed.
Beyond financial aid, the initiatives have improved access to clean water, enhanced food security, and strengthened livelihood resilience among communities most affected by climate change.

Implemented through the Cash-for-Training and Work (CFTW) scheme, the twin projects support climate-smart farming, the establishment of communal vegetable farms, and the construction of modern water storage facilities—helping communities adapt and thrive amid changing environmental conditions.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)