TACLOBAN CITY — The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has begun conducting the 2026 Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries (MISSI) and the 2026 Producer Price Survey (PPS) for Manufacturing in Eastern Visayas to generate key data on the region’s manufacturing performance.

Implemented by the PSA–Regional Statistical Services Office VIII, the nationwide surveys cover manufacturing establishments in the formal sector of the economy. In Eastern Visayas, sample establishments are located in the provinces of Leyte, Samar, and Northern Samar.

The MISSI provides timely indicators for government planners and private sector stakeholders to monitor trends and business cycles in growth-oriented manufacturing industries. It gathers data on employment, compensation, value of production, sales, other income, inventories of finished products, work-in-progress and raw materials, as well as capacity utilization rates.

Meanwhile, the PPS collects producer price data of manufactured commodities for the generation of the Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures monthly and annual changes in producer prices in the manufacturing sector.

Data collection for the PPS is conducted every 9th to 22nd day of the month following the reference month, while the MISSI is conducted from the 9th to the 25th day after the reference month.

Respondents may accomplish the questionnaires through electronic copies sent via email, printed forms distributed and collected by statistical researchers, the online platform at https://missipps.psa.gov.ph, or through phone interviews.

Both surveys were reviewed and cleared under the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), as mandated by Republic Act No. 10625, or the Philippine Statistical Act of 2013, to ensure sound survey design, minimize respondent burden, and promote coordination in government statistical activities.

The PSA assured participating establishments that all collected data will be treated with strict confidentiality in accordance with Section 26 of RA 10625 and Section 8 of RA 10173, or the Data Privacy Act of 2012. Information gathered will not be used for taxation, investigation, or law enforcement purposes, and results will be released only in the form of statistical summaries and tables.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) in Eastern Visayas has called on local government units (LGUs) to intensify efforts in integrating population and development (POPDEV) strategies into their local plans, citing persistent challenges such as adolescent pregnancy and gaps in family planning services.

As the agency marked its 57th anniversary, CPD Region-8 underscored the critical role of LGUs in localizing people-centered and inclusive development strategies tailored to community needs.

Regional Director Elnora Pulma said that since 2022, CPD-8 has been working closely with municipalities and cities across Eastern Visayas to align POPDEV strategies with local realities.

“From 2022 to present, CPD VIII has worked hand in hand with local government units to localize POPDEV strategies that respond to local realities and community needs,” Pulma said.

While noting slower population growth in the region and a growing working-age population, Pulma pointed out that several population-related concerns remain. These include rising adolescent pregnancy cases, unmet needs for family planning, and limited access to services in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA).

Pulma expressed hope that more LGUs would formalize partnerships with CPD through memoranda of agreement to strengthen the integration of POPDEV principles into local governance systems, policies, and development initiatives.

To support this effort, CPD-8 continues to conduct capacity development activities and technical training programs aimed at improving the competencies of local officials and program implementers.

The agency also encouraged LGUs to establish functional governance mechanisms promoting responsible parenthood and family planning, expand adolescent health and youth development initiatives, and mainstream POPDEV strategies in local development programs.

As it commemorates its 57th year, CPD-8 reaffirmed its commitment to deepening collaboration with LGUs and sustaining technical support to ensure the effective implementation of inclusive and responsive POPDEV programs across Eastern Visayas.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Students from the Eastern Visayas Regional Science High School brought home top honors at the 14th Regional Congress Search for SEAMEO Young Scientists (SSYS), held February 9–12, 2026, in Penang, Malaysia.

Competing against young researchers from across Southeast Asia, the EVRSHS delegation received the Best Project Report award, including one Gold and two Bronze recognitions for their innovative research projects.

The Gold Award went to the team behind “Project Plast-Mag Trap”, composed of Georgia P. Quiapo, Anneka Emery T. Mabansag, and Viance L. Gabutin. Two other teams earned Bronze Awards: “Project SHIELD” with Yelena Anika C. Cui, Maria Lourdes D. Cale, and Ayesha Viel D. Pelareja, and “Project SARE” with Cassandra Venice T. Bulan, James Morris C. Borasca, and Rhaine M. Belches.

School officials lauded the students’ dedication and hard work in representing the Philippines on the international stage.

EVRSHS also acknowledged the support of Sharee Ann Tan and the provincial government of Samar, noting that their assistance was crucial to the team’s participation and success.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY — Four people, including the driver, were killed while several others were injured after a passenger van slammed into a parked flatbed truck in Basey, Samar early Tuesday morning, February 10.

The fatal crash occurred around 6:45 a.m. in Sitio Sugpuron, Barangay Balud, Basey. Police identified the fatalities as the van driver, alias “Rom,” 54, of Barangay Calaasni, Alangalang, Leyte; and passengers alias “Licia,” 71; alias “Mel”; and alias “Nimfa,” 57, of Borongan City.
Injured were alias “Jake,” 26, a government employee from San Gabriel, Borongan City; alias “Tom,” 28, a surveyor from Barangay Balud, Borongan City; alias “Exa,” 23, of Maypangdan, Borongan City; alias “Kathy,” 24, of Barangay Carayman, Calbayog City; alias “Ian,” 17, of Barangay Bato, Borongan City; and alias “Lian,” 24, of Barangay 2, Balangkayan, Eastern Samar. They were rushed to Basey District Hospital for treatment.

The vehicles involved were a Toyota Hiace commuter van operating under the “Duptours” UV Express service on the Borongan–Tacloban route, bearing plate number HAH 9752, and a flatbed truck with plate number ALA 8579 that was parked along the roadside.

In a report to the Police Regional Office 8, local police said they received information about the incident at around 7:50 a.m. and immediately dispatched personnel to the scene.

Initial investigation showed that the van was traveling from Borongan City toward Tacloban City when it allegedly swerved into the opposite lane upon reaching Barangay Balud and struck the parked truck.

Authorities sought assistance from the Municipal Health Office of Basey and the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) for further investigation.

(ROBERT DEJON)