TACLOBAN CITY — The House committee on transportation has approved a measure to establish a full-fledged Land Transportation Office (LTO) district office in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, aiming to improve access to government transportation services across the province.

Eastern Samar Lone District Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales, principal author of House Bill No. 4630, said the proposed office will upgrade the existing LTO extension in Guiuan, providing expanded services, additional personnel, and enhanced capabilities.

The bill is co-authored by House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan.

“With Eastern Samar’s rapid development, public services must keep pace. This new LTO district office will benefit motorists, commuters, and the local economy,” Gonzales said.
The new office will become the province’s second LTO district, joining the main office in Borongan City, and will handle key services such as driver’s license issuance and renewal, motor vehicle registration and inspection, and road safety enforcement.

Eastern Samar has been one of the fastest-growing provinces in Eastern Visayas, with a 10.2-percent economic growth in 2024, surpassing even Tacloban City, the regional capital, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

Proves art’s power to promote global peace

MANILA– The Philippines has reached a historic milestone after a Filipino student won the country’s first-ever Gold Award in Division 3 at the 7th International Loving-Peace Art Competition organized by the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG).
The global competition gathered 15,932 artworks from 40 countries, highlighting young artists shared hope for a peaceful world.

The Gold Award in Division 3 was awarded to Prince R.M.B. Ikan of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo–Bailen Integrated School. His winning artwork depicts a dove and people of different races holding hands, symbolizing unity, harmony, and mutual understanding beyond borders.
“Through simple images and calm colors, this drawing delivers a powerful message for all people to understand each other, not to fight, and to be united as one. Let’s all become messengers of peace,” said Prince Ikan.

Other outstanding Filipino young artists were also recognized on the global stage: Division 1 – Silver Award: Althea Cleona Q. Dela Rea, Limay Community School; Division 3 – Bronze Award: Anica Jeine Hiso, Kapalong National High School; Division 3 – Bronze Award: Zaijan V. Sumbong, St. Francis National High School.

Honorable mentions were Rafael Joseph Solis (University of Batangas), Prince Marlloyd Sualog (Limay Senior High School),and Frances Cyrus Guzman (Limay Senior High School).
The grand prize was awarded to Tasfiha Tahsin of Bangladesh for her artwork “The Cry for Peace,” a moving portrayal of a child praying amid war, symbolizing humanity’s deep longing for peace.

The International Loving-Peace Art Competition was created to teach children and youth the true meaning of peace through art. By expressing their ideas of harmony, empathy, and coexistence through drawing, students are empowered to become active builders of peace in their communities and across nations. The competition promotes the practice of peace as a daily lifestyle, not merely an ideal.

“Peace is like life, so we must teach it to the youth. These students will grow up to be the changemakers who contribute to global peace,” said Mr. Soon-kyu Hwang, Head Judge of the competition.

“Children who learn the meaning of peace through art become steadfast seeds, spreading peace in their communities and beyond.

They are the true heroes of our time,” said IWPG Chairwoman Na Yeong Jeon.
This year’s theme, “How can we practice peace and make it a reality in our daily lives?”, encouraged young artists around the world to transform their hopes into visual messages of peace.

With this landmark achievement, the Philippines has proudly made its mark on the international peace stage, proving that Filipino youth are not only talented creators but also powerful messengers of peace.

The International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) is a global peace organization registered with the UN ECOSOC and DGC, with 115 branches in 122 countries and partnerships with 800 organizations worldwide. IWPG empowers women and youth through peace education, leadership programs, and advocacy for global peace initiatives such as the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).(PR)

ORMOC CITY-An air-conditioning cleaner was arrested after a police K9 detected suspected shabu in his luggage during routine paneling operations at Sta. Clara Port in Brgy. Jubasan, Allen in Northern Samar on Tuesday morning, December 2.

Police identified the suspect as alias “Leo,” 23, single, and a resident of Isabel, Leyte.
Authorities from the Allen Municipal Police Station, in coordination with PDEA-8’s Special Investigation Unit and the Coast Guard K9 team, were conducting joint inspections of passenger baggage at around 8:20 a.m. when a K9 dog alerted operatives by sitting beside the suspect’s luggage.

A search, conducted in the presence of mandatory witnesses, resulted in the confiscation of two sachets of suspected shabu, an empty sachet with suspected residue, eight pieces of aluminum foil, a matchbox labeled “Fuego,” a backpack, and a sling bag.

Police said the seized drugs weighed approximately 0.53 grams with an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board value of P3,604.00.

The suspect was informed of the reason for his arrest and his constitutional rights in a language he understood, authorities added.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed before the City Prosecutor’s Office. The suspect is now detained at the Allen Municipal Police Station’s lockup facility.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-8 has issued a public advisory reminding motorists and transport operators to observe the load capacities of bridges along Eastern Visayas’ national highways.

Most bridges in the region are rated for 15 to 20 tons, and officials stressed that strict compliance is essential to ensure both the safety of road users and the durability of infrastructure.

To prevent overloading and minimize the risk of damage, transport operators are encouraged to use 6-wheeler trucks, which are more likely to stay within the permissible weight limits.

The public can access detailed bridge load information through a QR code provided in the advisory, offering up-to-date technical guidance for safe travel.

DPWH Region 8 emphasized that following these regulations is crucial for maintaining efficient and secure travel across major roads in Eastern Visayas.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)