TACLOBAN CITY — As part of the government’s continuing peace and reintegration efforts, 31 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Baybay City have received livelihood assistance aimed at helping them rebuild their lives and sustain income as civilians.

The assistance was extended by the Department of Trade and Industry(DTI)–Leyte in partnership with the Baybay City local government under the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) Program, which supports former rebels by providing capital and livelihood opportunities to help prevent their return to armed conflict.

The beneficiaries are members of the Baybay Integrated Peace and Development Workers Association (IPDWA), composed of former NPA members from the barangays of Cabungaan, Mapgap, Monterico, Amguhan, Ciabu, Maypatag, and Maysapa in Baybay City.
DTI-Leyte said 31 out of the 75 IPDWA members qualified for the assistance after meeting program requirements, including having existing or ongoing livelihood activities. The beneficiaries received livelihood packages focused on hog-raising and rice retailing, which the agency identified as viable and sustainable income sources in the area.

Baybay City Mayor Jose Carlos Cari expressed gratitude to DTI-Leyte, headed by Provincial Director Faustino Gayas, as well as the 802nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, for their coordinated efforts in assisting former rebels as they reintegrate into mainstream society.

Gayas emphasized that the assistance, valued at P10,000 per beneficiary, should be treated as a government investment and managed responsibly, noting that DTI personnel will closely monitor the projects.

“The DTI does not just give assistance. After six months, we will visit you because this P10,000 support is a government investment. Its success is in your hands. If you encounter any problems, just go to the Negosyo Center because there are trained business counselors ready to help,” Gayas said.

Meanwhile, Col. Rico Amaro, deputy brigade commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, said government support for former rebels does not end with their surrender, stressing that sustained assistance is crucial to long-term peace and stability.

“This shows that the government continues to care for your welfare,” Amaro said, urging the beneficiaries to become positive examples in their communities by sustaining and growing the livelihood projects provided to them.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Athletes from Ormoc City played a key role in Team Philippines’ campaign at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Bangkok and Chonburi, Thailand, contributing nine medals to the country’s overall haul at the biennial regional meet.
The Ormoc-based athletes, competing under the Eastern Visayas banner, won three gold, three silver, and three bronze medals, with standout performances in modern pentathlon, fencing, and shooting events.

Gold medals were captured by Melvin Sacay in the men’s laser run, Michael Ver Comaling in the men’s triathlete (swim–laser run), and Samuel German in the men’s obstacle laser run, all in modern pentathlon disciplines.

Silver medals were earned by Princess Arbilon in the women’s laser run, Shyra Arnanzado in the women’s triathlete, and the Philippine team in sporting clays and compak sporting shotgun, composed of Carlo Baltonado, Jakey Ancheta, He’s Rivilla, and Leyte 4th District Representative Richard Gomez.

Ormoc athletes also secured bronze medals through Juliana Sevilla in the women’s obstacle laser run, the women’s team épée fencing squad composed of Alexa Larazabal, Juliana Gomez, and Ivy Claire Dinoy, and the sporting clays team of Baltonado, Gomez, and Ancheta.

The strong medal showing highlighted Ormoc City’s growing prominence in elite sports, particularly in modern pentathlon, fencing, and shooting, where local athletes have consistently figured in national and international competitions.

Overall, Team Philippines finished the 2025 SEA Games with 277 medals, placing sixth among the 10 participating nations, behind Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore. The national tally included 50 gold, 73 silver, and 154 bronze medals—surpassing the country’s medal output in the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia.

Philippine athletes won medals across a wide range of sports, including swimming, athletics, tennis, basketball, baseball, and various combat and precision events.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) will conclude the year serving a total of 22,972 active and aspiring Filipino seafarers, marking the highest number of successful trainees since the start of its training operations in 1983.

According to NMP Executive Director Victor Del Rosario, the record-breaking achievement reflects the agency’s sustained efforts to expand access to maritime education and training nationwide.

“Each year we continuously develop new and responsive training courses, we opened additional batches and classes to accommodate more enrollees, and we partnered with various institutions, particularly schools offering maritime and allied programs across the country, to expand training delivery,” he said.

Further strengthening its service delivery, NMP was granted MARINA accreditation as an assessment center, providing greater access to assessment services for seafarers in Eastern Visayas and nearby areas. This development eliminates the need to travel to distant assessment centers, ensuring a more accessible, efficient, and convenient process.
Beyond training and assessment, the agency also completed three major research projects this year: Profile of Filipino Women in Maritime, Phase 2; Navigating Health and Wellness: Filipino Seafarers in Focus; and the Philippine Maritime Workforce Issues and Challenges: A Rapid Assessment, further strengthening policy development and evidence-based maritime programs.

Complementing these achievements is the agency’s strong fiscal performance, with its budget utilization rate projected at 99 percent, reflecting prudent and responsible use of public funds.

The training and research institution is also poised for further growth as it is set to receive its highest budget allocation in history amounting to Php427-million under the 2026 budget of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

This will support major infrastructure upgrades, including the rehabilitation of two dormitories, construction of a new training pool, and establishment of a firefighting area with a mock building.

Reflecting NMP’s commitment to service excellence, the institution posted an excellent Client Satisfaction Rating of 99 percent, highlighting the trust and confidence of Filipino seafarers in NMP’s training and services.

As part of its expansion effort to enhance accessibility of maritime training, NMP is actively moving forward with plans to establish new office and training center in Cavite and Davao City, currently supported by a continuing feasibility study in partnership with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP).

Strengthening collaboration across the maritime sector, NMP hosted the first Maritime Research, Education, and Training Summit (MRETS) on September 25-26 in Manila Hotel. This landmark event convened key decision-makers from across the maritime sector including representatives from crewing agencies, shipowners, training institutions, maritime associations, technology providers, welfare advocates, among others to tackle emerging challenges and address urgent priorities critical for the future of Filipino seafarers.
In another milestone this year, the NMP honored its first-ever Outstanding Alumnus, conferring the Natatanging Marinong Pilipino award to Chief Salvador Calipes Esquibel, Jr. This recognition will be sustained as one the highlights of the National Maritime Week celebration every September of each year.

Capping off the year was the first official visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., together with DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, signaling strong national support for the modernization of maritime training in the country.

During the Presidential visit on December 12, NMP conducted a brief technical demonstration of the new advanced simulation systems, which include the Php40-million Full Mission Bridge Simulator, Php10-million Liquid Cargo Handling Simulator, and upgraded Engine Room Simulator Software worth Php2-million.

“We express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been part of our journey to serve our modern-day heroes. We have come a long way, yet there is still much we can accomplish together,” said Del Rosario.

As the only state-run maritime training and research institution in the country, NMP is committed to ensure that every Filipino seafarer is globally competitive and future-ready, sustaining the country’s position as the world’s leading supplier of maritime professionals.
Established in 1978, its main office and training complex is located in Cabalawan, Tacloban City, with a Liaison Office at Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) Building in Makati City. (PR)