TACLOBAN CITY – A tricycle driver tagged as a high-value drug personality was arrested during a buy-bust operation that yielded P1.2 million worth of suspected shabu in Brgy. 96, Calanipawan, early morning Tuesday, July 8.
The suspect, identified as alias “Cesar,” 53, married, and a resident of the same barangay, was apprehended at around 4:32 a.m. by operatives of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group – Special Operations Unit 8 (PDEG-SOU 8).
According to PLt. Col. Arturo Fullero, SOU 8 chief, Cesar is listed as a Regional Priority Target and considered a high-value individual (HVI) in the region’s anti-drug campaign.
Seized from the suspect was a sachet of suspected shabu worth P34,000, followed by the discovery of a transparent pouch inside his sling bag containing 180 more sachets of the same white crystalline substance. The total weight was estimated at 180 grams, with a street value of P1,224,000.
Authorities also recovered P34,000 buy-bust money, including one marked bill; 67 pieces of boodle money; transparent plastic pouch and the suspect’s voter’s ID.
The suspect was informed of his arrest and constitutional rights in a language he fully understood.
Charges for violations of Sections 5 and 11 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (RA 9165) have been filed before the Tacloban City Prosecutor’s Office. The suspect is currently awaiting transfer to the BJMP.
NAVAL, Biliran– The provincial office of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Biliran has inaugurated its newly completed rappelling facility on June 26, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of firefighters’ training in the region.
Based on BFP records, this is the first rappelling facility in the entire Eastern Visayas region — a development hailed as a major step forward in strengthening the operational capability of local fire personnel not only in Biliran but across the region.
The state-of-the-art facility will serve as a dedicated training ground for realistic and high-risk emergency drills, particularly high-angle rescue operations, which are considered critical tasks requiring advanced skill, precision, and courage.
The facility aims to equip firefighters with the necessary tools and experience to respond effectively to emergencies involving heights, confined spaces, and vertical rescues.
More than a physical structure, the facility is a symbol of unity, resilience, and preparedness among the firefighters of Biliran, said Fire Senior Superintendent Joelito S. Sabandal, BFP regional director for administration, who delivered a message on behalf of BFP-8 Regional Director Adel De Paz Bautista.
“This new structure stands as a testament to our shared commitment to build a stronger, more capable fire service — not only in responding to fires but also in complex rescue operations that require skill, focus, and bravery,” Sabandal said.
“Its completion represents a firm investment in excellence and preparedness,” Sabandal said, emphasizing that the President and the Filipino people “deserve only the best” when it comes to public safety.
Through the leadership of Fire Senior Inspector Zardoz B. Abela, the provincial fire marshal of Biliran, his efforts in the realization of this project was instrumental in turning the idea into a tangible facility that will benefit generations of firefighters to come.
BFP Biliran likewise expressed gratitude to the local government of Biliran, under the leadership of Governor Gerard Roger M. Espina, and to the municipality of Naval headed by Mayor Gretchen Stephanie Espina, for their unwavering support of the BFP’s programs and initiatives.
“This facility stands not only because of the efforts of the BFP, but also because of the strong collaboration between government officials, the fire service, and the community. It is an example of effective governance and meaningful partnership for the safety and welfare of the people of Biliran,” Sabandal said.
The event was attended by local officials, partner agencies, firefighters from across the province, and representatives from BFP Region 8.
With the facility now fully operational, the BFP Biliran is set to begin intensified training activities that simulate real-life rescue scenarios—enhancing preparedness and raising the standard of fire service professionalism in the province.
TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Samar Governor Ralph Vincent ‘RV’ Evardone has expressed strong support for the rollout of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) project in Eastern Visayas, describing it as a vital initiative to bridge the digital divide and accelerate development across the region.
The NFB project, spearheaded by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), is part of the government’s broader strategy to improve internet infrastructure nationwide.
The project involves laying down high-capacity fiber optic cables to create a backbone network that can support fast, stable, and affordable internet access, particularly in underserved and remote areas.
Governor Evardone said the project will be a “game-changer” for Eastern Visayas, as improved digital connectivity will enhance the delivery of essential services in education, healthcare, business, and disaster response. He noted that the benefits will be especially transformative for rural communities, where poor internet access has long hindered progress.
“This is a huge step toward inclusive development. Reliable internet is no longer a luxury — it is a necessity for our people to access opportunities and services,” Evardone said.
Once completed, the NFB project is expected to bolster e-governance, online learning, telemedicine, and e-commerce throughout the region. It will also strengthen the region’s disaster preparedness systems by ensuring faster communication and information dissemination during emergencies.
The support of local leaders like Governor Evardone highlights the crucial role of regional stakeholders in the successful implementation of national infrastructure projects, especially in geographically challenging areas like Eastern Visayas.
TACLOBAN CITY — In a bid to cushion the impact of rising commodity prices in Eastern Samar, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD-8) is set to roll out its Libreng Sakay program this month to cover cargo deliveries from Tacloban City to the province.
Regional Director Lord Byron Torrecarion said the free transport initiative will include trucks carrying essential goods such as rice, fuel, and perishable items.
The program is expected to complement the existing Libreng Sakay service from Tacloban to Amandayehan, which was launched earlier to help stabilize the supply chain across Samar and Leyte provinces.
“This is our response to the increasing prices of basic commodities in Eastern Samar. We want to minimize the impact, especially in far-flung areas,” Torrecarion said in an interview.
He noted that the expansion of the program to Eastern Samar was prompted by a request from former Governor Ben Evardone during their recent consultation. The OCD is now completing the necessary paperwork and targets to begin the operations within the month of July.
Under the proposed route, the Libreng Sakay will offer at least two daily trips from Tacloban City to Guiuan, Eastern Samar, a journey that takes approximately four to five hours.
Aside from helping regulate prices, the program also aims to ease the congestion of delivery trucks that has been observed on the Samar and Tacloban side.
Torrecarion said that opening up a dedicated route to Eastern Samar will significantly improve the flow of goods and reduce logistical bottlenecks.
The Libreng Sakay program, originally conceived to assist commuters and frontliners during the pandemic, has since evolved into a logistical support initiative designed to assist in regional food security, particularly in times of supply chain disruption and economic instability.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. launched Phases 2 and 3 of the high-speed fiber optic network during a ceremony held Monday, July 7, at Tropics Hotel,Palo. He was joined by Speaker Martin Romualdez and DICT Sec. Henry Rhoel Aguda.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. launched Phases 2 and 3 of the high-speed fiber optic network during a ceremony held Monday, July 7, at Tropics Hotel,Palo. He was joined by Speaker Martin Romualdez and DICT Sec. Henry Rhoel Aguda.
PALO, Leyte – Eastern Visayas is now among the regions set to benefit from the national government’s expanded fiber optic backbone program aimed at improving internet connectivity across underserved areas.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. formally launched Phases 2 and 3 of the high-speed fiber optic network during a ceremony held Monday, July 7, at Tropics Hotel in this town—located near the historic MacArthur Landing National Memorial Park. The project is spearheaded by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
Local officials, including Biliran Governor Rogelio Espina and Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone, welcomed the development, citing the program’s potential to boost communication, strengthen disaster preparedness, and attract investments in the region.
“We are happy that Biliran is part of this program of our national government. This will be a big boost to us considering that half of our 132 barangays in our province either have slow internet signal or dead spots,” Espina said.
He added that the program’s rollout aligns with his plan to establish a local business process outsourcing hub to provide job opportunities for unemployed professionals in the province.
For Evardone, the program’s impact will be especially critical during calamities.
“It will now be easy and fast to call our local disaster officials or the Office of Civil Defense during a disaster situation,” he said.
Evardone noted that over 100 of Eastern Samar’s 590 barangays—mostly in far-flung areas—remain digitally isolated. To address this, the provincial government has allocated P15 million to purchase Starlink connectivity equipment for remote villages.
In his speech, President Marcos said Eastern Visayas is among the regions included in Phases 2 and 3 of the program, along with Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Bicol, and Central Mindanao.
These phases will cover approximately 1,871 kilometers and deliver 100 Gbps of bandwidth to at least 20 provinces, 1,000 government offices, and roughly 1.39 million individual users, according to DICT.
“Ngayong araw na ito ay nakakatuwa kasi nakikita natin na ikokonekta natin ang buong Pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng ganitong fiber backbone. Ang lahat ng mga Pilipino, kahit sa malalayong isla….ay magkakaroon ng internet upang makatulong sa kanilang trabaho, upang makatulong sa kanilang pamumuhay,” Marcos said.
“Hindi na pribilehiyo ang pagkakaroon ng mabilis na internet. Ito ay pangangailangan na. Kailangan ito sa pag-aaral, sa trabaho, sa negosyo at para mapanatili ng koneksiyon sa ating mga mahal sa buhay,” he added.
The first phase of the national fiber backbone was launched last year, covering 1,245 kilometers and connecting Laoag, Ilocos Norte to Quezon City, serving 14 provinces.
Also present during the launch were DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda and House Speaker Martin Romualdez of Leyte’s first congressional district.
Aguda emphasized the project’s long-term goal of building a responsive, tech-enabled government.
“This plan is no longer a dream. It is already taking shape. This is (our) way of answering the President’s call to use ICT to build a more responsive government that serves the people, anytime, anywhere,” he said.
NUTRITION PROGRAM. Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan poses with nutrition personnel from the province and the region as she vows to address malnutrition problem among children. (PHOTO COURTESY)
NUTRITION PROGRAM. Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan poses with nutrition personnel from the province and the region as she vows to address malnutrition problem among children. (PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY – In a bold move to address persistent malnutrition, especially among children, the provincial government of Samar has rolled out the “One Values Program”, a targeted nutrition initiative launched on July 4, 2025, in time for the observance of the 51st Nutrition Month.
The program provides P5,000 in cash assistance to each of the 119 identified families across the province, which they are encouraged to use in preparing nutritious meals for their children. The aid will be distributed over a 120-day period, allowing families to sustain healthier diets throughout the program duration.
Incentivizing positive outcomes, the provincial government has also announced a P5,000 reward for each child who “graduates” from the program—meaning they have reached a healthy weight by the end of the intervention.
Governor Sharee Ann Tan, in her address, underlined the vital role of parents in the fight against malnutrition. “We urge parents to take an active role in preparing healthy meals for their children. Good nutrition starts at home. Our goal is to reduce the number of undernourished children across Samar,” she said.
The One Values Program is also promoting food self-sufficiency through backyard gardening. Families are encouraged to grow their own vegetables and herbs, which not only provide a sustainable food source but also reduce daily food costs.
The provincial government has committed to working closely with local health workers, barangay officials, and the Department of Agriculture to support the gardens and ensure long-term success.
According to the latest National Nutrition Survey, parts of Eastern Visayas, including Samar, continue to grapple with high rates of child malnutrition due to poverty, limited access to healthy food, and gaps in nutrition education. This program aims to address these root causes through a holistic, incentive-based approach.
This year’s Nutrition Month theme, “Food and Nutrition Security Maging Priority! Sapat na Pagkain Karapatan Natin,” calls for government and community action to ensure that every Filipino has access to sufficient and nutritious food. Samar’s program is one of the concrete responses to this national call, demonstrating local leadership in tackling hunger and undernutrition at the household level.
