Bao Bridge                                Anilao Bridge

Ormoc City – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 4th District Engineering Office completes the retrofitting/strengthening of Bao Bridge and Anilao Bridge, both located along the Palo–Carigara–Ormoc Road.

Each project involved the application of epoxy injection to seal cracks and restore the concrete’s integrity, installation of carbon fiber sheets and plates to improve load capacity, and the application of concrete protective coating to shield it from further environmental damage.

“We want to ensure the continued safe and efficient transport of our road users especially along the busy national highway road network,” said OIC – District Engineer Peter Scheler V. Soco. “These improvements will extend the service life of the bridges and make them more resilient against wear and stress.”

The Anilao Bridge project has a total cost of P28,811,973.11, while the Bao Bridge project amounts to P14,454,814.82, both funded under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2025. These newly-strengthened bridges will serve the community for years to come, reaffirming the Leyte 4th DEO’s goal of keeping roads and bridges durable and reliable for the travelling public. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY — The 802nd Infantry Brigade of the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, welcomed its new commander, Colonel Rico Amaro, in a ceremonial turnover of command held on Wednesday, Oct.15, at Camp Downes, Ormoc City.

Col. Amaro succeeded Brigadier General Noel Vestuir, who officially retired from military service after reaching the mandatory retirement age. The turnover ceremony was presided over by Brig. Gen. Arsenio Sadural, assistant division commander of the 8th Infantry Division, and attended by brigade officers, commanders of subordinate units, and local government officials.

In his valedictory message, Vestuir expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the 802nd Brigade and for the strong cooperation among the military, local government units, and civilians in maintaining peace in the region.

“The peace that now reigns in Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, and Eastern Samar is not just the result of military action—it is the embodiment of teamwork, perseverance, and dedication,” Vestuir said.

Under his leadership, the brigade achieved key counterinsurgency milestones, including the dismantling of the Apoy and Bugsok Platoons of the Sub-Regional Committee SESAME in Southern Samar, and Platoon 2 of Island Committee LEVOX under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) in Leyte.

Active communist insurgent numbers in the brigade’s area of operation also dropped significantly—from 65 to just 13 members—a feat Vestuir described as “not only a tactical success but a strategic victory for the people of Eastern Visayas.”

In his acceptance speech, Col. Amaro pledged to continue and strengthen the programs initiated by his predecessor, particularly efforts to encourage the remaining insurgents to surrender and reintegrate into society.

“We urge every sector—government and private alike—to join us in bringing peace to our people, from the town centers to the remotest and most disadvantaged areas,” Amaro said.
He also underscored his commitment to uphold the welfare and morale of soldiers while carrying out all peace and security operations under his command.

The 802nd Infantry Brigade has operational jurisdiction over Leyte, Biliran, and the southern parts of Samar and Eastern Samar, areas that have seen significant progress in peace and development following years of successful military and civilian cooperation.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY– The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-8) reported that around 3,000 minimum wage earners from Tacloban City benefited from its “Bente’ng Bigas Meron Na” program held on October 15, 2025, at the Leyte Convention Center in Pawing, Palo, Leyte.

In a statement, DOLE-8 said the initiative was implemented through its North Leyte Field Office (NLFO) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), National Food Authority (NFA), and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tacloban-Leyte, Inc. (PCCI-TLI).

The program enabled minimum wage earners from various private establishments to purchase 10 kilos of rice for only P200, as part of the government’s continuing efforts to help workers cope with the rising cost of living.

DOLE-8 Assistant Regional Director Atty. Joan Noya-Nidua said the initiative reflects the agency’s commitment to support the welfare of workers by improving their access to affordable basic commodities.

“Ang inisyatibong ito ay hindi lamang simpleng pagbebenta ng bigas. Ito ay nagpapakita ng ating layunin na mapagaan ang pasanin ng mga manggagawa sa pamamagitan ng pagtitiyak na makakauwi sila ng abot-kaya at de-kalidad na bigas para sa kanilang pamilya,” Noya-Nidua said.

Also present during the activity were Board Member Wilson Uy, representing Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla; Hon. Pipes Ygrubay, representing Palo Mayor Remedios L. Petilla; Engr. Hillet B. Diaz, NFA Leyte Branch Manager; Mrs. Mercedita Lasquite, representing DA OIC-Regional Director Rodel Macapañas; and Eugene A. Tan, PCCI-TLI President.

In his message, Tan lauded DOLE and its partner agencies for their continued support to the local labor sector, describing the workers as the “core of the economy” in Tacloban City and the greater Eastern Visayas region.

According to DOLE-8, similar rice distribution activities will continue in other parts of the region as part of its broader social protection and livelihood initiatives for minimum wage earners.

(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY– Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) proudly announces its invitation from the European Union Delegation to the Philippines to serve as one of the regional hubs for the European Higher Education Fair (EHEF) 2025, one of the most anticipated educational events in the country that promotes study, research, and cultural exchange opportunities in Europe.

This year’s EHEF 2025 will be conducted in two phases — the on-site fair on November 21–22, 2025, at Robinsons Ermita, Manila, and the online fair on November 24, 2025, allowing wider participation from students, faculty, and professionals across the Philippines, including those in the Eastern Visayas region.

EVSU’s inclusion as one of the regional hubs underscores its growing reputation and active participation in internationalization initiatives. It also reflects the university’s strong partnership with the European Union Delegation to the Philippines and its member states, as well as its commitment to promoting access to global learning opportunities for students and faculty.

The EHEF 2025 will feature presentations from various European universities and colleges, showcasing their academic programs, institutional profiles, scholarships, research opportunities, and cultural exchange programs. Students and professionals will have the opportunity to directly engage with representatives from prestigious European higher education institutions to explore pathways for study and collaboration.

EVSU President Dr. Dennis C. De Paz expressed the university’s gratitude for this recognition, emphasizing that the invitation reaffirms EVSU’s dedication to advancing global engagement.

“Being invited as a Regional Hub for EHEF 2025 is a great honor for EVSU and a milestone in our ongoing efforts toward comprehensive internationalization. We look forward to connecting our students and faculty with world-class European institutions and fostering a spirit of global academic exchange,” said Dr. De Paz.

The Office of Internationalization for Higher Education of EVSU will spearhead the promotion and coordination of the event within the Eastern Visayas region, encouraging participation from students, faculty, and partner institutions who aspire to pursue higher education opportunities in Europe. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY — Two students from Eastern Samar have been granted full college scholarships under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office 8’s Workers’ Organization Development Program (WODP) – Isabelo Delos Reyes (IDR) Scholarship, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to supporting the families of organized workers through education.

The scholarship awardees are James Nathaniel Celada and Joefrey Laurence Tanqui-on, both endorsed by their parents’ respective labor organizations. Celada’s mother serves as president of the Divinubo Community-Based Resource Management Association, while Tanqui-on’s father heads the Pedicab Drivers and Operators Association.

During the awarding ceremony, DOLE-8 Assistant Regional Director Atty. Joan Noya-Nidua commended the scholars for their determination to pursue higher education, saying, “We are deeply proud to invest in your future. You will not only achieve for yourselves but also serve as an inspiration to your families and communities.”

Under the WODP-IDR scholarship, grantees receive full coverage of tuition and school fees, along with a monthly stipend for up to 10 consecutive semesters for degree courses or two years for technical-vocational programs.

Celada, a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering student, expressed gratitude for the assistance, saying the scholarship has eased his family’s financial burden and allowed him to focus on his studies. Tanqui-on, who is taking up Bachelor of Science in Criminology, shared that the scholarship motivates him to work harder toward his goal of becoming a law enforcement professional.

The awarding ceremony was also attended by DOLE-8 Eastern Samar Field Office Head Salvacion Yepez and Senior Labor and Employment Officer Neil Moraleta, who both lauded the students for their perseverance and commitment to learning despite challenges.

The WODP-IDR Scholarship Program honors labor leader Isabelo delos Reyes, known as the “Father of Philippine Labor,” and continues to provide educational opportunities to qualified dependents of workers belonging to legitimate labor organizations, strengthening the link between education and workers’ empowerment.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)