PALO, Leyte– Thousands of residents from Palo and neighboring towns flocked to the Leyte Academic Complex on Saturday, September 13, as Leyte province hosted the “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para Sa Lahat” caravan—an inter-agency outreach program bringing government services directly to communities.

The event, part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s flagship effort to deliver “whole-of-government” assistance nationwide, gathered dozens of national government agencies offering medical care, social services, financial aid, and livelihood support. National Youth Commission (NYC) Chairperson Joseph Francisco Ortega represented the President, while Leyte 5th district board member Carlo Loreto represented Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla.
In his speech, Ortega underscored the role of young people in sustaining government initiatives. “Sa mga kabataan, ang inyong pakikilahok ay mahalaga. Kayo ang susi upang maihatid ang mga benepisyo na kagaya nito… sa bawat barangay sa inyong probinsya,” he said, stressing that the government’s support is designed to bring lasting change to communities.

Among the highlights of the caravan include with the Department of Health (DOH) providing medical consultations, dental services, HIV screening, free medicines, and distribution of assistive devices (wheelchairs and crutches).

Department of Agriculture (DA), distributing P30 million worth of agricultural assistance to Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, and Eastern Samar; turnover of P7.9 million in interventions to 10 farmer beneficiaries under its banner programs; and distribution of 300 sacks of rice under the “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na” initiative.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) issued 501 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROM) to 500 agrarian reform beneficiaries with a condoned total of P29.6 million while the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)distributed P562,500 under the Tulong Dunong Program and P3.59 million under the Tertiary Education Subsidy.
Other agencies present included the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Trade and Industry, Small Business Corporation, and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation—each providing frontline services to residents.

The caravan underscored the Marcos administration’s commitment to decentralizing services and reaching grassroots communities, ensuring that government programs are accessible to ordinary Filipinos in the provinces.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan of the 4Ps party-list group has urged the newly formed Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to launch an aggressive investigation into alleged corruption in flood control and other public works projects to restore public trust and hold wrongdoers accountable.

Libanan said the commission should “leave no stone unturned,” follow the money trail, and recommend charges against those involved to end the culture of impunity and ensure infrastructure projects truly benefit Filipinos.

Created under Executive Order No. 94 by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the ICI has broad powers to investigate, issue subpoenas, and recommend prosecutions.

Libanan welcomed these powers and encouraged whistleblowers to come forward, assuring them of protection under the Witness Protection Program.

“The Filipino people deserve transparency and justice,” Libanan said, vowing to monitor the commission’s progress and push for stronger legislative safeguards based on its findings.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY– The municipal government of Catarman in Northern Samar is gearing up to support more than 3,000 Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries who will graduate from the government’s conditional cash transfer program next year.

Mayor Diane Rosales announced during a Municipal Advisory Committee meeting that the town will hold a large-scale “Pugay Tagumpay” ceremony in 2025 for 3,213 exiting families, recognizing their journey and preparing them for life beyond 4Ps assistance.

Rosales, together with Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Irmina Delorino, also outlined the aftercare plans for the graduating members, which will focus on livelihood, skills training, financial literacy, and employment coaching to help them achieve self-sufficiency.

Various agencies are set to assist in the transition, including the Department of Trade and Industry (microbusiness training), TESDA (skills development), Catarman Public Employment Service Office (preemployment coaching), DSWD-SLP (financial literacy and business training), and Ormoc Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative (savings and product service orientation).

Of the 4,706 current 4Ps beneficiaries in Catarman, only 1,493 will remain under the program in 2025. About 332 additional families are on the waitlist based on the Community-Based Monitoring System of the municipal government.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY– The Department of Education (DepEd) Tacloban City Division capped off the Education Week celebration with the regional launching of the National Learning Recovery Program: ARAL (Accelerate Learning through Reading, Arithmetic, and Literacy) on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Rizal Central School.

Leading the ceremony was DepEd Assistant Secretary for Curriculum and Teaching Jerome Buenviaje, who emphasized the importance of scaling up interventions and fostering nurturing school environments to ensure the success of Filipino learners.

Meanwhile, Regional Director Dr. Ronelo Al K. Firmo highlighted Eastern Visayas’ literacy recovery initiatives such as K-FELT and Project STARS, underscoring Region VIII’s commitment to bridging learning gaps. Tacloban City Schools Division Superintendent Sherlita Palma welcomed guests and reaffirmed the division’s full support for the program.
One of the highlights of the event was the “Sama-samang MagaARAL Commitment Ritual,” where learners, parents, teachers, and education stakeholders came together to sign a symbolic pledge of support for ARAL’s success.

Closing the ceremony, Rizal Central School Principal George Cayas expressed gratitude to DepEd officials, partners, and the entire school community for their united efforts in advancing education recovery in the region.

(TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)