TACLOBAN CITY — In the aftermath of the 6.0 magnitude earthquake that shook San Julian, Eastern Samar on May 4, 2026, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VIII swiftly delivered emergency relief to affected families, providing essential supplies to help them recover from the disaster.

According to DSWD Eastern Visayas, 36 families directly impacted by the earthquake received immediate assistance. Each household was provided with two family food packs containing six kilos of rice, canned goods, powdered cereal drinks, and coffee sachets. Additionally, families received clothing kits and kitchen kits to support their recovery and daily needs.

The earthquake caused structural damage to homes and local infrastructure, displacing residents and disrupting daily life in several communities. Local authorities and response teams continue to assess the extent of the damage and coordinate relief operations.
DSWD Field Office VIII emphasized that the agency remains committed to providing prompt humanitarian assistance to communities affected by disasters, ensuring that families receive essential support during emergencies.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre on Thursday, May 7, expressed confidence that the House of Representatives will secure enough votes to reach or surpass the two-thirds threshold needed to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte when the matter is brought to a vote on Monday, May 11.

Acidre said in a press briefing that he expects strong support from lawmakers based on the recent deliberations conducted by the House Committee on Justice, which handled the clarificatory hearings on the impeachment complaints.

“Based on our monitoring, I think we’re going to hit the majority number. We’re hoping the result would be as much as or even higher than the impeachment last time, we’re hoping that at least 200 or 215, that’s really the goal,” he said.

“As of now, I can confidently say it will be above 180,” he added, referring to earlier estimates from House leaders, including Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno of Antipolo City.
Acidre said his confidence stems from the committee hearings where evidence was presented and scrutinized to determine probable cause.

“This time we have everything: full session, full committee hearing, and the members themselves. Even those who are not members of the committee were monitoring and everyone was able to see,” he said.

He added that continued hearings helped clarify the issues and strengthened support among lawmakers who were initially undecided.

“Mas dumami ‘yung kumbaga, kung meron pang nagdadalawang isip, by the 2nd and 3rd hearing, mas marami na ang nakumbinsi dahil sa ebidensya,” he said.

Acidre also noted that public viewing of the proceedings through television and social media contributed to greater understanding of the complaints.

“I know for the last couple of weeks, even months, people have been actually studying the progress and the details of the impeachment complaints,” he said.

When asked about the position of party-list lawmakers, he estimated that at least 47 out of more than 60 members would vote in favor of impeachment.

He acknowledged, however, that some groups remain reserved due to political affiliations.
“There are some party-lists who are close to the Vice President and to the former administration, and we understand the position that they’re taking,” he said.

Still, Acidre said he expects colleagues to base their decision on the evidence and what they believe serves the national interest.

“I trust that my colleagues will decide according to their judgment based on evidence, reason, and what is in the best interest of the country,” he added.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

DIGYO ISLAND,INOPACAN,Leyte– More than 80 foreign tourists aboard the luxury expedition cruise ship SH Minerva visited Digyo Island, this town, immersing themselves in the local culture, traditional livelihoods, and island cuisine as Eastern Visayas continues to position itself as a destination for sustainable cruise tourism.

The 85 passengers of the Swan Hellenic cruise ship, mostly Russians and Italians, along with visitors from Brazil, China, and the United States, spent time interacting with residents and learning about the island community’s way of life.

During their half-day visit, the tourists observed traditional weaving using Romblon, a type of screw pine locally crafted into bags, hats, and mats.

They also watched local fishermen repair damaged fishing nets and witnessed the production of dried fish, one of the island’s common livelihood activities.

Another highlight of the cultural immersion was the gathering of coconut nectar used in producing tuba, a traditional coconut wine. Visitors were given a chance to taste both the freshly harvested tuba and its fermented version locally known as bahal.

The guests also sampled various local delicacies, including kabkab — a crispy cassava cracker — as well as puto bilanghoy, puto kutsinta, bibingka, camote cue, and biko.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Eastern Visayas Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said the region hopes to attract more expedition cruise ships, noting that smaller groups are easier to manage and allow deeper cultural interaction with local communities.

“Expedition cruises have fewer guests and they are into immersion. We want fewer crowds so they can easily be managed,” Tiopes said.

She added that the DOT hopes visitors will leave with meaningful experiences worth sharing with others.

Tiopes also expressed gratitude that Eastern Visayas was included in Swan Hellenic’s maiden Philippine voyage.

Aside from cultural activities, the tourists enjoyed swimming in Digyo Island’s turquoise waters and relaxing along its white sand beaches.

Digyo Island was the third Philippine port call of SH Minerva. Prior to Leyte, the cruise ship visited Casulian Island in Dapa, Surigao del Norte, and Bohol.

After Leyte, the vessel is scheduled to continue to Romblon and later visit destinations in Luzon, including Hundred Islands and Batanes, before proceeding to Japan.

Digyo Island is part of the Cuatro Islas Protected Landscape and Seascape located in Leyte’s fifth district. The island group also includes Apid, Mahaba, and Himokilan islands.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

NAVAL, Biliran (PIA) — The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Biliran conducted an Information Dissemination Forum for TESDA-CNSAT students on April 29, emphasizing the importance of factual information and media literacy in today’s digital age.

Charlesse Ann C. Bastes, Instructor II and information officer-designate of Cabucgayan National School of Arts and Trades, underscored the need to empower students and the public through accurate, reliable information.

“Today’s forum serves a very important purpose, which is ensuring that accurate, timely, and relevant information reaches you, our learners, who are at the forefront of building a skilled and informed workforce,” Bastes said.

She added that while information is now widely accessible, it is not always dependable. Initiatives like information fora help bridge the gap between facts and misinformation, equipping students to make better decisions in their careers and daily lives.

Meanwhile, Reyan L. Arinto, regional head of the Philippine Information Agency Region 8, discussed key concepts of media and information literacy, including misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation.

He emphasized the importance of verifying information from credible sources and urged participants to help combat the spread of fake news, particularly on social media platforms.
Arinto also highlighted the agency’s priority programs and services, reinforcing PIA’s role as the government’s grassroots communications arm in delivering accurate and relevant information to communities.

The forum is part of PIA’s continuing efforts to strengthen public awareness and promote responsible information consumption among the youth. (RSV/PIA Biliran)