TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has completed its four-day “Tara, Basa!” Tutoring Program Regional Training of Trainers on Capability Building Activities for Tutors and Youth Development Workers (YDWs), held on October 6–9, 2025, here in the city.

The training gathered representatives from recipient local government units, DepEd Division Offices of Tacloban, Ormoc, Catbalogan, Calbayog, and Samar, as well as faculty and student leaders from four partner state universities — Leyte Normal University, Eastern Visayas State University, Samar State University, and Northwest Samar State University.
The activity aimed to establish a pool of subject matter experts equipped with the technical knowledge and facilitation skills necessary to train future tutors and YDWs who will implement the next cycle of the “Tara, Basa!” Program.

The “Tara, Basa!” Tutoring Program is a DSWD initiative that provides reading and comprehension support to struggling learners while engaging youth tutors under the agency’s educational assistance and community-based learning projects.

The program also promotes intergenerational learning, with youth volunteers serving as mentors to younger students in basic education.

Through the training, the DSWD hopes to enhance the quality and consistency of local implementation by ensuring that all partner institutions and LGUs are aligned with the program’s framework and teaching strategies.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

Globe has mobilized its emergency response teams following the magnitude 7.6 earthquake that struck offshore Davao Oriental on October 10. The strong tremor, followed by multiple aftershocks, was felt across the Davao Region and neighboring provinces, prompting precautionary evacuations and temporary suspension of operations in several establishments.

Globe is closely coordinating with local government units (LGUs) and partner organizations to assess the impact of the quake and ensure continued connectivity and assistance for affected communities. Relief operations are set to take place on Monday, October 13, in Manay, Davao Oriental, in coordination with the Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI).

“Our immediate priority is to keep people connected and informed as response efforts continue. We are working closely with local authorities to monitor the situation and provide network support where it’s needed most,” said Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, Globe.

Globe services were affected across 8 provinces. All affected municipalities have since been fully restored, with network restoration reaching 100% in Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, and Lanao del Sur, and 96.55% in Davao City.

Globe assures customers that it will continue to monitor the situation and deploy technical teams as needed to sustain connectivity in all affected areas. Residents are advised to stay alert, follow official advisories from PHIVOLCS and local authorities, and prioritize their safety.

More updates will be provided as the situation develops. Visit the GlobeICON

ORMOC CITY— A man wanted for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 in Mandaue City, Cebu, voluntarily surrendered to the police in Barangay Sto. Rosario, Isabel, Leyte, around 4:30 p.m. on October 7.

Police Lieutenant Jay Ian Fabrero, officer-in-charge of the Isabel Municipal Police Station, identified the surrenderer as alias “Ney,” 26, single, jobless, and a resident of Barangay Sto. Rosario.

The suspect was the subject of a warrant of arrest dated October 2, 2025, for violation of Article II, Section 12 of Republic Act 9165, or possession of equipment, instruments, and paraphernalia for dangerous drugs.

The warrant was issued by Judge Marc Joseph Amar Quirante of the Regional Trial Court Branch 88, Seventh Judicial Region, Mandaue City, Cebu, under Criminal Case No. DU-36006, for service of sentence.

Ney is currently under police custody for documentation and will be turned over to the issuing court in Mandaue City for proper disposition.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY— A 29-year-old laborer died after he was accidentally electrocuted and fell from the roof of a house he was repairing in Barangay Bagacay, Calbayog City.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Denver Renvita, city police chief, identified the victim as alias “Oreo,” 29, a laborer and resident of Barangay Nijaga, Calbayog City.

Based on the investigation, the victim and his co-worker, alias “Paldo,” 60, were fixing the roof of a house owned by alias “Jojo” on October 3.

According to Paldo, he was about to go down to get some nails when he suddenly heard a loud explosion. Moments later, he saw that Oreo was no longer on the roof.

In a panic, Paldo rushed down and found the victim lying on the ground with visible burn injuries on his body.

The victim was immediately brought to the Calbayog District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival at around 2:34 p.m. by the attending physician. His remains were later brought to a local funeral parlor in the city.

Police said initial findings suggest the victim may have accidentally come into contact with a live electrical wire while working on the roof.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY— Police charged of parricide against a 35-year-old man who allegedly killed his 77-year-old mother after a heated argument over food turned violent on Tuesday afternoon, October 7, in Sitio Riverside, Barangay Macupa, Leyte, Leyte.

Police identified the victim as alias “Amy,” 77, a widow and resident of the said barangay. The suspect, was her son alias “Rick,” 35.

According to the Leyte Municipal Police Station, officers responded to a report of a parricide incident around 5:30 p.m. Upon arrival, they discovered the lifeless body of the victim lying on the ground with severe head injuries believed to have been caused by a stone.

Initial investigation revealed that Rick had just arrived home from work as a laborer and became furious when he found no food prepared by his mother. In a fit of anger, he allegedly struck her on the head with a stone, killing her instantly.

The suspect fled after the incident but was later arrested during a hot pursuit operation conducted by Police sa Barangay personnel from Barangay Belen.

Police also received accounts from neighbors suggesting that the suspect may be suffering from a mental illness. The Leyte Municipal Police Station has requested assistance from the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) in Biliran for crime scene processing.

(ROBERT DEJON)