TACLOBAN CITY — Around 50 veterinarians, livestock technicians, and technical staff from municipal, provincial, and city veterinary offices across Eastern Visayas are participating in the Local Animal Disease Diagnosis and Emergency Response (LADDER) Training this week in Baybay City.
Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization in coordination with the Bureau of Animal Industry and the Department of Agriculture(DA-8), the training aims to enhance local capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to animal health threats.
Participants are undergoing lectures and hands-on workshops covering epidemiological strategies, risk analysis, animal health surveillance, field disease investigation, necropsy procedures, sample collection, and coordinated disease response.
During the opening sessions, Dr. Jezeel Josol of the Regulatory Division shared updates on monitoring and surveillance of serious animal diseases in the region, emphasizing the importance of early detection and rapid response to prevent outbreaks.
Organizers said the LADDER training will equip participants with practical skills and improve coordination among veterinary services, ultimately safeguarding animal health and supporting the region’s livestock industry.
TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Science and Technology–Samar Provincial Science and Technology Office (DOST-Samar PSTO) recently conducted a Project Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) for its “Samar Lagundi (Vitex negundo) Project,” aimed at creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and developing a lagundi-based industry in Samar.
The PME took place in Barangay Balante, Basey, Samar, where the DOST team assessed project implementation, progress, and impact on local farmers. The initiative seeks to empower farming communities while promoting the economic potential of lagundi, a medicinal plant widely used in herbal remedies.
Leading the monitoring team was Atty. Joseph Albert Lledo, Senior Science Research Specialist of DOST-Samar PSTO, along with Sheila Mae Pica, Science Research Specialist II, and Jessica Barredo, Project Technical Staff.
The team conducted site inspections, validation activities, and technical discussions with project stakeholders, including representatives from Samar State University led by Engr. Mirador Labrador, vice president for finance and administration, who also heads the project.
Key achievements noted during the evaluation included the establishment of a pilot lagundi farm, farmer training programs, and the initiation of partnerships with potential industry adopters. Areas identified for further improvement included farm expansion, completion of project facilities, better equipment management, and stronger market linkages to ensure long-term sustainability.
DOST-Samar PSTO emphasized its commitment to providing ongoing technical guidance and monitoring support, aiming to translate scientific and technological interventions into tangible livelihood opportunities for Samar’s farming communities.
SUPPORT. The provincial government of Northern Samar, under Gov. Harris Ongchuan, has given its full support on the initiative of the Marcos administration to include local government units and the private sector in building more classrooms in the country. Photo shows Pres. Marcos with Ongchuan and other governors of the country.(THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF NORTHERN SAMAR)
SUPPORT. The provincial government of Northern Samar, under Gov. Harris Ongchuan, has given its full support on the initiative of the Marcos administration to include local government units and the private sector in building more classrooms in the country. Photo shows Pres. Marcos with Ongchuan and other governors of the country.(THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF NORTHERN SAMAR)
TACLOBAN CITY — Northern Samar Governor Harris Ongchuan has expressed support for the national government’s initiative to directly involve local government units (LGUs) in accelerating the construction of much-needed classrooms across the country.
Ongchuan joined other local chief executives during the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) led by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on February 11, 2026, in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd).
The agreement formalizes a nationwide collaboration aimed at addressing the persistent shortage of classrooms, a long-standing issue that has resulted in overcrowded classes, shifting schedules, and makeshift learning spaces in many public schools, particularly in far-flung and disaster-prone provinces like Northern Samar.
Under the program, around 4,000 additional classrooms will be constructed in the initial phase, funded under the 2026 national budget. The initiative outlines shared responsibilities between DepEd and LGUs, including funding support, construction monitoring, and long-term maintenance of the facilities.
DepEd will identify priority schools based on classroom gaps and enrollment data, provide standard building designs, and ensure compliance with safety, accessibility, and quality standards. Both DepEd and LGUs will jointly oversee the construction and improvement of school buildings within their respective jurisdictions.
President Marcos said the scheme is expected to significantly reduce bureaucratic delays and speed up the delivery of school infrastructure by tapping the implementation capacity of LGUs.
In a statement, Ongchuan underscored the importance of the partnership in improving learning conditions for students in Northern Samar, where growing enrollment and limited infrastructure have strained public schools.
“Sa pamamagitan ng patuloy na pakikipagtulungan sa Pamahalaang Nasyunal, patuloy tayong magsusulong ng mas ligtas, mas maayos, at mas dekalidad na edukasyon para sa bawat kabataang Nortehanon,” the governor said.
He reiterated the provincial government of Northern Samar’s commitment to supporting education reforms through stronger coordination with the national government, emphasizing that adequate and safe classrooms are essential to raising the quality of basic education in the province.
TACLOBAN CITY — The local government of Matag-ob, Leyte has officially rolled out its smoke-free, vape-free campaign, reinforcing a total ban on smoking and vaping in the municipality under Municipal Ordinance No. 257-225. The launch took place on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
Authored by Sangguniang Bayan Member Luz Boldero and unanimously approved by the council, the ordinance aims to safeguard public health and comply with national regulations on tobacco and vape products.
Under the law, violators face fines ranging from P1,000 to P2,500, with confiscation of tobacco and vape products. Repeat offenders may also face 15 days of imprisonment or additional fines. All public offices, establishments, and public transport must display “No Smoking” signs in visible areas, with failure to comply considered a violation. Businesses found breaching the ordinance may risk revocation of their permits.
The Municipal Health Office, together with the Municipal Anti-Smoking Task Force, the Matag-ob Municipal Police Station, and barangay officials, will lead enforcement. Citizens can report violations anonymously, and collected fines will fund health programs and anti-smoking initiatives.
Mayor Bernardino Tacoy urged residents to support the campaign, stressing that the municipality prioritizes public health over potential revenue from tobacco and vape sales.
“Because we care deeply about the future of our municipality, we have chosen to forgo potential income from the trade of cigarettes and vapes, prioritizing instead the health and well-being of our people,” Tacoy said.
DESTRUCTIVE. The planned resumption of mining activity in MacArthur, Leyte could result to damage rice farms, so says an executive of the Department of Agriculture in the region. Photo shows the huge dredger that is to be used for the mining operations.( KAWANDER)
DESTRUCTIVE. The planned resumption of mining activity in MacArthur, Leyte could result to damage rice farms, so says an executive of the Department of Agriculture in the region. Photo shows the huge dredger that is to be used for the mining operations.( KAWANDER)
TACLOBAN CITY — As opposition mounts against proposed black sand mining operations in MacArthur, Leyte, the Department of Agriculture in Eastern Visayas (DA-8) has warned that mining activities could cause long-term damage to agricultural lands and threaten the livelihood of farmers in the area.
During a press conference organized by the MacArthur local government, DA-8 officials outlined the potential environmental and economic consequences of mining, particularly in farming communities where rice production is a primary source of income.
Jenny Lyn Almeria, officer-in-charge regional technical director for operations and extension of the DA-8, said mining operations may result in land degradation due to the loss of topsoil, rendering farmlands unusable for decades.
“Among the significant effects are land degradation due to loss of topsoil, water contamination and scarcity, increased coastal erosion and flooding, destruction of irrigation facilities, and deterioration of soil quality,” she said.
Almeria added that mining could also trigger socio-economic displacement among farming communities, land conversion, loss of biodiversity, and long-term devaluation of agricultural areas, ultimately affecting farmers’ productivity and income.
Almeria emphasized the need for a harmonized and sustained rehabilitation plan should mining activities proceed, stressing transparency and community participation to ensure that all stakeholders are properly informed.
The controversy stems from the planned resumption of magnetite or “black sand” extraction in the town. However, Romulo Babatugun, division chief of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 8 (MGB-8), clarified that MacArthur Iron Projects Corporation (MIPC) has yet to secure approval of its required three-year work program from the agency’s central office.
Babatugun said the company must also comply with other local requirements before it can resume operations.
Residents from several barangays, particularly farmers, have staged picket protests opposing the mining project. They claim previous activities have already affected farmlands and rice production. Protesters are also blocking the transport of a dredging equipment to the mining site, fearing it signals the resumption of operations.
The groups have sought intervention from Malacañang, Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, urging authorities to halt the mining project.
For its part, MIPC, through its Human Resource and Administration representative Lorenz Medua, maintained that the company has not resumed operations. He said the dredger being transported is part of preparatory measures pending regulatory approval and is intended to upgrade operational efficiency.
MacArthur Mayor Rudin Babante also clarified that the local government has not issued any permit allowing the company to operate.
In 2022, the municipal government ordered the suspension of mining activities following reported damage to an irrigation canal of the National Irrigation Administration within the project site.
The dispute continues to stir tension in the town as residents press for the protection of agricultural lands and food security.
TACLOBAN CITY — The municipal government of MacArthur in Leyte has appealed for calm and lawful dialogue following public concerns over reported mining activities within the town.
In an official statement issued on Sunday, Feb.15, Mayor Rudin Babante said the local government, together with the Sangguniang Bayan, conducted a careful and thorough assessment of the situation involving a mining company that had been operating in the area.
The mayor clarified that while there are grounds to question certain aspects of the firm’s activities, it was confirmed that the company had already withdrawn and removed its cutter suction dredger equipment from the identified site.
The firm has also reportedly ceased deploying the equipment and expressed willingness to comply with legal requirements should it seek to resume operations in the future.
MacArthur, a coastal municipality in Leyte, has communities whose livelihoods depend largely on fishing and farming.
In recent years, resource extraction activities in various parts of Eastern Visayas have drawn scrutiny from residents and environmental advocates due to concerns over potential impacts on marine ecosystems, river systems, and agricultural lands.
Although details of the specific mining application or permit were not disclosed, local officials acknowledged that the issue had sparked apprehension among residents, prompting calls for transparency and safeguards to protect the environment and community welfare.
“At this time, due to the sensitive nature of the issue, the municipality is carefully studying the situation to arrive at a just and humane resolution that will not cause division or harm to our community,” the statement read.
Babante emphasized that the municipal government remains committed to upholding the law while protecting the interests of its constituents. He also appealed to groups planning protests or actions that could disrupt public order to instead engage in constructive dialogue with the local government.
The mayor underscored the importance of unity and responsible decision-making, assuring residents that consultations and coordination with concerned agencies will continue as the matter undergoes legal and technical review.
Local officials said they will provide further updates once the evaluation is completed, reiterating that any decision will prioritize environmental protection, lawful processes, and the long-term welfare of the people of MacArthur.
