TACLOBAN CITY – Leyte Representative Anna Veloso-Tuazon (3rd district) has expressed her gratitude to experts from the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute (UPRI) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) for conducting a post-disaster risk assessment in her district following recent calamities, including the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the province.

Rep. Tuazon said the assessment would greatly help strengthen disaster preparedness and risk management efforts in the district, which covers several municipalities affected by the quake and previous natural hazards.

The on-site inspection, led by Dr. Eric Augustus Tingatinga and his team from the UP Institute of Civil Engineering, was conducted on October 4–5. The team examined slopes and rock formations that were impacted by the tremor to identify areas that remain at risk and those safe for residents to return to.

Joining the initiative were Dr. Mahar Lagmay of UPRI, representatives from Rep. Tuazon’s office, officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Planning Division, and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), which oversees the Hibulangan Dam which is located in the town of Villaba.

Tuazon emphasized that the collaborative effort between government agencies and scientific institutions demonstrates the shared commitment to protecting communities from future disasters.

“We’re so grateful for the assistance, knowing that this will help us manage our risks better with science-based, data-driven, and anticipatory adaptation solutions,” Tuazon said.

She added that her office will continue to work closely with national agencies and experts to ensure the safety and resilience of communities across the 3rd District of Leyte.

To recall, a 6.9 magnitude quake rocked Cebu province, with Bogo City as the epicenter, and was felt in different parts in Eastern Visayas.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Government troops from the 46th Infantry Battalion based in Calbiga, Samar, seized several high-powered firearms, including an M60 machine gun, in a military operation in Barangay Caranas, Motiong, Samar, on Wednesday, October 8.

According to the 46th IB, the discovery of the arms cache—which also included one M4 rifle and two M16 rifles—was made possible through information provided by a captured member of the Communist New People’s Army (NPA). The individual reportedly decided to cooperate with authorities after realizing the “propaganda and deception” of the communist group armed.

Lieutenant Colonel Marvin Inocencio, commanding officer of the 46th IB, said the seizure of weapons was a significant setback to the NPA’s operations in Samar, reducing their capability to conduct attacks and influence communities.

“This success showcased the bravery and dedication of our soldiers and highlights the growing trust and cooperation of those who have seen through the deception of the CTG,” Inocencio said in a statement. “Every firearm recovered means one less threat to our communities and one more step toward genuine peace.”

Inocencio also reiterated the government’s call for remaining NPA members to surrender and avail themselves of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which offers livelihood and reintegration assistance to former rebels.

The 46th Infantry Battalion vowed to continue its efforts to secure peace and promote development in Motiong and other parts of Samar.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

As a result of the 6.9 magnitude quake

VILLABA, Leyte– The local government here is preparing to relocate more than 194 families—or over 600 residents—from Barangay Tagbubunga to a safer site following the recommendation of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) after a recent rockslide incident triggered by aftershocks from the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Bogo City, Cebu last Sept. 30.

Mayor Rudy Veloso said the affected families live in a rockslide-prone area, posing serious risks not only during the rainy and typhoon seasons but also amid continuing aftershocks from the Cebu quake, which was felt across Leyte.

A rockslide was reported in Tagbubunga on October 3, prompting residents to flee their homes.

MGB personnel conducted an on-site inspection and advised the LGU to immediately evacuate the affected households.

Currently, most displaced families are staying in tents set up at the barangay covered court, while others have taken temporary shelter at the Tagbubunga Elementary School and with relatives.

Mayor Veloso said the municipal government is searching for at least two hectares of land within the same barangay for relocation to ensure that residents remain close to their farms and livelihood.

He added that the LGU will seek assistance from Leyte 3rd District Representative Anna Veloso-Tuazon for funding the construction of housing units.

“We are looking for a lot within the village and not far from their farms so they can continue tending to them even after relocation,” Mayor Veloso said.

However, some residents have expressed opposition to the plan, citing their long-term residence in the area and the investments they made in building their homes, which they claim are far from the most at-risk zones.

“We will consult with higher authorities—from the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the provincial government—because we already have an advisory to evacuate and relocate,” Veloso added.

Meanwhile, evacuee Marichu Ondinato said her family would no longer return to their home due to fear of another rockslide.

“Takot na kami, natrauma na kami. Maghahanap na lang kami kahit maliit na lugar na ligtas,” she said.

The disaster has also disrupted classes for more than 200 students of Tagbubunga Elementary School, where several classrooms are being used as temporary shelters. Teachers have shifted to modular learning, providing printed lessons for home study.

Grade 2 adviser Maria Corazon Demeterio, who also evacuated with her family, said the setup poses learning challenges, especially for younger students who need close supervision.

“Once we’ve secured our belongings, I plan to bring back my struggling readers for limited face-to-face sessions,” she said. “Learning is much more effective in person.”

At least 10 classrooms in the school have been declared unsafe due to structural damage from the earthquake and may be condemned pending inspection.

Following the combined impact of the earthquake and Typhoon Opong, upon the recommendation of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC), the town council has placed the entire town under a state of calamity on Tuesday, October 7.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Tacloban-born Filipina-Swiss artist and gallerist Minerva Mondejar-Steiner is representing the Philippines at the upcoming “Forest of Civilizations” collaborative exhibit at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, an international art project symbolizing human resilience and environmental continuity.

Mondejar-Steiner, owner of the Mondejar Gallery in Zurich, Switzerland, partnered with two Czech private firms for the outdoor installation that showcases 133 subfossil oak trees—ancient trunks preserved underground for more than 6,500 years since the Ice Age.
“These trees represent history, resilience, and the continuity of life,” said Mondejar-Steiner, whose gallery has gained recognition in Europe for blending artistic innovation with historical and cultural consciousness.

She said the “Forest of Civilizations” project is not merely an exhibition but “a statement of how Filipino creativity and leadership can resonate on the world’s most prestigious cultural platforms, expanding the reach of Philippine art while shaping conversations on preservation and shared human history.”

The ancient oak trees—extracted from glacial sediments eight meters deep in North Moravia, Czech Republic—offer a glimpse into prehistoric climate and environmental patterns through modern scientific analysis of their annual rings.

Supported by the United Nations and several participating countries—including the Czech Republic, Norway, Monaco, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Canada, Armenia, Colombia, Thailand, Japan, the United States, and the Philippines—the installation underscores global unity and climate awareness.

The exhibit, which opened on April 13, 2025, will run until October 13, 2025, as part of Expo 2025’s larger theme of connecting lives and sustainable futures.

(RONALD O. REYES)