The unemployment rate in Eastern Visayas in April 2025 was estimated at 3.0 percent, similar to the rate posted in April 2024, but 0.6 percentage point higher than the 2.4 percent unemployment rate in January 2025. The unemployment rate in April 2025 translates to 60 thousand unemployed persons out of the 2.01 million persons in the labor force. The number of unemployed persons in April 2024 was 62 thousand, while that in January 2025 was 52 thousand.

The region’s employment rate in April 2025 was estimated at 97.0 percent, the same rate was registered in April 2024. This employment rate translates to 1.95 million employed persons out of 2.01 million persons in the labor force of Eastern Visayas in April 2025. The number of employed persons in April 2025 was lower by 76 thousand compared with the 2.03 million employed persons in April 2024. This was also lower by 134 thousand than the 2.09 million employed persons in January 2025 at 97.6 percent.

Eastern Visayas registered a Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) of 59.5 percent in April 2025. This placed the region’s labor force at 2.01 million persons who were either employed or unemployed out of the 3.39 million population 15 years old and over in
April 2025. The 59.5 percent LFPR in April 2025 was 3.0 percentage points lower than the 62.4 percent LFPR recorded in April 2024. Moreover, this was 3.9 percentage points lower than the 63.4 percent LFPR recorded in January 2025. Relatedly, the 2.01 million labor force in April 2025 in Eastern Visayas was lower than the 2.14 million labor force in January 2025.

The underemployment rate in April 2025 was posted at 15.8 percent. This means that out of 1.95 million employed persons in April 2025, there were about 309 thousand employed persons who expressed the desire to have additional hours of work in their present job or to have an additional job, or to have a new job with longer hours of work. The 15.8 percent underemployment rate in April 2025 was lower by 4.3 percentage points than the 20.1 percent underemployment rate reported in April 2024. This was also lower by 0.3 percentage point than the 16.1 percent underemployment rate in January 2025. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways–Samar 2nd Engineering District Office (DPWH-S2EDO) has coordinated with the city government of Catbalogan and other key stakeholders in preparation for a large-scale road clearing operation along national highways in the city.

The activity forms part of the DPWH’s routine road maintenance efforts aimed at ensuring safer and more accessible national roads across major urban and residential areas.

Targeted road sections include highways passing through Barangays Socorro, Lagundi, Guindapunan, Canlapwas, Maulong, Mercedes, Barangay 13, Guinsorongan, and Bunu-anan—many of which are regularly affected by road obstructions and encroachments.

A coordination meeting was held ahead of the operation, bringing together representatives from various government agencies and offices.

The meeting focused on the removal of road obstructions, including illegally parked vehicles; abandoned or non-roadworthy units; unauthorized structures encroaching on public roads, sidewalks, shoulders, and drainage areas.

It was agreed that barangay officials will actively coordinate with CLEAO during the operation and help enforce local ordinances related to road use and obstruction. They will also take responsibility for maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of areas once cleared.

The stakeholders also discussed the designation of alternate and legal parking areas, including the possible use of private lots for pay-parking schemes. Strict implementation of No Parking Zones will also be enforced, with violators subject to towing and penalties.

The road clearing effort is part of a broader push to improve traffic flow, enhance road safety, and reclaim public spaces for pedestrians and motorists, especially in densely populated parts of Catbalogan City.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY-A man recently included in the drug watchlist of the local police voluntarily surrendered to authorities on July 7, in Barangay Poblacion, Kawayan, Biliran.
The Kawayan Municipal Police Station identified the surrenderee as alias “Nilo,” 35, a married laborer and resident of Brgy. Mapuyo.

According to the police, “Nilo” turned himself in at around 2:30 p.m. following a visit by intelligence operatives under “Oplan Tokhang”, a strategy aimed at encouraging drug personalities to abandon their illegal activities and seek rehabilitation.

During his surrender, the individual executed an affidavit of undertaking, declaring his commitment to cease involvement in any form of illegal drug use or trade. He also expressed willingness to cooperate with law enforcement authorities in the fight against illegal drugs in the municipality.

The surrenderee underwent standard police procedures, including an interview, booking, and mugshot documentation.

Police officials said the surrender is part of their intensified anti-drug campaign and community engagement to encourage reform and reduce drug-related activities in the province.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY-Police operatives arrested the Rank No. 2 Most Wanted Person in Biliran province during a warrant operation conducted on July 8, in Sitio Bagacay, Barangay Haguikhikan, Naval.

The suspect, identified by authorities only as alias “Jojo”, 30 years old and a resident of the said barangay, was apprehended by personnel of the warrant server division of the Naval Municipal Police Station at around 11:02 a.m.

The arrest was made by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued on May 26, 2025, by Judge Luz Petilla Navarrete, presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 16, Eighth Judicial Region, in connection with three counts of qualified rape.

No bail was recommended for the temporary liberty of the accused.

Police reported that the suspect was informed of the nature of the charges and was apprised of his constitutional rights in a language he fully understood. He is now under police custody at the Naval MPS for booking and processing, prior to his presentation to the issuing court.

Authorities said the arrest is part of the intensified campaign of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Biliran against fugitives and individuals with standing warrants for heinous crimes.
(ROBERT DEJON)