ORMOC CITY– A 56-year-old farmer died after his motorcycle collided with an SUV in Barangay Maya, MacArthur, Leyte, on Friday afternoon, September 12.

Police identified the victim as alias “Rick,” a resident of Barangay Casuntingan, MacArthur, who was driving his own gray Euro motorcycle. He was declared dead on arrival at the Abuyog District Hospital following the crash.

SUV driver was identified as alias “Ed,” 38, a businessman from Barangay Poblacion Loyonsawang, Abuyog, Leyte, who was driving an ebony black Isuzu DMAX with his 4-year-old son as passenger. Both escaped unharmed.

Initial police investigation showed the Isuzu DMAX was heading toward Abuyog when it struck the Euro motorcycle, which reportedly made a sudden U-turn. The impact caused severe injuries to the motorcycle driver.

Authorities said the SUV driver and his vehicle were brought to the MacArthur Municipal Police Station for proper disposition, along with the motorcycle involved in the crash.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY– The Department of Trade and Industry in Eastern Visayas (DTI-8) conducted its first Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC) Summit on Thursday, bringing together key stakeholders from private and public sector and local government units (LGUs) to enhance price monitoring and consumer protection efforts across the region.

The event aimed to strengthen the role of LPCCs in ensuring stable prices of basic necessities and prime commodities, especially in the face of volatile inflation and supply disruptions.

In her message, DTI-8 Regional Director Celerina T. Bato emphasized the importance of a coordinated response among national and local agencies to prevent price manipulation and ensure fair market practices.

The trade and industry department also recognizes the crucial role the local chief executives play in protecting consumers and promoting fair pricing practices as the summit serves as a venue for discussion of key strategies to enhance monitoring, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, and empower consumer protection.

“Our consumers deserve fair prices and reliable access to essential goods. Through this summit, we aim to empower local governments to be more proactive, data driven and grounded with collaboration in addressing price-related concerns in their areas,” Bato said.
Under Republic Act No. 7581, also known as the Price Act of 1992, provides for the creation of a Local Price Coordinating Council to protect consumers from excessive price increases on basic necessities and prime commodities.

The LPCCs serve as the frontline mechanism for ensuring price stability and protecting the consumers from unfair trade practices, especially during crises such as typhoons, pandemics or supply disruption.

“We want to ensure that LPCCs are functional, active, and well-equipped to monitor prices and protect consumers, especially in times of crisis,” Bato added.

In Eastern Visayas, out of 149 LGUs, a total of 4 provinces and 127 cities and municipalities have established Local Price Coordinating Councils, 117 of these are active according to DTI-8’s monitoring.

(ACR/PIA Leyte)

PALO, Leyte – Twelve establishments in Eastern Visayas received grants amounting to a total of P4,275,371.00 from the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office No. 8 through its Adjustment Measures Program (AMP) on September 9, 2025 at Fan’s Hotel, this town.

The awarding ceremony was led by DOLE-RO8 Assistant Regional Director Atty. Joan N. Noya-Nidua, who turned over the grants to representatives of the following enterprises:

• DJ Printing Services and Sports Apparel (Naval, Biliran)
• Francine’s Grill (Borongan City)
• Leyte: Pasar Employees Multipurpose Cooperative (Isabel, Leyte)
• Juanito Eco Farm School for Practical Agriculture (Kananga, Leyte)
• Balay Ni Tatay Farm (Babatngon, Leyte)
• Bontoc Multipurpose Cooperative (Bontoc, So. Leyte)
• Gawisan Abaca Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (Maasin City)
• For U Leather Products (Tacloban City)
• MLS Food Processing (Jiabong, Samar)
• Shirley Food Processing (Jiabong, Samar)
• Super Jed Food Processing (Jiabong, Samar)
• Northern Samar Fishermen Cooperative (Catarman, N. Samar)

Before the awarding, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed between DOLE and the representatives of the beneficiary enterprises, formalizing their participation in the program. Representing DOLE-RO8 Regional Director Atty. Dax B. Villaruel were Atty. Noya-Nidua and Atty. Cecilio I. Baleña, Med-Arbiter and DOLE-AMP Regional Focal Person.

In her message, Atty. Noya-Nidua highlighted the objective of the AMP, which is to cushion the impact of economic disruptions on local businesses and workers.

“Through this program, we aim to improve the competitiveness of our local enterprises so they remain viable and relevant amidst economic challenges,” she stated.

Also in attendance were Atty. Marie Ronette Salve Barreda-Campo, representing Board Secretary Reynaldo Soliveres of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) VIII, along with the heads of DOLE-RO8 Field Offices.

The beneficiary enterprises expressed their gratitude for the assistance, noting the program’s positive impact on their operations and workforce.

“We are thankful to DOLE because finally, employers can access grants from the government through the AMP. This support will greatly boost our operations and benefit our workers,” said Dr. Floro “Junji” Camenforte, owner of Balay Ni Tatay Farm in Babatngon, Leyte.

The grants awarded were just the first batch of approved projects in the region and other interested proponents can still submit proposals to DOLE.
The AMP is one of DOLE’s key initiatives designed to mitigate the impact of economic disruptions by supporting enterprises and protecting jobs, ultimately contributing to regional and national economic recovery. (PR)