TACLOBAN CITY — Samar province has earned the 2024 regional seal of good local governance (SGLG) champions award, reaffirming its commitment to transparency, accountability, and quality public service.

Vice Governor Arnold Tan lauded the provincial government of Samar, its SGLG team, and partner stakeholders — including the Samar Police Provincial Office, the Department of Education, and various civil society organizations — for helping secure the recognition. This is the province’s fifth SGLG award after previous wins in 2016, 2019, 2023, and 2024.

The assessment involved interviews, on-site inspections, and document validation covering key areas such as financial administration, disaster preparedness, social protection, health compliance, education, business-friendliness, environmental management, safety, peace and order, and tourism development.

Adrian Thomas Colasito, local government monitoring and evaluation division assistant chief and regional assessment team leader, stressed that mindful decision-making by local officials directly affects the lives of citizens.

Region VIII remains the only region in the country to conduct the SGLG Champions assessment, according to the regional office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government Regional Office.

This latest award underscores Samar’s dedication to good governance and its drive to deliver efficient, responsive services to its constituents.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY– Emphasizing a leadership style grounded in communication, transparency, and proactive support, PB\Gen. Jason Capoy led a face-to-face engagement with officers of the Leyte Police Provincial Office or LPPO, marking his first official command visit since taking the helm of Philippine National Police Regional Office.

The “Hear Your Men” initiative serves as a direct feedback mechanism between the regional leadership and frontline personnel, providing a platform to address operational challenges, resource needs, and welfare concerns.

In his address, Capoy reaffirmed his commitment to frontline empowerment and operational integrity, stressing the critical role of body-worn cameras in daily law enforcement. He described BWCs as not only essential tools in deterring crime but also as a vital means to enhance public trust and ensure police accountability.

“We want the people to see that we are professionals doing our duty with integrity. These cameras protect not just the public, but also our personnel in the performance of their duties,” Capoy said.

He encouraged LPPO officers to maintain consistent use of BWCs during operations, aligning with national directives for increased transparency and professionalism.

Meanwhile, LPPO Provincial Director Col. Dionisio Apas, Jr. expressed appreciation for the regional director’s leadership approach, which he said prioritizes both operational efficiency and the morale of police personnel.

“This kind of leadership strengthens our confidence and reminds us that we are not working in isolation. We are grateful for a regional director who listens,” Apas stated.

The dialogue also allowed officers to raise concerns and propose recommendations directly to Capoy—an approach he assured would continue across the region to foster an inclusive and responsive command environment.

The initiative underscores PRO8’s broader mission to modernize police operations, uplift personnel welfare, and deepen community trust across Eastern Visayas.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY —Government troops under the 63rd Infantry Battalion overran a New People’s Army (NPA) encampment in an upland village of Llorente, Eastern Samar, following an hour-long gun battle with suspected communist rebels.

According to a report from the 8th Infantry Division’s Public Affairs Office, soldiers launched the operation after receiving information from residents about armed men allegedly extorting food and supplies from civilians.

The armed group was identified as remnants of the Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Sesame of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC), which has been weakened by successive military operations in recent years.

Troops recovered two M16 rifles, a .45 caliber pistol, ammunition, magazines, subversive documents, five backpacks, and other war materials from the abandoned camp.

Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, commander of the 8th Infantry Division, credited the success of the operation to the cooperation of local communities, saying it reflects the growing unity between the public and the security sector in countering communist influence in the region.

“The courage of our people to stand against intimidation and provide critical information reflects the unity of the community and government in putting an end to the abuses of the Communist Terrorist Group,” Orio said.

He urged remaining rebels to lay down their arms and rejoin their families, emphasizing the government’s offer of reintegration support. “There is no honor in wasting innocent lives in a lawless fight. The government has better plans for you. Surrender now while you still can,” Orio added.

The clash highlights the military’s continuing campaign to dismantle the remaining guerrilla fronts of the communist insurgency in Eastern Visayas—once a stronghold of the New People’s Army but now significantly weakened by sustained security operations.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Northern Samar 2nd District Rep. Edwin Ongchuan has welcomed the Department of Education’s (DepEd) new policy granting overtime pay to public school teachers, describing it as a “long-overdue recognition” of their sacrifices.

The policy, issued under DepEd Order No. 26, series of 2025, entitles teachers to 125 percent of their hourly rate for overtime on weekdays and 150 percent on weekends, holidays, and special non-working days. Teachers may also opt to convert excess hours into vacation service credits, giving them the choice between monetary or non-monetary benefits.

Ongchuan, who serves as vice chair of the House committee on appropriations, thanked Education Secretary Sonny Angara for approving the measure.

He noted that he has long pushed for initiatives to improve the welfare of educators, including increased hazard pay for teachers on election duty.

“This is a significant step toward valuing teachers as frontliners in our education system,” Ongchuan said. “It affirms the dignity of their work and provides fair compensation that strengthens morale and professional well-being.”

The congressman said the new overtime pay policy complements earlier efforts to streamline teachers’ duties and clarify overload compensation, signaling a more holistic approach to addressing their workload.

He pledged to continue collaborating with DepEd and other stakeholders to advance policies that protect teachers’ rights and improve their working conditions.

Education advocates have long called for measures to reduce or properly compensate the extra hours teachers spend preparing lessons, supervising activities, and supporting students beyond classroom hours. With this latest reform, Ongchuan said, the sacrifices of teachers are “finally being acknowledged and rewarded in concrete terms.”

(JOEY A. GABIETA)