TACLOBAN CITY— Sixty-three residents from Hilongos, Leyte, including farmers and former seafarers, have received P2 million worth of livelihood assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office.

According to DOLE-8, the aid was distributed through its West Leyte Field Office (WLFO) on October 3 under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), the agency’s flagship initiative that aims to reduce poverty by supporting marginalized and vulnerable sectors.
Two beneficiary groups — the San Isidro Farmers Association of Barangay San Isidro and the Hilongos Seafarers Association of Barangay San Juan — each received a livelihood package for a hog fattening project worth P1 million. The assistance included 100 piglets and 100 sacks of feeds per association.

Hilongos Mayor Manuel Villahermosa and senior labor and employment officer Darwinda Labastida, who also serves as the WLFO livelihood program focal person, led the turnover ceremonies held in the respective barangays.

Members of both associations expressed their gratitude to DOLE, saying the assistance would help them recover from economic hardships and provide more stable income sources for their families.

Barangay officials and public employment service office (PESO) manager Giovani Olo, along with barangay captains Reynaldo Tuco of San Isidro and Carmen Virdejo of San Juan, also attended the turnover and thanked the labor department for supporting local livelihood initiatives.

(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY – A drunk farmer was arrested after allegedly firing shots at a fisherman in Barangay 8, Pambujan, Northern Samar, as police heightened their campaign against criminality in the province.

The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), under Regional Director PB/Gen. Jason Capoy, reported that the suspect, identified only as “Obet,” 41, fired three shots at his neighbor, “Mel,” 34, a fisherman, during an altercation on October 6, 2025. Fortunately, none of the shots hit the victim.

Police said the incident occurred while the suspect was reportedly under the influence of liquor. The victim immediately sought assistance from the 2nd Northern Samar Police Mobile Force Company (2nd NSPMFC), prompting officers to launch a swift response operation that led to the suspect’s arrest.

Authorities recovered a caliber .22 revolver loaded with six live ammunition from the suspect. The firearm was inventoried in the presence of a witness and the suspect, following proper legal procedures.

Capoy commended the quick and coordinated action of the responding personnel. “We commend our personnel for the prompt apprehension of the suspect and the recovery of the firearm. This reflects PRO-8’s strong commitment to ensuring public safety and maintaining peace in our communities,” he said.

The suspect and the confiscated firearm have been turned over to the Pambujan Municipal Police Station for proper disposition and filing of appropriate charges.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

ORMOC CITY – The Net Zero Carbon Alliance (NZCA) has expanded its membership to 41 private companies after welcoming eight new members this year, underscoring the growing commitment of the Philippine business sector to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.

The announcement was made during the 2025 Philippine Net Zero Conference held on September 18 at SMX Aura, Taguig City, which gathered business leaders, government officials, and climate advocates to discuss challenges and share solutions in the country’s transition toward a low-carbon economy.

Now on its fourth year, the conference—organized by NZCA with support from the Southeast Asia Corporate Decarbonization Exchange (CDx)—shifted focus from corporate pledges to practical actions. This year’s sessions provided companies with technical guidance, case studies, and partnership opportunities to accelerate their decarbonization programs.

Launched in 2021 by First Gen Corporation, NZCA began with seven founding members and has since shown consistent growth: seven new members each in 2022 and 2023, 12 in 2024, and eight this year. It also collaborates with eight partner enablers, including the Climate Change Commission, Eco-Business, and the Oscar M. Lopez Center.

Led by Atty. Allan Barcena, Executive Director, and Frances L. Ariola, Lead Convenor, the alliance unites companies from diverse sectors—energy, ICT, aviation, construction, education, consumer goods, and manufacturing—all working toward measurable carbon reduction and sustainability goals.

“Businesses are central to meeting the Philippines’ climate commitments, but many still face challenges in funding, technology, and tools to put net-zero strategies in place,” NZCA organizers said in a statement.

Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla delivered the keynote address, joined by Energy Secretary Sharon Garin and Bukidnon 1st District Representative Jose Manuel Alba, author of the proposed Low Carbon Economy Investment Bill. International experts such as Makoto Kato of Japan’s Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center and Amanpreet Singh of MUFG Bank APAC also discussed how sustainability drives both economic and environmental resilience.

The Philippines, one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies yet among the most climate-vulnerable nations, has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030 under its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement.

Formed by First Gen Corporation, NZCA provides a six-step framework to guide businesses in measuring, reducing, and offsetting their carbon footprint. This year, the alliance released its first Impact Report, which highlighted the emissions reduction progress and sustainability milestones of its pioneer members.

“The steady growth of NZCA reflects the rising commitment of businesses to protect the environment while keeping operations sustainable,” the alliance said.

The conference also featured CDx Fishbowl Sessions, interactive discussions that encouraged knowledge exchange and collaborative problem-solving to address corporate decarbonization challenges.

Energy Development Corporation (EDC), a subsidiary of First Gen and the country’s leading producer of 100% renewable energy, continues to play a central role in supporting NZCA’s mission.

EDC’s total capacity of 1,388.8 megawatts accounts for nearly 17% of the Philippines’ renewable energy output, derived from: geothermal: 1,094.8 MW; wind: 150 MW; hydro: 132 MW; and solar: 12 MW.

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)

BAYBAY CITY – As disasters and public emergencies continue to pose challenges in the delivery of government services, the need for trained and upskilled government information officers has never been more urgent.

This was the resounding message from the recently concluded Orientation on Crisis Communication for Government Information Officers and Media Practitioners held this week by the Philippine Information Agency in Eastern Visayas held in Baybay City.

The activity conducted came in the heels of the onslaught of two typhoons, Typhoons Nando and Opong, and a 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Cebu which rocked many regions including Eastern Visayas.

The government information officers who were from different provincial government agencies in Leyte and regional government offices participated in the one-day activity that introduced them to crisis communication and familiarized on effective communication strategies during high-pressure situations to manage public perception and media relations during crises

PIA-8 Regional Head Reyan Arinto said during the activity that crisis communication is about protecting public trust, managing fear, and guiding communities to safety during crises such as natural disasters, health outbreaks, security threats, and misinformation incidents.

“We endeavor to capacitate our government information officers with crisis communication strategies to ensure that the right message reaches the right people at the right time,” Arinto said.

It was stressed that in high-stakes situations such as natural disasters, public health emergencies, or civil unrest, government information officers must coordinate with multiple agencies, verify facts quickly, and use every available channel—from social media and press briefings to SMS alerts—to keep the public informed.

Civil Defense Officer Maria Lourdes Dela Calzada from the Office of Civil Defense in the region who served as one of the resource speakers emphasized that clear, coordinated, and compassionate communication is a key component of disaster response and recovery.

One of the critical takeaways was the importance of pre-crisis planning — having communication protocols, pre-drafted messages, and designated spokespersons ready even before a disaster hits.

Meanwhile Leyte 5th District Board Member Carlo P. Loreto, who chairs the Sangguniang Panlalawigan committee on public information stressed that government information officers are not just messengers but “strategic responders” who must work closely with decision-makers, technical experts, and the media to ensure that the public receives accurate and coordinated updates.

With social media reaching people faster than other medium of communication, one of the biggest challenges these days is combating misinformation, he said.

“Misinformation spreads faster than floods. If we are silent or delayed, we allow fear and rumors to take over,” Loreto said.

He called for stronger inter-agency coordination and the establishment of localized communication protocols while urging the government agencies to invest in training and equipping their information officers with the tools and authority needed to act swiftly during crises.

(AHLETTE C.REYES,PIA-8)

ORMOC CITY— A 28-year-old farmer was arrested by local police on Wednesday morning, October 1, in Sitio Tuburan, Barangay Pawikan, Cabucgayan, Biliran for his alleged involvement in illegal gambling.

Police identified the suspect as alias “Mark,” single, and a resident of the same barangay.
The arrest was carried out by virtue of a warrant of arrest dated September 24, 2025, issued by Judge Anabelle Donasco-Balledo, acting presiding judge of the 2nd Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) of Biliran–Cabucgayan.

The warrant stemmed from a case filed for violation of Presidential Decree 1602, which penalizes illegal gambling activities.

The court set bail at P10,000 for the suspect’s temporary release.

Police said the accused was informed of the nature of his arrest and apprised of his constitutional rights in a language he understood. He was then brought to the Cabucgayan Municipal Police Station for booking and documentation prior to turnover to the issuing court for proper disposition.

(ROBERT DEJON)