ORMOC CITY— A 72-year-old widow and her 17-year-old granddaughter died on the spot after being hit by a black Ford pickup truck while crossing the national highway in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Baybay City at around 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 27.
The victims, identified by police as alias “Lolit” and her granddaughter alias “Trish,” were residents of Barangay San Isidro of said city.
Initial police investigation revealed that the SUV, driven by a 40-year-old man identified as alias “Ed” from Barangay Maslug, was heading from Baybay City proper toward Albuera, Leyte when it struck the victims. Due to the impact, both were reportedly thrown about 60 feet from the point of collision and sustained fatal injuries.
Responding police officers said they were alerted to the incident by a concerned citizen. The driver was brought to Immaculate Conception Hospital for medical attention due to high blood pressure and is now under police custody for proper disposition.
The victims’ remains were brought to a local funeral home before being returned to their family.
The Department of Public Works and Highways – Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office (DPWH-NSSDEO) joined the 33rd Kauswagan Caravan offering essential services in the Camporicay District, Laoang, Northern Samar, last January 16, 2025.
The Kauswagan Caravan, led by the Provincial Government of Northern Samar under the leadership of Governor Edwin Marino C. Ongchuan, a multi-sectoral cooperation aimed at providing services to local communities, was enhanced by the participation of various private sector partners supporting the Provincial Government. Together, both government and private sectors delivered essential services, improving access to healthcare, education, and community welfare for the residents of the island town of Laoang, the Camporicay District, consisting of Brgys. Cagaasan, Canyomanao, Sangcol, G.B. Tan and Suba.
Moreover, the program intends to help Nortehanons by bringing the services not only by the Provincial Government but also by the private sector partners closer to them.
NSSDEO’s services includes the distribution of informative communication materials that highlight various completed projects within the municipality of Laoang. The office also received resolutions submitted by barangay officials, fostering collaboration and addressing local infrastructure needs and concerns.
The attendance of the NSSDEO during the caravan is a manifestation of serving the people of Northern Samar. Working together with the Provincial Government of Northern Samar allows the office to enhance the quality of services delivered.
The said program is part of a broader initiative by the Provincial Government to raise community engagement and support local needs through direct service delivery. As the event concluded, beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the collaborative spirit that strengthened the caravan’s ongoing efforts to uplift communities across the province.
SCI-FI FLOATS. As Ormoc City celebrated its annual fiesta on June 29, colorful floats inspired from science fiction movies paraded around the city’s main streets. The winners of the float competition received cash prizes. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
SCI-FI FLOATS. As Ormoc City celebrated its annual fiesta on June 29, colorful floats inspired from science fiction movies paraded around the city’s main streets. The winners of the float competition received cash prizes. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
ORMOC CITY — A dazzling sci-fi-inspired float titled ‘Space Exploration’ by Rex Morales Construction took home the grand prize in this year’s Parade of Lights, one of the highlights of Ormoc City’s annual fiesta celebration held every June 29 in honor of Saints Peter and Paul.
The winning float, which featured futuristic elements and space-themed designs, bested seven other entries to claim the top prize of P500,000.
First runner-up went to Monster Inc., a vibrant float by ‘E Garage’, which earned P400,000. The second runner-up spot was awarded to ‘Mulan’, a float inspired by the iconic warrior princess and created by Tanaeñ Photo and Video, winning P300,000.
The remaining participants, though not placing in the top three, each received a consolation prize of P100,000.
This year’s Parade of Lights, themed around science fiction and Hollywood films, saw eight contingents parading from the newly constructed Badminton Gym in Barangay Juaton to the Ormoc City Plaza, drawing large crowds and brightening the city streets with creative and illuminated floats.
The city government has vowed to make future editions of the parade “grander and more spectacular,” building on the growing popularity of the annual event.
MACROHON, SOUTHERN LEYTE– The Philippine Statistics Authority Regional Statistical Services Office VIII (PSA RSSO 8), in collaboration with PSA Southern Leyte, successfully conducted the National ID Awareness Forum and Authentication Services Integration Coordination Meeting for Relying Parties.
The event took place on June 24, 2025, at Kuting Reef in Macrohon, Southern Leyte. We were honored to have key PSA officials grace the event, including Deputy National Statistician (DNS) Rosalinda P. Bautista, OIC National Statistician Atty. Henedine P. Palabras, and Government Service Use Case Division Chief Oliver P. Chancoco.
This initiative provided a platform to orient Local Government Units (LGUs) in Southern Leyte, National Government Agencies (NGAs), academic institutions, hospitals, banks, and other private sector entities about the National ID System and National ID Authentication Services (NIDAS).
A significant highlight of the event was the live demonstration by the Maasin City LGU on how NIDAS has been integrated into their Records Verification System (RVS), currently utilized at the City Civil Registry Office.
Maasin City is the first LGU in the Visayas regions to achieve the integration, and strongly encourage all LGUs present to replicate the milestone, which undoubtedly propel streamlined transactions and efficient digitalization services.
The presenters during the forum included Marife R. Molon, Registration Officer III and Regional Focal Person; Ms. Raylene R. Ricarte, Registration Officer II and PSA Southern Leyte NID Focal Person; and Ariel Cortel, Administrative Assistant II from LGU Maasin City. PSA officials also appealed for the assistance of all stakeholders in disseminating the importance of registering for the National ID System and addressed questions from the media and attendees.
For inquiries and further information, please visit the PSA’s official website at www.psa.gov.ph or contact our office at (053) 839-1884 or rsso08@psa.gov.ph.(PR)
TACLOBAN CITY– Eastern Visayas’ fishery production in the first quarter of 2025 was recorded at 21,787 metric tons (MT), lower by 8.9 percent compared with the 23,905 MT production of the same quarter in 2024. This was brought about by the decreases in the production of municipal and aquaculture fisheries at 14.7 percent and 0.9 percent, respectively.
On the other hand, commercial fisheries posted an increase in production by 6.2 percent recorded at 5,604 MT during the first quarter of 2025 from 5,276 MT in the same quarter of 2024 (Figure 1).
Commercial fishing increased by 6.2%, from 5,276 MT in the first quarter of 2024 to 5,604 MT in the same quarter of 2025. It accounted for 25.7 percent of Eastern Visayas’ total fisheries production in the first quarter of 2025.
Municipal fishing posted a production of 14,057 MT in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting a 14.7 percent decline from the 16,483 MT produced during the same quarter of 2024.
Accounting for the largest contributor of the region’s fishery production, municipal fishing had a total share of 64.5 percent in the first quarter of 2025.
Aquaculture, accounting for 9.8 percent of the region’s fishery production, slightly went down by 0.9 percent from 2,146 MT in the first quarter of 2024 to 2,126 MT in the same quarter of 2025.
Eastern Visayas ranked fourth among the regions with the lowest fishery production during the first quarter of 2025. (PR)
ECOTOURISM SITE. Northern Samar Rep. Edwin Ongchuan has filed a bill making the Pinusilan Blue Lagoon in Mapanas town as an ecotourism site. Pinusilan, known for its turquoise waters and natural pool, is among Northern Samar’s top tourism draws. (THE NORTHERN SAMAR PROVINCIAL TOURISM OFFICE)
TACLOBAN CITY – A measure seeking to declare the Pinusilan Blue Lagoon in Mapanas, Northern Samar, as an ecotourism site has been filed in the House of Representatives, aiming to promote sustainable tourism and spur economic activity in the province.
ECOTOURISM SITE. Northern Samar Rep. Edwin Ongchuan has filed a bill making the Pinusilan Blue Lagoon in Mapanas town as an ecotourism site. Pinusilan, known for its turquoise waters and natural pool, is among Northern Samar’s top tourism draws. (THE NORTHERN SAMAR PROVINCIAL TOURISM OFFICE)
Filed by Northern Samar 2nd District Representative Edwin Ongchuan, the proposed measure, titled the “Pinusilan Blue Lagoon Ecotourism Act,” outlines plans to protect and develop the natural attraction known for its turquoise waters and unique tunnel formations that connect to the Pacific Ocean.
“The Pinusilan Blue Lagoon is a picturesque natural attraction,” Ongchuan noted in the bill’s explanatory note. “Its declaration as an ecotourism site will foster greater public appreciation of natural heritage and promote the conservation of biodiversity.”
Under the bill, the Department of Tourism (DOT), in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the local government of Mapanas, and other concerned agencies, is mandated to prepare a comprehensive tourism development plan within one year of the law’s effectivity.
The plan will include the construction and maintenance of tourism infrastructure, while ensuring the preservation of the area’s natural resources.
The proposed measure also mandates the DOT to integrate the development of the Pinusilan Blue Lagoon into the National Tourism Development Plan, as stipulated under Republic Act No. 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009.
Once enacted, the DOT is also tasked to include the necessary funding in its annual budget, to be supported through the General Appropriations Act and the agency’s internally generated funds.
Rep. Ongchuan expressed hope that the bill’s passage will attract investments, create employment opportunities, and empower local communities through inclusive and sustainable tourism.
The bill is currently awaiting number assignment and committee deliberation in the House.
