TACLOBAN CITY — The provincial government of Eastern Samar is set to roll out new public market project in the municipality of Giporlos this year, aiming to improve trading conditions and stimulate local economic activity, particularly for fisherfolk and small vendors.

Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone said the construction of a new wet public market, funded by the provincial government, forms part of a broader initiative to modernize local marketplaces and support grassroots livelihoods.

The planned facility is expected to provide a more sanitary, organized, and accessible venue for vendors, especially those selling fresh fish and other perishable goods, helping reduce spoilage and improve product quality.

During a recent site inspection, Evardone was joined by Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales, who expressed support for the initiative and committed to funding the construction of a separate dry public market to complement the wet market and expand business opportunities in the area.

Local officials, including Mayor Gilberto Go and Vice Mayor Christopher Go, also took part in the inspection, assessing the site’s readiness and coordinating preparations for the project’s implementation.

Once completed, the twin market facilities are expected to enhance the town’s trading environment, increase vendors’ income potential, and contribute to more efficient food distribution—key drivers in boosting Giporlos’ local economy.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Almost 80,000 public school teachers nationwide have been promoted since August 2025 under the Expanded Career Progression System, Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said.

Acidre, chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education and principal author of the measure, said the rollout of the reform was made possible through the support of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara.

He cited figures presented by Marcos during a recent mass oath taking of newly promoted teachers in Capiz, which he said reflect the early implementation gains of Republic Act No. 12288.

The law establishes a merit-based promotion framework that broadens teaching ranks and allows educators to advance through reclassification, instead of relying solely on the availability of vacant plantilla positions.

Acidre said the reform is designed to address long-standing concerns over limited promotion opportunities in the education sector, noting that it recognizes teachers’ years of service and professional growth.

“This is not merely a promotion system. It is a recognition of the dignity of the teaching profession,” he said, adding that the new structure allows educators to progress in their careers without being constrained by plantilla vacancies.

He expressed confidence that the expanded system will help reduce career stagnation among teachers and further strengthen the country’s public education workforce.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — More than 67,000 indigent senior citizens across Eastern Visayas have received their first-quarter social pension for 2026, as the government continues its support for vulnerable elderly residents in the region.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) office in the region, in coordination with 36 local government units (LGUs), distributed P3,000 each to beneficiaries of the Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens, covering January to March 2026.

A total of 67,577 senior citizens across the region benefited from the payout, with a total disbursement reaching P202.7 million, according to the agency.

The largest share of beneficiaries came from Leyte with 24,858 recipients, followed by 18,696 in Samar and 11,142 in Southern Leyte. In the smaller island provinces, Biliran recorded 4,726 beneficiaries, Eastern Samar had 4,788, while Northern Samar accounted for 3,367 recipients.

The agency, meanwhile, reminded LGUs to promptly submit liquidation reports to ensure the smooth processing of succeeding fund releases.

The Social Pension Program provides a monthly stipend of P1,000, released on a quarterly basis, to indigent senior citizens aged 60 and above who are frail, sickly, or living with disabilities, and who have no regular income, pension, or financial support from family members.

Last year, DSWD- 8 reported a total disbursement of P854 million to more than 284,000 beneficiaries across all 143 LGUs in Eastern Visayas.

Officials said the program remains a critical intervention to help elderly Filipinos meet basic daily needs amid rising living costs.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Around 200 youth leaders from across Eastern Visayas convened in the city on April 22 for “Urban Bayanihan 2026,” an Earth Day summit aimed at mobilizing young people to take a more active role in addressing climate change and promoting environmental sustainability.

Held at Pacific Point in line with the observance of International Earth Day, the gathering underscored Tacloban’s continuing push for climate resilience more than a decade after the devastation of Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’, which exposed the city’s vulnerability to extreme weather events.

Organizers said the summit served as a platform for collaboration and dialogue, encouraging youth participation in environmental protection and community-based initiatives. Participants engaged in discussions and workshops focused on building resilient and inclusive communities amid the growing impacts of climate change.

A highlight of the event was an interactive booth showcase featuring 11 youth-led organizations presenting their climate advocacies and community projects.

Among the participating groups were The Weekender, Estrella Genoring, JJC Metro Tacloban Ruperto Kangleon, Rotaract Club of San Juanico, Brgy. 60 YHES Organization, Panaad Ha Sinirangan AYEJ-Leyte, Tala EcoFloss, Young Entrepreneurs Society, Youth Innovators, Tacloban Mountaineering Advocates Club, and Sumusip Young Builders.

Rasheed Luke Abordo, one of the exhibitors, welcomed the opportunity to connect with fellow advocates. “I love the community that we have here in Tacloban because we are surrounded by like-minded individuals who also stand for the environment,” he said.

The event also featured creative competitions, including poster-making, slogan writing, and siday (poetry), all centered on raising awareness about environmental responsibility.

Project lead Aron Sedrick Caminong said the turnout exceeded expectations, noting the participation of youth leaders from across the region.

“The goal is to unite youth leaders in Tacloban City, but we were surprised to have registrants from across Eastern Visayas,” he said. “We want the youth to feel inspired and to realize that they are not alone in pushing for climate action.”

Organizers said the initiative highlights the critical role of the youth in advancing sustainability efforts, emphasizing that collective action at the community level can drive meaningful environmental change.

(RICARDO TODIO, LNU STUDENT INTERN)