ORMOC CITY — Ten houses were completely destroyed while another was partially damaged after a fire allegedly set by a resident swept through Phase 3, Sitio San Roque, Barangay Larrazabal on Friday evening, April 24.

Police identified the suspect as alias “Mike,” 29, single, unemployed, and a resident of the area. He is currently detained at the municipal police station.

According to initial investigation, the suspect reportedly became enraged over a missing cellphone and allegedly threatened to burn down the neighborhood if it was not found. Shortly after, the fire broke out at around 6:30 p.m.

Witnesses said the suspect even shouted “Happy New Year!” as flames began to spread.
The fire quickly escalated due to the houses being made mostly of wood and other light materials, prompting authorities to raise a second alarm. Fire trucks from neighboring towns—Almeria, Biliran, Cabucgayan, and Kawayan—were deployed to assist in containing the blaze.

Firefighters managed to control the fire by 6:57 p.m. and fully extinguished it by 7:14 p.m., preventing further spread to nearby homes.

The suspect was arrested through a hot pursuit operation with the help of his relatives. Authorities said he was informed of the nature of his arrest and his constitutional rights in a language he understands.

No injuries were reported, but the fire caused an estimated P442,000 in damage.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — A new workplace-based training program aimed at closing the gap between education and employment was formally launched in Eastern Visayas, with Rep. Jude Acidre of Tingog party-list leading the rollout of the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) initiative in the city.

The regional launch, held at ACLC Tacloban Fatima Campus on April 20, gathered key stakeholders from government, industry, and technical-vocational sectors to support the implementation of Republic Act No. 12063, a measure that promotes learning within actual workplace environments.

Rep. Acidre said the EBET program is designed to make skills training more responsive to industry needs by immersing learners in real job settings. He emphasized that the approach helps address persistent challenges such as job-skills mismatch and limited work experience among graduates.

The law positions industries as active partners in designing training programs, ensuring that competencies developed by trainees are aligned with current labor market demands. Among its key goals are improving employability, strengthening industry-led training systems, and creating a more job-ready workforce.

The initiative also highlights the role of collaboration among the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), business groups, and educational institutions in expanding access to relevant training opportunities across the region.

Acidre acknowledged the support of TESDA Director General Jose Francisco Benitez and Deputy Director General Dan Navarro, as well as the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for backing the program’s rollout.

He said EBET ultimately aims to bring employment opportunities closer to local communities, enabling more Filipinos—particularly in Eastern Visayas—to access stable jobs without needing to migrate elsewhere for work.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — In a push toward safer and more sustainable farming, the regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA-8) has introduced biological control agents in Palompon, Leyte to help farmers manage crop pests while reducing dependence on chemical pesticides.

The initiative, carried out on April 14–15 through the agency’s Regional Crop Protection Center, involved the distribution of various biological control agents (BCAs) to the Municipal Agriculture Office for use in local farms and demonstration sites.

Among the agents deployed were earwigs and beneficial organisms such as Trichogramma chilonis, Trichogramma evanescens, and Metarhizium anisopliae, along with wood vinegar. These were introduced in demo areas in Sitio Kamalig, Barangay Taberna, and at the municipal nursery in Barangay Central II.

Agriculture officials said the BCAs are designed to combat major pests affecting corn and vegetable crops, including fall armyworm, corn borers, fruit borers, and earworms—pests that have long impacted farm productivity in the region.

During the rollout, DA-8 personnel conducted field demonstrations on the proper release of earwigs and Trichogramma species in corn fields. Local agricultural technicians were also trained on the correct application of these biological agents and oriented on services offered by the crop protection center.

To ensure sustainability, a hands-on training on the rearing and mass production of predatory earwigs was also held at the municipal nursery, enabling local technicians to continue producing the agents for future use.

The program forms part of the DA’s broader strategy to promote climate-resilient and environmentally friendly agricultural practices across Eastern Visayas, helping farmers maintain yields while protecting soil health and surrounding ecosystems.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — After years of security efforts and inter-agency collaboration, the municipality of Calbiga in Samar has been officially placed under a Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC), signaling the absence of active armed threats and a strengthened environment for development.

The declaration, made on April 23, was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of understanding among local officials, security forces, and partner agencies, marking a milestone in the town’s transition toward sustained peace and stability.

Mayor Red Nacario described the development as a crucial step in advancing long-term progress in the municipality, emphasizing that peace is a foundation for inclusive growth.
“Peace is not merely the absence of conflict—it is the presence of trust and shared purpose. Peace is the foundation of progress, resilience, and inclusive development,” Nacario said during the ceremony.

The SIPSC status indicates that Calbiga has met key security benchmarks, including the neutralization of insurgency-related threats, improved governance, and stronger cooperation between authorities and communities. The town, like many parts of Samar, had previously faced challenges related to insurgency, making the declaration a significant achievement.

Local officials attributed the milestone to the combined efforts of the local government unit, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, national government agencies, and active participation from barangay officials and residents.

In a message from Major Gen. Peter Bergunio, commander of the 8th Infantry Division, read by Assistant Division Commander Col. Rico Amaro, the military lauded Calbiga’s progress toward becoming an insurgency-free municipality.

“Ang tagumpay na ito ay hindi lamang tagumpay ng mga Calbiganon kundi ng buong probinsya ng Samar, bunga ng kolektibong sakripisyo at pagkakaisa ng bawat sektor ng gobyerno na naniniwala na ang kapayapaang tinatamasa natin ngayon ay hindi lamang isang pangarap kundi isang katotohanan,” the message read.

Authorities said the SIPSC declaration is expected to boost investor confidence, accelerate development initiatives, and improve the delivery of basic services in the town.

The local government, meanwhile, reaffirmed its commitment to sustain peacebuilding efforts and maintain close coordination with stakeholders to ensure that stability translates into lasting and inclusive development.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — In a move to improve emergency response and disaster preparedness along a critical inter-provincial route, the city government of Calbayog City and the municipality of Lope de Vega, Northern Samar have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) formalizing closer cooperation in disaster risk reduction and management.

The agreement was sealed during a ceremony held on April 20 at the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall in Lope de Vega, led by Calbayog City Mayor Raymund Uy and Lope de Vega Mayor Bobby Sulidario.

At the core of the partnership is the joint management of emergencies along the Calbayog–Catarman Road, a vital transport corridor linking Samar and Northern Samar that has been prone to vehicular accidents and other emergencies.

Under the MOA, the two local government units (LGUs) agreed to establish coordinated mechanisms for rapid response, including cross-border deployment of rescue and medical teams. The agreement also covers joint trainings and simulation exercises, as well as the sharing of facilities, communication systems, and technical expertise.

Both LGUs committed to maintaining open and synchronized communication lines during emergencies to ensure faster coordination and response.

Funding for the initiative will be sourced from each LGU’s disaster risk reduction and management funds, with cost-sharing arrangements in place for large-scale incidents.

Mayor Uy emphasized that the agreement reflects the need for collaboration in addressing risks that affect neighboring communities. He added that the partnership could later expand to include cooperation in livelihood development and agricultural trade.

Local officials said the pact is expected to significantly improve response time, strengthen coordination, and enhance overall disaster preparedness in both Samar and Northern Samar—areas frequently exposed to natural hazards and road-related incidents.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)