“Mabuhay!”

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Tourism (DOT) in the region recognized outstanding partners in the tourism sector who exemplified the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) during a regional appreciation ceremony held on Thursday, July 31 as part of its continuing efforts to elevate service standards in Eastern Visayas.

The DOT8 2025 FBSE Appreciation Ceremony honored institutions and individuals who demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting quality customer service that reflects core Filipino values such as warmth, hospitality, and respect.

Tourism Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes led the awarding ceremony, praising the honorees for their active role in implementing the FBSE program, which has become a cornerstone of the DOT’s service quality campaign nationwide.

The awardees included the city government of Baybay; Leyte Normal University – Tacloban Campus; STI – Ormoc Campus; Northwest Samar State University (NWSSU) – Calbayog City; St. Scholastica’s College – Tacloban; ABE International Business College – Tacloban Campus; Ialodge – Ormoc City; Carlosta Hotel – Ormoc City; and Zpad Residences – Tacloban City

DOT-accredited FBSE resource speakers were also acknowledged, namely, Jerick Florano, Antonio Cinco, Jr., Emily Jill Nival, Cyril Jose Ignacio, and Raymund Ronald Ricafort of the Calbayog City Tourism Office.

The FBSE program, initiated during the tenure of former DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and continued under current Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, focuses on incorporating Filipino culture and identity into front-line tourism services.

A central feature of the program is the institutionalized use of “Mabuhay” as a standard greeting, symbolizing the Filipino spirit of hospitality.

“Mabuhay was institutionalized by the DOT as a gesture of warm welcome and show of respect to our guests,” said Tiopes, who also encouraged local government units (LGUs), including those at the barangay level, to adopt ordinances mandating its use in tourism-related establishments.

Baybay City, she noted, was the first LGU in the region to pass such an ordinance, further underscoring its leadership in tourism development and service innovation.

“Thank you for walking the talk,” Tiopes told the awardees, adding that FBSE principles come naturally to many Filipinos because they reflect traits already deeply embedded in Filipino culture.

The ceremony serves not only as a recognition of exemplary service but also as a call for other stakeholders to embrace and promote the FBSE philosophy as the region continues to strengthen its position as an emerging tourism destination.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

Catarman N. Samar-To provide better access to the local populace and improve agricultural transport, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)- Northern Samar 1st District Engineering Office is currently undertaking the construction of Phase IV of the Farm-to-Market Road connecting Barangays Polangi to Paticua in Catarman Northern Samar.

The project involves the construction of a two-lane concrete road with a total length of 780 meters, thickness of 0.23-meter, and a width of 3.05 meters. The scope of work also includes excavation, construction of 789 meters road shoulders, trapezoidal lined canal, concrete revetment and provision of 26 meters reinforced concrete pipe culvert RCPC.
District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio revealed that the ongoing Farm-to-Market Road is an answered prayer for local farmers in the area as they need not endure difficulty in walking in a muddy road specially during rainy season just to access services and deliver their farm produce to the market centers.

“Witnessing a habal-habal driver struggle to transport copra on a muddy, uneven road deeply motivated us to push harder toward completing the project on time. It was a clear reminder of how urgently the community needed this road. Every day of delay meant continued hardship for farmers and transport workers who rely on this route to move their produce.” DE Ignacio added.

During an interview, a couple shared how challenging it was to traverse that stretch, especially during rainy season.

“Dako an amon pagpasalamat san gin-upay na an sigad dihan kay maupay na am paglakaw,sadto kakuri labi na gud in mauran, nahadok pa kami kay baha pirme dihan” said Mrs. Constancia Loberiano.

Meanwhile, Mr.Perperencio Loberiano added “Dako an amon pasalamat nga umabot gihapon didi an project san gobyerno,am pangarap nga sigad didi isa amon Barangay, kay makuri an amon transportasyon san amon mga produkto”.

Once completed, the road will significantly improve accessibility in the area, and facilitate the prompt delivery of agricultural products.

The said project is implemented in convergence with the Department of Agriculture (DA) with a total contract amount of Php 24.77-million.

(ANALIZA A. PABIA /PR)

TACLOBAN CITY – Tingog party-list Representative Jude Acidre has been appointed as the new chairperson of the committee on higher and technical education at the House of Representatives, a key leadership role that positions him at the forefront of legislative efforts to shape the future of education in the country.

Acidre expressed deep gratitude for the appointment, calling it both an honor and a responsibility to help chart a more inclusive, responsive, and future-ready educational landscape.

“As chair, I aim to expand access, improve quality, and ensure that higher and technical education responds meaningfully to the needs of both our learners and the industries they will serve,” he said in a statement.

His new post builds on his work as commissioner of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), where he actively pushed for education sector reforms. That experience, he said, further strengthened his commitment to lasting, systemic change.
Acidre emphasized the importance of collaboration and dialogue among government agencies, particularly the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), as well as academic institutions, civil society organizations, and other education stakeholders.

“We want to build a system that empowers every Filipino learner—regardless of background or circumstance—to thrive, contribute, and succeed,” Acidre said. “Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that no Filipino is left behind.”

As head of the House panel, Acidre is expected to play a major role in shaping education policies that support national development and address current gaps in access, affordability, and skills alignment in the higher and technical education sectors.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY– After walking the halls of Harvard, Dr. Ea Kristine Clarisse Tulin-Escueta has returned to her roots—bringing home world-class expertise in biochemistry, glycobiology, and biomedical sciences to the Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City.
Now 29, the VSU alumna recently completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, where she worked on anti-glycan antibodies for diagnostics and treatment. She trained under top global scientists Dr. Richard Cummings in the U.S. and Dr. Atsushi Nishikawa in Japan.

“I’ve always dreamed of returning to the Philippines to do cutting-edge research in the beautiful island of Leyte—to create our version of a science island where industry, government, and academia work together,” she said.

Tulin-Escueta, who now teaches at VSU’s Department of Biotechnology, said coming home was inspired by Filipino scientists like her parents—former VSU president Edgardo Tulin and soil scientist Dr. Anabella Tulin—who chose to serve locally despite global opportunities.
“I was educated to serve as a bridge between the Philippines and the world,” she said, noting her continuing collaborations with institutions in Asia and the U.S.

VSU hailed her as the first “Proud Viscan” to complete a Harvard research fellowship. Her work, the university said, may serve as a key milestone as VSU prepares to open its own College of Medicine.

A magna cum laude and valedictorian at VSU, Tulin-Escueta earned her MS and PhD in Agricultural Sciences from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology.
Now back where her journey began, she hopes to mentor young scientists and help shape a thriving research culture in Eastern Visayas.
(RONALD O. REYES)

TACLOBAN CITY– As the Nutrition Month Celebration in July draw to a close, the focus on food and nutrition as a human right has never been more evident.

With food insecurity and malnutrition affecting millions, the National Nutrition Council in Eastern Visayas pointed out on the growing need for stronger policies, better support for farmers, and equitable food systems that prioritize the rights of every Filipino families to access healthy and nutritious food.

During the Culmination Activity held here, lawyer Rosalina Bascao, the NNC Deputy Executive Director said in a video message that access to nutritious food is a fundamental human right and should be prioritized in national and local development agenda.

“We must remind ourselves that food is not just a commodity, it is a human right. We must build systems that make food accessible, affordable, and nutritious for all Filipinos, especially those who have long been left behind.” Bascao said.

As part of the month-long celebration, NNC also earlier held a National Mayors’ Forum which gathered local chief executives from all over the country with discussions focused on sustaining nutrition leadership gains.

The local chief executives were urged to align LGU programs that champion food and nutrition security year-round, to leading sustained action in their respective communities and building a healthier and more resilient Philippines.

Wasting (or the low weight for the height in children) is an acute form of malnutrition. In the data by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2023, wasting affected 5.1% while stunting was at 25.5% for under-5 Filipino children in the Eastern Visayas region. While on the prevalence of overweight for height among under-5 was at 1.7% and underweight at 15.2%.

The NNC has also called on the continued partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the Department of Social Welfare and Development and various local government units in advocating for a more inclusive approach to food security, one that combines agricultural and social reforms with better nutrition programs for the most vulnerable communities. A shift toward sustainable agriculture, increased funding for health and nutrition programs, and improving food distribution systems are all key components of achieving food and nutrition security.

In the 4th State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the President reported that the Walang Gutom 2027 Food Stamp Program has reached 600,000 poor families all over the country. By 2027, this number will be increased to at least 750,000.
The President also mentioned that the DSWD and DepEd are continuing their feeding programs for daycare centers and public schools, providing nutritious food and milk to over three and a half million students nationwide.

“Basta’t may laman ang tiyan, may laman din ang isipan,” President Marcos said. (As long as the stomach is full, the mind is also full.)

(AHLETTE C. REYES, PIA-8)