TACLOBAN CITY — The municipal government of Catarman in Northern Samar is set to roll out 11 infrastructure projects worth P82 million in 2026, with investments focused on improving roads, water systems, electrification, education, and government facilities to boost public services and local development.
The projects were presented by the Municipal Engineering Office during a pre-procurement meeting convened by Mayor Dianne E. Rosales as part of preparations for their implementation next year.
Eight of the projects, amounting to P40 million, will be funded through the Local Government Support Fund–Support to Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP).
These include electrification projects in Barangays Libjo, Macagtas, and Somoge; the rehabilitation of a farm-to-market road in Barangay Libjo; the concreting of another farm-to-market road in Barangay Macagtas; the construction of a Level I potable water supply system in Barangay Somoge; the construction of a one-storey, two-classroom school building in Barangay Washington; and the rehabilitation and improvement of the Level II potable water supply system in Barangay Washington.
Another P42 million from the municipality’s 20 percent Economic Development Fund has been allocated for three major projects: the P13-million construction of Balay Palangga (Phase II) in Barangay Galutan, the P7-million site development of the Municipal Slaughterhouse (Phase III) in Barangay Libjo, and the P22-million construction of the New Municipal Building (Phase VIII) at the Catarman Government Center in Barangay Macagtas.
During the meeting, Mayor Rosales reminded engineers and project implementers to ensure that the projects are completed efficiently and that public funds are used responsibly.
“In every infrastructure project you undertake, always keep in mind the welfare of the end-users—the people who will benefit from these projects. We should not allow government funds to go to waste,” Rosales said.
The Municipal Engineering Office said the pre-procurement meeting forms part of the government’s preparations to facilitate the timely implementation of the projects.
Supporting parents in education. Parents attending the Supreme Government Parents-Teachers Association (SGPTA) Assembly at San Jose National High School receive snacks provided by Tingog Party-list and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. School officials thanked the party-list for its continued partnership in supporting parents, learners, and the school community.(TINGOG PARTY-LIST FACEBOOK)
Supporting parents in education. Parents attending the Supreme Government Parents-Teachers Association (SGPTA) Assembly at San Jose National High School receive snacks provided by Tingog Party-list and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. School officials thanked the party-list for its continued partnership in supporting parents, learners, and the school community.(TINGOG PARTY-LIST FACEBOOK)
TACLOBAN CITY — Tingog party-list underscored its support for parents and the education sector by providing assistance during the Supreme Government Parents-Teachers Association (SGPTA) Assembly at San Jose National High School, highlighting the importance of stronger collaboration among schools, families, and community partners.
The assistance was acknowledged by San Jose National High School in a social media post thanking Tingog Party-list and House Speaker Martin Romualdez for providing snacks to parents who attended the assembly.
“Our heartfelt appreciation to Tingog party-list and Congressman Martin Romualdez for being our valued partners in education. Thank you for your generous support in providing snacks for our parents during our SGPTA Assembly. Your unwavering commitment and partnership continue to strengthen our school community and make a meaningful difference in the lives of our learners,” the school’s post read.
Sharing the school’s message on its official social media page, Tingog Party-list reaffirmed its commitment to working with schools and parents in advancing the welfare of students and strengthening local communities.
“Katuwang ang mga paaralan at mga magulang, patuloy na makikinig at magsisilbi ang Tingog upang palakasin ang ating komunidad at mabigyan ng mas magandang kinabukasan ang bawat kabataan,” the party-list said.
The initiative reflects the continuing partnership among educators, parents, and community stakeholders in fostering an environment that supports learning and the overall well-being of students.
TACLOBAN CITY — About 5,000 parents across Eastern Visayas have received participation incentives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) after completing the agency’s Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program, which aims to strengthen parental involvement in children’s education while supporting efforts to improve literacy among young learners.
The DSWD-8 completed the distribution of incentives on July 9, with each parent-beneficiary receiving P4,700 after successfully attending the program’s 20-day parenting sessions.
The Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program is a community-based learning initiative that seeks to improve the reading skills of struggling and beginning readers while equipping parents with knowledge and skills that enable them to actively support their children’s education at home.
According to the DSWD, the program encourages parents to become effective learning partners by promoting positive parenting practices and reinforcing the importance of reading and learning within the family.
Aside from the financial assistance, which beneficiaries may use to help meet their children’s educational expenses, many parents said they appreciated the practical lessons and parenting techniques they acquired during the training.
Throughout the 20-day sessions, participants actively engaged in discussions and activities designed to help them better guide and support their children’s learning and overall development.
The beneficiaries came from 12 municipalities and two cities in Samar, as well as the cities of Tacloban, Baybay, and Ormoc in Leyte.
The DSWD said the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program remains one of the agency’s key initiatives to strengthen family participation in education, improve children’s literacy, and promote better learning outcomes through closer collaboration between parents, communities, and schools.
PARTNERSHIP FOR HEALTHIER MOTHERS AND CHILDREN. Officials of the provincial government of Eastern Samar, KOICA, World Vision Philippines, and partner agencies sign a memorandum of agreement in Borongan City on July 10, launching Phase 2 of the Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) Project. The five-year initiative will strengthen maternal and child healthcare services, referral systems, and local health capacities in the municipalities of Giporlos, Jipapad, and Maslog through 2030. (Photo Courtesy:KOICA-World Vision)
PARTNERSHIP FOR HEALTHIER MOTHERS AND CHILDREN. Officials of the provincial government of Eastern Samar, KOICA, World Vision Philippines, and partner agencies sign a memorandum of agreement in Borongan City on July 10, launching Phase 2 of the Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) Project. The five-year initiative will strengthen maternal and child healthcare services, referral systems, and local health capacities in the municipalities of Giporlos, Jipapad, and Maslog through 2030. (Photo Courtesy:KOICA-World Vision)
TACLOBAN CITY — Building on the gains of a successful first phase, the provincial government of Eastern Samar and development partners Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and World Vision Philippines have launched the second phase of a maternal and child health program aimed at improving healthcare services for mothers, newborns, and children in some of the province’s most underserved communities.
The partnership was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) in Borongan City on July 10, marking the start of Phase 2 of the World Vision-KOICA Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) Project, which will run until 2030.
The new five-year phase will focus on strengthening local healthcare systems in the municipalities of Jipapad, Maslog, and Giporlos—areas where access to quality maternal and child healthcare remains a challenge because of their geographical location and limited health resources.
The MNCH Project seeks to reduce maternal and infant deaths by improving prenatal, childbirth, postnatal, and child healthcare services. It also aims to strengthen referral systems, enhance the skills of healthcare workers, improve health facilities, and increase community awareness to ensure mothers and children receive timely and quality medical care.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, World Vision-KOICA MNCH Project Manager Romil Jeffrey Juson said the agreement signifies more than the continuation of a development project.
“Today marks a profound milestone in our collective journey. As we gather to sign this memorandum of agreement, we are not just signing a document; we are renewing our promise to the families, mothers, and children of Eastern Samar,” Juson said.
He noted that although the first phase officially concluded in 2025, the commitment of the provincial government and its partners to improve healthcare remains steadfast.
“A project may have a timeline, but our commitment to human lives and well-being has no expiration date,” he said.
Juson said the second phase will shift its focus toward ensuring that the systems established during the first phase become sustainable, particularly by strengthening the province’s healthcare referral network.
“By strengthening this network, we bridge gaps, streamline services, and build a localized healthcare ecosystem that can withstand future challenges independently,” he said.
He added that the partnership ultimately seeks to support the government’s Universal Health Care (UHC) program by ensuring that every mother has access to safe childbirth services and every child receives quality healthcare.
Project Director Jihwan Jeon underscored South Korea’s continuing commitment to improving maternal and child health outcomes in Eastern Samar.
“To the provincial government and the municipal governments, we deeply appreciate your support for accepting this program,” Jeon said.
He said the launch of the second phase reflects the positive results achieved during the initial implementation of the project.
“So, now we are officially advancing into Phase 2 of the project. We will proudly partner with the provincial government of Eastern Samar and work alongside the municipal governments of Giporlos, Jipapad, and Maslog,” he said.
Jeon also expressed optimism that close collaboration with local government units, the Department of Health, and other stakeholders would ensure the success of the project through 2030.
Representing Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone, Vice Governor Maria Caridad Sison-Goteesan thanked KOICA and World Vision for their continued investment in the province’s healthcare sector, particularly in reaching vulnerable and underserved communities.
She said the partnership reflects the provincial government’s commitment to inclusive healthcare.
“We have long been ranked among the country’s poorest provinces, but with the continued support of KOICA and World Vision, we are confident that we can reach those who have remained underserved and provide them with the healthcare they deserve,” Goteesan said.
She added that the provincial government remains committed to ensuring that no Estehanon is left behind in accessing quality healthcare services.
Since its implementation, the World Vision-KOICA MNCH Project has helped improve maternal and child healthcare in Eastern Samar through health worker training, capacity building, community-based health programs, and the strengthening of referral systems among rural health units and hospitals.
Officials said the second phase aims to institutionalize these gains and build a more resilient and self-reliant healthcare system that will continue benefiting mothers and children long after the project ends.
The threat of an oil shortage now hangs over the Philippines at a time when energy security should have been a national priority. The country’s growing dependence on uncertain foreign sources has exposed it to risks beyond its control. A nation that cannot secure a stable supply of fuel leaves its economy vulnerable to events happening thousands of kilometers away.
The conflict involving Iran has once again reminded the world how dangerous it is to rely heavily on oil routes passing through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the busiest energy corridors on Earth. Even countries that do not directly buy oil from the Middle East eventually feel the consequences because global oil prices react immediately to any disruption in that region. The Philippines is no exception. Rising transport costs, higher electricity prices, and increased production expenses eventually find their way into the daily lives of ordinary citizens.
Faced with these dangers, the Philippines began looking toward Russia as an alternative source of petroleum products. Russian oil appeared to offer relief from supply uncertainties in the Gulf region and promised additional options for local importers. However, an alternative source ceases to be reliable when it is itself trapped in another war and suffering from attacks on its energy infrastructure. The country’s energy strategy cannot depend on a supplier whose own production system is under strain.
Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil facilities have damaged several refineries and disrupted fuel distribution in parts of Russia. Reports of shortages, restrictions on fuel sales, and concerns among Russian consumers have raised questions about the long-term stability of exports from that country. Even if Russia continues exporting oil, supply interruptions and transportation problems can still tighten the global market and push prices upward. The Philippines, as an oil-importing nation, would inevitably absorb much of that increase.
Energy security cannot be built solely on shifting dependence from one foreign supplier to another whenever a crisis erupts elsewhere. The country must strengthen strategic fuel reserves, diversify its suppliers, accelerate investments in renewable energy, and expand domestic energy development wherever feasible. Waiting for the next international conflict before acting would be an expensive mistake that Filipino consumers can no longer afford.
The moment old Chinese maps, tribute records, and ancient trade routes enter the conversation, eyebrows rise, and tempers often follow. Claims suddenly fly that China once owned this island or that sea. I find the subject worth discussing, but only if history is allowed to speak louder than slogans and louder than flags.
Personally, I have never been convinced by the sweeping claim that the Philippine archipelago was historically part of China in the political sense. No respected body of historical evidence shows that Chinese dynasties governed Luzon, Visayas, or Mindanao as provinces of an empire. Yet I also find it equally unwise to pretend that China stood as some distant stranger with no place at all in the long story of these islands.
Long before Spanish ships appeared on the horizon, Chinese traders were already regular visitors to Philippine shores. Excavations in many parts of the country continue to uncover Chinese ceramics, jars, coins, and luxury goods dating back centuries before 1521. The ground itself keeps handing archaeologists receipts from the past. Pottery does not wave a flag, but it does whisper that the sea between the two peoples was more of a bridge than a barrier.
Chinese historical records also contain references to polities in what is now the Philippines. Places such as Ma-i, believed by many scholars to have been in Mindoro, and various communities in Luzon appeared in Chinese writings as trading partners and tributary states. The tribute system, however, was not equivalent to colonial rule or annexation. Many kingdoms from Korea to Southeast Asia participated in it while remaining politically independent.
Then there is the human story written not on paper but on faces and surnames. Chinese migration into the Philippines stretches back many centuries and accelerated during the Spanish period. Today, countless Filipino families carry a thread of Chinese ancestry somewhere in their family trees. The country’s business districts, kitchens, festivals, and even its vocabulary still bear the fingerprints of generations who crossed the sea not as conquerors but as merchants, settlers, and neighbors.
Some historians also point out that parts of northern Luzon maintained especially active exchanges with southern China and the ports of Fujian. Trade winds did what diplomats and armies often failed to do: they connected communities naturally and repeatedly. The South China Sea behaved less like a moat and more like a busy highway crowded with sails, spices, porcelain, and stories.
For this reason, I can understand why some people argue that China was, in cultural and commercial terms, woven into the life of the archipelago long before the birth of the modern Philippine state. If that is what they mean, there is room for discussion. But if the claim jumps from influence to ownership, from trade to sovereignty, or from interaction to possession, history slams on the brakes.
We need to separate historical connection from territorial entitlement. Nations can share ancestors, merchants, traditions, and centuries of contact without inheriting each other’s coastlines. The sea remembers commerce better than conquest, and history deserves to be read with a magnifying glass rather than through a telescope pointed only at present-day disputes.
