TACLOBAN CITY — The city government of Calbayog City will implement a temporary four-day onsite work arrangement for its employees as part of energy-saving measures amid rising fuel prices.

Under the arrangement, employees will report onsite from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Thursday, while four hours of work-from-home duties will be observed on Fridays.

City Mayor Raymund Uy said the scheme will not apply to frontline and health service personnel to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of essential public services.

Uy also convened members of the Local Price Coordinating Council along with representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry in Samar to assess the possible economic impact of the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Discussions focused on monitoring commodity prices and protecting consumers as global developments continue to affect fuel costs and other basic goods.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Rising fuel prices have begun to push up the cost of basic goods in public markets here, with vendors warning that rice prices may also increase in the coming days due to higher transport costs.

Vegetable and fruit vendors said the cost of bringing farm produce from nearby towns has increased following the latest fuel price adjustments, prompting some sellers to raise their prices.

One vendor said the vegetables she used to buy for about P1,300 now cost around P2,000, forcing her to increase retail prices by at least P3 to avoid losing capital.

Rice retailers also warned that prices may rise next week as some suppliers are reportedly holding their stocks and may sell them at higher rates.

Some vendors said there were no new rice deliveries this week, with retailers still selling stocks from earlier harvests.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority in Eastern Visayas showed that food and non-alcoholic beverages remain among the top contributors to inflation in the region.

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture said they continue to monitor prices and are preparing measures to help farmers and stabilize the supply of basic commodities.

(ELLA MAE D. SEGUROS, LNU STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY — Netizens in Eastern Visayas have taken to social media to share photos of fuel prices at gasoline stations across the region, highlighting the sharp increases recorded in recent days.

Posts circulating on Facebook show diesel and gasoline prices rising in several areas of Eastern Visayas, with some motorists expressing concern over the growing cost of fuel.
The spike in prices has been linked to supply disruptions and market volatility caused by tensions in the Middle East, which affect global crude oil supplies and, in turn, local fuel prices.

Amid the developments, the Department of Energy said it has intensified monitoring of fuel retailers to ensure compliance with authorized price adjustments.

Meanwhile, Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned oil companies against taking advantage of the crisis and said the government would act against those found exploiting the situation.
Residents in Leyte and Samar said the rising fuel costs are beginning to affect their daily expenses, particularly for transportation and basic household needs, prompting calls online for government intervention.

(RALPH AUSTIN A. FERNANDEZ,LNU STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY — Student writers and performers from state universities and colleges across Eastern Visayas gathered here on Wednesday, March 11, for the Regional Culture and Arts Festival (RCAF) Literary Arts Competition 2026 hosted by Leyte Normal University(LNU) and Eastern Visayas State University(EVSU).

The competition opened with a program at the LNU HRDC Alba Hall, highlighting the region’s cultural heritage under the theme “Pagpasidungog Sa Aton Panublion, Kultura, Kag Mga Bahandi” (Honoring Our Cultural Heritage and Treasures).

During the opening ceremony, EVSU president Dennis de Paz emphasized the importance of strengthening cultural identity and encouraging literary excellence among students in the region.

The program also featured performances by the LNU Performing Arts groups, showcasing traditional and contemporary artistic expressions reflective of Eastern Visayas’ heritage.
Following the opening rites, representatives from participating state universities and colleges (SUCs) met with coaches and contest officials before the simultaneous start of the literary arts competitions.

EVSU cultural director Jerry Mores said the festival serves as a platform for young artists and writers to showcase their talents while preserving the region’s culture and traditions.
“This festival is not only about preserving our culture and heritage but also about providing a platform for our student performers,” Mores said, adding that the goal is for the region’s cultural achievements to gain recognition not only nationally but also internationally.
Participants came from several SUCs in Region 8, including Biliran Province State University, Eastern Samar State University, Northwest Samar State University, Palompon Institute of Technology, Samar State University, and Visayas State University, along with the host institutions LNU and EVSU.

The literary arts competition featured events in both English and Filipino categories.
English events included Essay Writing, Storytelling, Extemporaneous Speech, Declamation, Dramatic Monologue, Oral Interpretation of Poetry, and Persuasive Oratory.

Meanwhile, the Filipino category featured Pagsulat ng Sanaysay, Pagkukwento, Dagliang Talumpati, Deklamasyon, Dramatic Monologue, Oral Interpretation of Poetry, and Oratoryo.
At the end of the competition, Northwest Samar State University emerged as overall champion, followed by Leyte Normal University in second place and Samar State University in third.
Winning participants will represent Eastern Visayas in the National Culture and Arts Festival scheduled on April 8–11, 2026 at West Visayas State University.

(GRAYDELLE JANZY S. CAHAYAG,LNU STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY — Police authorities have taken into custody a suspect linked to the killing of a 27-year-old saleslady whose body was found in an abandoned beach resort in San Juan earlier this week.

In a statement, the Southern Leyte Police Provincial Office confirmed that the suspect is now under the custody of the municipal police station of San Juan town and will face charges of rape with homicide.

Police said the victim, identified only by the alias “Norie,” was reportedly acquainted with the suspect.

Investigators found that the victim sustained a fatal head injury after being struck with a hard object. However, authorities said no seminal fluid was detected in the victim’s body during the initial examination.

The victim was first reported missing by her sister on Monday, March 9. Later that afternoon, she was discovered lifeless inside an abandoned beach resort in the same town.
Authorities assured the public that proper legal procedures are being followed to ensure justice for the victim.

Police also urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information and to respect the privacy of the victim’s family.

(MARIELLE F. HERNALI,LNU STUDENT INTERN)