TACLOBAN CITY — Northern Samar has increased the number of municipalities assessed under a Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC) from eight in 2024 to 19 in 2026, a development cited as part of the province’s peacebuilding efforts that earned it the Gawad Kapayapaan 2026 award.

The provincial government of Northern Samar received the recognition from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) during a ceremony in Quezon City on Sept. 30.

Northern Samar was the only local government unit among the five awardees nationwide.
Gov. Harris Christopher Ongchuan said the award recognized the collective efforts of government agencies, local governments, civil society groups and other stakeholders involved in the province’s peace and development initiatives.

In his message, delivered by Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Jenny Darish during the ceremony, Ongchuan thanked the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, OPAPRU, Department of the Interior and Local Government, other national government agencies, local governments, civil society organizations, development partners, barangay leaders, peace advocates and residents for their contributions.

He said the recognition was not only for the provincial government but also for organizations and individuals who provided resources, time and support to peacebuilding programs.

The province has also facilitated the reintegration of 486 former communist rebels through the Balay Darangpan and other government programs.

Among the initiatives implemented in Northern Samar are the Local Social Integration Program, Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), Kauswagan Caravan, Kauswagan Village and Kauswagan Peace and Development Center. These programs provide assistance for reintegration, livelihood, skills development and community support.

The provincial government is also implementing a housing program for former rebels through the Kauswagan Village initiative.

Ongchuan said these programs are intended to provide former combatants with opportunities to rebuild their lives while supporting communities affected by armed conflict.
The recognition follows Northern Samar’s selection as the country’s best E-CLIP implementer in 2025.

Ongchuan said the provincial government would continue working with national agencies, local governments and other stakeholders to sustain peace and support development initiatives across Northern Samar.

The Gawad Kapayapaan is an OPAPRU recognition that honors individuals, organizations and institutions for contributions to peacebuilding and the peace process.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY — Some 45,000 native tree seedlings will be planted over three years to restore 60 hectares of degraded forestland in Capoocan, Leyte, under a partnership among the Energy Development Corporation (EDC), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 8 and a local farmers’ group.

The three groups signed a memorandum of agreement on Aug. 26 for the forest restoration project covering parts of Barangays Visares and Sto. Niño.

The project supports the DENR’s Forests for Life: 5 Million Trees by 2028 Program, which seeks to promote forest restoration through partnerships among government agencies, the private sector and local communities.

EDC, a First Gen company, will support the production, planting and maintenance of 45,000 seedlings through its BINHI program, which focuses on biodiversity conservation, forest restoration, native tree protection and community partnerships.

The project will prioritize native Philippine tree species, including hindang (Ficus callosa), yakal (Shorea astylosa) and lauan (Shorea spp.).

EDC Assistant Vice President and Head of Corporate Support Functions Atty. Allan Barcena said the initiative would go beyond planting trees by ensuring their long-term survival and growth.

The restoration sites include grassland, brushland and open-canopy forest areas. Areas where indigenous trees are already naturally regenerating will be managed through assisted natural regeneration to protect and encourage their growth.

A site assessment identified illegal tree cutting, kaingin or slash-and-burn farming, and soil erosion as some of the threats to the forest areas.

The Visares and Sto. Niño Farmers Association (VISFA) will help produce and plant the seedlings and undertake maintenance and forest protection activities.

Preparations for the project have started, including coordination with municipal and barangay officials, community orientations and ground surveys. A satellite nursery near the project area is also being planned to raise seedlings before they are planted.

The partners will carry out replacement planting, weeding, fireline establishment, site patrols and community-based forest protection. They will also monitor pests and diseases, seedling survival and growth, and carbon stocks.

The project is expected to increase forest cover, improve biodiversity, enhance carbon storage and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for communities involved in the restoration effort.

The agreement was signed by DENR Region 8 Regional Executive Director Arturo Salazar, EDC’s Barcena and VISFA Chairman Christian Mercoleta.

For the duration of the three-year agreement, the DENR, EDC, VISFA and concerned local government units will jointly monitor and evaluate the project and work toward the long-term protection of the restored forestland.

Barcena said the partnership reflects EDC’s science- and community-based approach to forest restoration, which places emphasis not only on the number of trees planted but also on developing healthy and resilient forests.

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Vice Mayor Rommel De Paz Capungcol of Dulag, Leyte was named the top-performing vice mayor in Leyte for the first half of 2026 based on a survey conducted by Transparency, Good Governance and Accountability Advocates (TGAA) and Visayas Social Pulse.

The organizations said their Governance and Participation Index 2026 gathered feedback from Leytenos from January to June and assessed local officials based on leadership, legislation, community engagement and service delivery.

According to the groups, Capungcol received the highest rating among vice mayors in the province, with respondents citing his health advocacy, legislative initiatives and engagement with communities.

Capungcol, who is a physician and presiding officer of the Sangguniang Bayan, was credited with supporting medical and dental missions in barangays and the “Botika sa Bayan” initiative, which provides maintenance medicines to senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

The survey organizers also cited ordinances attributed to Capungcol that seek to strengthen barangay health emergency response teams and improve access to primary health care.

In the area of legislation, the groups said Capungcol promoted open sessions and budget hearings, as well as measures involving scholarships, livelihood assistance, disaster response, infrastructure and social services.

The organizations also cited his regular “Ugnayan at Konsultasyon” activities in barangays, along with support for youth, sports and education programs.

The TGAA provincial lead for Leyte said Capungcol’s ranking reflected respondents’ assessment of his visibility, accessibility and performance in their communities.
The groups described the index as an independent and non-partisan assessment of local governance performance.

The announcement did not provide the total number of respondents, the scores obtained by the candidates, or the comparative results for other vice mayors in the province.(PR)

TACLOBAN CITY – Some 3,490 students in Biliran province will receive a total of P13.846 million in educational assistance next month to help ease transportation and other school-related expenses, the provincial government said.

Gov. Rogelio Espina said the assistance was secured through requests he made to Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Rep. Gerry Boy Espina.

Under the program, 2,646 high school students will each receive P3,000, or a total of P7.938 million, primarily to help cover transportation expenses.

Another 844 college students enrolled at the Biliran Province State University (BiPSU), including its main campus and Biliran Campus, will each receive P7,000, for a combined P5.908 million.

Espina said the assistance is intended to help students cope with transportation costs and other expenses related to their education.

“Keep going, our students. There is no turning back,” Espina said in a statement, encouraging students to continue their studies.

He said the program forms part of his administration’s efforts to support students and reduce the financial burden on families pursuing education.

“This is service for the people of Biliran,” Espina said.

The program covers students from all eight municipalities of Biliran.

Naval has the largest number of beneficiaries, with 1,606 students—1,315 high school and 291 college students—and an allocation of P5.982 million.

Cabucgayan has 473 beneficiaries, consisting of 394 high school and 79 college students, with P1.735 million allocated for the program.

Kawayan has 334 beneficiaries who will receive a combined P1.366 million, while Maripipi has 322 beneficiaries with P1.014 million in assistance.

In Caibiran, 200 students will receive a combined P1.052 million, while Culaba has 291 beneficiaries with P1.057 million.

Almeria has 145 beneficiaries and an allocation of P903,000, while the municipality of Biliran has 119 beneficiaries who will receive a combined P737,000.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Ten outstanding maritime students in the country will receive free maritime training and dormitory accommodation from the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), providing them additional opportunities to develop their skills as they prepare for careers at sea.

NMP Executive Director Victor Del Rosario formally conferred the training and accommodation benefits to the 2026 Ten Outstanding Maritime Students of the Philippines (TOMSP) during a ceremony at the NMP Main Office and Training Complex in Tacloban City.
The support will allow the awardees to enroll in NMP maritime training programs while reducing their accommodation expenses during their stay in Tacloban.

The 2026 TOMSP-Batch Bagsiklahi awardees are Kim Japhet Amarille and Christine Joy Tenio of St. Joseph Institute of Technology; Lady Rhaine Hunther Cancaida and Laxrey Janne Dahilan of MAAP-CGSO Campus; Christian Lloyd Adaya of DMMA College of Southern Philippines; Wency Wrenz Arellano of John B. Lacson Foundation University-Arevalo Inc.; Lemuel Cabog of Midway Colleges Inc.; Rachelle Mae Dela Cruz of PMI Colleges-Quezon City; Ivan Inojales of the Asian Institute of Marine Studies; and Sen Sinangote of MAAP-IMMAJ Campus.

The remaining finalists in the Top 20 will also receive the same support, giving them access to government-provided maritime training as they prepare to enter the maritime profession.

Del Rosario urged the student leaders to remain humble, pursue continuous learning and recognize their responsibility to help others as they advance in their careers.

“Lead but never forget to serve. Succeed, but always find a way to lift others with you. And wherever your maritime journey takes you, remember that being an outstanding maritime professional is not only about reaching the destination. It is also about the people you help along the way and the legacy you leave behind,” Del Rosario said.

The TOMSP is an annual search that recognizes maritime students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership and potential to contribute to the Philippine maritime industry.

Through the initiative, the NMP said it is strengthening its support for promising young maritime professionals while expanding access to government-supported maritime training.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)