TACLOBAN CITY – Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) has suspended all face-to-face classes and activities after a case of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) was reported within its campus.

In a public advisory released Monday, October 6, the university announced that from October 6 to October 10, 2025, all classes will shift to online or asynchronous mode as part of precautionary measures.

Students are strictly prohibited from reporting physically to the campus during the week-long suspension.

EVSU, which has a student population of 12,424, confirmed that the first case involved a high school student. However, the advisory did not state when the initial infection was detected.

Aside from class suspensions, the campus-based Technomart will be temporarily closed for sanitation, while non-teaching personnel were directed to disinfect their respective offices. The entire campus is undergoing disinfection and sanitation efforts.

The advisory further reminded students, faculty, and staff to immediately report any flu-like symptoms to their teachers or supervisors for proper medical guidance.

“Let’s work together for a safe and healthy campus,” the university’s statement read.

HFMD, a contagious viral illness common among children, can spread through close personal contact, coughing and sneezing, contact with contaminated objects and surfaces, and in some cases, through stool of infected individuals.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

Motorists and residents of Laoang, Northern Samar, now find it easier to travel to Brgy. Inamlan following the completion of a new road project by the Department of Public Works and Highways – Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office (DPWH-NSSDEO). The improved road allows for smoother trips, better access to the barangay, and more reliable transport during emergencies.

“San una nga pag-drinive ko sa di pa maupay an kalye, makuri an amon pamasada kay may beses na pirme kami nawawakayan tungod sa kakuri san dalan. Pero yana, masayon na pagkadto sa mga baryo. Bisan gab-e pwede kami makakadto labi na gud kun may emergency,” shared Billy Garcera, a tricycle driver, expressing his gratitude for the project.

The Construction of Road in Brgy. Inamlan, Laoang, Northern Samar, implemented under FY 2024 Regular Infrastructure fund, was completed on May 10, 2025, by JUPA Construction with a contract amount of P19,779,397. 03. The project covered the concreting of a 960-meter roadway with a thickness of 0.23 meters and a width of 5 meters, including 1.5-meter shoulders on both sides. It also included the construction of two reinforced concrete box culverts (RCBCs) at Sta. 0+158 and Sta. 0+238 to improve road drainage and prevent flooding.

For years, tricycle drivers and residents faced challenges in reaching Brgy. Inamlan due to the absence of a proper road. According to testimony, passengers often had to stop at the outskirts and walk long distances carrying heavy loads because vehicles could not pass through.

“Daramo an pasaheros nga dire nakakadiretso sa baryo. Yana, waray na hassle kay tubtoban na gud sa baryo an pamasada,” Garcera added.

With the road completion, travel time has been reduced, accessibility has improved, and mobility of goods and people is now more efficient, lifting not only local livelihood but also community resilience.

Residents of Laoang extend their appreciation to the implementing agency for the improvement, emphasizing how the project has greatly enhanced their daily lives and ensured that even during emergencies, transportation to and from the barangay is no longer a struggle.

(Khyzel M. Sosing /PR)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the region has extended assistance to fire victims in Barangay 45, this city.

The social welfare agency said that a total of over P455, 658 relief aid was provided by their office to several families who were displaced due to the blaze last Sept.30.
The assistance constituted 28 family food packs, 21 hygiene kits, 21 sleeping kits, 21 family kits, 21 kitchen kits, and 84 6.6L water bottles.

The DSWD also extended P290,000 cash relief assistance through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program to some fire victims.

At least 34 households were affected by the fire that happened on September 30 that gutted down residential and boarding houses.

Also affected were 90 students who are studying at the Leyte Normal University, Eastern Visayas State University, Leyte Colleges, Asian Development Foundation College, and the Leyte National High School, and several workers in business establishments in the city who were displaced when their boarding houses were burned down during the fire.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Local government units and agencies from Eastern Visayas have mobilized aid for northern Cebu following the devastating 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Bogo City and nearby municipalities on September 30.

Ormoc City delivered 500 sacks of rice, bottled water, mosquito nets, and hygiene kits to the quake-hit towns of Tabogon and San Remegio.

Vice Mayor Carmelo Locsin Jr. said the assistance reflects both solidarity and gratitude for Cebu’s past generosity.

“Ormocanons will always remember how Cebuanos helped us in our time of need, so now it is our turn to ease the suffering of our brothers and sisters,” Locsin said in a statement on Friday, October 3, recalling Cebu’s support when Ormoc was struck by a 6.5-magnitude earthquake in July 2017.

The Philippine National Police in Eastern Visayas also distributed 450 food packs containing rice, noodles, coffee, canned goods, milk, water, and hygiene items. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) deployed a mobile kitchen capable of preparing arroz caldo for 300 people, staffed by nine personnel.

On October 2, a 90-member contingent from the PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division was also sent to Bogo City, the quake’s epicenter, to reinforce ongoing relief operations.

They brought with them a second mobile kitchen and a water filtration system to address immediate needs for food and clean drinking water.

Authorities in Cebu continue to assess the full extent of damage and displacement caused by the earthquake, while relief efforts from government and non-government groups are expected to intensify in the coming days.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)