TACLOBAN CITY — Police arrested the region’s No. 1 most wanted person in Ormoc City on Oct. 9 in connection with two counts of rape, the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) reported.
The suspect, identified only by the alias “Dan,” 22, and a resident of Ormoc City, was arrested by personnel of Ormoc City Police Station 5 in Barangay Dolores by virtue of a warrant issued on Sept. 29, 2026.
The warrant carried no recommended bail for the two counts of rape, police said.
Following his arrest, the suspect was brought to Ormoc City Police Station 5 for documentation and proper disposition before being turned over to the court that issued the warrant.
PRO-8 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño said the police would sustain operations to locate and apprehend wanted persons and ensure that they face the charges filed against them before the proper courts.
“We remain steadfast in our efforts to locate and apprehend wanted persons and ensure that they are brought before the proper courts to answer for the charges against them. We will continue to strengthen our operations and uphold the rule of law to maintain peace and security in Eastern Visayas,” Cardiño said in a statement.
The regional police office said the arrest forms part of its continuing campaign against wanted persons in Eastern Visayas.
TACLOBAN CITY – Two tectonic earthquakes struck Leyte and Eastern Samar on Monday morning, Oct. 12, with the stronger magnitude 3.9 tremor felt at Intensity IV in Abuyog and Mahaplag, Leyte, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
The first earthquake, measuring magnitude 3.4, occurred at 6:24 a.m. near General MacArthur, Eastern Samar, while the second, a magnitude 3.9 earthquake, struck near Abuyog, Leyte, at 9:23 a.m.
In its Earthquake Information No. 1, Phivolcs said the magnitude 3.4 earthquake in Eastern Samar had a depth of 24 kilometers, with its epicenter located five kilometers north, six degrees east of General MacArthur.
The agency reported no expected damage and no expected aftershocks from the Eastern Samar earthquake.
The stronger tremor in Leyte was recorded at a depth of 10 kilometers, with its epicenter located six kilometers south, 83 degrees west of Abuyog.
Phivolcs reported Intensity IV shaking in Abuyog and Mahaplag, Intensity III in Javier, and Intensity II in Baybay City. An instrumental intensity of I was also recorded in Abuyog.
Intensity IV is generally associated with strong shaking that may be felt by most people indoors and some people outdoors, while Intensity III is described as weak to moderately noticeable shaking. Intensity II is considered slightly felt, particularly by people in buildings and those at rest.
The two earthquakes were classified as tectonic, meaning they resulted from movement within the Earth’s crust. Their occurrence in separate locations does not, by itself, establish that the two events were related.
Eastern Visayas is exposed to seismic activity because of its proximity to active faults and tectonic structures.
Phivolcs said it does not expect any damage to the separate jolts.
CALICOAN WAVES. Local surfers showcase their skills during the Calicoan Odyssey Waves 2026 surfing competition held from Oct. 8 to 10 at Calicoan Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar. The event drew 108 participants and featured several divisions, with Norman Dalora winning the Men’s Open Shortboard title and Cindy Balbuena capturing the Women’s Open Shortboard crown. (Photo courtesy of Odyssey Waves Calicoan)
CALICOAN WAVES. Local surfers showcase their skills during the Calicoan Odyssey Waves 2026 surfing competition held from Oct. 8 to 10 at Calicoan Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar. The event drew 108 participants and featured several divisions, with Norman Dalora winning the Men’s Open Shortboard title and Cindy Balbuena capturing the Women’s Open Shortboard crown. (Photo courtesy of Odyssey Waves Calicoan)
TACLOBAN CITY — Local surfing talents took center stage at Calicoan Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, as 108 surfers competed in the Calicoan Odyssey Waves 2026 local surfing competition, with Norman Dalora and Cindy Balbuena emerging as champions in their respective divisions.
The three-day competition, held from Oct. 8 to 10 and concluding Saturday, showcased the skills of local surfers across several categories, highlighting Guiuan’s potential as a surfing and tourism destination.
Dalora won the Men’s Open Shortboard title, while Albert Sabas claimed the Men’s Open Longboard crown.
In the other divisions, Ceasar Anthony “Buboy” Balansay topped the Juniors’ Shortboard category, while Balbuena emerged as champion in the Women’s Open Shortboard division. Rona Odullo Arevalo secured the Women’s Longboard title.
The competition was presented by the municipal government of Guiuan, led by Mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan, Vice Mayor Veronica Cabacaba and members of the Sangguniang Bayan, in partnership with the provincial government of Eastern Samar under Gov. Ralph Vincent Evardone, Vice Gov. Maricar Sison-Goteesan and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
The Department of Tourism in Eastern Visayas, through OIC Regional Director Ma. Catherine Apostol, and Eastern Samar Lone District Rep. Sheen Gonzales also supported the event.
Gonzales-Kwan said the competition was deliberately kept modest and limited to local surfers in consideration of Memorandum Circular No. 114, series of 2026, issued by Malacañang on March 6, directing government agencies and other covered entities to implement strict austerity measures.
In a message delivered by Board Member Nesty Cablao, Evardone said the competition gave local surfers an opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent, discipline and determination, as well as their passion for the sport.
Cablao also recognized the collaboration between the municipal and provincial governments in staging the event. He encouraged the participants to persevere, reminding them that losing a competition does not mean the end of their surfing journey.
The provincial government provided cash prizes for winners in selected categories, while Gonzales pledged additional prizes for winning surfers and new infrastructure at ABCD Beach.
The planned improvements are expected to help strengthen Guiuan’s appeal to surfers and visitors while supporting the municipality’s tourism economy.
Through the competition, local officials underscored their continuing efforts to promote surfing talent and develop Calicoan Island as a destination for sports tourism.
PRO-8 chief assures media of transparency. Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) Regional Director Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño meets with members of the regional media who make up the PRO-8 Press Corps on Thursday, Oct. 8. Cardiño assured the journalists of the police force’s commitment to transparency, emphasizing that the media are important partners in carrying out police duties and maintaining peace and security in Eastern Visayas.(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)
PRO-8 chief assures media of transparency. Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) Regional Director Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño meets with members of the regional media who make up the PRO-8 Press Corps on Thursday, Oct. 8. Cardiño assured the journalists of the police force’s commitment to transparency, emphasizing that the media are important partners in carrying out police duties and maintaining peace and security in Eastern Visayas.(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)
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Lope de Vega now under state of calamity
TACLOBAN CITY— Agricultural losses exceeding P50 million, declining water supplies and growing health concerns have prompted local governments in Northern Samar to intensify preparations for the continuing El Niño phenomenon, with Lope de Vega already declaring a state of calamity after thousands of hectares and hundreds of farmers were affected by prolonged dry conditions.
The declaration in Lope de Vega, approved through Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 15-120 on October 7, came as the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) assessed the province’s vulnerabilities during a Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) on October 6.
The assessment brought together provincial government offices, national government agencies, local government units and civil society organizations to determine the extent of the damage and identify measures to protect agriculture, water resources, public health and livelihoods.
Provincial data showed that 11 of Northern Samar’s 24 municipalities had reported agricultural damage, with total losses exceeding P50 million since the onset of the dry season.
Lope de Vega recorded the highest losses, estimated at P25.99 million in the provincial assessment, prompting its declaration of a state of calamity. Municipal records, meanwhile, placed the damage at about P27 million, affecting 917 farmers and 269.65 hectares of farmland.
The municipality also reported 114 cases of diarrhea, including four deaths, adding to concerns about the effects of prolonged dry conditions on public health and access to safe water.
The other municipalities that reported agricultural damage were Lavezares, Mapanas, Bobon, San Roque, Las Navas, Pambujan, Biri, Gamay, Palapag and Mondragon.
Palay accounted for the largest share of reported agricultural losses, estimated at P22.45 million, highlighting the vulnerability of rice production to declining water availability and prolonged periods without sufficient rainfall.
Officials said affected farmers need subsidies and other forms of assistance to help them recover from their losses and sustain their agricultural activities while dry conditions continue.
About 1,872 farmers have so far been affected by the dry spell.
Beyond agriculture, declining water resources have emerged as another major concern for Northern Samar as authorities prepare for the possibility of prolonged dry conditions in the coming months.
The water supply and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector reported decreasing water production and falling levels in dams, deep wells, pumps, springs and other sources across the province.
The situation could affect household consumption, sanitation, livestock and agricultural activities, particularly in communities that rely on vulnerable water sources.
The health sector, meanwhile, reported ongoing information and education campaigns to raise public awareness of illnesses and other health conditions that may arise or worsen during periods of extreme heat and prolonged dry weather.
Hospitals in the province, including the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital, were reported to be prepared for a possible increase in patients with El Niño-related health concerns.
Health officials also sought assistance from the provincial government for additional water storage containers to maintain adequate reserves for hospital operations.
The PDRRMC assessment also identified gaps in local preparedness. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported that 12 of the province’s 24 municipalities had yet to submit their El Niño Action Plans during the assessment.
The plans are intended to identify local vulnerabilities, priority interventions and the resources needed to address the effects of prolonged dry conditions.
The PDRA also considered the latest climate outlook from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), which warned that El Niño conditions could persist into 2027.
According to the outlook presented during the assessment, a strong El Niño was prevailing in the tropical Pacific, with climate models indicating the possibility of intensification into a very strong event toward the latter part of 2026 and persistence through the first half of 2027.
Pagasa also reported that the southwest monsoon, or habagat, officially ended on October 5, signaling a transition to the climate conditions expected in the coming months.
Students of Villaba National High School attend the flag ceremony as the Municipal Government of Villaba implements an ordinance prohibiting the use of mobile phones and other personal electronic devices during class hours in public and private schools in the municipality.
(Villaba National High School Facebook)
Students of Villaba National High School attend the flag ceremony as the Municipal Government of Villaba implements an ordinance prohibiting the use of mobile phones and other personal electronic devices during class hours in public and private schools in the municipality. (Villaba National High School Facebook)
TACLOBAN CITY — Students in public and private elementary and secondary schools in Villaba, Leyte are now prohibited from using mobile phones and other personal electronic devices during class hours under a newly enacted municipal ordinance.
The local government has enacted Municipal Ordinance No. 39, or the “Cellphone-Free Classroom” ordinance, which seeks to minimize classroom disruptions and encourage students to focus on their studies.
The ordinance, authored by Sangguniang Bayan Member Dennis Sy, covers the use of mobile phones and other personal electronic devices during scheduled class hours, generally from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For secondary schools, the restriction begins at 7 a.m., while the prohibition starts at 8 a.m. for elementary schools.
Among the prohibited activities are making or receiving calls and text messages, accessing social media and online games, taking unauthorized photographs or videos, and using electronic devices in ways that disrupt classroom instruction.
The ordinance, however, provides exemptions for authorized educational activities approved by teachers, emergency situations requiring immediate communication, and students with special needs who use electronic devices as assistive technology.
Rather than imposing monetary penalties, the municipality adopted a guidance-oriented disciplinary system designed to address violations without depriving students of their right to education.
For a first offense, the student will receive a verbal warning and the device may be temporarily confiscated by the classroom teacher until the end of the school day.
A second offense will require a written notice to the student’s parent or guardian and a mandatory parent-teacher conference.
For a third offense, the student will undergo mandatory counseling, while the parent or guardian will be required to attend a digital responsibility seminar.
Subsequent violations will be dealt with under existing school policies and Department of Education (DepEd) guidelines.
The ordinance specifically prohibits the suspension or expulsion of students, or the denial of access to education, solely because of violations of the cellphone-free classroom policy.
Covered schools are also required to provide secure storage boxes or cabinets where confiscated devices can be safely kept until they are returned to students.
Schools must revise their student handbooks to incorporate the guidelines and procedures under the municipal ordinance.
To encourage compliance, the municipal government will also recognize schools that demonstrate strong adherence to the policy.
Annual awards, including a P3,000 cash prize and a plaque of recognition, will be given to the most compliant schools during the municipality’s Adlaw sa Villaba celebration.
The measure is intended to promote a more focused classroom environment while recognizing the legitimate educational, emergency and accessibility-related uses of digital devices.
DOUBLE GOLD. Northern Samar Mayor Katkat Suan congratulates BCAT WorldSkills gold medalists Dennis Y. Cuis, Best of the Region in Electrical Installation, and Nero B. Eulin, gold medalist in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, during their courtesy call following the 2026 WorldSkills Philippines–Clark competition. Their coaches, Engr. Nestor B. Pornelos Jr. and Engr. Josue Vacunawa, also joined the recognition.
(Allen LGU)
DOUBLE GOLD. Northern Samar Mayor Katkat Suan congratulates BCAT WorldSkills gold medalists Dennis Y. Cuis, Best of the Region in Electrical Installation, and Nero B. Eulin, gold medalist in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, during their courtesy call following the 2026 WorldSkills Philippines–Clark competition. Their coaches, Engr. Nestor B. Pornelos Jr. and Engr. Josue Vacunawa, also joined the recognition. (Allen LGU)
CATARMAN, Northern Samar — Northern Samar’s Balicuatro College of Arts and Trades (BCAT) earned recognition from the provincial community after two of its competitors brought home gold medals from the 2026 WorldSkills Philippines–Clark competition.
Electrical Installation competitor Dennis Cuis, who was also recognized as Best of the Region, and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning competitor Nero Eulin were honored during a courtesy call on Mayor Katkat Suan following their victories.
The two gold medalists were accompanied by their coaches, Engr. Nestor B. Pornelos Jr. and Engr. Josue Vacunawa.
Suan congratulated the competitors and their coaches, praising their hard work and dedication that led to the back-to-back gold-medal finishes.
She said their achievement brought pride not only to BCAT but also to Northern Samar and Eastern Visayas, highlighting the capability of local technical-vocational students to excel in skills competitions.
The mayor also commended BCAT Vocational School Superintendent Dr. Imelda D. Go and the entire BCAT community for supporting the competitors throughout their intensive training and participation in the national competition.
The double-gold finish also highlighted the technical skills and training being developed at BCAT, with the school continuing to prepare students for careers requiring specialized technical and vocational competencies.
The WorldSkills Philippines competition provides a venue for young Filipino skilled workers and trainees to demonstrate their abilities in various technical and vocational disciplines and compete at a national level.
