TACLOBAN CITY — Long before Tacloban became the bustling regional center it is today, the city was already at the crossroads of one of the most defining chapters in Philippine history.

On Oct. 20, 1944, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, President Sergio Osmeña and Gen. Carlos P. Romulo came ashore on Leyte, marking the beginning of the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation.

Tacloban soon became a temporary seat of government, while the homes of prominent Taclobanons opened their doors to national leaders, Cabinet officials and military commanders helping rebuild a country emerging from war.

It was during this period of uncertainty and rebuilding that a group of Leyteños began to envision another kind of force for recovery—not through politics or military action, but through service.

That vision eventually gave birth to the Rotary Club of Tacloban.
Born from a call to serve

In 1946, as the country struggled to recover from the devastation of war, President Osmeña called on Leyteños to help confront some of the most urgent problems facing their communities: poverty, illiteracy and malnutrition.

The appeal resonated with Tacloban’s business and civic leaders.

On Sept. 12, 1946, Judge Antonio Montilla became the first president of the newly organized Rotary Club of Tacloban. The organization later received its official recognition from Rotary International on Aug. 20, 1947, with the support of the Rotary Club of Cebu, becoming the ninth Rotary club established in the Philippines.

Federico “Diloy” Larraga served as its first chartered president.

The club’s beginnings were closely intertwined with the city’s postwar recovery. Many of its founders were among the prominent citizens who had witnessed the return of the Philippine government to Leyte and had played roles in the city’s social and economic life.

They brought with them a simple but enduring idea: that those with the ability to help had a responsibility to do so.

Service beyond politics

From the beginning, the Rotary Club of Tacloban established itself as a non-political organization, choosing instead to work with government agencies, civic groups and other organizations to address community needs.

Its early programs reflected the realities of postwar Leyte.

Literacy initiatives sought to give children and adults better opportunities. Deworming campaigns addressed health and nutrition concerns, particularly among children. Job creation and livelihood efforts aimed to help families regain their footing at a time when many were still struggling to rebuild their lives.

These were not grand solutions to the enormous challenges facing a recovering province. But they represented something equally important—a willingness among citizens to roll up their sleeves and help rebuild their community one project at a time.

Eight decades later

Much has changed in Tacloban since those postwar years.

The wooden and war-damaged city has grown into a major urban center in Eastern Visayas. Its economy has expanded, generations have come and gone, and the needs of its people have evolved.

Yet the Rotary Club of Tacloban has remained.

Many of its members have also become leaders in business and civic organizations, including the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This connection between business leadership and community service has helped the club maintain its role not only in charitable work but also in initiatives that support local economic development.
Its history has also been shaped by the same resilience that defines the people of Leyte—a quality tested repeatedly by war, natural disasters and economic challenges.
A legacy carried forward

On Aug. 22, the Rotary Club of Tacloban marked its 79th Charter Anniversary, an occasion that also saw the formal induction of lawyer Niel Sia as the organization’s 80th president.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

CATARMAN, Northern Samar — The Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Northern Samar has strengthened its administrative workforce with the appointment and promotion of 224 non-teaching personnel, officials said.

The new personnel formally took their oaths during a mass oath-taking ceremony at the DepEd Northern Samar Schools Division Office in Catarman.

The group included 162 Administrative Officer II and 62 Project Development Officer II appointees, whose addition is expected to help improve administrative services and support the delivery of education programs across the province.

Schools Division Superintendent Gaudencio Aljibe Jr. led the ceremony and emphasized the important role of non-teaching employees in ensuring that schools and education offices operate efficiently.

In his message, Aljibe urged the new and promoted personnel to uphold professionalism, accountability and dedication in carrying out their responsibilities.

He said non-teaching personnel contribute significantly to creating an environment where teachers can focus on instruction and learners can benefit from improved school services.
The appointees formally pledged to perform their duties in accordance with the principles and mission of the Department of Education.

The mass oath-taking marked the formal entry or promotion of the personnel into their respective positions and underscored the division’s efforts to build a stronger workforce capable of supporting the province’s education system.

(EUGENE M. ENANO)

TACLOBAN CITY — With Filipino children spending more time on social media, online games and other digital platforms, Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre is pushing for stronger rules to make these spaces safer for young users, particularly as authorities deal with recent incidents of violence involving students.

Acidre, chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, said the government should look beyond school security and examine the online environment where children increasingly interact, consume content and communicate with others.

In a statement dated Aug. 25, Acidre called for the passage of a proposed Social Media and Digital Safety Act, which would establish a legal “duty of care” for social media companies, online gaming platforms, livestreaming services and other digital platforms frequently used by minors.

“We should not make the simplistic claim that social media or online games alone cause violence. But neither can we ignore the influence these digital platforms can have on behavior,” Acidre said.

He said keeping children safe online should not be left entirely to parents, arguing that digital companies that profit from the time, attention and spending of young Filipinos should also be held accountable for their safety.

Among the measures Acidre is proposing is the use of reliable and privacy-protective age verification systems to prevent children from easily getting around age restrictions.
He also wants greater accountability for anonymous accounts. Under his proposal, platforms would maintain verified information connecting accounts to real individuals while still allowing users to publicly use screen names.

For minors, Acidre proposed making safety features the default rather than something that parents or children must actively turn on.

These include stronger privacy settings, restrictions on messages from strangers, limits on location sharing, protection from inappropriate advertising and parental controls for access, screen time and online spending.

The proposal would also address digital features designed to keep users engaged for long periods, including endless scrolling, autoplay, streaks and repeated notifications.
The proposed rules would also cover online gaming platforms, particularly games that allow interaction with strangers, encourage prolonged play, involve in-game purchases or use randomized rewards.

Acidre emphasized that the proposal is not an attempt to portray gaming as harmful.
He said online games provide recreation, creativity, competition and social interaction to millions of Filipinos, but platforms should also take responsibility for protecting young players from potential risks.

He is likewise seeking rapid-response mechanisms for credible online threats, livestreamed violence and content encouraging attacks against schools or individuals.
Under the proposal, platforms would be expected to act quickly on credible threats, prevent the further spread of violent material, preserve relevant evidence and cooperate with lawful investigations.

The proposal comes as schools and authorities continue to strengthen security following recent incidents of violence involving students, raising broader questions about how schools, families, government and technology companies can work together to protect young people.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — A visible reminder to speak up against bullying now stands at Bagacay Elementary School in Brgy. 93 Bagacay, Tacloban City, following the installation of a human-sized anti-bullying advocacy standee by personnel of the Tacloban City Mobile Force Company (TCMFC) on August 20, 2026.

The initiative forms part of the Philippine National Police’s continuing efforts to promote child protection and create safer, more supportive learning environments through community engagement and awareness campaigns.

The activity was conducted under the supervision of PLt.Col. J-Rale Paalisbo, force commander of TCMFC, and led by PLt. Arvin Biong and his team.

Featuring Police Colonel Marben Ordonia, the standee carries the message: “REPORT BULLYING – CALL UNIFIED 911 EMERGENCY HOTLINE.” It is intended to remind pupils, teachers, parents, and other school stakeholders that bullying incidents should be reported and that immediate assistance is available through the Unified 911 Emergency Hotline.
Biong underscored the importance of fostering a culture of respect, safety, and accountability within schools.

“The standee serves as a constant reminder that every learner has the right to a safe learning environment and that bullying incidents should never go unreported,” he said.
Bagacay Elementary School principal Harold Naputo welcomed the initiative and expressed appreciation to the Tacloban City Police for supporting the school’s child protection and anti-bullying programs.

Naputo also said the school plans to further strengthen its partnership with the Philippine National Police. As part of the effort, members of the Tacloban City Police Office are set to conduct a symposium on anti-bullying and child protection for learners and school personnel.

TCMFC said the initiative reflects the PNP’s commitment to protecting children and strengthening partnerships with educational institutions to address bullying and other concerns affecting the safety and well-being of learners.

Through sustained advocacy and community partnership, the TCMFC aims to encourage responsible reporting and empower students to help build a safe, respectful, and supportive school environment.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)