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PSA – RSSO 8 conducts the July 2025 labor force survey (LFS) and 2025 family income and expenditure survey (FIES) visit 1

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TACLOBAN CITY-On 08 to 31 July 2025, the Philippine Statistics Authority – Regional Statistical Services Office VIII (PSA – RSSO 8) will conduct the July 2025 Labor Force Survey (LFS) together with the 2025 Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) Visit 1. The 2025 FIES Visit 1 will be a rider survey to the July 2025 LFS. The 2025 FIES will collect data covering the first semester of 2025.

The monthly LFS aims to generate high frequency data on the Philippine labor market to better monitor and assess the country’s employment situation and economic conditions. The results serve as vital inputs for planning, policy formulation, and implementation of programs that promote gainful employment and support livelihood opportunities for Filipinos.

Meanwhile, the 2025 FIES aims to accomplish the following objectives: to gather data on family income, sources of income, family expenditure and related information affecting family income and expenditure levels and patterns in the Philippines; to determine the income distribution, levels of living and spending patterns, and the degree of inequality among families; to provide inputs in the estimation of the country’s poverty threshold and incidence; and to provide benchmark information to update the weights used in the estimation of Consumer Price Index (CPI).

PSA enjoins all sample households to support the survey by providing truthful information to authorized PSA Statistical Researchers who will visit them to conduct personal interview. The office adheres to the principles of transparency, legitimate purpose, and proportionality pursuant to RA 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and RA 10625 or the Philippine Statistical Act of 2013. Section 26 of RA 10625 stipulates that “individual data furnished by a respondent to statistical inquiries, surveys, and censuses of the PSA shall be considered privileged communication and as such shall be inadmissible as evidence in any proceeding”. All survey results will be released in the form of summaries or statistical tables.

The office assures the public that required public health and safety measures will be strictly observed in all phases of field operations. All PSA personnel and hired statistical researchers who will be deployed are healthy and will wear PSA ID for proper identification.
For inquiries and further information, please contact our office with telephone number (053) 839-1884 and email address rsso08socd@psa.gov.ph. (PR)

14 new ‘Doctors to the Barrios’ deployed to underserved Eastern Visayas towns

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DOCTORS TO THE BARRIOS. The Department of Health in Eastern Visayas has assigned doctors to 14 areas in the region which are considered doctorless or who have their own physicians but not enough to serve its more than 20,000 populations. The doctors are to serve these areas for three years under the Doctors to the Barrios (DTTB) program of the DOH.Photo shows the doctors during a ceremony with DOH officials led by regional director, Dr. Exuperia Sabalberino(4th from right).(DOH-Eastern Visayas)
DOCTORS TO THE BARRIOS. The Department of Health in Eastern Visayas has assigned doctors to 14 areas in the region which are considered doctorless or who have their own physicians but not enough to serve its more than 20,000 populations. The doctors are to serve these areas for three years under the Doctors to the Barrios (DTTB) program of the DOH.Photo shows the doctors during a ceremony with DOH officials led by regional director, Dr. Exuperia Sabalberino(4th from right).(DOH-Eastern Visayas)

TACLOBAN CITY – In a continued effort to bring quality healthcare closer to underserved and rural communities, the Department of Health (DOH-8) in Eastern Visayas has deployed 14 new doctors under its flagship Doctors to the Barrios (DTTB) program.

These doctors—considered medical scholars of the government—will serve in remote and disadvantaged municipalities across the region where the doctor-to-patient ratio remains critically low, particularly in areas without a resident physician or where access to basic health services is limited.

According to Jelyn Malibago, DOH-8 information officer, the deployment follows the national goal of achieving a 1:20,000 doctor-to-population ratio, a standard still unmet in many parts of the region.

“There are still local government units (LGUs) in the region that do not meet the ideal ratio. This program helps address that gap,” she said in an interview.

The newly deployed doctors will serve in Liloan and Anahawan (Southern Leyte); Palompon, Palo, Calubian, Mahaplag, Burauen, Bato, and Babatngon (Leyte); Naval (Biliran); Motiong and Matuguinao (Samar); Arteche (Eastern Samar); and Silvino Lobos (Northern Samar).

For the next three years, these doctors will be assigned to rural health units (RHUs) where they will provide primary care services such as regular medical consultations, vaccinations, health education, maternal and child health services, and emergency care.

They will also help strengthen local health systems by mentoring barangay health workers, assisting in health planning, and improving coordination between the RHU and the community.

The Doctors to the Barrios program, launched in 1993, was created to address the chronic shortage of doctors in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs). It remains one of the DOH’s most impactful programs in improving universal health coverage at the grassroots level.

Aside from municipalities with no existing government physician, the DOH prioritizes areas that are difficult to reach or classified as high-need due to poor access to healthcare facilities.

While these doctors are salaried by the DOH, local government units are mandated to provide board and lodging, honorarium, and ensure the safety of the assigned DTTBs.
Malibago added that although their term is typically for three years, the DOH encourages LGUs to retain or absorb the doctors into permanent local health positions after their service ends to ensure continuity of care.

“We have proposed to these local government units where these doctors are assigned to either extend their services or absorb them,” she said.

(JOEY A. GABIETA, LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

Domestic dispute turns bloody in Biliran; jealousy cited as motive

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ORMOC CITY– A domestic altercation between a married couple turned violent, leaving both husband and wife with stab wounds inside their home in Barangay Agpangi, Naval, Biliran.

Police identified the victim as alias “May,” 36, while the suspect—her husband—was identified as alias “Leo,” 37, a seaman. Both are residents of the said barangay.
According to the Naval Municipal Police Station, the incident occurred around 11:25 p.m. last June 27.

The stabbing reportedly stemmed from a heated confrontation, with jealousy believed to be the motive.

Based on the account of the couple’s daughter, her father had been waiting for her mother to return home. When her mother arrived around 10:00 p.m. and went to the bedroom, the daughter later heard her screaming for help.

Alarmed, she sought the assistance of her uncle. When they returned, they found the mother bleeding on the floor and the father holding a knife. The daughter said the suspect then locked the gate and proceeded to slash his wrist and stab himself in the abdomen.
Other relatives who arrived shortly after managed to enter the house and helped bring both parties to the Biliran Provincial Hospital for medical treatment.

The Naval police are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident. Authorities confirmed that both individuals remain under observation at the hospital, while criminal charges are being prepared pending further evaluation of the case.

(ROBERT DEJON)

Power swaps between father and son

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BUSY PORT. After several days of lull, Tacloban Port is now bustling with activity as heavy trucks and cargoes arrive via the Amandayehan Port in Basey, Samar, on a 24-hour basis. The Tacloban-Amandayehan route has become the primary alternative following the 3-ton weight restriction on the San Juanico Bridge. (TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
BUSY PORT. After several days of lull, Tacloban Port is now bustling with activity as heavy trucks and cargoes arrive via the Amandayehan Port in Basey, Samar, on a 24-hour basis. The Tacloban-Amandayehan route has become the primary alternative following the 3-ton weight restriction on the San Juanico Bridge. (TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)

Historic first in Biliran and E. Samar

TACLOBAN CITY — In a rare political twist, two provinces in Eastern Visayas witnessed an unusual exchange of gubernatorial power on Monday, June 30—one from father to son, and the other from son to father.

In Eastern Samar, outgoing Governor Ben Evardone handed over the reins of the provincial government to his 25-year-old son, Ralph Vincent “RV” Evardone, making him the youngest governor ever elected in the province and in the entire region.

Meanwhile in Biliran, the transition took the opposite turn. Former governor Gerard Roger Espina stepped down after a single term and passed the post back to his father, Rogelio Espina, who had previously served as governor for nine years.

When Gerard Roger was elected in 2022 at age 36, he held the distinction of being the region’s youngest governor at the time.

While political dynasties are common in Eastern Visayas, this marked the first time the region saw power simultaneously exchanged between father and son in opposite directions in two separate provinces.

It remains unclear whether the outgoing Evardone and the younger Espina will hold any formal roles in their respective successors’ administrations. Both did not run for any position during the May 12 elections—Ben Evardone completing his third and final term, and Gerard Roger Espina opting out after just one term.

During their inaugural addresses, the newly sworn-in governors expressed admiration and gratitude toward their immediate predecessors.

Governor Rogelio Espina praised his son’s leadership.

“Your sincere and dedicated service to the people of Biliran and your legacy will not be forgotten. It will serve as a springboard to the new administration,” he said.

Gerard Roger previously served three terms as mayor of Naval, the provincial capital, before becoming governor.

In Eastern Samar, Governor RV Evardone thanked his father for his guidance and wisdom, pledging to continue public service centered on inclusive development.

“We will ensure that no one will be left behind,” he said, outlining his priorities which include boosting the local economy through strategic investments in education, health, agriculture, and tourism.

Before becoming governor, RV Evardone served as a municipal councilor in their hometown of Sulat, winning his first election in 2022.

JOEY A. GABIETA

Region 8 product distributors show resilience amid bridge crisis

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TACLOBAN CITY – Product distributors in Eastern Visayas have managed to alter their logistics strategies to ensure stable supply of basic commodities in the region amid the San Juanico Bridge crisis, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional office said Wednesday.

Some distributors have set up new warehouses, established transloading and cross-docking systems, resorted to source shifting, and are now shipping goods directly to ports in Samar, DTI Eastern Visayas regional information officer Anthea Aivi Ancheta said in a phone interview.

“In our meeting with top distributors in the region, they informed us that companies set up mini-hubs and rented warehouses in Calbayog City and other areas to serve Samar directly,” Ancheta said.

Since the third week of May, many distributors have established a transloading and cross-docking system practice by shifting goods to smaller vehicles to comply with the three-ton load limit at the San Juanico Bridge, which is currently undergoing repair.

“Some of our manufacturers also rerouted supply chains, sourcing from Cebu, Bacolod, and Cagayan de Oro instead of Luzon to avoid choke points,” Ancheta said.

Citing the monitoring of inventory in major stores in Tacloban City and other parts of Leyte, the DTI reported that there is no shortage of stocks of basic commodities, as distributors managed to address the logistical hurdles following the implementation of the weight limit on the iconic 53-year-old bridge.

The DTI has been monitoring the prices of basic goods daily in major stores in Tacloban City and Samar province. The entire Eastern Visayas has been placed under a state of calamity, automatically activating the price freeze.

In areas without price monitors, personnel from the DTI-Negosyo Centers are tasked with checking the prices, Ancheta said.

The Trade department is continuously monitoring the prices of products under its jurisdiction, such as canned fish, locally manufactured instant noodles, bottled water, bread, processed milk, coffee, candles, laundry soap, detergent, and salt.

The DTI reminds all business owners that those who violate the price freeze will face a penalty of imprisonment for a period of one to 10 years, or a fine ranging from PHP5,000 to PHP1,000,000, or both, at the discretion of the court.  (PNA)

PNP Chief Torre returns to Samar, inaugurates new provincial police headquarters

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RETURN TO SAMAR. PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III returned to Samar where he served for two years as its top police official. Torre, aside from attending the oath taking ceremony of provincial and municipal officials, graced the inauguration of the new police provincial headquarters in Catbalogan City on June 30. (FILE PHOTO)
RETURN TO SAMAR. PNP Chief Nicolas Torre III returned to Samar where he served for two years as its top police official. Torre, aside from attending the oath taking ceremony of provincial and municipal officials, graced the inauguration of the new police provincial headquarters in Catbalogan City on June 30. (FILE PHOTO)

TACLOBAN CITY — Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief PGen. Nicolas Torre III returned to familiar ground on Monday, June 30, as he led the inauguration of the new Samar Police Provincial Office (SPPO) headquarters in Barangay Pupua, Catbalogan City—a province where he once served as police director from 2017 to 2019.

The event marked Torre’s first official visit to Eastern Visayas since his appointment as the country’s top police official by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on June 2, 2025.
The newly inaugurated three-story facility, which was completed in November 2024 at a cost of P29.39 million, is expected to boost police operations in Samar—a province long plagued by challenges related to insurgency and criminality.

Torre described the new headquarters as a symbol of progress in the PNP’s drive toward modernization and professionalism.

“This new headquarters stands as a testament not only to our progress in infrastructure but also to the ever-advancing professionalism and preparedness of the police force in the province,” Torre said in his remarks.

He also lauded the dedication and commitment of the local police, particularly under the leadership of SPPO Director Col. Antonietto Eric Mendoza.

Torre emphasized the importance of strong police-community ties and praised the SPPO’s proactive efforts in maintaining public safety and fostering local trust.

Joining Torre at the ceremony were Police Regional Office 8 Director BGen. Jay Cumigad and Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan, who both welcomed the PNP chief back to the province.

Later in the day, Torre also witnessed the oath-taking ceremony of Governor Tan and other newly elected provincial and local officials, highlighting the PNP’s ongoing collaboration with local government units to uphold peace and security in the region.

The PNP chief’s return to Samar was both symbolic and forward-looking—marking a return to a province where he helped shape local policing and reaffirming his leadership in steering the national police toward modernization and deeper community engagement.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

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