TACLOBAN CITY — The newly installed commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade (IB) of the Philippine Army in Camp Downes, Ormoc City, pledged to continue the efforts of his predecessors in combating insurgency in Leyte and neighboring areas.

Brigadier General Pompeyo Jason Almagro assumed command, replacing Col. Rico Amaro, who served as acting commander for over a month following the retirement of BGen. Noel Vestuir.

“We will continue what the previous brigade commander has started, as instructed by the commander of the 8th Infantry Division,” BGen. Almagro said in a media interview after he was formally installed on Saturday, Nov. 8.

He emphasized that he will carry on programs such as “Project Ultimatum,” which seeks to eradicate remaining insurgents in the region if they refuse to surrender. Under the program, rebel groups from the same province who surrender together are offered cash assistance sourced from the local government unit.

“Fortunately, we have reduced the number of rebels in Leyte significantly, but we will continue to pursue our division commander’s mandate to neutralize insurgent operations here and in the southern part of Samar Island,” BGen. Almagro added.

Before his assignment to the 802nd IB, he served in the 1st Infantry Division in Southern Mindanao, the first military unit to dismantle all New People’s Army fronts in the region. He hopes his experience there will help finally end the insurgency in Eastern Visayas.

The 802nd IB covers the entire Leyte Island, Biliran Island, and southern towns in Eastern and Samar provinces.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

Philippines’ leading super finance app, GCash, through official lending arm Fuse Financing Inc., is extending a 30-day due date extension for GLoan and GGives borrowers impacted by Typhoon Tino.

This applies to borrowers whose loans are due between November 5 and 7, 2025 and residing in areas hardest hit by the typhoon: Guian (Samar), Cebu City, North Cebu, South Cebu, Dinagat Islands, Silago, Southern Leyte, and Toboso, Negros Occidental.

Eligible accounts will automatically receive a one-month due date extension. For example, a loan originally due on November 5 will now be due on December 5. During this period, Automatic Debit Arrangement feature will be temporarily disabled, allowing customers to prioritize emergency needs and recovery. No additional interest, late fees, or penalties will be charged during the extension period.

Eligible borrowers will also receive SMS notifications detailing their new due dates and guidance on managing repayments. Other locations may be included as the government declares additional areas under a state of calamity. Customers with clarifications can file a ticket through GCash Help Center or talk to Gigi inside the GCash App. (PR)

In the immediate aftermath of Typhoon Tino, the Philippine Air Force, through the Tactical Operations Group 8 (TOG 8 ) under the leadership of its Group Commander, Col. Alexon B Ramos, PAF (GSC), joined hands with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) VIII led by its officer-in-charge, Rey Gozon and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) VIII to conduct a Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) over the hardest-hit areas of Homonhon and Suluan Islands in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, and parts of Southern Leyte on 05 November 2025.

The mission aimed to provide vital information for faster and more focused disaster response and recovery operations across the region.

From the skies, the team witnessed the widespread damage left by storm: communities battered, yet resilient. In line with this continuing effort, on 06 November 2025, TOG 8, in partnership with OCD VIII and DSWD, delivered 180 hygiene kits to the affected residents of Bontoc. Subsequently, on 07 November 2025, the team delivered 250 food packs in Hinunangan and 250 hygiene kits in Guiuan, extending relief and hope to families striving to rebuild their lives.

Through these joint efforts, TOG 8 reaffirms its unwavering commitment to serve, protect and uplift the Filipino people, proving once again that in every storm, the Philippine Air Force stands ready to response. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY– James Karl B. Calipes, representing the provincial statistics committee (PSC) of Northern Samar, was awarded the regional champion. Calipes, a certified public accountant, works at the Northern Samar Electric Cooperative (Norsamelco) main office in Bobon, Northern Samar.

The second-place winner was Norberto E. Milla of Visayas State University (VSU) Baybay City, representing the Regional Statistics Committee VIII (RSC – 8). Assistant Professor Rovinson D. Gaganao of Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) – Main Campus, representing PSC Eastern Samar, garnered third place.

Other contestants who vied for the regional championship were: FO1 Kia Joanna A. Merwa (PSC Biliran), John Ray D. Ylanan (PSC Leyte), Christopher J. Llegado
(PSC Samar), and Edil Balagon (PSC Southern Leyte). Contestants were nominated by their respective PSCs and RSC member-agencies.

The board of judges was composed of Regional Director Wilma A. Perante of PSA – RSSO 8, Chief Statistical Specialist Mae R. Almonte, and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Tacloban Branch Regional Head Victorio III Tingcang, Jr.

The PSA Quiz Bee aims to: (1) promote awareness and appreciation of the importance of statistics; (2) highlight the mandates of PSA and the recent results of its censuses and surveys; and (3) familiarize participants with the concepts and definitions adopted in the generation of official statistics, Civil Registration Services, and the National Identification System.

The PSA Quiz Bee was conducted as part of the 36th National Statistics Month celebration. (PR)

MANILA– In the wake of Typhoon Kalmaegi’s (Tino’s) devastation, the United States is augmenting the Philippine-led response efforts. Through the delivery of emergency shelter, logistics services, and safe water and sanitation, the United States is supporting communities hardest hit by the storm, many of which are still recovering from successive storms and the Cebu Earthquake in September.

The United States and the Philippines are not only ironclad allies—we are friends and partners bound by a shared history, common values, and a steadfast commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. As millions of Filipinos face the challenges left by these disasters, including the loss of family and loved ones, our rapid response stands as a testament to the depth and resilience of our enduring ties, especially in times of crisis. The United States is committed to supporting Philippine-led efforts, working together to save lives, alleviate suffering, and help communities recover from these disasters. To this end, the United States will provide $1 million in immediate life-saving assistance.

With another severe storm forecast to impact the Philippines in the coming days, U.S. disaster assistance will remain closely coordinated with the Government of the Philippines and local organizations to ensure timely and effective relief for those most in need. (PR)