Ormoc City – Apale Elementary School in Isabel, Leyte received a 1-storey 3-classroom school building on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 that was formally turned over by the Department of Public Works and Highways Leyte 4th District Engineering Office and Congressman Richard I. Gomez.
Funded under the General Appropriations Act of 2024 through the Department of Education’s Basic Education Facilities Fund with a contract cost of Php 8,923,657.48, the school building directly addresses the longstanding classroom shortage at the school. It involves a total floor area of 256.50 square meters, with each classroom measuring 63 square meters, a 67.5-square-meter hallway and 271.58 square meters of concrete ground work. Moreover, the scope of works includes 12 sets of ceiling fans, a wash area and comfort room per classroom.
Student Xianhel Pandan, speaking on behalf of her schoolmates, expressed the school’s gratitude during the event. “We promise to take good care of this blessing and study harder so that we can achieve any dream and make you proud. Thank you for believing in us and for investing in our future,” she said.
The turnover ceremony was also attended by Isabel Mayor Bennett Pongos, school heads and faculty, barangay council members, and parents. (PR)
ORMOC CITY– An 18-year-old Grade 12 student was arrested in a buy-bust operation for allegedly selling marijuana in Poblacion, Biliran, Biliran here on Wednesday evening, March 25, police said.
The suspect, identified only as alias “Boss,” a resident of Naval, Biliran, was apprehended by operatives of the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) at around 6:13 p.m.
Seized from the suspect was a plastic sachet containing suspected dried marijuana leaves, stalks, and fruiting tops, which was reportedly sold to an undercover operative for P500.
A subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of required witnesses, yielded another sachet containing the same substance and the marked P500 bill used in the operation.
Authorities said the exact weight of the confiscated items has yet to be determined by the Regional Forensic Unit.
Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. He is currently detained at the lock-up cell of the Biliran Municipal Police Station.
QUEZON CITY– The Social Security System (SSS) assured its members in the Middle East that they can access benefits and services via digital platforms despite escalating regional conflicts.
SSS President Robert Joseph M. de Claro highlighted the My.SSS Portal’s reliability, enabling Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to file benefit claims and loan applications without interruption, provided they meet qualifying conditions.
For example, OFWs who were involuntarily separated can avail of unemployment benefit provided they meet the qualifying conditions and certified by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
“Even in these challenging times, our digital infrastructure ensures seamless service delivery,” de Claro said. “Members in the Middle East need not worry; they can manage their accounts safely from anywhere with internet access.”
He noted that SSS pensioners in the region can comply with the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (ACOP) using the recently launched Facial Authentication feature on the SSS website, www.sss.gov.ph.
“A standout innovation is the ACOP Facial Authentication with Liveness Check, enabling secure identity verification from smartphones anywhere,” de Claro explained. “It reduces fraud risks and eliminates the need for travel amid the current security situation in the Middle East. These tools were purpose-built to empower OFWs, allowing transactions ‘whenever, wherever’ even in crisis zones.”
As of December 2025, there are 1,476,645 OFWs covered with the SSS with 540,018 as active paying members.
“We remain committed to supporting our OFWs through innovation and resilience, no matter the circumstances,” de Claro concluded. (PR)
Catarman N. Samar-Farmers and residents can now expect improved access and more efficient transport of agricultural products following the completion of Phase IV of the Farm-to-Market Road project from Barangay Polangi toward Barangay Paticua in the municipality of Catarman, Northern Samar.
The project involves the construction of a two-lane concrete road with a total length of 780 meters, thickness of 0.23-meter, and a width of 3.05 meters. The scope of work also includes excavation, construction of 789 meters road shoulders, trapezoidal lined canal, concrete revetment and provision of 26 meters reinforced concrete pipe culvert RCPC.
District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio said that before the construction of the road, residents of the said barangays struggled to transport their agricultural products to the town and nearby barangays due to the unpaved road condition.
He added that during rainy seasons, the road often became muddy and difficult for vehicle to pass. Hence, the completion will now significantly improve accessibility in the area, and facilitate the prompt delivery of agricultural products and basic services.
A local couple also shared how challenging it was to traverse that stretch, especially during rainy season.
“Dako an amon pagpasalamat san gin-upay na an sigad dihan kay maupay na am paglakaw,sadto kakuri labi na gud in mauran, nahadok pa kami kay baha pirme dihan” said Mrs. Constancia Loberiano.
Meanwhile, Mr. Perperencio Loberiano added “Dako an amon pasalamat nga umabot gihapon didi an project san gobyerno,am pangarap nga sigad didi isa amon Barangay, kay makuri an amon transportasyon san amon mga produkto”.
With the completion of the project, the flow of goods and transport of agricultural products will improve, benefiting a population of 1,487 and contributing to a more efficient and sustainable living for the community.
The project was implemented in convergence with the Department of Agriculture (DA), with a total contract amount of Php 24.77 million. It forms part of the ongoing phased development of the Farm-to-Market Road aimed at strengthening farm-to-market connectivity in the area, with the long-term goal of eventually providing a complete road link to Barangay San Pascual.
TACLOBAN CITY — In a bid to boost wellness tourism and create alternative livelihood opportunities, the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Eastern Visayas has trained 34 residents of Baybay City in the traditional Filipino healing practice of hilot.
The training, dubbed “Filipino Brand of Wellness: Introduction to Filipino Massage ‘Hilot,’” forms part of the government’s push to promote indigenous wellness practices while supporting community-based tourism initiatives across the region.
All 34 participants, who are residents of Baybay City, completed the program, which introduced them to the core principles of hilot. The sessions included demonstrations of traditional rituals such as ‘tuob’ or ‘suob’ (herbal steam therapy), ‘hingut-an’ (head and shoulder massage), and proper foot care.
Participants also underwent hands-on training on basic hilot massage techniques for both the front and back of the body, including the proper use of banana or kasla leaves, which are traditionally used in the practice.
To help them start their practice, the trainees received start-up kits from DOT-8.
The Baybay City government also committed to provide additional support, including uniforms and portable massage chairs.
According to DOT-8, the initiative aims to equip residents with practical skills while enhancing the city’s tourism offerings, particularly in the growing wellness sector.
One of the participants, Richard Caña, said the training opened up opportunities even for those with full-time jobs. A member of the Baybay Emergency Response Unit (BERU), Caña shared that practicing hilot has become a source of extra income for him.
The program also aligns with the city government’s plan to establish wellness facilities in key tourist destinations in Baybay, further positioning the area as a hub for wellness tourism.
Officials said the initiative underscores the potential of traditional Filipino healing practices not only in preserving cultural heritage but also in generating sustainable economic opportunities for local communities.
BOOSTING ABACA INDUSTRY. Northern Samar is pushing to expand its abaca industry with plans to establish an industrial park in Silvino Lubos town. The province produced 6,766.16 metric tons of abaca fiber in 2025, accounting for nearly 65 percent of the region’s total output.
(THE PROVINCIAL NORTHERN SAMAR INFORMATION OFFICE)
BOOSTING ABACA INDUSTRY. Northern Samar is pushing to expand its abaca industry with plans to establish an industrial park in Silvino Lubos town. The province produced 6,766.16 metric tons of abaca fiber in 2025, accounting for nearly 65 percent of the region’s total output. (THE PROVINCIAL NORTHERN SAMAR INFORMATION OFFICE)
TACLOBAN CITY — Northern Samar is pushing to expand its abaca industry beyond raw fiber production with plans to establish an industrial park in Silvino Lubos, aimed at boosting value-adding activities and generating more jobs for local communities.
The Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office (PEDIPO) recently conducted a site inspection and consultations with local officials for the proposed Ibabao Abaca Industrial Park, part of ongoing efforts to identify a suitable location for the project.
The proposed site, covering about three to five hectares, was evaluated for its potential to host processing facilities and necessary support infrastructure.
Local tourism officials also joined the assessment, underscoring the importance of inter-agency collaboration in determining the project’s viability.
Authorities said the area’s accessibility and strategic location make it a strong candidate for abaca-based enterprises. Beyond processing, the site may also support farm tourism initiatives such as educational tours, product demonstrations, and cultural activities that could provide additional income streams for residents.
Silvino Lubos is known for its rich abaca resources, positioning it as a natural hub for downstream processing once the industrial park is established. Officials said the project is expected to enhance productivity, create employment opportunities, and stimulate sustainable economic growth in the municipality.
Northern Samar remains the top abaca producer in Eastern Visayas.
Based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, the province produced 6,766.16 metric tons of abaca fiber in 2025, accounting for nearly 65 percent of the region’s total output.
With over 12,000 hectares devoted to abaca farming, the crop continues to be a primary source of livelihood for thousands of farmers, while also supporting related sectors such as trading, processing, and transport.
Provincial officials said the proposed industrial park aligns with broader efforts to attract investments and promote sustainable enterprises under a bio-circular green economy framework, ensuring that economic growth goes hand in hand with environmental protection.
