TACLOBAN CITY– The International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) is strengthening local efforts to conserve and protect the Leyte Saba Basin Peatlands LSBP) as it recently awarded action research grants to state universities and civil society organizations, designed to generate community-based solutions and encourage greater participation in environmental protection.

The initiative, under IIRR’s Project LUYON, seeks to support local researchers, community organizations, and other stakeholders in documenting peatland conditions, identifying threats, and developing practical approaches that can help protect these ecologically important areas.

Project LUYON, facilitated by IIRR and the Visayas State University (VSU), is a four-year project designed to enhance local stewardship of the Leyte Sab-a Basin Peatland. Targeting over 14,000 residents, the project aims to promote equitable restoration solutions while supporting the development of peatland-friendly policies and programs.

IIRR Project Luyon Manager Juvilyn Salazar emphasized the value of action research in addressing environmental concerns because it allows communities to participate directly in generating knowledge and developing solutions suited to their local conditions.

“The grants support action research that can contribute to better understanding of peatland ecosystems, including their role in climate regulation, water management, biodiversity conservation, and community livelihoods,” Salazar said.

The grants form part of IIRR’s broader “research for action” approach, generating local evidence that can guide policies, programs, and interventions involving peatland ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

According to Magnolia Rosimo, IIRR Deputy Director for the Philippines, the research outputs are expected to serve as practical references for local government units (LGUs), including Sta. Fe, Alangalang, San Miguel, and Palo, as they consider measures to protect and sustainably manage their peatland areas.

“These components of the project are research for action to generate evidence that can directly support decision-making at the local level,” Rosimo said.

The initiative also recognizes farmers as among the key end users of the research. Findings from the studies can help communities better understand their environment and identify approaches that are appropriate to their local conditions and livelihoods.

The project underscores the importance of evidence-based policymaking, particularly in addressing environmental concerns that require coordinated action among government, communities, academe, and civil society.

The 2,107-hectare LSBP is the second largest peatland in the Philippines, spanning the municipalities of Sta. Fe, Alangalang, San Miguel, and Palo in Leyte. As the province’s primary water catchment, it has played a key role in disaster risk reduction. However, decades of land conversion have pushed the peatland to a critical state of degradation.
Action research grantees include Visayas State University- Tolosa on Maximization of Aquaculture for Livelihood Upraising and Peatland Ecology Amelioration and Transformation; Leyte Normal University for Community-based Identification, Rehabilitation and Smart fire Prevention Monitoring of Kaingin-Degraded Peatland Areas in the LSBP; Leyte Normal University Hydrological Alterations in the LSBP: Implications for Mosquito and Small Vector Abundance and the Risk of Dengue, Malaria and Schistosomiasis in Adjacent Communities; Visayas State University- Alangalang on Biophysical Rapid Characteristics of a Potential Peatland in Barayong, Plao, Leyte; and University of the Philippines- Tacloban on Identification of Schistosomiasis Transmission Hotspots through Malacological Surveys and Assessment of Environmental Fecal Contamination in Selected Barangays within the LSBP.

Civil society organizations also part of the grantees which include TAYO Climate Partners Philippines Inc. on the Assessment of Carbon Finance Readiness; KATARUNGAN on Lupa at Bahay: Harmonizing Land Rights and Environment Stewardship in the LSBP; and, Eastern Visayas Society of Native Trees Conservation, Inc. on Adaptability of Selected Tree Species and Annual Crops for Rehabilitation of Degraded Peatland Using Paludiculture Technique.

In Leyte, where communities are exposed to climate-related hazards, peatlands can provide important environmental services. Protecting these areas can help maintain ecological balance while supporting the resilience of communities that depend on natural resources.

(AHLETTE C. REYES, PIA-Leyte)

TACLOBAN CITY — More Filipino senior citizens are expected to benefit from government cash gifts next year, with P3.44 billion earmarked in the proposed 2027 national budget for qualified elderly Filipinos reaching key age milestones, House Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan said.

The proposed allocation is P140 million higher than the P3.3 billion provided for the program in the 2026 national budget under the Expanded Centenarians Act.
Under Republic Act 11982, or the Expanded Centenarians Act of 2024, Filipinos who reach the ages of 80, 85, 90 and 95 are entitled to receive a P10,000 cash gift for each milestone.

Those who reach 100 years old are entitled to a P100,000 cash gift under the law.
Libanan urged families to ensure that senior citizens aged 60 and above are registered with the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) through its Elderly Database Management System.

He said registration would help facilitate the identification of qualified beneficiaries and their access to government benefits.

As of Aug. 26, the NCSC had distributed more than P1.9 billion in cash gifts to 179,529 beneficiaries, including qualified octogenarians, nonagenarians and centenarians.
The program is part of the government’s efforts to recognize the contributions and long lives of Filipino senior citizens by providing financial assistance as they reach significant age milestones.

Libanan issued the statement as the country observed National Respect for Centenarians Day on Sunday, which is celebrated every first Sunday of October as part of Elderly Filipino Week from Oct. 1 to 7.

The observance highlights the importance of respecting and recognizing the contributions of senior citizens and centenarians to Filipino families and communities.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The city government of Catbalogan is partnering with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Cagayan State University (CSU) to develop electric-powered tricycles suited to the city’s roads, routes and operating conditions.

The three institutions signed a three-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) during the 2026 Regional Smart Communities Exposition and Networking Engagement (rSCENE 2026) at Tandaya Hall in Catbalogan City.

The agreement was signed by DOST Eastern Visayas Regional Director John Glenn Ocaña, CSU OIC University President Arthur Ibañez and Catbalogan City Mayor Dexter Uy.
Under the partnership, the parties will study the conversion of existing gasoline-powered tricycles into electric-powered units, taking into account the city’s tricycle design, terrain, road conditions, travel distances, routes, passenger capacity and other operational requirements.

The study will assess suitable electric motors, batteries and other components needed for the conversion and will eventually lead to the development of a C-Trike prototype for technical testing and evaluation.

Catbalogan will provide access to local tricycles, routes, operating data and other information needed for the research.

CSU will provide technical, engineering, research and development expertise, while DOST VIII will extend technical assistance, coordination and support within its mandate and available resources.

The initiative builds on CSU’s work through its Electromobility Research and Development Center (eMRDC), which focuses on developing practical and sustainable electric mobility technologies.

The C-Trike technology was developed by the CSU-Carig Campus in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Diliman through the university’s first DOST-funded Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D (NICER) program, the eMRDC. Ibañez serves as program leader.

The partnership follows discussions held in February involving DOST Samar, the Catbalogan city government and CSU on the possible introduction of converted electric tricycle technology in Samar.

The three institutions said the collaboration could pave the way for further cooperation in prototype development, testing, technology transfer, funding, deployment and possible expansion of the C-Trike initiative.

The project is also expected to provide the city with a technology-based transportation option that takes into account the actual needs of local drivers, passengers and the community.

Through the partnership, DOST, CSU and Catbalogan aim to apply science, technology and innovation in developing a more practical and sustainable transportation solution for the city.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Education (DepEd) Eastern Visayas has warned the public against a fake fundraising solicitation using the name of Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez to seek money supposedly intended to help children with disabilities.

In an advisory issued Thursday, Oct.8, the DepEd Regional Office VIII said neither Jimenez nor the agency authorized the fundraising activity and urged the public not to send money or provide any form of financial assistance in response to the solicitation.

The agency also cautioned the public against sharing personal, banking, GCash and other financial information with individuals behind the solicitation.

DepEd-8 further advised recipients not to click on suspicious links or respond to messages that cannot be verified through the agency’s official communication channels.
“The use of the name, position, or identity of a DepEd official to solicit money or donations without authorization is not legitimate,” the advisory said.

The regional office urged individuals who received the fraudulent messages or were approached by persons claiming to represent Jimenez to report the incident through the official communication channels of DepEd-8.

The agency also advised the public to report the matter to appropriate law enforcement authorities when warranted.

DepEd-8 said the warning was issued to prevent the public from falling victim to fraudulent activities that misuse the identity and position of government officials.

It reminded residents to exercise caution when receiving requests for donations, particularly those made through social media, messaging applications or other unofficial channels.

The public was advised to verify any fundraising appeal or announcement involving the regional director directly with DepEd Regional Office VIII before providing money or personal information.

DepEd-8 likewise urged the public to rely only on its official communication channels for legitimate announcements, advisories and activities involving Jimenez.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)