TACLOBAN CITY – Palo Mayor Remedios “Matin” Petilla has been elected president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Leyte Chapter during an election held on August 19 at the Capitol Multi-Purpose Hall.
Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla administered the oath of office, with LMP National Secretariat representative Cherry Joyce del Rosario and DILG Leyte Provincial Director Annabelle V. De Asis witnessing the ceremony.
Other key officers for the 2025–2028 term include Javier Mayor Michael Dragon Javier as vice president, Carigara Mayor Eduardo Ong Jr. as secretary, and Tanauan Mayor Ma. Gina Merilo as treasurer.
Also elected were Mayor Rolando Villacensio, auditor; and Jose Jingle Sudario of Dagami as public information officer.
The board also includes municipal mayors from all five legislative districts of Leyte.
ORMOC CITY– A 27-year-old woman was shot twice in the head and killed by a man allegedly harboring a personal grudge in Barangay Gen. A. Luna, Mayorga town, on August 23.
Police identified the victim as “Rona,” a housewife and resident of the same barangay. Initial investigation revealed that she was walking with her minor son to her grandmother’s house to charge her cellphone and later attend Mass when the suspect confronted them.
According to police reports, the gunman, described by witnesses as a medium-built male wearing a camouflage jacket and standing about 5’2” to 5’4” in height, shot the victim at close range using a .45 caliber pistol and an improvised firearm locally known as an “eskopeta.”
Responding officers from the Mayorga Municipal Police Station rushed to the scene after receiving a report via Messenger at 10:46 a.m. However, the suspect had already fled. The victim was brought to Abuyog District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Crime scene investigators recovered one spent shell from a .45 caliber pistol.
On Sunday, August 25, police arrested the suspect in a hot pursuit operation. He was identified as “Natoy,” 47, a farmer and resident of the same village. Authorities believe the attack stemmed from a personal grudge after the victim filed a complaint against him for acts of lasciviousness.
The suspect was informed of his rights and is now detained at the Mayorga police station. He faces charges for murder and violation of RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition.
Ongoing road construction linking Brgy. Cahicsan and Brgy. Cagmanaba in Mondragon, Northern Samar.
Ongoing road construction linking Brgy. Cahicsan and Brgy. Cagmanaba in Mondragon, Northern Samar.
CATARMAN, N. Samar-The concreting of Cahicsan-Cagmanaba Road in Mondragon, Northern Samar is now in full swing, as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Northern Samar 1st District Engineering Office (DEO) continues implementation efforts.
With a total project allocation of P68.59 million, the project involves the construction of a 2.00 lane-kilometer concrete road (2 lanes, 0.23-meter thickness, 6.10-meter-wide carriageway), including the installation of a crushed aggregate surface course and slope protection structures and 1 line 910mm diameter reinforced concrete pipe culvert cross drainage.
According to District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio, “This project is not only about road connectivity but also about uplifting the lives of residents especially from these remote areas. It will also facilitate the movement of goods and delivery of services that would result to local economic growth.”
Funded under the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Program, the project aims to connect the remote barangays of Cahicsan and Cagmanaba, which have long suffered from limited access to basic services and transportation.
In an interview, Brgy. Cahicsan Councilor Mary Jane C. Tenedero revealed the challenges faced by residents of Brgy. Cagmanaba.
“Ang pagdaan papunta Cagmanaba ay dito sa ilog o maglalakad sila. Kung halimbawa tag-araw, talagang maglalakad sila. Kung maulan naman, kasi may bangka (motorboat) galing Cagmanaba papunta dito pa rin sa Cahicsan. Halimbawa may mga insidente na nangyayari sa Cagmanaba, mahirap pa ang transportasyon. Ngayon po na magkakaroon na ng kalsada, malaki po itong tulong. Mapapabilis na ang pagbibiyahe papunta at pabalik, hindi na sila mahihirapan.”
“To reach Cagmanaba, people either walk or cross the river. During the dry season, they walk. When it rains, there’s a motorboat from Cagmanaba to Cahicsan. If there’s an emergency in Cagmanaba, transportation becomes difficult. Now that the road construction is ongoing, it will be a huge help. Travel will be faster and easier, and residents will no longer struggle.”
Once completed, the road will significantly improve the daily lives of residents by providing convenient and reliable access, reducing the need for long treks, and making travel faster, safer, and more comfortable. It will also facilitate the efficient transport of local agricultural products such as copra and other farm goods to market centers, boosting the local economy.
The PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn or PAMANA is the national government’s convergence program that extends development interventions to isolated, hard-to-reach and conflict-affected communities, ensuring that they are not left behind.
WAITING FOR PBBM SIGNATURE. Conservation group Oceana and leaders of the Panaoan Island are hoping that President Marcos, Jr. will sign soon the Panaon Island Protected Seascape (PIPS) bill that will boost the conservation efforts on the island’s marine resources. (OCEANA)
WAITING FOR PBBM SIGNATURE. Conservation group Oceana and leaders of the Panaoan Island are hoping that President Marcos, Jr. will sign soon the Panaon Island Protected Seascape (PIPS) bill that will boost the conservation efforts on the island’s marine resources. (OCEANA)
TACLOBAN CITY – Oceana Philippines has urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to sign the Panaon Island Protected Seascape (PIPS) bill into law, stressing that the measure is critical to securing food security, marine biodiversity, and sustainable livelihoods for the people of Southern Leyte.
“For generations, the communities of Panaon Island have relied on the sea for food, income, and cultural identity. Protecting this marine ecosystem ensures that its resources will continue to sustain present and future generations,” said Von Hernandez, Oceana’s Vice President, in a statement.
Hernandez warned that dwindling fish stocks, overfishing, and the impacts of climate change have made conservation urgent.
“We are optimistic about the benefits that protecting Panaon Island will bring to its local communities. This law will open a new path towards sustainability through science-backed livelihood alternatives that reduce pressure on the ocean while creating new economic opportunities,” he added.
While awaiting the President’s signature, Oceana said it has been working closely with national and local governments to consult communities in Panaon. This process aims to finalize the PIPS Management Plan, which will serve as the blueprint for the island’s conservation and resource use.
According to Oceana, the plan reflects insights from fishers, local leaders, and stakeholders to ensure that conservation efforts align with community needs.
Local officials have echoed Oceana’s call, citing the need to curb illegal fishing and encroachment from outsiders.
“Our appeal to the Honorable President is to sign the bill as soon as possible so that our seas and resources are protected and enforcement is strengthened against illegal fishers,” said Mayor Ricarte Estrella of Pintuyan, one of the four municipalities in Panaon Island.
He revealed that last year, three fishers from outside the province were apprehended for illegal activities in their waters, highlighting the urgent need for legal protection.
Oceana noted that the proposed PIPS framework complements Southern Leyte’s shift to a Blue Economy, which prioritizes the sustainable use of marine resources while preserving biodiversity. This strategy is being advanced by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)–Southern Leyte in partnership with local governments, science institutions, and fisherfolk groups.
Among the alternative livelihoods being introduced are sea cucumber ranching, sandfish cultivation in Liloan and San Francisco, and squid processing in Pintuyan. These projects form part of the province’s broader SPEED-SL (Science and Technology Programs to Enhance Economic Development of Southern Leyte) agenda.
“Panaon Island is living proof that sustainable livelihoods and healthy marine ecosystems can go hand in hand. By equipping communities with science-based alternatives to their main livelihoods, we not only protect biodiversity but also empower people to thrive without harming the very ecosystems they depend on,” Hernandez said.
Once signed into law, the PIPS bill will establish a legal framework for long-term conservation; create sustainable use zones and community-based resource management; strengthen enforcement against illegal fishing; and institutionalize support for alternative livelihoods.
“This legislation is not just about conservation—it is about securing the future of Panaon Island and demonstrating how environmental protection can drive progress and resilience,” Oceana emphasized.
GRATITUDE. The region’s police organization, led by B/Gen. Jason Capoy, expressed their gratitude to their former chief, Nicolas Torre III, as they welcomed their new leader,Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez. (PRO-8)
GRATITUDE. The region’s police organization, led by B/Gen. Jason Capoy, expressed their gratitude to their former chief, Nicolas Torre III, as they welcomed their new leader,Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez. (PRO-8)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) has extended its heartfelt appreciation to former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Nicolas Torre III for his leadership and contributions to peace and security, particularly in Eastern Visayas, where he once served as Samar provincial director.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 27, PRO-8, headed by Regional Director Brigadier General Jason Capoy, lauded Torre’s “exceptional contribution and dedicated service” to the PNP and the nation.
“Thank you, General Torre, for your tireless commitment and invaluable service toward the betterment of our national police and the nation,” the statement read.
The regional office also assured full support for Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Corpuz Nartatez Jr., the Acting PNP Chief, committing to implement his directives and programs aimed at strengthening anti-criminality, anti-corruption, and anti-terrorism efforts, while fostering closer community relations.
Torre, who served as Samar police provincial director from 2017 to 2019, returned to the province on June 30 for the inauguration of the new provincial police headquarters in Catbalogan City. He was relieved from his post as PNP Chief on August 26 after serving for less than three months.
NEW AMBULANCE. The island town of Zumarraga in Samar headed by Mayor Rosalito Castillo was among the local government units in the region which received an ambulance from Pres. Marcos. (PHOTO COURTESY)
ZUMARRAGA, Samar– This island municipality is taking a major step toward improving healthcare access for its 16,000 residents, following the delivery of a brand-new, fully equipped patient transfer vehicle (PTV) from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
NEW AMBULANCE. The island town of Zumarraga in Samar headed by Mayor Rosalito Castillo was among the local government units in the region which received an ambulance from Pres. Marcos. (PHOTO COURTESY)
Mayor Rosalito Castillo received the unit from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on August 18 in Ormoc City, as part of the regional distribution of 124 medical transport vehicles across Eastern Visayas. Zumarraga was among 24 Samar municipalities that benefited from the program.
Designated as a geographically isolated and disadvantaged area (GIDA), Zumarraga has long struggled with emergency referrals due to its location. The new ambulance is expected to save lives by ensuring patients can reach advanced medical care without delay.
“This initiative addresses a critical need for island communities like ours, where access to healthcare often depends on sea travel,” Mayor Castillo said, adding that the LGU is pursuing complementary measures to strengthen local health systems.
These include rehabilitating rural health centers, upgrading equipment and medicine stocks, and launching a mobile diagnostic clinic (Klinik Ha Baryo) to deliver laboratory tests, X-rays, and basic screening services directly to barangays.
The municipality is also an active partner of the Philippine Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP), which focuses on reducing child stunting through nutrition programs for pregnant women and children under two years old.
Local officials say these efforts are part of a broader push to make preventive care and health education more accessible to every household.
“With the new patient transport vehicle and ongoing health initiatives, we aim to overcome geographic barriers and build a healthier, more resilient community,” Castillo added.
