TACLOBAN CITY – Tingog party-list has urged stronger regional collaboration among Southeast Asian nations to combat human trafficking, following the repatriation of 187 Filipino victims from Myanmar.
Rep. Jude Acidre, chair of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, lauded the Philippine government’s swift response, led by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), with support from Thailand and Myanmar.
“This underscores the urgent need to address human trafficking in the region. While we welcome the return of our compatriots, 62 Filipinos remain trapped in Myanmar, highlighting the ongoing dangers,” he said.
Acidre called for enhanced law enforcement coordination, stronger preventive measures, and increased public awareness to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
Tingog party-list, co-represented by Rep. Yedda Romualdez, also pushed for greater ASEAN cooperation to ensure perpetrators face justice.
“As advocates for overseas Filipinos, we remain committed to policies that safeguard their rights and welfare,” Acidre added.
ORMOC CITY– Police operatives arrested a 55-year-old fisherman, listed as Biliran’s No. 5 Most Wanted Person, during a warrant service operation in Barangay Bulalacao, Kawayan, Biliran at around 7:20 pm on March 17.
The suspect, identified only as alias “Junior”, was apprehended based on a Warrant of Arrest issued by Judge Luz Petilla Navarrete, executive judge of the Eighth Judicial Region, Branch 16 in Naval, Biliran, for lascivious conduct.
The court set bail at P200,000.
Authorities informed the accused of his rights in a language he understood before bringing him to Kawayan Municipal Police Station for booking and proper disposition. He will be returned to the issuing court for legal proceedings.
ORMOC CITY– Police operatives apprehended the Top 4 most wanted person at the regional level during a warrant service operation on Tuesday, March 18, at around 1:40 pm in Sitio Mananglad, Barangay A. Tumamak, Villaba, Leyte.
Villaba Chief of Police Major Ian Salvador Po identified the suspect as alias “Gio,” 19, a student and resident of the area.
The arrest was made following a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Dexter Lazarte Aguilar, presiding judge of the 8th Judicial Region, RTC Branch 17, Palompon, Leyte, dated February 14, 2025.
The suspect faces charges for two counts of statutory rape and lascivious conduct under Section 5, Article III of Republic Act 7610, also known as the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act” of 1992.
The court set bail at P200,000 for the lascivious conduct charge, but no bail was recommended for the rape charges.
Police ensured the suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and his constitutional rights in a language he understood. He was then brought to Villaba Municipal Police Station for proper disposition before being turned over to the court that issued the warrant.
ORMOC CITY – A 42-year-old retired US Army serviceman was found lifeless inside his rented room at a homestay apartelle in Barangay 83-B Cogon, San Jose in Tacloban City on Friday, March 15, at around 8:00 am.
Local police identified the victim as alias “Tom,” a native of Mississippi, USA, who had been residing in Barangay 39, Calvary Hill in said city with his Filipina live-in partner, alias “Melai,” 44.
According to the police investigation, the couple checked into the apartelle on March 14 in anticipation of a scheduled power outage in Tacloban.
Later that evening, Melai and her three children arrived but struggled to enter as Tom was heavily intoxicated and unable to open the gate. She stated that he had consumed two bottles of Emperador Brandy and was restless. Opting to sleep in a separate room, she last overheard him talking at around 9 pm before she fell asleep.
The next morning, Melai attempted to wake him up but received no response, prompting her to call the police. She also informed authorities that Tom consumed alcohol daily.
The Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) processed the scene, while the victim was rushed to a city hospital, where the attending physician pronounced him dead on arrival, citing alcoholic intoxication as a possible cause.
His remains are laid to rest at Cebu Rolling Hills, Caibaan, Tacloban City.
LAB FOR ALL. First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos visits Basey, Samar on March 18, leading the “Lab for All” medical caravan that provided free healthcare services to over 1,500 beneficiaries. She is welcomed by Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan (left) and Basey Mayor Luz Ponferrada (right), along with local officials and community members.
(LGU BASEY, MUNICIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER)
LAB FOR ALL. First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos visits Basey, Samar on March 18, leading the “Lab for All” medical caravan that provided free healthcare services to over 1,500 beneficiaries. She is welcomed by Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan (left) and Basey Mayor Luz Ponferrada (right), along with local officials and community members. (LGU BASEY, MUNICIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER)
TACLOBAN CITY – First Lady Louise ‘Liza’ Araneta-Marcos led the “Lab for All” medical caravan in Basey, Samar on March 18, bringing much-needed healthcare services to the town’s residents.
She was joined by Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan and Basey Mayor Luz Ponferrada in the municipality, known for its mat weaving industry and Sohoton Cave and Natural Bridge.
Basey’s Lab for All marks the 41st installment of the First Lady’s nationwide initiative, aimed at improving healthcare accessibility, particularly in remote communities.
The program targeted 1,500 beneficiaries, offering services from the Department of Health (DOH), including free medical consultations; comprehensive laboratory tests; HIV, TB, and cancer screening;dental services; prescription glasses and assistive devices; and senior citizen kits.
“We are fulfilling the President’s promise to bring healthcare services directly to the people, rather than the other way around,” the First Lady said in her speech.
She emphasized the crucial role of both government and private sector partners in making these medical missions possible.
In addition to healthcare services, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed P3,000 cash assistance to each of the 1,500 beneficiaries under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, along with family food packs.
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Prospero de Vera III was also present to turn over P8 million in financial aid for medical scholars at the Samar Island Institute of Medicine under the Medical Scholarship and Return Service (MSRS) program. The funds will benefit 16 scholars from Samar State University.
Other government agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG Fund, and the Public Attorney’s Office, also took part in the event, further expanding the range of assistance provided to Basey residents.
DZR AIRPORT. The Daniel Z. Romualdez (DZR) Airport, the regional gateway to Eastern Visayas, continues to see increasing passenger traffic with additional daily flights. The photo shows ongoing construction work at the new DZR Airport, which is expected to accommodate more flights and boost air travel in the region. (BIYAHERO)
Among the country’s busiest airports
DZR AIRPORT. The Daniel Z. Romualdez (DZR) Airport, the regional gateway to Eastern Visayas, continues to see increasing passenger traffic with additional daily flights. The photo shows ongoing construction work at the new DZR Airport, which is expected to accommodate more flights and boost air travel in the region. (BIYAHERO)
TACLOBAN CITY – Passenger traffic at Daniel Z. Romualdez (DZR) Airport in Tacloban grew by 7% in 2024, driven largely by the introduction of new flight routes, an official said.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the number of inbound and outbound passengers increased from 1,573,301 in 2023 to 1,689,748 in 2024.
“The opening of new routes to Tacloban from Davao and Iloilo in the latter part of the year contributed to this growth. Passenger traffic has shown a consistent annual increase since 2018,” said CAAP Eastern Visayas Area Manager Danilo Abarreta in a phone interview on Tuesday.
On October 29, 2024, Cebu Pacific launched two new routes: Iloilo-Tacloban-Iloilo, operating four times weekly (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays), and Davao-Tacloban-Davao, operating thrice weekly (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays).
Currently, Tacloban Airport handles 16 to 20 flights per day, including 12 daily flights to and from Metro Manila and four daily flights to and from Cebu.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Eastern Visayas Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes attributed the rise in passenger traffic to improved connectivity.
“This increase highlights the vital role of accessibility in tourism growth,” Tiopes said. “With this development, we hope airline service providers will consider resuming the Tacloban-Clark route and opening flights to other growth centers in the country. Improved connectivity will encourage more travelers to visit Eastern Visayas.”
Tacloban-Clark flights were halted in 2020 due to pandemic-related restrictions.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) described the rising passenger and aircraft movement at DZR Airport as a strong indicator of growing demand for air travel in the region.
“This trend underscores the urgency of fast-tracking the airport’s ongoing upgrade. By 2028, Tacloban Airport aims to meet international aviation standards, not only in services but also in equipment and facilities,” the NEDA regional office said in a statement.
The Tacloban Airport Development Project is currently in full swing, with significant progress in key infrastructure components.
According to the Department of Public Works and Highways:
The Passenger Terminal Building Phase 3, with a contract cost of P964.28 million, is 45.21% complete and is expected to be finished by February 2026.
The construction of additional airport facilities, costing P494.89 million, is 47.70% complete, with a target completion date of October 2025.
The first two phases of the passenger terminal building, with a combined budget of P1.8 billion, are still ongoing.
Officially named Daniel Z. Romualdez (DZR) Airport, the facility was named after the late House Speaker and uncle of former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos. Classified as a Class 1 major domestic airport, it serves as the main gateway from Manila and Cebu to Eastern Visayas.
In 2023, it ranked as the 11th busiest airport in the Philippines, handling 1.5 million inbound and outbound passengers.
