TACLOBAN CITY — The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) is seeking a P505.5-million budget for 2027 to expand its facilities and training capacity, responding to a record number of Filipino seafarers trained in 2025.

NMP reported that 22,972 active and aspiring seafarers completed training last year, marking the highest number of successful trainees since the institution opened in 1978.
The milestone underscores the growing global demand for skilled Filipino seafarers and the need for accessible, high-quality maritime education.

To meet this demand, NMP’s proposed budget will fund major infrastructure projects, including a new training building with a roof deck, a three-storey maritime resource center, and improvements to the road network within its 17-hectare training complex. Modern training equipment acquisitions are also included in the plan.

Executive Director Victor Del Rosario presented the proposal during the first-quarter meeting of the Regional Development Council – Social Development Committee (RDC-SDC), highlighting the urgency to expand learning facilities in line with increasing trainee numbers.

The proposed expansion follows NMP’s 2026 budget of P427 million, its largest allocation to date under the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), which funded upgrades such as the rehabilitation of officers’ dormitory, construction of a ratings’ dormitory, and development of a training pool.

Once endorsed by the RDC-SDC, the proposed 2027 budget will advance to the national level for further deliberation and is expected to be presented at the upcoming RDC Full Council Meeting.

Based in Cabalawan, Tacloban City, NMP continues to position itself as the country’s premier government maritime training and research center, strengthening the Philippines’ capacity to supply highly skilled seafarers to the global maritime industry.

(HALLEBERT FRANCIS S. HIPE, LNU STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY — Transport operators in Southern Leyte underwent a series of joint government inspections as authorities intensified efforts to enforce labor standards and ensure public safety across land and maritime sectors.

The initiative, dubbed High-Impact, High-Visibility Inspections (HIHVI), was led by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) – Southern Leyte Field Office on March 23, 2026, in coordination with multiple government agencies.

The inspection drive covered key transport establishments and aimed to check compliance with existing labor laws, including Labor Code of the Philippines and Occupational Safety and Health Standards Law, which mandate fair labor practices and safe working conditions.
DOLE Southern Leyte Field Office head Eden Ligaya Golong led the activity, joined by representatives from the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group, Land Transportation Office, Maritime Industry Authority, PhilHealth, Philippine Ports Authority, Social Security System, and the local government of Maasin City, among others.
A total of eight transport establishments were inspected, with authorities assessing compliance on proper wage payment, workers’ benefits, and occupational safety and health measures.

Inspectors also checked workplace conditions, availability of safety equipment, and the implementation of preventive measures to protect both employees and commuters.
Alongside enforcement, participating agencies conducted on-site information drives to guide operators and workers on regulatory requirements, social protection programs, and industry standards—promoting voluntary compliance within the sector.

The HIHVI forms part of the government’s broader push to strengthen labor rights and safety standards, particularly in high-risk sectors such as transportation, where compliance directly impacts both workers and the riding public.

Officials said the coordinated effort reflects a whole-of-government approach to building a safer and more accountable transport system in Southern Leyte.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

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.

(ROBERT DEJON)

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)