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Philippine Air Force: more than just guardians of the skies

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FLY HIGH. The Philippine Air Force celebrated its 78th founding anniversary with series of pre-anniversary activities last week. PAF was founded on July 1,1947. (PHOTO COURTESY)

TACLOBAN CITY – Bringing services closer is not just about emergency response, it is also about fostering understanding, public awareness and connection. The Philippine Air Force in Eastern Visayas showcased their capability in a mall exhibit in Tacloban City, aiming to educate the public about its mission and capabilities.

The displays showed aircraft models, search-and-rescue equipment, and interactive flight simulators, allowing ordinary citizens to see up close what it takes to protect and serve the nation.

Col. Alexon B. Ramos, Group Commander of the Tactical Operation Group 8 of the Tactical Operations Wing Central, emphasized PAF’s commitment to national defense and community engagement.

In Eastern Visayas the PAF has been recognized to provide timely responses to natural disasters, deploying its highly trained personnel and assets directly into the service of communities in need.

In a message, Office of the Civil Defense 8 Director Lord Byron Torrecarion said the Philippine Air Force in the region has time and again conducted rapid damage assessments during disaster response operations and delivered critical relief goods to isolated communities, proving that their service extends beyond the battlefield.

The 3-day mall exhibit showed PAF’s air defense capabilities covering combat support operations, aviation and maritime domain awareness, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response capabilities.

Interactive equipment stations were also featured to provide hands-on engagement, giving mall-goers a closer look at the Air Force’s cutting-edge technology and mission readiness.
One of the events highlights a live demonstration by the PAF Special Operations Team’s K-9 Unit, where a trained detection dog showcased its rapid ability to identify explosives with the help of volunteer mall-goers. A career booth was also available which offered information on opportunities for PAF Officers, Enlisted Personnel, Civilian Human Resources, and Reservists.

Adding excitement and energy to the event, the PAF mascots, Captain Aguila and Captain Bagwis, made special appearances, spreading joy and interacting with visitors during the inauguration.

Today’s Philippine Air Force is more than just guardian of the skies — it is a force that touches lives on the ground. Through every helicopter airlift during a typhoon, every medical camp in a remote town, and every community engagement, the PAF brings the spirit of service closer to every Filipino.

As they celebrate their 78th anniversary on July 1, 2025, the Philippine Air Force’s message is clear: they are not just defenders of the nation’s skies — they are partners in building a stronger, healthier, and more resilient Philippines.

(AHLETTE C.REYES,PIA-8)

P9.9-M FMR enhances Camansihay, San Roque Agriclutural access

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TACLOBAN CITY — The Tacloban City District Engineering Office (TCDEO) marks the completion of the construction of a farm-to-market road along the agricultural lands of Brgy. Camansihay and Brgy. San Roque, Tacloban City.

Funded under the 2024 General Appropriations Act through the Department of Agriculture, the P9.9-million infrastructure project was completed on February 10, 2025.

The project features a 0.400-kilometer stretch of Portland Concrete Cement Pavement (PCCP), 291.82 meters of slope protection, and a 23.50-lineal meter cross drain. Designed to facilitate the efficient transport of agricultural produce, the road also offers improved access for farmers traveling to and from their fields in said areas.

“This project is a vital link for our farming communities,” said District Engineer Rebecca G. Yuse. “Not only does it promote more efficient transport of agricultural products, but it also enhances the daily movement of our farmers to and from their lands, especially during challenging weather conditions.”

(PUBLIC INFORMATION UNIT)

Military assures peaceful elections in EV

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Despite shooting incident in Albuera

TACLOBAN CITY – The military in Eastern Visayas has assured the public of its readiness to ensure a peaceful and orderly election for the upcoming midterm elections next month.
Brigadier General Noel Vestuir, the commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade, which oversees Leyte, Biliran, Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar, and parts of Samar, made the assurance following the Commission on Elections (Comelec) placing certain towns in Leyte and Samar under heightened watch due to security concerns.

On April 26, a final coordination conference was held by the Comelec, the military, and the Philippine National Police in Leyte in preparation for the May 12 midterm elections.

The towns of Palompon, Villaba, Hilongos, Albuera, and Tabango in Leyte, as well as Basey and Pinabacdao in Samar, have been classified under the “yellow” category, while Leyte, Calubian, San Isidro, Tabango, and Baybay City in Leyte were placed under the “orange” category.

Of particular concern is the town of Albuera, which recently experienced a shooting incident involving mayoralty candidate Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa.

Espinosa has claimed that the attack on his life was politically motivated and has filed frustrated murder charges against seven police personnel from Ormoc City, alleging their involvement in the incident.

Despite this, Albuera was not placed under the “red” category, which is designated for areas with intense political rivalry and the presence of armed groups.

The “yellow” category indicates a history of suspected election-related incidents from past elections and intense partisan political rivalry, but without local terror group involvement. The “orange” category points to areas with significant armed threats, particularly from communist insurgents and other rebel factions.

Brigadier General Vestuir assured that the military and police are working closely to monitor and prevent any forms of violence or intimidation, especially from communist insurgents or armed partisan groups.

In addition, BGen. Vestuir urged the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity, particularly incidents of extortion or illegal campaigning tactics by armed groups. He emphasized the importance of cooperation in maintaining the integrity of the election process.

“If you notice any individuals extorting or forcing support for candidates endorsed by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army, please report immediately to the nearest Army camp or police station to prevent such illegal activities,” he stated. “Let us help one another to ensure a safe, credible, honest, and clean election.”

ROEL T. AMAZONA

Archdiocese of Palo holds tribute mass for Pope Francis, honors his legacy in Yolanda-hit Leyte

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POPE FRANCIS REMEMBERED. Requiem masses were held across the region on Saturday, April 26, as Pope Francis was laid to rest. The Archdiocese of Palo displayed several artifacts from his historic visit to Tacloban City and Palo on January 17, 2015. Among the items on display were his skull cap and the utensils he used during his lunch with survivors of Typhoon Yolanda. Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21. (PALO METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL)

Mass was also conducted at the DZR Airport

POPE FRANCIS REMEMBERED. Requiem masses were held across the region on Saturday, April 26, as Pope Francis was laid to rest. The Archdiocese of Palo displayed several artifacts from his historic visit to Tacloban City and Palo on January 17, 2015. Among the items on display were his skull cap and the utensils he used during his lunch with survivors of Typhoon Yolanda. Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21. (PALO METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL)

TACLOBAN CITY – A tribute mass for the late Pope Francis was offered by the Archdiocese of Palo at the Palo Metropolitan Cathedral on Saturday, April 26, presided over by Archbishop John Du.

In his homily, Archbishop Du recalled the Holy Father’s historic visit to the Archdiocese on January 17, 2015, a little over a year after Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ (international name: Haiyan) devastated much of Eastern Visayas, particularly this city.

“When we were suffering because of Yolanda, he came—though a bit late—but he was with us,” Archbishop Du said, reminiscing about the papal visit that coincided with the onslaught of Typhoon ‘Amang’, which prompted Pagasa to raise Signal No. 2 over Tacloban and Palo.
Despite the heavy rains, thousands of pilgrims from various parishes across the region braved the weather to gather at the Tacloban DZR Airport for the mass celebrated by Pope Francis. The faithful, many still reeling from Yolanda’s devastation, found strength and comfort in the Pope’s presence.

Following the mass at the airport tarmac, Pope Francis visited the Archbishop’s Palace where he dined with selected survivors of Yolanda and the Bohol earthquake. He later met with local government officials and Church leaders at the Palo Metropolitan Cathedral.
Among the attendees at Saturday’s tribute mass was Khombe Amado, 22, from Kananga, Leyte.

Amado, who was only 12 years old during the 2015 visit, vividly remembered the hope Pope Francis brought to the people.

“He gave us hope, and to all the people of Leyte,” Amado said, expressing his sadness upon learning of the Pope’s passing.

After the tribute mass, Church officials announced that memorabilia gifted by Pope Francis to the Archdiocese would be displayed at the altar.

These include a replica of the Infant Jesus used during Christmas Eve Mass at the Vatican, brought by then Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Most Reverend Giuseppe Pinto, who celebrated the Midnight Mass at the roofless Palo Cathedral on December 24, 2013; a replica of the venerated Marian icon, Madonna del Popolo (Our Lady of the People), whose original is enshrined at the Pauline Chapel in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome—now the final resting place of Pope Francis; the chalice used by Pope Francis during the mass at DZR Airport; and the tableware he used during his meal with Yolanda and Bohol earthquake survivors at the Archbishop’s Palace.

The Archdiocese of Palo invites the faithful to visit the cathedral and reflect on the life and legacy of the late Holy Father, whose compassion touched the hearts of many across Leyte and beyond.

Meanwhile, in Tacloban City, another mass was also held at the new DZR Airport tarmac—the same location where Pope Francis celebrated mass with thousands of pilgrims despite the heavy rain brought by Typhoon ‘Amang’ a decade ago.

Among those who attended were House Speaker and Leyte First District Representative Martin Romualdez and Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone.

In a brief interview, Romualdez shared that although the papal visit happened 10 years ago, its impact remains deeply felt by the people of Tacloban and other areas devastated by Yolanda.

“He did not abandon us; he stood here and was with us. Let us not lose hope and trust in God,” Romualdez said

Miguel, 38, a worker at the ongoing DZR Airport rehabilitation project who declined to give his full name, said he was simply grateful to join the mass.

“I am just happy to be here even though I was not able to see him when he came,” he said.

According to Miguel, they were temporarily asked to halt construction work while the mass was being held.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

NFA builds modern rice warehouse in Leyte to boost farmers’ productivity

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TACLOBAN CITY – The National Food Authority (NFA) is constructing a modern warehouse facility in Leyte province to support the national buffer stocking program, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to boost local farmers’ productivity.

The warehouse is located within the NFA Eastern Visayas compound in Alangalang town, with construction expected to be completed within eight months.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held on April 25, Friday, was led by NFA Acting Deputy Administrator John Robert Hermano, together with Regional Manager May Sara Sabarre, and Alangalang Mayor Lovely Yu-Castro, among others.

The government allocated around P550 million for the project, with more than P118 million allotted for the construction of the warehouse and the rest for the purchase of equipment.
Hermano said that once completed, the facility will be a major boost to local rice farmers, addressing the long-standing lack of post-harvest facilities in the province.

The warehouse will have a drying capacity of about 400,000 bags annually and a milling capacity of about 500,000 bags per year.

“Our rice production is high, but our main challenge is the lack of post-harvest facilities, especially dryers… This post-harvest facility addresses the weakest link in our rice production chain. Very few invest in this area, except for the government,” Hermano said.

Hermano added that aside from Alangalang, the NFA is also constructing a similar warehouse in Oras, Eastern Samar, where a groundbreaking was held last month.

He further shared that similar facilities are planned for other areas in the region, including Catbalogan City, Biliran, Southern Leyte, Ormoc City, Laoang, and parts of eastern Leyte, to ensure that all major rice production areas in Eastern Visayas are covered.

With the increase in the volume of palay (unhusked rice) procured by the NFA in the region—from 80,000 bags previously to about 250,000 bags—Hermano emphasized the need for larger and more modern facilities.

“Because of this, we truly need a higher-capacity rice mill. First, to absorb farmers’ deliveries even during rainy days, and second, to improve the quality of our palay and consequently the quality of NFA rice,” he said.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TCDEO conducts desilting operation in Lumbang creek

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TACLOBAN, CITY – The Tacloban City District Engineering Office (TCDEO), in coordination with Barangay 77, Tacloban City, successfully completes a desilting operation along Lumbang Creek, which ran from April 7 to 11, 2025.

The operation conducted by the TCDEO Maintenance Section, addressed silt accumulation that had been compromising the creek’s water flow and increasing the risk of flooding. This involved the removal of built-up silt and overgrown vegetation that had obstructed the creek. Officials of Brgy. 77 noted that these blockages, if left unaddressed, could lead to significant flooding during periods of heavy rainfall, affecting both local residents and infrastructure.

District Engineer Rebecca G. Yuse emphasized the importance of this timely intervention. “By desilting the creek, we are not only removing the sediment that has built up over time but also ensuring that our waterways remain clear and efficient to prevent future flooding.”
In addition to flood prevention, the desilting operation is expected to restore the creek’s natural functionality. The smooth water flow achieved through this maintenance effort is expected to bolster the area’s resilience against the seasonal rains and improve the local environment.

(PUBLIC INFORMATION UNIT/PR)

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