TACLOBAN CITY – Fishery school Visayas State University (VSU) satellite campus in Tolosa, Leyte, has joined government agencies and several groups in opposing the Supreme Court (SC) decision allowing commercial vessels to operate within the 15-kilometer municipal waters previously intended for small-scale fishermen.

The Faculty of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences of the VSU Tolosa campus said in a statement Thursday that the ruling “poses a serious threat to the coastal ecosystems and the communities that depend on the resources therein.”

The school calls for the status quo of the implementing rules and regulations of the Republic Act (RA) 8550, or The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, as amended by RA 10654, otherwise known as an Act to prevent, deter, and eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, on prohibiting the entry of the commercial fishing vessels in the municipal waters.

“By allowing the commercial fishing activities in municipal waters, it would add immense pressure that would intensify overfishing and devastate the marine ecosystems that are already under strain,” the school said.

The VSU satellite campus said most of the commercial fishers in the country use active gears, including trawl, Danish seine, purse seine, and ring net, which are not only highly efficient but are also associated with negative biological and environmental impacts.

“On top of these, the entry of the commercial vessels would imperil the livelihood of the small-scale fishers who highly depend on the municipal waters for their daily sustenance and potentially, all other stakeholders in the chain will also be affected,” the VSU campus added.

Allowing the entry of commercial fishing vessels into municipal waters would jeopardize both the coastal environment and the people dependent on it, especially artisanal or small-scale fishers, it said.

Last month, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agency, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), sought the reversal of a High Court decision that allowed commercial fishing in municipal waters.

The BFAR’s motion stemmed from the SC’s First Division ruling affirming a Malabon Regional Trial Court decision in favor of the petition of Mercidar Fishing Corp. to operate in municipal waters.

The VSU-Tolosa Campus in the coastal town of Tolosa was established on Sept. 11, 1971, and was formerly named Daniel Z. Romualdez Memorial School of Fisheries.

It aims to spearhead the region’s socio-economic development through relevant fishery instruction, research, extension, and production, which will result in the proper utilization and management of fishery resources.
(SARWELL Q. MENIANO/PNA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Forty-five pedicab drivers and operators in Tacloban City are set to gain ownership of their own “padyaks” under the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Integrated Livelihood Program, giving them a more stable source of income.

Before receiving their units, the beneficiaries, validated by the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), attended an orientation at the CCDLAO Function Hall. They were briefed by the Business Permit and Licensing Division (BPLD) on securing the necessary permits for legal operation, while the Traffic Operations Management Enforcement and Control Office (TOMECO) reinforced road safety and traffic laws.

The beneficiaries include drivers from Barangays 62-A, Caibaan, Marasbaras, and Apitong, as well as former surrenderees, Balik Probinsya returnees, and solo parents.

While the official turnover date has yet to be announced, this livelihood assistance goes beyond just providing pedicabs—it offers beneficiaries a path to financial independence and a more secure future.

(TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Tingog party-list honored its top-performing centers, managers, and volunteers for their outstanding contributions at the National Tingog Summit Awards 2025.

Among the top awardees was Tingog Center Rosales in Pangasinan, which was named Best Tingog Center in Luzon for the second consecutive year.

In the Visayas, the award went to Tingog Center Borongan City while Tingog Center Impasugong, Bukidnon was recognized as the Best Tingog Center in Mindanao.

The Tingog Center of Excellence Award was presented to Tacurong City Tingog Center for its exemplary service and impact.

The event also celebrated the Most Outstanding Tingog Center managers: Kagawad Jun Quizon – Luzon; Jackie Maceda of Maasin City – Visayas; and Arnel Anog – Mindanao.
In addition, volunteers were recognized for their unwavering dedication to providing assistance, especially to marginalized communities.

The Most Outstanding volunteers were Zigfred Ancheta – Luzon; Calbayog City Vice Mayor Rex Daguman – Visayas; and Niño Emphasis – Mindanao.

Meanwhile, the Tingog Community Center in Tacloban received the highest recognition, bagging the Tingog Institutional Award for its exemplary service and commitment to the organization’s mission.

The awarding ceremony was the highlight of the second day of the three-day National Tingog Summit in Palo, Leyte which ended on Saturday, Feb. 8.

The awards were presented by Tingog party-list Representative Jude Acidre and Director for Community Engagement Karla Estrada.

Prior to the awarding, House Speaker Martin Romualdez addressed the 500-strong crowd of Tingog members and volunteers, emphasizing the group’s transformative impact on communities across the country.

“Tingog is no longer just an idea. It is a movement that has changed lives. From Leyte to every corner of the region and across the country, we have built something that truly matters. We have reached communities that needed us most,” he said.

The House Speaker highlighted Tingog’s achievements in medical missions, scholarships, livelihood programs, and disaster relief efforts, stressing that the organization has shown Filipinos “what real, genuine public service looks like.”

Expressing his gratitude and confidence in the group’s continued success, Romualdez urged its members and volunteers to strive harder in delivering Tingog’s unique brand of service to more communities.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

CATARMAN, Northern Samar – The Northern Samar province-wide health system has made significant strides in its universal health care (UHC) local health system maturity level, reaching 97% completion for its organizational level (Level 2) and showing substantial improvement in its functional level (Level 3).

Dr. Maria Aurora D. Vicencio, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Health Office (PHO), presented these advancements to Governor Edwin Ongchuan and the Provincial Health Board (PHB) during their recent meeting.

The province’s organizational level (Level 2)—which requires established network-wide guidelines, resources, and management structures—jumped from 72% in January 2024 to 97%.

Meanwhile, its functional level (Level 3), the final stage where systems are fully operational and institutionalized, saw remarkable progress from 5% in January 2024 to 75% in January 2025.

As part of the province’s ongoing healthcare reforms, Dr. Vicencio announced efforts to accredit all 24 Rural Health Units (RHUs) as primary care facilities (PCFs). She expressed optimism that this goal would be met before the end of the year, with only a few facilities awaiting accreditation.

During the same meeting, the PHO reported on the province’s leading notifiable diseases in 2024.

Dr. Ezekiel Valera, PHO Chief Technical Officer, identified rotavirus as the most prevalent category 2 notifiable disease, with 1,094 recorded cases.

The virus, known for being highly contagious, causes symptoms such as fever, stomach pain, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Other top illnesses included dengue, influenza-like illnesses, and acute watery diarrhea.

In response, Governor Ongchuan, as chair of the Provincial Health Board(PHB), directed health officials to intensify preventive measures and urged the public to take proactive steps in combating these diseases. This includes maintaining cleanliness and eliminating mosquito breeding grounds to prevent dengue outbreaks.

The PHO surveillance report serves as a critical guide for the governor and local health officials in shaping health policies and implementing necessary interventions.

The PHB continues to meet regularly to address urgent health concerns and strengthen health initiatives, ensuring a healthier and more resilient Northern Samar.

(THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF NORTHERN SAMAR)