TACLOBAN CITY– The Philippine Statistics Authority Regional Statistical Services Office VIII (PSA RSSO 8) is one of the recipients of the eGov Kiosk from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) now installed at PSA RSSO 8 2nd Floor, Gaisano Capital, Real St., Tacloban City, Leyte.
The eGov kiosk is the very first e-government portal which geared to level-up digitalization of government services.
It has the one-stop-shop features offering various services from both national and local government agencies aimed to allow clients access links on processes such as securing online appointment, applications and latest instructions without the need of going to each office they intend to visit.
PSA Regional Director, Wilma A. Perante, personally welcomed and explored the eGov Kiosk which was set up at the nearest to the client’s area last June 11 2025.
The kiosk will also assist the public without access to the internet and will reduce long queues and access the same services by downloading the eGov PH Super App. This innovation is the very first e-government portal in the country rolled out in selected Local Government Units (LGUs) and National Government Agency (NGAs) in Region VIII. (PR)
NEW LEADER. Brigadier General Lenart Lelina relinquished his post as the commander of the 801st Infantry Brigade to Colonel Carmilo Pangatungan during a ceremony on June 19 at the brigade’s headquarters in Hinabangan, Samar. (PHOTO COURTESY, 8th ID)
NEW LEADER. Brigadier General Lenart Lelina relinquished his post as the commander of the 801st Infantry Brigade to Colonel Carmilo Pangatungan during a ceremony on June 19 at the brigade’s headquarters in Hinabangan, Samar. (PHOTO COURTESY, 8th ID)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division formally installed a new acting commander for the 801st Infantry Brigade in a change of command ceremony held on June 19, 2025, at the brigade headquarters in Hinabangan, Samar.
The ceremony was presided over by Brigadier General Efren Morados, acting division commander of the 8ID, representing Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, the division’s commanding general.
Brigadier General Lenart Lelina, the outgoing brigade commander, relinquished his post to Colonel Carmilo Pangatungan, who will serve as the acting commander of the 801st Infantry Brigade.
Lelina is set to retire on June 27, 2025, after more than three years of service as the unit’s top leader.
In a message delivered by Brig. Gen. Morados on behalf of Maj. Gen. Orio, the 8ID leadership praised Brig. Gen. Lelina for his vital contributions to the region’s peace and security.
“Under your command, Sir, the 801st Infantry Brigade became a driving force in our campaign to end insurgency in Eastern Visayas,” Morados said. “You led with both strength and vision—executing over 5,000 combat and small-unit operations, dismantling three guerrilla fronts, neutralizing and encouraging the surrender of hundreds of CTG elements, and recovering a significant cache of enemy weapons, explosives, and materials. You have led with honor and left a mark that matters.”
As Col. Pangatungan assumes command, Maj. Gen. Orio challenged him to sustain and build upon the gains of the brigade in its next phase of transformation.
“You are entrusted to carry forward the momentum that has been built—to sustain operational excellence, strengthen community partnerships, and guide this Brigade through a critical period of transition as we shift from internal security to territorial defense operations,” Orio said in his statement. “Your leadership must inspire stability, adaptability, and purpose.”
In his message, Brig. Gen. Lelina extended his gratitude to the men and women of the 801st Brigade, local government units, and various partner agencies and stakeholders who supported the brigade throughout his term.
One of the key achievements under Brig. Gen. Lelina’s leadership was the successful implementation of the “Saad nga Balay” program, a housing initiative for former New People’s Army (NPA) members who have surrendered and are undergoing reintegration.
The project was first rolled out in San Jose de Buan, Samar and later expanded to other towns, as part of the whole-of-nation approach involving multiple government agencies and community stakeholders.
For his outstanding service, Brig. Gen. Lelina was awarded the Military Merit Medal Interim to the Distinguished Service Star during the retirement ceremony.
Globe has opened a new Micro Shop in Boracay, reinforcing its commitment to customer-centricity and a culture of malasakit by making essential digital services more accessible to locals and tourists in one of the country’s most iconic destinations.
Located on the ground floor of eMall in Station 3, the store offers Globe’s full suite of services—including mobile prepaid and postpaid, broadband, and lifestyle solutions—right where customers need them most. Whether travelers are booking last-minute tours, professionals are managing remote work, or residents are staying connected with loved ones, the new Micro Shop ensures they get the support they deserve, when they need it.
“We’re proud to bring the Globe experience even closer to the community of Boracay,” said Chai Alano, Vice President of Channel Management Group at Globe. “More than a store, this Micro Shop is a physical expression of our malasakit—our care—for our customers and each other. It enables us to serve better, faster, and more meaningfully.”
Boracay is home to nearly 37,000 residents and attracts millions of visitors annually. According to the Malay Municipal Tourism Office, over 375,000 tourists visited the island in just the first two months of 2025, with the full-year number expected to hit 2.2 million, up from 1.7 million in 2024.
To meet this growing demand, Globe has invested heavily in the region’s network infrastructure. It has constructed or upgraded over 40 cell sites in Boracay alone, deployed more than 30 outdoor 5G sites, and rolled out 50 additional towers across Aklan province to support sustained growth.
The new Micro Shop underscores Globe’s role not just as a service provider, but as a partner in community development—committed to bridging digital gaps, creating economic value, and enabling progress through connectivity. (PR)
Catarman N. Samar-As part of the Department’s protection for a sustainable environment, the Department of Public Works and Highways–Northern Samar 1st District Engineering Office (DPWH-NSFDEO) joined the nationwide simultaneous tree planting activity on June 11, 2025, in celebration of the DPWH’s 127th Founding Anniversary.
The activity was led by District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio, key officials and employees of DPWH-NSFDEO.
A total of 100 fruit-bearing seedlings were planted along two designated sections of Allen-Catarman Road and along the Catarman-Laoang Road.
This nationwide initiative is one of the featured activities of the anniversary celebration, aimed at promoting environmental preservation and instilling a deeper sense of ecological responsibility among the Department’s officials and personnel.
DPWH continues to strengthen its role not only in infrastructure development but also in the preservation and protection of the environment for future generations.
ORMOC CITY-A heated argument between two men ended in violence after one of them was stabbed with a steel bar around 12:20 pm on June 17, 2025, in Barangay Bobonon, Alangalang, Leyte.
The victim, identified only as alias “Tino,” of legal age, married, and unemployed, is currently recovering at the Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) in Tacloban City following the incident.
Police identified the suspect as “Natoy,” 64, single, a farm laborer, and a fellow resident of Barangay Bobonon.
According to the Alangalang Municipal Police Station (MPS), the incident was triggered by a verbal altercation between the two. The argument escalated, prompting the suspect to stab the victim in the right side of the chest using a pointed steel bar.
Responding police officers immediately arrested the suspect at the scene. He was informed of the reason for his arrest and was read his constitutional rights in a language he fully understood.
The suspect is now in custody at Alangalang MPS for proper disposition, while authorities continue their investigation to determine the full circumstances of the incident.
John Lester Ravas receives a certificate of appreciation from DepEd Eastern Samar Schools Division Superintendent Gorgonio Diaz and other key officials. (Photo courtesy of Vicente Antofina Jr.)
John Lester Ravas receives a certificate of appreciation from DepEd Eastern Samar Schools Division Superintendent Gorgonio Diaz and other key officials. (Photo courtesy of Vicente Antofina Jr.)
BORONGAN CITY– When John Lester Ravas climbed the stage on June 17 at the Borongan City Multipurpose Gym, he stood there not just as a guest speaker but as living proof of what the Alternative Learning System (ALS) can do to transform people to the best they can be.
Once a school dropout from Jipapad, Eastern Samar, Ravas shared his powerful story in front of more than 400 ALS graduates and their families during the province’s first Division-Level Graduation and Moving Up Ceremony for ALS passers.
Ravas’ message was more than inspirational. It was deeply personal, a testament to resilience, second chances, and the transformative power of education.
“This is not just the end of an academic journey. It is a celebration of your courage, your commitment, and your refusal to give up on your dreams. You are not ordinary students.
You are learners with strength, determination, and heart,” Ravas told the graduates.
Speaking from experience, Ravas acknowledged the real struggles ALS learners face, family responsibilities, financial hardship, lack of access, and more, but also celebrated their strength in choosing to come back and keep going.
“You juggled many roles in life, parent, provider, sibling, worker, and still chose to become a student. That, in itself, is a remarkable achievement,” he said.
After passing the ALS Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Test in 2016, Ravas pursued a degree in Criminology and graduated with honors. He later passed the Licensure Examination for Criminologists with distinction, ranking as second in Region VIII in 2022.
Today, he is a faculty member at Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) Main Campus, earned his master’s degree in Criminal Justice, and is currently taking his doctorate while being a Certified Legal Medicine Specialist.
“ALS is not a shortcut. In fact, it takes more discipline, more patience, and more sacrifice than many realize,” he said.
“You studied in barangay halls, during lunch breaks at work, while raising your children. And today, you are victorious,” Ravas’ added.
Ravas also honored the ALS teachers, mobile facilitators, and coordinators whose dedication makes the program possible.
“Your work goes far beyond teaching. You inspire, you guide, and you give people hope. You knock on doors, visit remote sitios, and never give up on a learner. You are changing lives,” he added.
His heartfelt message resonated deeply with the audience, bringing many to tears. But perhaps most stirring was his reminder that every graduate now carries the power to inspire others.
“Somewhere out there is someone who thinks it’s too late to go back to school. Be the voice that tells them: ‘If I can do it, so can you.’ This diploma is more than just paper. It is a symbol of your strength. It is proof that you can finish what you started,” Ravas noted.
In his message, Gorgonio G. Diaz, schools division superintendent of DepEd Eastern Samar, emphasized that the true measure of success lies beyond the diploma.
“ Success is not merely receiving a diploma. The diploma is just the beginning of true success. The best thing about learning is no one can take it away from you,” Diaz said.
Vicente Antofina Jr., ALS coordinator of DepEd Eastern Samar, shared that the event was organized to celebrate the achievements of ALS learners, expand the program’s reach, and encourage broader community involvement.
Graduates came from across the province, having passed the 2024 A&E Test earlier this year, as officially announced through DepEd Memorandum No. 46, s. 2025. In line with DepEd Order No. 55, s. 2016, passers are now eligible to advance to Grade 7 or 11, pursue vocational training, or seek employment with their certificate of completion.
But beyond the banners and speeches, it was Ravas’ story and his message that truly defined the day.
“You were never behind. You were simply building strength for the right moment. And that moment is now. You are not just survivors. You are achievers. You are not just learners.
You are leaders in your own right. And you are not just graduates. You are the hope of your community,” he concluded.
As the ALS Eastern Samar closes School Year 2024-2025 with this milestone event, it moves forward with stronger commitment to education for all. And in the hearts of those present, one message continues to echo: “Sa ALS, may pag-asa.”
