TACLOBAN CITY – Leyte Division Superintendent Mariza Magan has rallied the ‘Roaring Lions’ athletic team to reclaim the 2025 Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) Meet championship title as the competition enters its final stretch in Tacloban City on March 5.

“As you embark on this final leg, remember that you are not just representing your division but also your families, schools, and communities. Let the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie guide you,” Magan urged the athletes.

“Give it your all, leave everything on the field, and make us proud! Go for gold and reclaim the championship title. May you return home victorious,” she added.

Magan personally visited the Roaring Lions delegation at their billeting area in Kapangian Central School to oversee preparations and ensure their safety and convenience.

She was joined by Assistant Schools Division Superintendents Atty. Calick D. Arrieta and Teodorico C. Peliño Jr., along with School Governance and Operations Division (SGOD) Chief Gil R. Esplanada and other top division officials.

Magan also expressed gratitude for the support of Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla and other local officials, emphasizing their role in fostering the athletes’ success.
As of March 4, Leyte has secured a total of 41 medals, including 14 gold, 13 silver, and 14 bronze.

With the final events underway, the Roaring Lions remain determined to reclaim the EVRAA championship and bring pride to Leyte.

(RONALD O. REYES)

The town has 32 villages

TACLOBAN CITY – Eleven of the 32 barangays in Palapag, Northern Samar have been declared under stable internal peace and security condition (SIPSC), marking a significant step toward sustained peace in the area.

The declaration, made by the local government unit (LGU) of Palapag in collaboration with the 74th Infantry Battalion(IB), signifies that these villages are now free from insurgency and have achieved a stable security environment.

The SIPSC-declared barangays include Laniwan, Tinampo, Mapno, Paysud, Talolora, Sinilaran, Binay, Pangpang, Monbon, Natawo, and Campedico.

Local officials and security forces lauded this milestone, recognizing it as a key achievement in the government’s continuing efforts to establish lasting peace and stability in Northern Samar and the Eastern Visayas region.

The declaration ceremony was attended by municipal officials, including Mayor Florence Batula, Vice Mayor Melvic Chy, and Councilor Ricardo Batula who chair of the town council’s committee on public order and safety.

Also present were Rosalinda Jarito, municipal local government operations officer (MLGOO); PCapt Liborio Luces Jr., town police chief; Capt. Jamm de Francia, 122nd Special Action Company (SAC)/Special Action Force (SAF) Commanding Officer; and key personnel from the 74th Infantry Battalion.

A former New People’s Army (NPA) member, alias “Apoy”, also shared his experiences as an insurgent, highlighting the importance of government initiatives like SIPSC in transforming communities and ensuring security.

He urged community members to support peacebuilding efforts, emphasizing the critical role of collaboration in promoting sustainable development and long-term stability.
The 74th IB and LGU Palapag reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with community leaders and stakeholders to ensure the continued success of SIPSC initiatives.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY– The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) builds a multi-purpose building within its compound in Ormoc City, which will serve as the new Materials Testing Laboratory for the Quality Assurance Section (QAS).

Spanning a total area of 594 square meters across three floors, the completed project has a contract amount of P19,358,711.61 funded under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2024.

Chief of QAS, Engr. Elmer A. Napoles, noted the huge difference between their previous building and the new one. “The facility is more spacious, allowing us to store more laboratory equipment,” Napoles said. “The old building was very cramped, prone to flood when it rained, and was already deteriorating. Now, personnel can move around freely and we have designated rooms to perform soil, cement, and asphalt testing.”

The building is expected to improve the efficiency of materials testing processes, ensuring the continued adherence to quality standards in projects undertaken by the DEO. Additionally, this development supports the office’s dedication to maintaining the 2-star rating for its materials testing laboratory, a standard it has upheld since 2019.(PR)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) regional office successfully concluded the 35th Civil Registration Month on February 27, 2025, with a closing ceremony at Gaisano Capital Real, this city.

The event gathered representatives from government agencies, academic institutions, media partners, and poster-making contest participants to highlight the importance of civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) in Eastern Visayas.

PSA Regional Director Wilma Perante emphasized the role of CRVS in public service delivery and thanked stakeholders for their support, especially in the poster-making contest held on February 3, 2025.

Registration Officer IV Jimmy M. Dagupan presented 2023 CRVS data, revealing concerns such as high teenage pregnancies; majority of births from unmarried parents; infant mortality among children under one year old; 60% of registered deaths were unattended; and ischemic heart disease as the leading cause of death in the region

Chief Statistical Specialist Mae Almonte discussed demographic trends from the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, linking census data to civil registration.

Certificates of appreciation were awarded to CRVS stakeholders, recognizing their contributions. Winners of the poster-making contest were also honored for using their art to promote awareness.

The month-long celebration aimed to raise public awareness on civil registration, highlighting its importance in legal identity, policy-making, and service delivery.

(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)