TACLOBAN CITY — Seeking to make public education more inclusive, the local government of Pinabacdao, Samar is moving to establish dedicated classrooms for children with special needs under its Special Needs Education (SNED) program, a first for the municipality.

As part of the initial steps, representatives from the Provincial Engineering Office and developmental pediatrics specialists conducted a site assessment on December 19, 2025, at Parasanon Elementary School and Quintin Quijano Sr. Agricultural School (QQSAS). The visit aimed to ensure that the proposed classrooms meet safety, accessibility, and child-friendly standards for learners with special needs.

Mayor Viannery Mabag said the initiative reflects the municipality’s commitment to recognizing and supporting all children, especially those who require specialized learning environments.

“This is a crucial first step to ensure every child in Pinabacdao is valued and given the opportunity to flourish,” Mabag said.

In preparation for the pilot implementation, 36 children from Pinabacdao underwent neurodevelopmental assessments in Tacloban City in partnership with CogniCare Psychological Center. Those identified with special needs will be enrolled in the municipality’s pilot SNED program.

The LGU has also begun strengthening its teaching force by sending public school teachers to SNED training programs, including Basic Filipino Sign Language, to ensure effective and inclusive instruction.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Police arrested the Eastern Visayas region’s fourth most wanted person during a joint operation in Barangay Guinadiongan, Capoocan, Leyte, on January 5, 2026, authorities said.

The suspect, identified by police as alias “Leo,” 30, a delivery boy and resident of Barangay Pinamopoan, Capoocan, was apprehended by virtue of a warrant of arrest for statutory rape issued on October 7, 2025. The court recommended no bail for his temporary liberty.
The arrest was carried out by personnel of the Capoocan Municipal Police Station, Regional Intelligence Unit 8 (RIU-8), Provincial Intelligence Team–Leyte, and the 2nd Leyte Provincial Mobile Force Company.

Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) Regional Director PB/Gen. Jason Capoy said the arrest reflects the police force’s intensified campaign against criminality and its focus on tracking down high-profile fugitives.

“The arrest of most wanted persons is vital to our law enforcement efforts. Their apprehension protects public safety and sends a clear message that no one is above the law,” Capoy said.

PRO-8 said it will continue strengthening intelligence gathering, police operations, and inter-agency coordination to help ensure safer communities across Eastern Visayas.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — In a move to strengthen public safety and disaster preparedness at the grassroots level, the local government of Palapag in Northern Samar and its local police have formalized their partnership through the implementation of Oplan Joint Community Action for Preparedness and Safety (JCAPS).

The partnership was sealed with the signing of a memorandum of agreement on January 7, 2025, at the Sangguniang Bayan Legislative Session Hall. Signatories included Palapag Mayor Florence “Fawa” Batula, Palapag Police Chief PCpt. Liborio Luces Jr., and other local officials.

Under the agreement, Oplan JCAPS aims to enhance coordination among the police, LGU, and municipal offices in law enforcement, peace and order, disaster preparedness and resilience, crime prevention, and community development.

PCpt. Luces underscored the importance of unity and shared responsibility among government agencies in ensuring public safety, while Mayor Batula expressed the local government’s full support for collaborative efforts that promote peace, preparedness, and the welfare of Palapagnons.

Oplan JCAPS serves as an inter-agency framework designed to build a safer, more prepared, and more resilient Palapag through coordinated action and proactive community engagement.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY— Four people were injured after a passenger tricycle veered off the road and fell into a roadside canal along the national highway in Sitio St. Joseph, Barangay Cabibihan, Caibiran, Biliran on Tuesday morning, January 6.

Police said the accident occurred at around 9:27 a.m. when the tricycle, driven by a 72-year-old man identified as alias “Pau,” reportedly lost control after the driver fell asleep while driving. The tricycle was traveling downhill along a portion of the road near Tinago Falls when the incident happened.

The passengers were identified as alias “Bea,” 57, married, alias “Gia,” and alias “Mika,” both of legal age. All passengers are residents of Barangay Atipolo, Naval, Biliran.

According to a police report submitted to the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), personnel from the Caibiran Municipal Police Station, Caibiran Bureau of Fire Protection–Emergency Medical Services (BFP-EMS), and Caibiran Rescue (CARES) immediately responded to the incident after receiving a phone call from a concerned resident.

First aid was administered at the scene before the injured driver and passengers were transported by ambulance to the Caibiran Rural Health Unit for initial treatment. They were later referred to the Biliran Provincial Hospital in Naval for further medical care and are now recuperating.

Initial investigation revealed that the group was on their way to attend a funeral in Culaba, Biliran. Police said the passengers had earlier advised the driver to slow down while navigating the downhill stretch, but the warnings were allegedly ignored.

The tricycle was later brought to the Caibiran Municipal Police Station for proper disposition as police continue their investigation into the incident.

(ROBERT DEJON)