TACLOBAN CITY — The provincial board in Eastern Samar is advancing two key measures aimed at cushioning the impact of volatile fuel prices and accelerating the shift to renewable energy, as part of broader efforts to strengthen the province’s economic resilience.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan recently held a public hearing on the proposed ordinances, which officials say come at a time when rising fuel costs and supply chain disruptions continue to affect transport fares, agricultural production, and the overall cost of living in the province.

The hearing, led by Board Member Atty. PJ Evardone, was attended by representatives from national government agencies, including the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, and the Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative (Esamelco), along with stakeholders from the transport sector and academe.

Central to the discussions were two proposed measures authored by Evardone: the Eastern Samar Economic Resilience and Fuel Shock Mitigation Ordinance and the Renewable Energy Promotion Ordinance.

The Economic Resilience and Fuel Shock Mitigation Ordinance seeks to establish a Provincial Economic Resilience Council that will monitor economic trends and coordinate immediate response measures during fuel price surges.

It also proposes a digital price monitoring system and targeted assistance for vulnerable sectors such as agriculture, transportation, and small livelihoods.

Meanwhile, the Renewable Energy Promotion Ordinance aims to lessen the province’s reliance on expensive imported fuel by promoting alternative energy sources.

A key provision is the “Green LGUs Program,” which requires at least 30 percent of the energy consumption of provincial government facilities to come from renewable sources by 2030.

The measure also outlines incentives to attract investors, including tax discounts, faster permit processing, and subsidies for renewable energy projects.

Provincial officials said the twin ordinances are expected to draw investments in solar, wind, and hydropower, reduce electricity costs for households and businesses, create jobs in the renewable energy sector, and cut pollution linked to fossil fuel use.

Both measures remain under deliberation as the provincial government continues to explore long-term solutions to energy challenges affecting Eastern Samar.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Health(DOH) in Eastern Visayas (DOH-8) is ramping up efforts to boost infant immunization coverage, urging parents to have their children aged 0 to 23 months vaccinated to protect them from preventable diseases.
Regional Director Exuperia Sabalberino made the call during the regional launch of the government’s national immunization program in Alang-alang, Leyte, where more than 80 infants received vaccines from local health personnel.

Sabalberino also encouraged fathers to actively participate during their children’s immunization, stressing that their presence helps them better understand post-vaccination care, including how to respond to possible fever.

“Posible an bata magkahiranat katima han immunization kasi nga nare-react an body hit bata. Karuyag sidngun, maupay ito nga immune response hit bata, kaya importante nga an mga tatay mahibaro,” she said.

She clarified that while World Immunization Week is observed from April 24 to 30, vaccination services remain available year-round in rural health units (RHUs) and barangay health stations.

“We have regular schedules for immunization at our RHUs and barangay health stations,” Sabalberino said.

The health official emphasized that achieving the program’s targets requires strong support from parents and communities.

For this year, the DOH aims to immunize at least 95 percent of the infant population against vaccine-preventable diseases such as tuberculosis, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, and hepatitis B.

During the April 24 launch, a total of 2,529 children across the region were vaccinated, including 194 who were fully immunized, according to DOH-8.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

Reinforcing its commitment to make opportunities more accessible in the digital economy, GCash has formalized its partnership with Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI), for the U-GO Scholar Grant Program to support 100 young Filipino women in pursuing technology-related education.

The partnership comes as many qualified female students continue to face barriers to higher education, particularly in tech fields, due to financial constraints. Through the program, GCash is helping bridge the digital gap by supporting scholars through financial assistance, mentorship, and pathways into its tech ecosystem.

Together with the Ayala Foundation’s rigorous selection and academic monitoring, the program aims to equip students with the skills and experience needed to succeed in a digital-first workforce.

GCash and AFI aim to support 50 scholars through this program, which will be matched by another 50 by U-GO, bringing a total of 100 beneficiaries who will pursue four-year degree programs aligned with industry needs.

“Through this partnership, these young women will not only receive financial assistance to stay in school, they will gain access to mentorship from GCash professionals, exposure to real-world environments, and guidance as they navigate pathways into tech careers,” shared AFI Senior Director for Development Programs Jay de Quiros.

“In many ways, what we are building together is not just a scholarship program, but a talent pipeline. One that brings more Filipinas into industries where they have historically been underrepresented, bridges education and employment, and contributes to a more inclusive and future-ready workforce,” AFI Senior Director for Marketing and External Relations Paul Vincent Mercado added.

Beyond financial assistance, which covers allowance, lodging, transportation, food, and other school-related expenses, the program also provides structured mentorship, training sessions, and curated career exposure opportunities. These aim to equip scholars with the skills, confidence, and networks needed to succeed in the digital workforce.

“By supporting young women in pursuing technology education, we are building more pathways into meaningful careers in the digital economy and ensuring that talent is not limited by circumstance,” said Robert Gonzales, Chief People Officer of Mynt, parent company of GCash.

“We specifically chose to support STEM because these are the skills that will really drive the future of our country. We’re intentionally building a diverse pipeline of female leaders who will solve the problems of tomorrow,” GCash Head of Sustainability and Corpcomm Michelle Fernandez stressed.

The collaboration also reflects a broader push to make growth more inclusive by investing in education as a pathway to long-term economic participation. Further, this initiative aims to equip women with future-ready capabilities and supports efforts to close both opportunity and gender gaps in high-demand industries. (PR)