ORMOC CITY– An elderly woman listed as a high-value target on the Philippine National Police (PNP) drug watchlist was arrested in a buy-bust operation on the early hours of March 26 in Barangay San Jose, Ormoc City, authorities reported.
The suspect, identified as “Pacita,” 57, married, and a resident of the same barangay, was apprehended by the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) and the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) of Police Station 3 at around 2:07 a.m.
Recovered from her possession were approximately 30 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) value of P204,000. Items seized included several sachets of the white crystalline substance and a P500 bill used as buy-bust money.
Capt. Arwin Perez, chief of the PDEG Leyte Special Operation Unit, said Pacita had a prior arrest for the same offense in 2005. Her husband is currently serving a sentence at the National Penitentiary for a similar drug case.
The suspect is now facing charges under RA 9165, the Comprehensive Law Against Illegal Drugs of 2002, filed at the Ormoc City Prosecutor’s Office, and is temporarily detained at Police Station 2’s locked-up cell in Barangay Cagbuhangin.
Authorities did not release a statement from the suspect, who is considered a high-profile drug personality in the region.
TACLOBAN CITY — A 61-year-old man died while five others were injured in a four-vehicle collision along Maharlika Highway in Barangay 93, Bagacay, Tacloban City, on Monday, March 30.
Police identified the fatality as alias “Terry”, a resident of Jaro, Leyte, who was driving a Skygo motorcycle. He was declared dead on arrival at the Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC).
The accident involved four vehicles, namely, a Toyota Hilux Tamaraw, driven by alias “Eli”, resident of Lawaan, Eastern Samar; a Skygo motorcycle, driven by Terry, with passenger alias “Win”, 21, a fisherman from Jaro, Leyte; a Rusi motorcycle, driven by alias “Sid”, 25, from Albuera, Leyte, with passenger Billy, 18, of Sta. Rita, Samar; and a Suzuki Burgman, driven by alias “Aida”, 43, of Tacloban City, with passenger alias “Nida.”
According to police, the crash occurred around 4:37 p.m. and was reported at 5:30 p.m.
Investigators said Vehicles 1, 2, and 3 were traveling from Diit toward EVMC, while Vehicle 4 was heading in the opposite direction.
The collision began when the Skygo motorcycle attempted to overtake the Toyota Hilux and entered the opposite lane. The oncoming Suzuki slightly veered into the same lane, sideswiping the pickup before hitting the Skygo. The sequence triggered a chain collision, during which the Rusi motorcycle ran over the Skygo’s passenger.
As a result, five people were injured: the passenger of the Skygo (Win), the driver and passenger of the Rusi (Sid and Billy), and the driver and passenger of the Suzuki (Aida and Nida).
All injured were immediately transported to EVMC for medical treatment.
TACLOBAN CITY — The municipal government of Hinunangan in Southern Leyte has moved to restrict the transport of rice outside its jurisdiction, issuing an executive order aimed at preventing local shortages and stabilizing prices amid the ongoing oil crisis.
Mayor Ymard Joseph Tocmo signed the order on March 25, requiring all individuals, traders, and companies to secure a transport and export permit before moving rice out of the municipality. The measure comes in response to growing concerns over supply constraints and potential price spikes linked to rising fuel costs.
In an advisory, the local government described the directive as a “concrete step to protect the people’s interests and sustain the economic well-being” of the town.
Under the order, applicants must disclose the volume, destination, and purpose of the rice shipment, along with supporting documents such as stock records and purchase receipts. Approval will be subject to a food security assessment by the Municipal Agricultural Office to ensure that sufficient supply remains for local consumption.
The policy covers all participants in the rice supply chain, including millers, warehouse operators, farmers, transporters, and logistics providers. However, exemptions are granted for government procurement, humanitarian assistance, and authorized transfers by the national government.
To enforce the directive, the municipal government has created a Rice Monitoring and Enforcement Team composed of the Philippine National Police, Department of Trade and Industry, the Municipal Agriculturist’s Office, village officials, and accredited civil society organizations.
The team is authorized to conduct inspections, set up checkpoints, and monitor the movement of rice stocks. Violators may face penalties ranging from fines and permit revocation to possible legal action.
The town has also organized a local price coordinating council to monitor commodity prices and prevent profiteering as the oil crisis continues to impact transport and production costs.
STOPPED OPERATIONS. A gasoline station in Tacloban City suspends operations on March 29, 2026 after running out of fuel supply, amid rising prices and global supply concerns linked to tensions in the Middle East. Local officials, however, say overall fuel supply in the city remains stable. (story page 3)
STOPPED OPERATIONS. A gasoline station in Tacloban City suspends operations on March 29, 2026 after running out of fuel supply, amid rising prices and global supply concerns linked to tensions in the Middle East. Local officials, however, say overall fuel supply in the city remains stable. (story page 3)
TACLOBAN CITY—In response to the continued surge in fuel prices, more than 10,000 public transport drivers across Eastern Visayas will receive P5,000 each in cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to help ease the burden on their daily operations.
The subsidy forms part of the government’s broader effort to support vulnerable transport workers, whose incomes are directly affected by rising fuel costs and fluctuating passenger demand.
DSWD-8 spokesperson lawyer Jonalyn Chua said the distribution is expected to begin after the observance of Holy Week, as the agency finalizes the list of beneficiaries and completes logistical preparations.
“We only have initial information regarding the cash relief assistance. This is initially for seven cities in Region 8, targeting 10,971 beneficiaries at P5,000 each,” Chua said in an interview.
The program will cover drivers from seven major cities in the region: Tacloban, Ormoc, and Baybay in Leyte; Catbalogan and Calbayog in Samar; Maasin in Southern Leyte; and Borongan in Eastern Samar.
With an estimated budget of P85 million, the assistance is expected to benefit drivers across various modes of public transport, particularly motorcycle-for-hire (MCH) operators, who serve as a primary transport option in many communities, especially in areas with limited access to formal public transportation.
In Tacloban City alone, more than 2,000 MCH drivers and operators have already registered for the subsidy during an enlistment activity conducted on March 26 by the local DSWD office in coordination with the city government.
To ensure proper targeting and accountability, only registered MCH drivers and operators will be eligible to receive the assistance.
The list of beneficiaries is currently being validated using records from the Tacloban City Business Permits and Licensing Division to ensure that support reaches legitimate and compliant transport workers.
The initiative highlights the government’s ongoing efforts to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices on essential sectors, particularly those who rely on daily earnings to sustain their livelihoods.
HOLY WEEK. Devotees flock to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño on Palm Sunday, March 29, the start of Holy Week, as palm fronds are blessed and sold, marking the beginning of a week of prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal leading up to Easter.(PHOTO COURTESY)
HOLY WEEK. Devotees flock to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño on Palm Sunday, March 29, the start of Holy Week, as palm fronds are blessed and sold, marking the beginning of a week of prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal leading up to Easter.(PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY — As the Lenten season starts, the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santo Niño in Tacloban City has released its complete Semana Santa 2026 program, offering a detailed guide for devotees seeking a more meaningful and immersive Holy Week observance.
The schedule outlines a full week of liturgical celebrations and spiritual activities designed to help the faithful reflect on the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Beginning with Palm Sunday, the faithful are invited to join the solemn blessing of palms and procession, followed by Masses that mark the triumphant entry of Christ into Jerusalem.
From Holy Monday to Holy Wednesday, the shrine will host a series of Lenten recollections, catechetical reflections, and confession schedules to encourage personal conversion and reconciliation. A nightly District Lenten Recollection at 7:00 PM will serve as a communal opportunity for prayer and spiritual renewal, particularly for those preparing more deeply for the Triduum.
The most sacred days of the Church calendar are highlighted through traditional and solemn rites. On Holy Thursday, the Mass of the Lord’s Supper will commemorate the institution of the Eucharist, followed by an extended Eucharistic Vigil. Good Friday will feature the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion and the revered Santo Entierro procession, drawing large numbers of devotees in silent reflection. The Easter Vigil on Black Saturday will culminate in the joyous celebration of Easter Sunday, proclaiming Christ’s victory over death.
Church leaders emphasized that beyond the schedule of activities, the true essence of Semana Santa lies in interior renewal and a sincere return to God. The shrine calls on parishioners, pilgrims, and visitors alike to actively engage in the observances, not only as tradition but as a personal journey of faith.
“In this sacred season, we are all invited to pause, reflect, and rediscover the depth of God’s love,” the statement read, reinforcing the Lenten call to conversion: “Return to me with all your heart” (Joel 2:12).
With thousands expected to visit the shrine throughout Holy Week, officials also encourage early planning and mindful participation to ensure a prayerful and orderly celebration for all.
TACLOBAN CITY—Amid rising concerns over global oil supply disruptions, House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan is urging the government to strengthen the country’s energy security by developing strategic petroleum storage facilities in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Libanan called on the state-owned Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) to invest in critical coastal fuel depots that would serve as buffer reserves, protecting the country from volatile global oil prices and supply shocks linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
“The oil crisis caused by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran clearly underscores the urgent need for the government, through PNOC, to establish its own emergency fuel reserves,” Libanan said in a statement on Sunday, March 29.
“We need a government-managed buffer stock of key petroleum products—particularly diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel—that can be rapidly deployed during times of crisis,” he added.
The lawmaker emphasized that establishing storage facilities outside Luzon would help ensure a more balanced and efficient fuel distribution system nationwide. He specifically urged PNOC to prioritize coastal hubs in the Visayas and Mindanao to improve accessibility in these regions.
As a model, Libanan pointed to the Subic Bay Freeport Zone facility operated by Philippine Coastal Storage and Pipeline Corp. (PCSPC), which has a storage capacity of 6.3 million barrels, or roughly one billion liters, of fuel. The facility currently supplies Luzon, including much of Metro Manila, through a wide network of petroleum clients.
The Subic facility is owned by I Squared Capital, a U.S.-based private equity firm focused on global infrastructure investments.
“Developing coastal petroleum storage facilities is fully aligned with PNOC’s core mission, and a national buffer stock would help extend the country’s ability to withstand severe global or domestic energy disruptions,” Libanan said.
PNOC was established in 1973 following the global energy crisis triggered by the Arab oil embargo, with the mandate of ensuring a stable energy supply and promoting self-sufficiency.
The Department of Energy (DOE) recently authorized PNOC to procure up to two million barrels of buffer fuel in response to continued instability in the Middle East and Malacañang’s declaration of a state of national energy emergency.
An initial shipment of 22.58 million liters, equivalent to about 142,000 barrels of diesel, arrived in the country on March 26.
PNOC has so far secured 165.7 million liters of fuel, with additional deliveries expected throughout April, according to Energy Secretary Sharon Garin.
