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Power grab is not the solution

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I couldn’t believe these sanamagans who are openly instigating Filipinos to join People Power. We should say NO to unruly gangs of destabilizers. Let’s not allow extrajudicial means of unseating a highly performing chief executive.

By now, we should have learned the lessons of the past. Hence, let us not, in any way, waver in supporting PBBM, who is doing everything he can to get rid of corrupt officials in government.

Those calling for People Power are just trying to provoke or sabotage the ongoing efforts and advocacies of the present administration. Nakakasuka na itong pinaggagawa ng mga destabilizers! Power grab should not be tolerated. It is a blatant act that breaches our Constitution. Let’s be part of the solution rather than part of the problem!

No more fence-sitters, please. Let us openly express our disgust toward destabilization disguised as freedom of expression. The majority of Filipinos are tired of rallies and insidious black propaganda. Magtulungan po tayong majority of Filipinos para sa minimithing kaunlaran ng ating Inang Bayan. Bawal ang mga utak-talangka (crab mentality) dito.

“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see”

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THAT’S in the gospel of St. Luke (10,23) where Christ said these words to his disciples in private. What Christ was trying to tell them was that the true knowledge of God is a gift of divine mercy, not a reward for human wisdom. It is granted to those who receive it with childlike humility.

Only when we are simple and humble like little children that we open ourselves to God’s grace. It’s when we make ourselves receptive and responsive to the God’s abiding providence over our life.

We really need to remain childlike even as we grow in age and stature, and even as we accumulate already quite a significant amount of knowledge with our exposure to the world and the life in general.

Yes, children and heaven are almost synonymous to each other. No wonder we feel like we are in heaven every time we see children around. Every time a baby is born, we are very happy because we somehow know that he just did not come out of his mother’s womb, but rather from the very hands of God who created him before the parents procreated him.
In spite of the many limitations of children, what makes them always desirable is their pure, innocent heart, incapable of malice, ambition, pride and haughtiness. They are a source of many other good things.

Their heart is always trusting in the Lord always, just like a little kid is always confident with his father. Faith and hope easily grow and acquire strength when nurtured in a child’s heart. It’s this attitude that leads them to go on and move on no matter what, for life to them could only be an adventure of discoveries.

Obviously, the privilege of seeing and hearing what the prophets could not should make the disciples, and now, us, to be ever grateful and to be more committed to carry out the mission now entrusted to the Church. That’s the only way to keep ourselves seeing and hearing what God wants us to see, hear and know.

And so, let us realize ever more deeply that we are meant to do apostolate, since that is in the very heart of Christ’s mission which should also be ours. Therefore, we need to sharpen our awareness of our apostolic duty, since left to our own devices, we would rather give our complete attention solely to ourselves. This tendency is a consequence of our sinfulness. But originally, before man’s fall, we tend to love and care for one another.

To develop this apostolic concern therefore entails sacrifice. We should not be surprised if in pursuing it we are challenged, faced with difficulties and asked to do self-denials and other forms of sacrifice.

We just have to hold firm on our Christian conviction, together with the continuing petition for God’s grace and the generous discharge of our human effort, that to do apostolate is the will of God. He is bent in accomplishing it. It’s his first concern to contend with the difficulties. Ours is simply to cooperate.

We have to continually ask ourselves if our thoughts and desires bear an eminently apostolic character. If not, let’s immediately do the necessary adjustments and corrections.
We have to embark also on a life-long effort to acquire apostolic skills—how to make friends and deepen that friendship, how to pursue full blast the supernatural apostolic goal of our life while respecting our natural conditions, etc.
The apostolic zeal should be revved to the max!

Acidre hails record P1.38-Trillion education budget for 2026

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HISTORIC BUDGET. Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre welcomed the proposed P1.38 trillion budget allotted for education for next year saying it was a ‘historic investment and a clear indication of the government’s commitment to prioritizing education.’ (FILE PHOTO)
HISTORIC BUDGET. Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre welcomed the proposed P1.38 trillion budget allotted for education for next year saying it was a ‘historic investment and a clear indication of the government’s commitment to prioritizing education.’ (FILE PHOTO)

TACLOBAN CITY — House Committee on Higher and Technical Education Chairperson and EDCOM II Co-Chair Rep. Jude Acidre welcomed the proposed P1.38-trillion budget for education in 2026, calling it a “historic investment” and a clear indication of the government’s commitment to prioritizing education.

The allocation—about 4.5% of the country’s GDP—is the largest in Philippine history and aims to address critical challenges such as learning recovery, facility upgrades, governance improvements, and enhanced support for teachers and school leaders.

Acidre credited the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), led by Executive Director Karol Mark Yee, for advocating evidence-based reforms that influenced the proposed budget.

He highlighted that a significant portion of the funds will go to the Department of Education, supporting initiatives like the ARAL learning recovery program, classroom construction, school-based feeding, teacher hiring, and modernization of the basic education system.

For higher education and technical-vocational training, the budget will strengthen reforms under the Committee’s legislative agenda, including CHED governance modernization, expanded student access programs, digital transformation, micro-credentialing, and stronger partnerships between institutions and industry.

“Every peso must translate to real improvements in learning outcomes,” Acidre stressed, emphasizing careful fund management, inter-agency coordination, and efficient program implementation.

Describing the P1.38 trillion allocation as more than a number, he said, “It is a statement of national resolve. Education remains the country’s most important investment for inclusive growth and long-term prosperity.”

Acidre affirmed his commitment to work closely with education agencies and EDCOM II to ensure the historic funding yields meaningful progress for Filipino learners across all levels.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

Northern Samar emerges as potential dive tourism hub after DOT identifies six promising underwater sites

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TACLOBAN CITY — Northern Samar is poised to join the country’s rising dive tourism destinations after the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 8 identified six underwater areas across three island municipalities as potential dive sites during an assessment conducted from November 20 to 22.

The three-day activity, carried out by the Eastern Visayas Dive Committee in partnership with Applied Technical Diving and Marine Solutions, supports national efforts to promote sustainable and community-based tourism, in line with the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP), the Tourism Act of 2009 (RA 9593), and Executive Order No. 120 series of 2020, which prioritizes the development of niche tourism products such as dive tourism.

The assessment covered the following areas known for their ecological potential and underwater attractions.

Parola Area, Sitio Milisbigis, and Sitio Belat in Barangay Aguin, Capul; Barangay Pilar Marine Protected Area and Barangay Vinisitahan in San Antonio; and Puntang Taas and Basyaw on Sila Island, San Vicente.

These locations were selected for their biodiversity, coral presence, and suitability for future tourism development.

The dive team completed the survey despite rainy weather and time constraints, with assistance from support divers who ensured safe operations.

DOT-8 expressed appreciation to the local government units of Capul, San Antonio, and San Vicente, as well as the Provincial Government of Northern Samar, for facilitating the assessment. The team also acknowledged the support of Tugkad Freediving Club, Villa Roma, and Sila Island Resort.

Tourism officials said the evaluation brings Northern Samar closer to positioning itself as a major dive tourism destination in Eastern Visayas, boosting both environmental conservation efforts and future livelihood opportunities for coastal communities.

(ROEL T.AMAZONA)

Northern Samar MHPSS team provides psychosocial aid to 76 St. Bernard residents after Typhoon Tino devastation

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MENTAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT. A medical team from Northern Samar extended mental health and psychosocial support to residents of St. Bernard, Southern Leyte who were traumatized after it was battered by Typhoon Tino. (PHOTO COURTESY)
MENTAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT. A medical team from Northern Samar extended mental health and psychosocial support to residents of St. Bernard, Southern Leyte who were traumatized after it was battered by Typhoon Tino. (PHOTO COURTESY)

TACLOBAN CITY — Seventy-six residents of St. Bernard, Southern Leyte—including children, youth, women, and adults—have received crucial mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) after Typhoon Tino left deep emotional and psychological distress across their communities earlier this month.

The psychosocial sessions were held in Barangays San Isidro and Carnaga, two of the hardest-hit areas during the storm. The initiative was carried out by the Northern Samar Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Response Team, which was deployed to Southern Leyte to help address the growing mental health needs of survivors.

Through guided activities and professional interventions, participants were given a safe space to process their experiences, rebuild their sense of security, and begin their emotional recovery from the traumatic aftermath of the disaster.

The deployment of the MHPSS team is part of Northern Samar Governor Harris Ongchuan’s broader commitment to strengthening community resilience and promoting mental well-being. He has emphasized extending aid beyond provincial borders when neighboring areas are in crisis.

The Provincial Health Office and the Northern Samar MHPSS team were credited for successfully administering the psychosocial sessions for affected families in St. Bernard.
Typhoon Tino struck Eastern Visayas in early November, making its first landfall in Southern Leyte. The storm unleashed heavy rains and destructive winds that triggered widespread flooding, damaged homes and infrastructure, displaced residents, and disrupted essential services. Beyond the physical destruction, many survivors were left grappling with emotional trauma from the sudden devastation.

St. Bernard, already considered geographically vulnerable, bore a significant portion of the storm’s impact—prompting urgent calls not only for relief operations but also for mental health and psychosocial support.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

PRO-8 reports peaceful Trillion Peso march rallies across EV

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TACLOBAN CITY —The Police Regional Office-8 (PRO-8) recorded a generally peaceful conduct of the nationwide Trillion Peso March across Eastern Visayas during the Bonifacio Day commemoration on November 30.

Police monitored four rallies held in Calbayog City, Tacloban City, Borongan City, and Maasin City with an estimated combined turnout of around 1,475 participants.

More than 3,000 police personnel were deployed across the region to secure activities and ensure the safety of participants and the public.

Regional Director PB/Gen. Jason Capoy commended the personnel for their professionalism and thanked rally organizers and the community for their cooperation, which he said contributed to the incident-free observance.

PRO-8 said it maintained strong visibility and continuous monitoring throughout the day to manage crowds and prevent any untoward incidents.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

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