TACLOBAN CITY – A minor road mishap caused a brief traffic slowdown along Real Street in front of the Tacloban City Convention Center (Astrodome) late Wednesday morning, May 1.
At around 11:15 am, a white pickup truck accidentally backed into a public utility van bound for the downtown area. The van, which originated from Abuyog, had several passengers onboard at the time of the incident.
The driver of the pickup, 65-year-old Carlito Corbe, admitted he didn’t notice the van behind him. “The engine was loud and I got distracted,” he said. “Next thing I knew, I had already bumped the van.”
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, although the van sustained minor damage to its front bumper and headlight.
The two vehicles remained on the roadside while awaiting assistance from traffic authorities, leading to a temporary traffic buildup in the busy area.
Another van later arrived to continue transporting the stranded passengers downtown, while both drivers worked on settling the incident.
READY FOR DISTRIBUTION. Although the full implementation of the P20-per-kilo rice program has been deferred until after the May 12 elections, the National Food Authority (NFA) in Eastern Visayas assures that it has sufficient supply to support the initiative. Shown in photo is an NFA warehouse in Alangalang, Leyte. (PNA)
Implementation defer after May 12 polls
READY FOR DISTRIBUTION. Although the full implementation of the P20-per-kilo rice program has been deferred until after the May 12 elections, the National Food Authority (NFA) in Eastern Visayas assures that it has sufficient supply to support the initiative. Shown in photo is an NFA warehouse in Alangalang, Leyte. (PNA)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Food Authority (NFA) in the region are still awaiting official guidelines for the implementation of the highly anticipated P20-per-kilo rice program in Eastern Visayas.
NFA-8 Regional Manager May Sara Sabarre said that they are set to meet with LGU officials to finalize the details of the program, including the specific amount of rice each locality will need.
The NFA’s role in the program is to supply the rice, while the distribution and sale of rice will be handled by LGUs and the Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI).
Sabarre highlighted that NFA has been instructed to mill all available rice in its warehouse in preparation for the program’s rollout.
Currently, the NFA in Eastern Visayas holds more than 165,000 bags of rice, although the milling equipment can process only 800 bags per day.
To help meet demand, neighboring regions, including Caraga and Bicol, have committed to sending additional rice supplies, with an initial allocation of 10,000 bags each. Region IV is also expected to contribute, though the exact amount is still to be determined.
Meanwhile, Jason Padul, regional information officer for the DA-8, stressed that the agency is still waiting for official guidelines on how the program will be implemented in the region.
While the DA is prepared to carry out the program once instructions are received, Padul noted that clarity is needed on the specifics of the program’s rollout at the local level. He explained that the NFA will sell rice to FTI, which will then distribute it to LGUs, who will, in turn, sell it to the public.
Padul also pointed out that the DA has no information yet on how the rice will be allocated per province or municipality, as allocations will likely depend on the demand from individual LGUs.
The P20-per-kilo rice program was a centerpiece of President Marcos’ 2022 campaign, designed to bring down rice prices and improve food security across the country.
During a media briefing in Cebu City on April 23, Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla described the program as a “work in progress,” with local leaders currently drafting their own operational guidelines to tailor the national initiative to local needs.
Petilla emphasized the importance of ensuring the program’s sustainability for it to be effective in the long term.
“Each LGU has its own strategy for implementation. The challenge now is to make the program sustainable,” said Petilla. “This is a commendable program, but it should be sustainable, otherwise, it’s not going to work. What we are trying to do is to make it sustainable.”
The governor further noted that the program presents a good opportunity for the market to adjust and lower rice prices. “The President has given us an avenue for cheaper rice, and hopefully, this will trigger the market to lower the price,” he said.
Meanwhile, Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone stated that he would consult with the Commission on Audit and his legal team regarding the allocation of local government funds for the program, especially since its implementation coincides with the upcoming elections.
The P20-per-kilo rice program was officially launched in Cebu on May 1, during the Labor Day celebration.
However, its full implementation was rescheduled after the May 12 elections as announced by Agriculture Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr.
TACLOBAN CITY – A close confidante of Mayor Alfred Romualdez has questioned the legitimacy of a vice mayoralty candidate’s use of the Romualdez surname, saying the candidate is not legally a member of the influential political clan.
Bernardita “Bering” Valenzuela, a project consultant to Mayor Romualdez, claimed in a recent media interview that the candidate’s grandfather adopted the Romualdez name only through late birth registration in 2001.
“According to my sources, his family originally hails from Julita and carried (a different surname). It was only in 2001 that his grandfather registered as a Romualdez,” Valenzuela said.
She further asserted that under Philippine law, the use of a father’s surname must be based on paternal acknowledgment or consent—something she claims did not occur in this case.
“In order to legally carry the surname of the man you claim as your father, there must be legal recognition or consent. That requirement, I believe, was not met in this case,” she explained.
Valenzuela’s remarks come amid growing political interest in the local elections, where a candidate using the Romualdez surname is vying for the vice mayoral seat.
The same position is being contested by Raymund Romualdez, son of the incumbent mayor and current president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC).
“I can emphatically say he is not a Romualdez,” Valenzuela said.
The statement adds tension to what is expected to be a closely watched electoral race in Tacloban City, where the Romualdez name carries significant political weight.
TACLOBAN CITY – More than P34 million worth of livelihood assistance was distributed by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to various local government units (LGUs), barangays, and institutions in Eastern Visayas during the Labor Day 2025 celebration on Thursday, May 1.
The funds were sourced from the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) or KABUHAYAN, which supports start-up and enhancement of small businesses for vulnerable and disadvantaged workers.
Among the recipients were Balangkayan (P4.49 million) and Giporlos (P4.6 million) both in Eastern Samar; Lope de Vega (P2.5 million) and Pambujan (P2.64 million) both in Northern Samar; Tanauan, Alangalang, Hilongos, and Isabel in Leyte; Macrohon (P3.42 million) and Libagon (P3 million) in Southern Leyte; six barangays in Maasin City (P200K each); Almeria (P2.05M) in Biliran and Pinabacdao (P990K) in Samar; and the Visayas State University and Soleco Employers Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
The assistance benefits 1,537 members of various groups and associations.
DOLE also led the TUPAD payout under the DSWD’s Project LAWA at BINHI, with 1,500 beneficiaries receiving P8,400 each for 20 days of community work, such as establishing communal gardens and fish ponds.
TACLOBAN CITY– The Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO) of Tacloban City, in coordination with the Philippine Statistics Authority – Leyte Provincial Statistical Office (PSA Leyte), successfully conducted the CCRO Forum: Awareness on Relevant OCRG Issuances and Cascading of the Administrative Petition for Correction Automated System (APCAS) & Orientation on National ID Latest Issuances and Updates last 25 April 2025, at the LCRO-Tacloban Office.
The forum aimed to empower local civil registration personnel by strengthening their understanding of the latest Office of the Civil Registrar General (OCRG) issuances and enhancing the implementation of the Administrative Petition for Correction Automated System (APCAS). Additionally, it served as a venue to cascade the updates and latest developments in the implementation of the National Identification System.
The program opened with an AVP presentation followed by a warm welcome message from Ms. Imelda A. Roa, City Civil Registrar of Tacloban City, who highlighted the importance of keeping the registry personnel well-informed of policy changes and technological innovations, particularly in improving the accuracy, efficiency, and accessibility of civil registration services.
Ms. Vianey Marie D. Almia, Administrative Officer I of PSA Leyte, led the session on relevant OCRG issuances and APCAS, providing insights into how the system simplifies the processing of administrative corrections in civil registry documents. She later returned to deliver the event’s closing message.
Meanwhile, Mr. Rodolfo R. Novillo, Jr., Registration Officer II of PSA Leyte, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the latest developments in the National ID system.
His presentation covered several key areas, including the ongoing rebranding of the National ID to improve public recognition and trust, the acceptance of various ID formats—physical, paper-printed, and digital—as valid proofs of identity, and the nationwide rollout of authentication services aimed at facilitating secure and reliable identity verification in both public and private transactions.
Mr. Novillo also highlighted the critical importance of integrating civil registry services with the National ID system to streamline identity management and ensure a more unified and efficient public service delivery.
To support a wider public awareness campaign, National ID informational leaflets were distributed to all participants. These materials aim to further educate communities on the benefits, usage, and processes involved in the National ID system, as part of the government’s larger push toward inclusive, accessible, and secure identity verification for all Filipinos.
The event concluded with an open forum, where participants actively engaged the resource speakers through questions and feedback—demonstrating their strong commitment to enhancing civil registration services in the city. This initiative is part of a broader national effort to modernize and harmonize civil registration systems and align them with National ID policies, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and inclusivity in identity management. It also aims to equip local registrars with the necessary tools and knowledge to meet the changing needs of the public. (PR)
TACLOBAN CITY – A total of 277 police personnel from the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) cast their votes during the local absentee voting (LAV) held on April 29 at Matapat Hall at the regional headquarters in Palo, Leyte.
Participants came from various units including Ormoc City Police Office (67), Samar PPO (51), Regional Support Unit (47), Mobile Force Battalion (35), PRO-8 headquarters (26), Southern Leyte PPO (14), Tacloban City Police Office (13), Leyte PPO (11), Eastern Samar PPO (8), Biliran PPO (4), and Northern Samar PPO (1), according to PMaj Analiza Armeza, PRO-8 public information chief.
While over 300 personnel applied, only 277 were approved to vote due to deactivated voter records; of these, 245 were able to cast their votes.
PBGen Jay Cumigad, police regional director, said the LAV ensures police officers can fulfill both their electoral duty and maintain peace and order during the May 12 elections.
Comelec personnel from Palo supervised the voting process, assisted by trained police acting as board of election inspectors.
Accomplished ballots will be forwarded to Comelec’s central office for counting on Election Day. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
