TACLOBAN CITY – Alarmed by the continuing spike in electricity rates in Northern Samar, Governor Harris Ongchuan has asked the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to immediately step in and help stabilize the operations of the Northern Samar Electric Cooperative (Norsamelco), saying the escalating power costs are already taking a toll on families, businesses, and the province’s economy.

In a June 11, 2026 letter to NEA Administrator Atty. Antonio Mariano Almeda, Ongchuan appealed for the deployment of an NEA representative to work closely with Norsamelco in addressing operational issues and ensuring more effective management of the province’s power distribution system.

“This is a matter of urgent public concern that goes directly to the welfare of our people and the economic stability of the province,” Ongchuan said, emphasizing the need for stronger coordination between the electric cooperative and the NEA to improve oversight and speed up solutions to the province’s power concerns.

Northern Samar has been among the provinces in Eastern Visayas grappling with rising electricity prices in recent months as distribution utilities absorb higher generation and transmission costs brought about by tighter power supply in the region.

Provincial officials said the latest increase in electricity rates was driven by several factors, including higher consumer demand, reduced power generation due to outages of several power plants, and the electric cooperative’s increased dependence on the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), where electricity prices surged during the latest billing period.

According to the provincial government, electricity purchased from the WESM reached P40.72 per kilowatt-hour, substantially increasing Norsamelco’s power supply costs. The cooperative also recorded an additional 1.81 million kilowatt-hours in energy purchases compared with the previous billing cycle.

Higher transmission-related expenses, including increased line rental charges and congestion costs, also contributed to the higher monthly electricity bills being paid by consumers.

The appeal comes as electricity prices across Eastern Visayas have climbed in recent months after the region’s electric cooperatives incurred record-high transmission congestion and line loss charges, costs that are automatically passed on to consumers under existing power industry regulations.

To lessen the province’s dependence on expensive electricity sources, Ongchuan said the provincial government is pursuing several long-term energy projects, including the construction of a 3.18-megawatt hydroelectric power plant in San Isidro scheduled for completion in 2028. Solar power facilities are likewise being installed at the NORSAMELCO main office and in Barangay Lawaan in Laoang town to supplement the province’s electricity supply.

The governor also pointed to pending legislative measures intended to reduce electricity costs, including House Bill No. 889, which seeks to review line rental charges imposed on electric cooperatives, and House Bill No. 864, which proposes exempting electricity sales from the 12-percent value-added tax. Another proposed measure, the Anti-Dangling Wires Bill, aims to improve the maintenance, reliability, and safety of power distribution lines.
While awaiting structural reforms, the provincial government urged consumers to conserve electricity by unplugging idle appliances, improving energy efficiency at home, and investing in renewable energy systems such as rooftop solar panels through the government’s net-metering program.

Ongchuan also reminded consumers that the Energy Regulatory Commission’s temporary “No Disconnection Policy” remains in effect for the May to July 2026 billing period, allowing residential customers consuming less than 200 kilowatt-hours a month to settle their electricity bills through a three-month installment payment scheme.

He said sustained collaboration among the NEA, Norsamelco, national energy agencies, and local governments is crucial to restoring stable, reliable, and more affordable electricity service for Northern Samar residents and businesses.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – As Eastern Samar continues to promote itself as one of Eastern Visayas’ emerging ecotourism destinations, 50 police officers are undergoing specialized training to strengthen security and improve public safety services for both local and foreign visitors.

The four-day Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP) seminar, which began on July 7 at the Governor’s Conference Hall in Borongan City, is designed to equip personnel of the Eastern Samar Police Provincial Office (ESPPO) with the skills needed to respond effectively to the safety and security concerns of tourists.
The training forms part of the Philippine National Police’s continuing efforts to develop a professional corps of tourist-oriented police officers capable of ensuring a safe, secure, and visitor-friendly environment in key tourism destinations.

Police Capt. Amie Centro-Tiu, chief of the Tourist Security and Protection Section of the PNP Public Safety Division, opened the seminar with an overview of the TOPCOP program, highlighting the responsibilities of tourist police officers and the fundamental principles of tourist safety and security.

Officials from the regional office of the Department of Tourism (DOT) also provided participants with a broader understanding of the country’s tourism industry and the role of law enforcement in sustaining its growth.

Rodel Balierbare, supervising tourism operations officer of DOT-8, discussed the agency’s mandate under Republic Act No. 9593, or the Tourism Act of 2009, and explained the functions of its attached agencies in promoting and regulating the tourism sector.
Provincial Tourism Officer Neil Alejandro Pinarok briefed the participants on Eastern Samar’s diverse tourism products and destinations, including its renowned surfing sites, caves, waterfalls, islands, and marine attractions, which continue to attract increasing numbers of domestic and international travelers.

Meanwhile, DOT-8 consultant and FBSE regional trainer Antonio Cinco Jr. lectured on the province’s history, culture, and traditions, as well as tourist behavior and market profiles, enabling participants to better understand visitors’ expectations and deliver more responsive public safety services.

Authorities said the seminar reflects the government’s recognition that maintaining peace and order is essential to sustaining tourism growth, particularly as Eastern Samar positions itself as a premier nature and adventure tourism destination in Eastern Visayas.

The participating police officers are expected to apply the skills and knowledge gained from the training in safeguarding tourist sites, assisting visitors, and strengthening the province’s reputation as a safe and welcoming destination.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Government agencies, local government units, and civil society groups have formalized a partnership to ensure that the Basey–Maydolong Road is managed without compromising the ecological integrity of the Samar Island Natural Park (SINP), one of the country’s largest remaining tracts of old-growth rainforest.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here in the region, together with the provincial governments of Samar and Eastern Samar, the municipalities of Basey and Maydolong, the church, and other stakeholders, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Wednesday, July 7, establishing a unified framework for the protection and sustainable management of the road corridor that cuts across the protected landscape.

The agreement seeks to balance the area’s growing transportation needs with the conservation of the Samar Island Natural Park, a protected area known for its rich biodiversity, endemic wildlife, extensive cave systems, and critical watershed that supports communities across Samar Island.

Among the signatories were DENR Eastern Visayas Regional Executive Director Arturo Salazar, Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan, Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez, Basey Mayor Luz Ponferrada, and representatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other partner agencies.

Salazar said the agreement reflects the shared responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure that infrastructure development does not come at the expense of environmental protection.
“The Basey–Maydolong Road serves as a vital link for our communities, but it also passes through one of our most ecologically important protected areas. It is our shared responsibility to ensure that infrastructure development proceeds without compromising the integrity of the Samar Island Natural Park,” he said.

“Through this partnership, we reaffirm our commitment to achieving sustainable development—where progress goes hand in hand with the protection of our natural heritage for present and future generations.”

He added that the agreement demonstrates that infrastructure development and environmental conservation can coexist when supported by responsible governance, science-based management, and sustained collaboration among stakeholders.
Under the MOA, the parties committed to strengthening inter-agency coordination, adopting sustainable road management practices, and implementing measures that minimize environmental impacts while ensuring safe and responsible public access along the Basey–Maydolong Road.

The agreement also reinforces the shared responsibility of national government agencies, local governments, the private sector, faith-based organizations, and local communities in safeguarding the Samar Island Natural Park, a key biodiversity area and one of Eastern Visayas’ most important ecological treasures.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Tourism (DOT) has intensified its campaign to improve the quality of tourism services in Eastern Visayas by training more than 100 tourism workers and students under its Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) program.

The capacity-building initiative, conducted in Samar, Southern Leyte, and Leyte, aims to equip tourism frontliners and future tourism professionals with the skills and values needed to deliver world-class service rooted in genuine Filipino hospitality.

In San Jorge, Samar, 55 participants from primary and secondary tourism enterprises completed the FBSE training, the first time the municipality has hosted the program. The activity was facilitated with the support of Tourism Officer-in-Charge Liza Badocdoc and the Municipal Tourism Office.

Participants underwent sessions designed to enhance customer service, promote professionalism, and strengthen the municipality’s readiness to serve both local and foreign visitors.

The program also reached Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte, where 50 participants from tourism establishments and various municipal government offices completed the same training.

Vice Mayor Hermenegildo Culpa welcomed the participants and underscored the local government’s commitment to promoting quality tourism services and sustainable tourism development.

To help prepare the next generation of tourism professionals, the DOT likewise conducted the FBSE training for Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship students of Leyte Normal University–San Isidro Campus before they begin their internship.

The students were introduced to the FBSE’s core principles, including the “7Ms of Filipino Values,” “Mabuhay Gestures,” and the GUEST and HEART service methods through interactive discussions and practical exercises designed to strengthen customer relations and service excellence.

The San Jorge and Padre Burgos sessions were facilitated by FBSE trainer Victorino D. Mendiola III, while FBSE trainer Emily Jill Nival handled the training at Leyte Normal University–San Isidro Campus.

The FBSE is one of the DOT’s flagship training programs that seeks to develop a culture of service excellence across the Philippine tourism industry by instilling professionalism, courtesy, and authentic Filipino hospitality among tourism workers. The program forms part of the agency’s broader efforts to enhance visitor experiences and improve the country’s competitiveness as a tourism destination.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)