TACLOBAN CITY – Seventy-seven peacebuilders associations across Samar Island received a total of P23.1 million in livelihood assistance from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) to help them build sustainable sources of income and strengthen the government’s peacebuilding efforts.

The assistance was released on July 31 through the Pamana Peace and Development–Buong Bansa Mapayapa (PDBBM) Program during a ceremony at the Northern Samar Provincial Capitol in Catarman.

The program is implemented in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and local government units.

Each of the 77 associations received P300,000 in seed capital to establish community-based livelihood enterprises. The beneficiaries are composed of people’s organizations and  former rebels who have completed the government’s reintegration program and are now pursuing peaceful and productive livelihoods.

Of the total beneficiaries, 40 associations are from Northern Samar, 29 from Samar, and eight from Eastern Samar.

The recipient groups also received certificates of accreditation, authorizing them to implement their respective livelihood projects under the Pamana program.

Officials from OPAPRU, DSWD, the AFP, and local governments led the distribution, describing the assistance as part of the government’s continuing efforts to promote lasting peace, economic empowerment, and inclusive development in Eastern Visayas.

To date, the Pamana Livelihood Program has organized 134 peacebuilder associations out of its target of 141 people’s organizations across the region.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – A 15-year-old boy from Hinabangan, Samar has been rescued from hazardous child labor and is now under government protection after the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) discovered him doing risky construction-related work.
The minor, identified only as “Jerry” to protect his identity, was found during a DOLE field profiling activity in Barangay Bucalan on July 9. The agency said the orphaned teenager had been hauling heavy containers of water and performing construction-related tasks in exchange for food and small amounts of money.

Following validation, DOLE’s Samar Field Office coordinated with the barangay council, municipal and provincial social welfare offices, and other partner agencies to carry out a rescue operation on July 20.

The boy has since been removed from hazardous work and provided with food, clothing, hygiene kits, medical and nutritional assessment, and assistance in securing civil identity documents. He has also been enrolled in the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System (ALS) to help him continue his education.

To support his recovery, the child was placed under the care of social welfare authorities, while DOLE committed livelihood assistance for his acting guardians through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program and TUPAD to help build a temporary shelter.

DOLE said the intervention underscores the government’s continuing campaign to eliminate child labor and ensure that vulnerable children are given access to education, protection, and better opportunities.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – More than a hundred elderly residents of Catarman, Northern Samar received P10,000 each in cash incentives from the national government on July 29 under the Expanded Centenarians Act, recognizing their longevity and contributions to society.
A total of 106 octogenarians and nonagenarians received the incentives during a payout at the Catarman Freedom Park, facilitated by the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) with assistance from the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO).

The cash grants were provided under Republic Act No. 11982, or the Expanded Centenarians Act, which grants financial incentives to qualified Filipino senior citizens upon reaching milestone ages.

Catarman Mayor Dianne Rosales reaffirmed the local government’s commitment to supporting programs that promote the welfare and well-being of senior citizens.
The NCSC said the initiative is part of the government’s continuing efforts to honor elderly Filipinos and provide them with financial assistance through social protection programs.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Twelve individuals from Eastern Visayas were honored for their outstanding achievements and contributions to their respective fields during the first-ever Outstanding Eastern Visayans Awards (OEVA) held on July 31, recognizing excellence in public service, education, health, science, media, culture, entrepreneurship, environmental protection, youth leadership, and philanthropy.

The awards, organized by the Department of Tourism in Eastern Visayas (DOT-8) in partnership with Tingog party-list, recognize individuals whose work has created a lasting impact on their communities and the region.

Among this year’s awardees were Stephen Lagarde (arts and cultural heritage), Janet Alexis De los Santos (education and research), Gilbert Trinchera (entrepreneurship and innovation), Margarita dela Cruz (environmental protection and sustainability), Aileen Riel-Espina (health and medicine), Michael Jude Casaljay (media and communication), Norman Sabdao (public service and governance), Ea Kristine Clarisse Tulin-Escuet (science and engineering), Aron Sedrick Caminong (youth leadership and community development), and Aldrin Norio (faith, religion, and philanthropy).

Special awards were presented to Eliseo III Lucero-Prisno as Eastern Visayan Regional Champion and Lydia Escober dela Rosa for the Outstanding Legacy of Excellence Award.
Boy Scout Chris Lorenz Fabian also received special recognition for his heroism during the San Jose National High School shooting incident.

DOT-8 Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Rina Apostol said the awards celebrate Eastern Visayans whose resilience, innovation, and dedication continue to bring honor to the region and inspire future generations.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)