TACLOBAN CITY — The municipality of Tanauan, Leyte has passed the 2026 Regional Local Governance Champions (RLGC) validation of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), recognizing the local government’s performance in key areas of governance and public service.
Mayor Gina Merilo announced the achievement on Oct. 8 following the conduct of the regional validation in Tanauan, describing the result as a major milestone for her administration and the municipality.
“When I took office as your mayor, one of my highest personal goals and biggest dreams for our community was to earn the RLGC validation for good governance. Today, I am beyond proud to share that we passed!” Merilo said.
The RLGC assessment evaluates local government units based on 10 key governance areas, including financial administration and sustainability, disaster preparedness, social protection and sensitivity, health compliance and responsiveness, and sustainable education.
It also covers business-friendliness and competitiveness, safety and peace and order, environmental management, tourism and heritage development, culture and arts, and youth development.
Merilo attributed Tanauan’s successful validation to the collective efforts of local government employees, partner agencies, civil society organizations and residents.
“This achievement proves that when we lead with transparency, accountability, and genuine dedication, real progress follows,” she said.
The mayor thanked the LGU personnel, department and section heads, the DILG municipal office led by Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Cleo Palencia and her staff, civil society organizations, national government agencies and residents for their support.
“This is a victory for all of us. Onward to a better and brighter governed future!” Merilo said.
The RLGC validation is part of the DILG’s efforts to recognize local governments that demonstrate good governance, effective service delivery and compliance with national standards under the Bagong Pilipinas governance framework.
CARIGARA, LEYTE — In celebration of its 14th anniversary, YouthPLUS Medical Group brought its commitment to accessible healthcare closer to the community through a large-scale medical mission held on October 4, 2026, in Carigara, Leyte.
The anniversary medical mission served approximately 500 beneficiaries, providing free healthcare services to residents who may otherwise face challenges accessing specialized medical care.
The activity was conducted in partnership with the Rotary Club of San Juanico Tacloban and the Local Government Unit of Carigara, led by Mayor Ong, whose support helped make the community outreach possible.
Bringing Medical Care Closer to the Community
As part of YouthPLUS Medical Group’s anniversary celebration, the medical mission offered a range of free healthcare services, including consultations in Dermatology, Ophthalmology, ENT, and Pediatrics.
Residents also benefited from fasting blood sugar (FBS) testing, minor surgical procedures, and circumcision services, allowing patients to receive essential medical attention without the need to travel to larger cities or shoulder the usual cost of consultations and procedures.
For YouthPLUS, the activity was not simply an anniversary celebration. It was a reflection of the organization’s long-standing mission to make quality healthcare more accessible to Filipino communities.
14 Years of Healthcare and Service
For 14 years, YouthPLUS Medical Group has continued to expand its healthcare services while maintaining its commitment to patient care and community service.
The Carigara medical mission became a meaningful part of this milestone—celebrating 14 years not only through achievements in healthcare, but by giving back to the communities that YouthPLUS serves.
Through its team of physicians, healthcare professionals, staff, and volunteers, YouthPLUS was able to bring several medical specialties and essential services together in one community-based activity.
A Stronger Community Through Collaboration
The success of the medical mission was made possible through the collaboration of YouthPLUS Medical Group, the Rotary Club of San Juanico Tacloban, and the LGU of Carigara.
The Rotary Club of San Juanico Tacloban contributed volunteers and organizational support, helping coordinate the activity and ensure the smooth delivery of services.
Meanwhile, the LGU of Carigara played an important role in reaching and coordinating residents who could benefit from the medical mission.
Adding to the spirit of the celebration, YouthPLUS ambassadors and community partners also joined the activity, helping welcome and entertain beneficiaries and creating a warm and engaging environment throughout the event.
More Than an Anniversary
For YouthPLUS Medical Group, its 14th anniversary is not only a celebration of how far the organization has come. It is also a reminder of why it began—to provide meaningful healthcare and make a difference in people’s lives.
Serving 500 beneficiaries in Carigara was a fitting way to mark the milestone: by turning an anniversary celebration into an opportunity to serve.
The medical mission demonstrated what can happen when healthcare professionals, civic organizations, local government, volunteers, and the community come together with one purpose.
As YouthPLUS Medical Group enters another year of service, the organization remains committed to bringing healthcare closer to more communities—one patient, one family, and one community at a time.
Fourteen years of YouthPLUS. Fourteen years of healthcare, service, and a continuing commitment to make a difference. (PR)
PRESERVING HISTORY. The historic town center of Balangiga in Eastern Samar, where the 1901 Balangiga Encounter took place, is being eyed for expanded heritage preservation efforts as Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales pushes for the establishment of a permanent Philippine-American War Memorial and Museum in the town. (PIA-Eastern Samar)
For future PH generations
PRESERVING HISTORY. The historic town center of Balangiga in Eastern Samar, where the 1901 Balangiga Encounter took place, is being eyed for expanded heritage preservation efforts as Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales pushes for the establishment of a permanent Philippine-American War Memorial and Museum in the town. (PIA-Eastern Samar)
TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Samar Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales is seeking the establishment of a permanent Philippine-American War Memorial and Museum in Balangiga, saying the town’s historic role in the 1901 conflict must be preserved and better understood by future generations.
Gonzales made the proposal in a privilege speech before the House of Representatives on Oct. 1, nearly eight years after the historic Balangiga Bells were returned to the Philippines following 117 years in the United States.
He said the return of the bells in 2018 should not mark the end of efforts to preserve and promote Balangiga’s history, particularly the events surrounding the Balangiga Encounter and the subsequent punitive campaign by American forces in Samar.
“Despite the immense importance of Balangiga to our history, attention to the town seems to have diminished after the bells were returned in 2018. Yet the historical importance of Balangiga warrants far greater national and international recognition and appreciation than it has received in recent years,” Gonzales said.
“We need a place where Filipinos, especially young Filipinos, can better understand the Philippine-American War and its significance to our national story. In an age of fleeting headlines and short attention spans, some stories demand reflection. The story of Balangiga is one of them,” he added.
Gonzales said the proposed museum would provide a permanent venue for preserving artifacts, documents, photographs and other historical materials related to the Balangiga Encounter, the Philippine-American War, the military campaign in Samar and the decades-long effort to bring the bells back to the Philippines.
“I therefore propose the establishment of the country’s first Philippine-American War Memorial Museum in the town of Balangiga,” he said.
The Balangiga Encounter took place on Sept. 28, 1901, when Filipino fighters led by Balangiga police chief Capt. Valeriano Abanador attacked Company C of the U.S. 9th Infantry Regiment, which was stationed in the town.
The attack resulted in heavy casualties among the American troops and became one of the most significant episodes of the Philippine-American War.
It was followed by a punitive U.S. military campaign in Samar that caused widespread destruction and loss of lives. The campaign remains one of the most controversial chapters of the war.
Three church bells from Balangiga were taken by U.S. troops following the campaign and brought to the United States as war trophies. They remained there for 117 years despite decades of efforts by Philippine officials, local leaders and advocates in both countries to secure their return.
The bells were finally returned to the Philippines in December 2018 and brought back to Balangiga, where they had originally hung at the San Lorenzo de Martir Church.
Gonzales said the proposed museum would help ensure that the return of the bells would be viewed not only as the conclusion of a long diplomatic effort but also as an opportunity to deepen public understanding of the history surrounding them.
He also noted that the idea of establishing a museum in Balangiga is not new.
As early as 2014, then-U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Dan McKinnon and Capt. Dennis Wright, two American veterans who advocated for the return of the bells, had proposed the establishment of a museum, Gonzales said.
The renewed proposal seeks to give the initiative a permanent institutional framework through the establishment of a Philippine-American War Memorial and Museum.
Gonzales also proposed that the facility feature the life-sized Balangiga Encounter diorama designed by National Artist Napoleon Abueva, which depicts the events surrounding the 1901 encounter.
He said the museum could become an important educational and heritage site for students, researchers, tourists and other visitors seeking to understand the Philippine-American War and its impact on Samar.
Gonzales and House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan are also pursuing the rehabilitation of the Balangiga Encounter Monument and Memorial Library as part of broader efforts to preserve the town’s historical sites.
Libanan recently said the two lawmakers had secured P20 million for improvements to the Balangiga town plaza, which could further support the development of the town’s heritage area.
Gonzales called on the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Department of Education, Department of Tourism and Department of Foreign Affairs to support the proposed memorial and museum.
Sept. 28 has been observed as Balangiga Encounter Day since the enactment of Republic Act No. 6692 in 1989, which declared the date a special non-working holiday in Eastern Samar.
For Gonzales, establishing a permanent museum would help ensure that Balangiga’s history remains part of the country’s national consciousness long after the return of its historic bells.
FLOWERS FOR TEACHERS. Flowers are sold outside a public school in Tacloban City on Oct. 5, 2026, as students and other members of the school community celebrate World Teachers’ Day. Public school teachers nationwide received a ₱1,000 World Teachers’ Day Incentive Benefit as part of the annual observance.
(Joey A. Gabieta)
FLOWERS FOR TEACHERS. Flowers are sold outside a public school in Tacloban City on Oct. 5, 2026, as students and other members of the school community celebrate World Teachers’ Day. Public school teachers nationwide received a ₱1,000 World Teachers’ Day Incentive Benefit as part of the annual observance. (Joey A. Gabieta)
TACLOBAN CITY — More than 983,000 public school teachers nationwide received a P1,000 incentive on Monday, Oct. 5, in observance of World Teachers’ Day, according to Eastern Samar Lone District Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales.
Gonzales said the P983.5-million funding for the 2026 World Teachers’ Day Incentive Benefit (WTDIB) was included in the 2026 General Appropriations Act, with a special provision intended to ensure its timely release to qualified public school teachers.
“The P983.5 million funding for this year’s WTDIB is line-itemized in the 2026 General Appropriations Law, with a special provision to guarantee its timely release,” Gonzales said in a statement.
The lawmaker said the incentive should continue to be prioritized as part of the government’s recognition of the contribution of public school teachers to the country’s education system.
Gonzales and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan have also filed a measure seeking to increase the incentive from P1,000 to P3,000 and make it a permanent benefit for public school teachers.
House Bill 4531 was approved by the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture in May.
“The proposed higher benefit is not merely an incentive but a clear expression of our nation’s gratitude. Public school teachers are the backbone of our education system. They deserve recognition not just in words but through tangible support,” Gonzales said.
Under the existing policy, qualified public school teachers receive the WTDIB every Oct. 5 as part of the observance of World Teachers’ Day.
Gonzales said the proposed increase would provide teachers with greater tangible support while recognizing their continuing role in delivering basic education.
World Teachers’ Day is observed every Oct. 5, a date established in 1994 under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to recognize the contribution and importance of teachers in society.
In the Philippines, Oct. 5 is also observed as National Teachers’ Day under Republic Act 10743, which recognizes the dedication and contributions of Filipino educators.
Responders inspect the site of a truck accident along the national road in Barangay Tubod, Silago, Southern Leyte, on Oct. 3, 2026. Three passengers were killed while several others were injured after the Isuzu Elf truck allegedly lost control while negotiating a downhill curved portion of the road.(Silago MPS)
Responders inspect the site of a truck accident along the national road in Barangay Tubod, Silago, Southern Leyte, on Oct. 3, 2026. Three passengers were killed while several others were injured after the Isuzu Elf truck allegedly lost control while negotiating a downhill curved portion of the road.(Silago MPS)
TACLOBAN CITY — Three passengers were killed while several others were injured after an Isuzu Elf truck lost control and figured in an accident along the national road in Barangay Tubod, Silago, Southern Leyte, on Saturday noon.
Police said the accident occurred at about 12:10 p.m. on Oct. 3 as the truck was traveling from Abuyog, Leyte, to Silago, Southern Leyte.
The truck was driven by a 39-year-old man identified only as alias “Macoy,” a carpenter foreman and resident of Abuyog, according to the Silago Municipal Police Station.
Initial investigation showed that the vehicle was negotiating a downhill curved portion of the national road in Barangay Tubod when the driver allegedly lost control, resulting in the accident.
Three passengers were declared dead at the scene by a physician from the Silago Rural Health Unit. The identities of the fatalities were not disclosed by the local police.
At least 17 other passengers who sustained injuries were immediately transported to the Abuyog District Hospital in Abuyog, Leyte, for medical treatment.
The Silago MPS received a radio call from the Silago Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reporting the accident.
Police personnel immediately proceeded to the area to conduct an initial investigation and assist in the response.
Authorities were continuing to document the incident and determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.
FREE HEALTH SERVICES. More than 500 residents of Carigara, Leyte, avail themselves of free medical consultations, medicines and other healthcare services during a community medical mission organized by the municipal government and partner civic and medical groups. The outreach included general checkups, minor surgery, eye and ENT consultations, blood sugar testing and treatment for skin diseases. (Photo Courtesy)
FREE HEALTH SERVICES. More than 500 residents of Carigara, Leyte, avail themselves of free medical consultations, medicines and other healthcare services during a community medical mission organized by the municipal government and partner civic and medical groups. The outreach included general checkups, minor surgery, eye and ENT consultations, blood sugar testing and treatment for skin diseases. (Photo Courtesy)
TACLOBAN CITY— More than 500 residents from Carigara, Leyte, received free medical consultations, medicines and other basic healthcare services during a community medical mission aimed at bringing essential health services closer to those in need.
The outreach activity was organized in partnership with the municipal government, Rotary Club of San Juanico, YouthPlus Medical Group and barangay health workers.
Residents availed themselves of a range of services, including general medical consultations, minor surgery, ear, nose and throat (ENT) consultations, eye examinations and free eyeglasses.
The medical mission also offered free medicines, circumcision, blood sugar testing through fasting blood sugar (FBS) and random blood sugar (RBS) tests, as well as treatment for skin diseases.
Medical professionals, volunteers and community health workers worked together during the activity to provide residents, particularly those with limited access to healthcare, with consultations and basic medical services.
The organizers said the outreach demonstrated the importance of cooperation among local government units, civic organizations, medical groups and barangay health workers in addressing healthcare needs at the community level.
Carigara Mayor Eduardo Ong thanked the partner organizations, medical professionals, volunteers and barangay health workers for helping make the medical mission possible.
The activity forms part of continuing community-based efforts to promote preventive healthcare and improve access to basic medical services among residents.
