MEASURES. Amid fuel crisis triggered by the Middle East tensions, the provincial government of Eastern Samar has come up several measures to caution the province from its impacts as Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone reported of several gasoline stations have seized operations due to lack of fuel supply.
(THE EASTERN SAMAR PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)
MEASURES. Amid fuel crisis triggered by the Middle East tensions, the provincial government of Eastern Samar has come up several measures to caution the province from its impacts as Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone reported of several gasoline stations have seized operations due to lack of fuel supply. (THE EASTERN SAMAR PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)
TACLOBAN CITY — Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone has ordered urgent steps to ensure stable fuel supply for essential services in Eastern Samar amid ongoing logistical challenges.
During a joint meeting of the Provincial Development Council and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on March 16, Evardone directed local government units and national agencies to submit reports on their fuel stocks and projected needs to prevent shortages.
He stressed that fuel availability for frontline services must be prioritized, especially during emergencies and transport disruptions.
Gov. Evardone added that coordination with lawmakers, including Reps. Sheen Gonzales and Marcelino Libanan of the 4Ps party-list group and Minority Floor Leader, will be pursued to secure national government support.
POWER COSTS. Northern Samar Rep. Edwin Ongchuan(2nd district) pushes for a congressional review of line rental charges under the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, citing their impact on rising electricity bills. The proposed probe seeks to ensure transparency and protect consumers as power costs continue to increase. (PHOTO COURTESY)
POWER COSTS. Northern Samar Rep. Edwin Ongchuan(2nd district) pushes for a congressional review of line rental charges under the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, citing their impact on rising electricity bills. The proposed probe seeks to ensure transparency and protect consumers as power costs continue to increase. (PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY — A lawmaker from Northern Samar is pushing for a congressional review of certain power charges blamed for increasing electricity bills across the country.
Northern Samar 2nd District Rep. Edwin Ongchuan filed House Resolution No. 889, urging the House Committee on Energy to investigate line rental charges imposed under the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).
The proposed inquiry aims to determine how these charges affect electric cooperatives and consumers, and whether they remain consistent with the consumer protection goals of Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.
Line rental charges are fees for the use of transmission lines in delivering electricity. These are influenced by differences in power prices between locations and may result from transmission losses or congestion in the grid. The costs are typically passed on to consumers.
Several electric cooperatives, particularly in Eastern Visayas, have reported high line rental charges contributing to rising electricity bills. In some areas, these have reached up to P4.02 per kilowatt-hour, adding to the burden of households and small businesses.
The resolution also noted that the dry season and fluctuations in global oil prices could further increase power generation costs, worsening the situation for consumers, especially in rural communities.
“During these difficult times, we must ensure that every charge reflected in electricity bills is justified, transparent, and fair,” Ongchuan said, stressing the need to protect consumers.
Lawmakers are expected to review existing regulations, billing systems, and transmission plans to identify measures that could help reduce electricity costs nationwide.
TACLOBAN CITY — Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre has dismissed allegations that lawmakers were bribed to support the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, calling the claims baseless and urging critics to present evidence.
In a press statement issued March 18, Acidre rejected accusations made by Toby Tiangco that members of the House of Representatives received funding allocations in exchange for backing the impeachment move.
“There was no bribe. There was no deal. There was no exchange,” Acidre said, stressing that his decision to support the complaint was based solely on evidence presented during congressional hearings.
The lawmaker said he personally attended hearings, reviewed documents, and listened to testimonies before signing the complaint, emphasizing that his position was guided by “conviction” rather than political considerations.
Acidre also revealed that he had supported Duterte during the 2022 elections, making his decision more difficult but, he said, necessary in light of the evidence.
“Leadership is not about loyalty to personalities—it is about fidelity to the truth,” he added.
He further described Tiangco’s allegations as “reckless and baseless,” warning that such claims undermine both the integrity of Congress and public trust.
Acidre also defended House leadership, including former Speaker Martin Romualdez, saying there was no instruction, inducement, or pressure to secure support for the impeachment through funding or favors.
He challenged those making the allegations to file proper cases and present evidence instead of issuing public accusations.
“If such a claim were true, the proper course is obvious: file the appropriate cases, present the evidence, and prove it in the proper forum,” he said.
Acidre also cautioned against attempts to divert attention from the issues surrounding the impeachment complaint, stressing the need to focus on accountability and due process.
According to him, committee hearings were conducted transparently, with witnesses and documents presented in accordance with established rules.
“To dismiss all of that as manipulated simply because one disagrees with the outcome is not a defense—it is an evasion,” he said.
He concluded by reiterating that the impeachment process must be decided based on evidence and the rule of law, not political rhetoric.
“The Filipino people deserve the truth. And the truth demands more than accusations—it demands proof,” Acidre said.
AMITY PARK.Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez graces the opening of the newly renovated Amity
Park in Brgy. 86, San Jose District on March 14. The city mayor said that with the opening of the Amity
Park, children in the village and nearby areas can now play and enjoy a safer and well-maintained park.
T
he facility was made possible with the help of the Filipino-Chinese Amity Club Tacloban Chapter.
(ALFRED ROMUALDEZ FACEBOOK)
AMITY PARK.Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez graces the opening of the newly renovated Amity Park in Brgy. 86, San Jose District on March 14. The city mayor said that with the opening of the Amity Park, children in the village and nearby areas can now play and enjoy a safer and well-maintained park. The facility was made possible with the help of the Filipino-Chinese Amity Club Tacloban Chapter. (ALFRED ROMUALDEZ FACEBOOK)
Amid Middle East tensions
TACLOBAN CITY —The Department of Migrant Workers(DMW) said it continues to monitor the situation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Eastern Visayas in the Middle East, even as no worker from the region has so far requested repatriation despite the ongoing tensions in the area.
Lovely Aissa Velayo-Agliam, DMW-8 officer-in-charge regional director, said their office has not received any formal request for repatriation from OFWs originating from the region.
“Although there are OFWs who have already been repatriated, none of them so far are from Eastern Visayas,” Velayo-Agliam said.
While the office did not mention as to how many OFWs from the region are working in the troubled Middle East, they could easily run into thousands.
Velayo-Agliam noted, however, that the regional office has been receiving inquiries from families in the region asking about the condition of their relatives working in the Middle East, particularly in countries such as Kuwait, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia.
She said the DMW has instructed recruitment agencies with deployed workers in these countries to closely monitor the status and welfare of their employees abroad.
The DMW regional head added that their office, together with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration(OWWA), is also extending assistance to OFWs who may be
stranded in the Philippines while waiting to depart for their overseas jobs.
In cases where deployment is temporarily suspended due to the situation abroad, the agency coordinates with recruitment agencies to allow the workers to return to their home
provinces while awaiting further travel clearance.
Meanwhile, Maria Jasmin Andrade, supervising labor and employment officer of DMW-8, said the agency’s 43 overseas posts remain on alert and ready to assist Filipino workers
who may seek repatriation.
She said OFWs from Eastern Visayas who wish to return home may contact the DMW through its hotline, email, or official social media platforms for immediate assistance.
The agency assured that contingency measures are in place should any OFW from
the region request repatriation as the government continues to monitor developments in the Middle East.
BIG RELIEF. As the national government has vowed to conduct total repair of
the Maharlika Highway, ordinary residents of Samar province like farmers and
motorists have expressed, this early, their gratitude as this would be a big help to them.
(ROEL T.AMAZONA)
BIG RELIEF. As the national government has vowed to conduct total repair of the Maharlika Highway, ordinary residents of Samar province like farmers and motorists have expressed, this early, their gratitude as this would be a big help to them. (ROEL T.AMAZONA)
TACLOBAN CITY —Residents and farmers in several communities in Samar have welcomed the ongoing repair of damaged portions of the Maharlika Highway, saying the improvements are expected to make travel safer and speed up the transport of agricultural products.
People living in Barangays Laygayon and Pinabacdao in the town of Pinabacdao, Samar and
Barangay Tulay in Santa Rita, Samar said sections of the highway had long been riddled with potholes and damaged pavement, causing delays in travel and posing risks to motorists.
With the rehabilitation work now underway, residents believe the repairs will reduce accidents along the busy national highway. Barangay Tulay Kagawad Rodolfo Linatoc said the improved road condition is already helping motorists pass through the area more
safely.
He added that accidents had been common in their barangay when the road was still in poor condition and expressed hope that the rehabilitation of the highway would continue until all damaged sections are repaired.
Linatoc also thanked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for prioritizing the road rehabilitation project.
Barangay Laygayon secretary Daisy Joy Mabahin said the road repairs will greatly help local farmers, noting that many residents rely on agriculture for their livelihood.
She said the improved road condition will make it easier and faster for farmers to transport their produce to markets. DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon visited Samar last week to inspect the ongo ing road reblocking along the Maharlika Highway, particularly in the towns of Pinabacdao and Santa Rita where several damaged sections remain.
During the inspection, Dizon directed contractors to complete the current road reblocking
works before the observance of Holy Week to ensure smoother travel for motorists.
The public works chief inspected four sections of the highway—two in Pinabacdao located in Barangays Nabong and Laygayon, and two in Santa Rita in Barangays Tulay and San Pascual.
Dizon said the repair works are progressing faster compared to his previous inspection in February, adding that additional reblocking projects will continue after Holy Week
to address remaining damaged sections of the highway.
TACLOBAN CITY — A long-envisioned land connection linking Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao
moves closer to reality, with a feasibility study for a proposed Luzon–Visayas bridge or undersea tunnel set for this year, while a Visayas–Mindanao cross ing is eyed for 2027.
House Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan said the studies will be conducted sequentially to explore permanent links between the country’s three main island groups.
The announcement followed a March 10 meeting in Tacloban City between DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, regional lawmakers, and provincial governors from Eastern Visayas. Libanan noted that Congress has allocated P130 million to fund the Luzon–Visayas study.
Libanan, principal author of House Bills 4589 and 4950 proposing the Luzon–Visayas and Visayas–Mindanao crossings, said the projects aim to boost trade, tourism, disaster response, and overall economic integration across the islands, reducing reliance on
weather-dependent ferry routes.
