MANILA– On July 14, the U.S. Peace Corps in the Philippines welcomed the arrival in Manila of 48 American Volunteers and seven short-term Response Volunteers who will serve alongside Filipino partners to support education, youth development, and natural resource management programs in communities across Luzon and the Visayas.

The arrival of this latest batch brings the total number of Peace Corps Volunteers currently in the country to 140—the largest cohort serving together in the Philippines since 2020.
The 48 new Peace Corps Volunteers will serve host communities for two years, co-teaching English in public elementary and secondary schools, facilitating youth development programs in Department of Social Welfare and Development-accredited organizations and residential shelters, and supporting local governments in establishing marine protected areas and strengthening coastal resource management.

Meanwhile, Response Volunteers will carry out specialized, short-term assignments with government agencies and NGOs, typically lasting 7 to 12 months. These professionals bring their expertise to support high-impact projects in disaster risk reduction, solid waste management, and education.

The Volunteers will be assigned in the following provinces: Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Camarines Sur, Aklan, Antique, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu, and Leyte. They will undertake 11 weeks of language, technical, and cultural training prior to deployment.

“I am pleased to welcome our newest Volunteers to the Philippines. Their joint arrival symbolizes our renewed momentum since the pandemic and reflects our deepening collaboration with local partner institutions and Filipino communities,” said Peace Corps Philippines Country Director Marguerite Roy. “I look forward to seeing how each Volunteer will build meaningful relationships and contribute to community-led initiatives throughout their service.”

For his part, Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency Executive Director Donald James Gawe expressed confidence that the new American Volunteers will “continue to serve as builders of hope and catalysts of change.” “Thank you for choosing the Philippines for your Volunteer work. I wish you success and trust that your batch will have a meaningful volunteering experience and reach a 100% completion rate,” he said
Aged between 22 and 67, the newly arrived American Volunteers represent the 282nd batch of Peace Corps Volunteers and 55th batch of Response Volunteers to be deployed upon the invitation of the Philippine government. Together, they bring diverse experiences, technical skills, and a shared commitment to learn about the Philippines, contribute to locally-led development efforts, and create a positive impact in the lives of Filipinos.
The Philippines is the second oldest U.S. Peace Corps program in the world.  Since 1961, more than 9,500 Americans have served alongside Filipino community members in support of government and community development priorities. (PR)

‘Malayo Pa Pero Malayo Na”

There was a time when a simple meal of rice and dried fish, or bulad was enough. For many families in Northern Samar, that was not just a choice it was all they could afford. Canned sardines were seen as classy and fast food was something only seen in commercials or heard of from relatives in the city. Back then, the dream of eating in Jollibee or McDonald’s felt as far away as Manila itself.

But walk through Catarman today and you will see something different. There are long lines of students and workers buying fries and sundaes at McDonald’s. Young families are dining in Jollibee after church. Supermarkets like Gaisano Grand Mall and Savemore are now part of everyday life. These signs of economic change may seem simple, but they reflect a deeper transformation, one that has touched the lives of thousands of Nortehanons.

Not long ago, Northern Samar ranked among the poorest provinces in the country. In 2015, over 61 percent of the population lived below the poverty line. By 2018, poverty incidence among families was still at 27.4 percent. But through consistent efforts by the provincial leadership, local governments, and development partners, the numbers began to shift.
In 2021, poverty incidence among families dropped to 19.3 percent. Even with rising prices and challenges brought by disasters, it remained relatively low at 21.8 percent in 2023. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, Northern Samar now has the lowest poverty incidence among the three Samar provinces. More than 78 percent of families can now afford their basic food and non-food needs. It is a quiet but powerful sign that people are starting to live with dignity and more opportunity.

Behind these numbers are the stories of people who found work and stability. The Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO) reports that of over 10,000 jobseekers assisted from 2022 to 2024, nearly 8,000 have been successfully placed in employment. That is a placement rate of over 78 percent. The 2022 PSA Labor Force Survey also recorded a 95.7 percent employment rate in Northern Samar, one of the highest in the region. Unemployment stood at only 4.3 percent. Job fairs, local recruitment activities, and youth career guidance programs helped thousands of Nortehanons find opportunities without leaving their province.

While jobs in the services and retail sectors are growing, agriculture remains at the heart of many communities. Over 3,000 farmers have benefited from projects in vegetable farming, cassava, jackfruit, swine, and fish production. Many of them now enjoy increased harvests and better income.

Local road development, improved port facilities, and irrigation systems are also transforming daily life for farmers, students, and small businesses. What used to be hours of difficult travel is now more accessible.

The rise of new supermarkets and fast-food chains is more than just about convenience. The opening of Gaisano Grand Mall and Savemore in Catarman has brought jobs, boosted local retail, and given residents access to more affordable and varied goods. The arrival of global fast-food brands like Jollibee, McDonald’s, and KFC reflects growing investor confidence in Northern Samar’s economy.

Where once there were only carinderias and sari-sari stores, now stand restaurants, cafes, and franchise businesses that attract both locals and visitors. The province’s small and medium enterprises are also thriving through support from trade fairs like Bahandi, where local products have gained national attention and exceeded sales targets.

The services sector is now the biggest contributor to the province’s economy, accounting for over 58 percent of the provincial GDP. With a of P66,888, Northern Samar is no longer seen as left behind.

Tourism is slowly becoming a livelihood source. With cascading waterfalls, pristine beaches, and rich cultural heritage, more visitors are discovering what locals have long known the beauty and warmth of Northern Samar. The provincial government continues to invest in local tourism sites and capacities, ensuring that communities benefit directly from tourism.
The journey is far from over. There are still communities facing hardship, areas needing better infrastructure, and families striving for stability. But today, Northern Samar is stronger, more connected, and more hopeful than it has been in decades! While we can recognize what needs to be done, we can also be inspired of what we have achieved.
Malayo Pa, Pero Malayo Na Rin ang Narating.

From meals of bulad to family dinners in fast-food chains, from footpaths to concrete roads, from joblessness to job fairs, Northern Samar is rising slowly, steadily, and surely.
This is not just a story of progress. It is a story of people reclaiming their dignity, of a province once written off, now rewriting its future.

(JHON ALLEN BERBON, Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office HEAD)

TACLOBAN CITY– An incumbent barangay chairman was shot dead while his wife sustained a gunshot wound after unidentified gunmen opened fire on the couple in broad daylight on Wednesday, July 23 in Calbayog City.

The victims were aboard a tricycle locally known as a “timbol” and were on their way home around 1:10 p.m. when the attack occurred along the boundary road between Barangays Guinbaoyan Norte and Guinbaoyan Sur.

Police identified the deceased as Anastacio Catalan 59, chairman of Brgy. Tapa-e. His wife, Remegia, 53, suffered a gunshot wound to her left thigh and was rushed to Calbayog District Hospital for treatment.

According to Calbayog City Police Chief Lt.Col. Dinvir Revita, the police were alerted to the incident via a phone call from a concerned citizen at around 1:15 p.m. Responding officers arrived to find Catalan slumped over his motorcycle in a supine position, already lifeless. His wife had already been taken to the hospital.

Initial investigations revealed that two unidentified men on a motorcycle approached the victims from behind and fired without warning—fatally striking Catalan in the head and wounding his wife.

The suspects fled in the opposite direction after the shooting. Scene investigators recovered a fired cartridge case (FCC) from a caliber .45 pistol at the crime scene.

However, after a manhunt operations conducted by the police, the suspect, who was not named, after arrested.

Authorities are currently conducting a thorough investigation to determine the motive.

(ROBERT DEJON)