BAYBAY CITY – As disasters and public emergencies continue to pose challenges in the delivery of government services, the need for trained and upskilled government information officers has never been more urgent.

This was the resounding message from the recently concluded Orientation on Crisis Communication for Government Information Officers and Media Practitioners held this week by the Philippine Information Agency in Eastern Visayas held in Baybay City.

The activity conducted came in the heels of the onslaught of two typhoons, Typhoons Nando and Opong, and a 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Cebu which rocked many regions including Eastern Visayas.

The government information officers who were from different provincial government agencies in Leyte and regional government offices participated in the one-day activity that introduced them to crisis communication and familiarized on effective communication strategies during high-pressure situations to manage public perception and media relations during crises

PIA-8 Regional Head Reyan Arinto said during the activity that crisis communication is about protecting public trust, managing fear, and guiding communities to safety during crises such as natural disasters, health outbreaks, security threats, and misinformation incidents.

“We endeavor to capacitate our government information officers with crisis communication strategies to ensure that the right message reaches the right people at the right time,” Arinto said.

It was stressed that in high-stakes situations such as natural disasters, public health emergencies, or civil unrest, government information officers must coordinate with multiple agencies, verify facts quickly, and use every available channel—from social media and press briefings to SMS alerts—to keep the public informed.

Civil Defense Officer Maria Lourdes Dela Calzada from the Office of Civil Defense in the region who served as one of the resource speakers emphasized that clear, coordinated, and compassionate communication is a key component of disaster response and recovery.

One of the critical takeaways was the importance of pre-crisis planning — having communication protocols, pre-drafted messages, and designated spokespersons ready even before a disaster hits.

Meanwhile Leyte 5th District Board Member Carlo P. Loreto, who chairs the Sangguniang Panlalawigan committee on public information stressed that government information officers are not just messengers but “strategic responders” who must work closely with decision-makers, technical experts, and the media to ensure that the public receives accurate and coordinated updates.

With social media reaching people faster than other medium of communication, one of the biggest challenges these days is combating misinformation, he said.

“Misinformation spreads faster than floods. If we are silent or delayed, we allow fear and rumors to take over,” Loreto said.

He called for stronger inter-agency coordination and the establishment of localized communication protocols while urging the government agencies to invest in training and equipping their information officers with the tools and authority needed to act swiftly during crises.

(AHLETTE C.REYES,PIA-8)

ORMOC CITY— A 28-year-old farmer was arrested by local police on Wednesday morning, October 1, in Sitio Tuburan, Barangay Pawikan, Cabucgayan, Biliran for his alleged involvement in illegal gambling.

Police identified the suspect as alias “Mark,” single, and a resident of the same barangay.
The arrest was carried out by virtue of a warrant of arrest dated September 24, 2025, issued by Judge Anabelle Donasco-Balledo, acting presiding judge of the 2nd Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) of Biliran–Cabucgayan.

The warrant stemmed from a case filed for violation of Presidential Decree 1602, which penalizes illegal gambling activities.

The court set bail at P10,000 for the suspect’s temporary release.

Police said the accused was informed of the nature of his arrest and apprised of his constitutional rights in a language he understood. He was then brought to the Cabucgayan Municipal Police Station for booking and documentation prior to turnover to the issuing court for proper disposition.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY– A 51-year-old habal-habal driver was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) of the Capoocan Municipal Police Station on Monday night, September 29, in Sitio Marag-ing, Barangay Lemon, Capoocan, Leyte.

Police identified the suspect as alias “Jojie,” married, a resident of Barangay Lemon, Capoocan.

According to PLt. Ricardo Lapuz, officer-in-charge of the Capoocan Police Station, the suspect sold one sachet of suspected shabu worth P500 to a police operative posing as a buyer. During a subsequent body search, carried out in the presence of barangay and media witnesses, officers found two more sachets of suspected shabu and the P500 marked bill used in the transaction.

Authorities said the seized suspected shabu weighed approximately 0.15 grams, with an estimated street value of P1,020.

The suspect was informed of his constitutional rights and is now detained at the Capoocan Municipal Police Station’s lock-up facility.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed against him before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Leyte.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY– A 39-year-old mechanic from Leyte was declared dead on arrival at the Biliran Provincial Hospital after being run over by a pickup truck driven by a female architect along the national road in Barangay San Isidro, Biliran,Biliran on Saturday evening, October 4.

Police identified the victim as “Jobert,” a resident of Barangay Cristina, Calubian, Leyte, who was driving a black Honda Beat motorcycle. The driver of the red Ford Raptor pickup was identified as “Casa,” 42, single, an architect from Barangay 82, Tacloban City.

According to the Biliran Municipal Police Station, the accident occurred at around 7:30 p.m. when both vehicles were traveling in the same direction. Based on accounts from two witnesses — “Lima,” 22, and “Raf,” 19, both residents of Barangay Lemon, Capoocan, Leyte — the motorcycle attempted to overtake the pickup on the right side. However, due to the muddy and uneven condition of the road, the rider lost control and was thrown under the pickup.

Police said the mechanic was run over by the rear wheel of the pickup, sustaining severe injuries that led to his death. The witnesses, who were following the two vehicles, reported that the pickup driver continued driving after the incident.

The witnesses pursued the vehicle until it reached the Biliran border, while the victim was rushed to the Biliran Provincial Hospital in Naval but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Authorities have brought both vehicles and the pickup driver to the Biliran Municipal Police Station for proper investigation and disposition.

Police are conducting further investigation to determine possible charges in connection with the incident.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Northern Samar Provincial Population Office (PPO) has called for empathy and deeper understanding in the wake of a tragic case of infanticide in Barangay UEP Zone II, Catarman, where a newborn baby girl was found lifeless in a drainage canal on October 6, 2025.

In a statement, the PPO strongly condemned the act but emphasized the importance of addressing the underlying social and psychological factors that may have led to the incident.

“We believe that understanding the situation of the young mother—a college student—requires empathy and a holistic view of the emotional, social, and psychological struggles she may have been experiencing,” the PPO said.

The office also appealed to the public to refrain from passing judgment and instead promote compassion and awareness, noting that many young people silently face pressure, fear, and isolation.

“Let this serve as a reminder that our community must strengthen awareness, open communication, and accessible social support systems,” the statement added.

The PPO further stressed the need to reinforce programs on mental health, reproductive health education, and counseling, particularly for young women dealing with unplanned pregnancies and emotional distress.

It reaffirmed its commitment to promoting core advocacies such as Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning (RPFP), Adolescent Health and Development (AHD), and Gender and Development (GAD), to help individuals and families make informed and compassionate decisions.

Meanwhile, the Northern Samar Police Provincial Office (NSPPO) reported that the infant’s body was discovered after being allegedly disposed of by the mother.

The Women and Children Protection Desk of the Catarman Municipal Police Station, in coordination with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)