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Clearing operations completed along Rawis–Catubig road following tree fall

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The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Northern Samar District Engineering Office Maintenance Team has conducted clearing operations and removal of a fallen tree that had obstructed a portion of the Rawis–Catubig Road in Barangay Opong, Catubig, KO802+850 – KO803+000, at 4:00 PM today, August 13, 2025.

The obstruction, which temporarily disrupted the flow of traffic, was promptly addressed following reports from local residents and motorists. DPWH maintenance personnel led by Acting Chief of Maintenance Section, Engr. Nicanor L. Mejos, Jr., were immediately dispatched to the area to ensure the swift restoration of road accessibility and public safety.

Motorists and commuters are advised that normal traffic flow has now resumed along the Rawis–Catubig Road. However, the public is still urged to exercise caution when passing through the area due to the possibility of wet or slippery road conditions brought about by recent weather disturbances.

(dpwh8/nssdeo/jmp/kms)

Eastern Visayas reaches highest employment rate in 2024

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TACLOBAN CITY (PIA)—Eastern Visayas has reached a significant milestone in 2024, posting its highest employment rate in four years, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

In its latest report, the PSA said that 97.2 percent of the region’s labor force is now employed, up from 96.2 percent in 2023. This means 2.07 million people are working out of 2.13 million aged 15 years old and above.

“This is a sign that our economy is not only recovering—it’s getting stronger,” said Wilma Perante, PSA Regional Director for Eastern Visayas.

“More people are finding stable jobs,” she added.

The unemployment rate has dropped to just 2.8 percent, down from 3.8 percent last year, and is the lowest since 2021. In 2024, only 59,000 people were unemployed, a big improvement for the region.

Although the Labor Force Participation Rate (the number of people actively working or looking for work) slightly decreased to 63.6 percent, those who are working seem to be finding more stable and better-quality jobs.

The PSA also reported progress in addressing underemployment, or people who have jobs but want better or more hours. The rate dropped from 17.3 percent in 2023 to 16.2 percent in 2024—about 336,000 people.

“Underemployment shows there’s still potential in our workforce,” Perante explained.
“With better training, job matching, and support for local businesses, we can help people reach their full potential,” she added

She said that despite a few challenges, the overall picture is very positive—with employment rising and unemployment falling.

Perante called for continued investment in infrastructure, education, and local industries to create good, meaningful jobs for everyone.

“Our goal is to make sure that as our economy grows, our people benefit through quality jobs that support long-term success,” she said.

(RLA/PIA Eastern Visayas)

Samar Gov. Tan reaffirms partnership with Army, cites gains in peace and security

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Governor Sharee Ann Tan
Governor Sharee Ann Tan

TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Samar has reiterated its full support for the Philippine Army’s peace and security initiatives, as Governor Sharee Ann Tan joined the 37th founding anniversary celebration of the 8th Infantry Division (8ID) on Thursday, August 8, 2025, at Camp Vicente Lukban in Catbalogan City.

In her message, Gov. Tan congratulated the 8ID for its decades-long service and unwavering commitment to protecting the province and the rest of Eastern Visayas from threats to public safety. She emphasized that Samar’s local government will remain a steadfast partner in sustaining peace and order.

The governor credited the collective efforts of the military, local governments, and communities for what she described as a “notable level of peace” in the province — a significant achievement for an area once plagued by decades of insurgency.

Since 2023, at least 10 local government units (LGUs) in Samar have been declared under Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC), including Calbayog City and the towns of Tarangnan, San Sebastian, Talalora, Sta. Margarita, Almagro, and Sto. Niño.

Gov. Tan also cited the 8ID’s crucial role in dismantling four major communist fronts in recent years, namely: Front Committee 2, Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Emporium, Front Committee 1, SRC Emporium, Front Committee 15, SRC Arctic, and Front Committee 3, SRC Arctic

The 8ID, which oversees military operations in the islands of Leyte, Samar, and Biliran, has been at the forefront of counter-insurgency campaigns and community development initiatives in the region.

“The peace we now enjoy in Samar is a shared victory,” Gov. Tan said, adding that sustained collaboration between the Army and local stakeholders is key to ensuring lasting security and enabling progress.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

Army Chief assures AFP of a mission-ready ground force

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The commanding general, Philippine Army (CGPA) Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete briefs the Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff (CSAFP) Gen. Romeo S. Brawner on his Command Guidance centered on Human Capital Development to ensure a ready ground force for territoria and external security defense during a courtesy call at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City on August 12, 2025.(PHOTO COURTESY)
The commanding general, Philippine Army (CGPA) Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete briefs the Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff (CSAFP) Gen. Romeo S. Brawner on his Command Guidance centered on Human Capital Development to ensure a ready ground force for territoria and external security defense during a courtesy call at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City on August 12, 2025.(PHOTO COURTESY)

FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – The 67th Commanding General, Philippine Army (CGPA) Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete vowed to further strengthen and prepare the Philippine Army as a potent force for territorial and external defense during his first visit as the CGPA to the to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) under AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo S. Brawner at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City on August 12, 2025.

Being the largest force provider to the AFP, Lt. Gen. Nafarrete will ensure that the Army will consistently provide responsive, credible and capable ground forces to the Unified Commands in support of the AFP’s Campaign Plan “Tatag Kapuluan.” The Army Chief also briefed the CSAFP on his “Our Personnel is Our Strength” guidance focusing on the Army personnel’s holistic human capital development to be ready for any mission in various warfare domains.

The Philippine Army looks forward to a sustained collaboration with the other Major Branches of Service to effectively complement the AFP’s implementation of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept.(PR)

Red tide hits Cancabato Bay

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BFAR has reported that red tide toxin was detected in Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City, and has urged the public to avoid gathering or eating shellfish from the area. (JERRY YAOKASIN FACEBOOK)

BFAR warns public against eating shellfish

BFAR has reported that red tide toxin was detected in Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City, and has urged the public to avoid gathering or eating shellfish from the area.
(JERRY YAOKASIN FACEBOOK)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the region has placed Cancabato Bay in Tacloban City under red tide alert after seawater samples tested positive for Pyrodinium bahamense, a microscopic algae species known for producing saxitoxin—the potent neurotoxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP).
In its advisory issued Sunday, August 10, BFAR warned that all types of shellfish and Acetes species, locally called “alamang” or “hipon,” harvested from the bay are unsafe to eat, as ingestion of even small amounts of saxitoxin can lead to numbness, dizziness, and in severe cases, respiratory failure and death.

Red tide is a naturally occurring phenomenon caused by the rapid growth of toxic plankton in coastal waters, often triggered by changes in water temperature, salinity, and nutrient levels. While harmless to fish, the toxin accumulates in shellfish, making them dangerous for human consumption.

The advisory also maintains existing shellfish bans in Irong-Irong Bay in Catbalogan City, Samar, and Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar, which covers the coastal towns of General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo. Matarinao Bay has been under red tide warning since July 29, with tests still showing high toxin levels in shellfish meat.

BFAR clarified that fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs from affected waters remain safe if fresh, thoroughly cleaned, and cooked, with all internal organs removed before preparation. The agency is continuing regular water and shellfish monitoring to track toxin levels and has urged local governments and fisherfolk to strictly enforce the ban to avoid PSP incidents.

JOEY A. GABIETA

Leyte farmers score first direct banana shipment to Manila, ending years of market mislabeling

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For the first time, bananas from Leyte, in particular, will be exported to Metro Manila with the agriculture and banana farmers hope to sustain the trade.(DA-8)

TACLOBAN CITY — For the first time, Cardaba bananas grown in Leyte are reaching Metro Manila markets under their rightful name, marking a breakthrough for Eastern Visayas farmers long overshadowed in the national banana trade.

For the first time, bananas from Leyte, in particular, will be exported to Metro Manila with the agriculture and banana farmers hope to sustain the trade.(DA-8)

On August 7, the municipality of Jaro shipped 15 tons of Cardaba bananas directly to institutional buyer Pearlfoods Inc., ending decades of a little-known practice in which Leyte-grown bananas were bought by traders from Mindanao, rebranded as products from Davao or other Mindanao provinces, and sold in Luzon.

The milestone follows the Market Linkage Caravan organized by the Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) and Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) in Tacloban City from July 22 to 25, 2025. The event exposed how this rebranding—though not illegal—has deprived Leyte farmers of market identity and fair recognition for their produce.

One of those directly affected was Ernesto Enales, a farmer-leader from Brgy. Malobago, Jaro, who had unknowingly been supplying his bananas to a Mindanao-based trader who passed them off as Davao-grown. Through Pearlfoods, he learned that his bananas had been part of their supply chain for years—without credit to their Leyte origin.

Determined to change this, Enales cut out the middleman and entered a direct deal with Pearlfoods. The first truckload that left Jaro now bears proper labeling identifying the produce as Leyte-grown.

“This is a proud moment for our farmers,” said Judy Calabia, Municipal Agriculturist of Jaro. “We’re finally seeing our local producers take their rightful place in the value chain.”
Cardaba and Saba bananas from Leyte are prized not only for fresh consumption but also as the main raw material for banana chips, a rising export commodity. With Metro Manila buyers now expressing interest in sourcing directly from Leyte, the DA and local government units are working to establish sustainable, traceable supply chains that will allow Region 8 to stand as a recognized player in the national banana industry.

“This is just the beginning,” said Francis Rosaroso of DA Eastern Visayas. “We want more farmers and cooperatives to benefit from direct market access—getting fair prices and the recognition they deserve.”

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

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