ORMOC CITY— A man listed as the fifth most wanted person in Cebu province was arrested by police in Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte on Thursday afternoon, March 12.
The suspect, identified by police as alias “Kagid,” 42, married and working as a garbage collector for a local government unit, was apprehended at about 3:58 p.m. in Barangay New Guinsaugon.
The arrest was carried out through a joint operation involving personnel from the 2nd Southern Leyte Provincial Mobile Force Company (SLPMFC), Liloan Municipal Police Station in Cebu, St. Bernard Municipal Police Station, Southern Leyte Maritime Police Station, and the St. Bernard Maritime Police.
Authorities said the suspect was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued on Aug. 29, 2024 by Judge Chonita Lara Maagad of the Regional Trial Court Branch 56 in Mandaue City, Cebu for the crime of murder. The court did not recommend bail for the suspect’s temporary liberty.
Police said the suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and his constitutional rights in a language he understood.
He was taken to the St. Bernard Municipal Police Station for booking and documentation before being turned over to the court that issued the warrant.
ORMOC CITY — First Gen Corporation celebrated the 50th anniversary of its geothermal subsidiary, Energy Development Corporation (EDC), while unveiling a unified corporate brand aimed at strengthening the company’s renewable energy operations.
The milestone marks five decades of geothermal energy development in the Philippines, with EDC recognized as the world’s largest vertically integrated geothermal energy producer.
EDC was established on March 5, 1976 as a government-owned firm tasked with developing the country’s geothermal resources to lessen dependence on imported oil. It was later privatized in 2007 and acquired by First Gen, becoming a key part of the company’s renewable energy portfolio.
“EDC has been integral to First Gen’s credibility as a clean energy leader,” said First Gen chairman Federico Lopez.
As part of the anniversary celebration, First Gen also introduced a unified corporate brand that brings together its power generation, supply, and energy solutions businesses under a single structure.
Under the new setup, the company’s renewable power plants will operate under First Gen Renewables, while First Gen Energy Supply will handle electricity supply to customers. Another unit, First Gen Energy Solutions, will focus on services such as energy audits, monitoring systems, and on-site solar installations.
First Gen president Giles Puno said the move aims to better respond to the evolving needs of customers seeking reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions.
FUEL PRICES SOAR. Motorists queue at gasoline stations in Tacloban City and other parts of the country as fuel prices continue to climb following rising tensions in the Middle East. (RMN TACLOBAN)
FUEL PRICES SOAR. Motorists queue at gasoline stations in Tacloban City and other parts of the country as fuel prices continue to climb following rising tensions in the Middle East. (RMN TACLOBAN)
TACLOBAN CITY– Biliran province has become the first in Eastern Visayas to implement a four-day workweek for government offices starting Monday, March 9, 2026, as part of a nationwide energy-saving initiative amid rising fuel costs and global supply uncertainties linked to Middle East tensions.
Through Executive Order No. 12, Governor Rogelio Espina directed all provincial offices to adopt a compressed schedule from Monday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., maintaining the standard 40-hour workweek while reducing electricity consumption in government facilities.
Essential services such as health, disaster response, and public safety continue to operate under regular schedules.
All the province’s eight municipalities—Almeria, Biliran, Cabucgayan, Caibiran, Culaba, Kawayan, Maripipi, and Naval—have also adopted similar measures, which all have done starting March 9.
The order emphasizes practical energy-saving practices such as limiting air-conditioning and lighting use, maximizing equipment efficiency, and adopting work arrangements that reduce power consumption.
Amid the schedule changes, the Biliran Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (BCCII) assured the public that cargo transport rates in the province will remain frozen despite rising fuel prices.
The business group said it aims to keep goods and services “fair, reasonable, and accessible” while monitoring conditions that may require future adjustments.
The compressed workweek is also being adopted by other local government units and institutions across Eastern Visayas.
Other local government units joining the energy-saving drive include Maasin City, Southern Leyte, where Administrative Order No. 25 sets Monday-to-Thursday office hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and San Isidro, Northern Samar, where a similar flexible work arrangement is in effect. Offices providing vital services such as health, public safety, and disaster response continue normal operations.
In Abuyog, Leyte, employees will follow a Monday-to-Thursday schedule from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Fridays as a non-working day.
The University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) in Catarman will implement a similar schedule for non-teaching staff, while faculty and essential service personnel continue regular hours. UEP President Cherry Ultra said the arrangement aligns with both the university’s learning continuity plan and national energy directives.
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has also shifted to a four-day on-site schedule, designating Fridays as mandatory work-from-home days while keeping service counters open through adjusted frontline shifts and utilizing solar power to support operations.
The Department of Tourism – Eastern Visayas will also implement a four-day workweek starting March 9 under Department Order No. 2026-0013, with employees working Monday to Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. while Fridays are observed as a non-working day.
Officials emphasized that the compressed workweek aims to reduce electricity consumption, support the national energy-saving campaign, and ensure continuity of public services amid rising energy costs influenced by global events.
ECO-TOURISM DESTINATION. Eastern Samar Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales and 4Ps Rep. Marcelino Libanan is pushing to declare the multi-tiered Maharlika Falls in Taft, Eastern Samar, as an official ecotourism destination, citing its stunning cascades, forest trails, and potential to create local jobs while preserving the natural environment.(PHOTO COURTESY)
ECO-TOURISM DESTINATION. Eastern Samar Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales and 4Ps Rep. Marcelino Libanan is pushing to declare the multi-tiered Maharlika Falls in Taft, Eastern Samar, as an official ecotourism destination, citing its stunning cascades, forest trails, and potential to create local jobs while preserving the natural environment.(PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY-Lawmakers have filed a bill to declare the multi-tiered Maharlika Falls in Taft, Eastern Samar, as an official ecotourism destination, highlighting its potential to draw visitors and create new livelihood opportunities for local communities.
House Bill No. 7692, known as the ‘Maharlika Falls Tourist Destination Act’, seeks to formally integrate the falls into the National Tourism Development Plan and mandate the Department of Tourism (DOT) to prepare a sustainable development program for the site. The measure emphasizes balancing tourism growth with the protection, preservation, and conservation of the waterfall’s natural surroundings.
Eastern Samar Lone District Representative Christopher Sheen Gonzales and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan introduced the bill, pointing to the falls’ natural beauty, cascading tiers, and accessible trekking trails as key factors for its tourism appeal.
“There’s no question that Maharlika Falls is one of Eastern Samar’s hidden natural treasures,” Gonzales said. “With its pristine forest, breathtaking cascades, and relative accessibility, it can become a major ecotourism destination not only for Eastern Samar but for the entire Eastern Visayas region.”
The lawmaker emphasized that the initiative aims to promote tourism that benefits local communities. “Our goal is to develop Maharlika Falls in a way that protects its natural beauty while creating jobs and income opportunities for residents,” Gonzales added.
Located in Barangay San Rafael, Taft, Maharlika Falls sits within an untouched forest landscape and is accessible via a 30-minute trek from the nearest entry point. The waterfall is part of a mountainous watershed connected to the Taft-Tubig River system, which also supports local hydroelectric projects, and lies within the broader conservation network of the Samar Island Natural Park, one of the Philippines’ largest protected areas.
Tourism experts and environmental advocates say that designating Maharlika Falls as an official ecotourism site could boost sustainable tourism in the region, attract nature enthusiasts, and encourage the preservation of Eastern Samar’s unique ecosystems.
HELPING THE FARMERS. The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in partnership with the Office of the Provincial Agricultural Services (OPAS) spearheaded a forum aimed at improving agricultural planning and protecting rice production in Eastern Samar. As part of the campaign, climate-smart maps will be developed to help farmers and local government units plan for the effects of changing weather patterns, including heavy rains, flooding, and drought that frequently affect rice-growing areas. (Photo Courtesy)
HELPING THE FARMERS. The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in partnership with the Office of the Provincial Agricultural Services (OPAS) spearheaded a forum aimed at improving agricultural planning and protecting rice production in Eastern Samar. As part of the campaign, climate-smart maps will be developed to help farmers and local government units plan for the effects of changing weather patterns, including heavy rains, flooding, and drought that frequently affect rice-growing areas. (Photo Courtesy)
TACLOBAN CITY — Efforts to help rice farmers cope with the impacts of climate change are underway in Eastern Samar following a climate risk mapping workshop aimed at improving agricultural planning and protecting rice production in the province.
The participatory workshop was held last month at the provincial government conference hall in Borongan City and was spearheaded by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in partnership with the Office of the Provincial Agricultural Services (OPAS).
The activity forms part of the Climate-Smart Maps for Strengthening the Adoption Plans of Farming Communities Project, which seeks to boost rice productivity by using science-based mapping tools to guide farming decisions.
Through the project, climate-smart maps will be developed to help farmers and local government units plan for the effects of changing weather patterns, including heavy rains, flooding, and drought that frequently affect rice-growing areas.
Experts from PhilRice, including specialists from its Bicol and Central Experiment Stations, shared technical insights and best practices on climate-resilient rice farming during the workshop.
Participants also discussed how scientific data and climate information can help farmers select the most suitable rice varieties, cropping schedules, and farming technologies based on local climate conditions.
Rice farmers and other stakeholders were given the opportunity to share their experiences and concerns regarding climate-related challenges affecting their harvests.
Organizers said the workshop will help generate recommendations and site-specific farming strategies for municipalities across Eastern Samar, taking into account climate patterns, soil characteristics, and appropriate rice varieties.
Among those who attended were municipal rice program coordinators, personnel from OPAS, representatives from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, project management staff, and farmers from different parts of the province.
Officials said the initiative is part of broader efforts to build a more climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture sector in Eastern Samar while safeguarding food production in the face of increasing climate risks.
TACLOBAN CITY-A 16-year-old girl was stabbed Sunday evening, March 8, while inside an elementary school in Barangay Dolores, Las Navas, Northern Samar, prompting the immediate arrest of the alleged attacker by barangay officials.
Police identified the victim as H.L.A., an out-of-school youth and resident of the village.
According to a report from the Las Navas Municipal Police Station, the incident occurred at around 7:20 p.m. 8 while the teenager was inside one of the classrooms of the barangay elementary school charging her cellphone.
The victim’s father, identified as “Ed,” 40, a farmer, later reported the incident to police at around 11:30 p.m.
Initial investigation revealed that the suspect, identified only as “Onel,” 38, a construction worker and also a resident of Barangay Dolores, allegedly approached the girl while she was alone in the classroom.
The suspect reportedly flicked the victim’s nose, suddenly covered her mouth, and stabbed her on the right shoulder using a kitchen knife.
Despite the injury, the teenager managed to break free and run outside the school premises to seek help.
A concerned resident immediately brought her to the Las Navas Rural Health Unit for initial medical treatment.
Due to the seriousness of her wound, the victim was later referred to the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital for further medical care.
Barangay officials quickly responded and apprehended the suspect after the victim positively identified him as the assailant.
The weapon used in the attack, a kitchen knife, was later recovered by a barangay tanod identified as “Jojo” from a nearby creek. The knife is currently in the custody of the barangay authorities.
The suspect was subsequently turned over to the Las Navas Municipal Police Station for proper disposition as authorities prepare the appropriate charges against him.
Police have yet to determine the motive behind the attack, while the victim continues to recover from her injuries.
