Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders
- National
- September 18, 2025
- 184 views
PBBM SERVES MEALS TO WALANG GUTOM KITCHEN BENEFICIARIES IN PASAY CITY
The President took the lead in distributing meals that included rice, meat, noodles, soup, vegetables, and fruits to the DSWD beneficiaries. The President, who wore the red cap and red apron worn by WGK volunteers, also toured the area, inspecting the process by which beneficiaries would access the kitchen’s benefits. President Marcos afterwards sat down with the beneficiaries, who sang him “Happy birthday.” The DSWD gave the President a blue birthday cake with the logo of the Walang Gutom Program, SWS Hunger Tracker. “Happy Birthday, Mr. President, from the DSWD Family” was written on the cake. The President then sliced the cake and served it to the beneficiaries, and handed out cupcakes and other food as well. The Pasay City WGK serves breakfast and lunch daily, from Monday to Sunday, to around 600 people, according to the DSWD. It is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. The WGK aims to provide nutritious meals to target beneficiaries and walk-in clients,…
- National
- September 18, 2025
- 198 views
The President or local chief executives can declare a state of imminent disaster upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) or Regional DRRM Councils.
by Miriam G.Desacada Tacloban City–President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed Republic Act No. 12287, also known as the Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Act. This law enables the government to declare a “State of Imminent Disaster” before a calamity strikes, allowing for anticipatory actions to protect communities. The declaration will be based on a pre-disaster risk assessment showing highly probable hazards with projected catastrophic impacts, classified as severe, and with at least a three-day lead time (extendable to five days) for authorities to mobilize resources. The President, upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), can declare a State of Imminent Disaster over barangays, municipalities, cities, provinces, or regions. Local chief executives can also issue declarations in their jurisdictions based on advice from regional DRRM Councils. Under Republic Act No. 12287, the government will establish a mechanism for declaring a State of Imminent Disaster and providing the criteria for its declaration and lifting,…
- National
- September 13, 2025
- 166 views
Billions for flood control, but at what cost to the 4th District?
By Miriam G. Desacada Tacloban City–The 4th district of Leyte, comprising five towns and a city, spreads across 1.5 thousand square kilometers, or about one/sixth part of the province’s land area of 6.3 thousand square kilometers. Apart from its size, however, it seems to be the most attractive entity for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to shower its “blessings” on. Let’s take a look at the available records from this agency, as some insiders had provided.Out of the DPWH’s P6.9 billion allocation for infrastructure projects for the entire province, the biggest chunk went to this relatively small district, approximately P4.2 billion, or about 60 percent of the total budget for the province. DPWH records showed at least 165 flood control and other infrastructure projects, costing about P6.9 billion, were implemented in Leyte province, three of which were reported with zero completion, even after their completion dates last year. How lucky is Leyte’s 4th district, under Representative Richard…
- National
- September 10, 2025
- 110 views
Northern Samar Legislator Calls for Urgent Action to Address Frequent Power Outages
by MIRIAM GARCIA DESACADA TACLOBAN CITY–Northern Samar 2nd District Representative Edwin C. Ongchuan has urged the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to take immediate action on critical power projects affecting the province. During the House Committee on Energy hearing on September 10, 2025, Ongchuan emphasized the need to strengthen Northern Samar’s power infrastructure to address recurring power outages that have negatively impacted economic activity, public services, and quality of life. Calbayog-San Isidro-Allen Transmission Line Project*: NGCP reported 92% completion, with remaining works involving right-of-way adjustments and coordination with Calbayog City LGU for rerouting. Ongchuan urged NGCP to expedite the project to reduce blackouts and provide stable electricity supply. He also identified Lawaan-Laoang Substation and 69 kV Transmission Line. Ongchuan inquired about the status of these projects, stressing the importance of reliable connections for growing electricity demand and local development in Mapanas and nearby municipalities. Island Municipalities towns affected by this frequent power shut down, such as San Vicente,…
- National
- September 10, 2025
- 137 views
40,000 Government Workers Unite in Benefit Run for Fallen Heroes
by Ma.Arlene Gabon Tacloban City–From Luzon, Visayas, to Mindanao—the 2025 Fun Run was a nationwide success recording more than 40,000 participants joining the activity held simultaneously across the country on 7 September 2025. Organized by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) through its regional offices, the fun run served as the nationwide kick-off activity of the month-long celebration of the 125th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary (PCSA). CSC Chairperson Marilyn B. Yap, together with CSC Commissioners Ryan Alvin Acosta and Luis Meinrado Pangulayan, led the fundraising activity that aimed to foster camaraderie and promote the physical and mental well-being of government workers while honoring fallen servant-heroes. Proceeds of the event will support the CSC’s Pamanang Lingkod Bayani (PLBi) Program, which provides financial assistance, posthumous recognition, and scholarship opportunities to the families of government workers who died in the line of duty. Participants joined various categories, including the 1k, 3k, 5k, and Fun Walk, while agencies showcased their Lingkod Bayani mascots to celebrate…
- National
- September 9, 2025
- 122 views
Flood Control Fiasco: ₱95-Million Project in Leyte Raises Questions About Governance and Accountability
by Miriam G Desacada Tacloban City- Merida Leyte Mayor Rolando Villasencio has raised serious concerns about a ₱95-million flood control project in Barangay Puerto Bello, which was declared 100% complete despite being far from finished. Here are the key issues with the project According to the DPWH website showed the project was completed in July 2024, but actual work only began in August 2024. However , in an inspectiob conducted by Mayor Villasencio confirmed the site was still under construction. Lack of Transparency: The DPWH district engineer refused to provide key documents, such as program boards and plans, claiming they were forwarded to the central office. Seventy (70%) percent of the project’s budget was released on May 12, 2024, during the election period when government projects were restricted. Puerto Bello Village was declared “completed” but remains non-operational due to poor placement and lack of accessibility. Villasencio has urged the Department of the Interior and Local Government to conduct a…
- National
- September 7, 2025
- 169 views
12 YEARS AFTER YOLANDA Balangkayanons keep quest up for permanent homes
by Miriam G. Desacada Borongan City–In November 2013, super-typhoon Yolanda swept through Eastern Visayas, leaving a trail of destruction across the region, where one of the hardest hit was the small coastal town of Balangkayan in Eastern Samar. The brutal scenery: houses and communities were flattened, livelihoods destroyed, and countless families displaced. And the promised response from the government: permanent housing for survivors under the Yolanda Rehabilitation Program, which was even flaunted then as a cornerstone of the national recovery effort. Official records from the National Housing Authority (NHA) indicate that 390 permanent housing units were allocated for Balangkayan, specifically at Balangkayan Townville in Barangay Cantubi of the 5th-class town. The government’s Yolanda Permanent Housing Program was designed to build thousands of houses across Eastern Visayas to replace makeshift shelters and temporary evacuation centers. This program has been bannered as a reflection of the government’s commitment to help survivors rebuild their lives. However, after 12 years since the Yolanda’s devastation,…
- National
- September 7, 2025
- 275 views
Libanan wants 2026 flood controlbudget given to flood-prone areas
by Miriam G. Desacada TACLOBAN CITY–House Minority Floor Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan (4Ps Partylist) has raised caution over the planned allotment of P250.8 billion for flood control that would be included in the proposed 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) submitted to the House. Libanan warned the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to scrutinize further its suggested P250.8-billion allocation for flood control, and ensure that it will be poured into the identified most vulnerable provinces instead of those that are not. The legislator from Eastern Samar, during the House appropriations panel deliberations on the proposed DPWH budget, posed this question: “How can we spend billions on flood control but ignore the most flooded provinces?” He urged the DPWH, now under its new leadership, Secretary Vince Dizon, to look deeper into its proposed flood control allocation so that it will not miss the hardest-hit provinces. The flood control allocation is nearly one-third of the agency’s P880-billion total budget proposal for…
- National
- September 7, 2025
- 154 views
Homonhon Island under threat: House urge to investigate Mining activities
By Miriam G.Desacada Borongan City–Eastern Samar Representative Christopher Sheen Gonzales has called for a congressional inquiry into the devastating effects of large-scale nickel and chromite mining on Homonhon Island, a historic site in his home province. Gonzales warned that the mining activities pose significant environmental and social risks. Gonzales emphasized that nearly 88% of Homonhon Island’s 7,400 hectares are already covered by mineral production sharing agreements granted to five mining companies. He criticized the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, saying it prioritizes corporate interests over community rights and environmental protection ² ¹.The congressman urged the government to take urgent action to address the issue, citing the need for Gonzales’s call for inquiry has been supported by local residents, church leaders, and environmental groups, who have long been advocating for the protection of Homonhon Island’s fragile ecosystem and rich cultural heritage . In House Resolution No. 234, Gonzales urged the House committees on natural resources, ecology, and local government, to jointly…
- National
- September 6, 2025
- 175 views
controversy surrounds P192 million Flood Control Project in E.Samar
by Miriam G.Desacada Borongan City– A ₱192-million flood-control project in a small coastal town has ignited controversy, with residents and local officials accusing the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) of falsely claiming the project is nearly complete despite minimal work on the ground. This incident echoes similar controversies surrounding flood control projects . In an open letter to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a group of concerned citizens described the project as a “ghost project,” questioning DPWH records that showed an 84.72% completion rate. The project was awarded to Amethyst Horizon Builders and Gen. Contractor and Development Corp., yet construction reportedly began only recently. The group further alleged that laborers and heavy equipment assigned to Hernani were diverted to another questionable flood-control project in Llorente town. Vice Mayor Raises Alarm Hernani Vice Mayor Socorro De Lira Ponferrada confirmed the irregularities in a detailed social media post. She said she first grew suspicious upon learning that the project was awarded…
E. Visayas’ inflation slightly rises to 0.5% in October
- November 12, 2025
- 7 views
2 Dead, Found in Fire During Typhoon Uwan’s Onslaught in Borongan City
- November 10, 2025
- 18 views
E. Samar cop nabbed, faced robbery complaint
- November 7, 2025
- 12 views
Ombudsman clears On̈ate from Graft Charges
- November 7, 2025
- 34 views