Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders
- National
- July 17, 2025
- 130 views
N. Samar lawmaker files 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗡𝗼. 𝟭𝟳𝟴𝟱 that 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀
Tacloban City –House Bill No. 1785, filed on July 10, 2025 by Northern Samar Second District Representative Edwin C. Ongchuan, aims to amend Republic Act No. 7883 or the Barangay Health Workers’ Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995. The measure seeks to require all local government units to provide mandatory sponsorship of PhilHealth premium contributions for all accredited BHWs under their jurisdiction. The lawmaker described that in the heart of every barangay are men and women who dedicate themselves to the health and welfare of their communities. Barangay Health Workers or BHWs are the essential frontliners who serve as educators, caregivers, and public health agents, especially in far-flung and underserved areas. They are often the first to respond and the last to leave, yet many of them remain without access to the very health care services they help deliver. Currently, the decision to shoulder PhilHealth premiums for BHWs is left to the discretion of LGUs. This has led to unequal…
- Local
- July 16, 2025
- 104 views
Over Two Million Pesos Worth of Shabu Seized in Ormoc City, Two Arrested
by JED Tacloban City–Operatives seized more than two million pesos worth of suspected shabu from two suspects during a drug buy-bust operation yesterday (July 15, 2025) at a pension house located in Sitio Kalipay, Barangay Cogon, Ormoc City. The arrested individuals were identified as Francis Dagoy, listed as a regional priority target, and Geralene Escala, considered a high-value individual. Both are residents of Merida, Leyte. In an interview with Police Captain Ramil Caldona, Officer-in-Charge of Ormoc City Police Station 1, said that authorities confiscated from the suspects a total of 323.14 grams of shabu valued at approximately ₱2.197 million, along with a pistol and drug paraphernalia. PCpt. Caldona further revealed that Dagoy is believed to be the supplier of illegal drugs in Ormoc City, and that the seized drugs reportedly came from Abuyog, Leyte. Currently, authorities are conducting further investigation to verify if the confiscated shabu did indeed originate from Abuyog, Leyte. Meanwhile, the two suspects will face charges for…
- National
- July 15, 2025
- 114 views
Eastern Visayas Registers 3.0% Unemployment Rate in April 2025
Tacloban City- The unemployment rate in Eastern Visayas in April 2025 was estimated at 3.0 percent, similar to the rate posted in April 2024, but 0.6 percentage point higher than the 2.4 percent unemployment rate in January 2025. The unemployment rate in April 2025 translates to 60 thousand unemployed persons out of the 2.01 million persons in the labor force. The number of unemployed persons in April 2024 was 62 thousand, while that in January 2025 was 52 thousand. The region’s employment rate in April 2025 was estimated at 97.0 percent, the same rate was registered in April 2024. This employment rate translates to 1.95 million employed persons out of 2.01 million persons in the labor force of Eastern Visayas in April 2025. The number of employed persons in April 2025 was lower by 76 thousand compared with the 2.03 million employed persons in April 2024. This was also lower by 134 thousand than the 2.09 million employed persons in…
- International , Local
- July 15, 2025
- 129 views
4ps lawmaker chains mobile online gambling as a ‘hidden scourge’ devastating Filipino families
By Miriam G.Desacada Borongan City ( Eastern Samar)–4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan on Tuesday has sounded the alarm over the explosive spread of online gambling via mobile phones in the Philippines, describing it as a “hidden scourge” that is draining family resources, ensnaring the youth, and corroding the moral foundations of Filipino society. “Mobile gambling has quietly turned smartphones into digital betting machines. This is no longer just a tech issue—it’s a moral emergency. Our laws must evolve swiftly before this invisible threat tears more Filipino households apart,” Libanan said in a statement. Rep .Libanan is poised to be elected House Minority Leader of the 20th Congress, which will convene its first regular session on July 28. He previously held the same post in the 19th Congress. “We are preparing urgent proposals to clamp down on mobile-based gambling platforms, especially those targeting Filipinos through social media, paid influencers, and algorithm-drive advertising,” Libanan said. On the otherhand ,he cited growing…
- Local
- July 14, 2025
- 171 views
CSC seeks public feedback on Gawad Dangal ng Bayan semi-finalists
Tacloban City–The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is inviting the public to provide feedback—whether positive or negative—on the 13 semi-finalists for this year’s Gawad Dangal ng Bayan. Your input will help determine whether these individuals deserve to be among this year’s awardees. The deadline for submitting feedback is on 21 July 2025. The Gawad Dangal ng Bayan is one of the major categories under the Gawad Lingkod Bayani. It is awarded to public servants who have performed an extraordinary act of public service and have consistently demonstrated exemplary ethical behavior, as defined under Republic Act (RA) No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. RA 6713 outlines eight norms of conduct for public servants: commitment to public interest, professionalism, justness and sincerity, political neutrality, responsiveness to the public, nationalism and patriotism, commitment to democracy, and simple living. The 2025 semi-finalists are: To share your feedback, please visit: bit.ly/HAPNationalSemi-finalistsFeedback For inquiries or concerns, you may contact the National Honor Awards…
- National
- July 14, 2025
- 128 views
𝐁𝐅𝐀𝐑 𝟖 𝐄𝐏𝐒𝐃𝐏 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐡𝐩𝟕𝐌 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬; 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐡𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬
Tacloban City- More than Php7.8 million worth of seaweed farm implements were distributed to 500 seaweed farmers in Dawahon Island, Bato, Leyte through the Enhanced Philippine Seaweed Development Program (EPSDP) of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 8 in June 2025. The Dawahon Seaweed Farmers Association (DASEAFA) expressed their gratitude for the continued support of the Bureau and other National Government Agencies (NGAs), which helped them achieve more than a 500% increase in production this year compared to last year. Each seaweed farmer received steel bars, PE ropes, PE twine, and Styrofoam boxes necessary for the establishment and maintenance of seaweed farm structures and for efficient post-harvest handling. This year is set to be a productive one for seaweed farmers, as the Department of Agriculture has pledged substantial support for the further development of the seaweed industry in the country. Dawahon Island—recognized as the top seaweed-producing area in Eastern Visayas—now aims to restore its multi-million peso production levels,…
- National
- July 9, 2025
- 126 views
𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟰𝗣𝘀: 𝗔 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱, 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝟲𝟬𝟰
Tacloban City–Over the years, discussions around the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) have highlighted the need to complement financial assistance with pathways to long-term self-sufficiency. House Bill No. 604, recently filed by Representative Edwin C. Ongchuan on June 30, 2025, responds to this call through a timely and transformative proposal that places livelihood and skills development at the core of social protection. At the heart of this proposed amendment to Republic Act No. 11310 is the belief that government support must not end with cash. It must evolve into capability. Under this measure, 4Ps beneficiaries will be required to complete at least two accredited livelihood or skills training programs. This new direction according to Rep.Ongchuan redefines the program into one that empowers families to become active contributors to the economy, not just recipients of assistance. This shift is particularly relevant in provinces like Northern Samar, where agriculture and aquaculture offer rich yet underutilized opportunities for income and food security. In…
- National
- July 9, 2025
- 132 views
Romualdez pushes Bank Secrecy Law reform to fight corruption and financial crimes
Tacloban City–REELECTED Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has filed a bold and long-overdue proposal to modernize the country’s Bank Secrecy Law—empowering regulators to better combat corruption, fraud, and other financial crimes that continue to undermine public trust. House Bill (HB) No. 7, which Rep. Romualdez, filed at the opening of the 20th Congress, seeks to amend Republic Act (RA) No. 1405 to allow the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to examine bank deposits—including foreign currency accounts—under strict and limited conditions where there is reasonable suspicion of unlawful activity. “We want to send a clear message: the Philippines should no longer be a safe haven for dirty money,” Rep. Romualdez said. “If we want honest governance and a stronger financial system, we must update our laws and give our regulators the tools they need to protect the people’s money.” Rep. Romualdez, who served as Speaker in the 19th Congress, is joined by Tingog Party-list Reps. Andrew Julian Romualdez…
- Local
- July 8, 2025
- 481 views
PROTEST VS LUCY’s WIN Comelec hints ballot recount,re-tabulation of returns order
by Miriam G. Desacada Tacloban City–The Comelec 2nd division stated that, if re-elected Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez could not prove that she did not receive any summons or election protests filed against her by her opponent Violeta Codilla, the petition for a recount of ballots and re-tabulation of returns will be granted. On May 26 the Comelec clerk of court issued a summons with copy of Codilla’s election protest, informing Mayor Lucy that an election protest was filed against her and that, she is required to file a verified answer within five days from the date she received the summon. Upon checking with the LBC Track and Trace website by the Comelec division clerk, the summon was delivered on May 30 and received by a certain Jess Bughaw, an office staff of Mayor Lucy. If the prescribed period of five days from receipt of the documents is to be followed then Mayor Lucy could have submitted to the Comelec her verified…
- National
- July 8, 2025
- 100 views
PROTEST VS LUCY’s WIN Comelec hints ballot recount,re-tabulation of returns order
by Miriam G. Desacada Tacloban City–The Comelec 2nd division stated that, if re-elected Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez could not prove that she did not receive any summons or election protests filed against her by her opponent Violeta Codilla, the petition for a recount of ballots and re-tabulation of returns will be granted. On May 26 the Comelec clerk of court issued a summons with copy of Codilla’s election protest, informing Mayor Lucy that an election protest was filed against her and that, she is required to file a verified answer within five days from the date she received the summon. Upon checking with the LBC Track and Trace website by the Comelec division clerk, the summon was delivered on May 30 and received by a certain Jess Bughaw, an office staff of Mayor Lucy. If the prescribed period of five days from receipt of the documents is to be followed then Mayor Lucy could have submitted to the Comelec her verified…
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
- 20 views
E. Samar cop nabbed, faced robbery complaint
- November 7, 2025
- 13 views
Ombudsman clears On̈ate from Graft Charges
- November 7, 2025
- 34 views