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𝐅𝐂𝐔 𝟖 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐌𝐀 𝟗; 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐂𝐨𝐑𝐞-𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐆𝐔𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐲𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐩 𝐈𝐔𝐔𝐅 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐬

Tacloban City—-In a decisive move to curb Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUUF) fishing within Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 9 in Southern Leyte, the FMA Coordinating Unit (FCU) 8 convened the first batch of Local Government Units (LGUs) for the Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) Index and Threat Assessment Tool (IFIT) workshop in Tacloban City. Christine Gresola, Regional Public Information Officer of Bureaunof Fisheries and Acquatic Reources ib Eastern Visayas said that with a unified goal to assess the current state of IUUF activities and identify long-term, targeted solutions while tracking the progress of LGUs in FMA 9 Southern Leyte areas, the initiative brought together key local stakeholders from six (6) LGUs. Participants included representatives from the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (FARMC), Municipal Agriculture Offices (MAOs), People’s Organizations, Municipal Fishery Law Enforcement Teams (MFLET), and the Philippine National Police from the municipalities of Maasin, Macrohon, Padre Burgos, Tomas Oppus, Malitbog, and Limasawa. Among the prioritized threats identified by…

Leyte Mayor denies link to missing cockfighters (Sabugeros)

by JED Tacloban City___Matag-ob, Leyte Mayor Bernie Tacoy on Thursday vehemenly denied on allegation made by whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, also known as “Totoy,” claiming his connection to Retired Police General Jonnel Estomo — one of the police officers allegedly involved in the case of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts (sabungeros). According to. Tacoy , he has no direct connection or business dealings with General Estomo. He explained that their acquaintance is limited to mutual friends and that he has never engaged in any business transactions with the said general. ” I vehemently deny any direct association or business dealings with him. My acquaintance with General Estomo has been limited to mutual friends, and I have not engaged in any business transactions with him,” Tacoy however clarified that he is a legitimate businessman with a genuine interest in cockfighting, and his involvement in the Alpha Group is purely as an investor and participant in derbies held in various parts of the…

Typhoon ” Crising” disrupted sea travel in EV region

Several sea vessels have been stranded in various ports in Eastern Visayas due to Typhoon Crising. According to a Maritime Safety Advisory issued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the ports of Maasin, Benit, and Padre Burgos are among those affected. A total of 229 passengers have been stranded, including truck drivers and cargo helpers. Additionally, 114 rolling cargoes are stuck in port, along with three vessels, while two more are seeking a safe place to dock. Affected individuals are advised to coordinate with authorities and wait for an official advisory from the PCG.

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

Fast and reliable internet access sought

by Miriam G.Desacada Palo Leyte — Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez yesterday vowed to help improve internet access nationwide. Romualdez said he will ensure that the 2026 national budget provides adequate support for digital infrastructure projects. These projects include the middle-mile network, GovNet and free public internet access program of the Department of Information and Communications Technology. “Connectivity should not depend on where you live. Every barangay, from the center of the city to the farthest island, deserves access to reliable internet,” he said. Launching the National Fiber Backbone project’s phases two and three in Palo, Leyte is a major step toward giving households access to fast and reliable internet, he said. The project aims to connect about 1,000 government offices and 20 provinces, benefiting 17 million Filipinos, including 1.39 million unique users. Romualdez joined President Marcos and others at the launch event at The Tropics at MacArthur Park Hotel in Palo. During thd grand launching President Marcos also launched the…

Leyte Mayor denies link to missing cockfighters (Sabugeros)

Typhoon ” Crising” disrupted sea travel in EV region

N. Samar lawmaker files 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗡𝗼. 𝟭𝟳𝟴𝟱 that 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀

Eastern Visayas Registers 3.0% Unemployment Rate in April 2025

𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟰𝗣𝘀: 𝗔 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱, 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝟲𝟬𝟰

Romualdez pushes Bank Secrecy Law reform to fight corruption and financial crimes

PROTEST VS LUCY’s WIN Comelec hints ballot recount,re-tabulation of returns order

Fast and reliable internet access sought

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