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𝗗𝗔𝗥 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗸𝘂𝗹𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗼 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁

TACLOBAN CITY, July 9, 2025 – The Department of Agrarian Reform Regional Office VIII successfully held the PelikulAgraryo 2025: Eastern Visayas Regional Short Film Awards Night at Summit Hotel, recognizing exceptional short films that captured the essence of agrarian reform. Student filmmakers from Visayas State University, Leyte Normal University, Northwest Samar State University, and Eastern Samar State University participated through their respective organizations — Canvas Production, Commerkadas Production, Silakbo-Baybay Film Organization, Pro-Devcomc Society, and Development Communicators’ Society. The participants were recognized through a set of technically and meticulously judged awards, which included Special Awards such as Best in Poster, Best in Teaser, Best Production Design, Best Film (ARB Category), and Best Film (ARBO Category). Individual Awards were also conferred for Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Actress, Best Actor, and Best Director. PelikulAgraryo 2025 served as a platform to highlight the creativity, advocacy, and vision of the youth in promoting the cause of agrarian reform through film.

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…

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…

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…

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…

Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders
Local
July 14, 2025
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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…

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,…

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