Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders -

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…

Coalition Endorsing Libanan for Minority Leader

By Miriam G. Desacada Tacloban City–The new House minority bloc includes (from left to right) Representatives Terry Ridon (Bicol Saro), Antonio Tinio (ACT Teachers), Jan Rurik Padiernos (Galing sa Puso), Jonathan Clement Abalos II (4Ps), Percival Cendaña (Akbayan), Leila De Lima (Mamayang Liberal), Dadah Kiram Ismula (Akbayan), Jose Manuel Diokno (Akbayan), Roberto Nazal Jr. (Bagong Henerasyon), Marcelino Libanan (4Ps), Edgar Erice (2nd District, Caloocan City), Elijah San Fernando (Kamanggagawa), Jernie Jett Nisay (Pusong Pinoy), Sheen Gonzales (Lone District, Eastern Samar), Niko Raul Daza (1st District, Northern Samar), and Allan Ty (LPGMA), among others. A broad coalition of House members – spearheaded by Akbayan, the top-performing party-list in the recent elections, and the Liberal Party – has formally endorsed 4Ps Rep. Marcelino ‘Nonoy’ Libanan for minority leader of the 20th Congress, which will convene its first regular session on July 28. In a joint manifesto of support, the lawmakers cited Libanan’s “unwavering integrity, proven legislative competence, and steadfast commitment to public…

IN MAHAPLAG, LEYTE70-year-old retiree enters high school

by Ahlette Reyes MAHAPLAG, LEYTE – Instead of enjoying his retirement years, 70-year-old Jose Pentin Rallos of Barangay Union in Mahaplag, Leyte, opted to enrol as a Grade 7 student, considered in Philippine education system, the first year in junior high school. Known in the barangay as “Tatay Jose,” the senior citizen of a town (which name is believed to have been culled from a combo of two local terms that mean failure and success) is openly determined to finish an education that was deprived of him about six decades ago due to poverty. Tatay Jose, born on 9th of March 1955, unintentionally became a symbol of lifelong learning, as his pursuit of a long-held dream effectively served as inspiration to the thousands of students at the Mahaplag National High School (MNHS) main campus, a public school. Tatay Jose, in an engagement with the media, revealed that it was poverty that had put his education on hold many years ago.…

14 doctors sent to LGUs in region,under DOH-8’s DTTB program

by Miriam G. Desacada Palo, Leyte–The Department of Health-Region 8 (DOH-8) announced its deployment of 14 new physicians to some local government units in the region, under its Doctors to the Barrios (DTTBs) program designed to address the healthcare needs of underserved and rural communities across the country. Jelyn Malibago, information officer of DOH-8, told the media that the 14 DTTBs will be sent to various LGUs in the region, which needed the ideal doctor-to patient ratio of one doctor per 20,000 population. Areas of deployment for this batch of DTTBs are the towns of Liloan and Anahawan in Southern Leyte; Palompon, Palo, Calubian, Mahaplag, Burauen, Bato, and Babatngon in Leyte; Naval in Biliran; Motiong and Matuguinao in Samar; Arteche in Eastern Samar; and Silvino Lobos in Northern Samar. These DTTBs, who are medical scholars of the government, will assist in delivering healthcare services, such as regular check-ups, vaccinations, health education, and emergency care to the people of a community…

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐋𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐏𝐎 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐆𝐔𝐬, 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

In a move to bolster local economic growth and attract more strategic investments, Northern Samar 2nd District Representative Edwin C. Ongchuan has introduced a bill aimed at institutionalizing the position of Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Officer (LEDIPO) across all local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines. The proposed legislation, tagged as House Bill 602, seeks to amend the Republic Act No. 7160, commonly known as the “Local Government Code of 1991,” to ensure the permanent placement of LEDIPOs in provincial, city, and first- and second-class municipal governments. For municipalities of the third to sixth class, the appointment of LEDIPOs will remain optional. This strategic position was initially encouraged in a 2010 memorandum from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which aimed to cultivate a more business-friendly environment to draw local and foreign investors. Successive directives, including the designation of PPP Sub-Committees chaired by LEDIPOs, aimed to align local investment strategies with national economic goals. The…

The Warriors’ priority this NBA offseason is in place.

The Warriors’ priority this NBA offseason is in place. Golden State’s “high priority” in the opening hours of free agency is signing a stretch center, with veteran Al Horford surging as a “preferred target,” The Athletic’s Anthony Slater reported Monday, citing league sources. While adding a stretch center is Golden State’s priority, Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free agency is the biggest question the Warriors have to answer this offseason, and as Slater noted, adding a free agent could complicate general manager Mike Dunleavy’s workflow. “If the Warriors use the taxpayer midlevel exception (projected at around $5.7 million) on Horford or another free agent, they’ll be hard-capped at the second apron, currently projected at $207.8 million,” Slater wrote. “The Warriors currently have nine players under contract at $170.5 million. Kuminga’s qualifying offer, extended over the weekend by the Warriors, is $7.9 million, but his cap hold is $22.9 million, further clogging the Warriors’ books if his situation drags deeper into July.” In addition to Slater, NBA insider Marc Stein reported…

IN NORTHERN SAMAR Geo body declares Biri Rocks, 7th National Geological Monument

By Miriam G. Desacada Catarman N.Samar–The National Committee on Geological Sciences (NCGS) officially declared the Biri Rocks Formation at Biri islands in Northern Samar province as a National Geological Monument (NGM), the seventh landform with unique geological feature in the country accorded with such distinct recognition. The NCGS declaration was carried out during the launching ceremony of Biri Rocks as an NGM held on June 4 (Wednesday) at the Capitol in the capital town of Catarman, in the presence of national, regional, and provincial officials, geological experts, and the private sector. Doctor Kevin Garas, senior geologist of the DENR’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Central Office and NCGS representative, presented the committee’s basis for designating Biri Rocks as an NGM, emphasizing its awesome geological characteristics, scientific importance, uniqueness, and breathtaking beauty. Supporting the declaration were geological studies conducted by a team of researchers of the University of the Philippines–National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS), headed by Dr. Allan Gil Fernando. They recognized…

Mayor Kerwin: Illegal drugs proliferation worsens in Leyte

by Miriam G. Desacada Albuera Leyte–Newly installed Albuera (Leyte) Mayor Rolan Kerwin Espinosa, who was tagged as a drug lord in the past, revealed that proliferation of illegal drugs is worsening now across the province, with the source coming from the Leyte Regional Prison in Abuyog, Leyte reaching to the streets of Ormoc City past his own town. He raised this critical reality on Monday (July 1) moments before he took his oath of office during the first day of his official assumption as mayor of the town that was once held by his late father. He said the spread of illegal drugs undermines political and economic stability of local governments in Leyte, adding that he must do something about it. The oath-taking of Kerwin was attended by his family, his wife and six children, as the municipal employees and the police came to lend their full support to the new mayor. In his speech during the turnover ceremony of…

Speaker’s push to open bicam budget talks to the public is a welcome steps

By Miriam G.Desacada Tacloban City–House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan on Monday has welcomed Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’s endorsement of public access to the bicameral conference committee deliberations on the national budget, calling it as a “bold step forward for transparency and democratic accountability.” “We fully support the Speaker’s initiative to shine a light on one of the most crucial and sensitive phases of the budget process,” Libanan said. “Allowing the public to witness the bicam discussions upholds the principle that citizens have a right to know how their money is being allocated.” The second termer Law maker also stressed that public scrutiny plays a vital role in ensuring that budget decisions reflect the needs of ordinary Filipinos — not political convenience or closed-door arrangements. “The national budget is the clearest expression of our priorities,” Libanan said. “It must be debated and finalized not behind closed doors, but in full view of the people whose lives will be most affected…

Borongan City Passes Resolution No. 59, Firmly Opposing Destructive Mining to Safeguard the Environment

by Roel Montes Tacloban City–The recent passage of Resolution No. 59 by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Borongan City reflects a growing concern among local leaders regarding the impact of mining activities on the environment and community well-being. This resolution, which vehemently opposes destructive mining operations, highlights the tension between economic development opportunities presented by mining and the need for sustainable environmental practices. At the core of this resolution is Mayor Dayan Agda’s steadfast stance against mineral mining in Borongan City. His leadership is evident in the proactive approach taken to safeguard the city’s natural resources. The mayor’s position aligns with the sentiments of many in the community, who likely fear that mining could lead to irreversible ecological damage, disrupt local livelihoods, and degrade the quality of life for residents. The emphasis on urging the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) to deny or revoke mining permits underscores the local government’s commitment to prioritizing environmental…

Fast and reliable internet access sought

Coalition Endorsing Libanan for Minority Leader

IN MAHAPLAG, LEYTE70-year-old retiree enters high school

14 doctors sent to LGUs in region,under DOH-8’s DTTB program

The Warriors’ priority this NBA offseason is in place.

IN NORTHERN SAMAR Geo body declares Biri Rocks, 7th National Geological Monument

Mayor Kerwin: Illegal drugs proliferation worsens in Leyte

Speaker’s push to open bicam budget talks to the public is a welcome steps

Borongan City Passes Resolution No. 59, Firmly Opposing Destructive Mining to Safeguard the Environment

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