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Romualdez: Nearly 4 in 10 students still drop out, time to strengthen free college law

Tacloban City–Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Wednesday sounded the alarm over soaring dropout rates in public colleges and universities, urging urgent action to strengthen the Free Higher Education Law and prevent millions of students from falling through the cracks of the country’s most ambitious education reform. “Free tuition was a landmark achievement, but the work is far from over. Nearly four out of 10 students in state universities and colleges are still dropping out. In some regions, the situation is even more alarming,” Rep. Romualdez lamented. Citing data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), Rep. Romualdez said the national dropout rate in school year 2023 to 2024 reached 39 percent. In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), it was as high as 93.4 percent. Central Visayas reported 60.7 percent, Zamboanga Peninsula 59.5 percent, Cordillera 54.9 percent, Metro Manila 52.4 percent, Soccsksargen 51.2 percent, and Western Visayas 50.2 percent. “These are not just statistics. They are…

Kapatid raises alleged abuseson political prisoners at TCJ

by Miriam G. Desacada Tacloban City–Kapatid, a support organization of families and friends of political prisoners in the Philippines, has raised its concern over the alleged maltreatment of controversial political prisoners inside the Tacloban City Jail (TCJ). Fides Lim, Kapatid spokesperson, said the group cited “mounting reports of neglect, discrimination, and abuses” done against detained activists Frenchie Mae Cumpio, Marielle Domequil, and three others—tagged as the Tacloban 5. Kapatid appealed to Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) chief, General Ruel Rivera, to open a dialogue with families of the prisoners and advocacy groups about the alleged “pattern of ongoing harassment and neglect” at TCJ. The Tacloban 5, have been incarcerated since February 2020 on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives and terrorism financing, which they and their supporters denied and deemed fabricated. The case of Cumpio, a journalist known for her reporting on alleged human rights abuses, has drawn international attention among press freedom advocates and human…

HB seeks Creation of centralized patient records in every town and city to improve healthcare delivery

Tacloban City– House Bill No. 1907 has recently filed by Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan seeking to mandate the creation of a Centralized Patient Record System (CPRS) in all municipalities and cities across the country to improve the continuity, quality, and efficiency of healthcare delivery. The proposed Local Health Record System Act of 2025, every patient seen in barangay health centers, rural health units (RHUs), and other local primary care facilities would have a comprehensive, accessible, and secure medical record. “In many underserved communities, a patient’s medical history often vanishes with each consultation,” Libanan said. “Our health workers do their best, but without a reliable record-keeping system, they’re often forced to work blindly.” “A centralized record system will not only prevent misdiagnosis and medical duplication—it will also save lives by giving health professionals the full picture of a patient’s condition,” Libanan emphasized. Libanan a lawyer by profession, also holds a degree in medical technology. The said bill requires local…

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁-𝗚𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝟭𝟳𝟵𝟬 𝗯𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗽. 𝗘𝗱𝘄𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝗻𝗴𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗮𝗻

Tacloban City–Northern Samar Second District Representative Congressman Edwin C. Ongchuan has filed House Bill No. 1790 on July 10, 2025. This proposed measure aims to modernize agriculture and strengthen the role of the rural youth in shaping a resilient and future-ready farming sector. Titled “An Act Promoting Rural Agricultural Technology Access and Innovation through a National Support Program for Farmers and Youth, and Appropriating Funds Therefor,” the bill seeks to establish a national initiative that integrates technology, training, and entrepreneurship. The bill responds to long-standing challenges in the agricultural sector, including low productivity, limited access to appropriate technologies, and the growing disinterest of young people in farming. It introduces a national support program to be administered by the Department of Agriculture that will promote access to modern agricultural tools, enhance digital connectivity in rural areas, and support innovation led by farmers and youth. A key feature of the bill is the creation of the Rural Agricultural Technology Access and Innovation…

CSC Issues Updated Rules on Appointments and Personnel Movements

Tacloban City–The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has approved the 2025 Omnibus Rules on Appointments and Other Human Resource Actions (ORAOHRA) through Resolution No. 2500358, promulgated on 30 April 2025. First adopted in 2017 under Resolution No. 1800692 (effective 26 August 2018), the ORAOHRA serves as the comprehensive guide on appointments, promotions, reassignments, and other personnel actions in the career service. Since then, the CSC has issued various amendments to address evolving administrative needs—such as adjustments to training requirements (Resolution No. 1900773) and streamlined procedures for agencies with PRIME-HRM accreditation (Resolution No. 1900898). The 2025 ORAOHRA introduces further amendments to align government HR policies with relevant laws and respond to emerging challenges such as calamities, disasters, and pandemics. Key Amendments in the 2025 ORAOHRA: The revised rules also offer clearer definitions of HR terms, including standards for experience, training, and eligibility. Additionally, agencies must now include appropriate notations on the face of the appointment form before the space for CSC action…

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…