PSA brings civil registration and National ID services to senior citizens in San Miguel, Leyte

By PSA-8
March 12, 2026

SAN MIGUEL, Leyte – The Philippine Statistics Authority Regional Statistical Services Office VIII (PSA RSSO VIII), together with the PSA Leyte Provincial Statistical Office, participated in the Launching of the Senior Citizen Community Care Center held on 10 March 2026 at the LGU Auditorium in San Miguel, Leyte.

As part of the event, PSA deployed its Civil Registration System (CRS) Mobile Outlet to provide convenient civil registration services to senior citizens, many of whom are also beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). The initiative aimed to make essential government services more accessible, particularly to vulnerable sectors who may find it difficult to travel to PSA service outlets.

During the activity, PSA personnel assisted senior citizens in registering for their National ID, ensuring that elderly residents could obtain their official identification without leaving their community. The activity forms part of PSA’s continuing efforts to expand National ID coverage and promote inclusive identification for all, particularly older persons who often require valid identification to access pensions, healthcare, and other government programs.

In addition to National ID registration, the CRS Mobile Outlet facilitated the issuance of civil registry documents such as birth, marriage, and death certificates printed on security paper. These civil registration documents, together with the National ID, play a vital role in enabling individuals to access public services and participate fully in social and economic activities.

The PSA emphasized that civil registry documents and the National ID are among the key requirements for beneficiaries of the DSWD, including those under the 4Ps, in availing themselves of social protection benefits and government assistance.

PSA RSSO VIII and PSA Leyte expressed their appreciation to the Local Government Unit of San Miguel for its strong collaboration and support in organizing the activity as part of the Senior Citizen Community Care Center launching, reaffirming their commitment to bringing civil registration and identification services closer to communities.

DAR assures land rights of actual tillers in 402-hectare San Isidro estate

By PAUL NIKKO M. SANTOS, DAR-Leyte
March 8, 2026

SAN ISIDRO, Leyte – Steadfast in its ongoing mandate to secure land rights for legitimate farmers, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) addressed decades-old agrarian disputes head-on during a Sangguniang Bayan inquiry in aid of legislation in this remote town on Monday, March 2.

Vice Mayor Carmichael Villarino and Councilor Rolando Piamonte Sr. initiated the session, in the presence of Mayor Remedio Veloso, to untangle brewing land disputes over a 402.5148-hectare property. The landholding, identified as Title No. T-1419 and formerly owned by the Margarita Agro-Industrial Corporation (MAIC), spans across Brgy. Biasong and Brgy. Crossing.

Tensions within the local agricultural community rose as field surveys under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project revealed severe discrepancies on the ground. It was discovered that many of the 287 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) originally listed on the 1999 collective Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CCLOA) had abandoned or sold their lots, or were no longer tilling the land. This sparked fears of displacement among the rightful farmers who have been actually cultivating the parcels for years.

Social justice remains the ultimate arbiter in these disputes, according to DAR Leyte Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO II) Roderick Rances. He made it clear to the assembly that individual e-titles will never be issued based on outdated lists, as the agency's absolute priority is establishing the truth on the ground to protect the legitimate cultivators.

The responsibility of uncovering that truth falls heavily on local field operatives. Rances detailed that Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer (MARPO) Zenaida L. Demillo and her team, in tight coordination with the Barangay Agrarian Reform Committee (BARC), are currently executing exhaustive field validations to rigorously screen and identify the legitimate cultivators.

During the Sangguniang Bayan deliberations, appropriate measures were undertaken to ensure the farmers, through their spokesperson, were duly represented and given the rare opportunity to be heard. Finally, long-standing recurring issues – such as the requirement of personal cultivation by the actual tillers and the erroneous identification of ARBs named in the CCLOA, among others – were addressed accordingly.

The presence of the 1999 collective title complicates matters due to the Torrens system, which legally binds the Register of Deeds to initially respect registered names. Breaking down this clash between rigid property laws and equitable agrarian justice, DAR Eastern Visayas Assistant Regional Director for Operations (ARDO) Atty. Bryan Lassiter laid out a firm boundary for the agency's actions.

"We are going to protect the actual tillers. Ultimately, ang ating actual tillers ang papangalanan sa titulo," Lassiter stressed, drawing strong support from the farmers in attendance.

To parcelize the landholding based on the names annotated in the collective title as mandated by Administrative Order No. 2, series of 2024, the DAR is simultaneously launching parallel legal interventions to defend the rightful cultivators. Legal Officers of Redocumentation Completion Teams (RCTs) will actively assist displaced and legitimate occupants in filing formal disqualification petitions against absentee, non-tilling awardees, and illegal displacers. The agency clarified that the technical parcelization and surveying of the land under Project SPLIT will proceed seamlessly alongside these pending agrarian law implementation cases to prevent unnecessary delays.

For local legislators, DAR's clear legal solutions provided immediate relief to the mounting tension. Piamonte, who chairs the Committee on Peace and Order, acknowledged the volatility of the situation on the ground, noting that DAR’s intervention prevented potential conflict. "Nahawhawan ko sa problema, sir... tingale magkagubot (A huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders, sir... it might have caused chaos)," he admitted. Pointing to the actionable steps laid out to protect actual occupants, he openly commended the delegation: "Pasalamat ta sa mga personnel sa DAR na nia karon, sa atong PARPO, sa atong ARDO (Let us thank the DAR personnel present today, our PARPO, our ARDO)."

Meanwhile, Villarino reinforced this trust, directly urging the community to rely on DAR’s established processes. "Mga mag-uuma, duol mo sa DAR. Silay makasulbad. Silay makatabang sa ato (Farmers, approach the DAR. They can solve this. They can help us)," he advised.

Speaking on behalf of the local government, Villarino expressed deep appreciation for the DAR officials taking the time to face the issues head-on. "Magpasalamat ko sa inyong presensiya, sir. Nga natagan mi gyud ug higayon (I thank you for your presence, sir. That we were really given the opportunity)," he added, committing to send an LGU team to the provincial and regional offices for further consultations on other agrarian programs.

In response, Rances also expressed gratitude to the said LGU for their support, “We convey our heartfelt thanks to the Local Government Unit of San Isidro headed by Mayor Remedio Veloso, and the Sangguniang Bayan headed by its Presiding Officer, Vice Mayor Carmichael Villarino, whose effort and all-out support contributed to the success of this just-concluded farmers' dialogue.”

DAR distributes fertilizers to Opong-hit farmers in E. Visayas

By CHRYSE GALLANO, DAR-8
March 5, 2026

TACLOBAN CITY – Agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and their organizations from Typhoon Opong-hardest hit areas in Eastern Visayas received on Monday, February 16 this year, a much-needed assistance from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to restore their farms and rebuild crop production.

Among the agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) present during the said distribution were the Imelda Agrarian Reform Cooperative, Talustusan Agrarian Reform Cooperative, Padre Sergio Eamiguel Rice Farmers Irrigators Association Inc., and Villa Consuelo Tree Planters Agricultural Cooperative, all from the province of Biliran.

“Dako an akon pagpasalamat sa aton Presidente sa Pilipinas nga gintagan niya ug pagtagad an mga mag-uuma. Ug dinhi sa regional (office), daghan gud kaayo nga salamat sa inyong tanan, nga inyong gi hatagan ani nga oportunidad. Thank you very much” (I am very grateful to our President of the Philippines for giving attention to the farmers. Here at the regional office, I sincerely thank all of you for providing this opportunity. Thank you very much.), said Sarah Gelig, an ARB from Naval, Biliran.

Aside from Biliran, recipients of said assistance also came from the provinces of Leyte, Samar and Eastern Samar where many areas were identified to be hardest-hit by “Opong.”

DAR Eastern Visayas Regional Director, Atty. Robert Anthony Yu, disclosed that Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, downloaded one million pesos for the purchase of fertilizers and vegetable seeds to aid our farmers recover from losses resulting from Typhoon Opong.

He explained that these fertilizers, consisting of 100 bags of complete, 100 bags of urea, and 85 bags of muriate of potash with a combined amount of ₱727,150.00 are just initial assistance. The vegetable seeds will follow the moment these are delivered by the supplier, Yu added.

Further, Yu assured the beneficiaries that there will be more assistance to come.

“Magbibigay tayo ng logistical support para sa mga farmers natin. Within this year hanggang next year, magpapatuloy pa ang ating suporta at ang relasyon ng DAR sa ating mga magsasaka” (We will provide logistical support to our farmers. From this year until next year, our support and the relationship between DAR and our farmers will continue.), Yu stressed.

NAMFREL: Ban government contractors from the party list, prohibit using names of celebrities and government assistance programs like "ayuda" and "tupad," adopt anti-dynasty measures up to fourth degree of consanguinity and affinity

Press Release
March 3, 2026

MANDALUYONG CITY – In a position paper dated March 1, 2026 submitted to the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People's Participation (CERPP) in connection with the public hearing on March 2 on proposed Party-List Reform Bills currently under deliberation, the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) makes the following specific recommendations:

1. Consolidate the Best Provisions. NAMFREL recommends that the Committee work toward a consolidated substitute bill that draws on the strongest elements of SB 1656, SB 1559, SB 1871 and SB 1907. At a minimum, the consolidated bill should include: (a) robust anti-dynasty provisions covering at least the third to fourth degree of consanguinity and affinity; (b) outright prohibition on government contractors as nominees; (c) removal of the three-seat cap in favor of a true proportional seat allocation formula; (d) prohibitions on the use of government program names and celebrity or media personalities; (e) extended COMELEC vetting periods with mandatory evidentiary hearings; and (f) mandatory disclosure of campaign donors and political backers.

2. Ensure Constitutional Soundness. Provisions that seek to restrict participation exclusively to marginalized and underrepresented sectors should be carefully harmonized with the Supreme Court's Atong Paglaum ruling (not unconstitutionally restricting participation exclusively to marginalized and underrepresented groups) to avoid provisions that will be immediately challenged before the Supreme Court. The Committee should invite constitutional law experts and the COMELEC to provide guidance.

3. Remove Red-Tagging Provisions. Any provision that may be used to disqualify party-list organizations on the basis of alleged ideological affiliations without due process — as appears in SB 201 — should be removed. Political pluralism and the protection of legitimate political participation are fundamental to democracy.

4. Pursue Companion Legislation. Party-list reform will be most effective as part of a broader reform package. NAMFREL urges the Senate to pair party-list reform with: (a) the Anti-Political Dynasty Act, to prevent dynasties from using the party-list as an extension of family political power; and (b) broader political finance reforms that strengthen the enforceability of campaign spending limits.

5. Protect Genuine Grassroots Organizations. In designing compliance and vetting requirements, the Committee must ensure that the administrative burden does not become so heavy as to exclude legitimate but resource-constrained grassroots organizations – the very groups the system was designed to empower – while wealthy entities with professional legal and compliance teams easily navigate the requirements.

6. Strengthen Political Parties and Address Turncoatism. The reform legislation should include provisions that promote party stability, including provisions limiting party-switching (turncoatism), to prevent the use of party-list organizations as mere electoral vehicles abandoned after elections.

NAMFREL expressed commitment to supporting the Senate Committee's work and remains available to provide additional technical assistance, research, or clarifications as the Committee may require in the course of its deliberations.

Army confirms soldier involved in Catarman fatal shooting

By SAMAR NEWS.COM
March 3, 2026

CATBALOGAN CITY – The 8th Infantry Division (8ID) of the Philippine Army has confirmed that one of its personnel was involved in a shooting incident that left a woman dead and her brother wounded in Catarman, Northern Samar.

According to the Army’s statement, the female victim was reportedly the soldier’s live-in partner. Her brother sustained injuries during the incident and is currently receiving medical treatment.

The Command expressed its condolences to the bereaved family and appealed for calm as authorities conduct a thorough and impartial investigation. “We strongly condemn any act of violence, especially those committed by individuals entrusted to serve and protect the people,” the statement read, emphasizing that the Army does not tolerate criminal acts by its personnel.

The 8ID assured the public that it is fully cooperating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the immediate apprehension of the suspect. Subordinate units have been directed to intensify coordination with law enforcement agencies to ensure swift arrest and turnover of the soldier to proper authorities.

Parallel to the criminal investigation, the Army has also initiated administrative proceedings in accordance with military laws and regulations. The Command stressed that no cover-up will be tolerated and no special treatment will be afforded to the individual concerned.

Further updates will be released as developments warrant.

PLDT and Smart launch first joint store in Tacloban City

By SAMAR NEWS.COM
March 2, 2026

CATBALOGAN CITY – PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications, Inc. have inaugurated their first-ever co-located retail outlet at Level 1, Annex Building, Robinsons Place Tacloban in Marasbaras. The new facility is now open to serve customers across Tacloban City and nearby communities.

Designed as a one-stop hub for both home and mobile services, the store simplifies customer transactions by integrating processes such as Fiber applications, mobile service needs, and technical support.

"This store is a testament to our dedication to the city of Tacloban. Beyond providing connectivity, we strive to be a catalyst for our customers' success, guiding our team to ensure that every visitor leaves the store in a better position to achieve their goals," said Melissa Cuadra, AVP/Center Head for Retail Operations and Transformation at Smart.

Anna Fernando, AVP for Home Retail Management at PLDT, added: “Our presence here offers more than a service desk – it’s a reliable hub where fiber solutions and personal support are always within reach, helping families, schools, and businesses stay connected and move forward with confidence.”

This expansion underscores PLDT and Smart’s mission to deliver accessible, high-quality connectivity solutions that adapt to the evolving needs of local communities.

Woman dead, brother injured in Northern Samar shooting; Suspect an Army member

By SAMARNEWS.COM
March 2, 2026

CATBALOGAN CITY – A woman was killed and her brother wounded in a shooting incident that occurred around 9:00 AM today in Barangay Dalakit, Catarman, Northern Samar. Police confirmed that the suspect is an active member of the Philippine Army assigned in Catbalogan, Samar

According to the Northern Samar Police Provincial Office (NSPPO), the victims were rushed to the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital immediately after the attack. The female victim was declared dead on arrival, while her brother remains under medical treatment.

Authorities launched a hot pursuit operation against the suspect and ordered all adjacent police units to establish checkpoints to prevent escape. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from the crime scene and possible exit routes to aid in the manhunt.

Police officials assured the public that an impartial and thorough investigation is underway. “We appeal to the community to provide any information that may assist in the swift resolution of this case,” the NSPPO said in its statement, while cautioning against spreading malicious or unverified claims that could hamper the probe.

Security operations and police visibility have been intensified in Catarman and nearby areas to ensure public safety as the investigation continues.

NMP joins IMO, global maritime leaders in championing future-ready seafarers

Press Release
February 23, 2026

MANILA – The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) joined the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and maritime leaders from across the Asia and Pacific region in a regional forum on the effective implementation of the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention and Code held on February 17–19, 2026.

Hosted by the IMO in collaboration with the Philippine government through the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), the forum carried the theme “Navigating Change: Regional Action on STCW Compliance.”

The event convened regulators, training institutions, and industry stakeholders to address emerging challenges and reforms in maritime education and training.

It featured a series of panel discussions tackling key issues, including the training of seafarers for the use of alternative fuels, gender-responsive maritime governance, and existing gaps and recent developments in maritime education and training.

Ms. Elena M. Santos, Head of the NMP’s Maritime Research and Development Division, served as a panelist in the session on gender-responsive maritime governance and gender mainstreaming in maritime administration.

Drawing from NMP’s research-driven initiatives and policy engagements, she shared insights on integrating gender perspectives into maritime training, institutional frameworks, and regulatory practices.

Ms. Santos joined distinguished experts and policymakers from across the region in discussing strategies to address systemic barriers faced by women in the maritime sector and in advancing inclusive, evidence-based governance reforms that support equal opportunities and safer working environments at sea.

Committed to bridging the gender gap in the maritime sector, NMP continues to champion female seafarers through targeted support programs, including free training initiatives and specialized research aimed at identifying and addressing gender-specific barriers. These efforts contribute to evidence-based policies that promote a more inclusive and equitable future for women at sea.

As highlight of the International Day for Women in Maritime on May 18, 2023, NMP led the signing of a landmark Manifesto, bringing together various maritime stakeholders in a formalized, unified commitment to address gender disparities and foster a safe, equitable, and progressive industry for all.

As the country’s only state-run maritime training and research institution, NMP plays a vital role in developing globally competitive and future-ready Filipino seafarers, thereby sustaining the Philippines’ position as the world’s leading supplier of maritime professionals.

The institution currently offers 56 subsidized and free high-quality maritime training courses, serving a total of 22,972 active and aspiring Filipino seafarers in 2025, the highest number of successful trainees recorded since the start of its training operations in 1983.

DAR delivers P879K in livelihood projects to farmers in 2 Leyte towns

By PAUL NIKKO M. SANTOS, DAR-Leyte
February 19, 2026

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Leyte Provincial Office delivered a combined P879,410.00 in livelihood interventions to two agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) in the fifth district on February 12 and 13 this year.

By turning over twin Egg Poultry Farming Projects to farmers in Hilongos and Matalom, the agency aims to build concrete climate resilience at the grassroots level.

Rolled out under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support - Sustainable Livelihood Support (CRFPS-SLS) program, the packages give farmers an alternative income stream against unpredictable weather and economic shifts.

Each P439,705.00 grant equips the ARBOs with everything needed for immediate operation: 192 Ready-to-Lay (RTL) Chicken Pullets, four specialized egg layering machines, a feed pelletizer to cut long-term costs, 45 sacks of feeds, weighing scales, egg trays, and dry nets.

In Brgy. San Isidro, Hilongos, the February 12 turnover brought a much-needed reset to the 73 members of the Hilongos San Isidro Agricultural Association Inc.

Still recovering from the loss of their piggery business during the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak a few years ago, the farmers received strict advice from Mayor Manuel "LinLin" Villahermosa to enforce bio-security measures and handle their finances meticulously to protect this new venture.

Addressing the crowd as a neighbor ("silingan"), Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) II Roderick B. Rances took the opportunity to correct an old misconception. He reminded the community that DAR's work goes far beyond resolving land disputes ("gi-agrarian") or merely distributing titles ("pag-apod-apod ug titulo sa yuta").

Pointing to the directive of Secretary Conrado Estrella III, Rances stressed that the national government channels heavy support services – ranging from farm-to-market roads and the "PBBM Bridges" (Pang-agraryong Tulay para sa Bagong Bayanihan ng mga Magsasaka) program to livelihood projects – directly to farmers who actively organize and unite under an ARBO.

On February 13, the DAR Leyte team moved to Brgy. Esperanza, Matalom, delivering the twin project to the 67 members of the Barangay Esperanza United Farmers Association Inc. (BEUFA Inc.).

Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer (CARPO) for ARBDSP, Engr. Ellyn G. Dico grounded the massive grant in its family-level impact, noting that every gathered egg translates directly to added income and food on the table.

However, she paired this vision with a strict operational challenge. She laid down a rigorous six-month probationary period where both the Hilongos and Matalom ARBOs must secure land usufruct agreements while DAR monitors their sales, animal health, and sanitation. The final execution of the Deed of Donation hinges entirely on their performance.

Looking ahead, CARPO Dico echoed the central office’s marching orders by challenging the farmers to push for Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) registration. She set a clear timeline, urging the ARBOs to reach this milestone in time for the upcoming ARBO Caravan scheduled for June or July, at the close of the first semester, positioning them to unlock even broader government assistance as full-fledged cooperatives.

Matalom Municipal Councilor Ronald P. Gilo, delivering Mayor Elvira A. Pajulio’s message, provided living proof of the ARBO's potential. As a former ARBO member who previously worked alongside DAR's field staff, his transition into local government leadership showed the farmers what organized community action can achieve.

ARPO-I Ma. Mathilde E. Vergara anchored the technical rollout for both events. Translating the dense Trust Agreements into accessible Bisaya, she urged the farmers to look past the initial excitement and prepare for the daily grind of running a business so they do not easily lose heart (mahulop).

The successful back-to-back operations were spearheaded by DAR Leyte’s Program Beneficiaries Development (PBD) division, led by CARPO Dico and ARPO-I Vergara, in heavy coordination with DARMO Hilongos (MARPO Ruben A. Rebato, ARPO-I Eugenio Saballa Jr.), DARMO Matalom (MARPO Jerrybel A. Pelias, ARPO-I Julie Ann B. Loterte), PARCCOM Agricultural Cooperative sector representative Mr. Reynaldo Tabuyan, and SARPO Rosemarie Arreglo of the DAR Region 8 ARBDSP.

Rather than ending at land distribution, these paired investments in Hilongos and Matalom show DAR Leyte actively equipping farmers to build sustainable local economies on their awarded lands.

8ID maintains security operations; Encourages insurgents to join amnesty program after Samar encounter

By SAMAR NEWS.COM
February 18, 2026

CATBALOGAN CITY – On February 16, 2026, soldiers from the 14th Infantry Battalion of the 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division clashed with six members of the Regional Security Force under the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee in Barangay Mobo-ob, San Jorge, Samar. The firefight lasted about ten minutes.

The military operation was initiated after residents reported the presence of armed men engaged in intimidation and extortion, endangering local communities.

Lt. Col. Esmeraldo Sumalinog, Commanding Officer of the 14th Infantry Battalion, highlighted the importance of public cooperation in sustaining military efforts. He expressed gratitude to the residents for their vigilance and assured that troops will continue to strengthen security measures to safeguard communities and neutralize remaining insurgents.

At the same time, the 8th Infantry Division reiterated its appeal to members of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) to lay down their arms, reintegrate into society, and take advantage of the government’s Amnesty Program, which accepts applications until March 13, 2026.