Samar News.com

Metro Retail Expands in Biliran with Launch of Metro Naval

Press Release
June 3, 2026

CATBALOGAN CITY – Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc. (MRSGI) continues to deepen its presence in Eastern Visayas with the launch of Metro Naval, a new retail destination designed to serve communities across Biliran Province. Located in the capital municipality of Naval, the store brings Metro’s market, department store, and home lifestyle offerings together under one roof, giving residents greater access to essential goods, fashion, and home products closer to home.

The new location marks Metro Retail’s 83rd store nationwide, 65th location, and twelfth store in the Eastern Visayas region, reflecting the company’s continued focus on regional growth outside major urban centers. For Metro Retail, the expansion also signals a long-term investment in local communities by creating jobs, supporting local commerce, and improving access to modern retail experiences in developing provinces.

The launch was led by MRSGI President and Chief Operating Officer Joel Orense, together with local officials, including Biliran Governor Rogelio J. Espina, Naval Mayor Gretchen Stephanie M. Espina, and Vice Mayor Nick Arthur V. Parilla, alongside community stakeholders and business partners from the province.

“Metro Naval represents our commitment to growing alongside the communities we serve,” said Orense. “As we expand our footprint across the country, we want to ensure that families in provinces like Biliran have access to quality and affordable retail options while also creating opportunities that contribute to local economic growth.”

Naval houses Metro Market, Metro Department Store, and Metro Home Lifestyle, offering a more integrated shopping experience for residents in Naval and nearby municipalities. The company said the new store is also expected to contribute to local employment and strengthen partnerships with suppliers, vendors, and community stakeholders in the province.

For MRSGI, the expansion into Biliran reflects its broader goal of making modern retail more accessible to underserved and growing regional communities. As the company continues to grow its presence nationwide, it remains focused on building stores that contribute to consumer convenience and long-term local development.

𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐏𝐈 𝐏𝐫𝐨 𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐬, 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫

By SAMARNEWS.COM
June 1, 2026

CATBALOGAN CITY – The Municipality of Paranas took center stage in the national nutrition spotlight from May 25 to 28, 2026, as a National Evaluation Team composed of technical experts from the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Central Office, the Department of Health (DOH), and UNICEF arrived to conduct the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI Pro) CROWN Evaluation – one of the most prestigious assessments a local government unit can undergo in the Philippines.

The MELLPI Pro serves as the NNC's upgraded performance assessment system, designed to measure how effectively LGUs carry out their nutrition programs. Under the CROWN – or Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition – evaluation track, the team scrutinized six key dimensions of the municipality's nutrition governance: vision and mission; nutrition-related laws and policies; governance and organizational structure; management functions of the Local Nutrition Committee; delivery of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions and services; and measurable improvements in community nutritional status, including reductions in stunting, wasting, and malnutrition.

An LGU becomes eligible to vie for the CROWN Award only after earning the Green Banner Award for three consecutive years as an outstanding regional winner, after which the NNC's National Nutrition Evaluation Team conducts the MELLPI Pro CROWN Evaluation annually for three consecutive years – underscoring the gravity and distinction of Paranas' current candidacy.

𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭

The four-day deployment began with a courtesy call on Municipal Mayor Hon. Elvira U. Babalcon, setting a collaborative and welcoming tone for the multi-day validation process. The Provincial Nutrition Office, headed by Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO) of Samar Ms. Ysabel Aquino, was present on opening day to demonstrate solid provincial support for the evaluation.

On the ground, Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO) Bernice Jessica A. Enguerra worked closely with NNC Region VIII liaison Carl Michael Sacramento, the Tutok Kainan Dietary Supplementation Program Provincial Nutrition Focal Person (PNFP) of Samar. Sacramento managed the day-to-day coordination, accompanied the evaluators through desk reviews, and joined them during intensive field validations across the municipality.

"𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐜𝐨 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬" 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞

A clear highlight of the evaluation came during the May 27 field visits, when the national team witnessed Paranas' innovative local programs firsthand. The evaluators heavily commended the municipality's award-winning "Exchange Your Eco Bricks" program – a creative initiative that allows residents to trade tightly packed plastic bottle waste for essential rice and food packs. By directly linking environmental protection with immediate food security and malnutrition prevention, the program exemplifies the kind of sustainable, ground-level innovation the NNC seeks to champion nationwide.

𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

The evaluation week concluded with an exchange of valuable insights from both the national and regional sides. Ms. Ysabel Aquino and the Provincial Nutrition Office returned on the final day for the formal closing.

Mr. Retz Pol Pacalioga, Nutrition Officer from UNICEF's health and nutrition sector, highlighted the solid governance underpinning the town's nutrition programs. Ms. Christine Jane Almira, Nutrition Officer II from the NNC Central Office Nutrition Surveillance Division, focused her remarks on how effectively local nutrition activities are being executed on the ground.

From the health sector, DOH Representative Mr. Nikolai Estefano Villar expressed that the LGU's seriousness in fulfilling its health and nutrition mandates was unmistakably evident. In closing the activities, NNC Region VIII's Carl Michael Sacramento shared a message of genuine appreciation for the municipality's visible dedication to prioritizing the health of its communities through creative, sustainable local programs.

𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝

NNC Region VIII and the National Evaluation Team extended their warmest gratitude to Mayor Elvira Babalcon, MNAO Bernice Enguerra, and the entire Paranas Local Nutrition Committee for their incredible hospitality and warm accommodation throughout the evaluation week.

NNC Region VIII expressed that it looks forward to seeing these local initiatives continue to safeguard families and highlight how economically beneficial nutrition investment is – not only in Paranas, but across the entire Province of Samar.

BFAR 8 Urges Eastern Visayas to Turn ‘White Gold’ into Local Prosperity

By SAMARNEWS.COM
May 29, 2026

CATBALOGAN CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 8 is calling on coastal communities across Eastern Visayas to stop being passive consumers of imported salt and instead become active producers, leveraging the region’s abundant seawater, land, and labor force.

The appeal was made during the Regional Orientation and Stakeholders Consultation on the Development of Salt Industry Project (DSIP) held on May 25–26, 2026 in Tacloban City. The two-day event gathered private salt producers, traders, and fisherfolk associations from the six provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar.

“We are here today because we possess the land, the sand, the sea, and the labor. It is time to transition from passive consumers to salt-reliant producers,” said Loreginia P. Briones, DSIP Regional Focal Person for BFAR Region 8.

National Salt Program Management Office (NSPMO) Head Dr. Hannibal Chavez framed the initiative in more evocative terms.

“Ang asin o ‘white gold’ ay hindi lamang simpleng produkto – ito ay simbolo ng oportunidad, kabuhayan, at pag-asa,” Chavez said.

Participants expressed strong optimism, particularly small-scale fisherfolk who see the project as a lifeline for coastal livelihoods. Ruel Inoc, a fisherfolk representative from Dawahon Island in Bato, Leyte, said he was pleased to learn that even island communities with limited space could establish salt production facilities.

“Ako naman natutuwa dahil di pala imposibleng magkaroon din kami ng pagawaan maski sa maliit na lugar lang gaya ng isla. Malaking kapakinabangan ito lalo pa sa mga organisasyon, asosasyon at kooperatiba,” Inoc said.

The consultation focused on the implementation of Republic Act No. 11985, the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act, which seeks to revitalize and modernize the local salt sector. Resource speakers presented the Philippine Salt Industry Development Roadmap 2025–2040, an overview of the DSIP, the Salt Information Management System (SIMS), and sustainable production technologies including solar crystallization modules, improved post-harvest handling, quality enhancement measures, and salt convergence mapping.

The activity also served as a venue for participants to voice concerns, share best practices, and explore ways to make Eastern Visayas salt more competitive in the market. It was attended by key officials including Regional Fisherfolk Director Jesus Patilla, Farmer Regional Executive Director Engr. Miguel Pedroso, DSIP National Planning Focal Charmaine Buitre, and representatives from BFAR regional and provincial offices. Partner agencies from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and DENR-Environmental Management Bureau also showed support.

The push for self-reliance comes after decades of decline in the Philippine salt industry. Following the passage of the ASIN Law, which mandated iodization, the sector received little government support. As a result, the country now imports roughly 90% of its annual salt requirements, primarily from Australia and China, with additional supplies from Thailand and New Zealand.

Cheap imported salt flooded the market, driving down prices and forcing many local producers to scale down or shut down operations. This led to widespread loss of livelihood, heavy foreign exchange spending on imports, and greater vulnerability to global supply disruptions. Salt-dependent industries such as fish processing and food manufacturing have also been affected.

Organizers hope the DSIP will reverse this trend by empowering coastal communities, introducing modern and climate-resilient production methods, and rebuilding a robust local salt industry that can once again serve as a pillar of economic and food security in Eastern Visayas.

1st ESPMFC Celebrates Harvest Time Through “Gulayan sa Kampo” Program

Press Release
May 28, 2026

DOLORES, Eastern Samar – The personnel of the 1st Eastern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company (1st ESPMFC), under the leadership of PMAJ MARVAL S DIAZ, Officer-In-Charge, celebrated the harvest season of its “Gulayan sa Kampo” project within the camp premises on May 24, 2026.

Through the collective effort, dedication, and teamwork of the 1st ESPMFC personnel, led by PSSg Benedick R Quiloña, the camp’s vegetable garden successfully produced fresh and healthy crops, particularly pechay, which will help support the nutritional needs of the personnel while promoting self-sufficiency and sustainable living.

The “Gulayan sa Kampo” initiative highlights the commitment of the 1st ESPMFC not only to maintaining peace and order but also to promoting environmental awareness, productivity, and food sustainability within both the organization and the community.

PMAJ DIAZ commended the personnel for their hard work and cooperation in maintaining the “Gulayan sa Kampo,” emphasizing that patience, unity, and perseverance truly bring fruitful results.

The successful harvest serves as a reminder that through teamwork and continuous effort, every seed planted today can lead to a better and more productive tomorrow.

TESDA to Stage WorldSkills Philippines Eastern Visayas 2026 Regional Skills Olympics in Tacloban City

Young Filipino technicians set to compete across 20 trade areas as region gears up for prestigious skills showdown

By SAMARNEWS.COM
May 16, 2026

CATBALOGAN CITY – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Regional Office VIII is set to host the WorldSkills Philippines Eastern Visayas - 2026 Regional Skills Olympics from May 19 to 21, 2026, bringing together the region's most talented technical-vocational learners in a high-stakes competition designed to measure their skills against international industry standards.

The announcement, made through an official press release dated Friday, May 15, 2026, confirms that the three-day event will serve as a critical qualifying round, with top performers advancing to the National Skills Olympics and potentially representing the Philippines on the global stage at the International WorldSkills and ASEAN Skills Competitions.

A Grand Opening in the Heart of Eastern Visayas

The competition will kick off on May 19 with an Opening Ceremony at the ACLC College of Tacloban City, Inc. – Fatima Campus. The competition proper will then unfold on May 20 and 21 across various designated venues throughout Tacloban City, culminating in a Closing Ceremony on May 21 at 4:00 PM at the same campus.

Organized in accordance with Republic Act No. 7796 – the law establishing TESDA and institutionalizing the country's technical-vocational education and training (TVET) system – this year's Olympics will feature 20 trade areas, showcasing the diverse competencies and technical expertise of participants from across the Eastern Visayas region.

Four Partner Institutions, Twenty Skills

The competitions will be strategically distributed among four partner institutions in Tacloban City, each hosting specific trade categories:

Regional Training Center–Tacloban will serve as the primary hub for hands-on industrial trades, hosting competitions in Automobile Technology, Carpentry, Electrical Installation, Wall and Floor Tiling, ICT Network Infrastructure, Refrigeration and Airconditioning, Welding, Landscape Gardening, and Fashion Technology.

ACLC College of Tacloban City, Inc. will handle the digital and technology-driven categories, including Cybersecurity, Graphic Design Technology, IT Network Systems Administration, Software Applications Development, and Web Technologies.

St. Therese Educational Foundation of Tacloban Inc. (located in Barangay 91 Abucay) will host Plumbing and Heating competitions.

JE Mondejar Computer College, Inc. will round out the roster with service-oriented trade areas: Hotel Reception, Cooking, Restaurant Service, Bakery, and Health & Social Care.

More Than a Competition: A Pipeline for Global Talent

The WorldSkills Philippines competition is far more than a regional contest – it is a carefully structured talent pipeline that has produced globally competitive Filipino workers for years.

The competition follows a three-tier structure: Regional Skills Olympics serve as local qualifiers, feeding winners into the National Skills Olympics, where the country's best compete for the honor of representing the Philippines at the International WorldSkills Competition and ASEAN Skills Competitions – the world's largest stage for vocational excellence.

TESDA officials emphasized that the competition is designed to build confidence, discipline, and innovation among technical-vocational students while producing workers who can fuel both local and national economic growth.

Eastern Visayas: A Region with a Proud Track Record

The press release highlighted Region VIII's strong history of achievement in skills competitions. Competitors from Eastern Visayas have consistently brought pride to the region, excelling at the Philippine National Skills Competition (PNSC) as well as on ASEAN and WorldSkills stages.

Most recently, in August 2025, Region VIII achieved a notable milestone during the ASEAN Skills Manila 2025, further cementing the area's reputation for excellence in technical skills and innovation. These accomplishments, TESDA noted, underscore that its graduates are "truly at par with global standards."

Shaping the Future Workforce

At its core, the 2026 Regional Skills Olympics aims to recognize the skills excellence of young industry workers and graduates of technical-vocational centers, while fostering the innovation, discipline, and global competitiveness that the Philippines' future workforce will need to thrive in an increasingly demanding global economy.

As Tacloban City prepares to welcome competitors, judges, and spectators next week, all eyes in the Eastern Visayas TVET community will be on the young men and women whose technical mastery could carry them from the regional stage all the way to the world.

“Serbisyong may Kasamang Puso”: 1st ESPMFC Extends Free Circumcision and Haircut Services to the Community

Press Release
May 14, 2026

DOLORES, EASTERN SAMAR – Personnel of the 1st Eastern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company (1st ESPMFC), under the leadership of PMAJ MARVAL S DIAZ, Officer-in-Charge, successfully conducted a Community Outreach Program featuring “Libreng Tuli at Libreng Gupit” at the 1st ESPMFC Headquarters, Brgy. 15/Lunang, Dolores, Eastern Samar, on May 12, 2026.

Prior to the conduct of the free services, police personnel facilitated an informative discussion on the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 (RA 10627), including awareness on “Good Touch and Bad Touch,” to educate the children and raise awareness on child protection and personal safety. Snacks (Biscuit and Juice) and free ice cream (Sorbetes) were likewise distributed to the participants after the discussion.

The initiative aimed to provide free circumcision and free haircut services to young boys in the community, particularly those from underserved families, as part of the unit’s continuing commitment to public health and community service. Anchored on the 1st ESPMFC tagline, “Magbigay ng Serbisyong may Kasamang Puso,” the activity also sought to promote personal hygiene, health awareness, and overall well-being while strengthening police-community relations through compassionate and meaningful public service in line with the Philippine National Police core value - “Makatao.”

PMAJ DIAZ said, "True community service isn't just about meeting immediate needs; it’s about providing the dignity of professional care to those who need it most. By hosting free circumcision activities, we aren't just performing a procedure—we're investing in the long-term well-being and confidence of our next generation."

Also present during the activity were the Eastern Samar Provincial Medical and Dental Team (ESPMDT), led by PCPT ERWIN D YBUAN, Officer-in-Charge; personnel of Dolores MPS under the supervision of PMAJ EUMORPHO C BATLANGAO, ACOP; personnel of the 52nd Infantry Battalion under the supervision of LTC SANDY U SERENO, INF (GSC) PA; and Ms. Daisy Amor Lalosa-Belizar, Acting Broadcaster Production Supervisor of Radyo Pilipinas Borongan.

The activity further highlighted the collaborative efforts of various government agencies and stakeholders in supporting community welfare through accessible basic services, health promotion, and strengthened partnership with the public.

Moreover, the 1st ESPMFC expressed its sincere gratitude to Ms. Keena M. Mate, RN, MAN, for generously sponsoring the necessary medical supplies, surgical instruments, and medicines, as well as to the Local Government Unit of Can-avid, headed by Hon. Alicia L. Teves, Municipal Mayor, for providing logistical support that greatly contributed to the success of the activity.

The 1st ESPMFC remains steadfast in its commitment to serving the community through programs that foster trust, compassion, and public safety.

Leyte and Tacloban City Inflation Rates Jump in April 2026

By SAMARNEWS.COM
May 13, 2026

CATBALOGAN CITY – Inflation in Leyte province and Tacloban City accelerated sharply in April 2026, driven primarily by surging transport costs, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Leyte (excluding Tacloban City)

The inflation rate for all income households in the province of Leyte (excluding Tacloban City) rose to 6.5% in April 2026, up from 3.8% in March 2026 and 1.5% a year earlier. The peso’s purchasing power weakened to 0.75, meaning a peso in 2018 now buys only 75 centavos worth of goods and services.

Transport posted the largest increase, with its inflation rate climbing to 26.3% and contributing 58.7% to the overall uptrend. Food and non-alcoholic beverages rose to 6.2%, while housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels increased to 3.4%.

Tacloban City

Tacloban City recorded a slightly lower but still elevated inflation rate of 5.9% in April 2026, compared with 4.1% in March and 0.9% in April 2025. The purchasing power of the peso stood at 0.78.

As in the rest of Leyte province, transport was the top driver, although its inflation rate of 19.7% accounted for a smaller share (36.0%) of the overall increase. Food and non-alcoholic beverages reached 6.0%, while housing-related costs rose to 2.2%.

Broader Trends

Across both areas, most commodity groups posted higher year-on-year price increases. Notable rises were also seen in health, alcoholic beverages and to***co, and restaurants and accommodation services. The PSA noted that the reference period for the indices is 2018=100.

The data were released by the PSA Regional Statistical Services Office VIII on 11 May 2026.

Inert Tomahawk Missile Live-Fire Drill Held in Tacloban During Balikatan 41-2026, Army Says

By SAMARNEWS.COM
May 9, 2026

CATBALOGAN CITY – The Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division (8ID) said a live-fire training event involving an inert Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) was carried out safely in Tacloban City in the early hours of May 5, 2026, as part of Exercise Balikatan 41-2026.

In a public statement, 8ID said the missile was launched at about 12:20 a.m. from a military-controlled area at the western portion of the runway of Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport, a site used temporarily for the exercise under coordination with relevant authorities and in line with established safety and security procedures.

The missile later struck its intended target at around 1:33 a.m. within the Combat Readiness Training Area in Laur, Nueva Ecija, which the Army described as a recognized military reservation under Fort Magsaysay designated for live-fire activities.

Safety measures, exclusion zones implemented

The division assured residents in Eastern Visayas that the activity was planned in advance and conducted with strict safeguards in place, including airspace and maritime control, area clearances, and the enforcement of exclusion zones.

“These ensured that no civilian communities, particularly those within Tacloban City and nearby areas, were placed at risk at any point during the exercise,” the statement said.

8ID acknowledged that some residents may have noticed increased military presence and short-term restrictions in certain locations, but said these were necessary to ensure the safe ex*****on of the training event.

Balikatan training aims to boost readiness

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), through 8ID, said it remains committed to transparency while improving operational readiness and defense capabilities for Eastern Visayas and the country.

The drill forms part of the largest-ever iteration of the annual U.S.-Philippine Balikatan exercises, which this year involve over 17,000 troops from seven nations and focus on enhancing joint interoperability, long-range precision strike capabilities, and regional defense readiness.

The 8ID, as the lead AFP unit for Eastern Visayas, oversaw local ground coordination, security, and public outreach to minimize disruption and maintain transparency throughout the operation.