The Department of Tourism (DOT) joins all the travelers worldwide who chose the White Beach, Boracay as the #1 Best Beach in the World for Sunbathing, Surfing and Doing Absolutely Nothing in Condé Nast Traveler’s (CNT) 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. With its beautiful scenery, including the 2.5 mile stretch of pristine, powdery-soft, white sand, Boracay is the favorite backdrop for all kinds of occasions and makes tourists come back to the Philippines. This same year, Boracay, Palawan and Siargao also rank among Asia’s Top 10 Islands in CNT 2025 Reader’s Choice Awards that makes the Philippines more vibrant and a world-class destination for travelers around the world.    

  BASILAN, Philippines – Inaasahang hindi na mahihirapan ang Sumisip District Hospital kapag hindi stable ang power supply, dahil naka-ready na ang kauna-unahang 100% solar-powered na inilagay sa ospital. Layunin ng proyektong P6 milyon  solar panel ay para matiyak ang tuloy-tuloy na suplay ng kuryente sa ilaw at mga makina ng laboratory at operating room, anumang oras lalo na kapag hindi stable ang power supply mula sa BASELCO. Isinagawa ang “lights on” at inspection sa pangunguna ni Gov. Mujiv Hataman, kasama sina Vice Mayor Gulam Boy Hataman; Provincial Health Officer Dr. Shariffa Ann Abbas Alvarez, Harrybert Hadjala, Norita Sario, BM Nurkhan Istarul, OPAG Chief Alexis D. Cotales, Provincial Veterinarian Sham Tutuh, PEO’s Salonga Lasatan at Beth Dinglasa, mga doktor, nurse, at personnel ng SDH, pati na rin ang mga tauhan ng PEO at mga kinatawan ng PENRO. Ang kabuuang gastos ay umabot sa ₱8 milyon, na kinabibilangan na ng rehabilitasyon ng electrical wiring, mula sa 20% development fund ng probinsya. Ayon kay Dr. Alvarez, inisyatiba ito ng Provincial Government at malaking tulong ang solar at electrical upgrade upang maprotektahan ang mga vital equipment at masigurong mas mabilis at ligtas ang serbisyong medikal para sa Sumisip at mga karatig-bayan. Personal ding inikot ni Gov. Mujiv ang pasilidad upang tingnan ang mga silid at kagamitang umaasa sa stable na suplay ng kuryente. Nagpaabot ng pasasalamat si BM Nurkhan Istarul at ibinahagi na ito ang unang hiling ng SDH medical staff sa kanya. Dagdag pa niya, target na ma-upgrade sa Level 1 hospital ang SDH pagsapit ng 2026. Inaasahan din na sa ikatlong quarter ng 2026 ay magsisimula na ang operasyon ng Maluso General Hospital, bilang bahagi ng tuloy-tuloy na pag-angat ng health services sa probinsya. Ayon kay Gov. Hataman, susunod na target na maging 100% solar-energized ang Lamitan District Hospital. Ang kalusugan ay isa sa mga pangunahing pillar program ni Governor Hataman sa ilalim ng Basilan HELPS, kung saan kabilang din ang environmental protection.

NORTHERN SAMAR, Philippines — Under the leadership of Provincial Director Geraldine Maquelabit, DILG Northern Samar has again been honored for its exemplary performance and consistent commitment to excellence, integrity and passion for public service. From top 3 Best Performing Provincial Office in 2024, the office has clinched the highest recognition this year, with PD Maquelabit hailed as the Best DILG Provincial Director in Eastern Visayas this 2025. The honor was conferred during the 2025 Dayaw Awards held in Tacloban Astrodome, an annual recognition of DILG Region 8 for its officers and offices across Eastern Visayas through its Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE). The DAYAW Awards, a fitting tribute for the passion and perseverance of DILG personnel, highlights exceptional performance, innovative initiatives, and best practices across DILG provincial and field offices. a rigorous process that included on-site evaluations, comprehensive document reviews, and interviews with personnel. The Provincial Government of Northern Samar thanks the transformative leadership and guidance of Provincial Director Maquelabit—affectionately known as PD Jinky—for her competence, dedication and commitment, joined by her equally inspiring team – Cluster Head Jean Redi Briones, Program Manager Eduardo Diaz Jr, MLGOOs and the entire DILG field unit, including former Cluster Head Mauricio Labado Jr. who was part of the team. Their hard work and technical assistance has significantly contributed to the Provincial Government’s consecutive Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) awards from 2023 to 2025, among other national recognitions. PD Jinky was also the Best Provincial Director during her stint in Southern Leyte in 2021 and 2022. During her tenure as head of DILG Southern Leyte, her leadership led to the Province of Southern Leyte being named the Best Performing DILG Provincial Unit, alongside her own recognition as the Best DILG Provincial Director for two consecutive years. When she transitioned to Northern Samar, her leadership prowess continued to shine, contributing significantly to Northern Samar’s improved performance. Northern Samar is indeed honored to have the best of our Matino, Mahusay, at Maaasahang lingkod-bayan in our DILG Provincial Office!    

Book a Room, Support a Cause   Summit Galleria Cebu is celebrating the Christmas season with a festive lineup of holiday offerings under the theme, “A Brighter Christmas Together.” In keeping with its annual tradition, the hotel is dedicated to making holiday celebrations more meaningful for its guests by supporting causes that foster shared experiences and aid communities in need. General Manager Melanie Arceo says, “We are offering special holiday room rates for family bonding and leisure escapes. The most significant feature of this campaign is our commitment to giving back by donating a portion of the revenue from every room booking throughout the holiday season to our partner advocacy, Children of Cebu Foundation. They provide a safe home for orphaned, abandoned, neglected children in Cebu and we are committed to giving them support.” She adds that Summit Galleria Cebu offers a variety of event space options, including its Ballroom, for reunions and celebrations. “Our welcoming venues simplify the process of holiday hosting for loved ones, friends, and colleagues — allowing everyone to focus on the joy of connection”, Arceo explains. In addition, the hotel offers the perfect gifts with a delectable variety of Christmas goodies and holiday hampers filled with premium treats and Christmas delights—ideal for sharing and savoring the season with family and friends. And on the most festive dates of the holidays—December 24, 25, and 31—guests can enjoy extraordinary buffet spreads at the brand’s signature Café Summit, featuring seasonal specialties and crowd favorites, creating a perfect backdrop for unforgettable family dining traditions. For dining reservations, please call 888-1777 or (0968) 635 7265. Room reservations for Summit Galleria Cebu can be made through: https://summithotels.ph/hotels/summit-galleria-cebu or through the Robinsons Hotels and Resorts app          

Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), the Philippines’ leading carrier, is spreading holiday cheers as it delivers more than 5,000 Christmas packs to families in communities recently affected by typhoons. Each package contains Christmas food staples and hygiene necessities, distributed across Aurora, Bacolod, Cebu, Iloilo, and Palawan. To further support recovery efforts, CEB also turned over Waves for Water (W4W) filters to local government units (LGUs), helping improve access to safe drinking water and strengthen community preparedness for future emergencies. “These Pamasko packs may be simple, but they carry our genuine wishes to bring comfort and dignity back to families in need. We want them to know they are valued and supported not only this Christmas season but also as they rebuild in the months ahead. The Filipino spirit remains strongest when we lift each other up, and we will continue to do our part,” said Candice Iyog, CEB Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer.   CEB worked closely with LGUs and on-ground partners to ensure the safe and seamless delivery of the donations, tapping its extensive domestic route network to move the packs at the earliest possible time. Beyond holiday generosity, the initiative underscores CEB’s long-standing commitment to uplifting communities nationwide and its broader corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. With 36 domestic and 27 international destinations across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East, CEB continues to make air travel more accessible to every Juan while contributing to the country’s growth story.      

NORTHERN SAMAR, Philippines — About 2,000 families in Northern Samar availed the ₱20 per kilo Rice Program of the national government launched at the Capitol Gym in Barangay Dalakit, Catarman, Northern Samar, on December 8. Conceived to help the vulnerable sectors and minimum wage earners, 400 sacks of rice were made available to all Nortehanons today as an early Christmas offering, allowing a maximum of 10 kilos purchase per household. The “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na” is an initiative of the national government through the Department of Agriculture and its attached agencies – National Food Authority, and Food Terminal Inc., in partnership with the Provincial Government under the leadership of Governor Harris Ongchuan, carried out through the Provincial Agriculture Office. Governor Ongchuan led the program rollout today, along with DA 8 Regional Director Rodel Macapañas, Vice Governor Clarence Dato, SP Committee on Agriculture Chairperson BM Leonida Laodenio, Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Jose Luis Acompanado, DA 8 Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division Chief Francis Rosaroso, and Ms. Juvee Ann Gremio of NFA Northern Samar. ( Northern Samar PIO)

NORTHERN SAMAR, Philippines — In solidarity with the global observance of World AIDS Day on December 1, 2025, the Provincial Government of Northern Samar through the Provincial Health Office, Northern Samar Provincial Hospital and the HIV AIDS Core Team (HACT) gathered advocates to reaffirm a united message rooted in the HIV and AIDS Policy Act (RA 11166) to fight the stigma and discrimination, and work together to build understanding on the Advanced HIV Disease (AHD). Anchored on the national call “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response,“ the event emphasized that responding to HIV is not only a medical concern but also a moral, ethical, and public health duty. “I call on everyone to stand with us and be part of the response in ensuring Northern Samar becomes a model of inclusive health and compassionate progress,” said Dr. John Ezekiel Valera, Vice Chair of the Northern Samar HIV AIDS Core Team. “This is not just another day for us. World AIDS Day signifies our continuing commitment against AIDS,” Dr. Joseph Estanislao, Chief of the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital (NSPH) remarked. This annual event highlights the province’s collective responsibility to spread awareness, strengthen support systems for people living with HIV, emphasize education and the shared accountability of every citizen in preventing stigma and misinformation. The NSPH through Dr. Glenn Anthony Lozano also noted that while more individuals have undergone testing, this should not alarm the public. “This signifies increased trust in the province’s HIV programs and advocacies. More people getting tested means more people are choosing to know, choosing to seek help, and choosing life,” he explained. A solemn candlelight ceremony was also held to honor the lives of those lost due to the disease, and kindle hope for those living with the AHD. Representatives from NSPH, DOH, DILG, PhilHealth, district hospitals, NSPPO and the Provincial Government vowed to continue advocating against AHD and championing a health system that protects without judgment. The observance shows what Northern Samar continues to prove, responding with a heart and as a community that chooses inclusion, hope, and humanity above all. At present, Northern Samar has 3 HIV Treatment Hubs – the NSPH Pagsarigan Clinic (the first HIV treatment hub in the province), Allen and Laoang District Hospitals. These clinics stand as a safe space, offering full, confidential and compassionate support. With services anchored in RA 11166 and strengthened by multisectoral partnerships, primarily with the Department of Health, the hub continues to uphold the dignity and rights of PLHIV, proving that they can live normal, healthy, and meaningful lives with proper care and treatment. (Northern Samar PIO)        

NORTHERN SAMAR, Philippines — For the 4th consecutive time since the inception of the Media Awards in 2019, the Northern Samar Provincial Information Office (NS PIO) has been awarded the title of Best Information Office among all 136 local government units (LGUs) in Region 8, comprising six provinces, seven cities, and 123 municipalities. This prestigious recognition, presented at the annual Media Awards and Recognition of Media Partners on December 29, 2025, at the Radiant Hotel in Tacloban City, reaffirms Northern Samar’s position as a benchmark in strategic communications. Previously, the NS PIO was recognized as the Best Information Office in 2021 and 2023, with the Most Outstanding Public Information Award being bestowed upon former Provincial Information Officer Jhon Allen B. Berbon, who is currently the Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotions Officer. In 2024, the NS PIO once again earned the title of Best Information Office, while the OIC-Provincial Information Officer Arlyn Cui-Tepace received the Most Outstanding Public Information Office Award. Notably, Cui-Tepace was also honored as the Most Outstanding Government Worker of the Year for 2024. This year, in addition to the NS PIO’s 4th commendation, Danilo Niegas has been acknowledged for his exceptional contributions to public communications. His unwavering dedication to serving the Nortehanons has not only brought pride to the Provincial Government but has also established a standard for public service in the community, setting the Northern Samar PIO apart as a leading force among digital media platforms in Eastern Visayas. The awards were presented by Jhon Allen Berbon, former Northern Samar PIO. Congratulations to the Northern Samar Provincial Information Office and Mr. Danilo Niegas for this remarkable achievement.    

  TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — Tacloban City was recognized for its commitment to safeguarding public assets after being awarded the Bronze Seal of Protection 2025 during the Seal of Protection Awards held on November 20 in Iloilo City. Councilor Chris Esperas accepted the award on behalf of the city government. The recognition reinforces Tacloban’s ongoing initiatives to strengthen resilience and maintain the protection of public assets critical to delivering services to its constituents. The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) conferred the award to honor local government units that demonstrate strong disaster preparedness and adherence to the Property Insurance Law, ensuring that government-owned properties are adequately insured and protected from risks.