PADRE BURGOS, Southern Leyte — Stakeholders from the tourism, fishing, environmental, and government sectors gathered in Southern Leyte to strengthen cooperation in protecting Sogod Bay’s marine resources while ensuring sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.

The dialogue took place during the closing of the dive conversation, one of the highlights of the three-day Sogod Bay Underwater Experience organized to promote sustainable dive tourism and marine conservation initiatives in the area.

In her message, Department of Tourism (DOT) Eastern Visayas Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes thanked local government officials, barangay leaders, fisherfolk, dive resort owners, tourism stakeholders, environmental groups, academe representatives, media practitioners, and national government agencies for participating in the discussions.

“Dive tourism and marine conservation are closely connected. Divers travel from different places because they want to experience healthy reefs and thriving marine life. This is why protecting our seas also supports tourism and local livelihoods,” Tiopes said.

Tiopes described the gathering as an open and inclusive platform where stakeholders were encouraged to share experiences, concerns, and recommendations regarding the future of Sogod Bay and its dive tourism industry.

She emphasized that communities surrounding the bay have long depended on the sea for food, livelihood, culture, and survival, with fishing sustaining families for generations.
At the same time, Tiopes acknowledged the continuing challenge of balancing economic needs with environmental protection to ensure that marine resources remain available for future generations.

The DOT regional director stressed that meaningful discussions among communities, tourism operators, and government agencies are essential in building a shared understanding of how individual actions impact marine ecosystems over time.

She also expressed hope that insights shared during the event demonstrate how dive tourism in other destinations has successfully supported both conservation efforts and local livelihoods through collaboration among communities and local governments.

Tiopes highlighted the ecological significance of Sogod Bay, citing its rich marine biodiversity, healthy coral reefs, and unique dive sites that continue to attract divers from different parts of the country and abroad.

She likewise recognized that fishing remains a primary source of livelihood for many families in Southern Leyte, emphasizing that the goal is not to choose between conservation and livelihood, but to achieve a sustainable balance between the two.

“This is why what we are really aiming for is balance — ensuring that our seas continue to provide for our needs today while remaining healthy enough to sustain future generations,” Tiopes added.

Tiopes also encouraged stakeholders to commit to practical and meaningful actions such as responsible fishing, coral reef protection, improved tourism operations, and support for sound environmental policies and governance.

“If we each take one small step that we can truly commit to, then together those steps can create meaningful change,” she said.

Meanwhile, guest speaker Sedfrey Cabaluna underscored the importance of collaboration among local governments, communities, and the dive sector in protecting marine ecosystems.

“The local government, the community, and the dive community need to work hand in hand on this matter,” Cabaluna said.

He added that communities should better understand how healthy reefs directly affect livelihoods, families, and future generations.

“People may only see the beauty of the coral cover. We can talk about percentages such as 40 percent or 80 percent coral cover, but communities may not fully appreciate that kind of language. We need to help them understand the implications of having healthy reefs and how these directly affect their livelihood, their families, their children, and their future,” he added.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The University of the Philippines (UP) Board of Regents has approved the elevation of UP Tacloban College into the ninth constituent university of the UP System, marking a historic development for higher education in Eastern Visayas.

The approval was granted during the 1409th Meeting of the UP Board of Regents held at the UP Asian Institute of Tourism in Quezon City.

House Committee on Higher and Technical Education Chairperson and Tingog party-list Representative Jude Acidre welcomed the decision, describing it as a major milestone not only for the region but also for the country’s national university.

Acidre, who serves as a member of the UP Board of Regents and is also an alumnus of UP Tacloban, said the elevation recognizes decades of academic excellence, public service, institutional resilience, and regional leadership demonstrated by the university.

“This is more than an institutional milestone. It is a recognition of UP Tacloban’s maturity, excellence, resilience, and faithful service to the people of Eastern Visayas,” he said.

He added that the elevation affirms UP Tacloban’s growing role as the University of the Philippines’ primary academic presence in Eastern Visayas, particularly in the fields of disaster resilience, community governance, culture and heritage, regional development, and public service.

Acidre also commended UP Tacloban Dean Patricia Arinto for her presentation before the Board of Regents and for her leadership throughout the transition process.

He likewise congratulated the university’s faculty, students, staff, alumni, administrators, and partners, saying the achievement reflects the collective efforts of generations who contributed to the growth and development of the institution.

“This achievement belongs to everyone who defended, strengthened, and believed in UP Tacloban through the years,” he said.

According to Acidre, the elevation would provide UP Tacloban with a stronger mandate and greater capacity to expand higher education, research, innovation, and public service initiatives in Eastern Visayas and neighboring regions.

“With this elevation, UP Tacloban receives a stronger mandate to serve, to lead, and to grow. It becomes a larger platform for higher education, research, innovation, and public service in our region,” Acidre said.

“The elevation of UP Tacloban as the Ninth Constituent University is a promise fulfilled and a responsibility renewed. It brings UP closer to the people. It allows excellence to grow more deeply in the regions. It gives Eastern Visayas a stronger voice in the national university,” he added.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Residents of Lavezares and nearby towns in Northern Samar can now access improved healthcare services following the inauguration of a new Department of Health (DOH)-funded Super Health Center in Barangay Caragas, Lavezares.

The facility was formally inaugurated by Northern Samar Governor Harris Christopher Ongchuan, Lavezares Mayor Edito Saludaga, and DOH Provincial Officer Dr. Rommel Francisco.

Funded by the national government through the Department of Health, the super health center was established to bring essential medical services closer to communities, particularly those located far from hospitals.

The health facility offers outpatient care, maternal and birthing services, laboratory diagnostics such as x-ray and ultrasound, pharmacy services, and medical and dental consultations. Minor surgical procedures will also be available at the center.

Governor Ongchuan said residents not only from Lavezares but also from neighboring towns such as Biri, Rosario, and San Jose may benefit from the services offered by the facility.

“One of the priorities of my administration as governor is health. This super health center here in Lavezares will not only greatly help our health workers but also the people of Lavezares who will truly benefit from these facilities,” he said.

“We in the provincial government of Northern Samar assure you of our continued support in helping our poor constituents who are in greater need of government services,” the governor added.

The governor also thanked the Department of Health for funding the project, as well as the local government of Lavezares and healthcare workers for their continued efforts in bringing healthcare services closer to communities, especially indigent families.

Lavezares is the third municipality in Northern Samar to establish a DOH-funded Super Health Center.

San Roque was the first municipality in the province to open such a facility and was likewise the first in Eastern Visayas when it was inaugurated in 2023. Catarman became the second municipality in Northern Samar to inaugurate a similar facility in 2025.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)