TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office has completed a new concrete road project connecting Barangay Luneta to Sitio Canuktan in La Paz, Leyte, significantly improving access and safety in the once difficult route.
District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura said the project involved the construction of a 2.64-lane-kilometer, five-meter-wide Portland Cement Concrete Pavement, along with drainage canals and stone masonry works.
The road now provides easier transport of agricultural products, better access to basic services, and safer daily travel for residents.
Barangay Luneta Chairman Gilbert Mercado thanked the DPWH, saying the two-lane farm-to-market road has made transporting goods, such as coconuts, easier and eliminated the need to rely on horses and manual labor.
He recalled that the road used to be rocky, muddy, and filled with potholes, making it impassable to vehicles, especially during rainy days due to the lack of proper drainage. Only horses and pedestrians could pass through at the time.
Funded under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, the P19.57-million project started on March 27, 2025, and was completed on October 23, 2025. The project was implemented by PYUKIE Construction Inc.
NOT TOTALLY AVERSE. Amid ongoing debates in Congress on proposed anti-political dynasty measures, Biliran Governor Rogelio Espina said he is open to such reforms but stressed that political dynasties should not automatically be equated with poor governance. The photo shows Espina displaying the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) award he received from the Department of the Interior and Local Government on Tuesday, January 27. (Photo courtesy)
With anti-dynasty bills discussed in Congress
NOT TOTALLY AVERSE. Amid ongoing debates in Congress on proposed anti-political dynasty measures, Biliran Governor Rogelio Espina said he is open to such reforms but stressed that political dynasties should not automatically be equated with poor governance. The photo shows Espina displaying the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) award he received from the Department of the Interior and Local Government on Tuesday, January 27. (Photo courtesy)
TACLOBAN CITY — As Congress debates proposals to restrict political dynasties, Biliran Governor Rogelio Espina said he does not oppose the passage of anti-dynasty legislation but cautioned against equating family-based politics with ineffective governance or abuse of power.
Espina said elected officials, including members of political families, would have no choice but to comply should Congress pass laws enforcing the constitutional ban on political dynasties. He added, however, that such measures could also limit voters’ options at the local level.
“That is up to them since they are the ones making the laws, and we will just follow. Of course, the choices of the people will be reduced,” Espina said in an interview on Wednesday, Jan. 28, during his visit to Balay Biliranon, a halfway house for Biliran residents with relatives confined at the Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) in Tacloban City.
The governor made the remarks amid renewed discussions in the House of Representatives on anti-dynasty bills aimed at operationalizing the Constitution’s prohibition against political dynasties. Among the measures under deliberation are bills authored by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, which seek to limit the simultaneous or successive holding of elective posts by members of the same family.
While expressing openness to reforms, Espina argued that political longevity does not necessarily indicate abuse of power, noting that sustained mandates can also reflect public trust and continuity in public service.
The Espina family has been a dominant force in Biliran politics since 1995, when the province gained its own congressional representation. Since then, Biliran—Eastern Visayas’ smallest province with a population of over 180,000—has remained under uninterrupted Espina leadership in key provincial and municipal posts.
At present, several members of the family hold elective positions. Espina’s twin brother, Rodolfo Espina, is mayor of Kawayan, while his daughter, Gretchen Espina, serves as mayor of Naval, the provincial capital. The province’s lone congressional district is represented by Gerardo “Gerryboy” Espina, while another family member, Roselyn Espina-Paras, holds the post of vice governor. Rodolfo Espina’s son currently serves as vice mayor of Kawayan.
Espina attributed the family’s continued electoral success to what he described as measurable gains in local governance and economic development.
“In Biliran, and not to boast, the province used to be fourth class, and now it is second class. Naval used to be second class and is now first class. Kawayan was fifth class before and is now fourth class. What does that mean?” he said.
He also cited Biliran’s recognition as a Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) awardee from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), one of the highest distinctions given to local government units for performance in areas such as financial management, disaster preparedness, peace and order, and social protection.
In addition, Espina pointed to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showing that Biliran’s poverty incidence among families stood at 8.5 percent last year, significantly lower than the national average of 19.9 percent.
Addressing criticisms commonly leveled against political dynasties, Espina rejected claims that their family maintains power through intimidation or patronage politics.
“We do not have goons, gold, or guns,” he said.
FOOD TOURISM. Local delicacies and dishes from Eastern Visayas were showcased during the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2026 in Cebu City.(DOT-8)
FOOD TOURISM. Local delicacies and dishes from Eastern Visayas were showcased during the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2026 in Cebu City.(DOT-8)
TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Visayas is using food as a gateway to promote its culture and tourism potential as it showcased a wide array of traditional delicacies and local food products at the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2026 – Love the Philippines Regional Showcase in Cebu City.
The regional showcase, held ahead of the main ATF activities from January 26 to 30 at the NuStar Hotel, featured culinary products that reflect the history, ingredients, and everyday food traditions of communities across Eastern Visayas.
Among the highlights were products from the “Secret Kitchens of Samar,” a collection of home-based food enterprises that included tahong (green mussel) chips from Jiabong paired with tinapa (smoked fish) cheesy dip, as well as gourmet tinapa and traditional smoked fish from Calbayog City.
Also drawing attention were karlang (taro) chips made from locally grown gabi, alongside sweet and snack specialties such as Mazapan de Pili, Roscas, and Corioso cookies from Catbalogan City.
Leyte’s well-known native delicacies were likewise featured, including vacuum-packed langka (jackfruit) and kamote (sweet potato) chips from Baybay City, and the popular moron from Abuyog and binagol from Dagami—both long regarded as favorite pasalubong items among visitors.
Moron is a traditional rice cake made of glutinous rice, coconut milk, and chocolate, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed, while binagol is a signature Leyte delicacy made from mashed giant taro mixed with coconut milk, sugar, and eggs, steamed inside a coconut shell wrapped in banana leaves. Its name comes from the Visayan word bagol, meaning coconut shell, which serves as both its cooking vessel and packaging.
Tourism officials said the featured products represent more than regional cuisine, noting that each delicacy tells a story of place, tradition, and community life in Eastern Visayas.
The Department of Tourism and its regional partners have identified food tourism as a growing driver of travel experiences, with local dishes such as suman, pastillas, smoked fish, and various kakanin increasingly incorporated into tour packages and visitor activities.
Also displayed at the event was the award-winning Secret Kitchens of Samar coffee table book, which received international recognition at the 30th Gourmand World Cookbook Awards as Best Regional Book in the World and Best Series in the World, and was named Best of the Best – Philippines (1995–2025).
TACLOBAN CITY — In a move to strengthen farm productivity, climate resilience, and rural livelihoods, farmers in Barangay Calaguise, Leyte, Leyte have received key agricultural interventions from the Department of Agriculture–Regional Field Office 8 (DA-RFO 8) under the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP).
The assistance, formally turned over to the Calaguise Agriculture Cooperative, included a Solar Drip Irrigation System and a Cacao Nursery, projects aimed at promoting sustainable farming practices while expanding the production of high-value crops in the area.
The turnover was facilitated through the joint efforts of DA-RFO 8, its attached agencies, the Municipal Agriculture Office of Leyte, and other partner stakeholders, underscoring the government’s push for integrated agricultural development at the community level.
DA officials said the Solar Drip Irrigation System is designed to provide an efficient, cost-effective, and climate-resilient solution to water supply challenges, particularly during prolonged dry spells. By optimizing water use, the system is expected to enhance crop yields, reduce production costs, and improve overall farm efficiency.
Meanwhile, the Cacao Nursery is intended to produce high-quality planting materials to support the expansion of cacao farming in Barangay Calaguise and nearby communities. The initiative aims to create additional income opportunities for farmers while contributing to the growth of the region’s cacao industry, which is being promoted as a high-value and export-potential crop.
In a statement, the Calaguise Agriculture Cooperative said the projects were implemented in response to the pressing needs of local farmers, particularly the need for reliable irrigation, diversified crops, and modern farming technologies.
“These interventions will serve as a foundation for agricultural development, strengthening the capacity of beneficiaries and improving the livelihoods of farmers and livestock raisers,” the group said in Filipino.
The cooperative added that the initiatives demonstrate the collective commitment of the government and the agricultural sector toward building a more productive, resilient, and sustainable rural economy.
Aside from the irrigation and cacao projects, the farmers’ group also received post-harvest facilities from the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) and benefited from the Swine Industry Recovery Project of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), further enhancing farm productivity and income diversification.
DA officials said these combined interventions are expected to significantly boost food production, increase household incomes, and strengthen the community’s capacity to adapt to climate and market challenges.
Catarman, Northern Samar–Six newly hired and promoted employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Northern Samar 1st District Engineering Office (DPWH-NSFDEO) formally took their oath of office during a simple ceremony on January 23, 2026 at the DPWH-NSFDEO Conference Room.
District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio led the oath-taking ceremony and congratulated the employees in their appointment and promotion.
“Magtrabaho tayo ng maayos at ipakita natin that we are worthy of the position,” DE Ignacio said.
He also encouraged the new permanent employees to express their gratitude by reciting loudly and boldly the oath of office during the ceremony to demonstrate their appreciation for the opportunity and their commitment to the department’s mission.
Among the new appointees are:
Job Order Personnel to Permanent Position:
Lew M. Guevara-Heavy Equipment Operator; Arturo P. Bido, Jr.-Intrumentman;Vincent Clarence D. Rubenecia-Admin. Asst. II (Disbursing Officer II); Chad Neil M. Marino-Admin. Aide VI (Accounting Clark II); Jethro A. Balading-Admin. Aide VI (Clerk III)
Promoted personnel:
Amelita G. Palejo- from Admin. Officer I (supply Officer I) to Admin. Officer III (supply Officer II)
Section and assistant chiefs also congratulated and welcomed the newly sworn-in employees, imparting advice as they take on their responsibilities in public service.
ORMOC CITY— A 71-year-old man was found dead inside his home after a fire, believed to have been caused by faulty electrical wiring, broke out on the second floor of his house in Brgy. 5, Catbalogan City on the morning of Tuesday, January 20.
The victim, identified as alias “Mario”, was bedridden at the time of the fire. His 67-year-old common-law wife, alias “Melisa”, a vendor, survived after being on the ground floor with customers at their sari-sari store when the blaze began.
According to Catbalogan police, the local Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) arrived promptly and declared the fire out around 8:47 a.m., estimating damages at around P100,000. Upon entering the scene, authorities discovered the lifeless body of alias Mario.
Investigators said that the fire appeared to have started from electrical wiring on the second floor. The wife of the victim told authorities that a passerby alerted them to the fire, but by the time they tried to rescue her bedridden partner, the flames had grown too intense, forcing them to remain in a safe area while waiting for BFP assistance.
Police coordinated with the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) for documentation and further investigation into the incident.
