TACLOBAN CITY – The Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office (L2DEO) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has successfully completed the paving of a 1.637-lane kilometer concrete road in Barangay Anibongon, Jaro, Leyte.

The newly constructed road will serve as a vital service route for the local community, alleviating the issues previously caused by the old unpaved road, which was often bumpy, dusty, and muddy, especially during the rainy season.

District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura emphasized the importance of this infrastructure project, noting that it greatly improves mobility and access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and employment for the people of Brgy. Anibongon.

“The completion of this road opens up easier transportation of goods and services, significantly benefiting the local population,” Oppura said.

Village chairwoman Rosalina Volcan expressed her gratitude during an interview, sharing the struggles her community faced with the previous road conditions.

“Our students and residents found it difficult to travel to town or leave our barangay, especially during the rainy season when the road was muddy and motorbikes struggled on the bumpy surface,” she said.

She further added, “This project has made a huge difference. Now, our students no longer have to deal with the mud during rainy days, and traveling by vehicle is much easier. We are deeply grateful to the DPWH for providing us with this farm-to-market road.”

The road project, which began on April 12, 2024, was completed on July 3, 2024, with a total budget allocation of P9.88 million.

(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)

2025 Elections

TACLOBAN CITY – Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho ‘Icot Petilla said that Roland “Kerwin” Espinosa, a confessed drug lord, has the right to run for public office, despite the controversy surrounding him.

Petilla made this statement when asked about Espinosa’s candidacy for mayor of Albuera town during an interview.

“They say he’s involved in illegal drugs, which he has denied, but it is his right to run, as everyone is entitled to,” Petilla said. “At the end of the day, this is an election, and it’s the people who will decide.”

Espinosa, 43, filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) on October 1, the first day of filing, declaring his intention to run for mayor.

His sister, Mariel, is his running mate.

Espinosa said that one of his key priorities, if elected, would be to rid Albuera of illegal drug activities.

He also revealed that his decision to run was fueled by a desire to seek justice for his father, former Albuera mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr.

The elder Espinosa, once named by former President Rodrigo Duterte as a narco-politician, was killed in a shootout inside his cell at the Baybay City sub-provincial jail on November 5, 2016, during a raid by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

Kerwin will face incumbent Mayor Sixto de la Victoria and board member Vincent Emnas, the brother-in-law of Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez, in the upcoming mayoral race.

Both de la Victoria and Emnas were present when Gov. Petilla submitted his own COC at the provincial office of the Commission on Elections in Tacloban City on October 8.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY – The final day of the 14th Calicoan Odyssey Waves at the renowned ABCD break on Calicoan Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, proved to be an exhilarating conclusion to the six-day event.

Surfers from Baler, Sorsogon, La Union, and Surigao showcased their skills, once again demonstrating their dominance in catching the waves.

In the Men’s Open Shortboard category, Neil Sanchez from Baler emerged victorious, defeating Eduardo Alciso of Surigao. Meanwhile, in the Women’s Open Shortboard, Vea Estrellado of Sorsogon clinched the title against Nilbie Blancada, also from Surigao.
King Villanueva of La Union took the top spot in the Men’s Open Longboard, besting John Kennedy Martinez.

In the Women’s Open Longboard, Ashlee Lopez, also from La Union, dominated her category.

Both the shortboard and longboard winners in the men’s and women’s categories received a cash prize of P130,000 each.

In the Junior Girls Shortboard, Mara Lopez from La Union showcased her talent, while Troy Espejon from Surigao won the Junior Boys Shortboard event. They each earned a cash prize of P43,000.

Guiuan town was the first to award equal prizes in both the men’s and women’s divisions for longboard and shortboard disciplines.

The 14th Calicoan Odyssey Waves is part of the annual national surfing competition sanctioned by the United Philippine Surfing Association (UPSA) and recognized by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.

The event is organized by the municipal government of Guiuan and local surfing organizations, with support from the provincial government of Eastern Samar and other sponsors.(ROEL T. AMAZONA)