ALBUERA,Leyte – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) took part in the International Coastal Clean-Up (ICC) at Brgy. Tinag-an, Albuera, Leyte on Friday, October 4, 2024.
Assistant District Engineer Peter Scheler V. Soco, who led the team of volunteers, remarked, “This beautiful stretch of coastline is an important part of our community and we’re all here to do our part in keeping it clean and safe.”
Equipped with brooms, gloves, and other cleaning materials, employees from the DEO diligently combed the coastline, collecting trash and debris that had accumulated along the shore. Their collective efforts resulted in the retrieval of 90 sacks of waste.
OIC-District Engineer Rosita A. Tinawin also highlighted the broader impact of the activity stating, “Taking part in this activity is an important reminder that the work we do goes beyond building infrastructure but also in protecting the environment. Every small action we take today helps ensure that our coastlines remain healthy and inspires everyone to consider the well-being of our surrounding.”
The ICC, an initiative spearheaded by The Ocean Conservancy, is celebrated globally and aims to address the growing issue of ocean pollution by gathering volunteers to clean coastal areas. (PR)
CANDIDATES. Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez(left) formalized his reelection bid as he filed his certificate of candidacy on October 8 at the city office of the Commission on Elections. Among the candidates who filed for council seats is Dandee Grafil. (PHOTO COURTESY)
CANDIDATES. Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez(left) formalized his reelection bid as he filed his certificate of candidacy on October 8 at the city office of the Commission on Elections. Among the candidates who filed for council seats is Dandee Grafil. (PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY – Mayor Alfred Romualdez is seeking for another as he filed his certificate of candidacy (CoC) on the last day of filing for those running for the May 12, 2025 elections.
Romualdez, who filed his CoC on Oct.8, is seeking his third and final term as mayor of Tacloban, the regional capital, under the banner of the Nacionalista Party.
Joining him once again is his son, Raymund Romualdez, who is running for vice mayor.
Raymund previously ran for the same position in the 2022 elections.
Also in the running is Dandee Grafil, husband of outgoing Councilor Aimee Grafil, who is serving her third and last term.
Romualdez, a cousin of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., expressed enthusiasm about his candidacy, saying he is eager to continue serving the people of Tacloban.
“I am excited to run again for mayor. It’s been a long journey, and I want to continue that journey. Tacloban has been recognized as the most improved highly urbanized city in the country,” Romualdez said after filing his CoC at around 10:18 a.m. at the Commission on Elections city office.
He also outlined his priorities, including addressing the city’s insufficient water supply, which has become a pressing issue due to the growing population and demand.
“We plan to fix it, and Taclobanons can expect to see improvements by next year,” he added.
Romualdez will face off against Renato Sipaco, a former village chairman, in the mayoral race.
Among those vying for city council seats in next year’s election is Renato Sardena, a 41-year-old security guard running as an independent.
When asked why he decided to run for office, Sardena declined to provide details.
“It’s a personal matter. Wait until the campaign period starts, and I will explain my reasons,” he said. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
TACLOBAN CITY — The final day of filing certificates of candidacy (CoCs) for the May 12, 2025, elections in Eastern Visayas saw several unexpected developments.
Among those making headlines was Governor Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar, who withdrew his CoC for reelection, allowing his son, Ralph Vincent “RV” Evardone, to take his place as a gubernatorial candidate.
Initially, RV had filed his CoC for a councilor position in their hometown of Sulat.
The elder Evardone, who was set to run for his third and final term as governor, explained that he was stepping aside to volunteer for the senatorial candidates of the ruling party, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.
His decision led to his son’s substitution in the gubernatorial race, where RV will now face Quinapondan Mayor Rafael Asebias.
In Palompon, Leyte, another surprise unfolded when incumbent Mayor Ramon Oñate withdrew from his reelection bid.
His 25-year-old daughter, Mary Dominique Oñate, will now run for mayor in his place.
The elder Oñate, who was seeking a second term, had been dismissed from office by the Office of the Ombudsman after being found guilty of grave misconduct and dishonesty related to the misuse of government funds during his time as vice mayor.
Mary Dominique, in a local media interview, revealed that her candidacy stemmed from what her family perceived as political persecution against her father.
“I never wanted this,” she admitted. “But sometimes, life calls us to fight battles we didn’t plan for. My father’s work in Palompon is not done, and I will see to it that his legacy is honored, not tarnished by those who owe him their very positions.”
Her father has been active in politics since 1995, having served as mayor of Palompon for several terms. Mary Dominique will face former mayor Georgina Arevalo in the upcoming mayoral election.
Meanwhile, in Eastern Samar’s lone congressional district, what was expected to be an easy reelection campaign for Representative Maria Fe Abunda has turned into a contest.
Former Guiuan Mayor Christopher Sheen Gonzales, who also served as the province’s vice governor, filed his CoC as an independent candidate. Abunda, on the other hand, is running under the Lakas-CMD party.
Gonzales said he was compelled to run after being encouraged by several incumbent mayors who are facing challengers allied with Abunda.
This move comes after Abunda and 4Ps party-list Representative Marcelino Libanan reportedly forged an agreement, with Libanan agreeing not to challenge her reelection in exchange for her not fielding candidates against his allied mayors.
“I vow to serve our people here in Eastern Samar,” Gonzales pledged.
In Northern Samar, another surprising development occurred when Governor Edwin Ongchuan opted not to seek reelection.
Instead, he is running for the province’s second congressional district, with his cousin, Representative Harris Christopher Ongchuan, taking his place in the gubernatorial race.
Both cousins are currently serving their second terms in their respective offices.
TACLOBAN CITY – The city of Ormoc triumphed at the prestigious 2024 PEARL Awards of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP), winning three accolades during the 25th Silver National Convention hosted by the Provincial Government of South Cotabato on Thursday, October 10.
Ormoc City claimed the grand prize for best sports tourism in the independent/component city category for its successful hosting of the 2023 Philippine Summer Ball Dancesport Championship.
The city also earned first runner-up for best practices in community-based tourism for its program, “Chasing Eco-Tourism Dreams: From Mountains to Mangroves – Ormoc Tourism L.E.A.D.S. Program”, which focuses on sustainable tourism development and community empowerment.
Additionally, Ormoc was recognized as second runner-up in the best event hosting category for the Road to Blue Zone event, further showcasing the city’s ability to host high-impact events that draw attention from visitors and stakeholders alike.
This isn’t the first time Ormoc has received recognition from ATOP. Last year, the city garnered four awards, including the grand champion title for Best Local Event Hosting in the City Category.
The ATOP Pearl Awards honor local government units and tourism industry stakeholders for their best practices, innovations, and initiatives that contribute to the growth and promotion of the country’s tourism sector.
The awards are organized by tourism officers from various municipalities, cities, and provinces nationwide.
Categories for the ATOP Pearl Awards include best tourism souvenirs (non-food), best tourism month/week celebration, best practices in community-based tourism, best tourism promotions, best practices in sustainable tourism, best event hosting, most outstanding tourism officers organization, most outstanding tourism officers, best sports tourism event, best tourism event (festival), best institutionalized program for culture and the arts, and best tourism-related LGU. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
ORAS, Eastern Samar – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is set to turn over seven newly completed farm-to-market road projects worth P100 million in eight remote villages in Oras, Eastern Samar, following a year of construction.
Representatives from DAR’s Project Management Service (PMS) inspected the roads in preparation for their turnover to the local government unit (LGU). Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Randy Frogosa, who led the inspection, praised the quality of the projects, which span from Barangay San Eduardo to Barangay Nadacpan, and continue through Barangays Saurong, Agsam, Iwayan, Minap-os, Alang-Alang, and Cadi-an.
The 3-kilometer road network, financed through the Agrarian Reform Fund (ARF), was implemented by the Oras LGU.
Frogosa noted the additional “farmers’ access” pathways were built alongside the roads, even though they were not part of the original plan. These additions are expected to prevent road damage from the passage of heavy farm machinery and equipment.
While impressed with the overall construction, Frogosa pointed out minor defects that need to be addressed before the final payment and official turnover can proceed.
Oras Mayor Roy Ador expressed his gratitude to DAR for entrusting them with the substantial project. He emphasized that the newly built roads would enhance not only the town’s economic activities but also its peace and order, as the roads pass through villages identified under the End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) initiative.
“This project strengthens our capacity to undertake similar infrastructure developments in the future. These roads will also improve the lives of over 10,000 residents, especially in accessing markets and services more efficiently,” Ador said.
The realization of these road projects is largely due to the efforts of House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-List Representative Marcelino Libanan, who championed the project to address the long-standing transportation issues in the area.
Once turned over, the roads are expected to significantly boost local economic activity, improve access to essential services, and ensure safer and faster travel for residents and agrarian reform beneficiaries in the region. (PR)
CATARMAN, N. Samar– The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Northern Samar First District Engineering Office has recently completed the second phase of the Multipurpose Building (MPB) at Camp Carlos Delgado, Northern Samar Police Provincial Office, in Catarman, Northern Samar.
The building was blessed on October 7, 2024, in a ceremony officiated by Rev. Fr. Anthony Salazar. Traditional coin and candy throwing followed the blessing, marking the inauguration of the new facility.
In an interview, Police Provincial Director, PCOL Sonnie B. Omengan, highlighted the significance of the MPB/covered court.
“The MPB will benefit not only the police but the community because it is a multi-purpose covered court. It can be used as evacuation center, whenever there are evacuees, there are comfort rooms to be used. On the part of the police, it is a venue where we can exercise and then sweat the stress accumulated in our day-to-day activities. The court can also be used for training and other activities, particularly during the rainy season.”
The DPWH-NSFDEO previously turned over the Phase I of the building on June 28, 2023. The initial phase, costing Php 6.91 million, involved the construction of the Multi-Purpose Building with a total floor area of 612 square meters. It included earthworks, plain and reinforced concrete works, finishing, roofing, and other civil works.
Phase II of the project, costing Php 1.97 million, included the completion works of the multipurpose building, including the installation of electrical, painting and cladding works, storm drainage, and downspouts. It also involved the construction of a comfort room with a floor area of 18.3 square meters.
This newly completed facility will play a vital role in both police operations and community activities, further enhancing the capacity of the Northern Samar Police Provincial Office. (ANALIZA A. PABIA/PR)
