TACLOBAN CITY – The decision of Rep. Maria Fe Abunda of Eastern Samar to disregard an agreement with 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan—which stipulated that Libanan would not run against her in the upcoming May 12, 2025, election—has become a turning point that led several mayors to urge former Guiuan mayor Christopher Sheen Gonzales to challenge her for the lone congressional seat of the province.

A total of 19 out of the 23 municipal mayors, along with the mayor of Borongan City, successfully convinced Gonzales to file his certificate of candidacy (CoC) for the congressional seat on Oct.8, the last day of filing.

The mayors claim that Abunda violated a prior agreement, which was made in the presence of House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, stating that incumbent local chief executives running for re-election, except for those in Oras, Mercedes, and Borongan City, should not face opposition in next year’s election.

According to Mayor Roland Boie Evardone of Arteche, 18 of Libanan’s 19 allied municipal mayors are now facing challengers in the 2025 elections. Notably, Abunda’s municipal coordinator in Arteche has filed a CoC for the mayoralty race, exacerbating the situation.
This breach of trust has not only strained relations between the Libanan and Abunda factions but also threatens to collapse their political alliance, Gonzales stated.

In response, Gonzales agreed to the mayors’ request to run for the congressional seat, marking his second attempt to unseat Abunda in the electoral process.

“I wasn’t prepared to run for Congress—I had no prior preparation. But this is a golden opportunity. With the people and their leaders urging me to run, I cannot let it pass,” said Gonzales, who will be running as an independent candidate.

Should he win, Gonzales vowed to work closely with the province’s local chief executives to address pressing issues related to health, education, and infrastructure by facilitating solutions through the national government.

This will be the second time Gonzales and Abunda face off for the congressional seat in Eastern Samar’s lone district. They first competed in 2019, when Abunda won her first term as district representative.

Gonzales is the son-in-law of Rep. Libanan, who also serves as the minority floor leader of the House of Representatives.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY– The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office (L2DEO), has constructed a new multi-purpose building (MPB) at Cantimawa Elementary School in Burauen, Leyte, to provide learners with a well-rounded learning environment and conducive space.

District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura said that a P4.93 million has been allotted for the construction of a 20-meter x 12-meter multi-purpose building facility was sourced from the DPWH CY 2024 MPB/Facilities to support the social services program.

The MPB project involves the construction of the MPB facility with provisions of an elevated stage, toilet and storage rooms.

“This MPB will function as a venue for teachers’ leisure and educational activities, as well as for the pupils’ full potential in learning and capability enhancement. It provides a comfortable and accommodating venue for academic events of the primary school,” Oppura said.

In an interview Ailyn A. Adrales, the school principal, she said that the new facility will be a big help to them as a venue for the events to be held inside their school.

“The multi-purpose building is ideal for various school activities conducted here in our school, as the previous one was too small to accommodate the growing population, especially when multiple activities are conducted simultaneously,” she said.

“This multi-purpose building in Cantimawa Elementary School will help to improve our service to the learners and stakeholders. The school’s teaching staff are thankful to DPWH for this MPB because this is a great help to the school,” she added.

The project construction began last March 14, 2024, and was finished on August 10, 2024.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Surfers from Calicoan Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar have received assistance from the national government through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) under the Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), also known as the Kabuhayan Program.

Three surfing schools and one surfboard maker were granted P747,108 in assistance, which will be used to purchase lesson boards and other surf equipment for conducting surfing lessons.

The beneficiaries include ABCD Surf, Calicoan Local Surfers, The Backyard Surf, and surfboard maker Samrayan Surfboard.

The turnover ceremony for the assistance took place on October 8, 2024, during the opening of the 2024 Calicoan Odyssey Waves Surfing Nationals on Calicoan Island as confirmed by municipal administrator Kinna Kwan in a phone interview.

“This support ensures the sustainability of the local surfing community and industry in Calicoan, not just for surfing competitions,” said Kwan.

The assistance was provided by DOLE following the submission of a proposal by the surfing organizations in Calicoan, after an orientation conducted by the agency on May 3.

This initiative helps local surfers build sustainable livelihoods, securing their income while promoting eco-tourism and fostering a thriving local surfing culture. It is also seen as a boost to the growing surf tourism industry in Calicoan Island.

Moreover, around 140 surfers from across the country have gathered on the surfing capital of Eastern Visayas, Calicoan Island, for the 2024 Calicoan Odyssey Waves Surfing Nationals, a Grade 2 national surfing competition running from October 8 to 13, 2024.

Now in its 14th year, this event is organized by the municipality of Guiuan in partnership with local surfing organizations, including ABCD Surf, Calicoan Local Surfers, Samrayan Surfboards, and The Backyard Surf Co. The competition is sponsored by 4Ps Partylist, Andok’s, Sandirini Resort, Calicoan Villa, Lucky Ellie, and Fin Café.

The competition is sanctioned by the United Philippine Surfing Association and recognized by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC)-Olympic.PH.

The municipality of Guiuan and the province of Eastern Samar are committed to promoting equality in sports, awarding equal points and prize money for both the men’s and women’s divisions in both longboard and shortboard categories. A total cash prize of P606,000 is up for grabs.

The contest is being held at the famed ABCD break—a reef break known for its powerful left-handers and fast, challenging waves.

The break’s name comes from the Advance Base Construction Depot, a critical site for Allied Forces during World War II, adding a unique historical dimension to the event.
Mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan continues to promote Guiuan as a premier destination for both surfing and historical tourism.

Located just three hours from Tacloban City, Guiuan offers visitors a blend of adventure and culture in one stunning location.

Beyond the waves, Calicoan Island boasts several attractions for visitors to explore.
A short trek leads to Linao Cave, where travelers can cool off in its natural pools. To the north, visitors can find one of the thirty-three historical markers along the Route of Ferdinand Magellan, unveiled in 2021 during the 500th Anniversary of the First Circumnavigation of the World, highlighting the island’s deep connections to global history.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

CATARMAN, Northern Samar– As part of Governor Edwin Ongchuan’s economic development agenda, the Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (PEDIPO) is shifting its business development strategy to emphasize community-based enterprises.

This approach is seen as a key driver of sustainable progress, aligning with the celebration of National Cooperative Month this October, which highlights the vital role cooperatives play in promoting inclusive economic growth.

Unlike traditional private businesses, where profits benefit a select few, cooperatives distribute earnings among their members, ensuring broader economic benefits while fostering community empowerment.

This collective ownership model strengthens local economies, giving members a sense of shared responsibility and purpose.

At a recent meeting of the Food Security and Sustainable Economic Development Cluster, discussions centered on the significant role cooperatives and associations will play in driving business development initiatives in the province for 2025.

By focusing on the development of cooperatives, Northern Samar aims to create a more equitable business model that encourages community participation and collective responsibility.

The outcome is a more dynamic and engaged local economy, where every member contributes to and benefits from the cooperative’s success.

The celebration of National Cooperative Month underscores the positive impact that cooperatives have on local economies.

Rooted in the principles of shared responsibility, equity, and community engagement, cooperatives offer a unique model for sustainable and inclusive development.

This year, Northern Samar is embracing these principles, recognizing cooperatives as crucial to achieving the province’s goals of food security and economic resilience.

For 2025, cooperatives are positioned to be central to the province’s food security initiatives.

The provincial government has pledged its support by offering capacity-building programs, financial assistance, seed capital, and infrastructure development.

By empowering these organizations, the government is paving the way for innovation and sustainability across various sectors.

Agriculture, a cornerstone of Northern Samar’s economy, stands to benefit significantly from the cooperative model.

Through the pooling of resources, expertise, and labor, agricultural cooperatives enable small farmers to improve their productivity, access larger markets, and adopt sustainable farming practices. These efforts are critical to enhancing local food security and ensuring the province’s resilience in the face of economic and environmental challenges.

The PEDIPO continues to provide vital resources and training to cooperatives, ensuring their sustained contribution to Northern Samar’s food security and economic growth goals. This collaboration with local cooperatives demonstrates the province’s commitment to building a more resilient and inclusive future.

As Northern Samar celebrates National Cooperative Month, it is a fitting time to recognize the essential role cooperatives play in building a more inclusive and sustainable future. By placing community-based enterprises at the center of its development agenda, the provincial government is ensuring that progress is not only shared by all but also sustainable for future generations.
(THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF NORTHERN SAMAR)