TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Samar Lone District Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales said the province’s strong economic growth can be sustained and further accelerated through the establishment of a coconut oil processing plant and two modern fish ports equipped with cold storage facilities.

“There’s no question that the proposed coconut oil refinery and fishing terminals will significantly boost Eastern Samar’s agricultural and fisheries production. These projects will uplift the lives of our people by creating new gainful employment and livelihood opportunities,” Gonzales, in a statement, said.

The lawmaker issued the statement after the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that Eastern Samar recorded the fastest economic growth in Eastern Visayas in 2024, expanding by 10.2 percent — higher than the regional capital Tacloban City’s 8.2 percent growth rate.

Gonzales said the economic upturn reflects real improvements in people’s lives.
“Economic growth is not just about higher numbers—it’s about creating jobs, opening opportunities, and raising household incomes,” he said.

“It means that where there used to be only one gainfully employed family member, there can now be two or three, each helping build a more secure and hopeful future.”

He added that expanding local food production and increasing household income are key strategies to combat inflation and rising food prices.

“The best way for us to fight rising food prices is to build up local production—especially in agriculture and fisheries—and ensure that families have more sources of income,” Gonzales stressed.

Gonzales, who serves as House assistant minority leader and sits on the House committees on agriculture and food, and aquaculture and fisheries resources, is a co-author with House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan of several key development bills for Eastern Samar.

Among them is House Bill No. 121, which seeks to establish a government-run coconut oil mill and refinery in Quinapondan under the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA). They also filed House Bills Nos. 123 and 124, proposing the creation of fish ports with ice-making and cold storage facilities in the municipalities of Dolores and Oras.

Gonzales said these infrastructure projects will complement the province’s economic momentum by creating jobs, supporting farmers and fisherfolk, and strengthening food security.

(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Education (DepEd) in Eastern Visayas has intensified school security measures following the tragic killing of a teacher inside Agbanga Elementary School in Matalom, Leyte.

Regional Director Ronelo Al Firmo personally visited the wake of the slain teacher on October 23 to convey condolences and assure the victim’s family and school community of the Department’s full support.

Police reports identified the victim, “Ellen,” 39, who was shot by her husband, “Lino,” 49, inside her classroom on October 22. The suspect, who was reportedly unemployed, fled the scene and later died by suicide at their residence.

The incident was the second case of school-related violence in Leyte within two weeks. Earlier, on October 16, another teacher in Tanauan was shot and wounded by her estranged husband, who was later arrested.

In response, Firmo visited Agbanga Elementary School to assess the situation and ensure immediate safety interventions. He also directed all division offices to strengthen campus security protocols in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and local government units.

Among the directives were the hiring of security personnel in schools, regular PNP patrols and visibility, security training for school guards, provision of metal detectors, and strict inspection of visitors entering school premises.

Firmo also urged school heads to coordinate with barangay officials for the deployment of barangay tanods, in line with the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Memorandum Circular 2025-072, which mandates tanods to assist public schools in managing traffic, patrolling school grounds, and reporting potential threats.

DepEd-8 reiterated its commitment to safeguarding teachers and learners, emphasizing that ensuring school safety is crucial to maintaining a secure and supportive learning environment across Eastern Visayas.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Borongan City marked a new chapter in its sports development as it joined the Batang Pinoy – Philippine Youth Games for the first time, sending a 97-member delegation to General Santos City for the national competition.

The contingent, composed of young athletes, coaches, and staff, is competing in seven sporting events — badminton, arnis, archery, basketball 3×3, taekwondo, futsal, and boxing — proudly representing the capital city of Eastern Samar in the week-long games.

Supported by the city government of Borongan, the delegation departed ahead of the opening ceremony on October 25.

Launched in 1998, the Batang Pinoy is a nationwide grassroots sports program for Filipino youth aged 18 and below, including out-of-school youth. It aims to discover and develop young talents while fostering sportsmanship and discipline.

Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda, who expressed pride in the city’s first-ever participation, said the event is a testament to Borongan’s growing commitment to youth empowerment through sports.

“Yana nga ikaduha nga adlaw hiton Batang Pinoy 2025 dinhi ha General Santos City, nagkamay-ada kita hin higayon nga makapagkulaw han mga uyas han aton mga atleta nga nagdadara hiton ngaran hit aton mahal nga syudad,” Agda said.

He added that the city’s athletes’ achievements should inspire other Boronganons to pursue excellence in sports and become role models for their peers.

“Sadang ta igdasig it aton kabataan nga nahibubulig hit suga hin nga mga paisan-isan, tungod nga hira in nagpapakita hin determinasyon nga magin maupay nga susbaranan hit ira igkasi-kabataan,” he said.

Borongan’s debut at Batang Pinoy 2025 signifies not only athletic progress but also the city’s vision of nurturing a generation of disciplined, confident, and community-oriented youth — true ambassadors of Borongan’s pride and potential.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — In a bid to promote sustainable fisheries and revive marine resources, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the region has released 3,000 hatchery-bred sea cucumber juveniles into the waters of Liloan, Southern Leyte.

The juveniles, produced at the BFAR 8–Guiuan Marine Fisheries Development Center (GMFDC)in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, were turned over on October 14, 2025, to partners from Southern Leyte State University (SLSU)–Bontoc Campus, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 8, and the local government of Liloan.

They were placed in four 1×1-meter nursery cages at Tagbak Marine Park in Barangay Tabugon, where they will be monitored monthly until they reach marketable size—about 100 grams—by October 2026.

The initiative is part of the project “Enhancing Community-Based Sea Cucumber Ranching for Sustainable Development,” which seeks to restore dwindling sea cucumber populations, ease fishing pressure on natural stocks, and provide alternative livelihoods for local fisherfolk.

Rowvic Docena, provincial fisheries officer of Southern Leyte, said the turnover underscores BFAR’s commitment to science-based and community-driven fisheries management.

“BFAR 8 remains steadfast in our support for initiatives that align with responsible fisheries development. We value the collaboration with SLSU, DOST, and LGU Liloan in advancing sustainable aquaculture and protecting our marine ecosystems,” Docena said.

With Liloan’s favorable coastal environment and strong community participation, the sea cucumber ranching project is being positioned as a model for sustainable aquaculture and coastal resource management across Eastern Visayas.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)