ORMOC CITY– Sports officials, youth leaders, coaches, and local government executives from across Eastern Visayas convened in Ormoc City on Tuesday, August 4, for the Eastern Visayas Sports and Youth Summit, underscoring the region’s push to strengthen grassroots sports development and highlighting the city’s growing stature as a premier sports destination.

The two-day summit, held at the Ormoc City Sports Development Training and Convention Center, is jointly organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the National Youth Commission (NYC), the House of Representatives, and the Ormoc City Government.
Leyte Fourth District Rep. Richard Gomez and Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez welcomed participants, stressing the role of sports in promoting youth development, leadership, and community empowerment.

During the summit, Ormoc City Sports Office Officer-in-Charge Rafael Antonio Muñoz outlined the city’s sports development program, citing its sustained investment in athletes, coaches, and sports infrastructure that has helped elevate Ormoc into one of Eastern Visayas’ top-performing local government units in sports.

Muñoz said Ormoc has captured six consecutive overall championships in the Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) Meet from 2018 to 2026, excluding the pandemic years when the competition was suspended. He added that the city also improved its standing in the Batang Pinoy national games, rising from 81st place in 2022 to 15th place in 2025.

He attributed these achievements to the city’s long-term investment in athlete development through programs such as the Support to Athletes in Pursuit of Accomplishing Total Life-changing Opportunities in Sports (S.A.P.A.T.O.S.), which provides training, equipment, and other assistance to local athletes.

As part of its long-term strategy, the city government is also developing a more than three-hectare sports village in Barangay Juaton that will feature world-class facilities capable of hosting regional and national competitions while boosting sports tourism.

Among the flagship projects are the P103-million Badminton Center, a 1,300-square-meter BMX Pump Track and Skate Plaza, two padel courts, and the P120-million Ormoc City Convention Center. Since 2022, the city government has allocated about P2 billion for sports infrastructure development.

The existing Ormoc City Sports Complex is likewise undergoing expansion with additional facilities, including an athletics oval, grandstand, athletes’ dormitory, boxing gym with a new boxing ring developed in partnership with the PSC, as well as fencing and modern pentathlon halls.

Gomez said these investments are intended to position Ormoc as Eastern Visayas’ leading sports hub while supporting the national government’s efforts to develop more competitive Filipino athletes by providing modern training and competition venues.

Philippine Sports Commission Chairman John Patrick C. Gregorio said the agency is committed to expanding regional sports development programs and strengthening support for athletes, while National Youth Commission Chairperson Joseph Francisco R. Ortega emphasized that sports remain an effective platform for developing leadership, discipline, and civic responsibility among the youth.

Organizers said the summit aims to strengthen collaboration among government agencies, local government units, sports organizations, coaches, and youth leaders in building a more inclusive and sustainable grassroots sports development program across Eastern Visayas.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Government authorities confiscated about 150 board feet of illegally cut Lawaan lumber and arrested an 18-year-old suspect during a joint anti-illegal logging operation in Barangay Villa Conzoilo, Jaro, Leyte.

The August 4, Wednesday, operation was conducted by the 2nd Platoon, 3rd Leyte Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary (CAA) Company under the Task Group Defender of the 93rd Infantry Battalion, 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.

The team, led by TSg. Glenn Bramida, worked in coordination with Barangay Villa Conzoilo officials headed by Punong Barangay Myrna Aborita, barangay tanods, and personnel of the Jaro Municipal Police Station led by PSSg. Mark Meridor.

Authorities arrested Niño Trenchera, 18, a resident of Barangay Daro, Jaro, during the operation after he was allegedly found in possession of the illegally cut Lawaan lumber.
The confiscated forest products and the suspect were brought to the Jaro Municipal Police Station for proper documentation, filing of appropriate charges, and further investigation.

Illegal logging remains a major environmental concern in Leyte and other parts of Eastern Visayas, prompting the military, police, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and local government units to intensify enforcement operations to protect the region’s remaining forest resources and curb the illegal exploitation of timber.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Four of the 18 individuals who earlier claimed they delivered suitcases allegedly containing cash to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, and other personalities have recanted their sworn statements, saying the allegations were fabricated in exchange for promises of financial assistance.

The four, who are among the group dubbed the “Maleta Boys,” executed new affidavits withdrawing their earlier claims that they transported suitcases allegedly containing cash to President Marcos, Romualdez, and other government officials.

In their recantation affidavits, the four said their previous statements were false and were made after they were allegedly promised money and financial support for themselves and their families.

They said they decided to retract their allegations because they wanted to tell the truth and move on with their lives.

The four also requested that their identities be withheld for security reasons.

They further claimed they were made to sign prepared affidavits that were later submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman and were warned that they could face several criminal cases if they refused. These allegations have not been independently verified.

The controversy began earlier this year when several individuals identifying themselves as former bodyguards and associates of businessman and former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co accused him of directing them to transport suitcases allegedly containing cash for delivery to several personalities, including President Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Romualdez who represents Leyte’s first congressional district.
The allegations emerged amid political tensions surrounding claims of irregularities in government flood control projects.

Malacañang, Romualdez, and Co have consistently denied the accusations, describing them as baseless and politically motivated.

As of Friday, August 7, the Office of the Ombudsman had not issued any statement on whether the recantation affidavits would have any effect on any pending complaints or proceedings arising from the earlier allegations.

(JOEY A. GABIETA, LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY – The municipality of Basey in Samar is preparing for a possible entry into Eastern Visayas’ expanding cruise tourism circuit after government and cruise industry representatives assessed its top attractions for potential inclusion in international cruise itineraries beginning in 2027.

Basey Mayor Luz Ponferrada said the local government is ready to undertake the necessary preparations should the town be selected as one of the region’s cruise destinations.
“Definitely, pag-aandaman namun ini,” Ponferrada said, referring to the recent site inspection conducted by representatives of the Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Office 8, TravelPeople Ltd. Inc., and Wallem Shipping Philippines Inc.

The assessment is part of preparations for the possible inclusion of Basey in international cruise ship routes between 2027 and 2028.

Among the sites inspected was the Sohoton Cave and Natural Bridge Park, an 841-hectare ecotourism destination managed by the Sohoton Cave Services Cooperative. The attraction is known for its towering limestone cliffs, cathedral-like caves, and a massive natural stone bridge linking two mountain ridges.

The inspection team evaluated the site’s tourism appeal, accessibility, visitor facilities, and its readiness to accommodate international cruise passengers.

Ponferrada said becoming part of the region’s cruise tourism circuit would provide a major economic boost for Basey while giving wider exposure to the town’s rich cultural heritage, particularly its centuries-old banig (woven mat) industry.

“Daku ini nga bulig ha amun bungto, kay kun dumagsa ini nga mga international tourists durudaku ini nga income ha amun bungto, and mas makikilala pa kami,” she said.
She added that increased tourist arrivals would create livelihood opportunities for local residents while promoting Basey’s internationally recognized handwoven mats and other locally made products to foreign visitors.

Eastern Visayas has been aggressively promoting cruise tourism as a new growth sector, with several destinations in the region already included in international expedition cruise itineraries.

Samar province joined the region’s cruise tourism destinations in 2025 following the visit of the Heritage Adventurer, an expedition vessel operated by New Zealand-based Heritage Expeditions. During the port call, passengers visited the Paranas Ecotrail, joined birdwatching activities, and toured the Arboretum ni Papa Donoy in Paranas, Samar.

Provincial and tourism officials are optimistic that adding Basey to future cruise itineraries will further strengthen Samar’s position as an emerging ecotourism and cultural tourism destination in Eastern Visayas.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)