TACLOBAN CITY – Local government units (LGUs) in Eastern Samar reported major strides toward meeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) formally turned over the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) data to the province.

The meeting, attended by PSA officials and provincial leaders, highlighted how Eastern Samar has been using the CBMS to track and advance key development priorities aligned with the United Nations SDGs.

The 2024 data showed marked improvements in electrification, clean water access, internet connectivity, financial inclusion, and community safety — areas prioritized under the province’s Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP).

First crafted under former governor Ben Evardone and now vigorously implemented by Governor Ralph Vincent “RV” Evardone with Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Joselito Abrugar, the CDP has been credited with pushing the province closer to its SDG targets.

Mandated under Republic Act 11315, the CBMS collects household-level data to support evidence-based planning.

In Eastern Samar, the data-gathering phase ran from July 15 to October 8, 2024, covering all 597 barangays and 118,198 households with the help of 330 enumerators.

According to the PSA, the new dataset enables Eastern Samar to measure 10 of the 17 SDGs using 21 core and 17 unique indicators, providing LGUs with sharper tools to address local needs.

Among the key findings from the 2024 CBMS:

Education (SDG 4): Expanded scholarships and funding have improved access, but non-schooling among youth persists in several towns.

Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6): Access to improved drinking water reached 94.66 percent, with Mercedes topping at 99.08 percent. Open defecation remains a challenge in Jipapad and Maslog.

Clean Energy (SDG 7): Electrification now covers 96.13 percent of households, with initiatives to expand renewable energy to off-grid sitios.

Economic Growth (SDG 8): Financial inclusion is improving, with more than half of households holding financial accounts.

Infrastructure and Connectivity (SDG 9): Internet access surged to 73.35 percent of households.

Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10): Tracking of vulnerable groups such as senior citizens and persons with disabilities living alone has improved.

Sustainable Communities (SDG 11): Land tenure security is high overall, though gaps remain in Maslog.

Peace and Justice (SDG 16): Community safety confidence is strong, with over 95 percent of residents saying they feel safe walking at night.

Governor Evardone said the CBMS results reinforce the province’s drive to pursue evidence-based governance and inclusive growth.

“With consistent planning, people’s participation, and sound leadership, Eastern Samar can meet and even surpass its SDG targets,” Evardone said.

The 2024 CBMS turnover underscores the growing importance of localized data in shaping policies and investments, particularly in provinces like Eastern Samar where addressing development gaps remains a central priority.

(JOEY A.GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) reported significant gains in its intensified campaign against loose firearms and explosives across Eastern Visayas, highlighting the recovery of an unexploded ordnance (UXO) and the surrender of several homemade and unregistered weapons.

In Palo, Leyte, a 38-year-old safety officer, identified only as “Delo,” sought police assistance after discovering a corroded MK2 fragmentation grenade without a fuse assembly at a flood control project in Barangay Guindapunan.

Personnel from the Palo Municipal Police Station coordinated with the Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, which safely recovered the device and turned it over to the Regional Explosive and Canine Unit 8 (RECU-8) for proper disposition.

In Southern Leyte, residents voluntarily surrendered several improvised firearms, including an improvised shotgun or “latong” in Silago, a marble gun in Bontoc, another latong in Libagon, and a caliber .38 revolver without a serial number in Bontoc. Police said the recoveries stemmed from intensified patrols and barangay visitations that encouraged residents to give up illegal weapons.

In Samar, a hand grenade was surrendered in Barangay Viejo, Pagsanghan, during a barangay visitation under the “Balik Armas Program” of the Samar Police Provincial Office in coordination with the local government unit.

Meanwhile, in Leyte, two improvised firearms locally known as “sumpak” were turned over to authorities in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Julita, and Barangay Poblacion, Hilongos.

PRO-8 Director PB/Gen. Jason Capoy commended the public for their cooperation, saying such support is crucial to maintaining peace and security in the region.

“The proactive cooperation of the public in turning over loose firearms and explosives greatly contributes to the safety and security of our communities. Rest assured, PRO-8 will continue to strengthen its partnership with local government units and stakeholders to sustain the gains of our campaign,” Capoy said.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)