TACLOBAN CITY – Eastern Visayas reaffirmed its growing reputation as a premier tourism destination after bagging eight major recognitions at the prestigious 2025 Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) Pearl Awards held in Baguio City on October 2.
The awards were presented during ATOP’s 26th National Convention, which honors outstanding tourism practices and innovations by local government units (LGUs) across the country.

Among the winners were the provinces of Samar and Northern Samar, as well as Ormoc City, whose tourism programs were cited for their creativity, sustainability, and community impact.

Samar province emerged as a standout, winning Best Tourism Promotions Video (Provincial Level) and Best Tourism Gifts or Non-Food Souvenirs (Provincial Level) for its Lara brand. The province also secured 1st runner-up for Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism (Provincial Level).

Northern Samar, meanwhile, brought home the Best Practices in Community-Based Tourism (Provincial Level) grand prize for its Lalaguna Mangrove Eco Park Association.

Ormoc City capped off the region’s victories with three awards: 1st runner-up in Best Events Hosting (International Event, Independent/Component City Level), 1st runner-up in Best Practices in Community-Based Tourism (Independent/Chartered City Level), and 2nd runner-up in Best Tourism Gifts or Non-Food Souvenirs (Independent/Component City Level).

DOT-Eastern Visayas Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes praised the awardees, saying their achievements prove the region has LGU-led programs that are not only innovative but also nationally competitive.

“These recognitions show that our tourism sector is thriving because of the creativity and commitment of our LGUs,” Tiopes said. “I hope these wins inspire more LGUs in Eastern Visayas to showcase their own tourism initiatives in future ATOP Pearl Awards.”

Launched in 2005, the ATOP Pearl Awards is an annual collaboration between ATOP and the Department of Tourism that recognizes exceptional LGU-led tourism initiatives. The awards highlight best practices that strengthen the industry, promote sustainable development, and inspire other communities nationwide.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Residents of Barangay Sto. Niño in Julita, Leyte are finally experiencing smoother and safer travel after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte Second District Engineering Office (L2DEO) completed a long-awaited concrete road project that promises to ease mobility and boost local livelihoods.

The P10.7-million project, which began in March 2025, involved the construction of an 897.95-meter concrete road with a width of five meters. It also included the installation of 9 linear meters of reinforced concrete pipe culverts with stone masonry headwalls and a 92-meter structural concrete-lined canal to improve drainage and road durability.
For years, residents endured muddy, flood-prone, and pothole-filled roads that made travel difficult and unsafe.

“Our hardship with the road was due to its rough condition and frequent flooding. Students had to take off their shoes before entering school. Even government workers and residents traveling to Julita proper struggled because the road was full of potholes. Our farmers also faced great difficulty transporting rice, coconuts, and bananas to Julita and Dulag. We lived with these challenges for many years,” recalled barangay councilor Roel Grado.

With the completion of the project, he said the community is overjoyed. “The transportation of our farmers’ products, as well as the travel of students and residents in our barangay, has greatly improved. We are very thankful to the DPWH for providing us with this concreted barangay road. This is a big help to us—especially to farmers, children, and residents, as well as us barangay officials. Our residents are truly happy with this project,” he added.

District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura stressed the long-term benefits of the road, noting that it will not only improve access to education, healthcare, and local markets but also allow farmers to transport their produce more efficiently.

The project was implemented by WP Alvero Construction Services and is expected to significantly reduce travel difficulties that residents of Barangay Sto. Niño have endured for decades.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Soldiers of the 63rd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army turned over a wounded Philippine Hawk Eagle to environment authorities on October 2, 2025, after it was found in the upland village of Benowangan, Borongan City.

The raptor was first discovered by a farmer in his farmland, who promptly sought the help of troops from the battalion’s Alpha Company stationed nearby. The soldiers immediately coordinated with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Borongan City to ensure the bird’s treatment and rehabilitation.

The 63rd IB expressed gratitude to the concerned resident for his vigilance and quick action, noting that the case highlights how community-government cooperation is crucial in protecting endangered wildlife. The bird is now under the care of CENRO, receiving medical attention and conservation support.

Military officials said the incident also reflects the shared responsibility of both citizens and government forces in preserving the country’s environment and natural heritage.

The Philippine Hawk Eagle (Nisaetus philippensis), also known locally as “banog,” is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Found mainly in tropical moist lowland forests, its population has steadily declined due to habitat loss, hunting, and illegal trapping.

Like the more well-known Philippine Eagle, the Philippine Hawk Eagle plays a vital ecological role as a top predator in forests, helping regulate prey populations and maintain biodiversity.

Conservation groups have long emphasized that protecting such raptors is critical to ensuring the health of the country’s forest ecosystems.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)