CAPOOCAN, Leyte – To stimulate economic growth and enhance access to key tourism destinations, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office (L2DEO), has completed a 419.5-meter Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP) with a concrete-lined canal along the access road in Barangay Guinadiongan, leading to Calumpijan Island and the coastal road diving spot, this town.

District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura emphasized that in addition to boosting the tourism industry, this project aims to connect the municipality of Leyte, Leyte, via the coastal barangay roads of Cabul-an, Talisay, Tolibao, Guinadiongan, Libertad, Potot, Gayad, and Talairan, providing an alternate route to Biliran province.

Residents have long desired better access roads, and this project has fulfilled that need. They will no longer face the multiple hazards associated with traversing these road sections, especially during emergencies involving pregnant women, senior citizens, and children.

Conrada Conje, a resident of Brgy. Guinadiongan, expressed her gratitude in an interview, saying, “Before this road was built, it was very difficult to get around, and there were many obstacles along the way. We used to travel by boat to reach the town proper. Now, with this newly paved road by DPWH, it’s much easier to reach the town. We are very thankful to DPWH for this project that has greatly benefited us.”

Calumpijan Island is renowned for its pristine natural beauty and diverse marine life, while the coastal road diving spot is a diver’s paradise.

The improvement of these access roads is expected to enhance connectivity and overall visitor experience, making these destinations even more appealing to tourists.

This project was allocated a budget of P14.69 million under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) CY-2022 Convergence and Special Support Program – Construction/Improvement of Access Roads Leading to Tourism Destinations (Tourism Road Infrastructure Program – TRIP).

The TRIP program aims to promote access to airports, seaports, Tourism Enterprise Zones (TEZ), and other tourism destinations in line with the national government’s priorities.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY- A protest rally staged by the students from the University of the Philippines (UP) – Tacloban Campus turned violent as they were dispersed by an anti- riot unit of the city police here on the night of August 16.
The protesters, who just attended the 57th General Assembly of Student Councils here, held their rally at the old bus terminal here where a McDonald’s outlet is located.
The order reportedly issued by Col. Michael Palermo, the city police director.
The students were forced to scatter, extending their protest to Justice Romualdez Street in the city where RTR Plaza, considered as the city’s freedom park, is located.
A representative from the UP Mindanao Council was arrested, and another student fainted during the commotion, lying on the street. The students brought the victim to a city.
This incident marks the first mass action in the city since the arrest of the “Tacloban 5” four years ago.
UP students claimed that the Tacloban Police used excessive force, including batons, during the dispersal.
“We anticipated a dispersal, but we did not expect such a disproportionate use of force by the police, especially since it was a peaceful rally focused on issues directly affecting people’s livelihoods,” a student said.
The student leaders called for free, accessible, and quality education, emphasizing concerns about the expected budget cuts to the UP System under the 2025 National Expenditure Program of the Marcos Jr. administration.
They also demanded the release of three UP graduates, known as the “Tacloban 5,” who were allegedly illegally arrested in 2020 and remain imprisoned on trumped-up charges under the Anti-Terrorism Law.
Despite the valid issues raised by the students, the police were determined to file charges against them and pressured them to release the names of all student rally participants.
Kabataan Partylist Representative Raoul Manuel, one of the plenary speakers at the GASC, responded to the situation and called for the unconditional return of the students to the UP campus. He stated:
“I don’t know what the police are trying to prove, but we know that the NTF-ELCAC is extremely paranoid about young people expressing themselves, even on social media. They are so paranoid, and even more so when young people physically gather to bring their concerns, he said.
After an hour of negotiations with the police, the protesters were released on the condition that they refrain from participating in any political gatherings or encouraging others to rally. (JAZMIN BONIFACIO)