Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders
by Miriam Garcia Desacada
Tacloban City–Eastern Samar Lone District Representative Christopher Sheen Gonzales is optimistic that the province will experience accelerated economic growth and job creation upon approval of plans to construct a coconut oil mill and two state-of-the-art fish ports 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 said.
Gonzales made the statement following a report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showing that Eastern Samar recorded the fastest economic growth among the six provinces of Eastern Visayas (Region VIII).
Eastern Samar’s economy expanded by 10.2 percent in 2024, outpacing even regional capital Tacloban City’s 8.2 percent growth rate, according to the PSA report released earlier this month.
“Economic growth is not just about higher numbers—it’s about creating jobs, opening opportunities, and raising household incomes,” Gonzales 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.
Gonzales said that increasing food output and improving household income are key to addressing inflation and high 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 pointed out.
Gonzales, who serves as House assistant minority leader, is also a member of the House committees on agriculture and food and on aquaculture and fisheries resources.
A recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey found that 56 percent of Filipinos want President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to prioritize the fight against inflation, particularly the rising prices of basic food products.
Gonzales and House minority leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan are proponents of House Bill No. 121, which seeks to establish and operate a government-run coconut oil mill and refinery in Quinapondan, Eastern Samar, under the supervision of 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, respectively.
Aside from Eastern Samar’s exceptionally strong performance, the PSA reported that Southern Leyte’s economy grew by 7.1 percent, Biliran by 6.1 percent, Leyte by 5.8 percent, Samar (Western Samar) by 5.2 percent, and Northern Samar by 3.4 percent in 2024.
The region’s overall economy expanded by 6.2 percent.
