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Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders
National
September 7, 2025
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12 YEARS AFTER YOLANDA Balangkayanons keep quest up for permanent homes

by Miriam G. Desacada Borongan City–In November 2013, super-typhoon Yolanda swept through Eastern Visayas, leaving a trail of destruction across the region, where one of the hardest hit was the small coastal town of Balangkayan in Eastern Samar. The brutal scenery: houses and communities were flattened, livelihoods destroyed, and countless families displaced. And the promised response from the government: permanent housing for survivors under the Yolanda Rehabilitation Program, which was even flaunted then as a cornerstone of the national recovery effort. Official records from the National Housing Authority (NHA) indicate that 390 permanent housing units were allocated for Balangkayan, specifically at Balangkayan Townville in Barangay Cantubi of the 5th-class town. The government’s Yolanda Permanent Housing Program was designed to build thousands of houses across Eastern Visayas to replace makeshift shelters and temporary evacuation centers. This program has been bannered as a reflection of the government’s commitment to help survivors rebuild their lives. However, after 12 years since the Yolanda’s devastation,…

Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders
National
September 7, 2025
213 views

Libanan wants 2026 flood controlbudget given to flood-prone areas

by Miriam G. Desacada TACLOBAN CITY–House Minority Floor Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan (4Ps Partylist) has raised caution over the planned allotment of P250.8 billion for flood control that would be included in the proposed 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) submitted to the House. Libanan warned the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to scrutinize further its suggested P250.8-billion allocation for flood control, and ensure that it will be poured into the identified most vulnerable provinces instead of those that are not. The legislator from Eastern Samar, during the House appropriations panel deliberations on the proposed DPWH budget, posed this question: “How can we spend billions on flood control but ignore the most flooded provinces?” He urged the DPWH, now under its new leadership, Secretary Vince Dizon, to look deeper into its proposed flood control allocation so that it will not miss the hardest-hit provinces. The flood control allocation is nearly one-third of the agency’s P880-billion total budget proposal for…

Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders
National
September 7, 2025
100 views

Homonhon Island under threat: House urge to investigate Mining activities

By Miriam G.Desacada Borongan City–Eastern Samar Representative Christopher Sheen Gonzales has called for a congressional inquiry into the devastating effects of large-scale nickel and chromite mining on Homonhon Island, a historic site in his home province. Gonzales warned that the mining activities pose significant environmental and social risks. Gonzales emphasized that nearly 88% of Homonhon Island’s 7,400 hectares are already covered by mineral production sharing agreements granted to five mining companies. He criticized the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, saying it prioritizes corporate interests over community rights and environmental protection ² ¹.The congressman urged the government to take urgent action to address the issue, citing the need for Gonzales’s call for inquiry has been supported by local residents, church leaders, and environmental groups, who have long been advocating for the protection of Homonhon Island’s fragile ecosystem and rich cultural heritage . In House Resolution No. 234, Gonzales urged the House committees on natural resources, ecology, and local government, to jointly…

Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders
National
September 6, 2025
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controversy surrounds P192 million Flood Control Project in E.Samar

by Miriam G.Desacada Borongan City– A ₱192-million flood-control project in a small coastal town has ignited controversy, with residents and local officials accusing the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) of falsely claiming the project is nearly complete despite minimal work on the ground. This incident echoes similar controversies surrounding flood control projects . In an open letter to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a group of concerned citizens described the project as a “ghost project,” questioning DPWH records that showed an 84.72% completion rate. The project was awarded to Amethyst Horizon Builders and Gen. Contractor and Development Corp., yet construction reportedly began only recently. The group further alleged that laborers and heavy equipment assigned to Hernani were diverted to another questionable flood-control project in Llorente town. Vice Mayor Raises Alarm Hernani Vice Mayor Socorro De Lira Ponferrada confirmed the irregularities in a detailed social media post. She said she first grew suspicious upon learning that the project was awarded…

Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders
National
September 6, 2025
125 views

Gonzales vows urgent actionvs mining in Homonhon Is.

By Miriam G. Desacada TACLOBAN CITY—Eastern Samar Representative Christopher Sheen Gonzales, in his first privilege speech at the House of Representatives this week, called for urgent action against what he described as “irresponsible and destructive” mining operations of foreign companies that have subjugated almost the entire historical Homonhon Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar. Gonzales revealed disturbing information that 6,489 of Homonhon’s 7,400 hectares, or approximately 88 percent, are already covered by mineral production sharing agreements (MPSAs) granted to five mining companies, which extract nickel and chromite and deliver them to foreign consumers. The young legislator warned that such large-scale extraction threatens not only the island’s fragile environment but also the survival and livelihood of its people. Gonzales said these mining companies have been allowed to devour the natural resources of Homonhon, while ignoring their social responsibilities and failing to improve the lives of the island residents. He pushed for the rehabilitation of mined-out areas, and the establishment of alternative livelihood…

Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders
National
September 3, 2025
96 views

Record-Breaking 8,032 Government Job Openings at 2025 Job Fair

Tacloban City–Over 8,000 vacancies in 254 government agencies are up for grabs at the 2025 Government Job Fair happening on 2–5 September across 15 regional venues nationwide, and on 9 September, specifically in the Cordillera Administrative Region. Organized by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in celebration of the 125th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary (PCSA), the job fair offers plantilla and non-plantilla positions in national agencies, local governments, government-owned and -controlled corporations, and state colleges and universities. CSC Chairperson Marilyn B. Yap highlighted that this year’s 8,032 openings surpass the target of 6,300, marking the highest number of vacancies in the history of CSC-led job fairs. Chairperson Yap encourages fresh graduates, jobseekers, and career shifters—regardless of background, ability, or identity—to seize the opportunity to join the government workforce and serve with Puso, Dangal, at Galing para sa Bayan. In the National Capital Region (NCR), 25 government agencies will participate, including the Pasig City Government, Department of Justice, National Bureau of Investigation,…

Town mayor, Cong. Gomez trade barbs over a collapsed flood control structure

by Miriam G.Desacada Matag-Ob Leyte–The sudden collapse of a flood control structure in Matag-ob, Leyte on Monday, drove the town’s Mayor Bernie G. Tacoy to demand an explanation on how a multi-million-peso project easily crumbled soon after its reported completion. Tacoy demanded accountability for a failed project he linked to its “sponsor,” 4th District Representative Richard “Goma” Gomez, whose strong denial now contrasts with his pride during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the project launch. Tacoy publicly criticized Goma, questioning the quality and integrity of a collapsed structure that reportedly came from the congressman’s allocations for the district. He alleged possible irregularities in both the implementation and monitoring processes, which he claimed put the lives and safety of Matag-ob residents at risk. Because of this project structure gone wrong, and Tacoy’s fiery call for accountability, Goma immediately reacted, prompting a word war between the two government officials. While Tacoy insisted of answers on the collapsed structure, Goma quickly fired back at…

Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders
National
August 27, 2025
118 views

Beyond the Catch: Panaon Communities Embracing Sustainable Livelihoods

by Miriam G Desacada Maasin City– The communitieof Panaon Island have relied almost entirely on the sea for their food, income, and identity. With the impendingdeclaration of Panaon Island as a protected seascape, its biodiverse fisheries and marine resources will be able to sustain the present and future generations living in the island. “We are optimistic about the benefits that protecting Panaon Island will bring to its local communities. As fish stocks continue to dwindle and the effects of climate change and overfishing become harder to ignore, the island’s residents are being offered a new path towards sustainability: science-backed livelihood alternatives that reduce pressure on the ocean while creating new economic opportunities for communities,” said Von Hernandez, Oceana’s Vice President. While awaiting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s signature to enact the Panaon Island Protected Seascape (PIPS) bill, Oceana has been helping the national and local governments consult with local communities. This process of developing the PIPS Management Plan is highlighting important…

Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders
National
August 24, 2025
131 views

Modernize coconut industry; oil mill eyed in Eastern Samar

Tacloban City-House Assistant Minority Leader and Eastern Samar Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales has filed a bill seeking the creation of a state-of-the-art coconut oil milling and refinery plant in Quinapondan, Eastern Samar. Gonzales said the measure complements President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s campaign to modernize the coconut industry, as outlined in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA). “The President has made it clear: millions of Filipinos depend on the coconut tree for their livelihood, and government will plant 15 million high-quality coconut seedlings every year until we reach 100 million trees. Our bill ensures that Eastern Samar is ready to translate this vision into real benefits for our farmers,” Gonzales said. House Bill No. 121, co-authored by House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan, identifies the Municipality of Quinapondan as project site due to its strategic location and existing port facilities, which will speed up and lower the cost of moving coconuts and finished products. With…

Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders
National
August 24, 2025
235 views

DENR, two Samar firms launch up reforestation project in Samar

By Miriam G. Desacada Tacloban City-‘The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Samar BioSPV (a company established by French-firm aDryada and Samar Bamboo Corporation) signed a partnership agreement for the implementation of the Green Samar Project (GSP) in the 3 provinces of Samar. This will be the country’s biggest reforestation project. The GSP is set to restore 90,000 hectares of denuded forest in the northwestern portion of the Samar Island Natural Park. The historic signing of the most ambitious environmental initiative ever set in the Philippines was done in Manila on May 29, 2024. The project was born out of the need by Taff Hydroenergy Corporation which has two operating hydro plants and building more in Samar, to preserve its watershed. Taff Hydro’s president Benjie Picardo says “water is our power plants’ fuel. We need a healthy forest cover to ensure consistent flow of water through our turbines”. Signatories for the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for GSP implementation…