(Photo courtesy of the Borongan City Information Office)
TACLOBAN CITY — Borongan City’s poverty incidence declined from 26 percent in 2021 to 21 percent in 2025, prompting Eastern Samar Lone District Rep. Christopher “Sheen” Gonzales to commend the city government and pledge continued support for its priority development projects.
Gonzales cited the figures during the second-semester meeting of the Borongan City Local Development Council (LDC), where local officials discussed development priorities, investment plans and proposed infrastructure projects.
He said the reduction in poverty incidence reflected the city’s progress in addressing the needs of its residents and recognized the local government’s efforts to improve living conditions.
The lawmaker also vowed to continue pushing for funding for Borongan’s priority projects, saying a significant portion of the budget he advocated for in Congress had been allocated for pending infrastructure initiatives in the city.
These projects are expected to improve mobility, support agricultural productivity and address other development needs.
Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda thanked Gonzales for aligning his development priorities with those of the city government.
Agda said the congressman’s data-driven approach would help ensure that local concerns are properly identified and that public funds are directed toward projects addressing the city’s most pressing needs.
During the meeting, City Planning and Development Coordinator Engr. Maria Ann Lopez presented the proposed Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) for 2027 to 2032, which sets out the city’s development priorities for the next six years.
The proposed plan covers social, economic, industrial, environmental, infrastructure and energy development. It includes improving health services, providing support for vulnerable sectors, promoting climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries, strengthening environmental management, and developing resilient infrastructure.
Gonzales also presented proposed development initiatives for the province, including the construction of a diversion road connecting Tamoso and Bayobay near Eastern Samar State University’s 2027 project pipeline, the establishment of a provincial Bureau of Fire Protection office, a 5,000-seat auditorium and the extension of the airport runway.
The LDC’s second-semester agenda for 2026 also included deliberations on the proposed CDP for 2027-2032, the Annual Investment Plan for 2027, and the Local Development Investment Program covering 2027-2029 and 2030-2032.
The discussions are intended to align the city’s long-term development goals with annual spending priorities and infrastructure investments.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
