CATARMAN, Northern Samar-Declaring Northern Samar as an insurgency free province will have a positive effect on its tourism industry.

Thus said Governor Edwin Ongchuan, whose administration is hoping that the insurgency problem that has been affecting them for decades now will come to its end.

The province is considered as the ‘last frontier’ of the communist armed group in Eastern Visayas with two remaining guerilla fronts still operating.

While the province boosts of beautiful tourism destinations like beaches and centuries-old rock formations, its tourism sector is not totally developed due largely on the presence of the New People’s Army(NPA).

“The insurgency problem prevents the development of our province. Because of this, people has stigma and negative impression every time they hear Northern Samar. They always think of the New People’s Army,” Gov.Ongchuan said.

The governor welcomes the declaration of the Army officials to crush the insurgency problem in their problem before the end of the year.

“We are doing so much effort to inform the public that Northern Samar is safe. So with the help of the media and the provincial information office, we are disseminating to all that tourists are safe when they visit our province,” Ongchuan said.

Provincial Tourism Officer Maria Josette Doctor agrees with the governor that they are facing setback in promoting tourism due to insurgency problem.

“But that should not stop us. We should not sit and do nothing just because there is an insurgency problem in Northern Samar,” Doctor said.

“Thanks God we never had a problem with regards to tourists who became victims of insurgents. So we are making all efforts to promote our province and it is a good thing if we are declared insurgency free,” she added.

The provincial tourism office, with the help of the Department of Tourism, had continuously promote tourism-ready areas of Northern Samar.

Just this week, the provincial government under Gov. Ongchuan lunched the first ever ‘Ibabao Festival’ showcasing the rich culture of the province.
The holding of the festival, which is in line of its provincehood anniversary, is aim to help attract tourists to Northern Samar.

When travel restrictions started to relax in 2021, they were able to generate an arrival of more than 200,000 tourists.

The following year, the province was visited by over 300,000 tourists of which 10 percent of them were foreigners.

“We are hoping now that with the end of coronavirus(COVID-19) and with all these promotions that we are doing, we hope that this will lead to increase of tourist arrivals,’ Doctor said.

The opening of the Simora-Palapag road is also seen as a factor for more tourists to visit the province as it will result to easy and fast access among Pacific towns in the province. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)

CALBIGA, Samar– Delegates from 13 different school divisions of Region VIII participated in the grand parade during the 2023 Regional Festival of Talents hosted by Calbiga National High School, Saturday, June 10.

In a magnificent display of regional pride, school divisions from six provinces and seven cities across Eastern Visayas converged in the municipality of Calbiga’s Auditorium for the grand parade.

The resplendent procession features delegates from Baybay City, Biliran, Borongan, Calbayog City, Catbalogan City, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Maasin City, Northern Samar, Ormoc City, Southern Leyte, Tacloban City, and Samar divisions. Together with their dedicated coaches, delegation heads, DepEd officials and personnel, these participants traversed the streets of Calbiga, radiating unity and showcasing the immense talent and vibrant spirit of Eastern Visayas.

Further, the parade is participated by the Calbiga’s Armed Forces, PNP, Bureau o Fire, MDRRM, LGU officials and as well as the Drum and Lyre Corps of Calbiga I CES, Patong National High School, and Calbiga National High School.

The opening program will follow after the parade at the Municipal Auditorium.
The competition (RFOT) will run until June 13, 2023.(DepEd-8)

TACLOBAN CITY-Twelve lighted and decorated floats and 12 contingents of dancers depicting the rich history and cultural heritage of the city will parade along the main streets of Tacloban as part of the Sangyaw Parade of Lights on June 29, 2023.

The City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) said that this year’s Parade of Lights will be participated in by seven local schools, three barangays, and two LGU-based contingents and floats, which will creatively and meticulously portray the historical narrative behind El Capitan’s (the main image of Señor Sto. Niño de Tacloban) loss at sea and eventual return to Tacloban that happened in the 1880s, and the basis of the city’s current fiesta date.

Acting City Tourism Chief Ma. Lumen Tabao said that the Leyte-Samar Heritage Society, Inc., has come up with the guidelines for the participating contingents to make sure that they “jive’’ with the historical and cultural significance of the event.

Comprising the contingents are Tacloban City National High School, Brgy. 91 Abucay, Tacloban Institute of Electronics, Sagkahan National High School, JE Mondejar Computer College, Brgy. 85 San Jose, KFDMT Barangay 53-B, Tacloban Angelicum Learning Center, Tacloban Night High School, San Jose National High School, LGU Basey, and LGU Caibiran.
The participating contingents received a cash subsidy of P150,000 each from the city government.

Twenty members will make up each contingent who will perform in each float that will pass through Real, Imelda, Rizal, and Justice Romualdez streets at 5:30 p.m. on June 29.
Entries will be judged for their design, costume, and performance in three areas spread throughout the parade route, and the announcement of winners will be made at the Balyuan Amphitheater.

Two officials from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) will make up the nine-member panel of judges.

About P500,000 and a trophy await the grand champion of the Festival Float Competition, while second and third placers will receive P300,000 and P200,000, respectively.
A consolation prize of P20,000 will be given to non-winners.

Special awards include “Best in Street Dance,” with a 20,000 prize, and “Best in Costume” and “Musicality,” with a prize of 10,000 pesos each.

Since Tacloban was classified as a highly urbanized city in 2008, the Sangyaw Festival has been regarded as the city’s official cultural event.
(HROCA/TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)

BORONGAN CITY-Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” de Castro Abalos Jr. visited Eastern Samar to attend the 47th Samar Island Partnership for Peace and Development (SIPPAD) Assembly, with the theme “Strengthening the Partnership between the Church and Government” on Tourism and Environmental Concerns on June 9, 2023 at Provincial Capitol Gymnasium, Brgy. Alang-alang, Borongan City.

The assembly was held to bring together key stakeholders from the three Samar provinces to discuss plans for promoting peace and development in the region.

During the assembly, Sec.Abalos emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnership among local government units, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders in promoting peace and development in the region. He also highlighted the need for effective governance and transparency in the implementation of development programs.

The assembly was attended by various representatives from local government units (LGU), Civil Society Organization (CSO), None Government Organization (NGO), Academe, Church members and other stakeholders, who shared their experiences and insights on various development initiatives in the region.

Also present during the assembly were PB/Gen. Vincent S. Calanoga, RD,PRO-8, PCol. Matthe L Aseo, PD, ESSPO, Governor Ben Evardone, Minority Floor Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep.Marcelino C Libanan, and Rep. Ma. Fe Abunda as represented by Allan Contado.
The SIPPAD Assembly provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas and coordinate efforts towards promoting peace and development in Samar Island. (PR)