TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has identified four major infrastructure projects in Eastern Visayas that will be implemented in the next two to five years.
Long-term projects are the 15-kilometer (km) Samar Pacific Coastal Road (SPCR) project phase 2, construction of 700-meter Iconic Liloan Bridge, construction of 1.1 km Iconic Maasin Coastal Bypass Bridge, and the building of 23-km Bohol – Leyte Link Bridge.
In a report released by the DPWH on Wednesday, the SPCR include two long-span bridges with a total length of 1.4 km. The feasibility study is already completed and the project proposal is now under preparation for submission to the National Economic and Development Authority.
SPCR project phase 2 will complement the ongoing 11.60-km SPCR phase 1 connecting the pacific towns from the Simora Junction in Laoang town, traverses to the remote villages of Laoang and Palapag towns. At 59 percent completed, the first phase 1 also covers the construction of three bridges.
Meanwhile, the concept paper is now being prepared for Liloan Bridge while the Maasin Coastal Bypass Bridge is up for discussion with the Export-Import Bank of Korea.
For the Bohol – Leyte Link Bridge, officials will revisit the Asian Development Bank-funded pre-feasibility study.
The government has yet to come up with cost estimates for these four long-term projects.
DPWH Acting Secretary Roger Mercado said in a statement that he has tapped the Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations headed by Undersecretary Emil Sadain to assist the regional office in preparing the construction of a stronger regional road network.
“In my inspection, I saw the need for a significant upgrade of roads and bridges to improve connectivity and address problem of isolation especially in far-flung areas of the region,” Mercado said.
Mercado, who hails from Southern Leyte, identified the insufficient infrastructure as a major constraint to the economic growth and poverty reduction particularly in Southern Leyte and Northern Samar.
(SARWELL Q. MENIANO/PNA)

BORONGAN CITY – Jesus Lawrence “Eboy” Quitorio, a 27-year-old local surfer from this city had just started surfing early this year.
But even if he is new in the sport, Quitorio has already earned the distinction of being the first person with a disability (PWD) to become an internationally accredited surfing instructor.
Because of his family’s circumstances, Quitorio, who has a speech and movement difficulties, has not been given any official medical diagnosis. Now an orphan, he currently lives with his brother in Brgy. Sabang South, this city.
For this year’s surf competition, Quitorio served as a surf instructor and lifeguard.
In October 2021, he made waves when he became the first Filipino surfer to become an accredited surfing instructor by the International Surfing Association. He underwent training as part of the Surfriders Club of Eastern Samar’s (SCES) preparation for hosting Surf in the City.
The training was organized by the Department of Tourism as one of the steps in promoting the region as the next site for surfing in the Philippines.
Prior to surfing, Quitorio had been playing skimboarding for 15 years. In December 2019, he won the skimboarding event during the first Surf in the City competition.
Just this year, he decided to change his sport after seeing his friends enjoying riding big waves.
He learned through the help of his friend, Christian Badillo, who also acts as his interpreter.
“Life may be difficult but just learn to enjoy it; whatever condition maybe,” he said when asked what is advised to those who are suffering physical deformities like him but want to engage in surfing.
As a surfing instructor, Quitorio now makes P1,000 to P1,500 a week. The fee comes from tourists and locals that train under SCES. The amount collected is divided among the surf instructors.
He also dreams of competing on the international stage, and of owning a shop where he can sell surfboards and surf accessories
Quitorio is an example of how surfing can provide opportunities to the youth of Borongan, according to Surf in the City chair Rupert Ambil.
The Surf in the City event goal is to raise athletes like Quitorio to compete in the national event.
“Eboy is a good example of how sports like surfing can improve the lives of our youth in Borongan. Our dream for this competition is to train local surfers and empower them to compete in international surfing events. We believe that with the right support, the next surfing gold medalist can come from Borongan,” Ambil noted.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

One of Leyte’s top tourist destinations  

TACLOBAN CITY – Kalanggaman Island, one of the prime destinations in Leyte province, is now open for tourists to visit.
The reopening of the famed island resort was based on an executive order issued by Mayor Georgina Arevalo she issued on November 15 but made public on Saturday (Nov. 27).
Kalanggaman is famous for its crystal clear water, and beautiful sandbar that stretches from both ends of the island.
“To prolong the suspension of Kalanggaman Island would cause an adverse effect upon the local economy, not to mention the unrealized income for the local government, necessary for the delivery of services,” Mayor Arevalo said, citing the reason why she decided to open the island to tourists.
Under the new guideline, only the fully vaccinated tourists will be allowed entry to the island, which is about 45 minutes of sea travel from the town proper.  They are to present their vaccination cards.
The island will be open from 6 in the morning and all guests must depart before 4 pm.
Allowed to enter the island are tourists from 18 years old to 59 years old as pregnant and those with comorbidities still banned to visit the island.
Each group is only limited to 25 people or 250 individuals per day. This number includes the island crew or LGU staff as joiners or mixing of guests is not allowed.
Overnight stay on the island is still prohibited including beverages and liquors.
Those who wanted to visit the island must e-mail the requirement which includes manifesto, waiver, and guest information to palomponecotourism@gmail.com.
Guests who will visit Kalanggaman should also bring their own sanitizers and must always wear face masks.
Guest must also stay in their respective cottage during their stay on the island and must bring their garbage back to the mainland.
The LGU also added that the island is close to the public every Monday for clean-up and maintenance.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)