TACLOBAN CITY- The tourism sector in Eastern Samar is not picking up compare to other provinces in the region.
In fact, the tourism arrivals and its receipts of the province is at the bottom, a depressing situation considering that Eastern Samar possesses natural wonders whose beauties are comparable to other major draws in the country like the Boracay and Siargao, Surigao del Sur, Mayor Mark Biong of Giporlos town, said.
Biong said that if he gets elected as a board member of the province, he want to get the chairmanship of the committee on tourism so he could help promote the tourism industry of the province.
‘We have so much to offer to tourists and yet Eastern Samar’s share on tourist arrivals and receipts only account five percent of the entire region,” Biong said.
“It’s high time to have a share equal to what we have in the province. Our islands are so pristine and clean. We have destinations comparable to popular sites in the Philippines,” he added.
In 2017, for example he said, tourist receipts of the province only reached P684 million sourced from the expenses incurred by the more than 179,000 tourists who visited the different tourist spots of the province.
And this figure slipped further to 4.4 percent by 2018, Biong added.
The outgoing mayor of Giporlos said that if he becomes a board member, he would craft legislative measures that would help enhance and promote the tourism sector of the province.
“I plan to have a massive marketing strategy (to help promote our tourism industry),” he said.
Among the tourism destinations that Biong mentioned that could help attract tourists in the province are Calicoan Island in Guiuan town, Yolanda Beach in Salcedo, Amandaraga Falls in Lawaan, Dangkalan Pacific Beach in Taft, nature parks in Hernani and Balangkayan towns, and the historic Balangiga Bells.
Biong said that what he envisions is for the tourism sector in the province be sustainable and pro-people.
Admitting on the shortcomings on accommodations, Biong said that he would encourage investors to build hotels and lodging inns.
He also said that tourists in the province can be assured of their safety saying that Eastern Samar is peaceful, contrary to public perceptions.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA, JOEY A. GABIETA)
Tourism industry of Eastern Samar not picking up, says official
Bong Go maintains strong showing in survey on senatorial race
Despite his strong showing, Go said he would continue to work harder and serve the people the best way he could.
“Tuladpo ng sabi ko, patuloy po akong mag-iikot para tumulong at makapagserbisyo sa tao, kahit sa ang eskinita papasukin ko para lang marinig ang mga hinaing ng ating mga kababayan, mapangiti sila at maibsan ang kanilang kalungkutan, at higit sa lahat at maiparating ang tunay na serbisyong kinakailangan,” Go said.
In the survey conducted by Pulse Asia from March 23-27, Go retained his 3rd to 5th, similar to the February 24 to 28 survey of the same polling firm.
However, the awareness rating of Go rose from 96 percent in the February survey to 99 percent in the March survey, as well as those who are voting for him, from 53 percent in February to 55.7 percent in the last survey result.
“Isa itong patunay namasaya ang mga tao sa administrasyon ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at patuloy ang suporta nila sa ating Pangulo at sa kanyang mga kaalyado,” said Go noting that majority of the candidates identified with the administration dominated the survey as probable winners.
Nagpapasalamat po ako sa ating mga kababayan na kahit saan kami magpunta ay napaka-init ng pagtanggap — kasing init ng panahon po ngayon. Talagang nakakawala po ng pagod,” Go said.
Go also thanked his mentor, President Duterte, saying his endorsement is a major factor in his strong performance in the senatorial race surveys.
“Malaking bagay po talaga ang suporta ni Pangulong Duterte,” said Go. It could be recalled that in several campaign sorties, President Duterte had said voters won’t go wrong with the former SAP, whom he said is “extremely honest” and a “hard-worker.”
Likewise, Go said the survey results revealed that Filipinos are intelligent and not falling for the mudslinging tactics recently directed against administration candidates, President Duterte and his family.
“Matatalino po ang mga Pilipino at hindi nadadala sa black proganda lamang.Alam nila ang totoo,” Go stressed.
“Ang serbisyo sa tao at serbisyo sa Diyos. Wala po kaming ibang hangarin ni Pangulong Duterte kundi ang makatulong at makapagserbisyo sa kapwa naming Pilipino. Maramingsalamat po,” he added. (PR)
Former Leyte mayor turns Catholic devotee; builds a shrine where faithful can pray
ORMOC CITY- Spending money from his own pocket, a former mayor here in Leyte spent millions of pesos just to fulfill his childhood dream to build a shrine intended for Catholic devotees.
Businessman Panfilo Go, 60,a long-time mayor of Hilongos town, said that his plan to construct a shrine started when he had a dream when he was just in Grade 5.
He said that an old lady appeared on his dream asking him to build a shrine where Catholic devotees could pray.
In 1978, he was able to convince a lot owner to sell his property to him located in Barangay Lunang where he built a small chapel.
April of 2017, Go, who had developed a devotion to Agnus Dei, constructed a shrine with the help of a Good Samaritan.
The shrine could accommodate about 1,000 people.
On March 30 of this year, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Most Reverend Gabrielle Giordano Caccia celebrated a Holy Mass at the shrine attended by 3,000 devotees and 20 priests from the Diocese of Maasin.
Inside the 6,000 square meters compound where the modern church was built, a two-story convent was also constructed with the papal nuncio leading its inauguration.
A huge gymnasium was also built with the public can use for free, Go said.
Fr. Chris Estreber, the church priest said, its feast is celebrated every 10th of October and churchgoers from various places come to celebrate.
Belonging to a fanatic religious family, Go said he does count on the money he will be spending for the church and in helping others who are in need.
“Political life is over for me. Three terms as mayor and one (term) as vice mayor are already enough. I have done what the Lord prepared for me in politics and this is my way of extending help to people”, he said. (ELVIE ROMAN ROA)
PNP in EV arrested 33 persons for illegal possession of firearms and other deadly weapons
Part of the campaign to make May 13 polls peaceful
TACLOBAN CITY- A total of 114 banned weapons were confiscated and 33 civilians arrested across the region covering an 11-day operations of the Philippine National Police (PNP) aimed in making the May 13 balloting peaceful and orderly.
The seized weapons were 52 ammunition, 27 bladed weapons, 13 units of firearms which includes 5 units of cal. 45 pistol, 4 units of cal. 38 revolver and 1 unit each for cal. 22 pistol and 5.56 revolver.
Also retrieved at various check points were improvised gun and homemade gun (deholen) and marbles used for ‘holen’ gun, four magazines, two units each for cartridge case and sling bag and one empty shell for cal. 45 pistol.
“I am thankful for the continued support we had received from the community. Let us continue helping one another to achieve a safer election this coming May 13,” said Police Brigadier Dionardo Carlos, the police regional director.
Of the 33 arrested civilians, 19 were from Leyte; four each from Northern Samar and Samar; two from Eastern Samar; and one each from Biliran, Southern Leyte, Tacloban and Ormoc.
The cases of the apprehended persons include violations of BP Blg. 6 (An Act Reducing the Penalty for Illegal possession of bladed, pointed or blunt weapons, and for other purposes), RA 10591 (Comprehensive firearms and ammunition regulation act), frustrated murder, alarm and scandal, violation of Sec. 261 of Paragraph Q of Omnibus Election Code (Carrying firearms oA total of 21,010 PNP personnel along with the Philippine Army conducted the operations across the region March 29 to April 8.
(RONALD O. REYES)
Residents of a remote village in Samar town fled out of fear
In the aftermath of shooting spree by armed men
CATBALOGAN CITY- Several families in a remote village of Gandara town, in Samar, have fled their homes after a group of armed men went into a shooting spree Saturday (April 13) afternoon.
The residents of Barangay San Antonio fled from their houses for fear of their lives after 20 armed men descended to their village at about 4 pm on that day and without any warning, trained their high-powered guns at various directions.
Village chairman Ramon Corocoto said that the fleeing families, composed of 40 persons, left the village to seek temporary shelter at the town center as they feared for their safety.
Corocoto said that the armed men, upon entering their village, shouted who were among them were ‘pula’ or red, alluding to the political color of the Nacionalista Party.
“When they entered the village, they kept on shouting that we are supporters of the red and they will kill us,” the village chairman said.
While the police authorities have yet to establish the motive of the armed men, Corocoto believed that the motive of the suspects were politics.
The shooting spree perpetrated by the suspects resulted to the ‘incidental’ killing of one of their own, identified as Zosimo Casaljay who was later identified to be a wanted person for murder.
Police authorities in Gandara identified the leader of the armed men as one Edmar Wahingon who fired upon at the houses of the villagers who stayed inside their houses during the entire incident.
More than 20 fired cartridges of different calibers and live ammunitions were recovered by the police authorities in the village.
The dead body of Casaljay, who bore a bullet wound at his head, was left behind by the armed group when they left the village.
His remains were brought at the Gandara District Hospital for post mortem examination.
Gandara is among areas in Samar considered to have a volatile peace and order situation during elections. (ROMMEL RUTOR)
Hyundai Tacloban is bullish on 2 brand new car releases
(RONALD O.REYES)
TACLOBAN CITY—Alexander Ray Belleza, branch manager of Hyundai Tacloban, is positive on the upcoming sales of their company’s two new model cars Hyundai Accent and Reina.
“Our target is to sell 50 units per month in Tacloban,” Belleza said during the unveiling of the two models at the Robinsons Mall in Abucay on Friday (April 12).
“Hyundai Tacloban never ceases to address the necessities of Region 8’s motorists to their satisfaction. Hyundai Tacloban effort to strive to be relevant in the automotive industry in the region continues,” the manager added.
According to Belleza, Hyundai has proven its constant relevance, given the barriers such as the rise of inflation rates and significant political and economic events faced by the entire automotive industry in 2018.
“Hopefully, the brand would be able to bounce back this year with its new car releases,” he said.
He disclosed that the auto industry’s performance was reduced by the advance purchases in the latter part of 2017 in preparation for the excise taxes hikes.
“2018’s decline comes after eight consecutive growth years for the Philippine automotive industry. While key model introductions managed to uplift the disposition,” Belleza said in a speech.
While Belleza said that the 2018 Philippine automotive sales stood high amidst a backdrop of uncertainty with higher excise taxes on fuel and vehicles, Hyundai manages to hang on comfortably to third spot with an 8.8 % market share.
“Sales figures often play a huge role in portraying the current relevance of a branch to its consumers. It is simply a variable that speaks in accordance with its numbers,” he said.
In 2018, Hyundai rendered a total of 35,401 units sold which was driven by car the models Kona, Tucson, Grand Starex, H-100, and Accent.
“The uncertainty faced in the automotive industry for the year, Hyundai has proven itself to weather the odds and exceed expectations. The economic landscape shows to be more optimistic, you can expect more from us in 2019,” said Belleza, quoting Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo, the Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI) president and chief executive officer.
A stylish subcompact sedan with practical features, Reina has 1.4-liter petrol engine with class-leading power at 95 PS for quicker maneuverability.
With its sleek and more solid design, the all-new Hyundai Accent has two engine options: the 1.4-liter gas engine making 100 PS and 132 Nm of torque and 1.6-liter CRDI making 128 PS and 260 Nm of torque.
(RONALD O. REYES/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)