TACLOBAN CITY– Strengthening its response to illegal drugs through rehabilitation rather than punishment alone, the Municipality of Albuera on March 3 formally opened its own Balay Silangan Reformation Center, becoming the sixth town in Leyte to establish the facility.

The launch and signing of the memorandum of agreement were held in Canlalin 1, Poblacion, gathering local officials, law enforcement units, and partner agencies in a unified push for community-based recovery programs.

Mayor Rolan Espinosa led the ceremony alongside Vice Mayor Mariel Marinay and Sangguniang Bayan Member Rolando Ebcas Jr., chair of the Committee on Public Order, Safety and Human Rights.

They were joined by Eleanor Tamse, focal person of the Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC) and Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program (CBDRP), who will serve as the center director.

The Balay Silangan program, initiated by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), provides a structured intervention for drug reformists, focusing on values formation, spiritual enrichment, life skills training, and livelihood development.

Representing PDEA Leyte during the event was IAV Bryan Ponferrada on behalf of Regional Director Levi Ortiz, reaffirming the agency’s support for local government-led rehabilitation efforts.

Also present were Major Franklin Romeo Parangan, acting chief of the Albuera Municipal Police Station, and SFO3 Romulo Mascariñas, municipal fire marshal, underscoring the collaboration of public safety sectors in the initiative.

Education and skills development partners — including the Department of Education’s North and South Districts, the Alternative Learning System, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Region VIII, and Brightspark International Training and Assessment Center, Inc. — pledged support to help reformists gain competencies for employment and reintegration.

Local officials emphasized that the center is envisioned as more than a rehabilitation facility. It will serve as a safe space where recovering individuals can address substance dependency while receiving psychosocial support and vocational training to rebuild their lives.

With the opening of the Balay Silangan Reformation Center, Albuera reinforces its commitment to a balanced anti-drug strategy — one that promotes accountability but also offers healing, dignity, and a second chance.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Tourism (DOT) is pushing for the creation of a regional cruise tourism roadmap aimed at guiding the sustainable development of the growing cruise industry in Eastern Visayas.

The initiative was discussed during a presentation of key findings on the impacts of cruise tourism in Eastern Visayas held on February 27 at the Summit Hotel, this city.

Tourism officers and local chief executives from municipalities and provinces that have hosted cruise ship visits attended the event, where stakeholders examined opportunities and challenges facing the emerging tourism sector.

Resource speaker John Paolo Rivera presented an overview of the current cruise tourism landscape in Eastern Visayas, highlighting the industry’s economic potential while pointing out operational and sustainability concerns.

Rivera said cruise ship visits provide direct economic benefits to coastal communities, stimulate the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises, and help boost the region’s visibility in international tourism markets.

He noted that Eastern Visayas has increasingly become a preferred stop for expedition-style cruise itineraries, with repeat visits recorded in destinations such as Kalanggaman Island and Cuatro Islas.

Other sites that have begun attracting cruise tourism include Capul Island, Biri Island, Lavezares, Maripipi, Sambawan Island, Higatangan Island, and Limasawa Island.
According to DOT-8, interest from international cruise operators continues to grow. For the 2027–2028 season, a French luxury cruise line has already conducted site assessments in several locations in the region as part of its evaluation for possible inclusion in future itineraries.

Participants in the meeting also discussed ways to strengthen community-based tourism, develop sustainable shore excursions, and promote collaborative destination marketing among local government units and tourism stakeholders.

The situational analysis presented during the activity underscored the need for strategic planning, strong community participation, and environmental stewardship to ensure that cruise tourism development benefits host communities while protecting natural and cultural resources.

The proposed Eastern Visayas Cruise Tourism Roadmap will be developed based on survey results and consultations with stakeholders to guide the long-term and sustainable growth of cruise tourism in the region.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Disaster response officers from across Northern Samar have undergone specialized training on earthquake hazard simulation and risk assessment tools as part of efforts to strengthen the province’s disaster preparedness and response systems.

The five-day capacity development training on the rapid earthquake damage assessment system (REDAS) was conducted for Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (MDRRMOs) through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

The training aimed to enhance the technical capabilities of municipal disaster officers and planners in using scientific tools for hazard assessment, risk analysis, and disaster planning.

Participants were taught how to generate hazard maps, simulate earthquake impacts, and assess risks related to ground shaking, liquefaction, landslides, and tsunamis, among other natural hazards.

Through hands-on workshops and guided simulations, the participants were introduced to data-driven approaches that could support disaster preparedness, contingency planning, and evidence-based decision-making at the local level.

During the opening program, Northern Samar Vice Governor Clarence Dato emphasized the importance of preparedness for earthquakes, noting that such disasters strike without warning and require strong readiness from communities and local governments.

Dato said integrating REDAS into the province’s disaster risk reduction and management plans would help build a more comprehensive and modern safety framework for residents.
The training also supports the development agenda of Governor Harris Ongchuan, particularly the goal of strengthening local governance by improving the skills, systems, and tools used by local government units in disaster preparedness.

Provincial officials said the activity is part of ongoing efforts to institutionalize the use of REDAS in local planning and emergency response mechanisms, promoting a proactive and science-based disaster risk reduction strategy in Northern Samar.

They added that the continued use of scientific tools such as REDAS helps improve the province’s disaster resilience by equipping frontline responders and planners with advanced hazard assessment capabilities.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

BURAUEN, Leyte — In a move to improve the welfare of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), Junior Chamber International (JCI) Burauen Burabud donated 20 bed frames to the Burauen District Jail and announced a series of programs under its humanitarian initiative, Project HOPE.

The turnover activity, held on Thursday, March 5, was attended by officials from JCI chapters across Leyte, representatives of the Burauen local government, BJMP personnel, and JCI National Executive Vice President Joseph Ginno Jaralve.

Burauen District Jail Warden Jinsp. Edilberto Velarde expressed gratitude for the donation, highlighting the significance of support from civic groups in enhancing the living conditions and rehabilitation of inmates.

Project HOPE (Humanitarian Outreach and Opportunities for Peace and Empowerment) includes initiatives such as livelihood and skills training in partnership with TESDA, the Department of Agriculture, and Eastern Visayas State University. Inmates will be trained in craft-making, key chain production, candle making, rug weaving, and gardening.

Mental health and wellness sessions, facilitated by the Department of Health and Eastern Visayas Medical Center, are also planned, focusing on stress management and emotional coping. Legal assistance and orientation will be provided with the support of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

The program also aims to boost morale through recreational activities, including singing and dancing, inspirational talks with religious leaders, and gift-giving events.

JCI Burauen Burabud President Atty. Gerli Therese Abrillo said the organization plans to extend support to inmates upon release, assisting them in securing employment.

The Burauen District Jail currently houses 61 inmates—about 300 percent above its intended capacity of 20—underscoring the facility’s congestion challenges. The donation and programs aim to provide both immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation opportunities for PDLs.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)