TACLOBAN CITY — The National Housing Authority (NHA) and the provincial government of Northern Samar are reviewing possible design adjustments for the Kauswagan Village Housing Project in Barangay Cablangan, Mondragon, amid rising construction costs affecting implementation plans.

The matter was discussed during a meeting between Northern Samar Governor Harris Ongchuan and NHA Regional Office VIII officials led by Regional Manager Engr. Clemente Dayot, together with provincial government representatives and partner agencies.

Talks centered on how to sustain the project’s scope while addressing the increasing cost of building materials, which has prompted a reassessment of the original housing design.
The project was initially planned to include 34 single-detached housing units. However, officials are now considering shifting to a combination of duplex and quadruplex housing units to optimize land use and maximize available funding.

Provincial officials said the proposed redesign would allow the government to accommodate more beneficiaries while ensuring the project remains financially and structurally feasible.
The Kauswagan Village Housing Project is envisioned as a core shelter and agricultural livelihood community for former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who have returned to the fold of the law, supporting their reintegration into mainstream society.
The site is located on a seven-hectare property donated by the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) to the provincial government.

Also present during the meeting were representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Northern Samar, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), the Provincial Legal Office, the Provincial Engineering Office, and the Provincial General Services Office.

Officials said further technical discussions will be conducted to finalize the revised housing design and implementation schedule.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY— Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles John Brown arrived in Borongan City on Thursday, June 4, for a pastoral visit marked by a civic welcome, cultural presentation, and the blessing and inauguration of key diocesan facilities of the Diocese of Borongan.

Upon arrival, Archbishop Brown was formally welcomed by Eastern Samar Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone, Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda, and Bishop Crispin Varquez, along with local officials, clergy, and residents. The reception included a cultural presentation showcasing the city’s Padul-ong Festival.

Following the welcome ceremonies, the papal envoy proceeded to the Borongan Cathedral for a Holy Mass before leading the blessing and inauguration of the Diocese of Borongan’s Multi-Purpose Building, Priests’ Retirement Home, and Emergency Evacuation Shelter in Barangay Balud 2.

The two-story facility located at Oikos Village is designed to serve multiple functions, including as a residence for retired and sick priests, a diocesan formation and administrative center, and a temporary evacuation shelter for families affected by disasters and emergencies.

In his homily, Archbishop Brown highlighted the spiritual meaning of the structure, stressing that its value goes beyond physical construction.

“A home is something more than a house. It’s love that makes a house a home,” he said, adding that the facility is intended to be a place of care, fraternity, and compassion for elderly clergy.

Joining the Apostolic Nuncio during the activities were Archbishop John Du of Palo, Bishop Nolly Buco of Catarman, and Bishop Crispin Varquez of Borongan, together with members of the clergy, local officials, and lay faithful.

The facility sits on a 2,173-square-meter property, with construction that began in March 2023 through donations from benefactors, parishes, families, and church organizations both within and outside the diocese.

Bishop Varquez said the project was conceived as a multi-purpose diocesan center that would also serve as a museum, formation hub, and evacuation facility for vulnerable communities during calamities.

He noted that the new structure replaces the former Priests’ Home in Barangay Campesao, which was prone to flooding due to its riverside location, prompting its relocation to a safer and elevated site.

Although inaugurated, Varquez said additional funding is still needed, estimating around P7 million to complete remaining works, including access roads and finishing construction.
He appealed for continued support from donors and the faithful, saying the project reflects the shared mission of the Church.

“This undertaking is an expression of our love for the Church, our love for the clergy, the religious, and our lay people as one local Church,” Varquez said.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Efforts to strengthen tourism services and digital connectivity in one of Eastern Visayas’ premier ecotourism destinations received a major boost after the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office VIII (DOST-8) turned over a STARLINK satellite internet unit to the Sohoton Services Cooperative in Basey, Samar.

The initiative is expected to improve communication, enhance visitor services, and support the digital promotion of the Sohoton Cave and river tourism complex, a popular destination known for its unique geological formations and natural attractions.

The STARLINK unit was formally handed over on May 28 through the Samar Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO) under DOST’s Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) Program, which aims to improve the socio-economic conditions of communities through science, technology, and innovation-driven interventions.

The Sohoton Services Cooperative manages tourism activities within the Sohoton River area, including guided cave tours and river cruises that attract thousands of visitors annually.

Prior to the installation of the satellite internet system, the tourism site had limited connectivity and relied primarily on peso WiFi services and WiFi phones, posing challenges to communication, online transactions, and tourism promotion.

With the new technology, local tourism stakeholders expect improved internet access that will facilitate real-time communication, online bookings, digital marketing, and better coordination of tourism operations.

Leading the turnover ceremony were Engr. Joseph Albert Lledo, Engr. Philip John Condes, and Jincent Mercado of the DOST Samar PSTO. Representing the local government was Municipal Tourism and Development Officer Evangeline Ritaga, who attended on behalf of Basey Mayor Luz Chu-Ponferrada.

Officers and members of the Sohoton Services Cooperative, the direct beneficiaries of the project, also participated in the event.

Beyond improving connectivity, DOST announced an additional environmental initiative for the tourism site through the planned installation of a Modular Ecology-friendly Domestic Wastewater (MEDOWW) Treatment Facility under the CEST Program.

The wastewater treatment facility is designed to support sustainable tourism development by improving wastewater management and helping protect the ecological integrity of the Sohoton River area.

DOST officials said the interventions reflect the agency’s continuing commitment to empowering local communities through appropriate technologies that promote economic growth, environmental sustainability, and inclusive development.

By combining digital connectivity and environmental protection measures, the agency hopes to help position Sohoton as a more competitive and sustainable ecotourism destination while creating greater opportunities for local residents who depend on tourism for their livelihood.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY– Authorities have launched an investigation into the death of an active-duty member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) whose body was found floating in a creek alongside his motorcycle in Barangay Diaz on Thursday morning, May 28.

The victim, identified only as alias “Sgt. Sonny,” 39, married, and a resident of Barangay Sto. Niño, was discovered at around 8:30 a.m. in a creek beside an unfinished section of road along the national highway.

According to the Gandara Municipal Police Station, a concerned resident identified as alias “Rendo” alerted authorities through a cellphone call after finding the body.

Police said the witness had been checking caution lines and warning signs installed near the unfinished road when he noticed that some of the barriers appeared disturbed. Upon inspecting the nearby creek, he discovered a lifeless body floating face down in the water.
Responding officers immediately proceeded to the scene to verify the report and conduct an initial investigation.

With the assistance of personnel from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), the victim’s body was retrieved from the creek.

Investigators observed a deep laceration on the victim’s forehead. A motorcycle believed to have been driven by the victim was also found submerged in the creek.

Authorities likewise recovered the victim’s belt bag containing personal belongings, jewelry, and his issued firearm.

The victim was initially identified through an identification card recovered at the scene and was later positively identified by his brother-in-law.

Police are currently reviewing available CCTV footage and gathering additional evidence to determine whether the incident was the result of an accident or if foul play may have been involved.

The investigation remains ongoing.

(ROBERT DEJON)