TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Leyte and AirAsia Philippines have officially launched the Tacloban-Leyte route through a strategic media and content creator familiarization tour aimed at positioning Leyte as the primary gateway to Eastern Visayas.

“This powerful collaboration between AirAsia Philippines and the province of Leyte marks a major step forward in positioning our province as a top destination in Eastern Visayas,” Governor Petilla said in a statement posted on his official social media page.

“This initiative opens new doors for increased visibility, stronger partnerships, and sustainable tourism growth,” he added.

The event is part of a broader tourism development strategy that seeks to revitalize the local tourism industry post-pandemic and align it with national tourism goals.
With AirAsia now actively servicing the Tacloban-Leyte route, both partners hope to establish stronger connectivity and more accessible travel options for both domestic and international tourists.

“This is just the beginning,” Gov. Petilla noted, emphasizing that more collaborative campaigns and tourism infrastructure improvements are on the horizon to support the province’s long-term vision as a key tourism hub in Eastern Visayas.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY — A construction worker was killed while 13 others sustained injuries after a dump truck carrying them crashed into a drainage canal in Barangay Calaguise, Leyte, Leyte, on Thursday morning, July 10.

The incident occurred around 7:50 a.m. and involved a blue Isuzu dump truck owned by WILBAR Sand and Gravel. The truck was driven by a certain “Ricky,” 44, a resident of Barangay Balucanad, Capoocan, Leyte.

Initial reports from the Leyte Municipal Police Station indicate that the vehicle was en route from Capoocan to Brgy. Calaguise when the truck’s brake system reportedly malfunctioned, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle veered off the road and plunged into a drainage canal.

On board were 14 passengers, mostly construction workers and laborers, identified only by aliases for initial reporting purposes: “Vic,” 21, construction worker; “Vic-vic,” 57, steelman; “Chard,” 44, construction worker;“Nory,” 21; “Sinoy,” 59; “Rey,” legal age, laborer; “Jonny,” legal age, laborer; “Jojo,” 25, laborer;“Rommy,” 39, laborer; “Dante,” 31, laborer; “Franco,” 42, welder; Another “Rey,” legal age; “Ray,” legal age; and “Oliver,” 38, construction worker.

All passengers and the driver are residents of Capoocan, Leyte.

Emergency responders immediately brought the victims to the Leyte Municipal Rural Health Unit, with most of them later transferred to OSPA-Farmer’s Medical Center (OSPA-FMC) in Ormoc City for further treatment.

“Oliver,” 38, was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians.

Authorities are still conducting a thorough investigation to determine the full circumstances behind the mechanical failure and whether proper safety protocols were followed.

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)

“We are not a dumpsite”

TACLOBAN CITY – Provincial officials in Leyte have expressed outrage and strong opposition to the reported transfer of hazardous medical waste from Mandaue City, Cebu to the province, describing the plan as unacceptable and lacking due coordination.

The concern stems from a report published by Cebu-based ‘The Freeman’ on July 9, which stated that Mandaue City Mayor Jonkie Ouano had personally overseen the collection of 301 drums of stockpiled medical waste from the old north bus terminal—now housing the city’s Environment and Natural Resources Office—for eventual transport to Leyte.

The waste, reportedly from the Mandaue City Hospital, was said to be bound for processing at Cleanway Environmental Management Solutions Inc. (CEMSI), a DENR-accredited hazardous waste treatment facility located within the Leyte Industrial Development Estate (LIDE) in Isabel, Leyte.

Atty. Carlo Loreto, board member representing Leyte’s 5th district, told Leyte Samar Daily Express via Facebook Messenger that no consent—express or implied—was given by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) to allow the entry of such waste into the province.

“There was a complete lack of prior consultation or coordination with our office,” Loreto said. “Leyte must not be treated as a dumpsite for other LGUs.”

He cited Section 21 of the Leyte Environmental Code, which mandates prior informed consent from local government units for any activities or projects that may affect the province’s natural resources or public health.

First District Board Member Wilson Uy echoed the objections, questioning why Cebu’s hazardous waste should be shipped to Leyte at all—particularly given the absence of direct community engagement or an official risk assessment.

“Before any medical waste from Cebu is dumped at CEMSI in Isabel, we demand a thorough, on-site inspection of their incineration units, effluent treatment systems, and storage areas,” Uy wrote in an open letter addressed to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Health (DOH), and other concerned agencies on Thursday, July 10.

Uy also revealed that he only learned about the planned shipment through media reports, adding that such critical matters should not be kept from local officials and the communities potentially affected.

“Let us remain vigilant and demand transparency—not just in reporting, but also in how hazardous waste is handled in our province,” Uy said. “Our environment and public health must come first. We will not settle for anything less than full accountability.”

In a statement posted on its official social media page, CEMSI said it is the country’s first fully-integrated hazardous waste treatment facility, offering services such as on-site waste collection, accredited transport, proper storage, certified treatment, and disposal.
CEMSI operates nationwide—in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao—and claims to maintain high standards of compliance with government regulations.

However, both DENR and DOH have yet to issue official statements responding to the concerns raised by Leyte officials.

(RONALD O. REYES, JAZMINE BONIFACIO)

TACLOBAN CITY – A tricycle driver tagged as a high-value drug personality was arrested during a buy-bust operation that yielded P1.2 million worth of suspected shabu in Brgy. 96, Calanipawan, early morning Tuesday, July 8.

The suspect, identified as alias “Cesar,” 53, married, and a resident of the same barangay, was apprehended at around 4:32 a.m. by operatives of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group – Special Operations Unit 8 (PDEG-SOU 8).

According to PLt. Col. Arturo Fullero, SOU 8 chief, Cesar is listed as a Regional Priority Target and considered a high-value individual (HVI) in the region’s anti-drug campaign.
Seized from the suspect was a sachet of suspected shabu worth P34,000, followed by the discovery of a transparent pouch inside his sling bag containing 180 more sachets of the same white crystalline substance. The total weight was estimated at 180 grams, with a street value of P1,224,000.

Authorities also recovered P34,000 buy-bust money, including one marked bill; 67 pieces of boodle money; transparent plastic pouch and the suspect’s voter’s ID.
The suspect was informed of his arrest and constitutional rights in a language he fully understood.

Charges for violations of Sections 5 and 11 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (RA 9165) have been filed before the Tacloban City Prosecutor’s Office. The suspect is currently awaiting transfer to the BJMP.

(ROBERT DEJON)