TACLOBAN CITY – Eastern Visayas recorded a 6.2 percent economic growth in 2024, making it the fifth fastest-growing regional economy in the Philippines, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The announcement was made during the 2024 Economic Performance of Eastern Visayas News Conference held on Tuesday, April 22 at the Summit Hotel, this city.

Mae Almonte, chief statistical specialist of PSA-8, and Meylene Rosales, the regional director of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), jointly presented the region’s key economic indicators during the event.

Almonte reported that the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose to P555.62 billion in 2024 from P523.22 billion the previous year.

This growth was driven by the strong performance of the services, industry, and agriculture, forestry, and fishing (AFF) sectors.

The services sector led the economic charge, contributing 48.1 percent of the regional economy. It was followed by the industry sector at 40.2 percent, boosted by construction and electricity-related activities. The AFF sector accounted for 11.7 percent of the region’s GDP.

Rosales highlighted that Eastern Visayas’ growth rate outpaced the national GDP growth of 5.7 percent, raising the region’s ranking from sixth to fifth among the country’s fastest-growing economies.

“This steady progress reflects the region’s resilience and vitality—solidifying its status as a beacon of growth and opportunity,” she said.

More importantly, she emphasized the real-world impact of this growth on the people of the region. “So what if our economy has been growing? Let me repeat—our fight against poverty is now gaining ground,” the NEDA regional director stressed.

According to Rosales, the region’s poverty incidence dropped to 27.3 percent in 2023, with approximately 46,000 individuals lifted out of poverty.

“Let us help each other for the continued development of Eastern Visayas,” she said.

(HNZ MORPHEUS OLAYA, LNU STUDENT INTERN)

Catarman N. Samar– The Department of Public Works and Highways Northern Samar 1st District Engineering Office (DPWH- NSFDEO) turned over the newly completed one-storey, three-classroom school building to Dancalan Integrated School, Bobon, Northern Samar on April 14, 2025.

The turn-over ceremony was attended by DPWH-NSFDEO Assistant District Engineer Vivian G. Biaco, Project Engineer Kristin Rochelle C. Cahanap, and other DPWH-NSFDEO personnel. Also present were the teachers and staff of Dancalan Integrated School with the school Head Ms. Jhona C. Gremio, other Northern Samar DepEd Officials, Local Government of Bobon led by Mayor Reny A. Celespara, along with 1st District Board Member Christian Emmanuel W. Uy.

In her message, DPWH- NSFDEO Assistant District Engineer Vivian G. Biaco emphasized the importance of the project as a “symbol of hope and opportunity.”

“Today marks not just a ceremonial turnover. But a celebration of progress, partnership and a fulfilled promise to the youth of Dancalan Integrated School. This 1 -storey, 3-classroom school building is a testament to our commitment in providing quality learning environments.

for the students. This structure is more than just concrete and steel – it is a symbol of hope and opportunity. As we hand over this building today, may it serve as a space where young minds are nurtured, dreams are formed, and futures are shaped.”

Assistant District Engineer Biaco further assured that the construction of this project was completed in conformance with DPWH standards and specifications.

School Head Ms. Jhona Gremio expressed her gratitude and formally accepted the building on behalf of the school community.

“This will be occupied by three classes of grades 9-10 and we expect to provide our students a conducive space for them to learn. We will maintain the usability of this project. In behalf of Dancalan Integrated School we are proudly accepting this 1 storey with 3 classroom school building, together with the responsibility of maintaining its structure for its longer existence.” said Ms. Gremio

The turnover ceremony included a ribbon-cutting and handing of the symbolic key of responsibility.

The newly completed project is a convergence effort between DPWH and the Department of Education (DepEd). (PR)

From having over one million unvaccinated or “zero-dose children” in the Philippines from 2020 to 2021, the number dropped to 163,000 in 2023 following the intensified efforts of vaccination nationwide.

As of February 2025, the Department of Health (DOH) still reached a stride in reducing the number of at-risk children and has fully immunized a total of 1,542,282 out of the 2,392,392 aged 0-12 months in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, the coverage for the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) remains at 66% among eligible indigent senior citizens, while the influenza vaccine has reached 65.57% of the eligible population—including seniors, healthcare workers, and individuals with comorbidities.

Sustained and intensified efforts—both on the local and national level, remain crucial to ensure every Filipino receives life-saving vaccines. Despite the significant improvement in battling hesitancy, persistent challenges within the immunization program are still to be addressed. Interconnected strategies on strengthening the supply chain to guarantee consistent vaccine availability will pave the way for higher vaccination coverage and a healthier future for Filipinos of all ages.

Unicef Philippines warned that despite the improvements, decades of hard-won progress in immunization would be lost without sustained action and funding. To prevent outbreaks, vaccine coverage must reach at least 95% of the eligible population for all vaccines.

“Routine immunization has saved many lives in the Philippines by eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus, containing measles outbreaks, and ending polio transmission in 2021.

The government’s continued investment in the national immunization programme will build resilient, sustainable systems, especially in the last mile. Our children’s future, where they are healthy, protected, surviving, and thriving, is the dose of good news we need in unpredictable times,” said Behzad Noubary, Unicef Philippines Acting Representative.

To increase vaccination coverage across life stages, the DOH, together with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Unicef, continues to strengthen vaccination in communities. As part of its efforts, the DOH will be joining countries across the globe in celebrating the World Immunization Week (WIW) on April 24-30, 2025, aimed at converting vaccines into vaccinations through stronger national and local immunization programs.

“WHO commends the National Immunization Program Acceleration Plan and the growing efforts to engage local governments, civil society, and partners. Yet, persistent inequities remain a significant challenge—many unvaccinated children live in underserved communities. Leaders across all sectors must champion immunization and promote equity to reach every child, because every child vaccinated is a step toward a safer, healthier future — and a reminder of what is humanly possible,” said Dr Rui Paulo de Jesus, WHO Representative to the Philippines.

For the national launch of World Immunization Week in Calbayog City, Samar, more than 31,000 individuals will be vaccinated. Children aged 0–12 months will receive vaccines for Tuberculosis, Polio, Pneumonia, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and the pentavalent vaccine. Senior citizens will get flu and pneumonia shots, girls aged 9-14 will receive the HPV vaccine, and pregnant women will be given the Tetanus-Diphtheria vaccine. The week-long initiative emphasizes the importance of collective action to ensure more Filipinos—especially children—are protected against VPDs.

“Vaccination is a cornerstone of the DOH’s 8-Point Action Agenda. Towards Universal Health Care, we continue to engage local leaders, parents, health workers, and partners to build a strong and resilient immunization system, where the promise of improved vaccination coverage rates is realized, and more lives across life stages are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases,” said DOH Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa. (PR)