TACLOBAN CITY — More than two weeks after the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that jolted Bogo City, Cebu, residents in parts of Leyte’s third district, particularly in the town of Villaba, continue to experience aftershocks and live in fear of possible landslides and rockslides.

While the tremors have weakened, the psychological and physical toll remains. In Barangay Abijao, seven families have been barred from returning to their homes located at the foot of a mountain identified by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB-8) as highly susceptible to erosion if ground movements persist.

Unlike evacuees from Barangay Tagbubunga, who are temporarily sheltered in the Tagbubunga Elementary School and covered court, displaced residents in Abijao have built makeshift shelters on private land, uncertain how long they will be allowed to stay.

One of the evacuees, Marilyn Hiolin, said her family constructed a small temporary shelter made from borrowed galvanized iron sheets, tarpaulin, and woven amakan walls. Three families currently share the cramped space since evacuating on September 30.

“Bisan kuan lang, mga gamit sa balay, atup kay kani pinahuwam ra pud sa aku,” Hiolin said, explaining that their roof materials were only lent by a relative. She added that they plan to build a new house farther from the danger zone once they can afford it, fearing for the safety of their children.

Another resident, Marianita Oliva, recalled the terrifying moment a huge boulder rolled down the mountain and smashed into her kitchen during the quake, narrowly missing her 15-year-old son. Traumatized, her family has chosen not to return to their old home and is now rebuilding a temporary dwelling on nearby land.

“Nanawagan ko sa katawhan nga matabangan me sa balay nga amun gi barug run. Temporary ra ni, bisag gamay ra nga sin, basta naa ra me higdaan ug gabi’i,” Oliva appealed, hoping for assistance to finish their shelter.

Villaba Mayor Carlos Veloso earlier said the local government is preparing a relocation plan for nearly 200 families in Barangay Tagbubunga, with the inclusion of affected residents from Abijao. However, evacuees said they have not yet been informed of any timeline or specific relocation site.

For now, fear and uncertainty continue to haunt families in Villaba — their lives disrupted, their homes lost, and their future still hanging in the balance as aftershocks keep reminding them of the quake that changed everything.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) has recognized the city government of Borongan as one of the top 10 performing cities in the Philippines for its outstanding fiscal utilization in 2024, citing its transparency, fiscal discipline, and efficient use of public funds.

The recognition, based on the Total Current Operating Expenditures (TCOE) per capita for fiscal year 2024, highlights Borongan’s excellence in managing local finances to deliver effective public services.

In a letter to Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda, BLGF Regional Director Geriebeth Dela Torre commended the city government’s “strong commitment to efficient fiscal management and prudent utilization of resources.”

“This recognition reflects the city’s strong commitment to efficient fiscal management and prudent utilization of resources in delivering quality public services. Your leadership and dedication to fiscal transparency and accountability continue to set a standard of excellence in local governance,” Dela Torre said.

The citation followed a rigorous evaluation process conducted by the BLGF, which assessed how local government units (LGUs) across the country allocate and manage financial resources to promote transparency, accountability, and service efficiency.

Borongan stood out as the only city awardee from the region, underscoring its reputation as a model for sound fiscal governance and public accountability in Eastern Visayas.
According to city records, 28.68 percent of Borongan’s total annual budget is devoted to social services, reflecting its people-centered approach to governance. Among the city’s flagship programs are:

Libre Medisina, which provides free medicines to residents; Libre Sakay, offering free rides to vulnerable sectors; Dukwag Agrikultura, an interest- and collateral-free loan program for farmers and fisherfolk; and Direkta Ayuda, which grants monthly financial allowances to senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and students.

These programs have been institutionalized to ensure continuity and sustainability regardless of changes in local leadership.

Borongan City’s recognition by the BLGF affirms its ongoing efforts to balance fiscal responsibility with inclusive governance—an achievement that local officials say reflects their vision of a government that is both financially disciplined and socially responsive.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)