TACLOBAN CITY – The new Tacloban Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport terminal building will be opened partially by 2026 as part of the long-term goal to meet international standards, officials said on Wednesday.

The construction of the three phases of the project is now in full swing after the Regional Development Council (RDC) initiated problem-solving sessions and intensified its regular monitoring, said Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Regional Director Meylene Rosales.

“In the past few months, the contractors have been true to their promise to fast-track the project. This is a result of intensified monitoring of the RDC Regional Project Monitoring Committee and the Office of House Speaker Martin Romualdez,” Rosales told the Philippine News Agency.

The key components of the project include the construction of the New Passenger Terminal Building Phase I, the Tacloban Airport Development Project Phase 2, the construction of the Passenger Terminal Building Phase III, and the construction of airport facilities.

Substantially completed is the PHP761.91 million works under Phase 1. The second phase of the new passenger terminal building, with a PHP1.05 billion budget, is up for completion in early 2026. Ongoing works include roofing and architectural works.

The first two phases are funded by the Department of Transportation.

With the expected completion of PHP1.5 billion for Phase 3 and other airport facilities, the terminal building will be opened for domestic flights in 2026.

The third phase, funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), includes work on embankments, waterproofing, tile installation, painting, air-conditioning systems, installation of elevators and escalators, and passenger boarding bridges.

“We are fast-tracking the third phase of the project since we want to partially open the terminal by 2026. We are progressing ahead of schedule with actual accomplishments significantly exceeding planned targets,” DPWH Regional Director Edgar Tabacon said in a phone interview.

The Tacloban Airport Development is a flagship project of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which aims to transform the airport into an international gateway by 2028.

The airport at the city’s San Jose district is one of the country’s busiest, with 24 daily flights between Manila and Cebu, with 1.69 million inbound and outbound passengers in 2024.
Named after Daniel Z. Romualdez, a former speaker of the House of Representatives, the airport serves as the main gateway from Manila and Cebu to Eastern Visayas. (PNA)

TACLOBAN CITY – House Speaker Martin Romualdez experienced a brief delay at his polling precinct on Monday, May 12, after the automated counting machine (ACM) initially failed to accept his ballot.

Romualdez, who is seeking his third and final term as representative of Leyte’s 1st congressional district, arrived at the V and G Dela Cruz Memorial School shortly after 1 p.m. and proceeded to his assigned precinct.

However, his ballot was rejected three times by the ACM before it was finally accepted.
In an ambush interview after the successful vote casting, Romualdez said the glitch may have been caused by dirt on the machine’s scanner.

“After three tries, it went through. They said the scanner was dirty,” he explained.
Romualdez, who is running unopposed, also urged voters to participate in the elections.
“Exercise your civic duty. Go out and vote — and vote wisely,” he said.

Before Romualdez casted his vote, his wife, Rep. Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, and their children, Martin, Jr., and Julian Andrew, also cast their votes in the same polling precinct.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

In the small town of Jiabong, Samar, Juliana Cabubas feels a profound sense of relief and gratitude as she holds her newly awarded Certificate of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROM).

For Juliana and her husband, this document represents much more than just a piece of paper; it signifies a significant transformation in their lives.

The couple, who received a 1,893-square-meter farm lot under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), is now free from unpaid amortizations totaling over P1,400.

The recent initiative by the Department of Agrarian Reform has alleviated over P8 million in unpaid land amortizations for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Samar province.
This achievement was made possible by distributing COCROMs during a two-day event that positively impacted the lives of 401 recipients, including Juliana.

We are so grateful for this help given to us by the president that we are relieved of a financial burden,” she expressed, her smile wide with gratitude.

“This support from our government, especially President Bongbong Marcos, means so much to us,” she added.

The distribution was not just about certificates; it represented hope for a better future. Covering 728.3497 hectares of farmland in different places in Samar, the initiative aims to empower ARBs to utilize their awarded land productively.

Segundino Pagliawan, provincial agrarian reform program officer of DAR Samar, highlighted the need to maximize these plots to support the government’s food security program.

This is not just about ownership; it’s about responsibility to our community and our country,” Pagliawan stated during the distribution in various towns, including Basey and Calbayog City.

The government’s support includes debt relief and the distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) to 92 ARBs. Of these, 87 beneficiaries received individual e-titles through the World Bank-funded SPLIT Project, which aims to improve land tenure security.
For families like Juliana’s, this provides financial relief and encourages them to cultivate their land as a source of sustenance. With debt lifted, they can invest in farming and contribute to national food security.

(AAC, PIA Samar, with reports from Jose Alsmith L. Soria, DAR’s Information Officer)

TACLOBAN CITY — Tingog Party-list Representative Jude Acidre cast his vote early Monday morning at Barugo II Central School in his hometown of Barugo, Leyte, joining millions of Filipinos participating in the 2025 midterm elections.

Acidre underscored the importance of civic engagement and called on voters nationwide to exercise their right to vote.

“Every vote is a choice for the kind of future we want to build,” he said. “Today, we are not just electing leaders—we are shaping the direction of our communities and our nation.”

The lawmaker, who is seeking re-election under the Tingog party-list, has been actively campaigning across the country. He highlighted Tingog’s commitment to expanding grassroots services through its network of Tingog Centers and continued delivery of medical, livelihood, and social assistance programs.

As the elections progressed, Acidre expressed hope for a peaceful and orderly process. He also extended his gratitude to poll workers, volunteers, and local communities for their vital role in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral exercise.

“Our democracy depends not only on the leaders we elect, but also on the people who ensure the fairness and transparency of the process,” he added.

Tingog party-list is seeking another term in the House of Representatives, vowing to sustain its service-driven platform and push for inclusive development, particularly in marginalized and underserved areas.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)