Eastern Visayas’ economy grew by 6.2 percent, the 5th fastest growing economy in the country in 2024. The economic growth was driven by the positive performance of the three (3) major industries: Agriculture, forestry, and Fishing, Industry, and Services.

The total value of goods and services in the region, as measured by the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), reached to P555.62 billion in 2024 from P 523.22 billion in 2023. The regional economy increased by P 32.40 billion in 2024 compared with the previous year.

Services recorded a 7.1 percent growth in 2024, slower than the 7.3 percent figure in 2023. All its sub-industries posted growths in 2024. The top sub-industries with the highest growth rates were Professional and business services with 15.7 percent followed by Human health and social work activities with 12.6 percent, and Accommodation and food service activities with 12.4 percent growth rate.

Industry expanded by 5.7 percent, as compared with the 5.8 percent growth in 2023. Among its sub-industries, Construction grew fastest, expanding by 9.4 percent. Electricity, steam, water, and waste management closely followed at 8.7 percent. Manufacturing grew by 0.9 percent, while Mining and Quarrying declined by 1.4 percent.

Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing (AFF) sustained its 4.0 percent growth in 2023. Its total Gross Value Added reached P 64.94 billion in 2024.

The economy of the region is predominantly Services-based, accounting for the largest share of 48.1 percent, followed by Industry with 40.2 percent. AFF had the smallest share at 11.7 percent.

Moreover, Services and Industry contributed 3.4 percentage points and 2.3 percentage points, respectively to the region’s 6.2 percent growth in 2024. AFF shared 0.5 percentage point. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY – Seven police officers tagged as “persons of interest” in the attempted assassination of Albuera mayoralty candidate Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa are facing a frustrated murder complaint.

Espinosa personally filed a complaint at the Office of the Assistant Provincial Prosecutor in Baybay City on Thursday, April 24, citing eight witnesses who allegedly saw the attack during his campaign sortie in Barangay Tinag-an on April 10.

Clad in a campaign t-shirt and wearing a cloth sling to support his injured arm, Espinosa arrived at the prosecutor’s office under tight security.

He sustained a gunshot wound to the chest in the shooting, which also injured his sister and running mate, Mariel Marinay, and a minor.

“We are filing a case for frustrated murder against these individuals. I sustained a gunshot wound to the chest that could have been fatal,” he told reporters.

“We have a very strong case because we have eight witnesses,” Espinosa added.
The complaint was originally filed on Wednesday but was not accepted due to the incomplete submission of affidavits.

He asserted that one of the officers he identified was the gunman, citing accounts from residents of Barangay Tinag-an, a village around six kilometers from Albuera’s town center.
The seven officers, all assigned to the Ormoc City Police Office, allegedly carried out the attack during the campaign event. They are now under restrictive custody at the PNP Regional Headquarters in Palo, Leyte.

Espinosa also revealed plans to file additional complaints, including illegal possession of firearms and administrative cases.

The same group of officers is already facing separate charges for illegal possession of firearms and violation of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban. These were filed by the Leyte Police Provincial Office at the Leyte Regional Prosecutor’s Office on April 14.
Leyte Police Provincial Director Col. Dionisio Apas Jr. confirmed that a separate investigation is underway to determine the officers’ possible criminal and administrative liabilities.

(JOEY A. GABIETA/ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Following the lifting of the “pork holiday” on April 18 by the Borongan City government, suspected cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) have resurfaced in several barangays, with an increase in pig mortalities.

The City Veterinary Office reported suspected ASF-related deaths in the villages of San Jose and Siha, and is closely monitoring additional cases in Barangay San Gabriel.

“We are recommending restrictions on the movement of livestock in these areas to prevent further spread of ASF. Our latest monitoring indicates that some pigs are showing signs of ASF,” said Dr. John Adrian Ang, city veterinarian, during an interview with Radyo Pilipinas Borongan.

At least 127 ASF-related pig deaths have been recorded in the backyard farms of Barangay San Jose, while the office continues to gather data from Barangay Siha.

To confirm the presence of ASF, the veterinary office plans to conduct random blood sampling in the affected barangays from April 28 to 30. Should the tests confirm ASF, depopulation measures will be implemented, culling affected pigs within a 0.5-kilometer radius from the initial outbreak site.

In an effort to contain the disease, Ang has urged piggery owners to adopt strict biosecurity measures, including preventing visitors from entering their farms.

He also called on barangay officials to activate their local ASF monitoring programs, known as “Bantay ASF sa Barangay.”

Ang further encouraged piggery owners to report any pig mortalities to the City Veterinary Office to receive assistance under the ASF Indemnification Program.

The city remains vigilant as it works to curb the spread of ASF and provide support to affected farmers.(ROEL T. AMAZONA)