TACLOBAN CITY – Surfers from Calicoan Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar have received assistance from the national government through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) under the Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), also known as the Kabuhayan Program.

Three surfing schools and one surfboard maker were granted P747,108 in assistance, which will be used to purchase lesson boards and other surf equipment for conducting surfing lessons.

The beneficiaries include ABCD Surf, Calicoan Local Surfers, The Backyard Surf, and surfboard maker Samrayan Surfboard.

The turnover ceremony for the assistance took place on October 8, 2024, during the opening of the 2024 Calicoan Odyssey Waves Surfing Nationals on Calicoan Island as confirmed by municipal administrator Kinna Kwan in a phone interview.

“This support ensures the sustainability of the local surfing community and industry in Calicoan, not just for surfing competitions,” said Kwan.

The assistance was provided by DOLE following the submission of a proposal by the surfing organizations in Calicoan, after an orientation conducted by the agency on May 3.

This initiative helps local surfers build sustainable livelihoods, securing their income while promoting eco-tourism and fostering a thriving local surfing culture. It is also seen as a boost to the growing surf tourism industry in Calicoan Island.

Moreover, around 140 surfers from across the country have gathered on the surfing capital of Eastern Visayas, Calicoan Island, for the 2024 Calicoan Odyssey Waves Surfing Nationals, a Grade 2 national surfing competition running from October 8 to 13, 2024.

Now in its 14th year, this event is organized by the municipality of Guiuan in partnership with local surfing organizations, including ABCD Surf, Calicoan Local Surfers, Samrayan Surfboards, and The Backyard Surf Co. The competition is sponsored by 4Ps Partylist, Andok’s, Sandirini Resort, Calicoan Villa, Lucky Ellie, and Fin Café.

The competition is sanctioned by the United Philippine Surfing Association and recognized by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC)-Olympic.PH.

The municipality of Guiuan and the province of Eastern Samar are committed to promoting equality in sports, awarding equal points and prize money for both the men’s and women’s divisions in both longboard and shortboard categories. A total cash prize of P606,000 is up for grabs.

The contest is being held at the famed ABCD break—a reef break known for its powerful left-handers and fast, challenging waves.

The break’s name comes from the Advance Base Construction Depot, a critical site for Allied Forces during World War II, adding a unique historical dimension to the event.
Mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan continues to promote Guiuan as a premier destination for both surfing and historical tourism.

Located just three hours from Tacloban City, Guiuan offers visitors a blend of adventure and culture in one stunning location.

Beyond the waves, Calicoan Island boasts several attractions for visitors to explore.
A short trek leads to Linao Cave, where travelers can cool off in its natural pools. To the north, visitors can find one of the thirty-three historical markers along the Route of Ferdinand Magellan, unveiled in 2021 during the 500th Anniversary of the First Circumnavigation of the World, highlighting the island’s deep connections to global history.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

CATARMAN, Northern Samar– As part of Governor Edwin Ongchuan’s economic development agenda, the Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (PEDIPO) is shifting its business development strategy to emphasize community-based enterprises.

This approach is seen as a key driver of sustainable progress, aligning with the celebration of National Cooperative Month this October, which highlights the vital role cooperatives play in promoting inclusive economic growth.

Unlike traditional private businesses, where profits benefit a select few, cooperatives distribute earnings among their members, ensuring broader economic benefits while fostering community empowerment.

This collective ownership model strengthens local economies, giving members a sense of shared responsibility and purpose.

At a recent meeting of the Food Security and Sustainable Economic Development Cluster, discussions centered on the significant role cooperatives and associations will play in driving business development initiatives in the province for 2025.

By focusing on the development of cooperatives, Northern Samar aims to create a more equitable business model that encourages community participation and collective responsibility.

The outcome is a more dynamic and engaged local economy, where every member contributes to and benefits from the cooperative’s success.

The celebration of National Cooperative Month underscores the positive impact that cooperatives have on local economies.

Rooted in the principles of shared responsibility, equity, and community engagement, cooperatives offer a unique model for sustainable and inclusive development.

This year, Northern Samar is embracing these principles, recognizing cooperatives as crucial to achieving the province’s goals of food security and economic resilience.

For 2025, cooperatives are positioned to be central to the province’s food security initiatives.

The provincial government has pledged its support by offering capacity-building programs, financial assistance, seed capital, and infrastructure development.

By empowering these organizations, the government is paving the way for innovation and sustainability across various sectors.

Agriculture, a cornerstone of Northern Samar’s economy, stands to benefit significantly from the cooperative model.

Through the pooling of resources, expertise, and labor, agricultural cooperatives enable small farmers to improve their productivity, access larger markets, and adopt sustainable farming practices. These efforts are critical to enhancing local food security and ensuring the province’s resilience in the face of economic and environmental challenges.

The PEDIPO continues to provide vital resources and training to cooperatives, ensuring their sustained contribution to Northern Samar’s food security and economic growth goals. This collaboration with local cooperatives demonstrates the province’s commitment to building a more resilient and inclusive future.

As Northern Samar celebrates National Cooperative Month, it is a fitting time to recognize the essential role cooperatives play in building a more inclusive and sustainable future. By placing community-based enterprises at the center of its development agenda, the provincial government is ensuring that progress is not only shared by all but also sustainable for future generations.
(THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF NORTHERN SAMAR)

For pressuring him to namedrop on drug list

ALBUERA, Leyte– Mayoral candidate Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa of this town has urged his supporters not to vote for reelectionist Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, accusing the senator of coercing him into fabricating stories during his testimony before a Senate inquiry on illegal drugs in 2016.

Espinosa claimed that Police Lt. Col. Juvie Espenido acted as the intermediary, pressuring him into making false accusations.

During a press conference held on Saturday, October 5, Espinosa recounted the difficult situation he faced when his father, former Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., was killed inside his jail cell under suspicious circumstances.

According to Espinosa, his father was unarmed and defenseless when he was shot by police officers who falsely claimed he fought back.

The death of his father, Espinosa emphasized, left him with little choice but to comply with the demands of authorities out of fear for the safety of his remaining family members.

“They had already killed my father. I feared the same fate would befall my family if I didn’t do what they asked. If they wanted me to admit to anything, even if it were the killing of Jose Rizal, I would have done it out of fear,” Espinosa said, expressing the immense pressure he was under.

Espinosa also firmly denied any involvement in drug syndicates, contradicting his earlier claims made during the Senate investigation.

He insisted that he was never the “drug lord of Eastern Visayas,” a label he says was forced upon him by Senator dela Rosa.

In his apology to former senator Leila de Lima, who has been imprisoned on drug-related charges following his testimony, Espinosa admitted that his accusations were false and made under duress.

He expressed remorse for the consequences his false testimony had on De Lima’s life and called on his supporters to reject dela Rosa in the upcoming elections.

“I am appealing to all of my supporters not to vote for Bato. He pressured me into lying, and innocent people like my father and Senator de Lima suffered because of it,” Espinosa declared.

When asked about his preferred candidate for the position of 4th District representative of Leyte, Espinosa remained vague.

He stated that he would only support local candidates from Leyte, but did not elaborate further.

The two main contenders for the post are incumbent Rep. Richard Gomez and former 3rd district congressman Vicente Veloso.

Espinosa’s candidacy for mayor of Albuera, along with his outspoken stance against Sen. dela Rosa, has drawn significant attention, especially given his past admissions and involvement in the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

Now running as a reformed figure, Espinosa seeks to shed his former image and win the trust of voters, positioning himself as an advocate for justice and accountability.
(ROBERT DEJON)