TACLOBAN CITY-The Tacloban City District Engineering Office (TCDEO) swiftly addressed a safety concern in Brgy. 74 Hollywood, Tacloban City, after a concerned citizen reported a broken manhole cover via Facebook on July 4, 2024.

Upon receiving the report, TCDEO promptly dispatched a repair team led by Engr. Rhea M. Perez, Chief of the Construction Section. The team repaired the broken manhole cover on the same day to mitigate any potential hazards to the community.

Currently, the manhole is undergoing a seasoning process to ensure its strength and durability before the final installation of the cover. In the meantime, caution tapes have been placed around the manhole to prevent accidents and protect residents from falling into the open manhole.

“Upon learning about the broken manhole cover through a concerned citizen’s post on Facebook, we immediately took action to repair it. I personally oversaw the repair process to ensure it was done swiftly and effectively. We encourage residents to continue reporting such issues so we can address them promptly and maintain the safety of our public infrastructure.” Engr. Perez said in a statement.
(PUBLIC INFORMATION UNIT)

In Borongan City

BORONGAN CITY-The construction of a diversion coastal road here is seen to bring opportunities for the capital city of Eastern Samar province, according to its city mayor.
This coastal diversion road, which broke ground on Wednesday,July 10,links Sabang North and Sabang South, providing an additional and alternative access route for travelers heading to the northern and eastern parts of Eastern Samar via Borongan City.

According to Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda, this will ease traffic flow along the national road within Borongan’s downtown area.

The coastal diversion road project spans a total length of 0.825 kilometers, featuring a 150-meter linear bridge that connects the existing road at Baybay Boulevard to the national highway at Sabang North.

Since the road project traverses the more than 2-kilometer stretch of Baybay Boulevard, a major tourist destination, it is expected to attract more visitors, thereby boosting economic activity, Agda said.

“This is really a milestone, not only providing accessibility but also contributing to the overall development of our city, especially this 2.1-kilometer stretch of Baybay Boulevard. It will spur economic and sports tourism development,” he said.

Baybay Boulevard is home to Baybay Beach, the venue for the annual national surfing championship sanctioned by the United Philippine Surfing Association (UPSA). The boulevard also hosts various sports facilities, including a Skateboard Park, basketball, and tennis courts.

The area is a popular spot for Borongan residents, featuring several parks, food stalls, numerous restrooms, restaurants, and accommodation facilities.

The construction of the coastal diversion road was made possible through the assistance of House Minority Floor Leader and 4Ps party-list Representative Marcelino Libanan.
The project has a total cost of P219 million, with an initial funding release of P163.9 million for 2024.

Libanan assures that the project will be completed by 2025, with additional funding appropriated by the national government for the remaining unfunded portions.
He mentioned that he has already submitted a proposal to Congress for the additional budget, which will be deliberated by members of the Lower House and included in the national budget approval.

Aside from bridge and road construction, the project also includes slope protection and drainage construction.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Tourism (DOT) in the region announced that another cruise ship is expected to visit Eastern Visayas this year.

This bit of good news was announced by Karina Rosa Tiopes, DOT regional director, during the weekly press conference spearheaded by the Philippine Information Agency’s “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas,” held on Tuesday, July 9.

The Australian expedition cruise ship Coral Geographer, carrying 250 guests, is set to arrive in October and will visit 11 sites in Eastern Visayas, Tiopes said.

“The visit of cruise ships to lesser-known destinations spurs curiosity among local and domestic tourists,” she said.

Eastern Visayas markets itself as an ideal destination for expedition cruises due to their smaller number of guests, which helps minimize environmental impact compared to larger carnival cruises that carry over a thousand passengers.

Among the sites the Coral Geographer is expected to visit are Digyo and Mahaba Islands (part of the Cuatro Islas); Sambawan Island, the island municipality of Maripipi in Biliran province; Biri Rock Formation in the island town of Biri, and the La Laguna Mangrove Eco-Park in Lavezares town, both in Northern Samar.

The La Laguna Mangrove Eco-Park is the newest site to be included in the cruise itinerary.
Since 2013, the region has been part of the country’s cruise tourism, starting with Kalanggaman Island.

From a single destination, the number has increased to over 10 sites across four of the six provinces in the region.

Tiopes added that their office is conducting assessments for additional areas to be included in future cruise destinations.

They have pitched the Pacific coastal towns in Northern Samar province, Higatangan Island in Biliran, and various heritage tourism sites in Samar province to cruise tour operators as potential sites for future international cruise ship arrivals.

This development highlights the growing interest in and potential of Eastern Visayas as a key player in the Philippines’ cruise tourism sector, Tiopes said.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)