MAASIN CITY– The Department of Agriculture- Regional Office 8 is proud to support the Pabulhon Festival of Maasin, Southern Leyte with its theme: “Maasin@ 25: A Silver journey of a City bonded by FAITH, built by AJONAY.”

This celebration showcases the rich culture, vibrant heritage, and agricultural bounty of the City of Maasin, and the province of Southern Leyte in general.

Pabulhon is a Visayan term for collective undertaking. It’s a yearly festival in celebration of the bountiful harvest that the local farmers and fisherfolk have been getting from their vast farm areas and rich fishing grounds/seas.

The opening of Pabulhon Agri-Aqua Fair and Garden Show was graced by no less than DA-8 Regional Executive Director Andrew Rodolfo T. Orais, a native of Malitbog, Southern Leyte, who is happily married to Ms Agnes Aunzo Orais of Brgy. Canturing, Maasin City.

In his opening statement, Director Orais said: “it’s nice to be home!” He also told his audience that the agri expo resonates the core of sustainable development in the countryside. As such he felt proud to be a witness to the great transformation of Maasin City to what it is now!

He lauded his fellow Southern Leyteños for such yearly event and for organizing it on the occasion of its 25th Charter Day Celebration.

According to him, the myriad of agricultural products such as food delicacies, plant ornaments, and even native products of the barangays exhibited in their well-designed booths are reflective of the good looks, and how hardworking the Southern Leyteños are.
The Lady Mayor Hon. Luz Verano -Mercado herself, thanked Director Orais and party for gracing the festival. She said that “hand-in-hand with partner stakeholders, especially the DA, we celebrate this annual spectacle in the City.”

She also recognized the support of the 1st District Representative Roger Mercado, Governor Damian Mercado, Vice Governor Melai Gaviola – Mercado, Vice Mayor Maria Effie Sabandal, and the City Councilors -particularly SB Eliseo Costillas who were either among the VIP attendees or have joined through their authorized representative.

(FRANCIS ROSAROSO)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the region has opened a new satellite warehouse in Allen, Northern Samar, a move expected to significantly strengthen disaster preparedness and response operations in Eastern Visayas.
The ceremony, held on August 6, 2025, marked a milestone in the agency’s ongoing efforts to decentralize relief storage and speed up the delivery of emergency aid.

Located strategically in Allen—a key gateway between Luzon and the Visayas—the facility will serve as a vital hub for storing and distributing relief goods and essential supplies, enabling faster mobilization during calamities.

Among those present at the ceremony were Atty. Jun Eso, chief administrative officer of the Visayas Disaster Response Cluster; Vice Governor Clarence Dato; Director Clarito Logronio, assistant regional director for administration; Sher Rysiah Saises, chief of the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Service of the Office of Civil Defense; and other key officials and humanitarian partners.

In his keynote address, Eso underscored the warehouse’s role in enhancing DSWD’s readiness and efficiency during emergencies, particularly in geographically challenging areas of Northern Samar.

With the new facility operational, DSWD regional office will be able to preposition goods closer to communities prone to typhoons, flooding, and other natural disasters—reducing response time and ensuring that affected families receive assistance without delay.
The DSWD emphasized that the project was made possible through the collaborative efforts of local government units, national agencies, and humanitarian partners committed to improving disaster resilience in the region.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY – The provinces of Samar, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar have united in a renewed push to have the Samar Island Natural Park (SINP) recognized as a Unesco World Heritage Site—a move aimed at securing global recognition and stronger protection for one of the country’s most ecologically significant areas.

This united effort underscores the provinces’ shared commitment to preserving Samar Island’s rich biodiversity, vast old-growth forests, and critical habitats.

In a recent meeting, Samar Governor Ann Tan, Eastern Samar Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone, and Northern Samar Governor Harris Christopher Ongchuan convened with heritage expert Dr. Eric Zerrudo, Beverly Bautista, and Samar State University president Redentor Palencia to coordinate their strategies for the bid.

The Samar Island Natural Park—covering more than 333,300 hectares—is the largest remaining contiguous tract of old-growth forest in the Philippines and serves as a vital biodiversity corridor.

Key features of SINP include diverse ecosystems: Six types of ecological forests, including lowland evergreen rainforests, swamp forests, beach forests, mangroves, forests over limestone, and forests on ultramafic soil; threatened species: habitat to numerous endangered and endemic species, such as the Philippine eagle, Philippine crocodile, and the Hopea samarensis, a tree species found only on the island; natural landmarks: home to iconic sites such as the Sohoton Cave and Natural Bridge National Park, the Calbiga Cave System—one of the largest in Southeast Asia—and the 100-kilometer Ulot River, Eastern Visayas’ longest river.

If granted Unesco World Heritage status, SINP would benefit from increased international funding for biodiversity conservation, forest protection, and sustainable eco-tourism development; global recognition that could enhance sustainable tourism and further promote conservation awareness across local and international communities.

This joint initiative signals a strong regional commitment to environmental preservation and sustainable development, as leaders across Samar Island continue to champion the protection of their natural heritage for future generations.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)