In March 2025, Eastern Visayas posted a balance of trade in goods (BoT-G) worth USD 73.06 million, posting a 27.7 percent increase compared to the USD 57.20 million trade surplus in March 2024.

The total value of exports in March 2025 was USD 166.53 million, a slight decline of 0.2 percent from the USD 166.80 million value of exports in March 2024. Meanwhile, the total value of imports was USD 93.47 million, 14.7 percent lower compared with the USD 109.60 million total value of imports in March 2024.

Total external trade in March 2025 was USD 260.00 million indicating a 5.9 percent decrease compared with the USD 276.40 million total trade in March 2024.

By commodity group, exports of copper and articles thereof worth USD 123.62 million comprised the bulk (74.2%) of the region’s total value of exports in March 2025. India was the major export market in March 2025 with USD 142.46 million worth of exports comprising more than four-fifth (85.5%) of the total value of exports in March 2025.

The total volume of goods imported into the region in March 2025 was 72.95 million kilograms, which decreased by 24.2 percent from the 96.2 million kilograms of goods imported in March 2024. Ores, slag, and ash commodity group valued at USD 76.25 million comprised the bulk (81.6%) of the total value of imports in March 2025.

Australia supplied more than four-fifth (81.0%) or USD 75.70 million of the region’s total value of imports. (PR)

ORMOC CITY– Another landslide has struck Southern Leyte following days of continuous heavy rainfall, though authorities confirmed that the latest incident caused no injuries or damage to property.

The landslide occurred around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16, in Barangay Camang, San Ricardo town. According to a police report, the San Ricardo Municipal Police Station (MPS) received a call from a concerned citizen at around 12:16 p.m. regarding the incident.
Responding personnel from the San Ricardo MPS and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) were immediately dispatched to the area to verify the report and conduct an assessment.

Initial findings revealed that the landslide occurred along a provincial road connecting San Ricardo to the neighboring town of Liloan. The incident was attributed to sustained heavy rainfall in the area earlier that morning.

Fortunately, no houses were affected, and no one was injured, as the landslide hit an area far from residential communities. However, the road has been rendered impassable to all types of vehicles.

Authorities from the San Ricardo MPS are now working closely with the MDRRMO and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to conduct clearing operations and restore road access as soon as possible.

The incident highlights the ongoing risk of landslides in Southern Leyte during the rainy season, prompting local officials to remind residents to remain vigilant, especially in landslide-prone areas.

(ROBERT DEJON, ELVIE ROMAN ROA)

TACLOBAN CITY – In celebration of the 30th Police Community Relations (PCR) Month, the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) conducted a ‘Serbisyo Caravan’ on Thursday, July 17 at its multipurpose hall, offering various services to PNP personnel and their families.

The initiative, led by Regional Director PBGen Jay Cumigad, featured inter-agency and private sector partners providing health checkups, legal consultations, financial assistance, document processing, free seedlings, and more.

“This caravan reflects our commitment to the welfare of our police personnel and their loved ones,” he said.

Certificates of appreciation were given to partner agencies in recognition of their support. The activity highlights PRO-8’s ongoing efforts to foster strong police-community relations through accessible and responsive public service.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

Due to ‘Crising’ and ‘habagat’

TACLOBAN CITY – A 25-year-old fisherman from Southern Leyte has been reported missing after venturing out to sea amid rough weather brought on by Tropical Storm Crising and the southwest monsoon (habagat).

Ray Mark Virtudazo, a resident of Barangay San Roque in Liloan town, left for a fishing trip around 3 p.m. on Thursday (July 17). However, he failed to return home later that day, prompting his mother, Esabel Virtudazo, to report his disappearance to the local police.
In response, personnel from the Liloan police substation launched preparations for a search and rescue (SAR) operation. Authorities have coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard Substation (CGSS) in nearby San Juan town and the Hinunangan municipal police to monitor their coastal areas for any signs of the missing fisherman or his white-colored motorized banca named Ray Mark.

Given the strong southwest monsoon affecting sea conditions, coastal communities in Southern Leyte have been urged to report any possible sightings of a drifting vessel or person.

Due to the adverse weather, the Philippine Coast Guard has suspended all sea travel across the province. The Coast Guard also reported that 660 passengers were stranded in the ports of San Juan, San Ricardo, Liloan, and Padre Burgos. A total of 224 rolling cargoes and three vessels were also affected by the suspension.

Meanwhile, classes in several areas across Eastern Visayas were suspended on Friday, as a precaution.

These include Calbayog City in Samar; the municipalities of Caibiran and Almeria in Biliran; Merida in Leyte; and San Francisco in Southern Leyte.

In Tacloban City, Vice Mayor Raymund Romualdez, city mayor officer-in-charge, has convened the city disaster risk reduction management office as part of the preparation for any adverse impacts of Crising to the city.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)