WORKING FOR SAMAR. Governors Sharee Ann Tan of Samar, Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar, and Edwin Ongchuan of Northern Samar (left to right) gather for a forum in Catbalogan City, Samar on Wednesday (Aug. 17, 2022). During the forum, they agreed to come up with a multi-year peace and development plan. (Photo courtesy of Department of the Interior and Local Government Region 8)
TACLOBAN CITY – The three provincial governments in Samar Island will come up with a multi-year peace and development plan, as agreed upon by their governors during a forum on Wednesday.
Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan said it would be more realistic if Samar Island would have its own plan instead of incorporating its proposals into the regional peace and prosperity roadmap.
Samar is located in the Eastern Visayas region.
“We have the same problem and same advocacy. We understand our needs. We are hoping that Samar will be noticed, and Samar will also be considered as one of the most developing areas under the new administration,” Tan said during the forum held in Catbalogan City, Samar.
During the gathering, Tan, Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan, and Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone committed to convening a technical working group to harmonize and consolidate the plans for Samar Island to address its peace and development challenges.
In his presentation, Ongchuan proposed the construction of more roads leading to rebel-infested communities, such as Las Navas, Northern Samar.
“The construction of more road networks in the heart of Samar Island will deter the operations of communist terrorist group in these areas. More importantly, road interconnectivity addresses interrelated primary and secondary issues, such as delivery of basic social services, transportation, and increased agricultural productivity,” he added.
Evardone said he would convene key officials of different sectors in his province to list down priority projects for possible inclusion in the plan.
During his speech, he highlighted Eastern Samar’s new program “Isang Propesiyunal, Isang Pamilya” as part of their commitment to the regional peace and prosperity roadmap by providing support to families in remote communities and enabling these families to produce college graduate.
“If these families from remote communities are able to produce graduates and hopefully, these graduates find employment, this will certainly help them improve their economic status and in the long term help their communities enjoy peace and security,” Evardone added.
Tan said they would consolidate all proposals and complete the draft within the year.
The plan will be presented to key Cabinet officials and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Another highlight of the event organized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government was the signing of the pledge of commitment of the three governors to ensure peace and development for the Samar provinces.
The gathering revisited the 2017-2022 Regional Peace and Prosperity Roadmap to identify the actions taken by the concerned stakeholders, recall the challenges encountered, and outline ways forward for a renewed commitment for the Peace and Development Framework of Samar Island. (PNA)
