Introduction

This Medium-Term Regional Development Plan covers the period 2002 to 2004 and is
an updated edition of the original RDP covering the period 1999 - 2004. It will continue to
pursue the strategic interventions identified in the original plan with certain degree of
improvements based on its relevance to our current situation and after a number of
programs and activities have been pushed through during the initial plan implementation
period.

The Plan will maintain the region's position, which is to redirect efforts towards faster
growth of the agriculture, industry, and services sectors. This Plan will also continue to give
equal attention to the human factor, naming such societal problems as graft and corruption
among many others but not stopping right there. The planned activities, however, are
limited to those that are deemed must-dos to expedite the growth of the productive sectors
and overcome constraints by fully developing the human potential. Other government
programs and projects that are regularly implemented by government agencies, especially
those that are already doing fine are no longer included since they are already contained in
the respective sectoral plans of the agencies.

The updating of this Plan also adopted the region's policy of broad-based
consultations. The revisions incorporated in this Plan already considered the policies and
development directions of newly elected officials both at the national and local level.

The vision set forth in this Plan is seen to materialize in the long term - by the end of
2025. Meanwhile, the strategic interventions shall be carried out in the short-term - from
2002-2004. Such interventions are the milestones needed to lay the foundations for the
realization of the vision - the beautiful vision of a highly progressive Eastern Visayas.

CHAPTER I
THE REGION'S DEVELOPMENT VISION AND GOALS

Development Vision

By the year 2024 and beyond, a progressive Eastern Visayas shall emerge. It
shall pose as a showcase of concord between agricultural and industrial growth and
ecological preservation. It shall become a Center and Gateway of Commerce, Trade,
and Modern Agriculture, an Adventure Destination of the World, a Model of Information
Technology and a Geothermal Energy King.

This progress shall have emanated from empowered Eastern Visayans whose
skills and value fibers are intertwined tightly enough that they live the principle that
development is both a right and a responsibility, that the individual is not only the end
of development but also the means to it.

As an Industrial Hub. Eastern Visayas as an Industrial Hub shall present a

picture of industries located in different parts of the region. There shall be light,
medium and heavy industries as well as small, cottage and large industries. Setting up
of industries will take into consideration strategic location, comparative advantage, and
ecological concerns. Thus, certain areas of the region shall be identified as seat of
heavy industries, others of light and medium ones. The kind of industries shall be
those that will not only optimize the use of the region’s indigenous resources and
agricultural products which can compete well in the global market but attention will
also be place on environmental concerns.

As a Center and Gateway of Commerce, Trade and Modern Agriculture.

 Eastern Visayas would be beyond a consuming region. It would have turned into a
major producer and trader of world-class goods and services. This will be made
possible through modernized and expanded agriculture that would make the region a
Food Basket of Asia which overflows with exotic fruits like jackfruit and Queen
pineapple and vegetables not grown or scarcely grown in other places. Beyond being
the Food Basket, the region shall also be self-sustaining in raw materials for its agri-
based industries that will yield high-value products like those made out of abaca and
coconut. An improved and private sector-led education and resource utilization system
shall also pave the way to highly productive, efficient and competitive non-agri-based
industries that will steer the region away from heavy dependence on agriculture.
Hence, the region shall not only be a producer and seller of agricultural products such
as rice, corn, fruits and vegetables, poultry, livestock, fish, abaca fiber, coconut and its
by-products but also of unique and quality house ware, ceramics, electronic and metal
components and parts, computer software and hardware, even ships and cars.

To speed up trading and market accessibility, utilizing its strategic location - as

a major transport center of Luzon and Visayas and lying along the Pacific Rim - the
region shall have become an International Transshipment Hub too, thus it will serve
not only as a Center but also a Gateway of Commerce and Trade. As a Gateway, the
region shall serve as a passage of semi-processed and finished products to and from
the rest of the country and the world.

As an Adventure Destination of the World. The region's exotic and unique natural
endowments and its rich cultural heritage shall have all been developed, preserved and
packaged as a highly desirable destination for tourists all over the world. Nature and art lover,
history enthusiasts and seekers of aesthetic assets of the earth in general would list Eastern
Visayas as one of the Must-See Places because here they can find many things not found
elsewhere.

As a Model of Information and Communications Technology. Region VIII shall

have displayed the best and optimum use of IT in 2024. The region would have established
fast, more efficient and affordable access to information and other ICT services with the
upgraded infrastructure and facilities. It has optimized use of ICT facilities in the productive
sharing of information both in the government and private sector. The same resources would
also provide quality education with its reliable and fast Internet access to all state colleges and
universities, barangay high schools and elementary schools within the reach of
telecommunication facilities. These schools will have computer-aided instruction materials
developed by the education sector with a tie-up from the private sector for the elementary and
high school level. These initiatives will enable the region will have produced computer literate
graduates and a pool of competent ICT professionals.

The regional computer network system would have been put to optimum use. It shall
be looked up to as a Model of It because of its well organized and efficiently running computer
network system and the full practice of e-commerce by the provinces and cities, regional
agencies, non-government organizations and business firms.

An emergence of ICT-related businesses will be experienced. Established IT parks will

be operating with local and international locators. This will cater to the demand for ICT-
services in the global market like outsourcing companies, software development, multimedia
development, application service provider, digital transcription/encoding, etc. An ample
segment of employed persons will now be seen in ICT related industries.

The system will allow the region to view what is happening to the world, and the world
to see what the smallest town in Eastern Visayas can offer. Thus, as a Model of ICT, Eastern
Visayas will show to others how IT can become more meaningful by using it to pole-vault a
slow-growing region into progress.

As a Geothermal Energy Champion. The region's abundance in geothermal energy

will have won for itself the name Geothermal Energy King. By 2024, the region will have
gained worldwide recognition as the largest source of cheap and reliable power. There would
be an influx of investors. They need not be invited nor convinced anymore of putting up
business Region 8. They will come on their own because of this indigenous resource. The
region will also become the center of excellence in geothermal engineering and its pool of
experts will be exporting the technology to other areas in the Asean region with geothermal
potentials as consultants.

As a Show-Window for Empowered Citizenry. By 2024, a new Eastern Visayan

would emerge. He is a hardworking, industrious and moral citizen, oozing with
entrepreneurial spirit mixed with a great sense of social responsibility. The new Eastern
Visayan is one who works hard not only for his welfare but also for the welfare of others,
an epitome of a balanced physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual maturity, always
imbued with the principle that "development is both a right and a responsibility."

Development Goals

Short Term Goals

Within the period 2002 - 2004, the economy of the region will be propelled
along the following key areas to lay out the foundations towards the attainment of the
long-term vision:
a. Modern Agriculture. This drive for modernization will be characterized by the
use of modern technology, functional irrigation, production of diversified crops fully
supported by seed production centers and tissue culture laboratories, sufficient post
harvest facilities, organized marketing and processing centers and with full
participation of organized and operational cooperatives.
b. Adventure Destination. Forest-bound, marine-bound and modern agricultural
farms will be the major tourist destinations of the region and will be promoted
through adequate support infrastructures, tour packages and facilities,
communication, first- aid, security and peace and order.

c. Information and Communication Technology Center. Within the Plan period,

the region will be able to establish interconnectivity up to the municipal level, IT
training and learning centers, IT parks, buildings and e-libraries, and the practice of e-
commerce, e-business and e-transactions.
Medium Term Goals

The plan also incorporates essential activities that would lead the region
towards achieving the following goals by the year 2010:
a. As a Commercial Hub. The region will have put in place adequate facilities such
as commercial centers, warehouses, cargo ships, better port facilities and shipyards,
delivery vans and other transport facilities, packaging and R & D centers, quality
testing laboratories, and other support facilities such as banks, franchise companies,
housing, parking lots.
b. b. As an Industrial Hub. Industrial estates will be established as major
ecozones in the medium term. Towards this end, an inventory of raw materials
will be established within the Plan period for the development of agri-based
industries. Industry support facilities and utilities will also be started within the
Plan period to provide better ports, airports, roads, bridges, and waste disposal
system, cheap and reliable water and energy, faster communication, more
 skilled workers and better industrial peace.

c. c. As a Geothermal Energy Champion. Within the short term, reliable and

cheap energy will be in place. Nonetheless, in the medium and long term, the region
will also become the center of academic excellence and expertise in geothermal
engineering.

CHAPTER II

The Region's Development Situation, Challenges and Alternatives

1. Strategic Advantage of Eastern Visayas

 The region's strategic location serves to link Luzon and Mindanao through the Maharlika Highway;
 The growing economic prospects of the region had been manifested by fast-paced development in the service sector
particularly in transport, telecommunication, and the banking community. Their contribution, in turn, vastly improved the
accessibility of the region to the rest of the country and the world
 It has abundant geothermal energy and water resources to support the needs of medium and heavy industries;
 Its vast idle/untapped agricultural resources offer enormous potentials for agri-based productivity;
 Its marine and forest resources can be fully restored to generate self-sustaining marine and forestry-based products and
tourism related industries;
 The region is a natural receiving area of investment spillover from Cebu along Industrial and eco-tourism based industries;
 It has a large pool of human capital that has the potential to benefit from the digital phenomenon. ICT enrollment has been
on the rise as more computer schools and training centers continue to expand and offer ICT courses.

 It has 12 State Colleges and Universities and a good number of training institutions to back up the technical skills, research
and support services of agriculture and marine-based industries
2. Development Issues

The basic development issue of the region is its continued reliance on a traditional agricultural economy. During the first two
years of plan implementation, macro statistics showed a decline in the region's output. As a result, economic growth is slow and
employment opportunities are very limited. This situation is reflected in the following indicators:

Poverty1
 based on the 2000 survey, about 43.0% of families are considered poor using the region's annual per capita poverty
threshold of P10,868.38.
 The incidence of poor families in the rural area is 49.4% while that in the urban area is only 26.7%.

 While the poverty incidence declined in urban areas from 29.8% in 1997 to 26.7% in 2000, poverty incidence in the
rural areas continue to increase from 44.9% to 49.4% during the same period.
1 - 2000 Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) Preliminary Results

Employment2
 As of October 2000, the region's working age population (persons 15 years
& above) decreased to 2.240 million from 2.463 a year ago.
 The average employment rate of 91.3% registered in 1998 increased to
92% in 1999 but dropped to 88.4% in year 2000. The NSO noted the
conversion of agricultural land as a major factor that rendered many
agricultural workers unemployed.
 As a result, the total number of employed persons in the agriculture sector
dropped from 55.6% in 1998 to only 52.6% in year 2000.
  72.9% of the number of employed persons work in the rural areas.
 As of the same period, 35% of the total employed persons are wage and
salary workers, 46.8% are own-account workers while about 18.2% are
unpaid family workers.

 In urban areas, 58.8% of total employed persons are males while females
comprise the remaining 41.2%. In the rural areas, the proportion is much
bigger in favor of males, which comprise 65.2% while females constitute
only 34.8%. The male-female ratio of persons outside the labor force is
much higher. In the urban areas, females constitute 70.1% while it is much
higher in the rural areas at 78.9 percent.
Productivity (Annual per Capita)
 Agriculture contributed 30.51%% of the total GRDP output of the region in
1999. Yet about 55.8% of total employed persons generate their income
from the sector. Thus, the annual per capita labor productivity in this sector
is only P7,503. This output is far below the service sector, which
contributed a per capita productivity of P14,385 and the Industry which
generated a high per capita productivity of P53,152

 while industry showed a high labor productivity, its employment absorption

is very low while their operation are capital intensive.
3. Problem Structure Analysis

From the development issues earlier presented, the obvious concern of the
region at present is its heavy dependence on agriculture, which in turn is beset with
low productivity. To effectively respond to these issues, a problem structure analysis
was undertaken to clarify the cause and effect relationship of various factors that
contribute to the problem of low productivity. The analysis was meant to get a broader
perspective of the factors compounding the problem. Shown in Chart 1 is the result of
the analysis on the problem.

2 - October 2000 Labor Force Survey

Chart 1
Problem Structure Analysis
 The problem structure analysis proved that the region's dependence in
agriculture is deeply rooted to complex factors all contributing to the basic
problem of limited productivity. It also shows that the productivity-income
relationship result to a series of continuous loops, indicating that a process of
circular causation or vicious circle is in operation. The critical problem areas
identified in the analysis are discussed below:
 Capital is a major constraint to become productive. Lack of access to credit
among the farmers/fisher folks and the limited investments from the
private sector restrained efforts to go into innovative and more efficient
enterprises. This situation perpetuated the economy to be dependent on
traditional crops such as palay, coconut, and banana. The resultant low
income/savings from limited production contributed further to this problem.
Low savings either led to limited capital or limited access to credit as many
small farmers are considered credit risks because of their minimal net
worth that can be pledged as collateral. These factors made this loop a
vicious circle that will further result to lower productive.
 The loose link between the research and educational system on one hand
and the demand for skilled manpower and better technologies on the other
hand also made a significant impact on the efficiency of the agricultural
sector.
 The deficiencies in skills, knowledge and technologies in turn deplete the
capacity of the resource to produce more or regenerate.

 On the overall, the capability of the government to deliver basic services,

facilities and policy support affected the investment levels, farm
technologies, skills of labor, and the depletion of resources of the sector.

4. Development Challenges
 The region abounds with two very important resources namely: human and
natural resources that are not effectively put to use. Thus, the main challenge that
confronts the region is in harnessing the full potentials of its people and natural
endowment to productive use in areas where it has the potentials and comparative
advantage. These challenges will include:
 Improving the productive capacity of the agriculture sector along agri-
processing and non-traditional commodities;
 Shifting employment opportunities to small and medium industries and the
service sectors;
 Expansion of the industry and service sectors, specially in the rural areas;
 Provision of cheaper and reliable power to ensure that our abundant energy
resource could be effectively used to attract investors into the region;
 Application of advancement in transport and telecommunications as useful
tools in various economic activities;
 Developing the skills of our human resource to support the manpower
requirements of the industry and service sectors.

 Expansion of information and communication technology for wider access to

information to appropriate level of users.
5. Development Opportunities

Emerging local and global environment pose great opportunities as the

region crosses the threshold into the new century. Major structural changes in
international market as well as breakthrough in science and technology will have a
major impact on the economy of the region. The significant developments that
offer timely opportunities to the region are the following:
 The trade and investment liberalization paved the way for free and
expanded trade and investment worldwide. This development offers new
alternative to the region to refocus on productive areas where Eastern
Visayas has the strategic advantage and potentials for competitiveness and
innovation. This will also allow the region to forego production processes
when it is more economical to import. Thus, it can concentrate vigorous
investment promotion in potential fields using the strategic advantage of
the area.
 The increasing importance of renewable sources of energy makes the
region a major supplier of such resource because of the abundance of
geothermal energy. This wealth is a strategic advantage of the region that
can be used effectively to attract investments to the region not only in agri-
based industries but also in new fields such as steel plant, shipbuilding,
repair and maintenance, and knowledge-based industries.
 Rapid strides in information technology and telecommunication offer a new
dimension in worldwide access and utility to information. This trend is
strategic to the region's effort in enhancing productivity, commerce and
other economic activities as worldwide technology could be readily
accessed in the same manner as our products can be conveniently
marketed worldwide through the same info network.

 The existence of 12 state colleges and universities and other private and
government training institutions is a distinct advantage of the region in
crafting a skilled labor force that cater to the needs of agri-business,
industries and service sectors.
The remaining forest and marine eco-system of the region is still a potential resource
that can be regenerated and tapped for the growing eco-tourism trade. The region has
taken the initiative in the drafting its first coastal resources plan that would serve as
the blue print towards a sustainable and optimum use of this valuable resource.
The strategic link of the region to Luzon and Mindanao has long been an
advantage waiting to be harnessed. This link could be used effectively to hasten
trade and commerce to and from these regions. Project studies are now in progress
to improve the ferry terminal operation of the Northern Samar and Southern Leyte
terminals to hasten the efficiency of these links. In the long term, this advantage
could be developed to make the region a major transshipment hub of international
commodities to Luzon and Mindanao.

 The strides gained in local autonomy also offer added strength in the pursuit of
development through the collaborative effort of LGUs regional line agencies
and the private sector in pursuing the initiatives lined-up in this plan.
6. Strategic Options

With these development opportunities, the region's pressing option is to

graduate from a consuming region into a major producer and trader of world-class
products through modern agriculture. Furthermore, it must not limit the prospects of
its economy along agriculture and agri-based activities. Rather, it must explore other
fronts where the region has the potentials and strategic advantage to provide its
citizens a wider range of economic opportunities in other sectors cited earlier. These
opportunities must be explored independent of or in addition to the priorities being
pursued in agriculture and agri-industry activities. These activities would include:
 Medium and heavy industries engaged in the production of unique and
quality house ware, ceramics, electronic and metal components and parts,
computer software and hardware.
 Tourism and related services anchored on marine and forest resources.
 Information technology facilities and services.

 Geothermal energy facilities and services

CHAPTER III
Development Framework
The overall yardstick of development for this plan will be focused on three aspects
namely: poverty thrust, macroeconomic targets and spatial development. Discussed
below are the broad conditions of development along these areas that the region
hopes to accomplish.

1. Poverty Thrust

The Regional Development Plan directly responds to poverty concerns of the

region in two ways namely:

a. Economic aspect - The core intervention of the plan, which is to harness the
full potential of the region's natural endowment, endeavors to address poverty through
higher productivity and more employment opportunities in the agriculture sector. The
focus of the intervention is in the rural areas where majority of the poverty groups
reside.

b. Provision of Basic Social Services - The other equally important strategic

interventions are to develop the capacities of LGUs and empower the people of the
region. These interventions provide for the other concern of the impoverished families,
which is improved delivery of basic social services.
2. Macroeconomic Targets

The macroeconomic targets are broad projections that the region aspires to
accomplish within the plan period. These targets are expressed in terms of the number
of people employed and their output to the economy. These are anticipated results
when the various strategic interventions are implemented.

• Employment Targets

The employment targets are based on projected population, historical trends in

labor force and employment and actual employment figures for the initial 2-year period
of the plan. Shown in Table 1 are the updated employment targets for the years 2002-
2004.
Table 1
The target employment rate within Projected Employment
the plan period is pegged at 93.5% of the Targets
total number of persons in the labor force.
2002 2003 2004
Based on this projection, the total number
of employed persons is estimated at 1.66 Employment
93.5% 93.5% 93.5%
million in 2002 and will reach 1.84 million Rate Target
by 2004. These targets will mean Target # of
additional jobs to about 238,000 persons employed 1,663 1,770 1,840
within the plan period. persons (000)

Shown in Table 2 is the projected Table 2

distribution of the employment Projected Employment by Sector
target by sector. The agriculture Agri - % to Total 56.5 57.4 57.3
sector will continue to employ more
people within the plan period as an - number 940 1,016 1,054
anticipated outcome of expansion in Services - % to Total 32.6 31.2 30.6
productive agricultural areas and - number 542 553 564
crops to be cultivated and the
Industry - % to Total 10.9 11.4 12.1
application of modern agriculture
system. This sector is expected to - number 181 201 222
employ about Total (ooo) 1,663 1,770 1,840
141,000 persons or 59% of the total employment to be generated within the next
three years. Employment in the other two sectors will come from new businesses in
the tourism, information technology, agri-processing, small and medium industries and
related activities. The Services and Industry sectors are expected to contribute 35,000
and 62,000 new jobs within 2002 to 2004 respectively.

• Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP)

 The growth targets of the Gross
Regional Domestic Product (GRDP)
are also recomputed based on the
historical trend and estimated output
of the various sectors. There is a
major increase in anticipated GRDP
growth during the remaining period
of the plan because of the refocus of
the core strategic intervention
towards modernizing agriculture as a
primary engine of growth towards the
region's long-term vision as a center
and gateway of commerce and trade.
The GRDP targets shown below are
expressed
in gross value at constant 1985 prices (Table 3) and percent growth per year (Table
4).

The higher growth rate

estimates in agriculture is adopted
after encouraging results in the first
two years of the plan. This growth is
expected to come from increased
productivity of food crops and
diversified cropping. Most of the long
gestation cash crops, including those
that will be developed as raw
material inputs for industries are
anticipated to contribute to the
economy in the last year or beyond
the plan period yet.

On the other hand, higher increase in services and industry sectors will come from
businesses in tourism, information technology, utilities and related sectors.

3. Spatial Development Framework

Growth Corridor
• The growth corridor strategy will maximize the use of the existing RP-Japan
Friendship highway that will link all areas to Tacloban City as the regional growth
center.

• Resource sub-regions or commonly referred to as Provincial Industrial Centers

within the direct influence of the regional growth center commonly referred to as
the Eastern Visayas Regional Agri-Industrial Development Center will be located in
Ormoc City for Leyte province, Maasin and Sogod in Southern Leyte, Naval in
Biliran, Catarman in Northern Samar, Catbalogan in Samar, and Borongan in
Eastern Samar. These centers will serve as conduits for processing and marketing
of rural products.

• In addition to the existing Leyte Industrial Development Estate in Isabel, Leyte, the
alternative site for heavy industries will be from Ormoc to the municipality of Isabel
because of its proximity to the Tongonan Geothermal Plant. The municipality of
 Guiuan in Eastern Samar will also be developed as a major transshipment hub to
the Pacific Rim because of the existing airport of international standard and deep
harbor of the area, which is ideal for international shipping.

Other growth areas will include the 2,266-hectare industrial and eco-tourism park
• in San Isidro, Leyte, the special economic zone (ecozone) in Barugo, Leyte; and the
Catarman-Bobon-San Jose area in Northern Samar.

Land Use in NIPAS

• The areas covered under the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS)
which will be reforested are the declared national parks such as the Kaupnit-
Balinsasayao in Baybay and Abuyog, leyte; Lake Danao in Ormoc City; MacArthur
Landing Memorial in Palo, Leyte, Mahagnao Volcano in Burauen and La Paz, Leyte
and Sohoton Natural Bridge in Basey, Samar. Newly declared NIPAs include the
Cuatro Islas protection landscape and seascape in Mahaba, Apid, Himokilan and
Digyo in Inopacan and Hindang, Province of Leyte; Biri-La Rosa protected
landscape and seascape in Biri, Lavesares, Rosario and San Jose, Province of
Northern Samar; and the Guiuan protected landscape and seascape in Guiuan
coastal mainland and islands of Homonhon, Tubabao, Manikani, Suluan and Victory
in the province of Eastern Samar.

• Watershed areas due for reforestation will be placed under reservation. This will
cover the Pan-as Hayiban Falls in Calbayog City and San Isidro Samar; Palompon
Watershed in Palompon, Leyte; Jicontol Watershed in Dolores and Can-avid,
Eastern Samar; Hinabian Watershed in Libagon, Hinunangan and St. Bernard,
Southern Leyte; and Bulosao Watershed in Lawaan, Eastern Samar and Marabut,
Samar. Other reserve areas that will be included are the mangrove swamp forest in
Sakay Point, Isabel, Leyte; and the reserves in Merida and Babatngon, Leyte.

Other areas proposed for inclusion in the NIPAS category will include the national
• recreation area of Lajog, Malopdo in Calbayog City; Magsuhot Falls in Cahupian,
Sogod, Southern leyte; and Lake Danao in Anahawan and San Juan, Southern
Leyte; other nature reserves which include the Mancoco Forest Reserve in
Homonhon Island, Guiuan, Eastern Samar, Taft-Wright Forest Reserve in Eastern
Samar and the Calbiga Caves in Samar.

Major Urban Function and Roles

• Province of Leyte - The province of Leyte will be developed as the seat for heavy
industries in the Leyte Industrial Estate in Isabel, Leyte, the Eastern Visayas Regional
Industrial Center and the Provincial Industrial Center in Ormoc City. Special eco-
tourism zone will be established in Barugo and San Isidro respectively. The province,
through the Visayas State College of Agriculture (VISCA) will be the educational and
research center for agriculture in Leyte Island and a food production basket of the
region. It shall also be developed as the Center of IT, an eco-tourism area and
gateway into the region.

Southern Leyte - The province of Southern Leyte will serve as the major link to the
mainland of Mindanao through the Liloan Ferry Terminal. It will also be a major jump
• off point of commerce and trade to Mindanao, Cebu and Bohol and other neighboring
areas. The province will be developed as the center for small and medium scale
cottage industries for abaca fiber craft, ceramics and rattan. Its scenic spots,
beaches, and historical landmarks will be a major tourist corridor/zone of the region.
The Sogod Bay area will be an alternative site for shipbuilding, repair and similar
activities.
 Samar - The province of Samar, traversed by the Maharlika Highway, will be a major
producer of cash and food crops, and livestock. The rich fishing grounds in the area
• will also be developed into marine and aquamarine related industries. Its soil and
agro-climatic condition will also support the fruit tree industry such as pili, jackfruit,
citrus, rambutan and coffee. The southern part of the province will also serve as
alternative residential site of workers and spillover area of other activities that would
support the Regional industrial center in Tacloban City. The province will be one of
the major tourist corridors and will feature its geological formations, gigantic waves,
multitude waterfalls and rapids, and rock islets.

Eastern Samar - The Dolores Valley and the Maydolong-Balangkayan-Llorente areas

will be developed as production basket of the province and the region. The southern
part of the province will be developed as the center of fish canning and shell craft
• industries. It will also develop a forest based livelihood and eco-tourism industry
along its vast watershed and forest reserves. The protected landscape and seascape
of the municipality of Guiuan will be developed as a marine-based nature tourism
area. The existing airport facilities in this municipality will also be developed to make
the area a major transshipment hub of commerce and trade between regions and the
world.

Northern Samar - The province will serve as the region's commerce and trading link
to Luzon. Like Samar, the province will be a major producer of rice, coconut and
abaca along the Catubig valley and other agricultural areas. Known for its beautiful
scenic islands with beautiful rock formation and white beaches, the province will be
• one of the region's tourist corridors. The University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) in
Catarman will serve as the educational and research center for agricultural in the
Island of Samar.

Biliran - The province, currently a net exporter of rice, will be developed as an agro-
industrial area. It will be a producer of cash and food crops, marine and forest
products and white clay ceramics. Industries will be established for food processing,
marine processing and canning activities. The province will also be a tourist zone that
will highlight its enormous waterfalls, and hot and cold spring water.
•

CHAPTER IV
Key Development Objectives and Strategic Intervention

1. Development Objectives
 To provide a wide range of economic opportunities to the people of Region
VIII;

 To convert Eastern Visayas from a consuming region to a highly industrialized

area, a major producer and trader of world class goods and a major
destination of tourists from all over the world.
2. Framework for Strategic Interventions

The following strategic Interventions will have to be in place within the plan
period to make the development vision attainable:

I. HARNESSING THE FULL POTENTIALS OF THE AREA :

I.I. WITH MODERN AGRICULTURE AND AS A COMMERCIAL HUB and

INDUSTRIAL HUB
 A. AS AN AREA WITH MODERN AGRICULTURE

The Eastern Visayas Region will pursue its vision as one of the major producers
and traders of world-class goods and services by way of a modernized and expanded
agriculture. Such direction will make the Eastern Visayas Region as one of the food
baskets in the country. The region will be known for its' exotic fruits and high value
crops and will be self-sufficient in raw materials for its agriculture-based industries,
strategically located in specific areas of the region.

The region shall be a network of urban centers that provide economies of scale
for agriculture, industry, infrastructure and services. The existing urban areas like
Tacloban and Ormoc will continue to enhance their leadership as centers of trade and
commerce. Meantime, the provincial capital towns of Biliran, Southern Leyte and the
Samar Island provinces, will grow and emerge as new centers of trade and services.

The region's vast idle and untapped agricultural resources offer enormous
potentials for agriculture-based industries. Its large agricultural lands are a major
source of industrial crops such as abaca, coconut, sugarcane, sweet potato, cassava
and high value crops such as banana, coffee, jackfruit, mango, peanut and pineapple.
These products will serve as raw inputs to the large agribusiness investors in the
region. It will be backed-up by an advanced marketing system capable of distributing
goods manufactured in the region to the markets of adjacent regions. Women and men
farmers and entrepreneurs will participate in the above activities.

Situationer

Prime agricultural lands

Eastern Visayas is an agricultural region with an aggregate agricultural land base

of about 976,000 hectares. Of the total cropland area, the predominant crops are
coconut, with 685,500 hectares; palay, with 186,000 hectares; corn, with 10,100
hectares; abaca, with 48,000 hectares; sugarcane, with 19,800 hectares; cassava,
with 4,400 hectares; and banana, with 4,000 hectares. Other agricultural areas worthy
of consideration are fishponds and pasturelands, which comprise about 10,900 and
5,100 hectares respectively.

Agricultural lands for industrial crops

A total area of 37,500 hectares is presently planted with abaca with a productivity rate of
750 to 1,000 kilos per hectare and sustains about 18,500 farmers. The region has a potential
area of 48,000 hectares. Abaca fiber is a superior material for the pulp and specialty paper
industries such as tea bags, cigarette paper, bank notes, stencil paper, floral tape, filters,
meat and sausage casings.

An area of 651,689 hectares is now planted with coconut throughout the region and
supports an estimated 361,500 farmers. Presently, there are around 72.9 million trees in the
region. Also, there are 104 Agrarian Reform Communities with 12,913 beneficiaries.

Sugarcane production is concentrated in the province of Leyte specifically in Ormoc City

and the surrounding towns of Kananga, Matag-ob, Villaba and Albuera covering 11,600
hectares. Its maximum expansion area can reach 19,800 hectares in the surrounding areas of
Leyte.

The present area planted with commercial crops is 6,827 hectares with an expansion
area of about 209,950 hectares. High value crops suitable for the region include banana,
coffee, jackfruit, mango, peanut, and pineapple.

Pasture areas.

The present pastureland is only 5,100 hectares, but with an expansion area of about
21,950 hectares. The hillsides of Villaba, Capoocan, Babatngon and Ormoc City with 3% to 8%
slopes are also potential areas for pasture. Existing coconut areas can also be tapped for
pasture and livestock rotation.

Marine waters and ecosystems

The commercial fishing areas in the region include the Pacific Ocean, the Philippine
Sea, the Leyte Gulf, Samar Sea, the Camotes Sea, and the San Bernardino Strait. Also
included are Carigara, Ormoc and San Pedro bays in Leyte; Sogod and Silago bays in Southern
Leyte; Maqueda bay in Samar; Oras bay in Eastern Samar; and Lao-ang bay in Northern
Samar.. These areas were formerly rich fishing grounds but now need special interventions.

Watersheds and forestland

Watersheds provide balanced ecosystem and sustainable water supply for agriculture
and industries. Forestland serves as the supplier of wood requirement for the production
sectors. The region has a forestland area of 1,036,495 hectares with 28 identified watersheds,
of which 12 are considered as priority areas for maintenance, protection and rehabilitation.

Key Strategic Interventions

The strategic interventions needed to attain this level of development are the
transformation of the production sector -agriculture, fishery - from low to a higher productivity
level, the achievement of surplus production and the attainment of global competitiveness.
Priority interventions should be towards increasing agricultural productivity and improving
competitiveness, alleviation of poverty and attainment of food security. The participation of
women and men farmers shall also be considered. In line with these, the following will be
pursued:

1. The Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Rice Program.

The program shall ensure food security and attain 101 percent by year 2004. It also aims
to increase farm income and empower small farmers to become viable producers and
entrepreneurs. Furthermore, it will increase productivity in irrigated areas from 3.57 metric
ton per hectare in 2001 to 3.80 mt/ha in 2002; 4 mt/ha in 2003 and 4.2 mt/ha by the end of
2004.

Some sub strategies of the program will cover both irrigated and rain fed areas; provide
technical support to LGU's; tap the expertise of the State Universities and Colleges in
accessing appropriate technologies and forum for research extension linkages; make quality
seeds and other inputs available to the farmers and optimize complementation and counter-
parting schemes with the local governments.

2. The Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Corn Program.

Focus will be on the productivity of quality corn for human consumption, feeds and
industrial uses as well as improved farmers' income and quality of life.

It will increase corn productivity from 3.21 metric ton per hectare in 2001 to 5.0 metric
ton per hectare in 2004. Also, it seeks to improve income of corn farmers by improving labor
productivity. The program will improve linkages between and among LGU's, SUC's, People's
Organization, the Private Sector and Government Line Agencies.

3. The Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Program for Livestock.

The program aims to decrease the gap between production and consumption levels of
meat from animal origin. By the end of 2004, the breeder base will have increased by 4,500
heads; decrease livestock mortality and increase real income of farmers and will have
empowered them to become viable producers and entrepreneurs.

Some of the sub strategies are the intensification of quality breeder stock, vaccination
and treatment of animals; strengthening diagnostic and quarantine services; technology
information and establishment of model farms.

4. The Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Program for High Value Commercial Crops.

This program aims to empower the private sector, farmers and entrepreneurs to expand
the investments in high value commercial crops thereby increasing their contributions to
economic growth and consumers' health and welfare.

Some of the sub strategies to be pursued vigorously are improves germplasm of fruits and
vegetables planting materials; post harvest and processing technologies; commercial testing
and technology demonstration of agribusiness enterprises and commercialization of selected
high value crops with high sustainability and viability.

5. The Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Program for Fisheries.

The program provides for the direction of the development and management of the
fisheries resources in the region. It will seek to attain food sufficiency in fish by 2004 and
uplift the status of sustenance fisher folk.

The priority commodities are tilapia, seaweeds, bangus, mussel, pearl and grouper. The
sub strategies include fingerling production and dispersals and technology demonstration
projects, post harvest development services and research and development.

6. Agricultural Competitive Enhancement Program.

7. Program for Strategic Agriculture and Fishery Development Zones (SAFDZs).

8. Establishment of a Bioresource Centrum to showcase advance agriculture practices

specially mechanizations and robotics.

9. Techno Gabay Program to develop modalities for delivering information and

technology services in agriculture, forestry and natural resources.

10. Coastal Environment Program (CEP)/Coastal Resource Management (CRM).

The program provides production and livelihood opportunities to marginalize families in

coastal areas. It is designed to sustainably manage the different coastal environment
encompassing different ecosystems including shorelines, coral reefs, sea grass beds and
mangroves.

Eastern Visayas maintained three (3) sites through the "bayanihan" system, namely: Biri-
Larosa, N. Samar; Guiuan Protected Seascape, Guiuan, E. Samar; and Cuatro Islas, Inopacan,
Leyte.

11. Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Program.

This involves manages the natural drainage basin primarily to sustain the supply of water
for domestic, industrial, power generation and irrigation purposes. It also manages water-
based resources including the control of erosion, flood and protection of aesthetic values
associated with waters.

12. Community-Based Forest Management Program.

This program involves the upland communities in the management and utilization of
forest resources at the same time assures the long-term sustainability of forest activities. It
also aims to establish forest plantation, agro-forestry projects and other reforestation scheme.

B. AS A COMMERCIAL HUB

Surplus production as a result of modern agriculture, will pave way for the next vision for
Eastern Visayas to become a commercial hub. As such, structures like huge commercial
centers, warehouses, cold storage, shipyard, delivery vans, cargo ships, improved port
facilities, packaging centers, testing labs, franchise companies, commercial banks and wide
parking lots are common scenes. Good roads and bridges, better transport facilities, more
housing facilities, and peace and order can also be observed. These things can be realized
after the medium term, say by year 2008.

In the next three years, networking among urban centers that provide economies of
scale for agriculture, industry, and services can be started. The existing urban areas like
Tacloban and Ormoc will continue to enhance their leadership as centers of trade. Meantime,
the provincial capital towns of Biliran, Southern Leyte and the Samar provinces, will grow and
emerge as new trading centers.

The completion of an efficient infrastructure system will promote competitiveness of the

region with its' neighbors and will facilitate the movement of goods and services and ease the
transport of people within regions.

At the end of the long-term or by year 2024, the Eastern Visayas Region will become an
transshipment hub for Luzon and the Visayas; an international gateway of food products, raw
materials, semi-processed goods and finished products in the Pacific Rim; and a Free Trade
Zone, third of its kind in the Philippines.

Situationer

At present, one chain department store that sells all products - Gaisano - is operating
in the cities of Tacloban and Ormoc. Shoe chain stores are already servicing Tacloban City
such as Itti, Gibi, Otto and Rusty Lopez. While, Jollibee,

Brutus, Cindy's and Dunken Donuts are fast food chains now operating in Tacloban and
Ormoc. Although local department stores, fast foods and fine dining also run in these
cities.

On the other hand, Amihan Woodlands (AW) in San Isidro and Calubian, Leyte a
2500-hectare special economic zone is aiming to become a Free Trade Zone, the third
of its kind in the Philippines and the first in the Visayas area.

Road network within the region had been established but it needs improvement
particularly the Maharlika highway along Samar and Southern Leyte areas. Port and
airport improvement are on going but better facilities will still be needed.

Key Strategic Interventions

The strategic interventions needed to attain this level of development include the
 transformation of the production sectors - agriculture, industry and services - from low
productivity to high productivity level, the achievement of surplus production and the
achievement of global competitiveness. Interventions geared towards increasing
productivity and improving competitiveness should address poverty reduction, and
equity participation of women and men in this development endeavor. In line with
these, the following will be pursued:
1. Modernization of agriculture and aquaculture
2. Commercialization services
3. Quality standardization and testing
4. Establishment of packaging and repackaging centers
5. Trading among cooperatives or inter-coop trading
6. Operation of agri-industrial marketing and trading centers
7. Federation agrarian reform coops, tourism coops and vendors
8. The Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway or the Maharlika Highway as a
strategic link of the region to Luzon and Mindanao will be improved and
rehabilitated. Other national roads of strategic importance will be upgraded.
Construction and development of new roads to complete the missing links in
the regional road network will be pursued.
9. To complement the national road system, the planning, development,
upgrading and maintenance of the local road network shall be given priority
attention, especially those that improve access to priority agricultural areas
and urban/industrial centers.
10. The connecting or jump-off points for the transport of semi processed and
finished products will be the San Isidro and Allen Ferry Terminals at the north
and the Liloan Ferry Terminal at the south. Westward bound passengers and
cargoes to regions 6 and 7 will embark from the port of Ormoc City, San
Isidro, Palompon, Baybay and Maasin in Leyte, Naval in Biliran and Catbalogan
and Calbayog in Samar. These facilities will be upgraded to efficiently handle
these activities.
11. The airports of Tacloban, Calbayog and Catarman will continue to serve
passengers coming in and going out of the region by air travel. These airports
will continue to undergo upgrading. The volume of passengers and cargoes
transported via the Tacloban airport warrants the need to upgrade the airport
to International Standard.

12. At present, fast ferries are serving the passengers coming in and going out of
the region from and to Cebu through the Ormoc Port. Fast ferries are expected
to expand their operations to other municipalities as soon as the business
climate in the region is favorable.

C. AS AN INDUSTRIAL HUB

In pursuit of the third vision of becoming an industrial hub, production in excess of food
and commercial requirements will undergo processing. From hereon, special economic zones -
industrial estates and export processing zones - will emerge in addition to commercial zone,
agri-industrial community, and tourism community.

To achieve these, we need to have friendly policies and pro-active promotion. But in the
next three years, inventory of available raw materials that can be produced in a sustainable
manner will still be on the preparatory stage.

While increased services, housing facilities and leisure spots are offshoots of having more
people getting jobs and earning income; so more services, more housing and more leisure are
needed.

Good infrastructure such as -- wider ports, better airports facilities and amenities, better
roads and bridges, faster communication, sustainable water, cheap and staple power, better
waste disposal system, more skilled workers and industrial peace -- are expected to support
Eastern Visayas in its vision to become an industrial hub beyond 2008.

Situationer

The province of Leyte is at the moment serving as a seat for heavy industries with the
existence of Leyte Industrial Development Estate (LIDE) in Isabel, Leyte. With 80 hectares still
available for other industrial locators, LIDE can serve as the spillover site for Cebu industries.

Until 2004, LIDE will continue to develop other areas inside its compound and will
expand its operations nearby. This is covered by Section 1 of Letter of Instruction No. 962,
which states that LIDE is established in Isabel, Leyte but it will also comprise other areas in
the vicinity of Isabel and additional areas. As such, industrial investors within the province of
Leyte can locate outside LIDE but still avail the incentives and other benefits of a LIDE locator.

To date, the 435-hectare LIDE in Isabel, Leyte is catering three heavy industries,
namely: the Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corporation (PASAR), the Philippine
Phosphate Fertilizer (PHILPHOS), and Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company.

On the other hand, light and clean industry locators in Cebu can expand at Amihan
Woodlands (AW) in San Isidro and Calubian, Leyte where 300-hectare of the 2500-hectare lot
has been allocated for industry locators.

A newly declared ecozone, the Eastern Visayas Regional Agri-Industrial Growth Center
(EVRGC) in Tacloban City is now open for the 32-hectare industrial estate developers.

Key Strategic Interventions

Becoming as an industrial hub aims to provide jobs and income for the people
specially the women and men in poverty. The following activities will have to be
undertaken:
1. Investment promotion and industry development

Allow business-to-business talk. Let the business people negotiate for

possible joint venture partners - locally and internationally. Government is
there only to support, not to negotiate.

Aggressively promote the Leyte Industrial Development Estate (LIDE) in

Isabel, Leyte and the Amihan Woodlands (AW) in San Isidro and Calubian,
Leyte to prospective industry locators worldwide or as Cebu's alternative choice
for spillover and expansion. More industry locators mean more jobs and lesser
poverty among women and men.

Actively promote the Eastern Visayas Regional Agri-Industrial Center

(EVRGC) in Tacloban City to estate developers locally or internationally.
Presence of industrial center will serve as an incentive to industry locators
because their investments will be of less capital cost. More industries locating
in the region means more jobs and lesser poverty incidence for women and
men. The 32-hectare lot allocated for EVRGC Phase-1, declared as special
economic zone, is ready for development. Adjacent 70-hectare lot can also be
used for expansion.

Formulate and grant business incentives to developers, investors and small

entrepreneurs by the national and local government. Fiscal incentives, tax
credits and exemption from taxes will be continued by the national government
 and enhanced by the local government. To date, these investment incentives
are provided for in the Omnibus Investment Code of 1987 (EO#226), Build
Operate and Transfer Law (RA7718), Export Development Act of 1994,
National Internal Revenue Code, the Investor's Lease Act (RA7652), and the
Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 (RA7916).

Once the developed, the EVRGC together with LIDE and Amihan
Woodlands will likewise be promoted to prospective locators.

2. Small and medium enterprise development assistance

Encourage businesspeople to create champion business for small women

and men small entrepreneurs as prospect locators in the industrial hub.
2.1 Develop and strengthen of small enterprises of women and men.
2.2 Provide updated and readily accessible business information for
women and men and using e-commerce.
2.3 Financial support of government financing institutions to women and
men in small business ventures.
2.4 Provide existing common service facilities for women and men in small
manufacturing business.
2.5 R & D support for women and men processors to increase their
productivity.
2.6 Conduct entrepreneurial training to small women and men
entrepreneurs.
2.7 Provide awards and recognition to business champions.
2.8 Marketing assistance through market-matching and trade fairs for
women and men in small manufacturing business.
2.9 Provide quality infrastructure support where small entrepreneurial
business of women and men are located.

3. Development of GTH and Food Processing Sectors of Region 8

Add value to our products. This can be initiated by conducting a

commodity flow study and value-chain analysis, gaps in the flow or in the
chain, which can be potential investment areas. Three major commodities have
been initially identified in the region namely; coconut, abaca and aquamarine
products.

In the future, industries will not just be limited to agri-based but will also
tap resource-based like minerals. Hence, the following activities will also be
undertaken:
4. Small scale mining development
5. Industry and energy research
6. Assessment of solid waste disposal sites

7. Maintenance industrial peace

I.2 AS AN ADVENTURE DESTINATION OF THE WORLD

Tourism is an adventure itself and it is global in itself. Visioning Eastern Visayas as

an adventure destination of the world can be both dependent and independent vision
to the first three visions. Rich adventure destinations ranging from forest-bound,
marine-bound, farm-bound, institutional-bound and / or culture-bound adventures are
to be seen. Spelunking, trekking, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, whale and
dolphin watching, swimming, dancing, singing and eating along with the natives are
among the activities that can be done in an adventure.

To make these areas as world-class destinations, we want to see these things

 taking in place: good infrastructure -- road network, home stay and mobile homes,
toilets, sundry shops and gasoline stations -- along the way. Tour operators, tour
facility providers, tour packages/services, empowered Protected Area Management
Board (PAMB's) and community, histo-culture based tourism, fast-moving boats, small
aircraft, available communication, first-aid centers, security and peace and order must
also be present in the region. All of these can be done in a three-year span, say by
2004.

Situationer

The Eastern Visayas Region has a lot of potentials for nature tourists -
backpackers and adventurers. However, these potentials have not been fully tapped.
In year 2000, more than 12,000 foreign tourists and around 136,000 local tourists
arrived in the region. Dollar receipts was estimated at US$2,425 during the year. The
conduct of Elf Authentic Adventure in 1999 had initially exposed the region to the
whole world, where around 13,000 foreign tourists were recorded.

Tourism facilities like hotels and restaurants have increased in number and
upgrading of existing ones were also observed. Accreditation of these facilities had
proven their marketability. Despite the increase in hotels and restaurants, these
facilities had proven inadequate during national conventions.

Peace and order situation had also improved with well-lighted streets and the
presence of barangay 'tanods' and police officers region wide. Roads and bridges are
also being maintained. But the region still needs more and better facilities for the
comfort of tourists. The need for gasoline stations, sundry shops and resting area
every 100 kilometers is also being undertaken. Fast ferries are already available in
some areas.

There are a lot of more that the region can offer. Caves, water falls, beach coves and
seascapes abound this part of the country. The region can offer various options for tourists,
namely: archeological destination, forest-bound, marine-bound or historical destination.

There are a lot of more that the region can offer. Caves, water falls, beach coves and
seascapes abound this part of the country. The region can offer various options for tourists,
namely: archeological destination, forest-bound, marine-bound or historical destination.

The Province of Samar is rich with aesthetic geological formations, spreading throughout
its mountain ranges. The 2,968 hectares cave system of Gobingob-Langon Caves, reputed to
be the second largest karsts caves in the world and Philippines' biggest cave formation, is
located in Calbiga, Samar. Its 12 large chambers extend from the Samar province to another
province of Eastern Samar. Giant stalactites and stalagmites and underground river habitat of
the "eyeless fish" and albino crabs are found in these caves. In adjacent area, a 10-km 22-
layered white-water rafting, a very challenging aqua sport, can be enjoyed in the Lulugayan
falls and Literon rapids. A viewing deck is also available in the municipality where the scenic
Maqueda Bay can be glimpsed. The Philippine Eagle Sanctuary can also be found along Taft
River in Samar.

Similarly, Basey, Samar is famous for its natural endowments like the Sohoton Cave
Natural Bridge. It's Pinaghulugan Cave, an adjacent cave to Sohoton, where snowy white
growing stalactites and stalagmites are found. Just across the Golden River is another scenic
view of the Pinaghulugan Cliff.

The Bangon-Bugtong Falls in Calbayog City also abounds with majestic and spectacular
waterfalls. Blanca Aurora Falls, a miniature of Niagara falls, is found in San Jorge, Samar.

The Samar province is famous for its Marabut Marine Park, which is comparable to El
Nido in Palawan. It has 15 towering rock islands, secluded beach coves and coral gardens,
perfect for snorkeling, scuba diving, sun bathing, island hopping or just beach combing. A jet
boat or a cruise boat or a land cruiser can bring the tourists right to this park.

On the other hand, marine-bound adventure in Biri Island, Northern Samar is famous for
its exotic rock formation. The island shaped by time owes its unique formation from the
dangerous waves of San Bernardino Strait that lap up the Eastern portion of its shore. Biri is
just one of the Biri-Larosa Islands in Biri, Lavezares, Rosario and San Jose in Northern Samar,
a newly declared Landscape/ Seascape. San Antonio Group of Islands in Northern Samar is
another municipality of white sandy beach barangay islands. Palapag is another potential for
ecotourism.

The province of Eastern Samar is another tourist haven in this part of the region. Aside
from its sandy white beach and clear seawaters, the island of Sulangan in Guiuan, Eastern
Samar is a habitat of golden cowry, a rare and expensive shell. Sulangan is just one of the
islands of Guiuan Seascape, a declared National Tourism Reserve and a newly declared
Protected Landscape / Seascape. Homonhon, one of the islands in Guiuan, is famous for its
historic character as the "First Foothold of Western World in Asia". This place and the rest of
the Pacific towns in Samar and Leyte are ideal for surfing.

In Leyte side, outdoor-enthusiasts will find a new kind of high at the Mahagnao
Volcano National Park in Burauen. It is a haven for nature lovers and trekkers. Its
main attractions are the hot spring, lovely twin lakes (warm and cold), an extinct
volcano with sulfur pockets, and majestic waterfalls. Mountain climbing and
overnight camping are ideal in this place.

Another forest-bound adventure in Leyte is the Lake Danao in Ormoc City, a

violin-shaped lake lying in 2,100-feet above sea level. The site is hemmed by
cloud-capped mountain ranges and virgin forest.

Marine-bound adventures do set aside Leyte, Cuatro Islas in Inopacan and

Hindang, Leyte is a habitat of coconut-eating crabs. Rare ball-shaped crabs are
expensive exportable crabs because they are delicious and difficult to catch. They
can be captured only when they are eating. When these crabs are full, they roll like
a ball into the holes of these coral islands to hibernate. Reaching the islands is a
30-minute boat ride within the dolphin sanctuary. A newly declared Protected
Landscape / Seascape, the islands of Apid, Digyo, Mahaba and Himokilan are best
for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. Tres Marias in Palompon is a rich tri-
layered mangrove, seagrass and coral ecosystem. Canigao Island is another white-
sand nature rich island in Leyte.

Biliran Island is another tourist haven in Eastern Visayas. Casiawan Falls is a

grandiose waterfall - creating a Baguio-like temperature - is found in Cabucgayan.
Hot and cold springs also abound in Caibiran. Divers' site is located in Higatangan
Island in Naval and Maripipi Island.

Farms in Balinsasayao, Abuyog and Alang-alang, Leyte are equally good site
for nature tourism.
Key Strategic Interventions

Government efforts will be refocused on tapping the poor women and men as
producers of souvenir items, makers of native delicacies and as partners in the
development of these tourist destinations. The tourism sector in coordination with
the natural resource sector and local governance will carry out the following
activities to ensure that the region will be developed as an adventure destination of
the world, which in the process will provide jobs and income for poor women and
men:
1. Development of Limasawa island
2. Implementation of National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS)
3. Protection of wildlife area and resources
4. Operation of wildlife rescue center
5. Rehabilitation of ecosystem
6. Development of forest reserves
7. Implement Ginintuang Masaganang Ani-High Value Crops for farm
tourism
8. Entrepreneurial development in rural tourism for farm and nature
tourism
9. Leyte Memorial Museum cum Botanical Garden
10. San Juanico Strait Development
11. Traveler's Rest Area (part of Philippine Tourism Highway Project)
12. Implement Clean and Green Program

13. Promotion and marketing efforts through

13.1 construction and maintenance of a home-page in the internet, and
13.2 production and distribution of world class collaterals focusing on
the rich cultural, historical and natural resources of Eastern
Visayas.

1. 14. Training for competitive tourism

14.1 packaging incentive tours or value-added tours
14.2 training for enticing yet affordable food and accommodation
14.3 training for a caring culture for tourism - safe, secure and
comfortable

14. Orientation training for "culture" tourism

15.1 skilled tourist-friendly human resources
15.2 correct English-speaking
15.3 travel advisories
15.4 clean surroundings, lighted streets

15. Construction and upgrading of tourism support facilities like hotels and
other accommodation facilities, restaurants, roads, transportation,
communication, power and water supply
I.3. A MODEL OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

Today's information and communication technology (ICT) play a vital role

towards the economic development of the region. It is considered a primary resource
essential to the operation of the region's economy. Its value increases with its
dissemination. People from all walks of life use it. Its impact on organizations hinges
on its effective management. Eastern Visayas envisions to hasten its IT resources to
transform the region as a Model of Information Technology in the 21st century.
 Innovation in Information Technology particularly in the area of internetworking
provides enormous potentials for the achievement of our region's economic and
development agenda. In the Ramos' administration this potentials is recognized
through Administrative Order No. 332, directing all government agencies and
instrumentalities including local government units to undertake electronic connection
through the Internet to be known as the RPWEB.

The implementation of electronic interconnection would largely depend on the

availability of cheap and reliable telecommunication facilities with bigger bandwidth. It
is interesting to note that all provinces in the region have already an ISP Provider. The
province of Leyte has nine (9) ISP, five (5) of which are in Tacloban City which now
provide a means of connecting both private and government entities in the region to
the rest of the world. As of last year, there are already 26 Internet cafes and
approximately 900 Internet subscribers in Tacloban City.

Telecommunications and computers have essentially bridged the vast

geographical distances of nations in space and time continuum. The opportunity has
come to Eastern Visayas as one of the nodal centers of telecommunication in the
country. This is fully supported by sufficient available human resources. Recognizing
this opportunity, Eastern Visayas will harness this potential through the following
strategic interventions:

KEY INTERVENTIONS:
2. Complementation of telecommunication programs among all private providers
and the government.
2. Expansion and improvement of the Eastern Visayas Information Sharing Network
(EVISNet). The RDC through its Secretariat, NEDA Region VIII, will strengthen its
information-sharing network and establish an integrated information system on
tourism, industry, energy and agriculture. The network facilities shall be managed and
maintained by the Regional Information Technology and E-Commerce Committee
(RITEC) of the RDC. The RITEC shall also be tasked in identifying appropriate
information systems and databases to be developed and the necessary access rights
and fees to be adapted in the network setup. The internetworking program will
broaden the scope of economic opportunities and will serve as the country's gateway
for promoting and attracting local and foreign investors. The network will also provide
an improved information flow/date exchange and cost effective way of communication
through electronic mail, file transfer, teleconferencing, electronic commerce and
document searching facilities.
3. Development and implementation of an integrated Government Information System
and improvement in government data banking system such as Regional Economy
Information System, Tourism Information Center, Trade Industry & Commerce
Information System, Energy Information Center, Geographic Information Systems
Technology Center, Programs and Projects Information System, NSO One-Stop
Information Center.
4. Installation of LGU's computer-based Management Information System (MIS) fully
inter-connected to RDC Information Sharing Network. The local government will
allocate a share of their revenues to put up the Management Information System and
ensure its implementation. The LGUs will also establish their own Geographic
Information System to enhance revenue generation and proper land- use management
and planning.
5. Development and expansion of services of the identified Information Technology
Development Training centers, namely: Leyte Institute of Technology & Eastern Samar
State College, to cater to the following services: information technology education and
training, software development and production, multimedia development and
production, information technology research and development.
6. Strengthen of Region 8 GIS Network. All GIS users and spatial data providers will form
a consortium to establish a dynamic and empowered network of institutions using and
promoting GIS as an effective tool for resource planning and management and able to
enhance regional and national processes towards a more sustained and equitable
 development direction. The network shall collaboratively lead in the implementation of
GIS:

» where users can access spatially linked data and information including any
activity attached to it, generated standardized forms and processes; and

» where members or non-members can become capable of institutionalizing

GIS as a tool for effective management and decision-making.
7. Promote the IT Industry as a Priority Investment Area through an active IT Industry
Cluster. The key players in IT in the province of Leyte will be invited to form a group
which will lead the province to be known as one of the IT areas in the Philippines. The
group will formulate the strategic plan for Leyte, focus on the strengths on the
available resources of the province, improve the value chain map of the IT sector,
focus on promoting the province to locators and investors, standardized data on IT,
and conduct technological forum. The Chairman of the Cluster will also be a member
of the RITEC.

8.Implementation of Virtual Centers for Technology Innovation for Information

Technology (VCTI-IT) under the Comprehensive Program to Enhance
Technology Enterprises (COMPETE). This program seeks to set up a manpower
development and R & D foundation that will pursue the training and
certification of ICT professionals, support for technology transfer and
adaptation and the promotion of high-value ICT products and services.
I.4 A GEOTHERMAL ENERGY CHAMPION

The 1999-2004 Eastern Visayas Regional Development Plan envisions the region
to be a major producer and exporter of geothermal energy in the country. To attain
this objective, the plan targeted the expansion of the generating capacity of the
Tongonan geothermal plants and the development of the Southern Leyte Geothermal
resource.

The first two years of the plan implementation produced significant achievements
along this line with the completion of the Leyte-Cebu and Leyte-Luzon geothermal
power plants and the associated transmission lines/facilities for the Leyte-Cebu and
Leyte-Luzon interconnection projects. To date, the geothermal power plants in
Tongonan have a total generating capacity of 752.5 MW, the biggest in the country.

In year 2000 alone, the region's geothermal field has produced 4,736 gigawatt-
hours (GWH) of electricity generating estimated revenue of P12.4 billion. This output
displaced approximately 8.17 million barrels of fuel oil equivalent that is translated to
foreign exchange savings of US$141 million. With this generated power, the region has
exported to Cebu and Luzon 870 gigawatt-hours (GWH) and 3,139 gigawatt-hours
(GWH) of electricity, respectively.

Meanwhile, PNOC-EDC suspended further exploration activities in the

geothermal resource in Mt. Cabalian, Southern Leyte pending negotiation of a Power
Purchase Agreement with NPC. However, the Leyte-Bohol power interconnection
project of NPC, which includes the installation of submarine cable and fiber optic cable,
has been substantially completed (96.7%) and the Leyte-Mindanao interconnection
project is ongoing.

While Eastern Visayas enjoys this distinct advantage over the other regions in
the country, the region does not seem to benefit from this abundant resource. The
primary concern that has been plaguing the region for years is the high power costs
and the unreliability of its power supply. Electric consumers in the region pay an
average of P5.13 per kilowatt-hour of electricity for the electric service that goes off
any time. Frequency of tripping is more than 25 times a month on the average
reportedly due to line faults. Although in the long term, Region VIII aims to become
the main exporter of geothermal power in the country, what needs to be done in the
short term is how to reduce its power costs and improve the reliability of its
transmission and distribution facilities
KEY INTERVENTIONS

To attain the long-term and short-term objectives, the following policies,

programs/ projects and key activities will be continued and/or pursued:

A. Producer/exporter of geothermal energy

I. Energy Resource Development

A. Southern Leyte Geothermal Project - This geothermal resource in Mt. Cabalian,
San Juan, Southern Leyte is being developed to generate electricity for
dispatch/ transmission to Visayas and Mindanao.

B. Power Transmission and Distribution

a. Leyte-Bohol Interconnection Project
b. Leyte-Mindanao Interconnection Project
c. Leyte-Cebu Interconnection Upgrading Project (2nd phase)
2. Improvement of the Reliability of the Region's Transmission/Distribution
Facilities

Leyte-Samar Grid Reinforcement Projects

A. Transmission Line Projects

a Ormoc-Babatngon 138 KV x 81 Kms.
b Babatngon-Wright 138 KV x 60 Kms.
c Tongonan-Isabel 138 KV x 35.5 Kms.
B. Substation Expansion Projects
a. Ormoc, Babatngon & Wright S/S Expansion
C. Talalora - Daram Interconnection Project
D. 10 MVA Bagolibas (Sta. Rita, Samar) Substation and Associated T/L

E. Energization of Barangay
3. Reduction of Power Cost

A. Policy Reforms/Legislative Agenda

a. Omnibus Electric Power Bill/Power Reform Bill

The Bill aims to ordain reforms in the electric power industry to ensure the
total electrification of the country, to sustain participation of the private sector
in power generation, transmission and distribution and to secure the quality,
reliability, security and affordability of electric power to the end users. The Bill
defines among others, the organization of the industry, the unbundling of the
core functions of the power sector, the privatization of the National Power
Corporation (NPC) and rationalization of the distribution sector.

b. Energy Pricing

Policy reforms in energy pricing will be pursued through power pricing

adjustment with a preferential rate for Eastern Visayas as energy exporter.
Upon completion of the interconnection with other grids, the transmission costs
in the Leyte-Samar grid will be absorbed by a broader market, effectively
lowering the transmission tariff for the Leyte-Samar grid.

With its status as energy exporter/supplier, the region's power rate will be shielded
from the incremental costs of transmission as the cost of interconnection will be borne
by the users of the interconnecting facilities.

With geothermal steam as energy resource, the generation tariff, being predominantly
non-oil based, is left unaffected by the fluctuating price of fuel oils. Hence, the region's
power rate will be comparatively lower and more stable than the rates of the other
major grids.

This strategy/concept of energy pricing will be realized through the implementation of

Executive Order No. 473 by the Energy Regulatory Board calling for the segregation
and unbundling of the power tariffs of the National Power Corporation and the electric

distribution utilities.

II. SETTING IN PLACE AN EFFICIENT & DULY SUPPORTIVE LOCAL

GOVERNMENT

Situationer

The implementation of the Local Government Code (LGC) provided the local
government units (LGUs) the opportunity to become more active partners in
development. Through local autonomy, their powers and authorities were broadened.
Along with increased powers and authorities were expanded responsibilities. Broader
responsibilities include the implementation of devolved programs and projects which
involve the enhancement of the quality of goods and services delivered to their
constituents. Improving the quality of the delivery of goods and services depends
largely upon the local officials concerned.

In order to efficiently carry out these enormous responsibilities, the local

officials were provided with technical know-how to enable them to respond to such
challenges more effectively. This was done through the various government agencies
that provided technical assistance like the conduct of trainings, seminars, workshops,
conferences and "pulong-pulongs" attended by the local officials, their staff and
functionaries. The knowledge and skills on development planning, revenue
enhancement generation, and budget administration, among others were imparted.

In an effort to continuously improve the values system of the officials, staff

and functionaries of the LGUs, trainings on values development were pursued. This
was done to enhance the quality of service provided to the clients, from both
government and private sectors. It should be emphasized that prompt delivery of
services is a major decision point for a private sector whether to invest or not in an
area. On the other hand, timely delivery of quality services will enable the government
to save scarce resources.

Meanwhile, women have been observed to take more active roles in society as
political leaders. This is in addition to their traditional task of taking care of their
families or working to augment family income.

Records showed that the number of women who won various elective positions
in the region in the 1998 election increased by 24.0% compared to 1995. In fact, 1998
was the first time for the region to have three (3) of its six (6) gubernatorial and vice-
gubernatorial seats occupied by women. Two (2) provinces in the region have women
governors and vice-governors.