Mayor Kwan shared in nat’l forum how Guiuan became 2nd class town

GUIUAN, Eastern Samar — From a fifth income class, this municipality has transformed into a second income class with vibrant business and investment hub for tourism plus micro, small and medium enterprises through the implementation of Local and Regional Economic Development (LRED).

Mayor Annaliza Kwan said that through the technical assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Private Sector Promotion Program of German Development Cooperation (GIZ), the town was able to increase jobs, investments and competitiveness of its tourism industry.

“Serving for three terms as mayor has been very rewarding despite the difficulties. But I am proud to share my experiences to other local government units so that they may get ideas on how to improve their local economy,” Kwan said.

Eastern Samar 8th ID declares Guiuan insurgency-free town

GUIUAN, EASTERN SAMAR, Philippines , October 10, 2012— The 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army based in Samar has declared this town “insurgent-free and development-ready.”

Guiuan is the fifth town to be given such status in Eastern Samar, after Balangkayan, Maydolong, Taft and Salcedo,

Major Gen. Gerardo Layug, 8th ID commander, said “Communities in these areas had been frequented by the NPA, affecting the government’s development efforts. But these towns have always exercised full responsibility over its internal concerns as a local government unit.”

Guiuan has no significant record of insurgency-related concern for the last 30 years and the Philippine Army has never required the deployment of any territorial unit to this town, said Layug during the declaration rites.

8th Nat'l Surfing tilt this October

GUIUAN, E. SAMAR, Philippines  — The heat is on at this town, which is considered the Surfing Capital of the Visayas. From October 9 to 14, the 8th Guiuan Odyssey Waves National Surfing Competition will be held in the seas of Calicoan Island in this tourism town of Eastern Samar.

The annual surfing event will be attended by more than a hundred professional surfers from Manila, Daet of Camarines Norte, Baler of Quezon, Siargao of Surigao del Norte, Lanuza of Surigao del Sur, Pagudpud of Ilocos Norte, Leyte and La Union provinces, Borongan City of Eastern Samar and other parts of the country.

Municipal Tourism Officer Aurora delos Reyes told The Freeman the national competition would promote Guiuan further as a premiere surfing destination in the Visayas. She mentioned other side events such as acoustic night, bikini open and reggae beach party through the contest duration.

Mayor Kwan: No disaster is God's miracle

GUIUAN, E. SAMAR — Mayor Annaliz Gonzales-Kwan yesterday (Aug. 31, 2012) described the 7.6-magnitude earthquake as the strongest ever that struck her town Friday evening, and it was God’s miracle that spared the place from disastrous consequences.

The quake, the epicenter of which was about 138 kilometers east of the town’s island-barangay of Sulangan, started at about 8:47 p.m. Friday, instantly prompting scared residents to go out of their houses and establishments, shouting and warning others to do the same.

Guiuan, first Ecotown in Eastern Visayas

GUIUAN, EASTERN SAMAR—The Climate Change Commission (CCC) and the local government unit of this town formally launched the first  “eco-town framework” in the Visayas area by way of signing a memorandum of agreement to build an economically stable and ecologically sustainable town.

Commissioner Naderev M. Saño said the setting up of eco-towns is a local implementation mechanism in the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) which provides direction for sustainable economic growth for 2011 to 2028.

“At the local level, implementation of the NCCAP will be packaged using the concept of ecologically stable and economically resilient towns or eco-towns,” Saño said in an interview with The Freeman.

P22M housing fund ready

GUIUAN, EASTERN SAMAR, Philippines  — Funds worth P22 million for the development of a property intended as a relocation site in this town is now available.

Mayor Annaliza G. Kwan made this announcement recently, saying that the local government unit has previously identified a four-hectare area in Barangay Campoyong for site development by the National Housing Authority.

“The site has been declared by then President Arroyo by way of a presidential proclamation. But it is the NHA that is mandated to undertake socialized housing and in pursuance of its mandate, seeks our active participation,” Kwan said.

Guiuan receives Seal of Good Housekeeping Award from DILG

The local government unit of Guiuan, Eastern Samar recently received a “Seal of Good Housekeeping” award from the Department of the Interior and Local Government for its successful implementation of plans and programs, including delivery of basic services to the people.

Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo handed the award to Mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan during the “Tapatan on Disaster Preparedness and Climate Change Adaptation: Call to Action” at the DPWH Multi-purpose Halll in Palo, Leyte.