Profile: Leyte province
LEYTE is bounded by the province of Biliran in the north, San Juanico Strait and Samar Island in the east, Visayan and Ormoc seas in the west, and the province of Southern Leyte in the south.
It is where the greatest naval battle during World War II took place and was the center of massive destruction when the world’s strongest typhoon Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) hit land on Nov. 8, 2013, with total damage placed at more than P74.97 billion.
Region: Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)
Land area: 5,712.80 square kilometers
Barangays: 1,393
Cities: Ormoc, Baybay and Tacloban
Municipalities: 40
Total population: 1.789 million
(2010 census)
Registered voters: 1.15 million (2016)
Population density: 313 persons per square kilometer
Classification: First class (P2 billion annual income)
Agriculture
RECOVERY EFFORT. Leyte is generally considered an agriculture province where more than 345 hectares of land area are devoted to farming. When Yolanda struck, the province’s agriculture suffered massive devastation. It has not fully recovered up to now. How would you help the agriculture sector if elected governor?
Leopoldo Dominico Petilla (Liberal Party)
Expand vegetable compact farming, improve rice and livestock.
More pre and postharvest facilities.
More farm-to-market roads. Introduce agritourism.
Philip Nielo (Independent)
Create industries for local products.
Invite investors to “industrialize” agriculture sector.
Scrap irrigation fee.
Provide free palay seeds to farmers.
Poverty
17TH POOREST. Based on data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority in March, Leyte is the 17th poorest province in the country with poverty incidence at 46.7 percent. As of January this year, 5.8 percent of the more than 861,000 in the labor force aged 15 and above are unemployed. How will you address the issue of poverty?
Leopoldo Dominico Petilla (Liberal Party)
Increase income and job generation, focusing on the poor.
Improve household income to achieve inclusive economic growth.
Philip Nielo (Independent)
Provide livelihood by inviting and creating industries for local products.
Invite more investors to generate employment.
Rehabilitation
RECOVERY. The province bore the brunt of Yolanda’s fury, which destroyed at least P74.97 billion in property. Almost three years since, traces of destruction can still be seen. What measures are you going to implement to help Leyte recover?
Leopoldo Dominico Petilla (Liberal Party)
Raise awareness of environmental protection, particularly climate change.
Implement solid waste management.
Philip Nielo (Independent)
Introduce new sources of renewable energy.
Plant more trees and mangroves.
Check ongoing rehabilitation projects and their funding.
Editorial note: A third candidate, Bal Falcone, who is running as an independent, declined to be interviewed.