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| Bishops in Visayas, led by Bishop Crispin Varquez, push for the creation of a distinct Samar Island Region, covering Northern, Western, & Eastern Samar. Photo (Cropped): JL 09, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons |
TACLOBAN CITY – Visayan bishops are rallying behind the establishment of a dedicated Samar Island Region, which would include the provinces of Northern Samar, Western Samar, and Eastern Samar. The bishops, led by Bishop Crispin Varquez of the Diocese of Borongan, are urging President Bongbong Marcos and government officials to prioritize the establishment of this distinct region.
Bishop Varquez emphasizes the significance of Samar Island's expansive size and substantial population, standing as the third largest island in the country with an area of 13,429 square kilometers and a population of 1,909,537 based on the 2020 census.
Acknowledging the immense potential for growth and progress within the region, the bishops stress the urgent need for focused and sustained support from the national government.
The proposal recommends clustering government agencies and regional offices across the three provinces to propel Samar Island into a prosperous future. This strategic alignment would ensure efficient resource coordination and distribution, promoting a holistic approach to development.
Furthermore, interconnected road networks are planned to improve transportation infrastructure, promoting accessibility and connectivity within the proposed Samar Island Region.
Governor Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar echoes the sentiments of the clergy, expressing his endorsement of the initiative. Recognizing the importance of economic advancement, Governor Evardone underlines the necessity to prioritize Samar Island's development. He welcomes the proposal wholeheartedly and reaffirms his unwavering support for the Samar Island Partnership for Peace and Development (SIPPAD), an organization dedicated to driving regional progress.
This call for a separate Samar Island Region has been introduced previously. In 2016, Bishop Varquez, along with Bishop Isabelo Abarquez of the Diocese of Calbayog and Bishop Emmanuel Trance of the Diocese of Catarman, advocated for its establishment. Their inspiration stemmed from the successful formation of the Negros Island Region (NIR) in 2015.
The NIR, established through Executive Order 183 signed by the late President Benigno Aquino III, aimed to accelerate regional development in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. However, it was later dissolved in 2017 by former President Rodrigo Duterte, citing financial constraints. —iTacloban (Source: CNN)