CATBALOGAN CITY — Eastern Samar Lone District Representative Christopher Sheen Gonzales is confident that the province’s economy will grow faster and create more jobs once Congress approves plans to build a new coconut oil processing plant and two modern fish ports equipped with cold storage facilities.
“There’s no doubt that the proposed coconut oil refinery and fish ports will give a strong boost to our agriculture and fisheries sectors,” Gonzales said. “These projects will help uplift our people’s lives by creating decent jobs and more livelihood opportunities.”
The lawmaker made the statement following a report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showing that Eastern Samar posted the fastest economic growth among the six provinces in Eastern Visayas (Region VIII).
According to the PSA, Eastern Samar’s economy grew by 10.2 percent in 2024, surpassing even Tacloban City’s 8.2 percent growth rate.
“Economic growth isn’t just about numbers—it’s about jobs, opportunities, and better incomes for families,” Gonzales said. “It means that where only one family member used to have a stable job, now two or three can contribute, helping build a more secure and hopeful future.”
He stressed that boosting food production and raising household incomes are key to keeping prices stable.
“The best way to fight high food prices is to strengthen local production—especially in agriculture and fisheries—and ensure that families have more sources of income,” Gonzales added.
Gonzales, who serves as House Assistant Minority Leader, is also a member of the House Committees on Agriculture and Food, and on Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources.
A recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed that 56 percent of Filipinos want President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to focus on fighting inflation, particularly the rising cost of basic food items.
Gonzales and House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan are authors of House Bill No. 121, which seeks to establish a government-run coconut oil mill and refinery in Quinapondan, Eastern Samar, under the supervision of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).
They also filed House Bills Nos. 123 and 124, proposing the creation of fish ports with ice-making and cold storage facilities in the municipalities of Dolores and Oras.
Aside from Eastern Samar’s exceptional performance, the PSA reported that in 2024, Southern Leyte’s economy grew by 7.1 percent, Biliran by 6.1 percent, Leyte by 5.8 percent, Samar (Western Samar) by 5.2 percent, and Northern Samar by 3.4 percent.
Overall, the economy of Region VIII expanded by 6.2 percent last year. (via Ricky Bautista, Samar Chronicle)
