Federalism drive in Eastern Visayas stepped up

BASEY, Samar-The campaign for federalism in Eastern Visayas has been intensified in close coordination with local government units in Leyte and Samar.

People's National Movement for Federalism (PENAMFED) Secretary General Dianito C. Castillo said close to 2,000 people trooped to the Basey gymnasium Monday for a symposium on federalism.

Castillo said the participants were public school teachers from six national high schools, two districts, barangay officials, local officials of Basey and various sectors.

The Basey government hosted the symposium on federalism with PENAMFED Regional Counsel and former Integrated Bar of the Philip- pines (IBP) Alberto N. HIdalgo as guest speaker. It was attended by Vice Mayor Raul Lancanan, Municipal Administrator Valbino Estorninos, DILG Basey Local Government Operations Officer Zino V. Llaneras, Tacloban labor leader Bom Malate, Burauen civic leader Glenda Ong-Calipes, and Mel Bermudo Bagol of Lapaz, Leyte and PENAMFED Basey Chapter President Rodolfo Gad.

Lancanan and Estorninos vowed their support for a federal government, saying it will benefit Samar and Eastern Visayas in general, which has long been lagging in terms of development.

Hidalgo, who represented PENAMFED National President and former Quezon City Rep. Dante V. LIban, urged the people of Basey to rally behind the federalism campaign of President Duterte.

He said with federalism, Leyte and Samar will have its own destiny for its development because of its natural resources.

Last month, PENAMFED held a symposium on federalism in Albuera, Leyte, which was attended by more than 2,000 people.