Solon eyes Western Leyte creation

TACLOBAN CITY — A bill is filed at the House of Representatives that seeks to break Leyte into two provinces with the creation of a new province to be called Western Leyte.

Leyte Fourth District Representative Richard Gomez filed House Bill 11077 last 14 November to create the Province of Western Leyte, which he believes will boost the socio-economic growth of the region and strengthen local governance.

The bill stems from several considerations, including the cultural and linguistic divide, logistical challenges in accessing public social and economic infrastructures, and fiscal limitations in establishing service agencies on both sides of the province.

According to the proposed measure, the Leyte Central Highland Range — which includes Mount Mahanagdong, Mount Lobi and Mount Mahagnao — divides the province. The eastern side primarily speaks Binisaya or Waray, while the western side speaks Cebuano.

If passed into law, the Province of Western Leyte will cover a total land area of 2,852 square kilometers and have a total population of 958,457 based on the 2020 census.

Gomez cited the accessibility of Level 3 hospitals, both located in Tacloban City. Residents from the western side often have to travel for at least two and a half hours through the mountain range to access necessary medical care.