Road projects to make travel easier, livelihoods better in Maslog

Posted on August 26, 2026 at 5:25 am

Maslog, Eastern Samar — For residents of this remote town, getting to the highway has long meant taking a boat or traveling along rough roads. The situation could change as the Maslog-Jipapad Road and other road projects move forward.

Mayor Septemio “Bok” C. Santiago said improving access to the town and its barangays remains one of the priorities of his administration.

Maslog has 5,438 residents in 12 barangays, according to the 2024 Census of Population of the Philippine Statistics Authority. The municipality covers about 249.8 square kilometers, with all of its barangays classified as rural.

Located inland, Maslog has no direct connection to the province’s main highway. Residents have traditionally used river transport to reach the highway in neighboring Dolores.

A trip by river can take about four hours, followed by another roughly two-hour land trip to Borongan City.

For residents who need to bring farm products to market, go to school, seek medical care or access government services, the long journey can be difficult, especially during bad weather.

This is why Santiago considers the road projects important.

Among those being worked on are the Tugas-San Roque Road and Tangbo-Old Tangbo Road. But the biggest project is the Maslog-Jipapad Road, which will connect the town to neighboring Jipapad and eventually to the existing highway network.

On June 18, officials held the turnover ceremony for the construction of the Panic-an Bridge and the groundbreaking for Phase II of the Maslog-Jipapad Road.

“Malayo na ang narating, pero malayo pa ang ating lalakbayin,” Santiago said.

He said residents from Tugas and Libertad are already starting to notice improvements in their travel.

If national government funding continues, Santiago said the road connection could be completed within two to three years.

The project is expected to benefit both Maslog and Jipapad by making it easier for people and goods to move between the two towns.

But Santiago said the municipality still needs more funding, including for a concrete bridge in the Poblacion area that would connect with the existing road network.

He thanked the national government, particularly the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), for its support.

“Ang hiling lamang natin ay sana ay magpatuloy ang pondo hanggang sa tuluyang makumpleto ang proyekto,” Santiago said.

A difficult trip for residents

The need for better roads is easy to see in Maslog.

Farmers have to find ways to get their products out of the barangays. Students travel to school, while patients and their families need transportation when seeking medical attention.

During heavy rains and typhoons, the situation can become even harder. Eastern Samar faces the Pacific Ocean and is frequently affected by tropical cyclones. Flooding and landslides can also make already difficult routes harder to pass.

For the local government, better roads would make it easier to reach communities during emergencies and deliver food, medicine and other assistance when needed.

 Helping farmers and families

Santiago also sees the road projects as important to the town’s economy.

Many families in Maslog depend on agriculture, but bringing farm products to market can be difficult when transportation is limited.

The municipal government has started a regular Agri-Trade Fair, or Tabo, where farmers can sell their products directly to consumers. It has also received agricultural support, including the Department of Agriculture’s Layer Project and equipment such as a mini combine rice harvester.

Still, Santiago said livelihood remains a problem for many families.

Many residents continue to depend on government programs such as TUPAD, 4Ps and the Walang Gutom Program.

The mayor said the municipal government is asking national agencies for more livelihood programs, skills training, agricultural assistance and employment opportunities.

“Ang ating hangarin ay hindi lamang pansamantalang ayuda, kundi magkaroon ang bawat pamilyang Masloganon ng pagkakataong kumita, magkaroon ng trabaho at makatayo sa sariling paa,” he said.

 Bringing services closer

The municipality is also continuing programs that help residents who have to travel far for basic services.

The Libring Sakay Program provides transportation assistance to students, while the local government is preparing for a dormitory for college students at ESSU Can-Avid.

The PuroKalusugan program continues to provide health services, while the Serbisyo Caravan brings government services to the barangays.

Santiago said the goal is to make these services easier for residents to access, especially those living far from the town center.

Peace and development

Maslog was declared to have a Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition in June.

Santiago said the municipality will continue working with the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, barangays and other partners to maintain peace.

But he said peace should also bring better opportunities for residents.

His administration plans to continue focusing on agriculture, infrastructure, education, tourism and livelihood to create more jobs and sources of income.

“Ang tunay na tagumpay ng peace and security ay hindi lamang kapag tahimik ang ating bayan, kundi kapag ang kapayapaang ito ay nagbubukas ng pinto para sa mas maraming trabaho, kabuhayan, investments at mas magandang kinabukasan para sa bawat Masloganon,” Santiago said.

Santiago acknowledged that completing the road network will take time and that the municipality will continue to need support from the national government.

His appeal is for funding to continue until the road and bridge projects are finished.

He also asked residents to remain patient and continue working together.

“Patuloy tayong magtulungan at huwag mawalan ng pag-asa,” he said.

“Malayo na ang narating natin, pero malayo pa ang ating lalakbayin. Sama-sama nating ituloy ang pag-unlad para sa isang Maslog na mas maunlad, mas accessible, at mas magandang lugar para sa bawat Masloganon.”

For residents who have spent years relying on river travel and difficult roads, the completion of the Maslog-Jipapad Road and Panic-an Bridge could make a noticeable difference in everyday life from getting to school and hospitals to bringing farm products to market.

For Maslog, the hope is simple: a shorter, safer and easier trip out of town and a better way for people and services to get in.

Photo Courtesy: Maslog LGU

Photo Caption: Maslog Mayor Septemio “Bok” C. Santiago and government officials join the groundbreaking of the Maslog-Jipapad Road Project Phase II and the turnover of Phase I and the Panic-An Bridge on June 18, 2026. The projects are expected to make travel easier for residents and improve access to schools, markets, health facilities and other services.

Photo Caption: Maslog residents remember the devastating floods of February 2008, when heavy rains swept through communities, displaced families and damaged homes and livelihoods.