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3 contractors in PBBM flood control list have projects in EV

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Governor Harris Christopher Ongchuan of Northern Samar visits the newly inaugurated salt production facility in San Vicente town on Tuesday, August 12, highlighting the province’s efforts to reduce post-harvest losses and boost local livelihoods. Story on Page 3. (THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF NORTHERN SAMAR)
Governor Harris Christopher Ongchuan of Northern Samar visits the newly inaugurated salt production facility in San Vicente town on Tuesday, August 12, highlighting the province’s efforts to reduce post-harvest losses and boost local livelihoods. Story on Page 3. (THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF NORTHERN SAMAR)

One firm bagged P6 billion projects

GOVERNMENT CENTER, PALO,Leyte– Three construction firms named by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. among the alleged top contractors cornering a significant share of the country’s flood control projects are also handling multi-million to billion-peso contracts in Eastern Visayas, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office confirmed.

Engr. Libertad Morot, assistant chief of the DPWH-8 construction division, identified the companies as Sunwest Construction and Development Corp., Alpha Omega General Construction and Development Corp., and Hi-Tone Construction and Development Corp, in a press conference on Thursday, August 14.

Of the three, Sunwest — owned by Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co — has secured the largest share in the region, with 19 projects worth a total of P6 billion. Alpha Omega has one project worth P241 million, while Hi-Tone holds two projects in Abuyog, Leyte, one of the province’s most flood-prone towns.

President Marcos earlier disclosed that in 2022 — his first year in office — 15 contractors cornered one-fifth of the P545-billion national allocation for flood control infrastructure, raising concerns over possible preferential awarding of contracts.

Morot said the projects awarded to the three firms are part of 140 flood control undertakings in Eastern Visayas since 2022, of which 68 have been completed and 72 are ongoing. She assured the public that all projects passed inspections by the DPWH regional and central offices, as well as audits by the Commission on Audit (COA).

One of Sunwest’s flagship projects in the region is the Leyte Tide Embankment Project, a P16-billion coastal defense system spanning over 12 kilometers in Tacloban City and the towns of Palo, Tanauan, and Tolosa. Construction began in 2016 to shield coastal communities from storm surges like those unleashed by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013.

“We have experienced several typhoons since this structure was made, and we can say that it serves its purpose,” Morot said in the press conference.

Under DPWH rules, projects worth P150 million and above are supervised by the regional office, while those below are managed by the region’s 14 district engineering offices — suggesting there may be other locally awarded projects involving the same firms at the district level.

Asked whether any Eastern Visayas lawmakers are linked to contracting firms, Morot said she had no information.

The DPWH emphasized that all awarded contracts, regardless of contractor, must meet engineering, safety, and quality standards.

JOEY A. GABIETA, LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA, ROEL T. AMAZONA

Councilor Romualdez pushes for solar-powered water systems to address Tacloban shortage

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MARTY FOR WATER SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS. Water woes being experienced by water concessionaires in Tacloban City is one of the priorities of City Councilor Ferdinand Martin ‘Marty’ Romualdez, Jr. as he find ways to address the problem.
MARTY FOR WATER SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS. Water woes being experienced by water concessionaires in Tacloban City is one of the priorities of City Councilor Ferdinand Martin ‘Marty’ Romualdez, Jr. as he find ways to address the problem.

TACLOBAN CITY – City Councilor Ferdinand Martin “Marty” Romualdez Jr. is spearheading efforts to bring solar-powered water systems to Tacloban’s most water-deprived communities, aiming to ease the city’s chronic water shortage.

Romualdez met with officials of the Tacloban City District Engineering Office (TCDEO) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on August 1, 2025, to map out priority areas for the project. The meeting, held at the Office of the District Engineer, was attended by OIC District Engineer Ray Mate, OIC Assistant District Engineer Charlie Tampil, and Romualdez’s technical team.

Tacloban has long struggled with inadequate water supply, with some areas—particularly northern barangays and post-Yolanda resettlement sites—experiencing water pressure as low as 2 PSI, far from the ideal 10 PSI. Many residents rely on deep wells or expensive refilling stations just to meet daily needs.

“We recognize the urgency of this issue and are committed to providing technical support for sustainable solutions,” Mate said. He noted that the solar-powered water systems would serve as renewable, off-grid sources to supplement existing facilities and improve access for the hardest-hit communities.

The proposed project comes amid mounting complaints over service interruptions, low pressure, and high billing despite irregular supply. Romualdez said the goal is to deliver a sustainable and immediate relief measure while longer-term solutions to the city’s water crisis are pursued.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

Army chief cites 8ID’s gallantry, awards medals to troops

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Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete
Philippine Army Commanding
General Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete

TACLOBAN CITY— The 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City reported that Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete honored its troops for their gallantry, dedication, and notable achievements during his official visit to the camp Sunday, on August 10, 2025.

As part of the visit, Nafarrete conferred two Gold Cross Medals, three Silver Cross Medals, and three Wounded Personnel Medals to individual soldiers, along with commendations to two 8ID units for their significant contributions to the Army’s mission in Eastern Visayas.
In a talk to troops, Nafarrete lauded 8ID’s operational gains, particularly in recent successful operations against the remaining Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in the region.

“Your readiness and operational gains support the Philippine Army’s overall mission of protecting our people and preserving peace for every corner of the country,” he said, adding that the awardees’ discipline, skill, and bravery “reflect the highest standards of soldiery.”

Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, 8ID commander, expressed gratitude for the visit, which came shortly after the division’s 37th Founding Anniversary, describing it as a reaffirmation of their shared mission with the Philippine Army.

The visit, according to 8ID, underscored the Stormtroopers’ vital role in ensuring peace, stability, and development in Eastern Visayas.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ERC-approved NGCP adjustments push up transmission rates by 9.25% in August

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TACLOBAN CITY – Consumers can expect higher electricity bills this month as the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ (NGCP) transmission rates rose by 9.25%, following the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) approval of rate adjustments and under-recovery charges.

From P0.4611 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in the June 2025 billing period, NGCP’s transmission rates climbed to P0.5923/kWh in July, an increase of P0.1312/kWh. While ancillary service rates dropped slightly from P0.6182/kWh to P0.5872/kWh, the overall average transmission rate still increased from P1.2113/kWh in June to P1.3233/kWh in July.

This adjustment will be reflected in consumers’ August bills as distribution utilities pass on the higher charges.

The ERC’s decision includes two major components: under-recoveries (UR): A fixed rate of P0.0384/kWh will be collected over 84 months to recover P28 billion in uncollected transmission charges from 2016 to 2022, and maximum allowable revenue (MAR): NGCP was allowed to recover an additional P6.62 billion, increasing the MAR from P51.47 billion to P58.10 billion. This translates to an additional P0.0629/kWh in transmission charges.
These adjustments form part of NGCP’s Fourth Regulatory Period Reset, which covers 2016–2022. The previous reset, covering 2010–2015, was implemented more than a decade ago.

According to the ERC, the approved rate increases will enable NGCP to fund projects aimed at improving and expanding the country’s power transmission network. The grid operator has repeatedly emphasized the need for infrastructure investments to address power reliability concerns and meet growing demand.

The increase in transmission rates comes despite a noted decrease in energy consumption from June to July 2025, which typically helps temper rate hikes. However, the approved recovery charges and MAR adjustments outweighed the effect of lower usage.

Industry observers note that while the ERC’s ruling ensures NGCP can recover past costs and fund grid upgrades, it will put additional strain on households and businesses already dealing with high electricity prices due to fuel and generation cost pressures.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

Missing student found dead in Daguitan River

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ORMOC CITY– The three-day search for a missing 21-year-old student ended in tragedy after his body was found floating in the Daguitan River in Barangay Cantimawa, Poblacion District 6, Burauen, Leyte at around 8:50 p.m. on August 7, 2025.

Police identified the victim as alias “Dan,” single, and a resident of San Jose Street, Poblacion District 3, Burauen.

According to the Burauen Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), their team spotted the body and immediately alerted the Burauen Municipal Police Station (MPS). Responding officers confirmed the discovery, finding the victim floating face down.

Initial investigation showed that Dan was last seen on the night of August 4 by a friend, alias “Ed,” who had invited him to stay over. Dan declined, saying he planned to go to Tacloban City to enroll. He was not seen again until his body was recovered.

It took rescuers nearly three hours to retrieve the remains, which were positively identified by the victim’s mother, alias “Nissa.” The cadaver was brought to Apostol Funeral Services, where a post-mortem examination was conducted at 9:22 p.m. by the municipal medical officer.

Police said the cause of death has yet to be determined, and the investigation is ongoing.

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)

Construction worker injured in early morning stabbing at Ormoc fiesta

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ORMOC CITY– A 23-year-old construction worker was wounded in an unprovoked stabbing during a fiesta celebration in Sitio Mangga, Barangay Patag, around 4:50 a.m. on Saturday, August 9, 2025.

Police identified the victim as alias “Lee,” a resident of Barangay Talisayan, Albuera, Leyte. The suspect, alias “Gar,” 29, also a construction worker, resides in Barangay Patag, Ormoc City.

Based on the report from Ormoc City Police Station 6, the victim was heading to a friend’s house to help prepare a pig for the celebration when the suspect confronted him, declaring in the local dialect, “Ako ang gahi dinhi sa amo lugar” (“I’m the tough one around here”). Without warning, the suspect allegedly pulled an ice pick from his motorcycle’s U-box and stabbed the victim twice—once in the head and once in the right hand.

The victim was rushed to Ormoc District Hospital, while the suspect was arrested on the spot and placed under police custody for proper disposition.

(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)

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