CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar – Twenty-four development facilitators (DFs) and Program Beneficiaries Development Division (PBDD) staff are currently undergoing a one-day levelling up session being conducted by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Samar Provincial Office at the Lucas Wharf in this city.

According to PBDD chief, Thelma Alfaro, this session is intended to upgrade the skills of the DFs, who are assigned in the different Municipal Agrarian Reform Offices (MAROs) throughout the province, particularly in organizing and strengthening agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs).

Aside from Alfaro, speakers include Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer I Segundino Pagliawan who discussed about community organizing as well as duties, roles and responsibilities of the DFs, while Senior Agrarian Reform Program Officer Vicenta Geli shared to the participants the proper conduct of mediation.

Today’s participants compose the first batch, while the second batch is scheduled tomorrow. (PR)

NSSDEO, Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, Northern Samar-The Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office (NSSDEO) headed by OIC-District Engineer Charlito S. Carlobos, hosted for three consecutive months, the work immersion program of Senior High School Students from Pambujan National High School, San Roque-Pambujan Vocational High School, and Rawis National High school.

DPWH is a stakeholder and partner of the Department of Education program relative to Department Order no 30, s. 2017 known as “Guidelines for work immersion as key feature of SHS curriculum to develop learnings and values that is relevant in pursuing further education.” This program aims to help the students prepare them in deciding what course to pursue in college.

Aside from its proximity to these schools, the agency is one of the eminent training grounds that will provide the students knowledge on technical operations, skills, and other aspects of office works, more especially to those taking engineering and related courses.
The students were split by batches and were immersed to different sections/offices. The training ended with a culminating activity program conducted at the DPWH Function Hall on June 8, 2023, and was attended by the head/principal of the schools, DPWH Administrative Section Chief, Ma’am Mariam Dapug, Engr. Israel B. Tulipas for the attendance check and Engr. Dwight Bugayong Miel, who gave the opening remarks, in behalf of Engr. Gil D. Herrera Jr, Chief Construction Section.

The students gave their impressions and their experiences gained in the workplace and their observation in the actual work setting and personal interactions from the heads of offices and among the employees. Moreover, their school heads/principals expressed their grateful appreciation to DPWH for allowing them to have their work immersion in this office.

ADE Atty. Arthur Eric L. Sabong encouraged the students to continue their education whether it is vocational, technical or higher education, because it will give them more and better opportunities to be able to reach their goals and aspirations in their respective lives. He further stated that the institution will continually support and welcome upcoming trainings to showcase the department in public service through this immersion program.
At the end of the program, the students were given a Certificate of Completion, for complying the 80hrs of work simulation as part and pre-requisite for SHS graduation.
(MECHU T. ADONGAY, PIO STAFF)

NSSDEO, Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, Northern Samar– Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Manligas Bonoan visited the Northern Samar 2nd District Engineering Office (NS 2nd DEO) and attended the inauguration ceremony of the Samar Pacific Coastal Road (SPCR) Project located at Brgy. Simora, Palapag, Northern Samar, on July 14, 2023, Friday.

Sec. Bonoan was accompanied by high-ranking Department officials like Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain of the Unified Project Management Office (UPMO); Usec. for Special Concerns and Chief of Staff of the Office of the Secretary, Carlos G. Mutuc and Usec. for Regional Operations in NCR, Regions III, IV-A, IV-B, V, VI, VII and VIII, Roberto Bernardo.

Others in the party include Special Assistant to the President, Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo; South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines, Lee Sang-Hwa; Korea Export-Import Bank (KEXIM Bank) Director, Jaejeong Moon; Korean Embassy Third Secretary Kim Dosik; UPMO Roads Management Cluster II Project Director Sharif Madsmo Hasim; UPMO Project Manager Teresita V. Bauzon; Project Contractor and Manager Young Kil Bae of Ilsung Construction; DPWH RO8 Regional Director Edgar Tabacon; Northern Samar Governor Edwin Marino C. Ongchuan; NS 2nd District Harris Christopher Ongchuan; and some of the local government officials of the province.

The SPCR project is intended to link the so-called “Pacific Towns” which would complement and eventually establish a circumferential road loop in Samar Island. It is among the flagship infrastructure projects of the department in the region which is projected to bring industrial developments, economic growth and poverty reduction in the area.

In addition, the road project is envisioned to enhance the development of potential agricultural lands and fishing grounds of the province and facilitate the movement of goods and services by providing access to major road links that would propel the development of the regional industries.

Moreover, travel is no longer a burden to commuters nor a hampering factor as this would offer comfort and safety to the commuting public.

“After a long process of project preparation that took more than 5 years, the actual construction was started 2018 under the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program of the past administration, it was not an easy job to implement the project considering some issues including weather disturbances, the effect of the CoViD pandemic and security issues, nonetheless, with the help and assistance of the National and Local Government Officials of Northern Samar, they worked together and the implementation continue down and eventually completed only last month, June 2023.”, Sec. Bonoan said as he expressed gratitude in realizing the project.

Sec. Bonoan, also said that the SPCR 2 is now currently under process for possible continued financing of the Korean EXIM Bank. It will involve another improvement of 15-kilometer road towards the island town of Laoang including the construction of two (2) relatively long bridges.

“It is also aligned to the Philippine Development Plan for the 2023-2028 to eradicate poverty and raise the standard of living of the Filipino people.”, he added.

After the event, the team proceeded to the NSSDEO for a brief rest and sumptuous lunch, after which, the party proceeded to Catarman town where they stayed overnight before heading back to Manila.
(LYCA MAE T. QUILICOL, PIO ALTERNATE)