Catarman N. Samar-To help prevent flooding this coming rainy season, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Northern Samar 1st District Engineering Office, in partnership with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Northern Samar, conducted canal clearing operations along the Allen–Catarman Road section, particularly in Barangay Dalakit, Catarman, on June 18, 2026, under the Oplan Kontra Baha (OKB) program.

The operation focused on desilting and removing debris and other obstructions from drainage canals to ensure the unhampered flow of water and minimize the risk of flooding. The activity forms part of the of the featured activities for the 128th anniversary celebration of the Department and government’s continuing flood-mitigation efforts and disaster preparedness measures before the onset of heavy rains.

DPWH-Maintenance crews successfully declogged approximately 350 cubic meters of drainage inlets, with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) providing support through the flushing of canals and drainage lines to clear residual blockages.

In an interview, a bystander commended the activity and expressed his appreciation.
“Naupayan ak sa ginhimo sa DPWH kay grabeh talaga. Ine an maupay nga pagkiwa nga mintras mahuraw naghihimo sin paglimpyo, ginkukuha nira an mga bara sa kanal. Dako talaga iton nga bulig kay maaram naman kit nga an baha pag nag-uuran, tala la nga uran didi sa Catarman, nabaha talaga, dali magdako an tubig. So, kadako siton nga bulig nga ginhihimo sa DPWH. Salamat talaga sa taga-DPWH, saludo kami sa iyo, salamat sa maupay nga serbisyo,” said Bong Abria.

Natuwa talaga ako sa ginawa ng dpwh, ito ang tamang araw ng paglilinis kasi tag-araw pa, kinukuha nila ang mga naka-bara sa kanal, malaking tulong talaga yan kasi alam naman bumabaha kapag umuulan, kunting ulan dito sa Catarman, bumabaha talaga, mabilis lumaki ang tubig. kaya malaking tulong talaga ang ginawa ng DPWH. Salamat talaga sa taga DPWH, saludo kami sa inyo, salamat sa magandang serbisyo.

Meanwhile District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio encouraged residents to practice proper waste disposal and refrain from throwing garbage into canals and drainage systems to help mitigate flooding. He further emphasized that regular maintenance and clearing of drainage systems are essential in keeping roads passable and communities safe, particularly during the rainy season.

Through Oplan Kontra Baha, the agency continues to strengthen its efforts to mitigate flooding and improve public safety across the 1st district of Northern Samar.

(ANALIZA A. PABIA/PR)

Brgy. Burabud, Laoang N. Samar – The Department of Public Works and Highways Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office (DPWH NSSDEO), in line with its mandate to provide communities with facilities to address their needs and promote public welfare, has successfully completed the Rehabilitation of Rawis Multi-Purpose Building (Covered Court), Phase II Project in Brgy. Rawis, Laoang, Northern Samar.

This project has a contract amount of P22,749,114.78 funded under the General Appropriations Act of FY 2025 under Basic Infrastructure Program. The scope of work includes earthworks; reinforced concrete works; masonry works; plastering; roof framing and roofing; concrete painting; steel and metal painting; fabrication and installation of structural materials; plumbing works including storm drainage, downspouts, and catch basins; and complete electrical works. This project mainly aims to transform the old and damaged covered court to a modern and functional venue for community gatherings and disaster response.

“Dako lat ine saam nga mahibubulig kay yana an mga tawo in mayaon kalamidad, dihan ko na igbubutang, di na adto sa mga bablay an iba, an iba adto sa iskwelahan, yana dihan ko na mabubutang, dikan ma-eentertain ko na, mapapanginanu ko na an mga tawo dihan kay tigda, diri parehas sadto nga bisan la diin nga balay nasarit kami, pag may mga dagko nga balay, nagsasarit kami nga kon pwede maki-istar an ak mga tawo”. The Punong Barangay of Brgy. Rawis, Hon. Miguel Borbon Flores shared his past experiences as a Barangay Captain in the absence of a convenient multipurpose building, stating how helpful this project could be to their community.

The Rawis Multi-Purpose Building (Covered Court) Phase II Project, successfully completed on May 4, 2026, marks a significant milestone for Brgy. Rawis, providing residents with a safe, modern, and functional facility for community activities, social gatherings and sports events, while also serving as a reliable evacuation center when disasters strike. This reflects the agency’s commitment to building resilient infrastructure that truly serves local needs.

According to Brgy. Captain Flores, the facility finally solves years of struggle in finding space for evacuees and gatherings. More than concrete and steel, this covered court stands as a symbol of progress, safety, and unity for the people of Brgy. Rawis. The DPWH-NSSDEO continues to deliver quality infrastructure projects that foster sustainable development and long-term benefits to Second District Northern Samar communities.

Jamaica I. Acebuche – PIO Staff Writer/PR)

ORMOC CITY — Police arrested one of the alleged gunmen involved in the deadly ambush that killed the live-in partner of a barangay chairman and a village aide in Albuera, Leyte, less than 24 hours after the attack.

The suspect, identified only as alias “Jeffrey,” was apprehended at around 10:10 p.m. on June 15 during a hot pursuit operation conducted by personnel of the Albuera Municipal Police Station with the assistance of Albuera Mayor Rolan Espinosa. His alleged accomplice, known only as alias “Jayjay,” remains at large.

The arrest came hours after gunmen ambushed a Toyota Wigo carrying five occupants along a barangay road in Barangay Salvacion at about 7 a.m., leaving two dead and two others injured.

Killed in the attack were alias “Mae,” 51, the live-in partner of Barangay Salvacion Chairman Walter Tarife, and alias “Sonny,” 23, a barangay employee. Both sustained fatal gunshot wounds and died at the scene.

Wounded were alias “Dan,” 56, who suffered a gunshot wound to the neck, and alias “Gerald,” 17, who sustained injuries to his left hand and foot. Another passenger, alias “Jun,” 18, escaped unharmed.

Investigation by the Albuera police revealed that the victims had left Mae’s residence at around 6:05 a.m. and were on their way to the town center where she was set to open her store when they were attacked.

Authorities said the suspects were allegedly positioned on elevated ground beside the roadway and opened fire on the vehicle using high-powered firearms. After the attack, the gunmen reportedly fled toward the mountainous portion of the barangay.

Responding police officers found the bodies of the two fatalities inside the vehicle, while the injured victims had already been rushed to the Albuera Rural Health Unit for treatment.
Crime scene investigators recovered four empty 7.62-mm shell casings and one fired bullet at the scene. Police also conducted forensic procedures, including paraffin testing and fingerprint collection on the deceased victims.

Following the arrest, alias “Jeffrey” allegedly identified his cohort as alias “Jayjay,” a farmer and fellow resident of Barangay Antipolo, Albuera. During questioning, the suspect reportedly claimed that he and his companion had been hired by an individual from Ormoc City to carry out the attack.

Recovered from the suspect were an M14 Springfield Armory rifle with ammunition and magazine, as well as an R4 rifle with a magazine and 25 rounds of 5.56-mm ammunition.
Police have filed multiple counts of murder and frustrated murder against the arrested suspect and his still unidentified accomplice.

Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the ambush and are pursuing leads to identify the alleged mastermind behind the attack.

(ROBERT DEJON)