ROAD FOR DEVELOPMENT. The Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office has started constructing an access road between the major villages of Duka and Balud, both in Barugo, Leyte. The completion of the P143 million worth project is eyed to help the town’s economy. (L2DEO)
ROAD FOR DEVELOPMENT. The Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office has started constructing an access road between the major villages of Duka and Balud, both in Barugo, Leyte. The completion of the P143 million worth project is eyed to help the town’s economy. (L2DEO)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), through the Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office (L2DEO), is currently undertaking a project to construct and improve access roads in Barugo, with a focus on supporting the town’s economic growth.
District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura revealed that the project entails the construction of a four-span bridge spanning 140 linear meters, featuring a 7.32-meter carriageway with provisions for 1.11-meter railings and gutters on both edges of the bridge deck.
“This new bridge, upon completion, will serve as a crucial link between the Balud and Duka roads, significantly enhancing connectivity within the community,” Oppura emphasized. “It is poised to play a pivotal role in driving economic development in Barugo.”
The project is strategically aligned with the proposed Barugo Economic Zone, aiming to provide essential infrastructure to support trade and industry. This initiative is expected to attract investors and stimulate economic activities in the municipality.
Upon its completion, the project is projected to have a transformative impact, facilitating the movement of goods and services and fostering industrial growth. This, in turn, will generate job opportunities and income within Barugo, promoting overall prosperity.
With an allocated budget of P143.8 million sourced from the General Appropriations Act (GAA) covering CY 2022, 2023, and 2024, the project is supported by the Roads Leveraging for Industry and Trade Program (ROLL-IT) in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
The improved road network resulting from this endeavor is expected to stimulate business activity and enhance safety and convenience for local residents and students commuting to schools. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
ACHIEVEMENT. The Bureau of Treasury(BoT) under its Lamrag Award recognized Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres Gomez for her promotion of prudent and intelligent utilization of public funds. Among those who witnessed the awarding held on March 14 was Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez, husband of the city mayor.BoT-8)
ACHIEVEMENT. The Bureau of Treasury(BoT) under its Lamrag Award recognized Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres Gomez for her promotion of prudent and intelligent utilization of public funds. Among those who witnessed the awarding held on March 14 was Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez, husband of the city mayor.BoT-8)
TACLOBAN CITY – The regional office of the Bureau of the Treasury (BoT) bestowed the prestigious Lamrag Award to Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres Gomez.
In a press statement, the BoT commended Gomez for her steadfast dedication to promoting the prudent and intelligent utilization of public funds.
Ormoc City, under her leadership, became the first city in the Region to strategically invest in government securities, thereby setting a benchmark for fiscal responsibility among local government units, it said.
Delia Vilbar, the Treasurer of Ormoc City, was also honored with the Lamrag Award for her invaluable contributions to financial management and accountability.
The ceremony, held at the City Mayor’s Office on Thursday (March 14), was graced by the presence of Rep.Richard Gomez, husband of the city mayor, city councilor Jasper Lucero, city administrator Vincent Emnas, and a representative from the Bureau.
The award given to Gomez and Vilbar coincided with the observance of the Women’s Month. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
INOPACAN, Leyte-A tragic incident unfolded on Monday morning, March 11th in this town as a three-year-old girl named was fatally stabbed by her father amid a family dispute.
The father, Crisencio Timon Jr., 41, also inflicted fatal wounds upon himself, succumbing to his injuries.
According to Police Major Ian Po, town police chief, the suspect was living with his common-law wife, Cristy Bulacan, and their daughter, “Chinggay” in Barangay Guadalupe.
Reports indicate that prior to the incident, Timon had been grappling with personal and family issues.
Witnesses revealed that he had assaulted his 15-year-old stepson earlier that day and was distressed over Bulacan’s desire to end their relationship.
The situation escalated when Timon, intoxicated from heavy drinking the night before, took his three-year-old daughter for a nap.
Tragically, he then fatally stabbed her in the neck with a knife before turning the weapon on himself, inflicting multiple wounds.
Their bodies were discovered by a neighbor delivering fish, prompting immediate efforts to summon help and transport them to Immaculate Conception Hospital in Baybay City.
Despite swift medical intervention, both father and daughter were pronounced dead on arrival by their attending doctor due to the severity of their injuries.
The community is left in shock and mourning over this devastating loss caused by an unfathomable act of violence within the family. (ROBERT DEJON)
HOUSES FOR FORMER REBELS. The National Housing Authority and the 801st Infantry Brigade agreed to build houses for former rebels who have returned to the folds of the law, dubbed as ‘Saad nga Balay.’ (Photo Courtesy)
HOUSES FOR FORMER REBELS. The National Housing Authority and the 801st Infantry Brigade agreed to build houses for former rebels who have returned to the folds of the law, dubbed as ‘Saad nga Balay.’ (Photo Courtesy)
TACLOBAN CITY – Deputy Brigade Commander Colonel Carmelito Pangatungan of the 801st Infantry Brigade recently convened with National Housing Authority (NHA) Regional Manager Engineer Constancio Antiniero as part of their ongoing efforts to strengthen engagement with partners and stakeholders.
The 801st Brigade, stationed in Barangay Fatima, Hinabangan town in Samar province, operates within various local government units in the province, as well as in Eastern Samar and Northern Samar provinces.
The meeting between the two officials focused on the implementation of a housing program called “Saad nga Balay,” initiated by the 801st Brigade in collaboration with local government units to provide former rebels with decent shelter as part of their reintegration program.
During the meeting, both parties agreed to collaborate in achieving their shared objective of providing better homes and livelihood opportunities to marginalized communities.
According to a statement from the 801st Brigade, “The National Housing Authority pledged to provide technical assistance and funding for the projects, while the 801st Infantry Brigade will ensure the safety and security of the project sites.”
This collaboration underscores the commitment of the 801st Brigade to foster peace and development in the communities they serve. They also pledged to continue engaging with various agencies, organizations, and individuals to create a more peaceful and prosperous environment for the people of Samar.
By strengthening partnerships with different stakeholders, the 801st Brigade aims to maximize resources and reach more people in need, thereby making a positive impact on the lives of those within their area of operations.
The Saad nga Balay program is currently underway at three sites.
In San Jose de Buan town in Samar province, 14 houses are under construction with the assistance of military personnel from the 87th Infantry Battalion and engineering battalion of the Philippine Army, funded by the provincial and municipal governments.
Recently, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Saad nga Balay project in Can-avid, Eastern Samar benefiting 10 former rebels on a property owned by the local government.
Similar housing projects are planned for implementation in Dolores town in Eastern Samar province, providing 10 units of housing. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
As March marks Fire Prevention Month, individuals and communities must reflect on the significance of fire safety measures and take necessary steps to mitigate the risks of fire hazards. Observing Fire Prevention Month should entail more than mere lip service; it demands tangible actions and a collective commitment to safeguard lives and property.
First and foremost, education must be at the forefront of fire prevention efforts. It is not enough to simply raise awareness about fire safety; individuals need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to prevent fires and respond effectively in the event of an emergency. This entails disseminating information about fire hazards, proper fire prevention practices, and evacuation procedures.
Moreover, Fire Prevention Month should catalyze rigorous enforcement of fire safety regulations and building codes. Too often, lax enforcement and complacency contribute to preventable fires that result in devastating consequences. Authorities must prioritize inspections, ensure compliance with safety standards, and hold accountable those who neglect their responsibility to maintain safe environments.
Ensuring a culture of preparedness is essential in mitigating the impact of fires. This involves not only having fire extinguishers and smoke detectors readily available in homes, offices, and other public places but also developing and rehearsing evacuation plans. Communities should organize drills and exercises to simulate fire scenarios and ensure that residents know how to respond swiftly and effectively.
Fire Prevention Month presents an opportunity for collaboration among residents, including government agencies, fire departments, businesses, and civil society organizations. By pooling resources and expertise, these entities can implement comprehensive fire prevention campaigns, distribute safety materials, and provide training sessions to empower individuals to become active agents of fire safety.
It is not enough to pay lip service to the cause for a single month out of the year; rather, fire prevention should be ingrained in our collective consciousness year-round. We need to create a culture of vigilance, education, preparedness, and collaboration to mitigate the risks of fires and ensure the safety and well-being of our communities.
Have you ever wondered why children now have a hard time putting their gadgets aside, even if their parents, ate, and kuya are telling them to do something? Are you surprised that the majority of people can spend long hours manipulating their cell phones instead of attending to worthwhile tasks? Well, it’s not just the trend nowadays; it’s the result of people’s confusion in determining which is real and which is not.
The boundary between reality and virtual phenomena is increasingly blurred, ushering in an era where distinguishing between the two becomes daunting. As technology advances, we find ourselves immersed in virtual worlds that mimic reality with astonishing accuracy, while reality becomes augmented by digital overlays. This merging of realms has tremendous implications, challenging our perceptions of what is real and what is not and redefining our understanding of intelligence, be it human or artificial.
At the heart of this merging lies the exponential growth of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies. These immersive experiences transport users to alternate worlds where they can interact with virtual objects and characters as if they were tangible entities. With the advent of increasingly sophisticated VR and AR devices, the line between the physical and the virtual becomes increasingly blurry, leading to a seamless integration of the two realms.
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) further complicates this merging of realities. AI systems are becoming increasingly adept at mimicking human behavior and cognition, blurring the line between pure intelligence and artificial intelligence. AI can analyze vast amounts of data, make predictions, and even engage in creative tasks previously thought to be exclusive to human intellect. As AI continues to evolve, distinguishing between human and artificial intelligence becomes a tough challenge.
This convergence of realities has significant implications for society as a whole. On one hand, it opens up unprecedented opportunities for innovation and exploration, allowing us to push the boundaries of creativity and imagination. On the other hand, it raises ethical concerns regarding privacy, identity, and the manipulation of reality. As virtual and augmented experiences become indistinguishable from reality, the potential for misinformation and manipulation grows, posing significant challenges for individuals and societies alike.
The merging of reality and virtual phenomena erases traditional boundaries in fields such as entertainment, education, and communication. Virtual classrooms, for example, allow students to engage with educational content in immersive ways, transcending the limitations of traditional learning environments. Similarly, virtual concerts and events bring people together from around the world, creating shared experiences that defy physical distances.
In this rapidly evolving landscape, individuals should develop critical thinking skills and digital literacy to grapple with the complexities of merged realities. By taking note of the mechanisms behind virtual and augmented experiences, as well as the capabilities and limitations of AI, we can harness the potential of these technologies while safeguarding against their misuse.
This development represents a paradigm shift in how we perceive and interact with the world around us. As boundaries dissolve and distinctions blur, we are challenged to reconsider our notions of reality, intelligence, and human experience. We have the opportunity to shape a future where the boundaries between the physical and the virtual become increasingly fluid, opening up new possibilities for exploration, discovery, and connection.
