TACLOBAN CITY– To restore the load-carrying capacity of Cabadiangan Bridge in Barangay Mabini in Mayorga town, the Leyte Second District Engineering Office (L2DEO) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) completes the retrofitting and strengthening of the said bridge.

The project cost P989,608.65 under the Bridge Program—Retrofitting and Strengthening of Permanent Bridges program of the DPWH General Appropriations Act of 2023.

District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura said that the project involves the placement of carbon fiber sheets under the bridge deck slabs to cover concrete cracks and prevent further extension of the concrete structure issues in order to improve the overall quality of the bridge.

Cabadiangan Bridge, measuring 23.5 linear meters, is within the route that connects the towns of Mayorga and La Paz and is classified among the 55 permanent bridges under the DPWH list of national bridges.

The project was completed on April 7, 2023, undertaken by ZtatikMarketing and Engineering Services, brings the structures up to standards, protecting the bridge from dangers and further deterioration.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

NSSDEO, Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, Northern Samar– In compliance to the memorandum dated February 15, 2023 of Bureau of Design OIC-Director Edwin Matanguihan granting the request to conduct training on the preparation of detailed engineering design for flood control projects, the Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office (NSSDEO)-Planning and Design personnel Engr. Dennis Lozano and Engr. Mar Ian Bonabon attended the 5-day training held at DPWH-Regional Office VIII, Multipurpose Hall, Baras, Palo, Leyte last April 17-21, 2023.

The training was entitled “Technical Training on the Preparation of Detailed Engineering Design (DED) Plans for Flood Control Projects”. It was facilitated by Engr. Gian Carlo Rabacal and Engr. Mikaela Tan from Bureau of Design-Central Office.

Topics discussed were the following: (1) Introduction to flood control (design of flood control and urban drainage structure); (2) Introduction to Hydrology; (3) Hydrologic Analysis (purpose of rainfall-runoff analysis); (4) Hydrologic Engineering Center-Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS); (5) Hydrologic Engineering Center-River Analysis System (HEC-RAS); (6) Steel Sheet Pile (SSP) Analysis; (7) Slope Stability Analysis; (8) Seepage Analysis; (9) Settlement Analysis; (10) Structural Analysis; (11) Design Related Issuances; and (12) Completeness of DED Plan.

Aimed to familiarize with the different flood control structures and required design data, to have a review on hydrology and know all data needed for the conduct of hydrological analysis, become familiar with the program and learn basic concepts of program organization, data components, and simulation runs, enable the participants to perform water surface profile computations using computer program HEC-RAS in a sound and effective matter, and so on.
(LYCA MAE T.QUILICOL/PIO Alternate)

ORMOC CITY– A dolphin was reported to have died after it entangled in a fish net in Barangay San Roque, Tomas Oppus, Southern Leyte on Monday (May 15) at about 6:30 am.

The mammal, weighing 80 kilograms, was said to have been trapped inside a fishing net of Christian Oliveros,29 who said tried his best to free it but failed to do so which resulted in its death.

Town police chief Capt. Arthur Atiwag II said that they were informed on the incident by Morena Gumanit, 48, a village councilor and immediately proceed to the village.
There, they found the mammal lying dead along the shore.

The dolphin, which has a length of 197 centimeters and 107 centimeters in girth, was brought to the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) and was buried immediately.
(ROBERT DEJON)

In preparation to the upcoming Grand Fashion Show Music Fest Concert, the IGM Events Management Services have invited Paul Andre Salas of Sparkle GMA 7 Artist Center, as the VIP guest performer on the 10th of June this year, featuring different local artists, performers, models, and vloggers, as to mainly showcase the homegrown talents in the province of Leyte.

Jacob Brazil, the Special Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer at IGM, strongly encourages the public to give this event a try, as his team intended to raise the same standard of fun from the national artists’ usually commended performances, whilst presenting the local artists as well on the stage of the Tacloban City Astrodome.

“Try to experience and witness the performances of these local artists. And if they would not allow themselves to participate on these kinds of events, then how will they know that it is worth it? And how would they be able to see for themselves that indeed there are so many talented people as well in our very own province?” he said.

Brazil also confirmed that in order to make the concert more special, IGM is also planning to conduct a Pride March as well in prior to the concert, mainly for the celebration of the LGBTQIA+ members’ inclusivity within the city.

To start with, there will be a short session of free face painting of rainbow colors, and a giveaway of pride flaglets by morning of June 10 at the RTR Plaza, followed by the Pride Parade which will commence on 1:00 P.M, then proceeding to a short seminar of equality talk as well by 3:30 P.M. at the Gaisano Capital Real. Lastly, the concert will start off at 6:00 P.M.

“This Pride March will actually serve as the prelude to the main event. This is to be participated by the local drag queens as well. Hopefully, the Pride March will be able to get its justice in celebrating the Pride Month, which is to fully create a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ members,” he added.

In also extending gratitude to the people behind the preparations, Brazil openly acknowledges the student-interns from Leyte Normal University (LNU) and Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) – Can-avid, for their diversion of ideas that have helped improve the process in strategizing the different events.

Ticket prices for the Grand Fashion Show Music Fest Concert range from P 200 for the General Admission, P 300 for the Semi-VIP, and P500 for the VIP. They can be purchased at the IGM office located at the 3rd floor of the Tacloban Chronicles Building, Barangay 76, Fatima Village. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY– House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez said that the opening of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) office in the region is a testament that Eastern Visayas’ economy is growing.

The SEC-Tacloban Extension Office, located inside the regional office of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) at the Government Center in Palo, Leyte, opened on May 11.

Romualdez said that with SEC putting its extension office in the region is a manifestation of the progress of the region.

“We celebrate a promise of a brighter future, built on the principle of transparency, accountability and good governance, with the new office we are equipping our city and region with the necessary tools to attract investment, encourage entrepreneurship and promote economic growth,” Romualdez said.

The speaker said that the ‘milestone’ indicates that for Tacloban City and the rest of Eastern Visayas region to become a hub of business activity.

For his part, Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla welcomed the decision of the SEC to set up an office in the region.

“This will encourage businesses to put up their head office in the region, changing the economic landscape of the region,” Petilla said.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)