TACLOBAN CITY– The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said that it will check the condition of the rusty and damaged railings of the tide embankment located in this city.

In a statement, Adelina Gomez, officer-in-charge of the construction division of the DPWH-8, said that considering that the railings were made of galvanized iron pipes and exposed to elements, it is not surprising that they would turn rusty.

Gomez said that their office has already requested for funding for the maintenance of the 27.3 kms tide embankment.

The Leyte tide embankment is a national coastal infrastructure that is expected to protect the coastal areas of Tacloban City and the towns of Palo, and Tanauan which were among the worst affected by Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ in 2013.

The completed section of the Leyte tide embankment project is near the boundary of Tacloban City and Palo.

After eight years of construction, the structure designed to shield coastal communities from big waves is now 59 percent complete.

Last year, of the estimated P2.14 billion required budget, some P8.8 billion have been released from 2016 to 2023 for the 19-kilometer (km) flood mitigation structure and a 5.43-km backwater dike.

As of the end of September last year, the DPWH-8 reported completion of 17.67 kms of the 38.12 kms of structures, while 6.81 kms are now ongoing and 13.64 kms have not yet started.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

PALO, Leyte-Representing the town of Tanauan, James Martin Mendigo was declared as the grand champion of the 12th season of the Leyte Idol on Sunday (Jan.7) night held at the Leyte Academic Center, this town.

Mendigo bested nine other contestants from various cities and municipalities in Leyte who were declared winners during the elimination rounds.

Each singing competitor sang two songs which became the basis of the judges to select who among them was the best to win the most coveted title as Leyte Idol, the biggest amateur singing competition in Leyte.

His interpretation on Michael Buble’s song “Feeling Good” captivated the judges who chose him as the best among the five contenders who made it to the second cut on the finals night.

Mendigo won P100,000 cash prize and a trophy.

Ormoc City’s contender, Eldrich Manuel Sevilla, was adjudged as 2nd place winner winning P70, 000 cash prize while Christian Labrador of Tacloban City was declared 3rd place winner, winning P50,000.

Non-winners received P20,000 for those who reached the top 5 while the five contenders who were earlier eliminated in the competition after their first song received P15,000 each.

The Leyte Idol singing competition is a brainchild of Governor Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla and is funded by the provincial government to look for exceptional singing talents among young Leyteños.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY-To update the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) sector of the city about the benefits and privileges available to them under the law, the city government, through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), gathered them in a social enhancement and PWD updates forum.

About 300 members of organizations for the differently abled attended the activity held on Friday (Jan.5) at the CEO Gym from 8 am to 5 pm.

Officials of the CSWDO, namely Department Head Fe Chona A. Bahin and Social Welfare Officer (SWO) III Marlou G. Sabate, emphasized in their messages the relevance of the said activity in the enhancement of the well-being and inclusion of disabled people in mainstream society.

In an interview for the City Information Office Radio Program, “Sumat Tacloban,” Sabate, who is the focal person for the PWD of the CSWDO, encouraged members of the differently abled sector to join an organization and register with the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) so they can be issued IDs and access government programs catered for them and benefits, such as discounts on their purchases.

The highlight of the activity was a presentation on R.A. 10754, or an Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability (PWD), which was discussed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 8 PWD Program Focal Person and SWO II Carmela Pullantes-Sabalo.

Sabalo underscored that under the law, PWDs are entitled to a 20 percent discount on their food and medicine purchases and travel fare.

Mandatory PHILHEALTH and SSS coverage are also guaranteed under the law, as is a special lane for abused PWDs.

In the meantime, hygiene kits were distributed to the attendees during the activity.
As of October 2023, there are more than 3,400 registered PWDs in Tacloban City, according to the CSWDO.

(HJ ROCA with reports E. LAGAHIT/CIO)