ORMOC CITY– The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) Officer-In-Charge (OIC) District Engineer Rosita A. Tinawin along with Construction Section Chief Renato V. Frias and project engineers recently conducted an ocular inspection on the Construction of Pagsanga-an Flood Control Project in Ormoc City, Leyte.

The 800-lane meter flood control structure has a contract cost of P96,499,998.59 funded under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2022 and is aimed at reducing the risk of flooding during inclement weather conditions.

During the inspection, OIC-DE Tinawin diligently assessed various aspects of the construction project and engaged in productive discussions with the project engineers to ensure conformity to standards and specifications.

The significance of this project lies not only in its concrete infrastructure but in its potential to safeguard lives, properties, and livelihoods.

Moreover, regular inspections are part of the DEO’s efforts to ensure that the projects implemented in the district are high-quality and will serve the community effectively. (PR)

CATARMAN, Northern Samar– The provincial government here admitted to its Medical Scholarship Program (PGNS MSP) 10 more deserving Nortehanons who are pursuing their doctor of medicine degree.

On Tuesday (Sept.12), Governor Edwin Ongchuan signed the scholarship contract admitting to the PGNS MSP the new successful applicants, in the presence of all members of the PGNS MSP Board headed by provincial health officer, Dr. Ninfa Kam and Board Member Gilbert Layon of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan who chairs the committee on health as PGNS MSP board vice chair.

A brainchild program of Gov. Ongchuan, the PGNS MSP is now in its 4th year of implementation, and this 4th batch has so far the most number of medical scholars since its initial implementation in 2020.

A total of 21 scholars are now admitted into the program, plus one licensed physician who has already graduated and currently serving at the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital.
The program entitles the scholars to a benefit package of tuition and other school fees of up to P100,000 plus stipend, book, and uniform allowances of P70,000 per semester.
Gov. Ongchuan, in congratulating the new MSP recipients, urged them to support the noble cause of the program.

“Sinisikap namin na matulungan ng programa yung higit na nangangailangan, kaya masusi ang sinasagawang screening ng MSP Board. Sana pagkatapos ninyo, kayo naman ang tumulong sa probinsya. Kayo ang pag-asa ng ating probinsya,” the governor said stressing the need for the scholars to serve the province.

On behalf of the new scholars, Wendol Cojos from the town of San Vicente, expressed their profound gratitude to Gov. Ongchuan, the MSP Board and the provincial government for placing their trust and faith in them.

“You enable us to pursue our dreams of becoming doctors by investing in us, which is also investing in the future of the province. We are eager to serve Northern Samar,” he said assuring the governor of their commitment to return to Northern Samar and serve the Nortehanon community once they become licensed doctors.

Aside from Cojos, also admitted to the program were Jamailah Rose M. Biagcong; Hannah Grace L. Bisnar; Ria Ariadne T. Flores; Jacob H. Rosima; Blesse N. Cale; Aphril Joy B. Loberiano; Alexis Gene W. Almasco

Gea Kleve A. Galagate; and Psalm S. Elaco.

Also present during the contract signing were provincial administrator Atty. Efren Sabong, provincial accountant Atty. Mary Grace Royo, PHRMDO head Atty. Rosa Leah Tepace-Estudillo, provincial budget officer Adelwisa Acebuche, and PGNS MSP technical working group/secretariat Dr. Catherine Miral, Amelita Norona and Teresita Gacusan.
(THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF NORTHERN SAMAR)

Aims to help fight climate change

MATAG-OB, Leyte– This municipality is aiming to be the ‘greenest’ town of the province as it encourages its people to plant trees and help fight climate change.

As part of the campaign, the municipal government target to plant 10,000 trees every year, says Mayor Bernandino Tacoy.

Tacoy said that he has coordinated with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), local private sectors, members of the communities, and even from the Office of the Vice President on this effort.

“We are doing this tree planting activity as our way of helping in the campaign on climate change that we are experiencing right now,” he said on Saturday (Sept.9).
Since they started this campaign early this year, they have planted over 8,500 trees of various varieties like Lawaan and Narra.

These trees are being planted in their forested areas like in Barangay Malazarte and at various watershed areas like in Brgys. Bulak and Cabadbad.

It has also become a policy of his administration that for every couple that he wed, they need to plant 10 trees as he also encourages visitors of the town to also do the same.
“The feedback is very encouraging,” Tacoy said.

He also makes sure that the seedlings that they have planted will grow by assigning job order workers whose main duties are to monitor these seedlings until they are nourished by watering them every day.

Failure of these job order workers to make these seedlings grow could mean possible dismissal from service, Tacoy said.

He also said that during the filing of certificates of candidacy for those running in this year’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, he also encouraged them to plant trees.
Tacoy lamented that some of their watersheds appeared to have been titled by some private individuals reason he wants to ask assistance from the DENR on how to solve this situation.

This way, they could cover these ‘titled’ watershed areas under their tree planting activities.
He also said that they are practicing waste segregation wherein biodegradable wastes are turned into fertilizers while the non-biodegradable wastes are buried in their landfill area.
Tacoy said that they hope to realize their target that by next year, Matag-ob will be ‘waste-free’ and in the process, help in the fight against climate change.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)