A farm-to-market road connecting the villages of Ormocay and Guiminarat in Mayorga, Leyte is now complete, making it easy for farmers, in particular, transport their goods to the market.(Photo Courtesy)
A farm-to-market road connecting the villages of Ormocay and Guiminarat in Mayorga, Leyte is now complete, making it easy for farmers, in particular, transport their goods to the market.(Photo Courtesy)
MAYORGA, Leyte – Another farm-to-market road (FMR) project has been reported completed by the Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The FMR project, amounting to P12.3 million, involves the construction of a 1.045-kilometer of portland cement concrete pavement (PCCP) in a 5-meter span that traverses the villages of Guimiranat East to Ormocay, this town.
“This project is in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), aiming to provide better connectivity between production areas and markets, enhancing the efficiency of transporting agricultural products,” said District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura.
The local communities of Guimiranat and Ormocay are mostly engaged in agricultural productivity such as coconut, rice crops, vegetable farming, and livestock as their source of livelihood.
Thus, a reliable transportation system is needed to transport their goods to the trading area. Minimal transportation costs and travel time are advantageous to the local farmers and daily travelers, especially the students who seek a better education system in the town proper.
Furthermore, accessibility and delivery of basic government and healthcare services will be smoother and easier with the newly paved roads in the villages.
The Leyte 2nd DEO has already completed two projects out of the eight FMR projects for this year, in partnership with the DA, Oppura said. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
Foreign guests on board of the Coral Adventurer visited the island town of Maripipi in Biliran and enjoyed how locals make potteries, an old form of livelihood among the locals. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
Foreign guests on board of the Coral Adventurer visited the island town of Maripipi in Biliran and enjoyed how locals make potteries, an old form of livelihood among the locals. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
TACLOBAN CITY – The local government unit of Maripipi in Biliran province expressed its gratitude to cruise operators for choosing their town as a destination for the Coral Adventurer cruise ship.
Nestled in the northern part of Biliran province, Maripipi is the only town separated from the province and is known for its Sambawan Island, a marine sanctuary and island beach destination that has captured the hearts of local and domestic tourists.
The arrival of Coral Adventurer on Thursday (Nov.2) makes it historical and special for Maripipi being the first town in Biliran province to be included in the cruise itinerary in the Philippines since Eastern Visayas became a part of the cruise tourism map back in 2013.
Town Mayor, Joseph Caingcoy, expressed his gratitude for including Maripipi of the cruise destination.
“We are very thankful for the travel people who manage this cruise because the purpose of this travel focuses on cultural, lifestyle, and livelihood of the island. Through this visit, the visitors will learn what our way of life is,” he said.
Just like in their previous stops in Biri and Capul Island, the 73 guests aboard the Coral Adventurer, predominantly Australian nationals, had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultural richness of Maripipi.
Upon their arrival at the town’s port, the group embarked on a journey of cultural discovery.
They visited the nito weaving community of Agutay, where residents demonstrated their traditional livelihood by processing a unique fern species into various products, including handbags, hats, table mats, fruit trays, food covers, baskets, and decorative items.
The group also explored Casibang village, where residents engage in pottery making, an age-old industry that once served as the island’s primary source of income, supporting families and children’s education.
In Casibang, the guests witnessed the traditional materials used in pottery making and the manual process involved in producing ceramic products, from clay preparation to molding, air drying, and cooking.
The foreign guests were also treated to traditional and festival dances throughout their stay in the town and had the opportunity to savor local delicacies such as “sinaging,” a traditional food made from pounded banana and young coconut, biko (rice cake), and nilupak.
The adventure continued as the group explored Sambawan Island, taking a dip in its pristine waters and discovering the wonders of this marine sanctuary.
Mayor Caingcoy hinted at the possibility of more such visits, stating, “If they experience the best tour in Maripipi, those who manage the cruise tour said that they might bring another set of cruise guests next year.”
Even before the arrival of the Coral Adventurer in Maripipi, Department of Tourism Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes had already announced another cruise ship visit to the municipality by May 2024. This second cruise ship belongs to the same cruise line that owns the Coral Adventurer.
“The principal of Coral Adventurer had already informed us that they will be bringing another set of guests next year to Maripipi because they were so happy with what they saw in the town,” she said.
Prior to the cruise ship’s arrival, the local government unit and the tourism department conducted several training activities to ensure that everyone involved in the welcoming process was well-prepared to provide an outstanding guest experience.
After Maripipi, the Coral Adventurer set sail for Babatngon town in Leyte province for its guests to explore the municipality and the city of Tacloban, the capital of Region 8. Their journey will then take them to Cuatro Island and Canigao Island before they head to Tagbilaran, Bohol.
Upon their return, the cruise ship will explore the beauty of Eastern Visayas, with visits to Kalanggaman in Palompon town and diving sites in Padre Burgos, culminating in a visit to the island town of Limasawa in Southern Leyte province. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
ORMOC CITY– A man shot and killed his brother-in-law in San Miguel, Leyte on Oct.23 with a personal grudge as reason.
Reynaldo Compuesto, 50 of sitio Busay, Barangay Guinciaman of the said town shot Nestor Morales, 62, using an improvised shotgun which resulted in his instant death.
Town police chief, Major Ronald Espina, disclosed that based on their investigation, the victim went to the house of the suspect at about 9:30 pm and was in possession of a long-bladed weapon, locally known as ‘sundang.’
The wife of the suspect, with the help of other relatives, tried to pacify Morales but to no avail. The suspect, who was on the second floor of their house, got the improvised shotgun and shot his brother-in-law, hitting him on his head which resulted in his death.
The suspect voluntarily surrendered to the police.
Espina said that the two had a long-running feud which ended on the day of the tragic death of Morales.
Local police are now conducting a background investigation about the alleged cases of two brothers-in-law after a shooting incident that occurred between the two resulted in one death at about 9: 30 in the evening on Monday, October 23, at a farm owned by a former congressman in Sitio Busay Brgy. Guinciaman here.
San Miguel COP Police Major Ronald Espina, identified the suspect as Reynaldo Compuesto, 50, married, farmer, a resident of Sitio Busay Brgy. Guinciaman here.
The suspect is now detained at the local police. (ROBERT DEJON)
TACLOBAN CITY –About 4,598 police officers were deployed to secure all of the 369 cemeteries and memorial parks in the region for the observance of All Saints’ Day on November 1 and All Souls’ Day on November 2.
This was disclosed by Brigadier General Reynaldo Pawid, the police regional director, in an interview.
“We give the public our commitment and assurance that they can rely on the PNP and partner agencies to continue to provide security throughout all of these significant events in Eastern Visayas,” he said.
Pawid said 392 police assistance desks (PADs) in various cemeteries and places of convergence were also out up to assist the public.
Police personnel have remained on full alert “for any eventualities or possible unrest,” days after the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on October 30.
Meanwhile, Pawid disclosed that an operation plan has already been laid out for the observance of the 10th-year commemoration of Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ (Haiyan) on November 8.
“There will be no let-up, our efforts will continue for the safety and security of the general public,” he said. (RONALD O.REYES/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
NSSDEO, Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, N. Samar-Department of Public Works and Highways Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office (DPWH-NSSDEO) technical personnel Engineer Danny M. Pillado, Jr., together with field personnel of NSSDEO Maintenance Section, attended the Maintenance Enhancement Training (MET) for Maintenance Crew and Road Workers, in compliance with Department Order 189, s. 2022, held at DPWH-Regional Office VIII, Multi-Purpose Hall, Baras, Palo, Leyte, on October 2-4, 2023.
OIC-District Engineer Charlito S. Carlobos and OIC-Assistant District Engineer Atty. Arthur Eric L. Sabong directed District Maintenance Engineer Francisco Y. Tañala to allow his maintenance personnel, namely: MPP Engr. Pillado, Jr., together with four field laborers, Jeffrey Balicat, Salvador Sacristan, Juvy Balading, and Rodrigo Romaces, to attend the MET.
All participants were requested to bring their respective equipment, materials, and safety devices such as service vehicle; safety vest and DPWH orange uniform (long sleeves); traffic cones, concrete cutter, vibrator plate compactor, torch/burner, air compressor, asphalt mechanized sealer and minor tools that will be used during the Field Application/Demonstration on road repair work.
The resource speakers for the training were Engineer Pastor G. Padre, Jr. and Engineer Alvin C. Del Rosario from the Bureau of Maintenance and Engineer Toribio Odtuhan from the Regional Office. The three speakers ran the lecture discussions and the entire sessions.
The two-day training allocated for the discussion of the various topics such as Gender and Development (GAD) and its significance in the workplace. Also discussed were the roles and responsibilities of maintenance crew provided under D.O. 189, s. 2022, such as, procedural flowchart for BOM/RO/DEO, road and bridge defects and response time, special consideration during BOM Assessment, and administrative sanction and citation, Assessment Road Rating, common road distresses and proper repair works. It also discussed the compliance to D.O. 93, s. 2014, on the regular pruning/trimming and/or cutting of tress within the Road Right-of-Way of national roads, Road Works Safety and Traffic Management, followed by its workshop, cracks & joint sealing, and D.O. 168, s. 2015, for the guidelines of Disposal and Management of Soils and Debris, and Concrete Reblocking, pothole patching, pavement marking application, and Fieldwork Orientation.
Additionally, the last day of training was allocated for field application on pothole patching, and crack and joint sealing. After the fieldworks of participants, a group activity was presented.
Through this undertaking, the participants became mindful of the holistic standard on routine maintenance in actual field and to execute roadwork security and traffic management for the travelling public.(RONEL L. GALUPO, PIO STAFF/PR)
Israel’s critics like Russia and China may have taken worse revenge against Hamas had they been terrorized by this group. The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing for years, with both sides engaged in retaliatory attacks that have resulted in significant loss of life and destruction. While critics of Israel may argue that their actions are unjust or disproportionate, it is essential to analyze the situation objectively.
Hamas, a Palestinian political and military organization, has been using violence as a means to achieve its political goals, including the destruction of Israel. In response, Israel has taken measures to protect its civilians and secure its borders. These measures often involve targeted strikes on Hamas strongholds and infrastructure. While critics may condemn Israel’s actions as excessive, they fail to acknowledge the necessity of self-defense and the need to neutralize a terrorist organization that poses a threat to the region’s stability.
The group often hides among civilian populations, using them as human shields while launching attacks on Israeli civilian areas. This deliberate tactic puts innocent lives at risk and complicates Israel’s efforts to target Hamas militants without causing collateral damage. Critics who solely focus on the casualty count fail to recognize the intricacies of urban warfare and the challenges faced by Israel in minimizing civilian harm. Israel, on the other hand, strives to warn civilians before targeting rocket-launching sites, using techniques such as “roof knocking” and sending text message alerts.
Hamas refuses to acknowledge Israel’s right to exist and has rejected numerous peace agreements. The critics themselves, in their focus on Israeli actions, may inadvertently enable Hamas to continue its violent agenda. By unfairly criticizing Israel, they risk undermining the country’s efforts to defend its citizens against terrorism and encourage a peaceful resolution to the conflict. To truly demonstrate impartiality, it is necessary to acknowledge the context of the situation and avoid falling victim to one-sided narratives.
