Roles and responsibilities of project engineers and project inspectors. Engr. Bryan Jeramiah L. Mercado and Engr. Jon Mikel L. Maniquis both from the Construction Support Services Division, Bureau of Construction, this Department, discussed the importance of documentation, proper attitudes and discipline in project documentation, field documentation and monitoring, and payment and project close-out.

The last two (2) days of the training/seminar were spearheaded by Engr. Ryan M. Cabarubias, Section Chief, Claims Review Division – Price Escalation Review Section at the Bureau of Construction. Engr. Ryan vigorously discussed the important documents for contract management including forms, variation orders, termination procedures, blacklisting, and time variance.

During the discussion, he reiterated that all those documents are important and should be treated with utmost attention as these could make or break the project as well as those involved in the project implementation.

Overall, the training/seminar was a success as evidenced by the active participation and cooperation by the attendees especially during the conduct of workshop prepared by the resource persons. They also showed interest through active participation in the open forum and they even requested insights on some problems encountered in their projects.
For the closing remarks, OIC Assistant District Engineer Peter Scheler V. Soco expressed his hopes that the participants would be able to apply their newfound knowledge effectively and also highlighted the value of the training as a bonding experience among the engineers from the different DEOs.
The DPWH Leyte 4th DEO remains committed to enhancing the skills and capabilities of its workforce to ensure the successful and efficient completion of civil works projects in the region.
(ROBER T. DEJON, with DPWH-ORMOC report)

PALOMPON, Leyte– The local government here is now in the thick of things making this town a tourist haven where tourists cannot just enjoy the pristine water of Kalanggaman Island, undeniably its most known tourist destination.

Jenny Beltran, the tourism consultant of the local government unit, said in an interview that there are plenty of sites that the town can offer to tourists and not just Kalanggaman Island.

Among them are the town’s eco-park, Tabuk Island, the Palompon Terrestrial Eco-Adventure Park, Maria Anabe Cave, and Heaven Garden.

The Palompon Eco-Park showcases modern technology for a cleaner environment as the LGU purchases modern equipment to make their garbage disposal thoroughly hygienic.
The LGU has purchased the 02-1000 decomposition machine, the only of its kind in Leyte, which burns all rubbers, like tires, coming from the garbage collection and brought to the material recovery facility at the Eco-Park. After being put into the machine, this will be burned, and what is left are the metals from the tires.

Also, in the eco-park is a shredder machine that will pulverize all kinds of glass recovered from garbage collection and turn this into a tiny particle that they will add as raw materials in the hollow block industry.

The park also has a biodegradable shredder that will grind all biodegradable waste, such as leaves and coconut waste, into small particles and store them for several days until they become organic fertilizer.

Another alternative place to visit is the Tabuk Island Marine Park Fish and Bird Sanctuary which is just 10 minutes by boat from the mainland.

The island served as the protector of the mainland during the onslaught of Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ 10 years ago as this blocked a huge wave brought by the strong winds of the typhoon from going to the town proper.

The whole island can be viewed at a lighthouse for a breathtaking view of giant fruit bats and other birds nesting in thick mangrove forests. At the seawaters, tourists can view big fish roaming in the sea, as the area was declared a fish sanctuary in the early 1990s. A tourist can also see several species of mangroves inside the island through a bamboo boardwalk.

Another attraction of the town is the Palompon Terrestrial Adventure Park located in Barangay Liberty. The adventure park has a zipline and a sky bike.

The sky biking will traverse a 100-meter line from the starting platform to the other end while the zipline from a platform at the eco-adventure is parked, it will cross the opposite mountain and travel again back to the adventure park. The rides at the eco-adventure park are very affordable, as they will only cost P100 per ride.
(ROBERT DEJON)

NSSDEO, Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, N. Samar– The Department of Public Works and Highways-Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office (NSSDEO) implemented a preventive maintenance project that will improve travel and mobility among motorists and residents along Palapag-Mapanas-Gamay-Lapinig(Pamagala) area.

This asphalt overlay project was completed last September 14, 2023 under contract with Aqualine Construction. Its scope of work covers asphalting of 5,862 meters roadway and reblocking/concreting of 221 meters roadway, funded under GAA CY 2023. It has a Contract ID No. 23II0031 under direct supervision of Project Engineer Carlos Paulo Perfecto.

“Dati noong hindi pa ito asphalt, pag nagdadrive ako, para akong inaalog kahit semento ang daan, ngayong aspaltado na, smooth at maganda na ang takbo ng sasakyan. Komportable na yung driver”, a motorist told the DPAIO during an interview.

Asphalt overlaying is significant since it offers many benefits including cost efficiency, protection of PCCP, reduction of noise of passing vehicles, and travel comfort. Also, smooth roads are safer because rough or uneven surfaces increase driver fatigue and therefore decrease vehicle control which sometimes results to vehicular accidents.

Also, this project is of great significance to the end-users since an asphalt-paved road surface protects the concrete pavement from further damage caused by natural factors, hence giving a longer life span to the infrastructure facility.
(LYCA MAE T. QUILOCOL, PIO ALTERNATE)

CATARMAN, Northern Samar– The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 8 Director Edgar B. Tabacon inspected the Palanit Bridge in San Isidro Northern Samar to personally assess the status and condition of the said structure.

The inspection was joined by Assistant Regional Director Ma. Margarita C. Junia, District Engineer Mario D. Villena, Asst. District Engineer Vivian G. Biaco, and District Construction Chief Engr. Vicente C. Galecio, Planning Chief Engr. Andy S. Ereño and other personnel from DPWH Regional office VIII.

Limit on access of motorists passing the Palanit Bridge has been imposed recently by the district office, after having noticed defects from the structure. Further assessment of DPWH R8 officials revealed the deterioration of the bridge steel girder (span 2), posing a safety risk to motorists and heavy vehicles in the area.

Director Tabacon assured that he will follow up at the Central office the district’s requested P10-million Quick Response fund (QRF) for the strengthening of the bridge, while waiting for the construction of a 2-lane parallel bridge which is set to be constructed next year.
“The visit of RD Tabacon underscores the commitment of the regional office to proactively address the pressing concern for the benefit of the traveling public,” District Engineer Mario Villena said.

DE Villena also stressed that minimizing inconvenience, preventing traffic disruptions, averting potential bridge collapse, and prompt action is deemed necessary.
Meantime, motorists are strongly advised to utilize the Catarman-Calbayog Road as an alternate route to ensure everyone’s safety.

The district office still has deployed maintenance personnel to man the structure to ensure that only light vehicles (weighing not more than 3 tons) pass the bridge for the safety of motorist.
(ANALIZA A. PABIA/PR)

Now on its 4th year

TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Samar successfully held the Samar Pop (SPOP) Music Festival which showcases excellent music composing and singing talents among its local artists.

For this year, 12 singers and composers were named as finalists who showcased their own music compositions during the finals night held at the Northwest Samar State University-Main Campus Oval in Calbayog City on September 29.

Yssa Romano, with her song ‘Unta’ emerged as the champion. She was also named as the best interpreter.

Clark Ortiz Iand Leones, Anton Gepiga, and Chelsea Maranga were declared as second place with their song ‘Langga’ while Yalab Ent with their song ‘Murulayan’ in 3rd place.
Minor awards were received by Fordy for the song ‘Payong’ for the best in lyrics, Yalab Ent for the best in musical arrangement, Samareyna of Ronald Rivera, Jem Sorilo and Praise Casiano for best in music video.

‘Dida ka la’ of Tobi Aguilar bagged the audience choice award.

Judges of the 2023 SPOP were Jerby Santo, JJ Ang, Malou Maglinte, Jude Gitamondoc, and Aimee Grafil, councilor of Tacloban City and is a noted local singer.

Prior to the finals, a boot camp was held with 20 participants with the help of Lucien Letaba where the finalists underwent an intensive program to improve their musical skills, network, and collaborate with other aspiring artists who came from different backgrounds and genres.

From the 20 participants, the 12 finalists were selected and performed their songs in the finals in Calbayog City.

SPOP, now in its fourth year, is an annual songwriting competition organized by the provincial government of Samar which aims to open doors to local talents to showcase their passion for music and songwriting. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)