PASTRANA, Leyte – In an effort to sustain the needs of the communities for reliable infrastructure, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under the Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Alleviating Gaps (SIPAG) funds has allotted P26.36 million for a Katubigan (Kalsada Tungo sa Patubigan) project in Binahaan north river irrigation system – main canal service road in Pastrana town.

According to Leyte Second District Engineering Office (L2DEO) District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura, once completed, this project will provide 1,981.50 linear meters of concrete road beside an irrigation system in the farm fields.

Some portions have provisions for concrete stone masonry as protection from scour and erosion from the ravaging effects of water flow.

Added benefits of a concrete road include reducing travel time and aiding the faster transport of goods and farm produce to the market. Fare and handling costs will also be minimal, increasing the income for the farm producers.

The local community will have easy access to medical services, especially in emergency situations, and commuters will no longer endure bumpy and muddy roads, especially during wet seasons.

DPWH-SIPAG aims to boost economic activity by opening more opportunities for livelihood and facilitating faster access to social and educational services.
The project is expected to be completed by October of this year.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

ORMOC CITY-Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has championed a series of important health bills with the aim of improving the accessibility of government services for the Filipino people, particularly the poor and indigents.

These proposed measures seek to bridge the gap between citizens and essential healthcare, as well as enhance mental health support across communities.

The first bill, the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which recently passed the Senate’s third and final reading, is currently awaiting the signature of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Go, an author and the principal sponsor of the bill, underscored the significance of establishing specialty centers in various regions.

During his visit to this city on Friday(June 16), Go informed that if enacted, these centers would provide specialized medical services to individuals who cannot afford or travel to Metro Manila for treatment at National Specialty Centers like the Philippine Heart Center, Lung Center, or National Kidney and Transplant Institute.

“With this, we can bring medical services closer to our fellow citizens who have serious illnesses but lack the means to come to Metro Manila for treatment at specialty hospitals,” the senator said.

The bill’s bicameral conference report includes provisions for establishing specialty centers within existing government-owned and controlled corporations or specialty hospitals, ensuring the availability of quality healthcare in different regions.

Furthermore, the Regional Specialty Centers Act sets clear service standards that the Department of Health (DOH) will establish in hospitals serving subnational and regional catchment populations.

The proposed measure aims to ensure that these specialty centers possess the necessary expertise and resources to effectively address patients’ specialized medical needs across the country.

It also specifies the medical specialties that the DOH will prioritize in the establishment of these centers, further streamlining the provision of specialized care.

Recognizing that a well-functioning healthcare system is essential for the country’s progress, Go also reiterated the importance of investing in health infrastructure as a vital component of national development.

He stressed that by expanding and modernizing healthcare facilities, the government can ensure that Filipinos receive timely and adequate medical attention, regardless of their location or economic status reason that he initiated early on the establishment of Super Health Centers nationwide.

“Super health center is one of the methods for us to bring medical services closer to our countrymen and decongest the hospitals because there is no need to go to the hospital in the city, the primary ones can be there in the community itself with a Super Health Center,” Go explained.

According to him about 307 super health centers have been funded last year and another 322 for this year.

The super health center is a medium type of polyclinic where childbirth can take place, dental, laboratory, x-ray, and others with the local government unit to run it.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

The office of Speaker Martin Romualdez and Tingog Partylist Representatives Yedda Marie Romualdez and Rep. Jude Acidre, in coordination with DSWD, has provided P10,000 cash assistance through the department’s Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program to over 125 families who were victims of the fire incident last Wednesday June 14, 2023 in Barangay Addition Hills.

The victims also received relief goods from the Speaker’s Office and Tingog Partylist. Most of the victims are currently seeking temporary shelter at the Tanglaw Covered Court in Block 19-A.

Kap. Carlito Cernal of Brgy Addition Hills expressed his gratitude to Speaker Martin Romualdez for his expedient response in assisting the victims. The 10k cash aid will be used as a starting foundation for the families who are seeking to rebuild their homes.

In his message to the families, Cong Jude Acidre hailed the strong Waray waray community in Brgy Addition Hills and assured them of the never ending support of Tingog Partylist for its constituents, may it be in Eastern Visayas or in NCR.

Cong. Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales III also thanked Speaker Romualdez and Tingog Partylist for always answering the call of duty and for providing meaningful aid to those who are most in need. (PR)