GOVERNMENT CENTER, PALO, Leyte-For an efficient implementation of infrastructure projects in Region 8, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the winning bidders signed contract of agreement aimed at forging strong cooperation between concerned parties in project implementation in the region.
During the coordination meeting with the contractors held at DPWH 8 Multi- purpose Hall in May 15, 2019, DPWH RD Nerie Bueno said that the office will be transparent and strict in conducting validation of these winning contractors in the implementation of projects in the regional and district engineering offices.
“It is now clear to our winning contractors our terms and conditions, specifically on the provisions for a transparent project implementation, termination of contracts and blacklisting of contractors violating provisions of their signed contracts and attendance to DPWH bidding process,” RD Bueno said.

“The DPWH is transparent in its operations and will intensify monitoring of infra project implementation particularly in the region,” she added.
DPWH is grateful to the winning contractors as partners in achieving the goals and objectives of the department to provide effective and efficient infrastructure facilities to the public.
To date, there are already 16 signed contracts for project implementation by DPWH which include: Construction of By-Pass and Diversion Roads, Tacloban City By-Pass Road Package A (P98 M) and B (P70.5 M); Construction of By-Pass and Diversion Roads, Tacloban City By-Pass Road Extension Package A (P75.1 M) and B (P55.09 M); P120.1 M Construction of Missing Links/New Roads: Jaro-Rubas-Ormoc Road (Jaro side); P99.69 M Construction of By-Pass and Diversion Roads, Tacloban-Sta-Fe-San Miguel Road; and P54.88 M Construction of Missing Links/New Roads- Mahaplag-Hilongos Road, Package 1 amongst other.
The contract signing was led by RD Nerie Bueno with the winning contractors and assisted by DPWH-8 Assistant Director Eric Ayapana. (PR)

NAVAL, Biliran- An access road leading to Naval seaport has been improved by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Biliran District Engineering Office (DEO).
From a bumpy and narrow existing concrete road, travelers along Vicentillo Extension to Naval port is experiencing a great difference of travel with the completion of DPWH-Biliran DEO access road project.
David Julian Culibra, who frequently pass along this road section in going home, said that he now enjoys riding his motorcycle along this road.
Before the rehabilitation project of DPWH, the road along this section had intermittent big potholes, posing danger to the travelling public.
“The existing substandard concrete road shows rutting and depressions and it was difficult to drive because the road is uneven,” explained Culibra.
In convergence with the DPWH and the Department of Transportation (DOTr), DPWH-Biliran DEO has included the rehabilitation of this project under its 2017 Regular Infrastructure Program with a contract cost of P37.13 million.
According to District Engineer David P. Adongay Jr., the project was prioritized because of the traffic congestion along this route during peak hours due to its damaged surface.
The said project involves the rehabilitation of damaged substandard local road with a width of 6.10 –meter and a thickness of 0.23-meter and with a length of 1.390-kilometer two lane road. It also involves a construction of 754-meter length of drainage canal and payment of Road-Right-Of-Way (RROW).
Application of asphalt overlay with thermoplastic pavement is also included in the scope of work.
At present, it has already a smooth surface and is much safer for the traveling public.
“This is the kind of road I like to travel every day,” said Culibra. (PR)

PARANAS, Samar – Former president and outgoing House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo paid a brief visit to this town, one of the areas that benefitted the US-funded Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC) that started during her administration.
And during her June 14 visit to this town, the House Speaker listened among members of various peoples’ organizations (POs) how their lives were changed after the construction of the MCC road in their area.
Among them are PO’s whose members are all male and former engaging to illegal logging but are now into tour guiding, the Ulot Extreme Torpedo Boat Ride.
Eugene Igdalino, who is the president of the Ulot Extreme Torpedo Boat Ride, told the former President that before the road was constructed, he along with other men were into illegal logging.
But with an improved road network, they were able to change for the better as they became tour guides as tourists were coming in to Paranas in droves.
The extreme boat ride is among the top tourist attractions of Paranas.
Igdalino told Arroyo that as tour guides, they are assured of a steady and legal income. Just last year, their organization generated tourist receipt of about P2.4 million.
Igdalino added that aside from the Torpedo boat ride, they are also developing an eco-trail which will be supervised by women’s group that could augment the income of their husbands who are doing tour guiding in Ulot River.
For her part, Elizabeth Pangilino, president of the Tenani Association for Women and Development (Tawad), also informed House Speaker Arroyo that because of the road project, they became aware and is helping the government in curbing the problem on trafficking on their area.
Lack of opportunities and being remote then made some of the villagers immune to getting trafficked, she said.
But with a new road, not only their village became connected to the rest of Paranas but also they became aware how to fight those who are engaging in human trafficking.
Pangilino added that another big contribution of the MCC road project to the community is the efficient delivery of their farm products and they were able to send their children to college.
Hearing this positive feedback, Arroyo said that she is thankful that the project under her term really benefited the poor communities.
“I am so happy to be here this afternoon because you told me how it helped you and that is one of the happiest things I’ve ever heard,” Arroyo said.
“Thank you very much for this wonderful opportunity for me to interact (with you). I hope that tourism will continue to grow and help for you to develop sustainably and to help in addressing poverty in Samar Island and in the whole Philippines,” she added.
The 222-kilometer Secondary National Roads Development Project (SNRDP) was funded by the MCC for $214.4-million which was started during the term of Arroyo.
The project was composed of four contract packages that start in the Pan Philippine Highway along the junction in Barangay Buray, Paranas, going to Taft and end in Guiuan town, both in Eastern Samar.
The project started in 2009 and was finished in 2013.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

BASEY, Samar – San Antonio de Padua Mission Center located in Barangay San Antonio, this town, is now a parish by virtue of a decree issued by Most Reverend Isabelo C. Abarquez, D.D., bishop of Calbayog.
The decree erecting San Antonio de Padua Parish was signed by Bishop Abarquez and Rev. Fr. Noel Labendia, Chancellor of the Diocese of Calbayog.
The pronouncement of the erection of San Antonio de Padua Parish and appointment of its first parish priest was made by Bishop Abarquez before he presided the High Mass in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua about 9 am on June 13 on the feast day celebration of Brgy. San Antonio, with Nenita “Mabel” Cabonce Labitigan-Calip as ‘hermana mayor’ for this year.
After the declaration of Bishop Abarquez about the significant historic events on this year’s fiesta, the decree erecting the San Antonio de Padua Parish and the appointment of Rev. Fr. Basil S. Salino as its first parish priest were read by Rev. Msgr. Niceas Abejuela, vicar general of the Diocese of Calbayog.
Fr. Salino who was installed as priest-in-charge of San Antonio de Padua Mission Center on March 15, 2019.
He is the fifth priest to be assigned in San Antonio following Rev. Fr. Agustin O. Gelera, Rev. Fr. Rex M. Ibañez, Rev. Fr. Eduardo T. Bersamin and Rev. Fr. Noel A. Abiertas.
Bishop Abarquez explained to the faithful the intricate process in erecting a parish saying it started with a letter submitted to him by the previous Fr. Abiertas signifying the intent for San Antonio to become a parish.
The letter was indorsed to the Council on Parish Creation which favorably recommended it to the Board of Consultors before it was submitted back to him for his final decision.
In his homily, Abarquez explained that San Antonio will be a parish under the Diocese of Calbayog.
He asked the community to do their part not only in supporting the parish priest in his pastoral ministry but in the temporal needs as well. He also challenged the faithful to live harmoniously by living the gospel values of forgiveness and compassion as a community.
The High Mass of the fiesta celebration was presided by Bishop Abarquez as the main celebrant joined by other priests in the diocese.
This year’s barangay fiesta was led by the 2019 ‘hermana mayor’ Labitigan-Calip together with her siblings Dra. Myrna C. Labitigan-Labanda, Merle C. Labitigan-Huppenthal, Merlo C. Labitigan, Melba C. Labitigan and their respective families.
(AL ALLEMA)

ORMOC CITY- A fisherman from Barangay Sap-ang, Silago, Southern Leyte who went missing for eight days was found dead at the nearby village on Sunday (June 16).
Town police SSgt. Leonilo Closa, investigator on case, said the beheaded body of Almer Tomol, 36, was already on the state of decomposition when found drifted to a knee-deep seawater in sitio Hibatian of Brgy. Hingatunggan, also of the same town.
His body was already bloated and beyond identification, Closa said.
The victim’s elder sister, Ailene Silda, confirmed the dead body was of his brother, through his short pants, the only clothing remained.
Closa, citing what the victim’s wife stated, said that Tomol gone fishing alone on Saturday morning (June 8), and never returned.
The boat he used was found glided ashore to the nearby village on the same day with his lunch still intact and some catch.
He also said the victim’s wife shared previous incident saying Tomol fell from his boat while fishing and went home with injured knee.
The police said, a local resident found Tomol’s body and reported to the police who responded along with the coast guard personnel.
The town police is still conducting investigation to identify possible crime causing the victim’s death.
(RONALD O. REYES)