ORMOC CITY—It was a day of jubilation and relief for nine agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) after confronting 20 long years of struggle to finally till the land awarded to them by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
This came after the DAR has finally succeeded in installing them to three landholdings previously owned by Rustico Capahi.
“Nalipay lang ko nga makabalik ko sa akong gitrabaho nga yuta.” (I’m just happy to be back to the lot I was tilling.)
These were the words uttered by 66-year old farmer Clemente Arnaiz, as he broke into tears when the writ of execution was read to them by Sheriff Joseph Catingub on April 24.
The writ of execution issued by Leyte Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Renato Badilla is a legal document that ordered the installation of the nine ARBs to the landholdings that were awarded to them under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
DAR Regional Director Sheila Enciso said Arnaiz, together with the eight other ARBs received their certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) two decades ago but were deprived of entry by the previous landowner. Enciso said they were farmworkers in said landholdings.
“Through the years, we have made several attempts to install them but failed because of the persistent resistance of the landowner to follow the CARP,” said Enciso.
On April 24, with the support of KAISAHAN, a non-government organization assisting the farmers, the 20 years of waiting ended when the nine ARBs were finally installed peacefully into their awarded lots.
Enciso, assisted by Badilla, led the physical installation of the ARBs to the three Capahi-landholdings situated in Barangay Sabang Bao in this city following an agreement reached between the DAR management and the previous landowner.
According to Enciso, the landowner asked the DAR management to allow them to choose their retention area as stated under the law, among others.
Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer Perpetua Sabaldan, who took charge of the installation activities, disclosed that another 26 actual tillers in the three landholdings, with an aggregate area of 16 hectares, were likewise identified as potential beneficiaries.
Sabaldan likewise disclosed that in September last year, 39 other ARBs were also installed into eight landholdings situated in Barangay Balion with a combined area of 36.8 hectares. The properties were also owned by the Capahis.
This season, Enciso told the farmers, “You can already start tilling your respective areas,” but reminded them not to forget their obligations to pay the tax as the owners now of the land. (JOSE ALSMITH L. SORIA, Information Officer)

CARIGARA, Leyte-The Department of Public Works and Highways-Leyte Second District Engineering Office implemented a total of P271.68 million flood control structure projects in different towns under the engineering district.
Among the eight flood control projects, six are ongoing.
These are the Binahaan River in Barangay Tingib, Pastrana, worth P47.8 million; Sito Bariis, Brgy. East and West Visoria, Carigara worth P48 million; Baliri River, Brgy. Salvacion, MacArthur worth P36.3 million; Malirong River, Brgy. Tingib and Arabunog, Pastrana worth P35.8 million; Himanglos River, Poblacion I-II, Barugo worth P37.9 million; and the seawall/breakwater of Poblacion Zone I, Capoocan worth P8.2 million.
In addition, the construction of seawalls/breakwaters that will run along Balud Seawall, Capoocan worth P6.7 million; and Brgy. San Jose-Brgy. San Rafael, Dulag worth P50.8 million are up for realization this year.
According to District Engineer Carlos Veloso, these flood control projects will provide high-rise protection to the residents against storm surge and coastal flooding.
Veloso added that it is always the top priority of the department to protect and ensure safety of the people and of the community, especially those that are greatly affected by flooding during typhoon.
Moreover, the district assures the public that the projects will be completed according to the quality standards set by the department.
(AHLETTE C. REYES)

MAASIN CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has kicked off the widening and strengthening of 10 permanent bridges along Southern Leyte’s national highways to complement the agency’s road expansion projects.
DPWH Southern Leyte district engineering office (SLDEO) chief Ma. Margarita Junia said they allotted P252.59 million for bridge widening projects this year, higher than the P141 million outlay in 2017 for bridge improvement activities.
“The expansion of bridges from two lanes to four lanes will provide convenient and safer travel to locals and visitors plying the province’s major thoroughfares,” Junia said.
The official added the field office here prioritized the widening of bridges along the national highway since these vital infrastructures provide significant link to motorists travelling from Luzon to Mindanao.
Works are underway for bridges of Bitanhuan (P47.64 million), Gakat (P17.3 million), Iti (P23.4 million), Nahaong (P17.3 million), Nahulid (P26.3 million), Oticon (P37.3 million) and Pangi (P18.75 million) bridges, all in Libagon town.
Also, construction continues for bridges of Buac (P16.5 million), Maac II (P22.5 million), and Magapso (P25.6 million) bridges in Sogod town.
The DPWH also designated alternative route as well as signs and traffic advisory informing the public of ongoing repair works.
For 2019, the DPWH-Southern Leyte had already submitted their proposed projects for the widening of 11 permanent bridges in Libagon and Liloan towns.
Pre-detailed engineering activities were already conducted to ensure timely implementation of these infrastructures once the national government approves the proposal. (PR)

CALBAYOG CITY- The conduct of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on this ‘hot spot’ city turned out to be its most peaceful compare to previous balloting.
In fact, during the actual day of voting on May 14, there was no incident reported that could have disrupted the orderly and peaceful barangay and SK elections.
This city, composed of 157 barangays, has always been tagged as a ‘concern area’ or hot spot during elections due to series of killings said to be politically-related.
But city elections officer Dainty Calagos said that this year’s elections were successful and orderly as there was no report of violence during the balloting.
All the winners coming from the 157 villages of the city were proclaimed.
However, just like in other parts of the country, vote-buying was also monitored to have taken place in all of the city’s villages, despite appeal from the Commission on Elections and other sectors, to include the Church, against vote-buying.
The Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army in the region deployed their respective forces in the city to ensure that its elections would be violent-free.
Their presence were welcomed by the people of the city as this provided them security as they headed towards their respective polling precincts.
“The good disposition and spirit of sportsmanship exhibited by most of barangay candidates in the city (during the) elections is gratifying and commendable,” Senior Supt. Leonardo Suan, deputy regional director for operations, said.
(JAZMIN BONIFACIO)

The barangay treasurers are appointed by the barangay chairmen upon approval of the village council which their responsibilities include collecting and issuing official receipts for taxes or payments accruing to the barangay treasury, disbursing of funds and providing an inventory of all barangay assets.

TACLOBAN CITY – Barangay officials should be taught on how they could manage well their funds.
Thus said Regional Director Maribel Sacendoncillo of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) before municipal treasurers of Leyte in a recent gathering.
According to Sacendoncillo, they should guide barangay officials, particularly the chairmen and their treasurers, on managing their funds to avoid falling to corruption practices.
“The treasurers should help capacitate the barangay treasurers, as simple as bookkeeping; they need to be taught on how to do it. Help them by teaching them how to do inventory of assets. You have that responsibility over the barangays,” she said.
The barangay treasurers are appointed by the barangay chairmen upon approval of the village council with their responsibilities include collecting and issuing official receipts for taxes or payments accruing to the barangay treasury, disbursing of funds and providing an inventory of all barangay assets.
“The fight for corruption should start in the lowest level which is the barangay and to prevent it from happening, we will need your help,” Sacendoncillo said.
Eastern Visayas has a total of 4,390 barangays from 136 municipalities and seven cities which needs to be taught on good financial management to ensure that the funds they received goes to the intended services, programs and projects, the DILG regional director stressed.
Aside from ensuring that the barangay officials are managing the finances of their barangays properly, the treasurers must also provide technical assistance to the newly -elected Sangguniang Kabataan officials to handle their finances as well, Sacendoncillo added.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

NAVAL, Biliran- To achieve a one star rating for the material testing laboratory of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Biliran District Engineering Office (DEO), District Engineer David P. Adongay Jr. requests for a reassessment from the Bureau of Research and Standards (BRS), DPWH Central Office.
The re-assessment was conducted by Cielito C. De Guzman, Engineer IV, RDD and Susana D. Faustino, statistician II, MTD on April 26-27, 2018 in pursuant to the Department Order No. 126 Series of 2016 (Amended to D.O. No.11) Series of 2013- Star Rating of DPWH Regional and District Materials Testing Laboratories.
Department Order No. 11, series of 2013 is being amended to emphasize that the star rating system for testing laboratories of the Regional and District Engineering Offices recognizes the need for capable laboratory technicians and materials engineers and complete and reliable testing apparatus/equipment.
The system classify testing laboratories into One-Star, Two-Star or Three-Star categories based on the following criteria: availability of testing equipment and apparatus, competence/accreditation of personnel, observance of health and safety standards, working area of the laboratory, calibration of apparatus/equipment, third-party certification.
All Regional and District Engineering Offices shall exert efforts to attain at least two-star and one-star rating, respectively.
All laboratories with no star rating yet or with only one-star certification shall work towards their accreditation and/or upgrading.
“DPWH-Biliran DEO is hoping for a successful reassessment and acquire a one star rating this time,” said Adongay.
The evaluation for upgrading of the star rating is conducted by the BRS only upon request by the concerned Regional/District Office and submission of proofs showing the improvements that warrant the upgrading. (PR)