NSSDEO, Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, Northern Samar– The Maintenance Section of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Northern Samar 2nd District Engineering Office headed by Engr. Francisco Y. Taňala has been consistently rated as ‘outstanding’ for the implementation of Department Order No. 41 series of 2016; for six consecutive semesters since 2020.

In a Memorandum dated December 29, 2022 by Director Melvin Navarro, Director IV, Bureau of Maintenance, DPWH Central Office through DPWH Region VIII, Regional Director Edgar Tabacon commended NSSDEO for a 100% final rating with its corresponding subjective equivalent of ‘Outstanding’ relative to the Road Maintenance Performance Assessment/Rating pursuant to the Interim Guidelines of Department Order No.41, Series of 2016.

The technical team from DPWH-RO VIII Division headed by Engr. Nilo Jumagdao validated and inspected the performance in maintaining the Policy Guidelines on the Maintenance of National Roads and Bridges within the NSSDEO jurisdiction.

The inspection was accompanied by the NSSDEO District Maintenance Engineer Francisco Y. Taňala, Assistant Chief Engineer Nicanor L. Mejos, Jr., and technical personnel of NSSDEO Maintenance Section.

‘Ensuring and prioritizing the safety and convenience of the travelling public has always been our key goal for a better national roads and bridges, and this is the reason why the district office got an outstanding rating during this year’s road rating conducted by the regional office’. OIC-District Engineer Charlito Carlobos said.

Section Chief Engineer Francisco Y. Tańala is supported by Engr. Nicanor Mejos Jr. as his assistant while Engineers Shawnameh B. Osias, Danny M. Pillado, Jr., and Christian Dave C. Pangandoyon are all acting as Maintenance Point Person (MPPs) in the Pacific and Mainland Area respectively.
(LYCA MAE T. QUILICOL,PIO Alternate)

PALO, Leyte– Provincial officials of this province have expressed renewed optimism in its tourism industry following the “resounding success” of a two-day first tourism forum that gathered over 500 tourism stakeholders, industry experts, and government leaders from all over Leyte.

“It’s a privilege in helping the province of Leyte in bringing together tourism stakeholders from both the government and the private sectors, tourism champions from all over Leyte that will strengthen the Leyte tourism industry,” Frances Ann Petilla, provincial tourism office consultant and former mayor of this town, said during the March 7-8 event.

“As I give my humble assistance to the provincial tourism in developing tourism strategies, I believe that by working together, we can create a vibrant and sustainable tourism industry that will benefit everyone,” she added.

Through its theme “Empowering Leyte tourism: A gathering of ideas, opportunities and solutions,” tourism experts and stakeholders had the opportunity to talk about trends and technology in tourism that included empowering local stakeholders, capacity building and accreditation standards, and sustainable tourism.

Other topics were also focused on product development for rural destinations: community-based approach, connecting suppliers to tourists through technology, preliminary planning guide for tourism stakeholders and provincial plans on tourism accreditation.
“The only way you can succeed in having good tourism is when you know what the people are looking for,” said Leyte Governor Jericho Petilla during the gathering at the Leyte Academic Center in Palo.

He also welcomed the discussion on the different strategies to attract more tourists to the province.

Aside from the governor, the keynote speakers and resource speakers during the event also included Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary Ferdinand Jumapao, and tourism regional director, Karina Rosa Tiopes, among others.

Leyte’s unique products were also displayed during the event for “potential business partnerships.”

“About this month, three years ago, talks about coronavirus disease being a global health concern was becoming louder. Then on the 16 of March, a lockdown was imposed nationwide. This marked the start of over two years of travel restrictions to difficult years for the tourism industry in Eastern Visayas, in the country, and in the world. Today, the travel and tourism industry is almost back to normal,” Tiopes recalled.

Provincial tourism officer Jescyn Kate Nierras-Ramos expressed confidence that the tourism forum “will be our first step in working as one in building networks and future projects and endeavors.” (RONALD O. REYES)

TACLOBAN CITY– City government employees alongside active socio-civic organizations of Tacloban gathered on Wednesday (March 8) to kick off this year’s National Women’s Month celebration.

This year’s theme “WE for gender equality and inclusive society” and the official hashtag #WEcanbeEquALL, campaigns to emphasize not only women themselves but also everyone in the society in the pursuit of ensuring equal rights and opportunities regardless of gender.

The program started with a motorcade joined by representatives from Tomeco, Highway Patrol Group (HPG), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Rotary Club Kandaya, Federation of Women’s Association, Tacloban City Council of Women (TCCW), and various government offices and departments in the city.

Councilor and GAD special committee chair Aimee Grafil ended the program by commending women and their efforts to protect the rights and privileges that they get to freely enjoy at present.

“We have come a long way to achieve empowerment; to achieve equality. Asya it aton gin ce-celebrate today. Gin ce-celebrate naton an tireless work of women, especially ha workplace. Women nga aadto ha balay. Women liwat nga hasta yana, naniniguro nga ipakita kung ano it iya kakayahan,” she said in her speech.

Additionally, it was announced that there will be a “Tacloban City Government Women Employees Week” from March 27 until March 31 wherein personal care services such as hair cutting, manicure, and pedicure will be offered exclusively to the city government women employees on March 30.
(SAMANTHA JANE B. CRUZ, LNU Student Intern)