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)
DPWH Southern Leyte widens 10 bridges
Conduct of the brgy, SK elections in Calbayog City violence-free, says officials
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)
DILG asks treasurers to help village officials on fund management
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)
DPWH-Biliran DEO gears to acquire one star rating for material testing laboratory
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)
215 patients benefit from Worlds Apart-One Heart Inc. Medical Mission
MAASIN CITY-A total of 215 patients availed themselves of free medical services in a mission by a non-profit organization held recently in the municipality of Limasawa.
Worlds-Apart One-Heart Inc. (WAOH) is recognized by the International Revenue System which is managed by Rose Hankins, a Filipina who started the mission in 2005.
A volunteer attends to a patient during the Worlds-Apart-One-Heart (WAOH) medical mission in the municipality of Limasawa, Southern Leyte.
It empowers individuals and communities worldwide to improve access to health care in rural areas like the Philippines.
The organization forges partnerships with medical specialists to provide complex care in their respective areas of mission. It also provides lifesaving surgery, medicines and medical supplies at no cost.
In Southern Leyte, WAOH donated books and school supplies to one identified school in Sogod town.
The team also catered to 37 males for circumcision, 12 for minor surgeries, and 19 patients for dental surgery, among other medical consultations
WAOH medical mission in the municipality of Limasawa was in coordination with the Southern Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SLCCI) family through Mrs. Epifania Sy, Limasawa local officials led by Mayor Melchor Petracorta, Rural Health Unit staff and personnel, among others. (PIA-8, So. Leyte)
City gov’t, DOLE inks MOA for employment assistance program
TACLOBAN CITY – In an effort to provide employment assistance to marginalized youths in Tacloban, the city government through Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez on Wednesday, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Labor and Employment VIII for the implementation of the JobStart Program.
The MOA signing held at the CMO Boardroom was headed by Mayor Romualdez, DOLE VIII Regional Director Cyril Ticao, Leyte Employment Office Chief Bernardita Navarra and Tacloban PESO manager Emilia Cruz.
According to Director Ticao, the program aims to offer training and internship programs for youth-at-risk in Tacloban.
“Those who will be selected will undergo ten days of life skills training, up to three months of technical training and another three months of work experience with a “matched” employer/establishment,” said the DOLE regional director.
Mayor Romualdez welcomed the development and said that the program will be a big help to marginalized youths in Tacloban, especially those living in relocation sites.
Meanwhile, PESO Manager Cruz disclosed that 100 slots are available for Tacloban City.
“We will start accepting applicants this June as we still have ongoing talks with partner companies, said the PESO manager.
Recipients of the program are youths aged 18 to 24; at least a high-school graduate; not employed, studying, or undergoing training at the time of registration; and with less than one year, or no work, experience. A stipend of 200 pesos will be given those who will qualify throughout the duration of the training.
The program is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the government of Canada.
(HENRY JAMES G. ROCA/CIO)