CATARMAN, Northern Samar – Members of the Philippine Rural Development Project – Provincial Project Management and Implementing Unit (PRDP-PPMIU) held their monthly meeting on April 10.
Projects under the I-BUILD component of the PRDP were given focus during the meeting.
While the rehabilitation/improvement of Bantayan-Malobago-Pagsang-an Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) in San Roque is nearing completion, the concreting of Burabod-Cadac-an FMR in Gamay continues to miss monthly targets resulting in slippage of -43.71% as of March 31.
The body advised the contractor of the latter FMR project to directly report to the regional office of the Department of Agriculture-PRDP to seek advice on how to resolve this problem. They continue to highlight the importance of completing this project as failure to do so may still compromise the construction/improvement of Camparanga-Manahaw-San Ramon-Canjumadal FMR in Pambujan.
Under the I-REAP component, six out of 13 Small Livelihood Projects (SLPs) for typhoons ‘Yolanda’ and ‘Nona’ have already been satisfactorily completed and complied with all the required processes and procedures stipulated in their signed enterprise implementation agreements (EIAs) with the provincial government of Northern Samar.
These completed SLPs consist of hog fattening and trading (Allen, Mondragon and San Jose); goat production and marketing (Catarman); bio-organic and vermin-culture project (Allen); and duck egg production and Processing Enterprise (Catarman).
The financial grant for each SLP is worth P1 million.
Finally, no local government unit has yet submitted a proposal under the potable water system project of the PRDP.
Training on detailed engineering design and program of works can still be conducted in the province but LGUs must first signify their intent to avail of this project. (PR)

CARIGARA, Leyte—Three teams from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Leyte Second District Engineering Office will be deployed for the “Lakbay Alalay” in anticipation of the enormous volume of traffic during the Holy Week.
District Engineer Gerald Pacanan said that the teams will be stationed in three strategic locations which include the Leyte second district office in Carigara, Lemon junction in Capoocan, and along Burauen-Julita junction in Dulag on a round-the-clock shift starting 12:00 noon of April 17 to 12:00 noon of April 22.
“These teams would deliver prompt and reliable assistance to the motorists and pedestrians along the major thoroughfares, especially for emergency situations,” he added.
The district engineering office would adhere with measures such as providing proper signage for warnings, directions and information, reflectorized pavement markings for night- driving motorists, and making sure that road sections are well-maintained and free from obstructions.
The district office will make proper coordination with the Land Transportation Office, Philippine National Police, Local Government Units, and other concerned government entities for any assistance that may be needed.
Holy week is a traditionally solemn occasion in the country when Filipinos remember Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. It starts from Palm Sunday to Black Saturday, then Easter Sunday.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, PALO, Leyte- The house of the incumbent president of the Association of Barangay Chairmen (ABC) of Matalom, Leyte was peppered with bullets by still unknown suspects.
Reports reaching the regional headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP), this town, disclosed that at about 4:05 am of April 11, 2019, Matalom Municipal Police Station (MPS) received a report from Elias Sister, a barangay tanod of Brgy. Sta. Fe of said town informing that the house of Rogelio Daño,54, married and chairman of said village, was fired upon by unidentified suspects using still unknown firearm.
Immediately personnel of said station led by PCPT Ronald A. Puso proceeded to the area to verify the veracity of the report.
Initial investigation disclosed that the incident transpired at about 2:30 am on Thursday (April 11).
According to Cresilda Daño, wife of the victim, while they were asleep, she heard a sound of a broken glass, prompting her to check where the sounds came from.
They then discovered the entire portion of the sliding door of their house broken due to bullet shots.
Their vehicle, a Navarra with plate number YJD-492, was also peppered with bullets.
No one was hit in the strafing incident.
Motive of the incident and the identity of the perpetrators are now the subject of an ongoing investigation. (PR)

RES Teaching Staff headed by the school head, parents and the entire community proudly accept the donated Children’s Toy Library at Rizal Elementary School, Dagami North District, Dagami, Leyte, the first and the only facility in the district and municipality for children. This was through the effort of Mancera family headed by Sir Rainier and Atty. Ryan Mancera in partnership with the Philippine Toy Library (PTL), Tingog Sinirangan and Sacred Heart Batch 99.
The realization of having the said Children’s Toy Library was done through the formal turn over/launching last March 5, 2019. Participated by the RES teaching Staff, GPTA Officers, Brgy, Council headed by the Brgy. Captain Hon. Floro C. Mojado and the people of barangay Rizal. They were overwhelmed with the kind of facility given to the school to include the building and its package of toys inside it. The highlight of the ceremony was the signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between, Ma. Alma Andrea C. Celebrado from the Philippine Toy Library-Region 8 Coordinator, Children’s Community Play Inc., Mr. Rainier D. Mancera, the President of Mancera Group of Companies and Mary Ann Soriano-Sacro, the School head of Rizal Elementary School. Witnessed by Atty. Ryan D. Mancera, the CFO-Mancera Group and Hon. Jose Carlo E. Cabidog, Barangay Kagawad-Education Committee.
Indeed, it was now fully realized and utilized by the RES children, a new and safe haven for children to play with a good ambience for child development. Toys are no longer a luxury but a necessary advancement for complete development of children and likewise library is essential in a process of giving learners access to knowledge. According to Norman Cousin, “Library is the delivery room for the birth of ideas, a place where history comes to life”. To value such great donation to the learners of Rizal Elementary School and the entire community, RES Teaching Staff is committed and motivated to support this project and to heighten the quality of education for every pupils of Rizal ES. Words are not enough to express our deepest gratitudefor giving us an important cornerstone for a healthy school. It gives our learners an opportunity to explore, improve reading ability, experience new ideas, play with different expensive toys, reading wonderful stories and provide a sense of place for gathering where children enjoy while learning.
To the generous and bighearted donors… Thank you very much. Rizal ES was so lucky and fortunate enough to have this Children’s Toy Library. This will serve as an instrument that will encourage our young learners to attend classes every day and for them to developed competencies and skills that they can use in the future. RES family also promise to play the most significant role in setting strategy to preserve and utilize this CHILDREN’S TOY LIBRARY properly.

BY: Mary Ann Soriano-Sacro

TACLOBAN CITY- The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has asked residents of Catbalogan City in Samar to stay indoors during midday this dry season as the city’s heat index soared Tuesday to 42.6 degrees Celsius, the highest this year.
The state weather bureau reported that among the six provincial capitals in Eastern Visayas, only Catbalogan registered a heat index above 41 degrees Celsius, considered a “danger” level. The city is among the 14 areas in the country with high heat index recorded on April 9.
Residents of “danger” level areas are likely to experience cramps and heat exhaustion while heat stroke is probable for individuals with continued activity, said PAGASA Tacloban station chief Mario Peñaranda.
“Our advice to the public is to stay indoors as much as possible from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and drink eight to 10 glasses of water daily since the body needs water to keep cool. We expect the heat index to increase due to dry season,” Peñaranda said.
Heat index are human discomfort index that gives the “apparent” temperature or what human perceive or feel as the temperature affecting their body. High air temperatures and high relative humidity will give high apparent temperatures or indices. Full exposure to sunshine can increase the heat index by eight degrees Celsius.
Other provinces in the region posted a lower heat index such as Borongan City in Eastern Samar (36.2), Catarman in Northern Samar (38.7), Maasin City in Southern Leyte (28.2), and Tacloban City in Leyte (32.7).
Peñaranda said despite the high heat index in Samar province, some parts of Eastern Visayas experience rains due to easterlies. (SARWELL Q. MENIANO/PNA)