TACLOBAN CITY-Scores of residents from 7 barangays in the city were recipients of the frontline services being offered by the Barangay Outreach Program of the City Government held last Tuesday (August 29).
Starting at 8 am in Brgy. 64 Sagkahan, the Barangayan served residents of Barangays 62, 62-A, 62-B, 63, 64 75 and 76.
According to Dr. Gloria Fabrigas, MASA and special projects for health head, the Barangayan is a regular project of Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez which bring much needed health and frontline services directly to the communities.
Doctors and medical personnel from the City Health Office held medical consultations and likewise administered free tooth extraction and dispensed free medicines during the half-day activity.
Free Optometric services, such as the distribution of reading glasses, were also made available to residents.
Among the other services delivered during the Barangayan were free haircut by staff from the Cristina’s Learn and Earn Program (CLEP) and the free live birth processing of the City Civil Registrar.
Barangay residents also availed of employment services from the Public Employment and Services Office (PESO) and were also assessed for eligibility to services of the City Social Welfare and Development Office like assistance to persons with disabilities and PhilHealth coverage.
The City Veterinary Office also conducted house to house anti-rabies dog vaccinations and deworming.
A feeding program for children also highlighted the activity. (HENRY JAMES G. ROCA/CIO, Photos by Mario Papuran)
‘Barangayan’ serves villages in Sagkahan District
ESSU to host 4th international conference on disaster risk reduction management
BORONGAN CITY- All systems go for the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU), based here, is hosting the 4th International Conference on Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction Management – considered as one of the major events in the field of DRRM – on Sept. 4-6 at the ESSU Multi-purpose Hall.
This year’s theme is “Managing our future by managing disasters” aims to find innovative ideas in dealing with complexities and change associated with man-made and natural disasters that have become the currency of the times.
ESSU is mandated to look for avenues and platforms in a form of scholarly endeavors that will lend an explanation, information or if not a possible solution associated with climatic and environmental forces including acts of terrorism that threaten human existence.
A total of 250 participants coming from various public and private elementary, secondary and tertiary institutions particularly those designated as DRRM officers in each school, provincial/city/municipal DRRM officers, researchers and representatives from INGAs are expected to attend the 3-day event.
One of the highlights of the conference is the paper and poster presentation focusing on two thematic areas, namely: risk assessment, risk reduction and management including conflict management; disaster response and sustainable development that are anchored on the National Climate Change Action Plan.
A parallel session will also be held exclusively for delegates coming from local government units and INGAs with the following subject matter experts: Dante Eleuterio and Xyla Ortinero of Save the Children organization; Mayor Richard Gomez of Ormoc City or his representative; Atty. Bonifacio Uy, NEDA 8 regional director; Engr. Arnaldo Villanon, director, alternative renewable energy center; and Forester Edgar Peque, director, Center for Eco-Governance and Climate Change Adaptation.
The welcome address will be delivered by Edmundo Campoto, president of ESSU.
The keynote speaker is Dr. Mel Capistrano, country manager of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) with headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand.
Former DENR Secretary Gina Lopez will also give a message concerning her advocacy on environmental protection and management.
Six distinguished plenary speakers will deliver lectures during the first day of the conference which includes, Atty. Antonio La Viña, executive director of Manila Observatory and former dean, School of Governance, Ateneo de Manila University; Dr. Gideon Lasco, a PhD graduate from the University of the Amsterdam and columnist of the Phil. Daily Inquirer; Dr. Fibon Tan, an associate professor of the Mapua Institute of Technology and an awardee during an international congress of scientists in Moscow, Russia held this year; Dr. Melvin Jabar who obtained his PhD in Japan; Dr. Teofredo Esguerra, the unit lead of the energy development corporation; and Dr. Arnolfo Monleon of the Marinduque State College.(PR)
Construction of access road going to Lulugayan Falls projected to boost income among locals
CALBAYOG CITY- The construction of a road access to Lulugayan Falls will pave the way to boost the tourism in Barangay San Joaquin, this city, as it will provide livelihood and job opportunity to the said barangay.
The construction of 1,200 meters road, having a width of 6 meters and a concrete shoulder 1 meter on both sides of the road has an appropriation of P50 million and will result in an easy access to one of 20 famous waterfalls around the city.
Lulugayan Falls is such a majestic falls but remained unexplored by tourists due to road difficulty.
Normally, travelers and residents alike need to traverse around 1 kilometer just on foot.
According to the locals, the name “Lulugayan” came from their vernacular “lugay” which means to lay down one’s hair just like the streams of falling water that resembles the flowing hairs of a lady.
The falls is also the source of water supply of approximately 7,000 population and at least 250 households.
Once the access road is implemented, tourism activities in the area will develop, improve the community economically and have an access way to the management of the water supply. (PR)
Depressed woman rescued from drowning in Ormoc City
ORMOC CITY- An 18-year old woman was rescued from drowning at the Ormoc Bay by members of the Coast Guard based here Thursday (August 31) morning.
The victim, Marvy Ventura of Barangay Montebello of this city, was seen by witnessed as crying and plunged herself into the sea at about 9:56 am, said Pat Belarmino of the Coast Guard station here.
Ventura, who was also seen to have thrown her mobile phone before he dived herself to the waters, was rescued by eight Coast Guard personnel 250 meters away from the shoreline, Belarmino added.
The woman was turned over by the Coast Guard to the members of the Ormoc City Rescue Group which gave her first aid treatment.
She was turned over to her family who disclosed that the victim earlier attempted to kill herself due to a problem. (PR)
P26.6 million worth of projects in Leyte’s second district up for bidding
TACLOBAN CITY – Procurement activities for various infrastructure projects in Leyte’s second district amounting to P 26.6 million with prequalification and bidding documents available at the Second Leyte Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for all interested civil work contractors.
These various projects are being undertaken under their National Expenditure Program for 2017 which has a P 1.7 billion capital outlay.
District Engineer Carlos Veloso said qualified contractors may vie for the rights to undertake contract for the projects which include the concrete paving worth P 1.9 million and repair of a drainage system in Sta. Elena village worth P 1.8 million, both in Lapaz town; construction of a two-story health and wellness building in Barangay San Rafael in Dulag town worth P 7.9 million; construction of a multi-purpose building in Brgy. Paghudlan worth P6.4 million, repair of a drainage project in Brgy. San Esteban worth P 2 million, both in Burauen town.
Also included in the projects now up for bids is the construction of a multi-purpose building in Brgy. Rizal in Tabontabon town worth P 3.4 million; and the revetments in the villages Hiabangan and Guinarona, both of Dagami town worth P 1.7 million and P 1.5 million respectively. The revetment is both for flood control purposes.
The bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion while the contractor’s eligibility to bid on the project will be determined using the DPWH contract eligibility process (CPEP).
Issuance of bidding documents started last August 18 and is slated up to September 6; while the pre-bid conference will be on September 6 and the opening of bids is likewise on the same date.
Veloso assures that infrastructure projects lined up this 2017 are right on target and consists mainly of road widening including drainage, concrete reblocking, asphalt overlay, paving of shoulders, slope protection, and flood control projects. (AHLETTE C. REYES)
Beltejar steps down as PNP-8 chief
Killing of EV’s top drug lord happened under his watch
TACLOBAN CITY- Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar will officially step down as the region’s top police official on Wednesday (August 30) with Chief Supt. Roberto Badian taking his post.
Badian is currently the regional deputy police director for administration.
The turnover ceremony to be held at the Camp Ruperto Kangleon, regional police headquarters, will be presided by police deputy director general Ramon Apolinario.
Top government officials in the region are expected to attend the turnover rites.
Beltejar, first police regional director for Eastern Visayas named under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, is to step down after reaching the organization’s mandatory retirement age of 56.
“We are successful in the implementation of our programs because we have the support of the 7,704-strong men and women of the PRO-8 who enforces the law and ensure the safety of the people of the region,” Beltejar said.
He was appointed to head the region’s police force on July 1, 2016.
He led the recent 116th founding anniversary of the Philippine National Police attended by Police Director General Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa.
de la Rosa heaped praises on Beltejar on his campaign to contain the proliferation of illegal drugs in the region.
The PNP chief said that under the supervision of the outgoing PNP-8 chief, the region contributed around three percent of the more than 1.3 million drug personalities who voluntarily surrendered under the organization’s “Operation: Tokhang.”
About 42,244 drug dependents and pushers gave themselves up; seized 23,424.976 grams of marijuana and 18,383.95 grams of shabu; and confiscated illegal firearms and arrested high-value targets foremost of which was Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa, Sr.
Director Beltejar was also praised by the local media community for forging a closer relation between them and the police organization.
By: VICKY C. ARNAIZ/JOEY A. GABIETA