MAASIN CITY-Glyzel Bongaos, 12, and a Grade 7 student of Pintuyan National Vocational High School was named Pantawid Pilipino Exemplary Child 2019 in the province of Southern Leyte.
The search was initiated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps).
Bongaos, who is a consistent honor student in her elementary years, showcased her talents in singing, dancing, modeling and drama.
Besting 11 other entries, Bongaos showed confidence during the question and answer portion giving the judges’ nod composed of Rebecca G. Cadavos, information officer from the Philippine Information Agency – Southern Leyte; Gloria M. Reyes, editor-in-chief of the Southern Leyte Times; Darwin O. Milagroso, social welfare assistant from the Provincial Social Welfare and Services Office; and Ma. Juvemar Pedalino and Abelardo Bibat of 4Ps-Southern Leyte.
The entries from the municipalities of Bontoc and Hinundayan got the second and third places, respectively.
The Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children featured children beneficiaries, aged 10-14 years old, who are role models in their homes, schools, and communities. Their wit, talents, and sense of leadership, were shown through the question and answer portion.
Bongaos, as the provincial winner, will vie for the regional level competition set in October while the regional winner will compete for the national search, OIC-Provincial Link Ableardo Bibat said. (LDL/RGC/PIA-8, Southern Leyte)

CARIGARA, Leyte – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Central Office conducted a two-day intensive seminar and workshop on the Right-of-Way Act (Republic Act 10752) and the DPWH Right-of-way Acquisition Manual (DRAM).
Held last August 29-30, 2019, Leyte Second District Engineer Gerald Pacanan and OIC-Planning & Design Chief, Rochel Hermano attended the seminar in Microtel by Wyndham in Pasay City.
“These right of way (ROW) issues are the major cause of delay for our projects, thus there is a need to settle obstructions before implementing our road infrastructure programs,” said Pacanan.
Undersecretary for Planning and Progress, Plans & Problems (PPP) Engineer Maria Catalina Cabral discussed on the importance of ROW Acquisition in the overall planning of infrastructure.
Major issues under the old and new ROW acquisition process and DRAM weighed up by Annabelle Herrera – President, ECOSYSCORP and REID Consultant.
Rosemarie Del Rosario, Chief of DPWH-Environmental and Social Safeguards Division talks on the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environment Compliance Certificates (ECC).
Context and purpose of the seminar were detailed by Atty. Rodil Millado, director of DPWH Legal Service.
“With the insights of the speakers, we will now be able to plan our projects better to avoid problem and issues that may arise during project implementation,” added Pacanan.
The office is continuously coordinating with the utility providers and the residents affected by the right of way concerns in Leyte’s second district.
Republic Act 10752 is an act facilitating the acquisition of Right-of-Way site or location for national government infrastructure projects.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY-Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez presided the 3rd Quarterly Joint meeting of the City Peace and Order and City Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (CPOC-CADAC) on Friday, September 6 at the CMO Boardroom.
The 25-member CPOC-CADAC discussed several agenda that included an update on the Peace and Order Situation of the City, the sustainability of Drug-Cleared Barangays, Organization of the City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), and the Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) Performance Audit, among others.
According to the TCPO, Tacloban remains relatively peaceful, owing to the downward trend of crime incidence, and the increased crime clearance efficiency of the local police office.
The group also discussed the recent Regional Peace and Order Council Resolution declaring the New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) “Persona Non-Grata” and enjoining other Local Government Units in the Region to do the same.
Mayor Romualdez is set to convene another meeting to further discuss other concerns.
(TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)

CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, PALO, Leyte- Six lawyers were assigned in all of the region’s six police provincial headquarters.
These pool of lawyers are to assist the police provincial directors and chiefs of police for them to deliver effective and efficient enforcement of laws in their area of responsibility thru aggressive and pro-active conduct of legal education and legal representation, Police Brigadier General Dionardo Carlos, police regional police, said.
These lawyers are under the supervision of the Regional Legal Office.
These legal officers will act as on all service-related legal suits, issues/problems or concerns that affect the administration and operation of the PNP and its personnel, Carlos said.
Following are the Legal Officers with their unit assignment: Police Major Anna Luisa Centino for Leyte Police Provincial Office (PPO); Police Captain Albert Azura for Eastern Samar PPO; Police Captain Felicito Garcia Jr. for Biliran PPO and Ormoc CPO; Police Captain Ana Maria Gono for Southern Leyte PPO; Police Captain Loret Javier Jr. for Samar PPO; and Police Captain Alexander Opeña for Northern Samar PPO.
They will have their Office within the camp of the police provincial offices where they are assigned.
“These additional legal officers will be of great help to us especially our men involved in service-related cases,” Carlos said.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

CATARMAN, Northern Samar- Two legislators from this province were elected to the highest positions during the recently concluded 7th Provincial Board Members League of the Philippines (PBMLP) regional elections for Region 8 held on September 5 at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City.
Board member Neil “Nonoy” Hernandez (first district) was elected as regional chairman of the PBMLP winning by four votes over Leyte’s first district board member Ranulfo “Bob” Abellanosa.
Hernandez had 37 votes while Abellanosa got 33 votes from fellow board members in the region.
Board member Hazel “Chin” Dela Rosa, also from the first district of this province, won as regional vice chairman with a six-vote margin over Rolando Bacoy of Southern Leyte.
Dela Rosa got 38 votes while Bacoy had 32 votes.
Dela Rosa, a newbie board member, ran under Abellanosa’s line-up.
In their respective Facebook page, both Hernandez and Dela Rosa expressed their gratitude to their fellow provincial legislators from the region for their trust and support in electing them.
Hernandez also extended his thanks to Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan, and Reps.Paul Daza (1st district) and Jun Ong (2nd district) and former congressman Emil Ong.
The new set of Regional Council officers who will serve until 2022 were the following: Regional Chairman: Neil Hernandez; Regional vice chairman: Hazel Dela Rosa (1st district, Northern Samar); secretary general: Karen Alvarez (Eastern Samar); treasurer: Gina Merilo (1st district, Leyte); auditor: Napoleon Regis (2nd district, So. Leyte); public relations officer: Jerome Arcinal (1st district, Biliran).
Elected as board of directors were Trinidad Apostol(Leyte); Teofisto Roxas(Southern Leyte); Carlos Chan(Biliran); Alvin Abejuela(Samar); and Miguelito Ayong(Samar).
(RACHEL V. ARNAIZ)