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Eastern Samar eyes weighbridges as truck traffic worsens road damage

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From left to Right - Engineer Joel M. Flores (DE’sChief of Staff), DE Jehela G. Roxas, Cong. Sheen Gonzales, Former Mayor of Hernani, Daniel Boco (Cong. Sheen’s Chief of Staff), OIC-Assistant District Engineer Esteban P. Casillano.
From left to Right – Engineer Joel M. Flores (DE’sChief of Staff), DE Jehela G. Roxas, Cong. Sheen Gonzales, Former Mayor of Hernani, Daniel Boco (Cong. Sheen’s Chief of Staff), OIC-Assistant District Engineer Esteban P. Casillano.

TACLOBAN CITY — National roads in Eastern Samar are deteriorating faster than expected due to a surge of heavy trucks rerouted from neighboring provinces, prompting local officials to push for funding for weighbridges to curb overloading.

The office of Rep. Sheen Gonzales is coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways – Eastern Samar District Engineering Office to address the issue.

District Engineer Jehela Roxas said the damage became more evident after cargo trucks from Northern Samar began diverting to Eastern Samar routes due to load restrictions at Calbiga Bridge. The rerouting increased heavy vehicle traffic along portions of the Daang Maharlika, accelerating pavement wear and raising safety concerns.

DPWH officials said the lack of weighbridges makes it difficult to determine if trucks are overloaded, as the agency has no police powers to apprehend violators.

To strengthen enforcement, Gonzales’ office and the district engineering office are seeking funds to install weighbridges in strategic areas, in coordination with local government units, to help protect the province’s road infrastructure and ensure safer travel.

(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA/ROEL T.AMAZONA)

PSA conducts the 2026 Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries (MISSI) and 2026 Producer Price Survey (PPS) for Manufacturing

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The Philippine Statistics Authority – Regional Statistical Services Office VIII (PSA – RSSO 8) conducts the 2026 Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries (MISSI) and 2026 Producer Price Survey (PPS) for Manufacturing. The MISSI and PPS are nationwide surveys that cover manufacturing establishments confined to the formal section of the economy.
The 2026 MISSI aims to provide planners and policymakers in both the government and private sectors with timely flash indicators on the performance of growth-oriented industries in the manufacturing sector. Data are used as inputs to monitor the business cycle of key manufacturing sectors of the economy.

The survey will gather key data on employment, compensation, value of production, sales from manufacturing activity, other income, inventories of finished products, work-in-progress and raw materials, and capacity utilization rate.

The 2026 PPS aims to collect producer price data of manufactured commodities for the generation of the Producer Price Index (PPI). The PPI measures yearly and monthly changes in the producer prices of key commodities in the manufacturing sector. The survey will gather key data on producer price data of commodities by specification or brand name.
Data collection for PPS is every 9th to 22nd day of each month after the reference month while for MISSI it is on 9th to 25th day after the reference month. In Eastern Visayas, sample establishments are taken from the provinces of Leyte, Samar and Northern Samar. The respondents can accomplish the MISSI and PPS for Manufacturing questionnaires through any of the following modes: electronic copy of the questionnaires to be emailed to the establishment’s official email address; printed questionnaires distributed/collected by SRs; MISSI/PPS Online Questionnaires to be accessed through URL: https://missipps.psa.gov.ph ; and phone interview.

The 2026 MISSI and 2026 PPS were reviewed and cleared for conduct by the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism prescribed by RA 10625 or the Philippine Statistical Act of 2013 to ensure sound design for data collection; minimize the burden placed upon respondents; effect economy in statistical data collection; eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection efforts; and, achieve better coordination of government statistical activities.

In line with this, PSA enjoins all sample establishments to support the survey by answering truthfully to the questionnaires provided to them by PSA personnel. The Office reassures the public that all personnel involved are bound by the stipulations in Section 26 of RA 10625 and Section 8 of RA 10173.

All data obtained herein shall be held strictly confidential, and will not be used for taxation, investigation or law enforcement purposes. Survey results will be released in the form of summaries or statistical tables.(PR)

PNP’s 802nd MC leads school repair drive in Canticum

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TACLOBAN CITY — Soldiers of the 802nd Maneuver Company (802nd MC) of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 8 (RMFB 8) spearheaded a school repair activity at Canticum Elementary School in Barangay Canticum on February 16, 2026, aimed at providing students with safer and improved learning facilities.

Dubbed “Eskwelahan Niyo, Repair Ko,” the project, led by Maj. Leslie Lalic, focused on classroom maintenance and minor infrastructure improvements across the school grounds.
Barangay officials, led by village chairman Paquito Yamugan, and school personnel under Principal I Angela N. Agbon joined the initiative, highlighting a collaborative effort between the Philippine National Police, local government, and the Department of Education to support school development and a secure learning environment.

Lalic praised his team for their dedication, emphasizing their commitment to completing the repairs efficiently and safely, while fostering stronger community engagement with local schools.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

DPWH NSSDEO-maintenance section tops regionwide road and bridge maintenance assessment for CY 2025

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The Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office VIII (DPWH RO VIII) has officially released the results of the Road and Bridge Maintenance Assessment for CY 2025, conducted pursuant to Department Order (D.O) No. 47, series of 2024, entitled “Comprehensive Policy Guidelines on the Maintenance of National Roads and Bridges.”
The assessment evaluated the performance of the District Engineering Offices through field inspection and review of compliance with proper documentation and standard maintenance operation processes, aimed at ensuring the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of national roads and bridges.

DPWH RO VIII commends the collective efforts of all District Engineering Offices in the region for their unwavering dedication in maintaining vital infrastructure. Notably, the Department of Public Works and Highways Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office (DPWH NSSDEO) emerged as Rank 1, garnering an adjectival rating of 4.42 (Very Satisfactory). This achievement reflects the office’s strong commitment to keeping national roads and bridges safe, serviceable, and well-maintained for the traveling public at all times.

The outstanding performance is largely attributed to the dedicated efforts of the Maintenance Section, led by Acting Chief Nicanor L. Mejos, Jr, whose personnel consistently demonstrated diligence, discipline, and professionalism in faithfully carrying out directives of the Department’s highest leadership. Their prompt response, strict adherence to policies, and sustained implementation of maintenance programs significantly contributed to the office’s commendable performance and overall rating’.

The District Office, under the leadership of Atty. Arthur Eric L. Sabong, and OIC-Assistant District Engineer Francisco Y. Tañala, remains steadfast in its mandate to uphold high standards in road and bridge maintenance, ensuring reliable and safe infrastructure that supports mobility, economic activity, and public safety.

(Jinky A. Dela Cruz PIO Staff Writer)

 

Gov. Petilla leads Visayas in National Arts Month 2026 celebration

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Governor Carlos Jericho “Icot” Petilla leads the opening of Pagsalin-urog: The 2026 National Arts Month Celebration in Visayas at Palo Pag-ibig Plaza, Palo, Leyte on February 18. The event, hosted by the historic town of Palo, highlighted Eastern Visayan heritage through performances, folk dances, and visual arts, with Mayor Remedios “Matin” Petilla and NCCA representatives joining the celebration. (NCCA Facebook)

Hilongos projects undergo DILG monitoring

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TACLOBAN CITY — Key infrastructure projects in Hilongos town, Leyte are moving forward following a joint monitoring activity conducted by the local government and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Leyte.

The inspection covered the installation of an LED Wall funded under the 2024 Support to the Barangay Development Program and the 2025 Local Government Support Fund–Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (LGSF-FALGU) for a 2.6-kilometer farm-to-market road (FMR) in Barangay San Antonio.

Before the site visits, members of the Local Project Monitoring Committee (LPMC) convened for their first-quarter meeting to review priority projects and align monitoring responsibilities.

During the inspection, DILG engineers and municipal officials examined the LED Wall, which will be used to broadcast emergency hotlines, public advisories, disaster risk reduction updates, and tourism information. The team recommended securing electrical wiring, ensuring continuous operational access, and complying with documentation requirements to sustain the project’s functionality.

The group also assessed the ongoing construction of the farm-to-market road, which includes reinforced concrete pipes, box culverts, slope protection structures, and a line canal to strengthen drainage and durability.

Engineers advised the local government to maintain proper construction documentation, submit updated plans reflecting project adjustments, install a project marker, and ensure proper gradient profiling in sloped sections. They also underscored the importance of promptly uploading required documents to the Subaybayan Portal for transparency and monitoring.

Local officials said the LED Wall will improve access to vital public information, while the farm-to-market road is expected to boost mobility and facilitate the transport of agricultural goods in Barangay San Antonio.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

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