BORONGAN CITY – The Eastern Samar State University, main campus, Borongan City will host the 3rd International Conference on Integrative Disaster Risk Reduction Management on September 1-3 at the ESSU Multi-Purpose Hall, Borongan City with the theme, “Reducing Risks, Developing Quick Response to Disasters.” Given current trends in disaster impacts and increased exposure to risks in the country, the university in response to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction is supporting its call in making disaster risk reduction and resilience into development work a top priority. In a study conducted by UN Team, it was found out that only 10 percent or 170 out of over 1,700 cities, towns and provinces in our country have taken steps in making cities resilient to disasters.

The conference will bring together government officials, non-government experts, students and faculty researchers and other specialists from public and private agencies to discuss and present papers and posters on reducing risk and developing quick response to disasters. It is a fact that vulnerability and exposure to disasters is increasing particularly in the Philippines as more people and resources locate in areas of high risk. Among the highlights of the three-day event is paper and poster presentations from various institutions particularly local government units, higher educational institutions and private and public secondary and elementary school involved in incorporating disaster risk reduction and developing quick response through differentiated strategies and planning for development growth.

The panel of distinguished speakers including the following: De. C. Emhdad Haque, Professor, University of Manitoba, Canada, Honorable Thomas Ossowshi, German Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Alfredo Mahar Lagmay, executive director of Project NOAH of DOST, Dr. Dennis S. Erasga, full professor, De La Salle University, Robert Dorgan, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer, among others. Welcome address will be delivered by ESSU president, Dr. Edmundo Campoto. Registration fee is P4,600.00 inclusive of meals, snacks, conference materials, certificate and tour to selected resettlement sites in Eastern Samar. Interested parties may call/text Dr. Eva Palada, vice president for planning, research and extension at 09991540358, 09077770674, 0912985578 or log on to essu.disaster.summit@gmail.com. (V. Agda, Director for Extension, ESSU)

TACLOBAN CITY – Two alleged drug users were apprehended by police operatives in the city as they intensify their campaign against those who are in the illegal drug trade and who refuses to voluntarily surrender.
Arrested during a buy-bust operation were Erwin Edrich Montecastro, 37 and a resident of Fatima Village and Carmela Ponsalan, 26 of Rainbow Village.
The two suspects, who are both jobless, were caught selling the illegal drug of shabu to a police asset in Rainbow Village last Monday (July 25) at around 10:30 in the evening.
City police director, Senior Superintendent Rolando Bade said that confiscated from the suspects were 12 sachets of suspected shabu and the P500 marked money.
Bade said that the two have been under surveillance by the police due to their illegal drug trade activities in the city.
A case for violation of Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165 were filed against the two who were detained at the Tacloban City jail. (JAZMIN BONIFACIO)

TACLOBAN CITY – The repair of the Hiagsam Bridge in Jaro town, Leyte is to be finished by next month with the completion of the half-lane of the bridge. This was announced by Engineer Carlos Veloso, head of the 2nd Leyte Engineering District of the Department of Public Works and Highways (2nd LED-DPWH). This complete the first phase of the rehabilitation of the Hiagsam Bridge, damaged in 2014 after it was hit by typhoon “Senyang,”  The first phase of the project was targeted to be finish this month.  However, it was delayed due to the difficulties encountered in driving its huge pier deep down to the soil which needed additional soil exploration and boring tests.
With the completion of the half of the lane, Veloso declared an 83% rate completion of the work. The Hiagsam Bridge, considered among the major bridges in Leyte, is envisioned to be a four-lane bridge to accommodate increasing traffic volume. The bridge is a reinforced concrete deck girder (RCDG) bridge which is 19.3 meters wide and will span the length of 50.8 linear meters. It will be expanded on each side in line with the road widening projects being done to the public highways adjacent to the bridge.
Other improvement works will also be done on the bridge such as slope protection, drainage and sidewalks. The rehabilitation project of the Hiagsam Bridge, which started on November 16,2015 has a budget allocation of P37.9 million.  While waiting for the completion of the bridge, an asphalt overlay detour spillway has been constructed as an alternative bridge and has since been utilized to provide access along this route. The detour bridge is accessible to motorcycle, light vehicles and medium truck. The detour bridge runs both ways. (AHLETTE C. REYES)