TACLOBAN CITY – Four government agencies in Eastern Visayas will pilot the Quick Monitoring System adopted by the Regional Development Council (RDC) to improve tracking and implementation of their infrastructure projects.

The pilot rollout aims to enhance transparency, coordination, and timely completion of infrastructure and social development programs across the region.

The monitoring platform, adopted through RDC VIII Resolution No. 69 series of 2025, allows participating agencies to submit near real-time updates on physical and financial accomplishments, flag implementation issues, and generate consolidated progress reports.
QMS orientation started in January for the pilot agencies that include National Irrigation Administration (NIA 8), Department of Public Works and Highways VIII (DPWH 8), Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 8 (DA-RFO8), and the Department of Education (DepEd 8).

The system, a brainchild of Leyte Governor and RDC Eastern Visayas Chairperson Carlos Jericho Petilla, aims to streamline how projects funded by national and local governments are monitored, ensuring timely completion, transparency and accountability in the delivery of public infrastructure.

The QMS is seen to help regional agencies, local government units and stakeholders access up-to-date information on the status of implementation on infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, public buildings and other key facilities.

“This is a significant step toward strengthening project governance. With faster access to reliable data, we can act quickly to address problems and ensure that infrastructure delivers benefits to communities on schedule,” DEPDev VIII Assistant Regional Director Jam Colas-Villaber said.

The adoption of the QMS also aligns with the region’s commitment to strengthen the Regional Project Monitoring and Evaluation System (RPMES), a framework that institutionalizes project tracking and evaluation at the regional level.

The four agencies are expected to complete full integration with the system in the coming months, with plans to extend coverage to other government departments and local government units in the future.

Regional leaders have already expressed optimism that infrastructure and social development projects will be completed more efficiently, reinforcing public trust and advancing inclusive growth in Eastern Visayas.

(AHLETTE C. REYES, PIA-LEYTE)

ORMOC CITY— Authorities apprehended three individuals on Feb.17 for illegally transporting gasoline in improvised containers, posing serious fire hazards along the Maharlika Highway in Northern Samar.

The suspects—alias “Mar,” 46, a married driver from Brgy. Old Rizal, Catarman; alias “Lito,” 22, truck helper from Brgy. Sumuroy, Catarman; and alias “Jem,” 18, truck helper from Brgy. Old Rizal, Catarman—were stopped at around 6:25 a.m. at the Maharlika checkpoint in Brgy. Jubasan, Allen, Northern Samar.

Police said the suspects were riding an Isuzu Forward wing van (plate CBP-8338) heavily loaded with 182 containers of gasoline, totaling 3,640 liters (37 unleaded, 145 premium), estimated at P182,000. The driver admitted the fuel was intended for retail sale (“bote-bote”) in San Isidro, Northern Samar, but failed to present any permits or authorization to transport petroleum products.

Checkpoint personnel noted that the containers were improvised and did not meet safety standards, creating a high risk of fire. The operation involved Allen MPS, OPLAN Maharlika, the Northern Samar Provincial Intelligence Unit, and the 1st Northern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company.

The suspects were informed of their constitutional rights and brought, together with the confiscated gasoline, to Allen MPS for proper disposition and filing of charges.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — Determined to keep its winning streak alive, Ormoc City has intensified training for the upcoming Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) Meet 2026, with athletes undergoing daily drills and conditioning sessions since January.
Training camps at the Ormoc City Sports Complex and other venues are now in full swing as student-athletes prepare to defend the city’s overall championship title — a crown Ormoc has held since 2018.

Coaches said this year’s preparations are more challenging, with several teams fielding mostly new players following the graduation of veteran athletes.

“The hardest part, if most of your athletes are new, you really need to go back to square one,” said Ricardo Jose Eduardo Martinez III, secondary badminton tournament director. “But through constant training, they can also win medals.”

Baseball trainer Johannes Ivan Montebon noted that only two members remain from their previous lineup, but the team remains determined to replicate its past podium finishes.
Athletes begin their day before sunrise with conditioning runs, followed by sport-specific drills and afternoon scrimmages. Recovery methods such as ice baths are also being introduced, while nutrition and rest are closely monitored.

City officials said full logistical and technical support is being provided to ensure the delegation is competition-ready as EVRAA 2026 approaches.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The provincial government of Leyte has strengthened regulations on the use of its provincial roads, imposing stricter limits on heavy vehicles to curb road damage and improve public safety.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan recently passed a revised ordinance updating earlier rules governing road use across the province’s 594-kilometer network of declared provincial roads.

Authored by Board Member Carlo Loreto, the measure sets clearer guidelines on vehicle weight limits, road usage permits, and enforcement procedures. The ordinance aims to protect government infrastructure investments and address concerns over road deterioration, traffic congestion, and safety risks linked to unregulated truck operations.

Under the revised rules, only single- to double-axle trucks with a gross vehicle weight not exceeding 20,000 kilograms, or 20 tons, and carrying quarry, sand, or gravel materials may use designated provincial routes. Truck operators must also follow assigned routes.

Violators face a P5,000 fine per offense, vehicle impoundment pending clearance from the Governor’s Office, and possible cancellation of sand and gravel permits.

Enforcement will be carried out by the Leyte Police Provincial Office, local police units, barangay officials, and the Provincial Sand and Gravel Task Force.

The ordinance will take effect 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY— A tricycle driver was arrested Sunday evening, Feb.22, after allegedly yielding suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Brgy. Marvel, Isabel, Leyte.
Operatives from the Station Drug Enforcement Team of the Isabel Municipal Police conducted the operation at around 8:10 p.m., recovering eight sachets containing a white crystalline substance.

The suspect, identified as alias “Melvin,” 38, single, and a trike driver from Brgy. Marvel, was caught after one sachet worth P500 was bought by an undercover operative.

A subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of law-mandated insulating witnesses, revealed a brown coin purse containing seven additional sachets of the suspected shabu. Authorities also recovered a P500 bill, part of the court-authorized buy-bust fund.

The combined weight of the suspected shabu was estimated at approximately 1.43 grams, with a Dangerous Drugs Board value of around P9,724.

Charges for violations of Republic Act 9165 were filed at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Ormoc City. The suspect is currently held at the Isabel MPS detention facility.

(ROBERT DEJON)