President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday directed government agencies to expedite the implementation of key infrastructure projects to boost the economy as part of ongoing reform measures.

President Marcos issued the order while presiding over a meeting with the economic team, according to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.

“Aniya, ‘Let’s move forward.’ Tunay na reporma at kongkretong aksiyon ang ipapatupad ng Pangulo,” Castro said in a Palace press briefing.

Castro said the meeting discussed strategies to boost the country’s economy, including digitalization to accelerate employment.

The President also ordered the acceleration of infrastructure projects, especially classrooms.

Among the priorities of the Marcos administration are poverty alleviation and social protection; economic growth and employment; health, education, and human capital development; and sustainable and inclusive development.

The President also ordered government agencies to submit project progress report every two weeks to monitor the phase-by-phase development of the projects being implemented under their jurisdiction. (PCO-PND)

ORMOC CITY — A 30-year-old pedicab driver was injured on Monday morning after being struck by a motorcycle while crossing the national highway in Barangay San Antonio Población in Alangalang, Leyte.

Police identified the victim as alias “Chad,” a resident of Barangay Milagrosa, Alangalang. The motorcycle involved, a Kawasaki, was driven by alias “Ewin,” 38, a security guard from Barangay Libo, Carigara, Leyte.

According to the Alangalang Municipal Police Station, the accident occurred around 5:10 a.m. as the motorcyclist was traveling toward Tacloban City. The pedicab driver reportedly crossed the highway and was accidentally hit when the motorcycle driver failed to notice him.

The victim sustained injuries to multiple parts of his body and was immediately transported to the Eastern Visayas Medical Center in Tacloban City for treatment. The motorcyclist only suffered minor injuries and was treated on-site but refused hospital transfer.

Police said the motorcyclist and his vehicle were brought to Alangalang MPS for proper documentation and further investigation.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY — A 59-year-old man from Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu died after his motorcycle figured in a self-accident along a curved stretch of highway in Barangay Paril, Mahaplag, Leyte.

Police identified the fatality as alias “Vin,” married and unemployed, and a resident of Mahayahay, Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City. He was driving a Honda CFT125 motorcycle at the time of the incident.

According to the Mahaplag Municipal Police Station (MPS), the accident occurred at around 7:20 p.m. on Jan. 23 when the victim was traveling from Barangay Mahayahay, Mahaplag, en route to Baybay City, Leyte.

Initial police investigation showed that the motorcyclist miscalculated an approaching curve, causing his vehicle to veer toward the outer lane and crash onto the pavement.

The victim sustained multiple injuries and was immediately transported by Rural Health Unit (RHU) personnel to the Mahaplag Health Center, where he was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Police responded to the incident after receiving a report from a concerned citizen via a mobile phone call. The victim’s motorcycle was later brought to the Mahaplag MPS for proper disposition.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY — An 18-year-old senior high school student was killed on Friday evening after his motorcycle slammed into a parked dump truck along a village road in Barangay Quatro de Agosto, Mahaplag, Leyte.

Police identified the fatality as alias “Atan,” single, a resident of Sitio Tagpili, Barangay Hilusig, Mahaplag. He was driving a Rusi Delta 100 motorcycle at the time of the accident.
According to the Mahaplag Municipal Police Station, the incident occurred at around 6:20 p.m. while the victim was traveling from Barangay Poblacion toward Barangay Hilusig. Upon reaching Barangay Quatro de Agosto, the motorcycle driver reportedly failed to notice a dump truck parked along the right shoulder of the highway due to inclement weather conditions.

Police said the dump truck, which is registered under a construction company, had been parked in the area because of mechanical problems. The motorcycle struck the rear portion of the truck, causing the rider to be thrown onto the pavement and sustain multiple injuries to different parts of his body.

Responding police personnel immediately transported the victim aboard a KIA patrol vehicle to the Mahaplag Rural Health Unit (RHU), but he was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

The accident was reported to police by a concerned resident through a mobile phone call. The driver of the dump truck was later invited to the Mahaplag MPS for proper disposition as part of the ongoing investigation.

(ROBERT DEJON)