NSSDEO, Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, Northern Samar – The Department of Public Works and Highways-Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office is currently working on an access road that leads to Matikawol falls located in Brgy. Jubasan, Mapanas, Northern Samar, which aims to improve connectivity, stimulate economic growth, and enhance accessibility for the locals and wayfarers. This project has accomplishment rate of 8.40 percent as of April 30, 2025, and now marks the beginning of growth and development.
The access road leading to Matikawol Falls, Mapanas, Northern Samar, has a budget appropriation of P10-million which involves the concreting of 224.00 meters roadway with 1.50 meters shoulder both sides, funded under the General Appropriation Act (GAA) of CY 2025.

The construction works began last month, April 2025, and set to be completed on August, 2025. Through the pristine and romantic nature of the Matikawol Falls, this project will not only boost tourism in the town of Mapanas but will also help the economic development of Northern Samar through faster delivery of commercial goods and services to adjacent communities.

The project will be an integral part of tourism industry and influences the accessibility of tourism. It will also generate income from tourism industry. Once completed, this will allow better access to the area, creating more job and income opportunities for the residents in the Barangay.
(dpwh8/nssdeo/rnl/jmp)

TACLOBAN CITY – In the brackish borderlands where land and sea meet, the mangrove forest along the Cancabato Bay in Tacloban City silently spread its roots to become nature’s greatest defender against rising tides and surging storms.

As threats of climate change loom larger than ever, advocates such as the Tacloban-based private group Pintakasi for Landscape Restoration Incorporated are coming together with a simple but powerful goal: to expand the city’s mangrove forests and secure the marine biodiversity along Cancabato Bay – a bay that holds environmental and historical significance to the city.

Pintakasi president Josephine Agustin said they are eyeing community support in expanding more the mangrove forest hugging the bay area which was started after Supertyphoon Yolanda in 2013 which flattened fishing villages surrounding it.

“Expanding and maintaining the mangrove forest is an act of resilience showing that people can fight back the challenge or mitigate the effects of rising seas and intensifying storms, through science and a strong community support,” Agustin said.

According to the City Agriculturist Office, the Cancabato Bay is a suitable breeding ground for marine resources owing to its slow undercurrent allowing the fish to maximize breeding before they go out into the open sea.

During typhoons, mangroves absorb wave energy, sparing communities from devastating floods. Mangrove forests are rich ecosystems, home to fish, crabs, shrimp, and countless bird species. They serve as nurseries for marine life and act as enormous carbon sinks, capturing four to five times more carbon than tropical forests on land.

For fishing communities, mangroves mean livelihood. Around1,800 fisherfolks who rely their livelihood along the Cancabato Bay.

Community-led reforestation projects such as the Paraiso Mangrove Eco-Learning Park are combining scientific knowledge with local wisdom.

Community members of this project, mostly fisherfolks along the area see the reforestation as not just mangrove planting, but it is about nurturing, understanding tides, seasons, and species to ensure that their rehabilitated mangrove forest will truly thrive.

Pintakasi for Landscape Restoration Inc. has partnered with the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), and City Agriculture Office to conserve the Paraiso Mangrove and Eco-learning Park.

These partnerships provide technical support, funding, and training to local communities to empower coastal residents to become stewards of the mangrove forests they depend on.

(AHLETTE C. REYES, PIA-8)

ORMOC CITY – District Engineer Rosita A. Tinawin of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (DEO), along with Construction Section Chief Engr. Victor S. Suplico III and project engineers, conducted site inspections of major ongoing infrastructure projects in this city.

Among the inspected projects were phases 6 and 7 of the Ormoc City Convention Center in Brgy. Juaton, which are part of a multi-phase initiative aimed at establishing a fully equipped venue for sports events, conventions, and public gatherings.

The team also visited phase 1 of the multipurpose building in Brgy. Ipil, which will serve as the city’s new public market. The facility is expected to provide improved access to vendor spaces and support a more organized and hygienic trading environment for residents and visitors.

Lastly, they inspected phase 1 of the access road project in Libertad-Lao, leading to the Ormoc City Airport. The road is seen as a crucial component in improving access to the airport and supporting the city’s long-term development and connectivity goals.
“We’re doing our best to make sure these projects meet the needs of Ormoc’s communities,” DE Tinawin said. “We are ensuring they’re built to proper standards and will serve the public effectively.” (PR)