TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office, has successfully completed a flood control project in Barangay I, Jaro, Leyte, aimed at mitigating soil erosion and protecting the community from landslides and flooding.
District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura said the P4.86-million slope protection system, covering 424.99 cubic meters, provides a crucial safeguard against heavy rains that often cause soil disintegration and property damage.
Residents have expressed relief and gratitude for the completed project. Efegenia Hore, a resident of Barangay II, Jaro, shared her experience:
“Our situation before was frightening. During typhoons, we experienced flooding, landslides, and drifting debris. Now, with the concrete barrier in place, we feel safe. Thank you, DPWH.”
The slope protection system benefits both upper and lower village residents by stabilizing the soil and preventing mudflow, ensuring not just safety but also the protection of property and livelihoods from extreme weather.
Construction of the project began on March 15, 2024, and was completed on September 14, 2024. It was funded under the DPWH-CY 2024 General Appropriations Act and implemented by IVS Builders. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
SPAGHETTI WIRES. The tangled mess of power lines and cables, often referred to as “spaghetti wires,” is a familiar sight in downtown Tacloban City. These chaotic networks, while crucial for daily living, underscore the ongoing challenges in urban planning and infrastructure development. In contrast, several major cities across the country have successfully moved their power lines underground, reducing visual clutter and enhancing safety. (I LOVE TACLOBAN)
To address garbage woes
SPAGHETTI WIRES. The tangled mess of power lines and cables, often referred to as “spaghetti wires,” is a familiar sight in downtown Tacloban City. These chaotic networks, while crucial for daily living, underscore the ongoing challenges in urban planning and infrastructure development. In contrast, several major cities across the country have successfully moved their power lines underground, reducing visual clutter and enhancing safety. (I LOVE TACLOBAN)
TACLOBAN CITY – With the growing volume of both household and commercial waste, the city government is considering a new approach to waste management.
Jonathan Hijada, chief of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), revealed that the city’s current sanitary landfill is projected to reach full capacity by next year.
Built in 2019 at a cost of more than P86 million, the existing facility was initially expected to last for at least 10 years.
Currently, the city collects between 100 and 147 tons of waste daily.
To address this issue, Hijada said they are planning to present the use of plasma technology to City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, while still operating the sanitary landfill located in Barangay San Roque, which is about 13 kms away from the city proper.
“Our current landfill is expected to be full by mid-December next year, so we would need to establish another landfill, at least half a hectare in size, to manage the increasing waste volume,” Hijada said in a media interview on Monday, November 18.
However, given the rising daily waste collection, Hijada emphasized the city’s interest in adopting plasma technology alongside the existing landfill.
Plasma technology is an advanced method of waste management that uses extremely high temperatures to break down waste materials, significantly reducing waste volume into ash. Unlike incinerators, this method is more environmentally friendly, the CENRO officer said, as it would not use any fire to burn the waste materials.
Though plasma technology offers significant environmental benefits, Hijada acknowledged that it is costly, with an estimated price tag of up to P150 million.
“That’s why we’re seeking approval from Mayor Romualdez,” he explained. “However, in the long run, it will be more cost-effective for the city.”
One of the major advantages of plasma technology is its long lifespan of at least 30 years, which would eliminate the need for the city to purchase additional land for a new sanitary landfill.
“All we would need is a machine that occupies just 1,000 square meters, and it would serve us for 20 to 30 years,” Hijada added.
Moreover, plasma technology can reduce waste by 97%, leaving only about 3% of the materials to be disposed of in the landfill.
Hijada also appealed to the public to practice proper waste segregation to help ease the burden on waste management efforts.
TACLOBAN CITY– The Roman Catholic Diocese of Borongan in Eastern Samar has launched an appeal for financial assistance to restore parts of the Seminario de Jesus Nazareno, a minor seminary that suffered significant damage in a fire last July.
The fire, which broke out on July 28, 2024, caused an estimated P35 million to P40 million in damages.
The blaze, reportedly caused by an unattended lit incense, destroyed critical parts of the seminary, including its chapel, classrooms, social hall, and lobby. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
The seminary, which has been a cornerstone of priestly formation in the diocese since its establishment in 1965, currently houses 108 junior high school seminarians.
Fr. Juderick Paul Calumpiano, the seminary’s rector, stressed the urgency of restoring the damaged areas to ensure the continuation of both the academic and spiritual programs of the institution.
“The chapel is the heart of the seminary. It is a sacred space where seminarians nurture their relationship with God through prayer and reflection. Its immediate restoration is our priority,” Fr. Calumpiano said in a statement issued on November 20, 2024.
He also highlighted the need to rebuild classrooms and other facilities critical to fostering community life and education.
Demolition of the building’s irreparable sections has already begun, but the lack of sufficient funds has slowed progress. The diocese has urged the faithful and potential benefactors to contribute to the restoration efforts to expedite the rebuilding process.
Over the years, the Seminario de Jesus Nazareno has produced numerous priests for the diocese, cementing its importance as a hub for spiritual and educational formation.
Restoring the seminary, the diocese said, is not only about rebuilding physical structures but also preserving its legacy of faith and service.
Donations to support the seminary’s restoration can be made through official diocesan channels. For inquiries and updates, the diocese encourages the public to contact its office directly.
The Diocese of Borongan hopes that the generosity of donors will help bring the seminary back to its full function, ensuring that it continues to inspire and nurture future priests, Fr. Calumpiano said.
TACLOBAN CITY – The Regional Peace and Order Council-Eastern Visayas Executive Committee (RPOC-EV Execom) convened on Monday, Nov.18, to align strategies and action plans for the upcoming 2025 Peace and Order Council (POC) performance audit.
The meeting focused on reviewing the 2024 audit indicators and strengthening disaster risk reduction and anti-illegal drugs campaigns.
Representatives from key agencies, including the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police-8, and the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, presented their action plans for 2025.
DILG 8 Regional Director Arnel Agabe lauded the region’s zero-casualty record during Super Typhoon ‘Pepito’, earning recognition from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
He also highlighted sustained progress in the fight against illegal drugs, crediting a balanced approach of compassion and firm enforcement.
As the RPOC-EV Execom looks ahead, it remains committed to fostering safer, more resilient communities in Eastern Visayas through collaboration and evidence-based strategies. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
HEMODIALYSIS MACHINE. The government-run Eastern Visayas Medical Center has now a state-of-the-art hemodialysis machines to help the need of poor patients who are suffering from chronic kidney failure.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
HEMODIALYSIS MACHINE. The government-run Eastern Visayas Medical Center has now a state-of-the-art hemodialysis machines to help the need of poor patients who are suffering from chronic kidney failure. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) has inaugurated a state-of-the-art hemodialysis unit to better serve patients with end-stage renal disease.
The new facility, led by EVMC Chief Dr. Joseph Michael Jaro and hospital stakeholders, features 38 hemodialysis machines capable of treating up to 150 patients daily. It also offers peritoneal dialysis, providing additional support for indigent patients suffering from chronic kidney disease.
Dr. Ma. Alma Eclipse, chair of the Department of Internal Medicine and a nephrology specialist, emphasized that the facility operates under the government’s no-balance-billing policy, ensuring free services for qualified patients.
The unit operates through a unique lease-per-treatment arrangement with a private partner, who owns and maintains the equipment, ensuring optimal functionality.
According to the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI), one Filipino develops renal failure every hour, making kidney disease the seventh leading cause of death nationwide.
This new EVMC facility is a significant step toward addressing the rising demand for kidney care in the region. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
TACLOBAN CITY – Eastern Visayas recorded an improvement in its employment rate, reaching 95.7% in July 2024, up from 94.8% in the same period last year.
This increase translates to approximately 1.98 million employed individuals out of the 2.07 million labor force in the region, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) regional office.
The region saw an additional 109,000 jobs compared to July 2023 but recorded 45,000 fewer employed persons than the 2.03 million in April 2024.
The unemployment rate also showed a significant decrease, dropping to 4.3% in July 2024 from 5.2% in July 2023. This corresponds to 89,000 unemployed individuals, down by 15,000 compared to the previous year. However, this figure is 26,000 higher than the 62,000 unemployed persons recorded in April 2024.
Eastern Visayas posted a Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) of 61.9% in July 2024, a slight increase from 59.9% in July 2023. This figure represents 2.07 million people actively participating in the labor force, including both employed and unemployed individuals, out of the 3.35 million population aged 15 and older in the region.
Despite the year-on-year increase, the LFPR dipped slightly from 62.4% in April 2024, indicating 20,000 fewer participants in the labor market.
A noteworthy improvement was observed in the underemployment rate, which fell to 15.9% in July 2024 from 25.1% a year earlier.
This marks a decrease of 9.2 percentage points, translating to 316,000 underemployed individuals in July 2024. Underemployment also dropped from 20.1% in April 2024, reflecting progress in providing more stable and sufficient employment opportunities.
Regional Director Wilma Perante emphasized that the improvements in the labor market reflect ongoing efforts to enhance job quality and economic participation in the region. She also noted that the Labor Force Survey plays a vital role in guiding policymakers by providing critical data on employment trends, labor force participation, and socio-economic conditions.
The results highlight the region’s strides in job generation and reducing unemployment while identifying areas requiring further attention to sustain economic growth and labor market stability. (LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)
