TACLOBAN CITY – The P3.2-million multipurpose building repair/improvement project of the Tacloban City District Engineering Office (TCDEO) for the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Regional Office VIII was completed on December 8, 2024, enhancing the building’s safety, functionality, and aesthetics.
The project was undertaken to address the deteriorating condition of the DBM building. The scope of work included the removal and replacement of the dilapidated ceiling, application of new interior and ceiling paint, installation of steel grills at the ground floor beside the gym area, and application of new roof paint at the roof deck and canopy.
Additional improvements included the fabrication and installation of a new audio room at the second-floor conference area, installation of a new drywall at the roof deck, fabrication of new steel frames and louvers, and the construction of a new roof canopy at the second-floor balcony. Safety measures, such as applying textured anti-slip paint on stair canopies and installing additional lighting fixtures, were also part of the project.
District Engineer Rebecca G. Yuse emphasized the importance of the project in maintaining a safe and functional workspace. “This rehabilitation project was essential in ensuring that this multipurpose building of DBM remains a conducive and secure facility for its personnel and visitors. The improvements have not only enhanced its durability but also provided a more efficient and comfortable working environment,” she stated.
(PUBLIC INFORMATION UNIT)
In pits
It begun as a pampered treatment after the win, with the magical president allowing his vice president to pick a cabinet portfolio of her choice. To the surprise of many, she opted to chose the education department despite her lack of background along that field. She had great experience in local governance being chief executive for so long in their family’s turf. That could have served as a good background for the interior and local government cabinet seat. But she had other things in mind for her choice that was beyond the comprehension of many citizens. Another option was the justice department considering that she is a lawyer. But education was her top choice and the magical president has to respect her decision.
She promised reforms as she learned the ropes of her new position. She recruited what to her mind were best and brightest officials that could help her perform her duties. At the start, she was on track of her goal to introduce needed reforms both in the organization as well as the educational system in place. She introduced was was dubbed as the National Learning Recovery Program designed to improve students’ numeracy and literacy and strengthen the education sector’s learning recovery. She also launched a new less congested and revised version of K–12, called the “matatag curriculum” that was aimed at improving the said program.
But everything was overtaken when she started a clandestine move towards her presidential ambition. The sinister plan was wrapped in a well-funded book that she authored for children. The book did not reportedly pass through the regular process which entails a review of the contents before its printing and release. The book was discovered in a congressional hearing that tackled the budget of the education department. It was found that a considerable amount was allocated for the printing and distribution of the book. Also, errors were found in its contents aside from the fact that the illustrations and words were beyond the comprehension of children. It carried the name and photo of the author which will most likely have parents of the children as end-user.
The seemingly anomalous project became entangled with irregular utilization of funds under the office of the vice president. In a series of hearings conducted by the congressional investigating committee which later transformed into what was dubbed as the quad committee, it was discovered that huge amounts were released from the confidential funds of the office of the vice president. This prompted the quad committee to invite resource persons who were seen in official documents as involved in the anomalous transactions. Unfortunately, most of the resource persons, chiefly those under the office of the vice president, were not cooperative in providing vital information.
Taking an arrogant position against the probers, she refused to submit official documents that would support the lavish anomalous spending of her office. She keeps on sending her staff who are likewise uncooperative in providing the needed information that the congressional investigating committee requires from her office. She irked the congressional investigating committee which eventually resulted in filing a petition for her impeachment. She now is on the precipice of falling into a situation of being in pits.
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