TACLOBAN CITY- In a move to support educational development, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office (L2DEO), in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), has successfully completed the construction of a one-story, four-classroom building at the Palale National High School in MacArthur, Leyte.

This project aims to improve the learning environment and enhance the education of students.

The new school building features four classrooms, each measuring 7 meters by 9 meters, and includes comfort rooms, new blackboards, electric fans, lighting fixtures, a handwashing area, and a ramp for persons with disabilities.

“The completion of the new school building will help accommodate the increasing number of enrollees, easing the burden on teachers who are currently managing nearly 500 students from Grades 7 to 10 and senior high school at Palale NHS,” said District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura.

Aiza Caya, a teacher at Palale National High School, said that when DepEd implemented the Grade 11 and 12 Senior High School program, they faced challenges due to the lack of appropriate classrooms for senior high students.

This led to the construction of makeshift rooms that were neither conducive to learning nor met the standard requirements for teaching.

“We are so blessed to be recipients of this one-story, four-classroom building. On behalf of Palale NHS, the learners, teachers, and stakeholders, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the DPWH. We look forward to the day when the department can assist other schools in need of classrooms,” Caya said.

The newly-completed school building will primarily serve senior high school students and teachers, providing them with improved learning facilities and more conducive spaces for education.

This project is the result of the collaborative efforts between DPWH and DepEd to address classroom shortages in high-priority schools.

With a construction budget of P10.42 million, the project was funded under the CY 2023 DepEd Basic Educational Facilities Fund and was completed in July 2024.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ de la Rosa suspects that Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido’s recent statements are part of a ‘grand design’ to discredit those close to Vice President Sara Duterte.

Duterte is expected to run for the presidency in the 2028 elections, although she has previously stated that she is not interested in the country’s top political post. Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is constitutionally barred from seeking reelection.

In an interview on Friday night, August 30, in the city, De la Rosa mentioned that he could not confirm whether this alleged grand design has the endorsement of Malacañang.

“I cannot really say if this reaches all the way to Malacañang, but what is clear is that this is part of a grand design, a demolition job, to destroy and weaken the allies of the Dutertes, and in the process, weaken Vice President Sara Duterte, who they perceive as a potential rival,” the senator stated.

De la Rosa, who visited Ormoc City and Matag-ob town to lead in the distribution of financial assistance, also confirmed that he would seek reelection in next year’s senatorial elections under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), which is chaired by former president Rodrigo Duterte, the Vice President’s father.

When asked who could be behind this alleged plan, the senator suggested that it could be a group close to Leyte Congressman and House Speaker Martin Romualdez and the President himself.

“He was recruited by our (political) enemies to topple us, those who want to strengthen their position in Malacañang or with the Speaker. He wouldn’t have executed an affidavit if there wasn’t someone backing him up. It’s obvious that his affidavit was scripted to suit their intentions, which is to pin us down,” De la Rosa said.

He also mentioned that their enemies are attempting to link them to drug and POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) operations, as well as extrajudicial killings.

De la Rosa referred to Espenido’s appearance before a House of Representatives quad committee last Wednesday, August 28, where Espenido accused the senator and another Duterte ally, Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go, of being involved in the controversial and brutal drug war during former President Duterte’s administration.

Espenido, who was once the police chief of Albuera, Leyte, where former Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. and his son were allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade, made these accusations.

Espinosa Sr. was eventually killed in a shootout inside his cell in a subprovincial jail in Baybay City, Leyte, while Kerwin Espinosa has returned to Albuera and is rumored to be running for mayor in next year’s elections.

During the interview, Sen. De la Rosa also denied Espenido’s claims that during his tenure as PNP chief, he imposed a quota and reward system in relation to the drug campaign.
“I swear on my life, there was no quota or reward system. What I told them was if they perform well, they will be rewarded with promotions,” De la Rosa said.

In Espenido’s case, the senator explained that he recommended his spot promotion from major to lieutenant colonel due to his ‘good performance.’

“And I never told him to kill or neutralize (the enemies). I said they have to conduct operations within legal means and arrest them,” De la Rosa added.

However, if the subjects of their operations fought back, the police had every right to defend themselves, he noted.

“Of course, you shouldn’t be the one to die,” De la Rosa said.

Despite the accusations, the senator stated that he has no plans to take any legal action against what he called Espenido’s lies.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY-The Leyte Police Provincial Office (LPPO) has ramped up its efforts to combat criminal activities and ensure public safety across the province, continuing its crackdown on most wanted persons and other law offenders.

“The ongoing efforts to capture wanted individuals and enforce anti-crime strategies demonstrate the LPPO’s commitment to making Leyte a safer place for all residents and visitors,” said Colonel Dionisio Apas Jr., the police provincial director.

As of August 19, 2024, authorities arrested the Top 4 most wanted person in one municipality and seven other law offenders during anti-crime operations.

(RONALD O. REYES)

ORMOC CITY– The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) continues its commitment to mitigate flooding in various parts of the district with the ongoing Construction of Donghol Flood Control Structure in Brgy. Donghol, Ormoc City.

The project, located along Donghol River, features a 3.8-meter-high flood control structure that stretches 516 meters in length and includes a 2-meter-wide walkway. It is designed to prevent riverbank erosion and water overflow which reduces risk of flooding in the vulnerable surrounding areas.

Funded under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2024, with an allocation of P 96.4 million, the project is on track for completion on December 2024 and has already achieved 89.19 percent accomplishment rate as of this writing. (PR)