ALBUERA, Leyte – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) continues its efforts on the Construction of Seawall in Brgy. Poblacion, Albuera, Leyte, reaching a 70.02 percent accomplishment rate.
The seawall spans a length of 350 linear meters, a width of 5.28 meters, and includes a 1.1 meter-parapet. It is being built with a robust stone masonry structure, reinforced by a steel sheet on pile foundation to ensure durability and longevity. Additionally, it includes the construction of a structural concrete walkway, measuring 0.15 meters thick and 2.5 meters wide, which offers a safe and accessible path for pedestrians along the coastline.
The completion of this well-engineered seawall will help mitigate the long-term impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, by providing a resilient shield that reduces the vulnerability of coastal communities for generations to come.
Funded under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2024, the project has a contract amount of Php 96,399,999.99. Construction began in May 2024, with an anticipated completion date in March 2025. (PR)
ROAD CONNECTION. An interior village in Oras, Eastern Samar, Sitio Calawit, will soon be connected to the mainland as the construction of a road project has broke ground last April 23. The event was led by Rep. Marcelino ‘Nonoy’ Libanan of the 4Ps party-list group. (ROEL T.AMAZONA)
With Rep. Libanan leading the event
ROAD CONNECTION. An interior village in Oras, Eastern Samar, Sitio Calawit, will soon be connected to the mainland as the construction of a road project has broke ground last April 23. The event was led by Rep. Marcelino ‘Nonoy’ Libanan of the 4Ps party-list group. (ROEL T.AMAZONA)
ORAS, Eastern Samar– Residents of interior riverbank communities in this town are eagerly anticipating the completion of a road project that will connect their villages to the national highway.
Last Friday, August 23, a groundbreaking ceremony led by 4Ps Partylist Representative and House Minority Floor Leader Marcelino Libanan was held in Sitio Calawit, Oras, marking the start of construction for a portion of the over nine-kilometer road leading to Barangay Cadian, nine kms away from the town center.
The road project, valued at more than P168.8 million, includes the construction of a 4.68-kilometer lane, complete with slope protection and drainage systems, under the Department of Public Works and Highways’ Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Alleviating Gaps (SIPAG) program.
“It would be good if this gets completed because it would improve our transportation,” Mario Nuguit,48, and a resident of Cadian which could be reached by a boat ride, said in a vernacular.
“When it rains, it’s hard to travel by pump boat on the river because of the strong current. If this road is completed, travel will be easier,” he added.
Currently, residents use the Oras River as their main route, traveling by motorboats locally known as “bote,” a type of motorized banca without outriggers.
The fare for passengers is P50 while transporting farm products like copra and palay costs P1 per kilo.
Transporting construction materials is even more expensive, with a sack of cement costing P35, P100 per cubic meter of sand, and P1,000 per cubic meter of gravel.
Barangay Iwayan chairman Ronald Aguilando, 36, noted that the construction and completion of the road leading to interior villages would not only ease transportation challenges but also be crucial during emergencies.
Iwayan is just four kilometers from the town proper, but travel time still takes about 30 minutes by motorboat.
“In emergencies, it will be easier to transport the sick. Travel by road will be faster, unlike on the river, which is not advisable in emergency situations,” he said.
The road construction is expected to be completed within 360 days, although the construction company awarded the project has promised to finish it earlier.
However, more than 6.85 kilometers of the Sitio Calawit-Brgy Cadian road remain unfunded, requiring an additional P541 million.
Rep.Libanan promised to work on securing the necessary funds for the remaining portion of the road project in the upcoming budget submission.
“We’re not just making travel easier for the remote barangays of Oras, but we’re also giving our town a new face,” he said.
“This will open up more opportunities for our people – in education, trade, and daily life,” Libanan said.
Once the entire stretch of the more than nine-kilometer road is completed, at least 2,000 households are expected to benefit from the project. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the region has announced that the feasibility study for the proposed international convention center (ICC) in Tacloban City is slated to be conducted this year.
The budget for the feasibility study has already been allocated by the national government under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2024, the DPWH said.
The DPWH is currently in the process of evaluating qualified bidders to carry out the study.
The DPWH, however, did not disclose as the cost of the proposed facility.
If realized, the ICC will serve as a world-class venue for hosting regional, national, and international events, positioning Tacloban City as an opportunity-rich and forward-looking destination.
The proposed ICC is envisioned as a spacious facility designed to encourage social engagement and interaction, providing a space where people can gather, share ideas, and create memorable experiences.
The project’s structures are also planned to be resilient, featuring aerodynamic designs that optimize natural airflow, aligning with the climate conditions of the region.
The establishment of an ICC in Tacloban City is expected to drive development and boost the economy of the region. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, PALO,Leyte– The Police Regional Office 8 manifests its full support to the law enforcement operation being undertaken by Police Regional Office 11 in Davao City purposely to serve the warrants of arrest issued by the Courts against the persons subject thereof.
By enforcing the law and implementing orders issued by competent judicial authorities, the Philippine National Police remains consistent in its collective resolve to discharge its sworn duties, as enshrined in R.A. 6975 and other related laws and rules.
Hence, as we continue our pursuit to maintain the integrity of our justice system, we also stand united with our call for sobriety, peace, calmness, and understanding as the PNP continues to uphold rule of law in its police operations.
We remain committed to transparency and accountability in all our operations.
The integrity of our work is paramount, and we are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of conduct.
We appreciate the public’s understanding and continued support as we strive to serve with excellence and respect for the rights of all individuals.(PR)
A suspect has been arrested for the serious offenses of swindling and estafa for showing a fake receipt to an online seller.
An alleged swindler under the alias of ‘Sofia Lim’ was arrested during an entrapment operation conducted by the Manila District Anti-Cybercrime Team (MDACT) of the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG) with the aid of leading finance super app, GCash.
The suspect agreed to purchase a total of P157,112 from an online seller of imported clothing from Thailand and Japan. As proof of payment, alias Sofia Lim provided a screenshot or copy of a fake receipt that included a transaction reference number. However, the amount failed to appear in the seller’s account.
The suspect faces violation of Article 315, otherwise known as Swindling and Estafa, as amended by RA 10951 in relation to Section 6 of RA 10175, otherwise known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. The suspect is now subject to inquest proceedings at the Las Piñas Prosecutor’s Office.
PNP-ACG sends a powerful message to perpetrators that such actions could result in grave criminal charges and can be dealt with years of prison time. Meanwhile, as part of its ongoing initiative to educate the public on safety while engaging in online transactions, GCash continues to encourage users to be aware of various modes of scam, fraud, and cybercrime.
While cooperation with law enforcement authorities intensifies, GCash also urges its users to be extra vigilant against online scammers and fraudsters. Users are reminded never to disclose their MPIN or OTP. With the rise in phishing incidents, customers are strongly advised never to click links, especially from unknown senders. (PR)
ORMOC CITY– A man was hacked by an intoxicated individual without any apparent reason while passing by in Barangay Cabibihan, Caibiran, Biliran, on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at around 1:30 pm.
The victim, identified as “Rommel,” 21, unemployed, was walking by when he was attacked by the suspect, “Daryl,” 34, who is also unemployed and resides in the same barangay.
According to local police, they responded to the hacking incident after a concerned citizen reported it via a phone call.
Initial investigation revealed that the suspect, who was under the influence of alcohol, had been in a heated argument with his brother.
During the altercation, the victim happened to pass by, and without any provocation, the suspect hacked him with a jungle bolo, locally known as a “sundang,” striking the victim on his lower right back.
Bystanders at the scene quickly transported the victim to the rural health unit in Caibiran, and he was later referred to Biliran Provincial Hospital for further medical treatment.
Responding police officers arrested the suspect and recovered the weapon used in the attack.
The suspect, along with the evidence, was taken to Caibiran Municipal Police Station for proper disposition. (ROBERT DEJON)
