FINANCIAL SUPPORT. Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez led in the distribution of P75,000 as assistance to 60 public schools in the city, as opening of classes are to start on Monday, July 29. (TCIO
FINANCIAL SUPPORT. Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez led in the distribution of P75,000 as assistance to 60 public schools in the city, as opening of classes are to start on Monday, July 29. (TCIO
TACLOBAN CITY– Mayor Alfred Romualdez spearheaded the distribution of Brigada Eskwela (BE) funds to 60 schools under the Department of Education (DepEd) Tacloban City Division on Thursday, July 25.
Each school received a cheque amounting to P75,000 to assist with maintenance and operating expenses, including addressing water supply issues ahead of the start of classes for the new school year on Monday, July 29.
Sherlita Palma, schools division superintendent, praised the city government’s support, noting that Tacloban is one of the few local government units providing substantial assistance for BE.
She also acknowledged the city’s efforts in backing DepEd Tacloban, which has boosted learners’ morale in competitions, including national victories in the recently concluded Palarong Pambasa and the National Schools Press Conference.
Other LGU officials present at the distribution event included acting City Treasurer Jennifer S. Guy; city councilors Elvira Casal, who chairs the committee on education, culture, and student affairs, Raymund Romuldez, president of the association of barangay chairmen; and Emmanuel Dirko De Paz, president of the local Sangguniang Kabataan Federation. (TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
TACLOBAN CITY – An alleged top leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in a clash with government forces in the hinterlands of Barangay Osmeña, General MacArthur, Eastern Samar, on Thursday, July 25.
The 78th Infantry Battalion (IB), under the operational control of the 802nd Infantry Brigade (802IBd), identified the slain rebel as Joel Guarino, alias Duran, the squad leader of Squad 2 of the recently dismantled Apoy Platoon.
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Bugaoan, the commander of the 78IB, said that around seven NPA members were involved in the firefight that occurred at about 9:45 am Thursday.
His troops were conducting development and security operations in the upland village of Osmena, General MacArthur when the clash occurred, lasting about 20 minutes.
No military personnel were reported injured.
Bugaoan said that soldiers recovered several war paraphernalia from the enemy, including one caliber .45 pistol, one homemade grenade, various war materials, and other subversive documents with high intelligence value.
Bugaoan attributed the successful operation to the collective effort of the community and the government to end the local communist armed conflict.
“The people tipped off the presence of these NPAs, allowing our soldiers to track their movements. However, the rebels fired upon the troops when they saw them approaching,” he said.
Brigadier General Noel Vestuir, the brigade commander of 802IBde, commended the troops for tracking the remnants of the recently dismantled Apoy Platoon, highlighting the significance of this successful operation.
“The neutralization of Guarino has left the remnants of the Apoy Platoon leaderless and directionless. Now, they are just a roving band of bandits, hiding in the mountains to survive,” Vestuir said in a statement.
Vestuir added that this operation is a breakthrough in the Brigade’s campaign to win peace in Eastern Samar.
He called on the remaining NPA members to abandon the armed struggle now that their leader is gone.
“I reiterate my call to the remaining NPAs in the islands of Samar and Leyte to peacefully abandon the armed struggle. The communities no longer support or welcome you. Do not wait to experience the same fate as your comrade today. The path of peace is ready to embrace you,” Vestuir said.(JOEY A. GABIETA)
TACLOBAN CITY – At least eight people were confirmed dead and approximately 866,483 individuals, or 179,744 families, were affected across the Philippines after three weather disturbances hit the country starting Tuesday, July 23.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that the combined forces of Super Typhoon Carina (international name: Gaemi), Tropical Depression Butchoy, and the southwest monsoon brought torrential rains, resulting in massive flooding in 642 villages across Mindanao and Luzon, particularly the National Capital Region (NCR).
On Thursday, July 24, residents in Manila woke up to knee-to-wrist-deep floods as the weather bureau raised the red warning level due to intense rainfall enhanced by the two cyclones.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered all concerned government agencies to provide swift assistance to those affected by Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon. He emphasized the need for prompt and effective support to assess the current situation and ensure all necessary aid is provided.
In a statement, the government announced it had already distributed assistance totaling P43.15 million to the affected population in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, numbering more than 770,000.
On his official X account (formerly Twitter) on July 23, President Marcos stated that there is still P2.88 billion worth of prepositioned aid and nearly 4,500 personnel on standby for search, rescue, and retrieval operations.
Malacañang Palace also suspended classes at all levels in public and private schools and work in government offices in the NCR.
The adverse weather conditions led to the cancellation of at least 53 flights on the afternoon of July 24, as announced by the Manila International Airport Authority.
In Metro Manila, floods blocked major roads, leaving commuters stranded. Many shared photos of their ordeal on social media while wading through the floodwaters, as public utility vehicles were scarce on July 24.
The extensive flooding prompted the Quezon City Traffic and Transport Management Department to advise motorists to use alternate routes. They also urged nearly three million residents to “stay at home for your safety if there are no important matters to attend to and avoid inconvenience.”
Local officials reminded flood evacuees to bring their pets to evacuation centers. (RONALD O. REYES)
NEWLY-WED. President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. witnessed the wedding of his nephew, Raymund Romualdez to Raissa Gayle Tan, in a simple and private ceremony last week. Photo shows Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, the father of the groom, and House Speaker, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez. (PHOTO COURTESY)
NEWLY-WED. President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. witnessed the wedding of his nephew, Raymund Romualdez to Raissa Gayle Tan, in a simple and private ceremony last week. Photo shows Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, the father of the groom, and House Speaker, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez. (PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY – Raymund Romualdez and his long-time fiancée, Raissa Gayle Tan, are now officially married. The couple tied the knot in Manila earlier this month, choosing to celebrate their union in an intimate setting.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Leyte Congressman and House Speaker Martin Romualdez were among their principal sponsors, along with their respective wives, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez.
Raymund’s father is Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, cousin to both Pres. Marcos and Speaker Romualdez.
Currently, Raymund serves as an ex-officio member of the Tacloban City Council, being the president of the Association of Barangay Chairmen (ABC) of the city.
The 37-year-old groom is also the barangay chairman of Barangay 88 in the San Jose district.
Raissa, an entrepreneur, is dedicated to promoting ecotourism in the region.
SONA 2024. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 22 as he discussed wide-ranging issues affecting ordinary Filipinos like the high cost of power and basic commodities, construction of roads and bridges, and security concerns, including cyber attacks, among others. (PHOTO COURTESY)
SONA 2024. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 22 as he discussed wide-ranging issues affecting ordinary Filipinos like the high cost of power and basic commodities, construction of roads and bridges, and security concerns, including cyber attacks, among others. (PHOTO COURTESY)
Process to take long
TACLOBAN CITY – The proposed San Juanico Bridge II is expected to commence civil works within the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., though its completion might extend into the next administration.
This was disclosed by Engr. Edgar Tabacon, the regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), during a media interview on Thursday, July 18.
Tabacon mentioned that due to the “long process” involved in the proposed San Juanico Bridge II, its completion is not anticipated within President Marcos’s term, which ends in 2028.
“Of course, we want this San Juanico Bridge II to be completed during the term of President Marcos, but considering the long process it would take, we expect a spillover into the next administration,” the DPWH regional director said.
Tabacon revealed that aside from the feasibility study, processing a loan agreement could take 15 months, and another 15 months would be needed for the procurement process.
Following these steps, civil works would commence, which Tabacon hopes will start under the Marcos administration.
Tabacon noted that, given the substantial funding required for the project, the national government would need a foreign funder.
While he did not specify the amount during the media conference, the DPWH has previously reported that at least P9.17 billion would be needed for the proposed San Juanico Bridge II project.
The feasibility study for the project is being conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which began an onsite study with a Japanese team on November 17, 2023. The team is expected to complete their feasibility study by November of this year.
The study includes considerations such as the number of lanes, traffic operations, options for the second bridge, and the rehabilitation of the original San Juanico Bridge.
Tabacon also stated that, given JICA’s involvement in the feasibility study, it is likely that Japanese technology would be used in the construction of the proposed San Juanico Bridge II.
Incidentally, the original San Juanico Bridge, spanning more than 2.1 kilometers and connecting Leyte and Samar Islands, was constructed and completed under the administration of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the father of the current President.
Tabacon confirmed that, from the original starting point in Babatngon, Leyte, the proposed San Juanico Bridge II will now begin in Tacloban City, the regional center, and connect to Sta. Rita on the Samar side.
The change in location was due to practical reasons, considering that Tacloban is the regional capital of Eastern Visayas and has a shorter distance compared to Babatngon, reducing the span by 1.2 kilometers.
“The shorter the distance, the lower the cost,” Tabacon said.
The government has proposed constructing a new bridge connecting Leyte and Samar Islands to address the expected increase in traffic in the future.
The construction of the current San Juanico Bridge started in 1969 and was completed in 1972, but it was only inaugurated on July 2, 1973, for the birthday of former First Lady Imelda Marcos, who is from Leyte.
The bridge not only links the two islands but has also become one of Eastern Visayas’ top tourism draws.
STRICT MONITORING. The Office of the City Agriculturist of the Tacloban city government conducts strict monitoring at the city public market to ensure that vendors will only sell fresh and safe sea products as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources issues advisory of red tide toxins in several coastal waters in the region. (TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
STRICT MONITORING. The Office of the City Agriculturist of the Tacloban city government conducts strict monitoring at the city public market to ensure that vendors will only sell fresh and safe sea products as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources issues advisory of red tide toxins in several coastal waters in the region. (TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
There are more than 48,200 beneficiaries in EV
TACLOBAN CITY – About 48,261 of the ‘poorest of the poor’ from four provinces in Eastern Visayas will receive P3,000 per month until 2027 as beneficiaries of the government’s food stamp program.
In addition to making the identified beneficiaries food sufficient, the program will also support local farmers, according to lawyer Jonalyndie Chua, the information officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The program had a soft launch in the region on July 18 in the town of Palo, Leyte, attended by Undersecretary Edu Punay and town mayor Remedios Petilla.
Chua explained that the beneficiaries were identified through their ‘Listahan,’ or the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), which is an information management system that identifies who and where the poor are in the country.
“While the program aims to address hunger and malnutrition among our identified beneficiaries, the beauty of this food stamp program is that it will also help our local farmers,” she said.
According to Chua, their retailer partners can source products like rice, fruits, and vegetables from local farmers.
Under the food stamp program, the beneficiaries will receive an electronic beneficiary transfer card worth P3,000, which they will use exclusively for food purchases: 50 percent for go foods (carbohydrates), 30 percent for grow foods (protein), and 20 percent for glow foods (fruits and vegetables).
“They must spend the entire amount of P3,000 on food items only. This way, we aim to address hunger and malnutrition,” Chua said.
She also mentioned that members of the 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) and senior citizens are not included in the food stamp program.
Of the 48,261 targeted beneficiaries, 5,073 will come from Northern Samar; 12,258 from Samar; 7,618 from Eastern Samar; and 23,312 from Leyte.
The other two provinces in the region, Biliran and Southern Leyte, were not included as they are no longer considered food-poor provinces.For this program, the national government allocated P5.21 billion, covering the three-year implementation of the program until 2027. (JOEY A. GABIETA/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
