TACLOBAN CITY – Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda of Borongan City met with barangay officials last week for them to establish a human rights action center in their respective barangays.

The meeting with the barangay officials is a run-up to their meeting with the executives of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) slated on September 4.

“We have much to learn about the functions of the Commission on Human Rights. Gaining knowledge from them will make our work easier, as they can assist us in addressing issues within our barangays, especially in cases of abuses,” he said.

On August 6, officials from the CHR visited Mayor Agda in his office, where they discussed the establishment of a Human Rights Action Center (HRAC) in every province, city, and barangay.

The creation of city and barangay Human Rights Action Centers (BHRAC), supervised by a human rights action officer, was also discussed.

These officers will be responsible for receiving complaints of alleged human rights violations and referring them to the CHR regional office or sub-office for investigation.

This initiative is in line with Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, Series of 2014, issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the CHR, aiming to mainstream human rights through the rule of law.

“Don’t let violence or political conflict occur—it is our responsibility to prevent it. As public servants, it is our duty to adhere to and exhibit good behavior in political dealings,” Mayor Agda emphasized.

The city mayor also urged barangay officials to assist the city government in addressing the problem of malnutrition by monitoring the situation and condition of children in their respective barangays.

Additionally, Mayor Agda announced that former rebels from the city who surrendered to the 78th Infantry Battalion have been employed as “forest rangers” in Borongan City. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)

CATARMAN,Northern Samar –In a bid to foster education and bring joy to the young learners in the community, the District Engineers League of the Philippines (DELP), in partnership with the Northern Samar First District Employees Association (NSFEDEA), successfully distributed school supplies to 135 elementary students from Brgy. Guba and Brgy. Salvacion, both located in the municipality of Catarman, on August 16, 2024.

The students, who ranged from Grades 1 to 6, were delighted to receive essential school supplies, including coloring books, crayons, scissors, papers, ballpens, and rulers among others.

To add to the festive atmosphere, each student was also treated to a Jollibee meal pack, which brought smiles and excitement as they eagerly anticipated using their new resources.

District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio, who led the distribution, emphasized that the initiative was intended to provide students with essential tools for their studies and to inspire them to achieve more.

The initiative was warmly received by the teachers of both schools, who expressed their appreciation for the support provided to their students.

“We are deeply grateful for this generous gesture. Many of our students come from families with limited means, and our remote location makes transportation costs quite high.

Providing school supplies has been a significant challenge. This assistance is incredibly impactful, ensuring that our students have the necessary tools to succeed in their studies.

The school supplies and Jollibee packs brought immense joy to our students, many of whom experienced Jollibee snacks for the first time and were thrilled by the treat.” said Teacher Ana Liza T. Recare of Guba Elementary School.

Assistant District Engineer Vivian G. Biaco and section chiefs also participated in the event, engaging with students and assisting with the distribution.

This activity is part of DELP and NSFEDEA’s ongoing efforts to give back to the community and support educational initiatives that benefit local schools and students. (PR)

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)

CAPOOCAN, Leyte – To stimulate economic growth and enhance access to key tourism destinations, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office (L2DEO), has completed a 419.5-meter Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP) with a concrete-lined canal along the access road in Barangay Guinadiongan, leading to Calumpijan Island and the coastal road diving spot, this town.

District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura emphasized that in addition to boosting the tourism industry, this project aims to connect the municipality of Leyte, Leyte, via the coastal barangay roads of Cabul-an, Talisay, Tolibao, Guinadiongan, Libertad, Potot, Gayad, and Talairan, providing an alternate route to Biliran province.

Residents have long desired better access roads, and this project has fulfilled that need. They will no longer face the multiple hazards associated with traversing these road sections, especially during emergencies involving pregnant women, senior citizens, and children.

Conrada Conje, a resident of Brgy. Guinadiongan, expressed her gratitude in an interview, saying, “Before this road was built, it was very difficult to get around, and there were many obstacles along the way. We used to travel by boat to reach the town proper. Now, with this newly paved road by DPWH, it’s much easier to reach the town. We are very thankful to DPWH for this project that has greatly benefited us.”

Calumpijan Island is renowned for its pristine natural beauty and diverse marine life, while the coastal road diving spot is a diver’s paradise.

The improvement of these access roads is expected to enhance connectivity and overall visitor experience, making these destinations even more appealing to tourists.

This project was allocated a budget of P14.69 million under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) CY-2022 Convergence and Special Support Program – Construction/Improvement of Access Roads Leading to Tourism Destinations (Tourism Road Infrastructure Program – TRIP).

The TRIP program aims to promote access to airports, seaports, Tourism Enterprise Zones (TEZ), and other tourism destinations in line with the national government’s priorities.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)