TACLOBAN CITY– The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in the region, in collaboration with its provincial office and the office of 4P’s Minority Floor Leader Marcelino Libanan, is spearheading the establishment of a solid waste management facility in Barangay Mantang, Taft, Eastern Samar.

This initiative marks a pioneering effort to introduce a state-of-the-art facility in the region, aimed at converting waste into valuable resources.

“This project represents a significant step towards achieving sustainable waste management and environmental conservation in the region,” remarked John Glenn Ocaña, the officer-in-charge of the DOST-8.

“The facility will utilize advanced technologies to tackle environmental challenges posed by waste accumulation in coastal areas,” he emphasized.

Ocaña further detailed that the facility will feature cutting-edge machinery designed to process various types of waste, including a charcoal briquetting machine, a coir decorticator, and a bio-composter for organic fertilizer production from biodegradable waste. These technologies will support sustainable agriculture and offer an eco-friendly fuel alternative.

“The project aims to enhance operational efficiency through advanced waste processing technologies, provide technical consultancy for effective equipment utilization and maintenance, create employment opportunities for local residents, and organize cleanup drives along beaches and coastal areas to bolster environmental health and support eco-tourism initiatives,” he elaborated.

Recently, DOST-8 officials conducted a site inspection in Brgy. Mantang to finalize the facility’s location, along with initial consultative meetings with Rep. Libanan to discuss project implementation and coordination.

Upon successful implementation, the project seeks replication in other areas of Eastern Samar to promote environmental sustainability and community development through innovative solutions.

The project enjoys support from key stakeholders such as the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU).

This solid waste management facility project aligns with various United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Gender Equality (Goal 5), Innovation and Infrastructure (Goal 9), and Life on Land (Goal 15).

It also supports the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) by enhancing income-earning abilities and promoting environmental management, as well as the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP) by focusing on economic development and environmental management.

Moreover, the project contributes to DOST’s strategic areas including job creation, health security, water security, environmental protection, climate and disaster resilience, and smart and sustainable communities.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY– A woman reported missing by her sister since Monday (June 17) was found lifeless by residents at about 12:10 a.m. two days later while they were fishing and looking for river frogs at the river in Barangay Rizal, Carigara, Leyte.

Police identified the victim as alias ‘Angel’, 28, single, a person with a disability (PWD), and a resident of Jaro, Leyte.

At around 12:10 a.m. on Wednesday (June 19), the station received a cellular phone call from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) regarding the body of a female found at the outskirts of the river in the vicinity of Brgy. Rizal.

Local police, together with barangay officials and watchmen, responded to the area. Upon arrival, they saw the lifeless body of the victim floating face down in the river, wearing a white undershirt and black shorts. The cadaver was already bloated.

With the help of residents, the victim was pulled from the water and brought to a local funeral parlor for a post-mortem examination at the rural health unit.

Initial investigations revealed that the cadaver was discovered by residents who were catching frogs and fish.

At around 2:50 pm on Tuesday (June 18), the victim’s sister had gone to the Carigara police requesting assistance in locating her missing sister, who had left their house at about 9:00 am last Monday (June 17).

Upon discovering the victim’s body, the police immediately notified the family. They identified and confirmed at the funeral home that the cadaver was indeed their missing family member. (ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY – Around 20 local government units in the region are now implementing Project LAWA at BINHI or Local Adaptation to Water Access and Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished.

Project LAWA and BINHI, a risk resiliency program – climate change adaptation and mitigation (RRP-CCAM) initiative by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), aims to combat hunger and poverty while addressing climate-related challenges by engaging the community.

The LGUs participating in the program include Jipapad, Dolores, Oras, San Policarpo, and Maslog from Eastern Samar; Gamay, Lapinig, Catubig, Silvino Lobos, and Lope de Vega in Northern Samar; Silago, San Ricardo, Libagon, Sogod, and Bontoc in Southern Leyte; as well as the city of Catbalogan, and the municipalities of Matuguinao, Gandara, Sta. Margarita, and Basey, all in Samar.

“We have implemented cash-for-training and cash-for-work programs to assist local government units in improving access to water and food security. We see that they have plans and projects in place, and the DSWD is here to help through what we call resource augmentation,” DSWD-8 Regional Director Grace Subong said.

Subong further explained, “The beneficiaries who participate in these projects undergo training to understand the purpose and importance of their involvement.”

About 5,023 residents are expected to benefit from the program through the cash-for-work scheme, earning P405 per day for 15 days.

These beneficiaries undergo a three-day cash-for-training program before implementing the identified projects.

The projects included in the program encompass fish farming, communal gardening, and the rehabilitation of water systems, ensuring that the community has a sufficient supply of food and water during times of calamities and disasters.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)