TACLOBAN CITY – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), launched Mining Exhibit 2024 at Robinsons Place, Marasbaras, on Wednesday (June 19).
The event commenced with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by notable guests, including Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez and Mayor Annaliza Kwan of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
The exhibit aims to dispel misconceptions surrounding the mining industry and emphasize its positive contributions to economic growth and community development. Additionally, it seeks to educate visitors about the industry’s technological advancements and regulatory frameworks.
During a media press conference held in the afternoon, attendees addressed concerns regarding the environmental impact of mining activities and current issues surrounding the industry.
MGB Regional Director Glenn Marcelo Noble highlighted the region’s rich natural resources, including nickel, gold, sand, and gravel, underscoring the potential for sustainable development through responsible mining practices.
The “Mining Matters” exhibit will run until June 23, offering the public a unique opportunity to explore the complexities of mining and engage in constructive dialogue about its sustainable future.
As the event continues, organizers hope to inspire a renewed appreciation for the industry’s contributions while encouraging ongoing discourse on environmental stewardship and responsible resource management. (JESRHYLL MAE R. BRISO, LEYTE NORMAL UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTERN)
CATARMAN,Northern Samar— The Department of Public Works and Highways-Northern Samar First District Engineering Office (DPWH-NSFDEO) has recently completed the construction of a concrete road (Phase 1),significantly enhancing accessibility between two barangays in this provincial capital.
This P34.28 million project includes the construction of a 586-meter concrete road, soon connecting the communities of Barangays Old Rizal and Libjo.
The scope of work includes unsuitable excavation, embankment from roadway excavation, crushed aggregate surface course, construction of a Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP) spanning a total length of 1,172 linear meters, installation of pipe culverts, application of thermoplastic pavement markings, and construction of a reinforced concrete canal and stone masonry.
District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio emphasized the multifaceted benefits of the newly concreted road, stating, “Beyond facilitating local trade between the two barangays, the newly concreted road will also provide better access to basic services.”
Residents of the area have expressed their gratitude and optimism about the new road.
One resident shared, “This road project is a significant contribution from our government to the community. It will greatly help us, especially students, by providing safer and more efficient routes to school and other essential destinations as well as expedite the delivery of agricultural products from farms to the market.”
The resident added, “Ini nga sigad, dako nga bulig ini sa gobyerno sa residente, sa mga studyante, parag-uma. Dako a bulig sa katawhan para durudaritso a pag-agi man sa mga produkto. Maupay lat ini nga paagi nga bulig sa gobyerno.”
The project, part of the Department’s Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Alleviating Gaps (SIPAG) program, began construction on June 9, 2023, and was completed on January 9, 2024. (ANALIZA A. PABIA, PIO ALTERNATE/PR)
Region 8 plays host to the Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR’s) Resettlement Policy Framework Pilot Testing. (JOSE ALSMITH L. SORIA)
Region 8 plays host to the Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR’s) Resettlement Policy Framework Pilot Testing. (JOSE ALSMITH L. SORIA)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) met on Wednesday, June 5 this year, the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) affected by overlapping land use in Matag-ob, a town some 92 kilometers away from the provincial capital of Leyte.
A focus group discussion with the said ARBs was conducted by Environmental and Social Safeguard (ESS) specialists from Visayas and Mindanao as part of the pilot testing of the Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF).
Rosario Regalado, ESS lead coordinator under DAR’s Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) project, explained that this activity is to identify the gaps and challenges encountered in the field through validation and consultation as the SPLIT project progresses.
This is also to better understand and implement the RPF, as we revisit the applicability of this safeguard instrument as required by the World Bank, which provides funding for the implementation of the SPLIT project, Regalado added.
She also shared that Region 8 was chosen pilot area for this activity because of the magnitude of landholdings covered by collective Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) given under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) that are overlapping with timberlands.
Atty. Robert Anthony Yu, DAR Regional Director in Eastern Visayas, disclosed that Lot 981, the subjected landholding in Matag-ob, is covered by a collective CLOA with an area of 111 hectares traversing Barangays Candelaria, Mansalip and Malazarte. It has 58 identified ARBs, said Yu.
On the same occasion, Yu led the team, including World Bank representatives, Mary Ann Botengan and Luisa Martinez, and Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) representative, Angelyn Costelo, in the conduct of an ocular inspection of the said landholding believed to have a slope of over 18 percent.
But during the ocular inspection, it was found out that the said landholding has a slope of 14 percent only, which according to Engineer Ma. Dioleta Vilas, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Assistant Chief of the Surveys and Mapping Division, can be reclassified to alienable and disposable (A and D).
Regalado said that the presence of officials from partner agencies, local government unit and non-government organization (NGO) during the four-day activity helped them attain the objectives which is very crucial in the implementation of the SPLIT project.
The RPF provides alternative non-monetary compensation to affected ARBs in the implementation of the SPLIT project, such as relocation to another landholding.
SPLIT project subdivides lands covered by collective CLOAs and issue individual electronically-generated land titles to ARBs to improve land tenure security and strengthen property rights over their awarded lots.
Meanwhile, Assistant Regional Director for Operations, Renato Badilla, reported that DAR has already validated 126,423.38 hectares or 61 percent of its 206,436-hectare target in SPLIT project. (JOSE ALSMITH L. SORIA/PR)
ORMOC CITY– A fire, whose origin is still under investigation by the local Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), destroyed 28 houses and partially damaged three others at around 2:10 a.m. on Wednesday (June 19) in Sitio Isla Verde, Barangay Dolho in Bato, Leyte.
Bato BFP fire investigator, Senior Fire Officer Dave Cortez, stated in an interview that the fire displaced 136 individuals, including persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and infants.
The BFP received the alert minutes after the fire started and immediately proceeded to the area. Upon arrival, they found the fire already spreading, prompting them to request support from neighboring fire stations as the fire was raised to the second alarm level.
SFO1 Cortez noted that the fire spread quickly through the community because the houses were made of light materials.
The narrow passages in the area further complicated the situation, as residents fleeing the fire blocked the way with their belongings, hampering the firefighters’ efforts to enter. Even supporting fire trucks from Hilongos, Matalom, and Hindang municipalities faced the same issue due to the small passageways.
The fire was declared under control at 3:20 am and fully extinguished by around 4:30 am on the same day.
No injuries were reported, and the damage was estimated at P1 million.
The Municipal Social Development Office has provided food packs and relief goods to all victims, while non-governmental organizations have also extended assistance. (ROBERT DEJON)
KASALANG BAYAN. About 80 couples from Borongan City availed of the mass wedding or ‘Kasalang Bayan’ on Monday(June 17) sponsored by the city government as part of its 17th Charter Day celebration.
(BORONGAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
As part of the 17th year cityhood
KASALANG BAYAN. About 80 couples from Borongan City availed of the mass wedding or ‘Kasalang Bayan’ on Monday(June 17) sponsored by the city government as part of its 17th Charter Day celebration. (BORONGAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
TACLOBAN CITY – About 80 couples from Borongan City tied the knot in a “Kasalang Bayan” or mass wedding presided over by Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda.
The mass wedding event was part of the city’s 17th Charter celebration on Monday (June 17).
Mayor Agda was joined by Rose Ballera, who represented Regional Director Wilma Perante of the regional office of the Philippine Statistics Authority; members of the city council headed by Vice Mayor Emman Tiu-Sonco; City Civil Registry Office chief Ma. Luisa M. Azul III, who spearheaded the mass wedding; and various city department heads.
“This Kasalang Bayan makes your union legal, a precious gift to your children, making them legitimate or what we call marital children,” Ballera said with the newlywed couples.
In his message, Mayor Agda emphasized the need for the couples to continue loving and supporting each other, especially during difficult times, and to make God the center of their relationship.
“A relationship needs to be nurtured. Don’t forget the important moments with your spouse. Be role models for your children,” he advised.
Among those married at the mass wedding was Jessica Lacorte, a secondary school teacher, and her partner, Romanian national Alexandru Mirea, who met online.
The two had been living together for about nine months.
“I am happy because my dream of getting married has come true. We rushed to get married because he only has a few weeks here… we took the opportunity of this Kasalang Bayan,” Lacorte said.
“For me, it’s okay [to get married with others], it’s actually fun seeing many happy faces. I am very thankful to the mayor for organizing this event, which reduces costs with a free venue and food,” she added.
“I am happy that we were able to catch up with our paperwork, as the last pair of the 40 couples who exchanged ‘I do’s’ at the city’s Baybay Boulevard,” Mirea shared.
He added that he had prepared a tuxedo for the wedding but due to the hot weather, he opted to wear a white polo shirt with a bow tie.
Also among the couples who tied the knot during the mass wedding were Raymart Santerva and Maricar Tabinas from Brgy. Campesao, who were assisted by an interpreter throughout the ceremony due to their hearing impairment. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
4Ps Partylist Rep. and Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan
4Ps Partylist Rep. and Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan
TACLOBAN CITY – 4Ps Partylist Rep. and Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, along with local government officials, community leaders, and university stakeholders, led the groundbreaking ceremony for two new buildings at the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) Arteche Campus in Arteche, Eastern Samar.
The construction of a P22 million academic building and a P5 million multipurpose building, held on June 8, at the ESSU-Arteche Extension Campus aims to address the campus’s classroom shortages.
The academic building is a two-story structure designed to accommodate over 400 students. It includes eight classrooms, one faculty office, comfort rooms, and storage rooms, covering a total area of 860 square meters. The project’s expected completion time is 168 days.
The multipurpose building, also a two-story structure, covers 70.28 square meters and has a projected completion time of 122 days.
The ground floor will feature a student lounge, while the second floor will serve as a study and presentation area capable of accommodating more than 450 students.
Currently, due to the shortage of classrooms, students in each program attend classes only two days a week.
Libanan emphasized that the new infrastructures would create additional opportunities for students at ESSU-Arteche.
“The modern facilities and equipment are expected to improve the educational system of the said school,” he added.
During the public hearing of the Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, House Bill No. 9772, an Act converting the ESSU-Arteche Extension Campus to a regular campus, was approved on its third and final reading on February 28, 2024. Libanan co-authored the bill, and the hearing was presided over by committee chair, Sen. Chiz Escudero.
Libanan mentioned that the conversion would provide fiscal autonomy to the campus, leading to additional budget allocation and job opportunities for the people of Eastern Samar.
Currently, ESSU-Arteche Campus funding depends on the ESSU-Borongan Campus and the support of the local government unit of Arteche.
Engr. Arnaldo Villalon, dean of ESSU Arteche, stated that constructing the two new buildings will address the classroom shortage resulting from the increasing number of enrollees.
The school’s enrollment has risen to over 800 students for the current school year, up from the initial 107 enrollees in 2018.
Libanan advocated for funding allocation for both projects. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
