TACLOBAN CITY – The regional office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is set to lend its expertise to the Tacloban City government in tackling the persistent issue of traffic congestion.

DOST Leyte Provincial Director John Glenn Ocaña revealed that they have convened with city officials to finalize plans for implementing an automated traffic management system.
This cutting-edge technology, developed with funding from DOST’s Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), forms a crucial part of Tacloban’s ongoing transformation into a smart and sustainable city, with full support from the agency.

“This automated traffic system represents a significant stride towards establishing Tacloban as a truly smart city,” Ocaña said.

“Beyond just optimizing traffic flow and reducing travel times, this project will also bolster our urban planning capabilities. The real-time data and analytics it provides can inform decisions on long-term infrastructure development for improved road networks,” he added.

City Administrator Atty. Lila Czarina Aquitania expressed the city’s enthusiasm for the initiative, emphasizing the long-standing challenge of traffic congestion and its impact on residents’ lives.

“Traffic congestion has long been a major hurdle, affecting mobility, productivity, and overall quality of life for our citizens,” she said.

“We pledge our full cooperation with DOST’s team throughout the implementation phase. Rest assured, the city government stands ready to provide all necessary support and resources to ensure the seamless deployment of this smart traffic solution,” she stressed.

Once operational, the traffic management system will leverage sensors, cameras, and advanced analytics to optimize traffic signal timings and alleviate congestion across the city, thus enhancing urban planning and improving the overall experience for motorists, commuters, and pedestrians.

Tacloban is among the cities and municipalities in the region identified by DOST for the implementation of Smart and Sustainable City initiatives, aimed at leveraging science, technology, and innovation to deliver enhanced services to the public.

Through the application of technology and innovation, these initiatives aim to achieve greater efficiency in service delivery, governance, ease of doing business, and enhance public safety, economic development, and overall mobility, among other key areas.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY– A coco lumber worker suffered a fractured foot after a tree he was cutting collapsed onto him at approximately 8:29 am on Wednesday (April 3) in Bato, Leyte.

According to Joanne Capal, a staff member of the local Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO), they received a distress call reporting the accident that occurred in Barangay Bago.

Responding swiftly, they reached the site within minutes, where they found victim Mario Aguilar, 33 lying on the ground in considerable pain.

Capal recounted that Aguilar explained he was working alone, cutting a coconut tree when it unexpectedly toppled onto his foot, resulting in a severe fracture.

The MDRRMO’s rescue team promptly transported Aguilar to the Hilongos District Hospital.
Due to the severity of his injury, he was subsequently transferred to the Southern Leyte Provincial Hospital in Maasin City for further medical attention.
(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY – In a dramatic rescue, a two-year-old child was saved from drowning thanks to the swift actions of Coast Guard Samar personnel stationed on an augmentation force duty at a local beach.

The incident occurred around 4:30 pm on Sunday (March 31) at Buri Baras Beach, Barangay Estaka in Catbalogan City.

The child was swimming with his family when he was swept away by the tide and found himself approximately 10 meters from the shore.

Thankfully, alert beachgoers spotted the child and brought him back to safety.
Upon noticing the situation, Coast Guard personnel SN1 Joseph Antipuesto promptly administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to the victim.

Miraculously, the child regained consciousness and was swiftly transported to a local hospital for further medical attention. The child’s parents expressed profound gratitude to the Coast Guard personnel for their heroic efforts in saving their son’s life.

The Coast Guard District Eastern Visayas emphasizes the importance for all parents and guardians enjoying beach time to remain vigilant and keep a close watch on their young companions to prevent such dangers from occurring in the future.
(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY-Tragedy struck as a motorcycle driver was fatally run over by a 10-wheeler dump truck at about 5:20 pm on Tuesday (April 2) in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Villaba, Leyte.
The motorcycle driver was identified as Keith Christian Duja, 22, and a resident of Brgy. Cabunga-an in this area while the driver of the dump truck was Raffy Pagobo, 34, residing in Sitio Burabod Veloso, Brgy.Inangatan.

Police Major Edwin Tolibas, town police chief, said that the two vehicles were traveling in opposite directions: the 10-wheeler dump truck with temporary plate No. NGT 4114 was heading from Brgy.Tabunoc towards Villaba proper, while the victim, riding a motorcycle with temporary plate number 082410, was traveling from Brgy.Cabunga-an towards Brgy.Cagnocot.

According to witness Jerry Sardual,58, upon reaching a curved portion of the road, the motorcycle driver lost control, veered into the center lane, and was accidentally run over by the dump truck’s left back wheel, resulting in instantaneous death.

The driver of the dump truck, unharmed in the incident, surrendered to the responding police and was taken to Villaba municipal police station along with the vehicles for documentation and further proceedings.

Meanwhile, the victim’s remains were transferred to a local funeral parlor for embalming services.
(ROBERT DEJON)