CATARMAN,Northern Samar -In a remarkable achievement, the Planning and Design Section (PDS) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Northern Samar First District Engineering Office has maintained its outstanding rating, clinching the top spot regionwide and an impressive 12th position nationwide in the Cost Estimation Audit for the year 2023.

The Outstanding rating is a direct result of the district’s unwavering commitment in adhering to the guidelines and procedures outlined in Department Order No. 1, Series of 2018.

The CEA is carried out by a team of experts from the DPWH’s Bureau of Construction (BOC) at the Central Office.

During the latest CEA, which took place on May 26-27, 2023, the team conducted an extensive audit of the field office, focusing on various areas such as compliance with existing laws, adherence to DPWH Cost Estimation-Related Issuances, accuracy of estimates, document requirements, and overall management practices.

Expressing his appreciation, District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio remarked that the outstanding performance of the PDS for 3 consecutive years now in the said audit is a testament to the unwavering dedication and hard work of its staff. He further emphasized the crucial role that accurate cost estimation plays in the successful execution of infrastructure initiatives, as it facilitates efficient resource allocation and helps prevent budget overruns and delays.

The Cost Estimation Audit is an annual evaluation that scrutinizes various aspects of cost estimation in DPWH projects, including the preparation of the Program of Works (POW); the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC); Detailed Unit Price Analysis (DUPA); Construction Materials Unit Price; Equipment Cost among others. This thorough assessment ensures that cost estimates are precise and reliable, ultimately promoting transparency and accountability in the implementation of infrastructure ventures.

(ANALIZA A. PABIA, PIO ALTERNATE/PR)

NSSDEO, Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, N. Samar, 02/21/2024 – The Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office – Public Affairs and Information Office conducted video and photo documentation of completed projects along Pangpang-Palapag-Mapanas-Gamay-Lapinig Road.
Among the documented projects are rockfall barrier and asphalt overlay projects. These projects are in pursuit of national development objectives of the government to provide safe and smooth infrastructure facilities to the travelling public.
The purpose of this routinary project documentation is to comply with the requirements of the Department’s Communication Development Program (CDP) Reports in weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis, in coordination with the Project Engineers and Resident Engineers involved in the project implementation.
Furthermore, the objective of this activity is to inform the public of its role and contribution in infrastructure development of the Department’s programs and projects through social campaign. Hence, by showcasing the progress and development of the NSSDEO’s area of jurisdiction, it invites tourists to come and witness the attractive sceneries that the Second District of Northern Samar offers.
The team was composed of PIO-Designate, Joemar Patilan, and his Alternate, Ronel Galupo, Engineer Zyra Joy Ching, Herald Medrano, Admin. Aide I, and two PIO staff on-the-job trainees, namely: KhyzeL Sosing and Ana Sophia Lobino.
(By: Ronel L. Galupo, PIO Alternate/PR)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Tourism (DOT) gathered some of the region’s tourism stakeholders and tourism officers for the very first Muslim Friendly Tourism Orientation held on Tuesday (March 5).

This is the first time the region conducted an orientation as Eastern Visayas gears up as a Muslim-friendly tourist destination in the country.

Karina Rosa Tiopes, tourism regional director, said that the orientation is needed because none of the tourism enterprises in the region are certified as Muslim-friendly.

“Just like us, our Muslim brothers and sisters also go on vacation and this needs to be given importance because they too have their own traditions and culture that they need to follow and for us to respect,” she said during an interview after the launching held at the Oriental Hotel in Palo town.

Their office, Tiopes said, has no data yet on how many Muslim tourists visited the region in the previous years.

“Through this orientation, this will tell us what our Muslim tourists are looking for and what they can do, what is halal or permitted to them and what is haram or those that are not allowed,” she said.

Tiopes added that the orientation is important for major cities and towns in Eastern Visayas positioned by the DOT as MICE (meeting, incentives, conferences, and events) destinations because there is a high chance that there will be Muslim participants in these activities, especially if it is a national event.

Joining the Muslim Friendly Tourism Orientation was Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa Abubakar who said that it is crucial that the accommodation establishments and tourism facilities adequately cater to the needs of Muslim travelers such as food and accommodations.

“Embracing Muslim-friendly practices ensures that we create an environment where all travelers, regardless of their cultural or religious background, feel welcome and accommodated,” she said.

“This not only promotes diversity but also enhances the overall tourism experience for everyone involved,” Abubakar added.

In 2023, the country welcomed more than 6,500 Muslim travelers who mostly visited the Mindanao region.

The country was also awarded last year as the Emerging Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year at the prestigious Halal in Travel Global Summit which recognizes destinations, organizations, companies, and individuals who have made a significant impact on the Muslim lifestyle travel segment.

The topics discussed during the orientation include the fundamentals of halal, halal certification technicalities, kitchen products, and available DOST training on halal, and the DOT Memorandum Circular No. 2020 -010.

The said memorandum sets the guidelines governing the operation and recognition of Muslim-friendly accommodation establishments as it mandates that those who will apply for a certificate of recognition must have in their front desk information on Muslim-friendly rooms, facilities, and amenities, a list of nearby mosques or Islamic centers, information on prayer times or call of prayer, and adequate information on the nearest halal-certified restaurants or Muslim-friendly restaurants.

Muslim-friendly accommodation facilities must also assign at least five percent of the total number of their room as Muslim-friendly guest rooms and inside the room must have Qiblah directional stickers pointing its director to Mecca, a prayer mat, Qur’an, and a clear water supply.

There should be a separate area for the preparation of halal food, including different sets of silverware, plates, and glass wares; separate cold storage with proper signage for halal and non-halal food, designate a purchasing individual for halal food ingredients, standard operating procedure for kitchen operation, and sanitation and proper handling of halal food and products. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)