MAASIN CITY— In the days following the completion of the spacious gymnasium in Barangay San Agustin, as well as the completed concreting of the road network getting there, a number of special occasions both public and private have been held in the barangay.

The gatherings ushered a steady upsurge of economic opportunities for the barangay folks, comprising about 100 households, in addition to its recovering abaca industry. It also added a lively touch to the rural, hinterland community, which is located some 20 kilometers away from the city proper going up northeast.

“Daghan na dinhi ang naghimo sa ilang mga kalihokan tungod sa daku ug luag na nato nga gym, ug sementado na sab atong kadalanan. Diha nay nag-seminar. Karong Mayo daghan ang nakalumbay. Naay mag-birthday ijang bata, tag-ija og construction company, anhi dinhi I held,” said Frederick Mejares, chairperson of barangay San Agustin.

(Many groups have conducted their activities here because the gym is big and spacious, and the roads have been cemented. A seminar had been held. This month of May, a lot of schedules were reserved. One owner of a construction company whose child will have a birthday, the celebration will be held here.)

The barangay council had crafted an ordinance exacting minimal fees for those private individuals or groups using the gym for their programs, the collection to be used for maintenance and necessary upkeep of the facility, but when used as venue for public meetings, for delivery of government services there will be no fees, Mejares shared.

On April 26, the new structure was inaugurated, along with the finished paved roads linking barangay San Agustin to other mountain villages in the area, by personnel from the implementing agency, Department of Public Works and Highways – Southern Leyte District Engineering Office (DPWH-SLDEO), and top officials of the province and city, including First District Rep. Luz Mercado, and former DPWH Secretary Roger Mercado.

Other than serving as a venue for public and private group activities, the barangay gym is also a place for recreation, sports, and other physical fitness activities of the residents, and a refuge during bad weather days, said Remonda Lopez, a San Agustin citizen.

“Multi purpose building man ni, kay puwedi pod ni kabakwitan, simbako naay bagyo o natural nga kalamidad,” Lopez added.

(This is a multi-purpose building, since this can be turned into an evacuation center during typhoons or natural calamity, God forbid.)

District Engineer Manolo Rojas described the new facility as designed to be typhoon-proof capable of enduring harsh weather conditions, especially strong typhoons.

Rep. Mercado acknowledged that the new building has multiple uses and a center for various activities, adding that part of the P7 million budget for its construction was shouldered by the city government.

As to the road concreting project, based on the DPWH-SLDEO press briefer, 10 kilometers were constructed traversing six adjacent, cross country barangays with a total budget of P120 million, from February 2021 until June 2023. (MMP, PIA Southern Leyte)

TACLOBAN CITY– 4Ps party-list Representative, Marcelino Libanan, spearheaded on May 8 the groundbreaking ceremony of the P50 million flood mitigation structures in the town of Balangkayan.

Engr. Jayson Espeso, the spokesperson of the Eastern Samar District Engineering Office, said that the project is being implemented by the regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under its “SIPAG”, or Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Alleviating Gaps project.

Spanning a length of 356.317, the revetment project consists of two sections as well as the last portions of the first flood control.

It also includes driven steel piles, revetment, embankment, and grouted riprap, Espeso said in a press statement.

He also added that they had already sent a notice for the DPWH to proceed with the project.

Balangkayan was one of the areas in Eastern Samar that was hard-hit when Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda,’ marked with storm surges, pounded the province in 2013.

Espeso said that the project’s primary goal is not only to protect the residents but also to save national highways in order to preserve connectivity during emergencies.

Town Mayor Edith Anne Contado expressed her gratitude to Rep. Libanan for coming up with the project to their town.

“The project will contribute to the protection of families, particularly those residing in close proximity to coastal barangays,” she said.

(JANESSA T. MOSCOSA, EASTERN SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY – A centenarian from Giporlos, Eastern Samar, has received a one-time cash gift of P100,000 along with a letter of felicitation from President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
Francisco Abuyen, who is from Barangay Coticot received the cash gift from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Under Republic Act 10868 or the Centenarian Act of 2016, Filipinos who reach the age of 100 receive P100,000 as additional benefits and privileges.
(THERESE A. CASILLANO, EASTERN SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTERN)

DOLORES, Eastern Samar– National Housing Authority OIC District Manager Reggie Mañoso, together with 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino C. Libanan, led the distribution of certificates of award of residential lots to 24 informal settlers in this municipality.
The initiative aims to provide housing solutions to informal settlers, addressing the longstanding issue of housing inadequacy in the region.

Mañoso highlighted the significance of the Dolores resettlement project as a collaborative effort between the NHA and the local government unit (LGU) of Dolores.

Despite its implementation spanning several years, challenges persist, particularly in ensuring the fair distribution of housing lots among eligible beneficiaries.

With 200 lots covered under the NHA Resettlement Assistance Program in Dolores, the identification and approval of 24 beneficiaries by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) and Local Integration Action Council (LIAC) mark a significant step forward.

“The remaining lots are expected to be awarded within the year,” Mañoso added.
Mylen Pajenado expressed gratitude on behalf of the beneficiaries to the NHA and the LGU Dolores for a permanent and safe home, acknowledging its positive impact on her family.
Dolores Councilor Randy Pomida reiterated the importance of housing as a fundamental need for families and commended the NHA’s efforts in solving the housing insufficiency issue in Dolores.

Meanwhile, Mayor Rodrigo Rivera emphasized the need for unity and community cohesion among beneficiaries, urging them to cherish the opportunity and contribute to maintaining peace and stability in their new neighborhood.

The NHA resettlement area is under the Resettlement Assistance Program for Local Government Units (RAP-LGU), with a project cost of P7 million.
(SDC, PIA Eastern Samar with Cyra Mae Ambil, ESSU Intern)

No foul play

ORMOC CITY-Following a post-mortem examination conducted by the attending physician of the rural health unit (RHU) in Las Navas, Northern Samar, no evidence of foul play was discovered in the death of a pedicab driver, whose lifeless body was discovered at the river in Barangay Tagab-Iran on Sunday (May 12) at around 6 am.

The victim, known only by the alias “Julius,” was 58 years old, married, and worked as a pedicab driver. He resided in Brgy. Quirino Poblacion, of the said town.

Local authorities received a report of a potential drowning incident around 10:40 in the morning. Responding promptly, they arrived at the scene to find that the victim, showing no signs of life, had already been transported to the RHU by the local rescue team.

An investigation conducted by the authorities revealed that the victim had been bathing in the river when he accidentally drowned. Despite efforts from the local rescue team, the victim was pronounced dead by the attending doctor RHU.

A subsequent post-mortem examination conducted by the municipal health officer found no indications of foul play.

The cause of death was determined to be accidental drowning and submersion.

(ROBERT DEJON)