CATARMAN, Northern Samar– Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) also known as Doctors Without Borders, an international medical humanitarian organization reached out to selected barangays of Northern Samar to extend medical assistance to residents affected by flooding caused by shearline.

Dr. Evangeline Cua, MSF volunteer and project coordinator, said they were able to provide medical consultations and medicines, hygiene kits, jerry cans and cleaning supplies to some 1,000 residents of Catarman and Lope de Vega covering 24 barangays.

The team from MSF includes four doctors, two nurses, two logisticians, and a mental health specialist, joined by a doctor from Northern Samar Provincial Hospital and the municipal health officers of Lope de Vega and Catarman.

The team trekked mountains and crossed rivers going to barangays Liberty, Bocsol, and Salvacion of Catarman and other villages in Lope de Vega to provide relief to communities in distress.

On behalf of the recipients, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers of Catarman and Lope de Vega expressed gratitude for the goods distributed as well as the medical services provided, such as consultations and psychological first aid, helping the affected residents deal with the trauma.

“Doctors Without Borders seek to alleviate human suffering, protect life, and promote health and well-being. We also provide mental health care to patients and providers as well. Thus, we initiate a psychological first-aid orientation for frontliners attended by the Bureau of Fire Protection, Catarman DRRM personnel, and DRRM coordinators of different schools,” Cua said.

According to Cua, MSF is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization founded in 1971 that delivers medical care to people affected by armed conflict, natural disasters, epidemics, and pandemics, among others.
It is a global movement composed of tens of thousands of health professionals, and logistic and administrative staff. It runs projects in more than 70 countries, including the Philippines.

“In 1999, MSF received the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of its pioneering humanitarian work on several continents, Cua said.
(ADiaz/PIA Northern Samar)

CATARMAN, Northern Samar—The government’s commitment to improving infrastructure in the country continues as a significant budget of P2.74 billion has been allocated for the development of Northern Samar’s 1st District Engineering Office (DEO) this year.

The FY 2024 Infrastructure Program of Northern Samar First DEO encompasses 25 projects under the national road network services; 3 under the flood management services; 1 under the local program; and 48 under the basic infrastructure program, comprising a total of 77 projects, as outlined in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio revealed that the major projects with the largest budget allocation for this year include the construction of the San Isidro-Lope De Vega Road which has an allocation of P100 million.

Additionally, an amount of P85 million has been allocated for the preventive maintenance along Catarman-Calbayog Road.

He further emphasized the priority given to infrastructure projects severely affected by the recent shear line that hit the province, particularly in the first district of Northern Samar.
“The district office will give priority to those infrastructure projects that caused disruption to the traveling public. We have already sent a request for Quick Response Funds (QRF) to the Central office,” he stated.

As of January 5, 2024, the district had already bid out 34 projects. Three projects are scheduled for bidding on January 23, and the remaining 40 projects are under preliminary detailed engineering.

The district office is committed to efficiently utilize allocated funds to improve infrastructure development, enhance connectivity, and contribute to the overall economic development of Northern Samar.
(ANALIZA A. PABIA, PIO ALTERNATE/PR)

TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial board of Leyte passed a resolution naming Miss Universe Philippines – Leyte as a tourism ambassador and the official candidate of the province in the upcoming Miss Universe Philippines national pageant.

The resolution, authored by board member Carlo Loreto(5th district) was passed by the provincial board after the first Miss Universe Philippines – Leyte titleholder Angel Rose Tambal appeared before the members of the provincial board during their regular session last Tuesday(Jan.16) at the Leyte Provincial Capitol complex in Palo town.

In her message to the members of the provincial board, Tambal appealed to the provincial board to help her in her journey at the national pageant as she encouraged all residents of Leyte to support her, particularly in social media engagement.

“To be the official ambassadress of Leyte will empower me to contribute to the promotion of our rich tourism, cultural diversity, and heritage,” Tambal said.

“I commit my hundred percent best in bringing the name of Leyte to the forefront of the national pageant. I am not here just as a candidate but as a proud Leyteña ready to represent our province with passion,” the beauty queen, who is an engineer by profession, added.

This February 10, Tambal will be leaving for Metro Manila for the sashing of the MUPH 2024 candidates where she will be officially announced by the organization as the official representative of Leyte in the national pageant.

In the region, Leyte province along with Kananga town whose representative is Natasha Jung had already crowned their representatives to the national pageant.

The two beauty queens were crowned after the MUPH organization introduced the accredited partner’s program concept last year wherein they will no longer hold the traditional screening process as candidates but as winners of the local pageant organized by their accredited partners.

Before the declaration of Tambal as the tourism ambassador of Leyte and the official MUPh candidate of the province, she along with two other winners of the local pageant had signed a contract with IM Travel Corporation as the official tourism ambassador of the travel and tour company.

As tourism ambassador, Tambal will help in promoting and marketing local tourism attractions and destinations of the province.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

CATARMAN, Northern Samar –District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio with the Inspectorate team lead by Construction Chief Engineer Vicente C. Galecio of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Northern Samar First District Engineering Office (DEO), conducted an inspection of various infra projects within the first district of Northern Samar on January 4, 2024.

During the inspection, District Engineer Ignacio underscored the importance of conducting routine project inspections to ensure that the contractors comply with correct construction methodologies and adhere to the department’s guidelines and specifications.

The team inspected the ongoing concreting of Barangay Chitongco to Sitio Pamiswakan, Brgy. Chitongco farm-tom-market (FMR), Brgy. Chitongco, Mondragon Northern Samar; rehabilitation of river control, Barangay Makiwalo, Mondragon, Northern Samar; construction of 1STY 4CL Cawayan Integrated School, Catarman, Northern Samar; rehabilitation/reconstruction/upgrading of damaged paved roads – tertiary roads – Bugko – Nenita – Mirador- Cagpanit-an – De Maria – Sn Jose Rd – K0762+00-K0763+092, Mondragon, Northern Samar; construction of multi-purpose building, Brgy. Cawayan, Catarman, Northern Samar and rehabilitation/reconstruction/upgrading of damaged paved roads – Secondary Road – Catarman – Laoang Rd – K0761+480-K0762+000, Mondragon, Northern Samar.

District Engineer Ignacio emphasized the significant impact these projects will have upon completion.

“The successful completion of these projects will certainly benefit the traveling public and will contribute to the overall improvement of infrastructure in the first district of Northern Samar,” he said.

DE Ignacio further stressed that routine inspections play a crucial role in monitoring the progress of ongoing projects and addressing any issues promptly. Hence, the monitoring Engineers are required to join the project inspections.

The DPWH officials are committed to overseeing the successful implementation of these initiatives for the betterment of the community and the efficient use of public resources.
(ANALIZA A. PABIA, PIO ALTERNATE/PR)