Intended to preserve endangered and critical animals

BURAUEN, Leyte-Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga expressed gratitude to House Speaker Martin Romualdez for approving funding for the preservation and conservation of endangered and critical wildlife in the country.

Sec.Yulo-Loyzaga shared this news during her recent visit to Barangay Kagbana, this town, for the release of two Philippine Eagles, part of the Philippine Eagle Foundation’s translocation project aimed at aiding the repopulation process of the country’s largest raptor.

Congress, upon the directive of Speaker Romualdez, has allocated at least P100 million for the preservation and conservation of five critically endangered Philippine wildlife species.

These include the Philippine Eagle, Palawan Cockatoo, dugong, marine turtles, and tamaraw. Each species has been allocated P20 million in conservation funding.

“Each species has specific needs, which is why a thorough review of their current status and immediate needs is necessary,” Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga said.

She added that the DENR is thankful for this year’s budget, which specifies which critical wildlife will benefit from the funds.

“We are grateful to our legislators. Previously, the allocation was given in a lump sum, making it unclear which species should be prioritized,” she added.

Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga visited Kagbana, located 37 kilometers from the town proper of Burauen, on June 28, for the release of “Uswag” and “Carlito” as part of the translocation project.

She was joined by top officials of the DENR from both the Central Office and regional office.
The two eagles arrived in Leyte on June 11 and were released 17 days later after undergoing acclimatization due to their transfer from a different region and minimal human interaction.

Their translocation to Leyte, particularly at the Anonang-Lobi mountain range, is part of the Philippine Eagle Foundation’s program to repopulate the Philippine Eagle across the country.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY– In a concerted effort to strengthen flood resilience and infrastructure in Dulag, Leyte, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office (L2DEO), has initiated a flood management program aiming to protect the shoreline of Barangay San Jose in Dulag town along the Labiranan River.

District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura said that the construction of the riverbank protection project will measure 80 meters in the downstream area and 254 meters in the upstream area.

Additionally, 2,553.96 cubic meters of grouted riprap and 2,673.76 cubic meters of hand-laid rock embankment are included.

The construction of the riverbank retaining wall serves as a proactive measure to mitigate the potential flood risks and protect the community residing along the Labiranan River.

By fortifying vulnerable riverbanks with sturdy infrastructure, L2DEO aims to enhance the area’s capacity to withstand flooding events and safeguard lives and properties.

The project has an allotted amount of P76.82 million, with 66.64% reported work accomplishments and is funded under the DPWH-CY 2024 General Appropriations Act.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

Via Jipapad-Las Navas road

JIPAPAD, Eastern Samar – A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the concreting of a 1.3-kilometer portion of the remaining 3.735-kilometer stretch of the Jipapad-Las Navas road in this town on Monday (July 1).

House Minority Floor Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino ‘Nonoy’ Libanan led the event along with Jipapad Mayor Benjamin Ver and Eastern Samar Vice-Governor Maricor Sison-Goteesan, among others.

The ceremony was also attended by local chief executives from other municipalities in Eastern Samar province and security officials, and witnessed by the residents of Jipapad.
This road project, with a length of 24.343 kilometers on the Eastern Samar side, will connect to Northern Samar through the Las Navas-Catubig road, which has a total length of 53.606 kilometers.

A budget of P100 million, facilitated by Rep.Libanan was allocated for the concreting of the 1.3-kilometer portion and also involves slope protection and drainage works.

Future budget allocations for the project will include the construction of a bridge connecting Eastern Samar to Northern Samar.

The project aims to provide safe and reliable access to the remote villages of Jipapad and Las Navas, promoting economic development and improving the lives of the affected communities.

Jimboy Panustan, 34, a farmer, is one of the individuals excited about the completion of the road project linking Jipapad to Las Navas.

A native of Jipapad, he moved to Las Navas seven years ago after marrying a resident there. Once or twice a week, Panustan treks from his home in the interior village of San Francisco in Las Navas to San Juan village in Jipapad to tend to his farm and carabao.
He usually leaves San Francisco at 9 am and arrives in San Roque Village around 3 pm, or almost half-day of walking.

“Maupay ini nga gin papaklasada na, kay basi diri na kami magbinaktas,” Panustan said in Waray as he trekked to Jipapad town with his wife’s nephew.

“Diri na gihapun namun pagtitinukduhon an amun mga produkto nga igbaraligya kun may kalsada na kay pwede naman itun ig sakay,” he added.

Panustan believes that the road will also help families send their children to school, preventing situations like his, where he only finished Grade Six.

In his message during the groundbreaking ceremony, Mayor Ver said that the completion of the road project will spur economic development, making their town a major transportation hub for those traveling to Eastern Samar and Luzon.

“I am thankful on behalf of the people of Jipapad because this is the realization of our dream that will benefit future generations,” Mayor Ver said.

The construction of the road linking the interior towns of Eastern Samar and Northern Samar, including far-flung villages, offers new hope for communities, opening opportunities for socio-economic development, health, education, and eco-tourism.

For the success of this project, Lt. Col. Rudyard Garcia, the commanding officer of the 52nd IB, urged community support to ensure its immediate completion.

The project has faced setbacks in previous years, particularly on the Northern Samar side, due to several attacks by the New People’s Army, which burned heavy equipment used in the construction.

“Protecting this project is not just the role of the national, provincial, or municipal government. It is not solely the responsibility of the military, police force, or the contractor but also requires the cooperation of the community to ensure that this road will be completed on time to achieve your dreams,” Lt. Col. Garcia said.

Currently, the project is 74.74 percent completed, with a total budget cost of P2.704 billion.
Completion of this project will reduce travel time from Borongan City to the Allen port from five hours to approximately three hours.

It will also help promote the tourism potentials of Jipapad and Las Navas, which have untapped and still unexplored tourist destinations that need development and promotion. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)