TACLOBAN CITY– A researcher and educator based in Maasin City has pushed for the establishment of a “No to Child Marriage Non-Governmental Organization (NGO),” considering that there are still communities in the Philippines that are practicing child marriage despite the passing of the Republic Act (RA) 11596 or otherwise known as An Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage.

“The No to Child Marriage NGO will act as the law’s umbrella to give aid and support to the victims, will provide shelter to the victims, and give the latter access to legal services, health services, psychosocial services, counseling, educational, livelihood and skills development,” said Dr. Ma. Crisel Quibel-Inocando, who is also a certified public accountant and a third-year law student at the College of Maasin in Southern Leyte province.

“The NGO is forward-looking that if it becomes fully operational it will have a strong influence in ending the dehumanizing effect of child marriage and will eventually end the practice of child marriage across the world,” she added.

Citing a 2021 study, Quibel-Inocando said that teenage pregnancies and child marriage “are among the pressing concerns the country is currently facing.”

In 2020 alone, more than 102,000 teens aged 15 and above gave birth, including an additional 18,000 due to almost 10 months of community quarantine amid the pandemic, according to her.

“This compares to the estimate without community quarantine of 84,000, according to a study by the University of the Philippines Population Institute and the United Nations Population Fund,” she added.

The proposed NGO is the output of Quibel-Inocando’s research entitled “Child Marriage, Republic Act 11596, and the Impact on Child’s Normal Development, Religion, and the Country’s Economy,” which she conducted from February to May 2023.

She also lauded the support of Dr. Beverly Fernandez, the dean of Teacher Education at Saint Joseph College, in the conduct of her research.

Quibel-Inocando’s research was also accepted for presentation at an International Academic Research Conference by West East Institute (WEI), in Harvard Faculty Club, Harvard University, Boston U.S.A. on July 25 to 27, 2023.

(RONALD O. REYES)

Ormoc City – As a member of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) conducts its CY 2024 1st Quarter Earthquake Drill.

Officials from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) closely evaluated the drill which simulated a realistic earthquake scenario, wherein employees promptly executed the Duck, Cover, and Hold technique.

The DEO also efficiently utilized its Incident Management Team, comprising the Evacuation Station, Operation Center, Medical Team Station, and Search and Rescue Station, to orchestrate the drill seamlessly. This coordinated approach enabled swift and effective response measures to be implemented, mitigating potential risks and ensuring the well-being of all participants.

Upon its conclusion, the evaluators commended Leyte 4th DEO for the success of the earthquake drill. Minor improvements were identified, providing insights for further enhancing the office’s emergency response capabilities. This constructive feedback will be instrumental in refining protocols and procedures, thereby bolstering overall preparedness and resilience. (PR)

NSSDEO, Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, N. Samar– Off-carriageway improvement project along San Policarpo-Arteche-Lapinig Road in Lapinig, Northern Samar, is one of the priority projects of DPWH-Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office (NSSDEO) to provide additional space and ensure the safety of motorists navigating the road to Eastern Samar.
This project is funded under the DPWH Regular Infrastructure Program thru General Appropriations Act of CY 2024 with an allocated amount of P10,385,000.00. It has a project accomplishment of 25.22% as of February 2024. This undertaking commenced on January 18, 2024, with a projected completion date set on April 16, 2024.

The main scope of work of the project includes concreting of 1,513.40 meters road shoulder, both sides, which is significant to the road users since it will give them additional lanes to accommodate the increasing volume of vehicles plying the area from Eastern Samar to Northern Samar, vice versa, since the opening of the Samar Pacific Coastal Road along the Palapag-Simora Road section.

The improvement of this road section will benefit the traveling public of the two connecting districts of Northern and Eastern Samar with the ultimate aspiration of uplifting the socio-economic activity of people, as well as good and services, through widened road infrastructure facility.

Upon completion, the project also aims to facilitate faster and more convenient travel for motorists using the road section. Furthermore, the widened carriageway will also enhance vehicle capacity and provide safe space for wayfarer.

The San Policarpo-Arteche-Lapinig Road is the entryway of the Second District of Northern Samar to Eastern Samar. In the long run, this vital tertiary road directly links the two provinces that can cater large volume of daily traffic and promotes seamless trade and transactions.

(RONEL L. GALUPO, PIO ALTERNATE/PR)