Vital Leyte road up for completion in 2016

CARIGARA, Leyte, Dec. 13 (PNA) -- The 2nd Leyte Engineering District (2nd LED) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) allocated another budget of PhP50 million in 2015 for the completion of the Burauen-Albuera Road.

According to District Engineer Carlos Veloso, the amount is to complete the bridge that would connect the last village of the Burauen side of the project to the boundary of the Albuera side.

Veloso said the office is confident the project will be completed in 2016, at least the Burauen side of the project covered by the district office.

“We really want to ensure the completion of the project. It is a legacy the district can truly be proud of,” Veloso said.

The Burauen-Albuera project started in 2008. The road traverses through some rebel-infested villages in the borders of northern and western Leyte.

With enhanced accessibility, the new road is seen to improve the peace and order and the economic situation of the people

It will provide an alternate road between northern, central and southwestern part of Leyte. It is expected to shorten travel time between Ormoc City and Tacloban City.

Road works had to backtrack a little last year when two of its vital bridges were damaged during the heavy inundation of typhoon "Senyang." The bridges have to be reconstructed with a design that can withstand heavy flooding.

“It’s really a beautiful project. The contractors have done a good job on the concreting and on providing canals on the side so the road can be protected. Travel time and transportation of goods would really be a lot easier if this project would be fully completed,” Veloso said.

Motorists coming from the regional capital have to pass through eight towns to get to Ormoc City. With the new road, travelers will reach Ormoc from Tacloban by passing through five towns only. (PNA)
SCS/SQM/Ahlette C. Reyes/egr 

Locals told to maximize benefits of Leyte hospital repaired by US gov’t

BURAUEN, Leyte, Nov. 30 (PNA) – A local health official asked residents in the province to maximize the use of Burauen District Hospital, which was recently rehabilitated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Leyte provincial health officer Ofelia Absin said the newly-repaired health facility should be used by people in the towns of Burauen, Dagami, La Paz and Tabontabon, clustered by the Department of Health as one interlocal health zone.

“Health facilities are only useful if residents use them,” Absin said. “No government and no donors can make people healthy if citizens do not take action to protect themselves and promote their health.”

The hospital ward and Tuberculosis Directly Observed Treatment Short course (TB-DOTS) facilities are the fifth and sixth medical health facility turned-over by the USAID to the province.

This is part of the 12 medical facilities in the province funded by the US government under the USD143 million post-Yolanda Rebuild Project.

The USAID also provided medical equipment to the local government to ensure that it can be used immediately after the turn-over.

Burauen District Hospital is one of the 12 provincial government-administered hospitals, which was severely destroyed by super typhoon Yolanda on Nov. 8, 2013.

Aside from providing maternal and child health, family planning services, the hospital was also a TB-DOTS referral hospital in 2013.

But in 2014, the hospital stopped treating TB presumptive cases after super typhoon Yolanda destroyed the facility and displaced some of its health workers.

“This will allow us to extend our services here in Burauen District Hospital, especially in terms of treatment and other care services here in the province,” said Absin.

Next year, hospital management will apply for DOTS certification and health insurance accreditation.

The new health facilities built by the US government thru the USAID, reaffirms their commitment to help the province rebuild better and stronger.

“This is achieved by providing family equitable access to health care, building healthy and stable community and ultimately building a prosperous democratic society,” said USAID Deputy Mission Director Clay Epperson.

“With this new facilities and equipment, we trust that you will continue to provide the people of Burauen and nearby towns a quality maternal and child health and tuberculosis control.”

The health facility is a symbol of solidarity and friendship between USA and the Philippines.

Epperson added that though the Visayas Health Project, USAID ensures the assistance to those affected by super typhoon Yolanda in delivering maternal and child health facilities and family planning services. (PNA)
CTB/SQM/RTA/EGR