Vital Leyte bridge eyes to open in July

TACLOBAN CITY, May 24 (PNA) -- The 2nd Leyte Engineering District of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH 2nd LED) expressed optimism that contractors can meet with the extended target date this June to finish the PHP36.5-million reconstruction of the Hiagsam Bridge in Jaro, Leyte.

The main bridge at least, according to 2nd LED District Engr. Carlos Veloso, while the extended part will have to be accomplished on a later date.

The reconstruction started in November and had the original target date of completion this May; however, its contractor had to request for an extension which is set in June.

Veloso said the least to expect is to have the main bridge opened to public starting July.

Being reconstructed is a reinforced concrete deck girder (RCDG) bridge which is 19.3 meters wide and will span the length of 50.8 linear meters.

The bridge will also be expanded on each side in line with the road widening projects being done to the public highways adjacent to the bridge.

Highways within the second district are being widened to accommodate more traffic and provide easier travel.

Soil exploration or boring test has also been done to the foundation of the bridge prior to the reconstruction’s groundbreaking last November.

After the bridge was damaged in December 2014 by typhoon Seniang, an asphalt overlay detour spillway have been constructed as an alternative bridge being utilized for a smooth traffic accessible to motorcycle, light vehicles and medium truck. The detour bridge runs both ways.

Veloso said he is positive contractors will be able to meet the target date of completion in order to bring back the normal flow of traffic along this area.

The bridge is a vital structure in Leyte province linking Tacloban City, the regional capital and Ormoc City, the economic hub in Southern Leyte. (PNA)
FFC/SQM/AHLETTE C. REYES/EGR

Police probes killing of retired cop in Leyte

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, May 24 (PNA) – The local police here launched an investigation on the killing of a retired chief of police of Albuera town, who was shot dead inside his car on Monday.

Chief Insp. Castor Cabilogan, Ormoc police station 1 chief, said that the victim, Alfredo Bucabuca, 64, was driving his car heading home to Tinag-an village, Albuera town around 4 p.m. when two unidentified riding-in-tandem suspects fired at him.

Bucabuca’s wife, who was inside the car, was unharmed. The city rescue unit immediately responded to the scene and found the victim was already dead.

The police believed the suspects have tailed Bucabuca and took the chance when they were caught by traffic while approaching Panilahan Bridge in this city.

The car sustained seven bullet holes at the driver side. The Scene of the Crime Operatives recovered seven empty shells of suspected cal. 45 pistol at the crime scene, along the national highway of Macabug village, this city.

The neighborhood also believed the assailants used a gun silencer for they failed to overhear the blast despite speedy fire.

Bucabuca is currently the People’s Law Enforcement Board chair in their town and known to have no enemy.

Bucabuca was a former member of the defunct Philippine Constabulary, who was absorbed in the PNP (Philippine National Police). When promoted as inspector, he was assigned as the town’s chief of police and retired in 2003 after 25 years in service.

Authorities launched an intensified investigation to pinpoint the suspects and their motive. (PNA)
RMA/SQM/ELVIE ROMAN ROA/EGR

Senior high school building ready in Leyte for school opening - DPWH

TACLOBAN CITY, May 24 (PNA) -- The Leyte 2nd Engineering District (2nd LED) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) assured to complete the first five batches of K to 12 (kindergarten and 12 years of basic education) classrooms just in time for the opening of classes in June where the senior high school formally starts.

All the 79 units of school buildings will be ready when classes open, according to 2nd LED District Engineer Carlos Veloso.

The Department of Education provided PHP413 million in funds for these school buildings under its Basic Educational Facilities Fund (BEFF) just to ensure that there will be available and adequate classrooms when the senior high school program starts.

Veloso said that some of the building construction took time as soil testing was first conducted to ensure safety of the buildings.

It was learned that some of the building are two-storeys or three-storeys high and making sure that it is built on solid ground is a must.

Also, Veloso added that all school buildings being constructed by the DPWH are typhoon resilient based on a new standards jointly set by DepEd and the DPWH. With stronger typhoons expected with the radical change in climate, the education and public works departments made sure that schools can withstand ferocious winds and heavy downpours.

Meanwhile, DPWH is expected to provide half of the number of needed classrooms for the first year implementation of SHS and the other half in 2016 in preparation for the second year implementation in 2017.

As part of the ongoing preparations for the full implementation of the K to 12 program particularly the Senior High School (SHS) in school year 2016-2017, the Department of Education continues to undertake efforts to adequately address the needs and ensure the success of the SHS program in the region.

The completion of two additional years is expected to equip students with skills that will prepare them better, whether they decide to pursue higher education, employment, middle level skills development, or entrepreneurship in the future.

SHS under the K to 12 curriculum officially opens in school year 2016-2017 with the enrolment of students in Grade 11, followed by Grade 12 in next school year. (PNA)

FFC/SQM/AHLETTE C. REYES/EGR

DepEd Leyte sets Brigada Eskwela launch

TACLOBAN CITY, May 24 (PNA) -- The five-day Brigada Eskwela by the Department of Education (DepEd) Leyte division will kick-off at Alang-alang National High School on May 30.

Schools division superintendent Ronilo Al Firmo said that this year’s priority for Brigada Eskwela, the annual school preparation program of the education department will focus schools that will offer senior high school (SHS) program.

From May 30 to June 3, kick off activities will also be held in towns of Carigara, La Paz, Tabang, Isabel, Mahaplag, and Bato.

In Leyte province, at least 116 public schools and 31 private schools will offer SHS this new academic year.

“We hope that stakeholders will support this yearly Brigada Eskwela because this will ensure uninterrupted first day of classes,” Firmo said.

This year’s Brigada Eskwela will run from May 30 to June 4, 2016. It is anchored on the theme “Tayo Para sa Paaralang Ligtas, Maayos at Handa Mula Kindergarten Hanggang Senior High School.”

The education department had called stakeholders to contribute their time, effort and resources to this school maintenance effort.

Stakeholders include members of Parents Teachers Organizations, Philippine National Police and Armed Force of the Philippines and the private sector.

Brigada Eskwela is an effective proof of partnership between the education department and the community for preparing schools in activities like minor repairs and cleaning of classrooms, fixing furniture, repainting of classrooms, repair of school gate and facade, and de-clogging of drainages. (PNA)

SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA/EGR

MCC to roll out 2nd batch of anti-poverty projects

TACLOBAN CITY, May 24 (PNA) –- The US government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is in the process of identifying possible projects up for funding in the second agreement, following the expiration of the first set of anti-poverty grants this month.

MCC Deputy Resident Country Director Burak Inanc said that after the economic constraints analysis, the next step is to identify projects that will drive economic growth and fight poverty.

“That’s currently under development. The way MCC works is there is a very structured process. In the beginning, they do economic constraints analysis because MCC programs are all designed to increase economy and address poverty,” Inanc said.

Inanc is eyeing to complete the identification process within this year and sign an agreement next year.

In a statement, the US embassy said once designed, proposed, and approved, this new compact would allow the Philippines to continue to benefit from MCC’s poverty alleviation initiatives and build upon the Philippine government’s strong policy reform efforts.

In 2014, the MCC, has selected the Philippines as eligible to develop a second “compact” or agreement- with MCC for further poverty-reducing support.

The Philippines compact project was signed on Sept. 23, 2010 by President Benigno S. Aquino III and then US Secretary of State and Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Chair Hillary Clinton.

The USD434 million grants from the US government funded the Secondary National Road Development Project linking Samar and Eastern Samar provinces, tax administration reform of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and community development projects of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“I don’t think we will focus on doing the same projects. We are looking at broader number of sectors. 

It’s not clear exactly what the projects will be. We are very concern that that projects funded under the first compact are sustained after the compact is over,” Inanc added.

The MCC is a US government agency helping lead the fight against global poverty through sustainable economic growth.

Created by Congress in 2004, the MCC operates based on the guiding principles of competitive selection, country-led design, country-led implementation and a focus on results. More than USD10 billion has been provided to the world’s poorest countries supporting various projects. (PNA)
JMC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO