DPWH-Biliran DEO’s 2019 infra projects starts construction

By DPWH-Biliran
July 16, 2019

NAVAL, Biliran – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Biliran District Engineering Office (DEO) has started the construction of its 2019 infrastructure projects in Biliran.

DPWH-Biliran has a total of 92 projects worth P1.2B under 2019 General Appropriations Act (GAA). Out of the 92 projects, 14 of these costing P50M and below have already started. The on-going projects includes the constructions of six barangay roads, seven flood control projects and one detour approaches for the damaged bridge in Caraycaray, Naval.

As of June 30, 2019, DPWH-Biliran DEO posts 2.69% accomplishment of 2019 infra projects.

David P. Adongay Jr., District Engineer said that Project Engineers (PE) were ordered to focus their attention in the implementation of 2019 projects to ensure that plans have been correctly followed and is on the right track.

“I told our PEs to focus in the implementation because that is the most difficult part of our job,” he said.

According to Adongay, various infrastructure projects has been lined up for this year. Among the high impact projects to be implemented are the P73.2M asphalt overlay along Naval-Caibiran Cross Country Road (NCCR), P64.7M Asphalt Overlay along Biliran Circumferential Road (BCR), P80M Road Widening along BCR, P50M Rehabilitation of Damaged Paved Road along Maripipi Circumferential Road, and P50M Construction of New permanent Bridge at Macalpe along NCCR.

As of July 16, 2019, Adongay revealed that all 2019 projects has been bid out. He said that these projects can be started immediately as soon as Notice to Proceed (NTP) is issued to the contractors.

To ensure successful implementation, Adongay always reminded PEs to be accountable by following the acronym S.I.M.P.L.E.

First, to S-set expectation which is to meet the target and deliver project on time, I-invite commitment, M-measure progress by documenting projects with geotagged photos, P-provide feedback and make report every day, L-link to consequences and E-evaluate effectiveness.

DPWH-SFDEO kicks off the 2019 infrastructure projects

By GISSELLE G. PARUNGAO
July 15, 2019

CALBAYOG CITY – DPWH Samar First District Engineering Office has started the various projects under the General Appropriations Act of 2019 (RA 11260).

Pre-construction meetings were arranged with the assigned project engineers after the Notice to Proceed is awarded to the contractors, to make sure that all will start without any qualms regarding the project. The district is meeting regularly with the contractors to air their issues and concerns so that these can be given immediate resolutions.

DE Alvin Ignacio said, “all contractors should be diligent in undertaking the 2019 projects and to confer immediately with the project engineers if there is any doubt or problem that will arise in the project implementation to avoid delays”.

The district has 126 projects to be implemented with a total appropriation of P3.2 billion. All these are expected to be expedited in order to meet the absorptive capacity and disbursement target of the district.

Inflation rate in Eastern Visayas eases to a record low in June at 1.5%

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By PSA-8
July 12, 2019

TACLOBAN CITY – The Inflation Rate (IR) in Eastern Visayas continued to decline to 1.5 percent in June 2019, the lowest since June 2018. This figure is 0.1 percentage point lower compared with the 1.6 percent IR a month ago, and 4.8 percentage points lower compared with the 6.3 percent IR recorded in the same period last year. The regional inflation rate is 1.2 percentage points lower than the 2.7 percent national average in June 2019.

The provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar and Southern Leyte registered lower IRs in June 2019 compared with their figures in the previous month. Northern Samar recorded the biggest drop of 1.3 percentage points, from 1.2 percent in May 2019 to -0.1 percent in June 2019. On the other hand, Biliran registered a 3.1 percentage points increase in IR, from -2.9 percent in May 2019 to 0.2 percent during the reference month. Samar also inched up to -0.1 percent in June 2019 from its -0.2 percent IR a month ago. Among the provinces, Northern Samar and Samar posted the lowest with negative IR at 0.1 percent, while Leyte recorded the highest IR during the month in review at 3.2 percent (Table 1).

Majority of the commodity groups in the region exhibited faster IR in June 2019 compared with their rates in May 2019. These were however offset by the decreases recorded in transport, food and non-alcoholic beverages, and health commodity groups.

Transport commodity group registered the biggest drop of 2.2 percentage points, from 5.9 percent in May 2019 to 3.7 percent during the month in review.

The heavily weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages declined by 0.8 percentage point to 1.5 percent in June 2019 from its previous month’s rate of 2.3 percent. Lower IRs were noted in majority of the items. Fish registered the highest decrease of 2.9 percentage points, from 5.6 percent in May 2019 to 2.7 percent in June 2019. Fruits and rice indices continued to register negative IRs at 6.5 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively.

Health commodity group eased down slightly to 3.5 percent during the reference from 3.6 percent in May 2019.

Meanwhile, the commodity group of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels increased to 1.1 percent during the month in review, 2.2 percentage points higher compared with the -1.1 percent IR in May 2019. This can be traced to higher IRs in the indices for actual rentals for housing; maintenance and repair of the dwelling; and electricity, gas and other fuels.

IR for restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services commodity group went up to 3.2 percent in June 2019 from 2.3 percent in May 2019. Similarly, IR for clothing and footwear commodity group and communication commodity group increased by 0.6 percentage point each, pushing their IRs to 3.2 percent and 0.9 percent, respectively, during the month in review.

Increased IRs were also noted in the commodity groups for furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house; alcoholic beverages and tobacco; and recreation and culture recording IRs of 6.1 percent, 4.1 percent, and 4.0 percent, respectively.

The Purchasing Power of Peso (PPP) of the region remained at P0.80 in June 2019. This PPP implies that P100.00 in 2012 (base year) is worth P80.00 only in June 2019.

Biliran posted a P0.03 decrease in PPP compared with its figure in May 2019, while Samar’s PPP weakened by P0.01. The rest of the provinces sustained their PPP last month. Southern Leyte recorded the strongest PPP at P0.82. Biliran and Leyte ranked second at P0.81, followed by Eastern Samar at P0.79. Northern Samar and Samar posted the weakest PPP at P0.76.

DPWH-Biliran DEO completes renovation of Naval municipal building

Press Release
July 12, 2019

NAVAL, Biliran – The Naval Municipal Building has been improved by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Biliran District Engineering Office (DEO) to provide employees a better working environment and a place conducive for client transaction.

This improved building facility can now accommodate sufficient number of people for various business and service transactions.

David P. Adongay Jr., District Engineer said that the renovation was done from the inside of the building including its outer appearance.

P19.1M has been spent to renovate the old municipal building funded through the DPWH 2018 Local Infrastructure Program.

Adongay revealed that the building is designed with a modern scheme with new lighting fixtures.

“The project involves the renovation of the whole municipal building of Naval from the ceiling to the landscaping of its front lawn,” said Adongay.

Adongay added that there was also an extension at the front and back portion of the existing municipal building to provide additional offices.

“It is also equipped with a new plumbing system,” he revealed.

From its start date on September 06, 2018, the project was completed on May 2, 2019 under contract with M.B. Ang Construction & Supply.

Employees of the Naval Municipal Office can now transfer to this newly renovated building anytime soon. Presently, municipal employees are doing their work and transactions at the Naval Gymnasium.

With the renovation done to the Naval Municipal Building, not only the building will be improved but also its services for the people of Naval.

Cebu MITC invites NMP to its dialogue

By National Maritime Polytechnic
July 12, 2019

TACLOBAN CITY – In order to address safety problems at sea, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office No. VII in coordination with the Maritime Industry Tripartite Council (MITC) invited the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) to present its programs and services during its General Membership Meeting held at the 2GO Building, Pier 4, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City last 09 July 2019.

Quoting from the opening remarks of the DOLE RO No. VII Regional Director, Salome O. Siaton, “The meeting intends to add knowledge on preventive safety measures at sea, making sure that the health and safety of the employees in the maritime sector be of great importance.”

Director Siaton likewise mentioned that to avoid similar incident which happened recently wherein a cargo ship named M/V Eva Mary Grace capsized while docked at the Solid Earth Development Corp. (SEDC) Port in San Fernando, Cebu City, NMP was invited to present its programs and services designed to equip and upgrade the skills and competence of seafarer-employees in various manning and shipping agencies when it comes to safety practices.

Also present during the event was DOLE Undersecretary Renato L. Ebarle who stressed his support for the activity. He also emphasized the importance of complying with the salient features of the new Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Law going hand in hand with the training offerings of the NMP.

“The National Maritime Polytechnic is the only government owned maritime training and research institution and what will be presented later on will be beneficial not only for the NMP but also for the stakeholders because the NMP can upgrade your training skills with less enrollment fee for the seafarers in the international and domestic shipping,” USec. Ebarle said.

Underscoring the role of the NMP to the maritime labor workforce and the community as a whole, NMP Executive Director, Joel B. Maglunsod stated that the NMP offers what is most beneficial to our Filipino seafarers. As part of the advocacy on poverty-zone free program thrust of the agency, motorboat handlers are also being trained by NMP to improve their basic safety skills.

“In coordination with Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) there will be a group from the NMP who will proceed to Mindoro next week as requested by the DOLE Regional Office No. IV-B thru its OIC-Regional Director Joel M. Gonzales, to provide training to our fisherfolks whose vessel was hit by the Chinese fishing boat. NMP will expose them to new techniques in personal survival, personal safety and social responsibility, typhoon awareness, and marine safety requirements”, Executive Director Maglunsod pronounced.

During the said activity, NMP programs and services were presented by the Head of NMP’s Curriculum Development Section (CDS), Capt. Chito A. Go.

The event concluded with the detailed discussion of the Republic Act No. 11058 or the OSH Law, an act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof and the Expanded Maternity Leave provisions for Private Sectors, introduced by the DOLE Bureau of Working Conditions Director IV, Ma. Teresita S. Cucueco.

The activity was participated in by manning and shipping companies in Cebu City namely, Lite Shipping, Trans-Asia, Gothong Southern, 2GO Group Inc., Oceanjet, Avega Bros. Integrated Shipping Inc., and Key West Shipping.

Meanwhile, NMP also regularly conducts maritime studies to come up with researches that would serve as a basis for policy formulation and program development for the improvement of the labor work force in the maritime industry.

Those interested in NMP research undertakings may visit the NMP website (www.nmp.gov.ph) and access the e-Research Information System Portal which is designed to disseminate NMP completed researches, present the Research Agenda and engage the industry stakeholders to collaborate in the research activities.

For more information about NMP trainings, viewers may visit the agency’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/nmptrainingcenter) where all related information on NMP trainings is available.

Likewise, NMP encourages OWWA registered seafarers to avail of the NMP-OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) Seafarers’ Upgrading Program (SUP) and Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) which entitles the beneficiary to receive financial assistance for training costs from the OWWA.

DPWH rehabilitated roads along Pilar Road

By GISSELLE G. PARUNGAO
July 12, 2019

CALBAYOG CITY – The roads from barangays Oquendo to Bayo which is also known as the Pilar Road are rehabilitated and improved by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

These ten (10) projects under the Local Infrastructure Program is appropriated with a total of P200 million. The road covered by the projects has a total net length of 18.351 lane kilometres.

The existing road is already damaged and uneven which is unsafe for the motorists and vehicles going to and from Calbayog City via that road. This is beneficial to the farmers living in that area since the roads are now even and widened from 4 meters to 6 meters. They can now transport their produce without the hustle of a rough road which creates danger to someone’s safety.

DPWH is not only creating roads but also maintaining their statuesque form as well as keeping up with the changes around it like widening of roads (primary and secondary).

Eastern Visayas registers 95.9% employment rate in April 2019

By PSA-8
July 12, 2019

TACLOBAN CITY – Employment rate (ER) in Eastern Visayas in April 2019 was estimated at 95.9 percent, ranking fifth among the regions with high employment rate in the country (Table 1). This figure is higher than the 95.4 percent ER recorded in April 2018. Employment rate is the proportion of employed persons to total labor force.

Out of the estimated 3.2 million population 15 years old and over in April 2019, about 1.9 million were economically active or in the labor force. This number translates to a Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) of 61.0 percent. This figure is 2.2 percentage points lower compared with the 63.2 percent LFPR in the same period a year ago. Eastern Visayas registered the eighth lowest LFPR among regions.

The underemployed persons or those employed persons who express the desire to have additional hours of work in their present job or to have additional job, or to have a new job with longer working hours was estimated at 575 thousand in April 2019. This is equal to an underemployment rate of 18.6 percent, lower than the 23.8 percent recorded in the same period last year. The region had the sixth highest underemployment rate in the country.

Meanwhile, about 81 thousand persons in the labor force were unemployed in April 2019. This translates to an unemployment rate of 4.1 percent, lower than the 4.6 percent rate recorded in April 2018. Eastern Visayas ranked fifth among the regions with low employment rate.

Data were based on the preliminary estimates released by the Philippine Statistics Authority from the Labor Force Survey (LFS) conducted in April 2019.

DPWH gears for more efficient service with Javier

By DPWH 2nd LED
July 11, 2019

CARIGARA, Leyte – To mark the beginning of partnership with the new administration in the second district of Leyte, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) welcomed the newly-elected congresswoman Lolita Karen Javier on Monday, July 8.

“This visit is a very momentous day for us because the support of the administration will be our inspiration to work better for the progress of the second district under the new leadership of congresswoman Javier,” said District Engineer Gerald Pacanan.

Javier expressed her gladness to have met a new family in the DPWH to work hand in hand for the district.

“You and I share the same vision of improving the 14 towns within our jurisdiction. I will surely work with you and I will try my best to give you the help that you need,” said Javier.

The congresswoman also announced the plan to provide a bigger office and service shuttle to give more comfort to the DPWH employees.

“I believe that through a more comfortable office, work of the employees would be more efficient as you would be inspired to deliver what is best for the people,” she added.

The visit of the congresswoman focused on getting to know the projects of the office for the development of the second district of Leyte.

MGen. Diñoso assumes as 21st 8ID Commander

By DPAO, 8ID PA
July 11, 2019

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan, Samar – Maj. Gen. Pio Q. Diñoso III AFP has formally assumed his post as Commander of the 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army during the Change of Command Ceremony held at the unit’s Headquarters in Brgy. Maulong, Catbalogan City on July 5, 2019, over a month ahead of the compulsory retirement of his predecessor.

Maj. Gen. Diñoso takes the helm of 8ID from the outgoing commander, Maj. Gen. Raul M. Farnacio who will be retiring on August 9, 2019 from the military service after serving in the Armed Forces of the Philippines for more than 38 years.

The Change of Command Ceremony was presided by Lt. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto, the Commanding General of the Philippine Army (CGPA) and was witnessed by Lt. Gen. Noel S. Clement, Commander, Central Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines; Lt. Gen. Gerald Galileo R. Kintanar Jr, former Commanding General of Philippine Air Force; Maj. Gen. Dinoh A. Dolina AFP, Commander, 3ID; Maj. Gen. Byron H. Calimag AFP, Commander, Army Support Command; Brig. Gen. Alberto S. Desoyo, Commander, 301st Infantry Brigade; Brig. Gen. Ignacio B. Madriaga AFP, Commander, 302nd Infantry Brigade; Commodore Dorvin Jose L. Legaspi AFP, Commander, Naval Forces Central; Brig. Gen. Simeon Z. Felix, Jr, AFP, Wing Commander, Tactical Operations Wing Central; Police Maj. Gen. Rolando Felix, Director, Director for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO) - Visayas; Police Brig. Gen. Dionardo B. Carlos, Eastern Visayas Police Director; Police Col. Dante P. Novicio, Acting Provincial Director, Samar Police Provincial Office; and the members of the Presiding General Officer’s Party – Brig. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo B. Burgos AFP, and Brig. Gen Alfredo A. Soriano AFP; and some members of PMA’s “Sandiwa” (1985) and ”Maringal” (1988) Classes (both active and retired) and their ladies where Major General Farnacio and Major General Diñoso belongs respectively.

Also in attendance were Hon. Michael T. Tan, Vice Governor, Province of Samar; Dir. Yahyah Centi, Regional Director DOLE RO8; Ms Rebeca Baluguis, OIC, TESDA RO8; Hon. Don L. Abalon, Municipal Mayor of San Roque, NSamar; Rod Lawrence Suan, Former Mayor of Alllen, NSamar; members of 8ID Press Corps; other Local Chief Executives; Stakeholders; and other guests from the private and public sectors.

“Leading 8ID in Eastern Visayas is a great challenge, but you will not carry the burden alone because you have men and women who are professional and capable to join you in this journey. Congratulations Maj. Gen. Diñoso on your latest designation and I wish you the best of luck,” Maj. Gen. Fanacio’s message before relinquishing his post to Maj. Gen. Diñoso. Maj. Gen. Farnacio volunteered to vacate his post to allow a new leadership to take root until his formal Testimonial Retirement Ceremony at Headquarters Philippine Army on the 9th of August 2019.

“If this is really a hardship assignment, then I came to the right place…The insurgency situation here in Region 8 or elsewhere where there are many NPA rebels, is just an indicator of how we, in government, deliver public service. On the NPA rebels, I see them not as enemies but as victims, victims whom we have to rescue. We have to get them out of the predicament they are entrapped in,” Maj. Gen. Diñoso emphasized.

Lt. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto AFP, Commanding General of the Philippine Army commended and congratulated Maj. Gen. Farnacio for the successful accomplishments of 8ID under his leadership. Likewise, he challenged Maj. Gen. Diñoso to prevail upon and continue the pursuit for lasting peace and development in Eastern Visayas.

Maj. Gen. Pio Q. Diñoso AFP previously served as the AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, J4 prior to his designation as the 21st Commander of 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division.

SFDEO paves new Roxas-Imelda road in Sta. Margarita

By CHENZI MAY D. UY
July 11, 2019

CALBAYOG CITY – A 6.1-meter-wide concrete road now runs between Barangay Roxas and Barangay Imelda in Sta. Margarita, Samar. This new road extends from the existing pavement in the neighboring barangay of Mabuhay, which connects to Daang Maharlika national highway.

Residents in said barangays used to travel on foot to reach the nearest road in Barangay Mabuhay, where they could hire a habal-habal to get to the main road.

This new accomplishment by DPWH Samar First District Engineering Office (SFDEO) literally paves a better way for communities in the interior barangays of Sta. Margarita to access public goods and services in the municipal center as well as to bring their agricultural products to local markets. Copra, abaca and root crops are the primary products in the said barangays.

The 1.8-kilometer-long mountain road is reinforced by slope protection structures totalling 246.2 linear meters. The P50-million project is part of the district’s Local Infrastructure Program that aims to enhance road connectivity in Samar I.

Eastern Visayas posts $161.4 million trade surplus in April 2019

By PSA-8
July 10, 2019

TACLOBAN CITY – The region posted a $161.4 million surplus in the total Balance of Trade in Goods (BoT-G) in April 2019, in contrast to the $58.9 million trade deficit in the same period in 2018.

The region’s total trade in goods in April 2019 surged to $199.0 million from $81.7 million in the same period in 2018, an increase of 143.5 percent.

Total value of exports amounted to $180.2 million, more than 15 times (1,475.3 percent) higher compared with the $11.4 million in April 2018. Total value of imports, meanwhile, was recorded at $18.8 million, lower by 73.2 percent compared with the $70.3 million imports posted in the same period in 2018 (Table 1).

The region’s total volume of exports in April 2019 was posted at 116.5 million kilograms valued at $180.2 million. The commodity group of copper and articles thereof was the major export during the month in review with total revenue of $75.1 million. This accounted for 41.7 percent of the region’s total export revenue in April 2019 (Table 2). Hong Kong was the top export market destination with $72.0 million total export revenue, which shared 40.0 percent of the region’s total exports (Table 3).

The region’s total imports amounted to $18.8 million in April 2019 with total gross weight of 54.7 million kilograms. Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals, of rare-earth, of radio-active elements or of isotopes commodity group was the major import during the month with total revenue of $6.0 million, comprising 31.8 percent of the region’s total imports in April 2019 (Table 4).

The top import supplier of the region in April 2019 was Vietnam with total import bill of $4.2 million, comprising 22.0 percent of the region’s total imports (Table 5).

DPWH constructed a government center in Calbayog

By GISSELLE G. PARUNGAO
July 5, 2019

CALBAYOG CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways constructed a Government Center at Calbayog City. The three-storey building has a revised contract amount of P28.7 million. It has a total area of 488.78 square meters.

This new building will house government offices such as the National Bureau of Investigation while others are still under negotiations such as PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG. This is part of the city’s goal to put government offices in one place for the convenience of the transacting public.

The building is situated at Barangay Bagacay where other offices are already in existence (BIR, PNP and the Procurement Office). This idea of bringing together government offices in one place will bring efficiency and faster transaction to better serve the public.