CARIGARA, Leyte- The local government here is extending assistance to students to make them computer literate.
In particular, the computer literacy program initiated by Vice Mayor Eduardo Ong, Jr., is giving free half-day training to students who are in the Grades 5 and 6 levels across the town.
Ong Jr. said that the program is in close coordination with the information technology (IT) students of the Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) – Carigara campus.
The IT students are taking up their internship at the local government unit, particularly at the office of Ong, Jr. whose father and namesake is the mayor of the town.
According to the vice mayor, teaching students about the basic information and how to use computers at their early age could help them prepare for a number of possible careers and a higher education as the main reason why he initiated said computer literacy program.
He also said that he decided to come up with this kind of program as most of these students don’t have access to computers.
And since they have started the program last Feb.10, they have visited 18 public elementary schools.
Ong said that as much as possible he goes with the interns-cum- trainors to personally supervise the program, likening it as any regular government activity of bringing the government closer to people. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY- Leyte and this city both recorded the highest number of dengue fever cases in the region.
The regional office of the Department of Health (DOH-8) said that as of February 28, Tacloban posted 146 cases while Leyte got 872 cases.
“While dengue (fever) cases are continually scaling up in the region, let us not be complacent. We need to address the root causes of dengue, and practice preventive and precautionary measures all year round to fight this disease,” said Dr.Exuperia Sabalberino, assistant regional health, said in a statement.
“I urge everyone to continue all the efforts and to remain vigilant, sustain the gains of the enhanced 4S strategy to keep dengue away,” she added.
Eastern Visayas has a total of 1,861 cases of dengue fever reported from January 1 to February 22, with five deaths, with a case fatality rate of 0.27%.
The recorded five deaths were from Abuyog, La Paz, Ormoc City, Baybay City and Tacloban, all in Leyte.
This year number of cases are 24% lower compared to the 2,436 cases covering the same period last year.
With the increasing cases of dengue this year, the DOH-8 called on the public to intensify the 4S strategies through search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites, employ self-protection measures, seek early consultation, support fogging/spraying only in hotspots areas where an increase in cases are registered for consecutive weeks to prevent an impending outbreak.(RONALD O.REYES)

BORONGAN CITY-The Department of Public Works and Highways – Eastern Samar District Engineering Office (DPWH-ESDEO) led the ceremonial groundbreaking for the construction of the three-storey Municipal Police Station (MPS) building at Barangay Malaintos, Dolores, Eastern Samar on February 26.
Dolores Chief of Police Rommel Cesista, in his opening remarks, extended his gratitude towards the people behind the realization of the Dolores MPS wherein they’ll have a strong and conducive workplace to meet the needs and demands of their clients.
”This is indeed a big help to all PNP Personnel who are currently and will be assigned to Dolores MPS. Rest assured that we will give our best in the performance of duties and responsibilities for the betterment of Doloresnon,” Cecista remarked.
Moreover, Domcelio M. Natividad, assistant district engineer of DPWH-ESDEO, presented the project briefer for the construction of the Dolores MPS building.
According to him it was funded through the convergence program of DPWH and PNP under the Department of National Defense.
“The Dolores Police Station will provide convenient and good working environment to our policeman and will improve their services to the people.” Engr. Natividad said.
On the other hand, Provincial Director Carlito D. Abriz and the Representative of Regional Director Alden Estabaya Dugan who are also present during the groundbreaking ceremony.
They both stated on their remarks, that they were thankful for the realization of the modern, well-equipped police station and for the untiring support of the government officials.
Moreover, Rep.Maria Fe R. Abunda declared that this is the fruit of the unification of government officials.
According to her, she knows the life of being a man in uniform and she will continue to support the PNP as a wife of a policeman and as a member of Public Order and Safety Committee in the congress.
Rep. Abunda suggested that the policemen should bring themselves closer to the people, especially those who live in the remote barangays to explain about their jobs and there has nothing to be afraid of interacting with the men in uniform.
Aside from helping the policemen, Abunda announced her support to DPWH in the building of infrastructure projects in Eastern Samar.
“Hingyap ko nga magkaurusa kita, kay ine nga mehoras in dire nam igkakait.” Abunda exclaimed. “It akon la hangyo, to continue hiton nga mga roads and bridges, an mga seawall, nga mga gin tikangan. Waray hiton pulos ngin dire iton matatangpos.” Abunda recited what she told to the DPWH Secretary Mark Villar during their meeting with other Congressmen.
The groundbreaking ceremony was led by Fr. Emelio Torieto as the officiating priest. Also present on the said ceremony was Sulat local government stakeholders, officials from Sulat PNP personnel and DPWH-ESDEO.
The P10-Million project includes a cabling network, CCTV system, complete with electrical connections and a rooftop that will serve as a viewing deck for the Sulat PNP Personnel.
(MAY ANTOINETTE O. NABLE, PIO Staff)