TACLOBAN CITY– The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office, recently completed a solar-powered water system project in Barangay Hibucawan, Jaro, Leyte, providing much-needed relief to villagers who had long struggled with water scarcity.

District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura reported that the P9.6 million project included the construction of a 4×5-meter powerhouse equipped with a 10KVA, 230V, single-phase generator and complete accessories.

The system also features 24 pieces of 450-watt solar mono panels, an inverter, batteries, and other essential components, along with a water pumping system connected to a 20,000-liter stainless steel overhead tank.

Amalia Miralles Espiso, a child development worker in the barangay, reflected on the challenges the community faced before the project’s completion.

“Back then, without the solar-powered water system, we often faced water shortages, and sometimes we even argued about filling our containers. But now, we no longer have to worry. Even if we fill numerous containers, there’s enough water for everyone,” she said.
The new water system has significantly impacted the community.

“We are very grateful to the DPWH for providing this water system to our barangay. It’s a tremendous help in addressing our water needs,” Espiso said.

Funded under the 2023 General Appropriations Act, this solar-powered water system is expected to greatly improve the quality of life for the residents of Brgy. Hibucawan, ensuring a stable water supply for daily use and community needs.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

PADRE BURGOS, Southern Leyte-Dive resort operators in this progressive municipality, arguably the dive site capital of the province, have linked hands with the local government unit to restore the coral ecosystem in the town’s seawaters near the coastlines.

At a simple launching ceremony of the Coral Restoration Project on October 17, held at Peter’s Dive Resort in Barangay Lungsodaan, other sectors were also deeply involved, including fisherfolk organizations, barangay officials, and the academe, particularly the Southern Leyte State University (SLSU).

Allan Binnebose, a foreigner who had established residence in the community, led a detailed discussion on how to re-grow corals using seedlings from a healthy reef in neighboring Brgy. Sta. Sofia, transporting and planting them 7 to 9 meters deep underwater about 10 meters away from the shoreline in brgy. Lungsodaan.

A full-length cyclone wire is used as a coral bed secured with steel bars in the seabed as demonstrated by Binnebose, assisted by Arnel Beslig, a dive ranger of the LGU, with plastic soft drink bottles filled with stones attached to the cyclone wire serving as seed pots.
“Seventeen coral beds will be installed during this launching, and this will be done in three days,” said Rey Palero, executive assistant of Mayor Hermenegildo Culpa, adding that the LGU had set aside a budget for this effort this year.

Long before the launching, however, about a couple of years earlier, Binnebose had started laying out at least 10 coral beds on his own initiative in the area called Peter’s Dive Resort House Reef, just off the coastal waters of Brgy. Lungsodaan.

In June 2024, a team led by Bennibose and Beslig assessed the survival rate of the transplanted corals, and the findings were exceptionally positive, Peter’s Dive Resort posted in their social media page.

The total number of grown replanted corals were 125 units and 117 of them survived, a survival rate of 94 percent, spread in 10 coral cyclone wire beds at a deep of 9 meters, the resort reported.

“We want to replicate this to other barangays along the coasts in the municipality,” said Palero.

This initiative extends to other coastal LGUs all over the province whose coral reefs are losing fast, with Padre Burgos leading the way as the first to have confirmed that coral planting works.
(MMP, PIA Southern Leyte)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Tingog party-list, led by Reps. Yedda Romualdez and Jude Acidre, reaffirmed its commitment to public service during the congressional recess by launching initiatives in economic aid, healthcare, education, and disaster response, in close collaboration with House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The party-list’s flagship Tingog Centers expanded with four new locations in Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan, bringing the total to 145 centers nationwide. These centers connect residents to essential services, including healthcare, legal aid, and livelihood programs.

Tingog Partylist supported the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) in seven locations, benefiting around 14,550 individuals, with additional aid to 4,511 beneficiaries in Pasig and San Juan.

Healthcare was prioritized through the “Kalusugan Karavan,” which provided services to over 5,626 individuals in various communities.

Education remained a focus, with assistance distributed in Zambales and Pangasinan. The Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) supported fisherfolk affected by the West Philippine Sea situation. In response to Typhoons Julian and Kristine, financial aid and relief packs reached 117,360 beneficiaries across 33 districts, including Northern Luzon and Calabarzon.

Tingog also launched “Tingog ng Kagandahan,” a mobile salon reaching 1,600 individuals, and “Tingog ng Tanghalan,” an inter-barangay singing contest fostering community spirit.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)