To reaffirm its commitment to delivering responsive and accessible government services, the Department of Public Works and Highways Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office (DPWH-NSSDEO), led by OIC-Assistant District Engineer Francisco Y. Tañala, accompanied by Engr. Aivan Keir C. Salazar of the Maintenance Section; Construction and Maintenance Foreman Ruel B. Galit of the Construction Section; Public Information Officer-Designate Joemar M. Patilan, and his staff, Jinky A. Dela Cruz and Carlo A. Cantong, actively participated in the 42nd Kauswagan Caravan held in Barangay Capacujan, Palapag, Northern Samar, on August 20, 2026.

The event was graced by Governor Harris Christopher M. Ongchuan, Philippine Councilors League (PCL) Northern Samar Chapter President and Ex-Officio Board Member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Emil Ongchuan II, and Municipal Mayor of Palapag, Florencio “Fawa” A. Batula, together with representatives from various local government agencies. Their presence underscored the strong collaboration among stakeholders in bringing essential programs and services closer to underserved communities.

Governor Ongchuan emphasized that the Kauswagan Caravan serves as a vital platform for government agencies to converge and provide accessible services, disseminate relevant information, and engage with communities. Through this initiative, participating agencies help address the needs of residents in remote areas and contribute to improving their overall welfare and quality of life.

The DPWH NSSDEO remains committed in supporting initiatives that strengthen government-community partnerships and ensure that public services reach even the most remote communities of Northern Samar.

(Jinky A. Dela Cruz/PR)

Catarman N. Samar-The Department of Public Works and Highways Northern Samar First District Engineering Office (DPWH-NSFDEO) has completed the rehabilitation of roadside with slip and slope collapse in Barangay Quezon, Bobon Northern Samar.

Spanning a total length of 63 meters, the project involves the repair of roadside with slip, and slope collapse and construction of revetment resting on a sheet pile.

In previous interviews, residents revealed that the road section was particularly risky for motorists, especially during the rainy season. The soil may become eroded, causing the road to collapse whenever the area floods due to the strong current of floodwater.

Hence, the completion of the project brings significant improvements to motorists traversing the said area. They can now travel more safely and conveniently, with reduced risks and fewer disruptions.

To further enhance safety, DPWH also installed plant boxes that serve as barriers along the top of the slope protection system. These structures serve as protective barriers for motorists, helping prevent vehicles from accidentally reaching the edge of the slope. It also contributes to roadside beautification and promotes environmental greening.

District Engineer Alvin A. Ignacio added that the completion of the project is expected to prevent erosion/soil collapse thereby reducing the risk and preventing road closure along the said area.

The project amounting to Php 17.31 million, was funded through the DPWH Quick Response Fund (QRF).

(ANALIZA A. PABIA/PR)

TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Samar Gov. Ralph Vincent “RV” Evardone has reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to improving education and strengthening school safety, saying local governments and schools must work together to protect children and help them succeed.

Evardone made the commitment during the 6th Regional Management Committee (REMANCOM) meeting of the Department of Education (DepEd)- VIII on Thursday, Aug. 27, held in Borongan City.

“It takes a village to raise a child,” Evardone said, emphasizing the need for closer cooperation between local government units and the education sector in addressing concerns affecting students.

He cited recent initiatives of the provincial government, including funding support for school safety measures in both the Eastern Samar and Borongan City Schools Division Offices (SDOs).

The governor said ensuring that schools are safe and conducive to learning is part of the government’s broader responsibility to protect children while improving their access to quality education.

The REMANCOM meeting brought together education officials and school division leaders from across Eastern Visayas to assess progress, identify challenges and determine the support needed by each division.

Discussions focused on measures to assist struggling learners, sustain quality instruction and strengthen school safety, with the assessments expected to help the DepEd regional office tailor technical assistance to the specific needs of individual school divisions.
The meeting also marked the formal installation of newly reassigned schools division superintendents Gorgonio Diaz Jr. for the Eastern Samar Schools Division Office and Edgar Tenasas for the Borongan City Schools Division Office.

DepEd Region VIII Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez and Assistant Regional Director Marilyn Siao attended the meeting, along with Borongan City Mayor Jose Dayan Agda.
The meeting comes amid heightened attention to school safety in Eastern Visayas following a June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City that left three students dead and 20 others injured.

The incident has prompted schools, police, local governments and other stakeholders across the region to strengthen security coordination, threat monitoring and emergency preparedness.

Against this backdrop, Evardone’s call for stronger cooperation between local governments and the education sector underscores the importance of community-wide efforts in ensuring that schools remain safe places for children to learn and develop.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Residents and seafood consumers are being warned against gathering and eating shellfish from the coastal waters of Leyte, Leyte after the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) detected paralytic shellfish toxin in samples collected from the area.

In a local red tide advisory issued Tuesday, August 25, BFAR said laboratory tests detected paralytic shellfish toxin, specifically saxitoxin, in the samples.

The agency said the advisory was issued as a precautionary measure while confirmatory testing is being conducted by the BFAR National Fisheries Laboratory Division.

The warning covers all types of shellfish and Acetes species, locally known as alamang, harvested from the affected coastal waters. BFAR urged the public to refrain from gathering, selling, buying, or consuming these products until the advisory is lifted.
The precautionary measure aims to protect public health and minimize the possible impact of the red tide episode on the local shellfish industry.

BFAR also reminded the public that shellfish bans remain in effect in two other areas in Eastern Visayas where previous samples tested positive for red tide toxins.
These areas include Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar, covering the coastal waters of General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo, as well as the coastal waters of Biliran Island.

All shellfish and Acetes, or alamang, harvested from these areas are considered unsafe for human consumption while the shellfish bans remain in effect.

Fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs harvested from affected waters, however, may still be consumed if they are fresh and properly prepared, BFAR said. Consumers are advised to remove internal organs, including the intestines and gills, wash the seafood thoroughly, and cook it properly.

Red tide occurs when certain algae multiply or accumulate in large numbers and produce toxins that can affect humans and marine organisms. People can develop paralytic shellfish poisoning after consuming shellfish that have accumulated these toxins.

BFAR stressed that cooking does not reliably destroy red tide toxins, making compliance with shellfish bans and advisories essential to prevent food poisoning.

The agency urged consumers to purchase shellfish only from safe and approved sources and to avoid harvesting shellfish from areas covered by red tide advisories or shellfish bans.

BFAR said it will issue further updates once confirmatory laboratory results for the Leyte, Leyte samples become available.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)