With Rep. Libanan leading the event

ORAS, Eastern Samar– Residents of interior riverbank communities in this town are eagerly anticipating the completion of a road project that will connect their villages to the national highway.

Last Friday, August 23, a groundbreaking ceremony led by 4Ps Partylist Representative and House Minority Floor Leader Marcelino Libanan was held in Sitio Calawit, Oras, marking the start of construction for a portion of the over nine-kilometer road leading to Barangay Cadian, nine kms away from the town center.

The road project, valued at more than P168.8 million, includes the construction of a 4.68-kilometer lane, complete with slope protection and drainage systems, under the Department of Public Works and Highways’ Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Alleviating Gaps (SIPAG) program.

“It would be good if this gets completed because it would improve our transportation,” Mario Nuguit,48, and a resident of Cadian which could be reached by a boat ride, said in a vernacular.

“When it rains, it’s hard to travel by pump boat on the river because of the strong current. If this road is completed, travel will be easier,” he added.

Currently, residents use the Oras River as their main route, traveling by motorboats locally known as “bote,” a type of motorized banca without outriggers.

The fare for passengers is P50 while transporting farm products like copra and palay costs P1 per kilo.

Transporting construction materials is even more expensive, with a sack of cement costing P35, P100 per cubic meter of sand, and P1,000 per cubic meter of gravel.

Barangay Iwayan chairman Ronald Aguilando, 36, noted that the construction and completion of the road leading to interior villages would not only ease transportation challenges but also be crucial during emergencies.

Iwayan is just four kilometers from the town proper, but travel time still takes about 30 minutes by motorboat.

“In emergencies, it will be easier to transport the sick. Travel by road will be faster, unlike on the river, which is not advisable in emergency situations,” he said.

The road construction is expected to be completed within 360 days, although the construction company awarded the project has promised to finish it earlier.

However, more than 6.85 kilometers of the Sitio Calawit-Brgy Cadian road remain unfunded, requiring an additional P541 million.

Rep.Libanan promised to work on securing the necessary funds for the remaining portion of the road project in the upcoming budget submission.

“We’re not just making travel easier for the remote barangays of Oras, but we’re also giving our town a new face,” he said.

“This will open up more opportunities for our people – in education, trade, and daily life,” Libanan said.

Once the entire stretch of the more than nine-kilometer road is completed, at least 2,000 households are expected to benefit from the project.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the region has announced that the feasibility study for the proposed international convention center (ICC) in Tacloban City is slated to be conducted this year.

The budget for the feasibility study has already been allocated by the national government under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2024, the DPWH said.

The DPWH is currently in the process of evaluating qualified bidders to carry out the study.
The DPWH, however, did not disclose as the cost of the proposed facility.

If realized, the ICC will serve as a world-class venue for hosting regional, national, and international events, positioning Tacloban City as an opportunity-rich and forward-looking destination.

The proposed ICC is envisioned as a spacious facility designed to encourage social engagement and interaction, providing a space where people can gather, share ideas, and create memorable experiences.

The project’s structures are also planned to be resilient, featuring aerodynamic designs that optimize natural airflow, aligning with the climate conditions of the region.

The establishment of an ICC in Tacloban City is expected to drive development and boost the economy of the region.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY – Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre expressed his support for a measure to institutionalize the Bagong Pilipinas Service Fair (BPSF), aiming to expand government support.

“Dito sa amin sa Congress, malaking bagay talaga itong BPSF kasi, sa totoo lang, tuwing kami nag-aattend ng BPSF, doon namin nakikita in action lahat ng programa ng gobyerno. Minsan nga, doon ko lang nalalaman na may ganitong programa pala ang gobyerno sa ganitong aspeto,” Rep. Acidre said during a press conference at the House of Representatives on Tuesday, August 20.

According to the Presidential Communications Office, since its launch in August 2023 in Biliran, the BPSF has reached 2.3 million Filipinos and provided P17 billion in various services and cash aid.

“Nakikita natin na mas malaki at mas malawak ang impact na nagagawa ng gobyerno kung hindi siya nag-ooperate in silos, at itong BPSF, kung saka-sakali mang maging batas ito, we’ll build on those strengths, we’ll build on those innovations,” the lawmaker added.

The BPSF Agency Summit 2024 was held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City from August 20-21.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)