PALO, Leyte — The “Operation Zero Potholes” program of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Eastern Visayas is now in full swing, according to DPWH 8 Regional Director Angelito Twaño told reporters in an interview at his office here. Twaño said his office has a P50-million budget for Eastern Visayas for said program. He said the program basically involves maintaining roads and highways in Eastern Visayas. "It is my office’s policy that when favorable conditions are in place, or immediately after the rainy months usually from September to January, I want my men to simultaneously implement the program all over the region,” said Twaño. He explained that the rehabilitation work on roads and highways in the region in Eastern Samar had been delayed due to the delayed budget releases and the prolonged rain in the region last year. However, he said he is now giving assurances to the public that with the current favorable weather conditions and the availability of funds for road maintenance, rehabilitation of roads and highways in the region will now be in full swing. (Restituto Cayubit)

Traffic aides deputized

BACOLOD CITY (PNA) — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has deputized personnel of the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) for the apprehension and confiscation of licenses of erring drivers in the city. The LTO has recently turned over the Temporary Operators Permit (TOP) and identification cards of traffic enforcers to the (BTAO) for this purpose. Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Chairman of the Bacolod Traffic Management Authority, said that the move will improve the implementation of the city’s traffic rules and regulations. The LTO also recently deputized 30 traffic enforcers in Bacolod City to improve the traffic situation in the city. With the TOP, Sayson said the traffic enforcers would be enable to confiscate licenses of erring drivers. He said, that “wiith this development, we believe that drivers will also follow traffic rules of the city.” Sayson pointed out that “the traffic enforcers will have enough teeth to strictly enforce traffic rules and regulations in the city.”

Job assistance center opens

ILOILO CITY (PNA) – The Public Service Employment Office (PESO) of the Iloilo City government has just opened an assistance center for jobseekers in local and overseas employment at the third level of Robinsons Place. This is aside from the PESO main office at the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Iloilo Terminal Market Building. PESO Iloilo City Manager Alan Zaldivar said his office wants to reach out to those who are looking for jobs, especially the new graduates. “We want to personalize our approach so that job applicants will feel that they are really important,” Zaldivar said. PESO accepts applications and resumés, matches these with qualifications with job openings, then forwards the documents to various pertinent agencies. Then, PESO will be responsible in keeping in touch with a prospective employee after the agency’s referral. Currently, PESO’s assistance center in the mall receives not less than 20 applicants a day. “The center will continue serving the public until the end of the year, and for as long as there are applicants looking for work either here or abroad,” Zaldivar said.