US warship docks in Cebu
Southern Leyte tops in infra financial use
CEBU CITY – The US littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) dropped anchor at the Cebu International Port Sunday for its second port call on its way back to its homeport in San Diego, California.
The Fort Worth’s crew will get a few days of rest and relaxation while in Cebu. They will also participate in cultural activities, while the ship refuels and loads supplies.
A littoral ship is designed for combat operations close to shore. It has a flight deck and hangar for helicopters, a ramp for launching small boats.
A littoral ship can deliver a small assault force along with fighting vehicles, according to Wikipedia. It is armed with rapid fire guns and missiles.
The Fort Worth has been deployed to the US 7th Fleet for more than 18 months, participating in several operations such as recovery efforts for AirAsia Flight QZ8501.
“Our overall mission of the stop is to receive the fuel we need to continue our voyage home. But once again, we are honored to get the opportunity to serve as ambassadors for our warship and our country while visiting the Philippines,” said Commander Michael Brasseur, the ship’s commanding officer.
A post on the US Naval Institute web site last April said the Fort Worth’s gearing system was damaged last January and is returning to San |Diego for repairs.
Brassuer said the sailors are looking forward to visiting the local community.
The 7th Fleet conducts forwarddeployed naval operations in the IndoAsia-Pacific area. It is the US Navy's biggest fleet.
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Southern Leyte District Engineering Office (SLDEO) remains the topnotcher in absorptive capacity.
This was seen in the first seven months of 2016, when SLDEO scored highest among the 13 district offices of DPWH in the entire Eastern Visayas region. This means that the office has efficiently and effectively implemented all assigned infra projects in reference to proper financial utilization.
Records show that of the P823.93 million total cash disbursement from January to July this year, the district office achieved 100 percent utilization.
“Our remarkable performance in absorptive capacity is a result of regular inspection and regular coordination meeting with project engineers and contractors to thresh out problems and concerns,” said District Engineer Ma. Margarita C. Junia.
The absorptive capacity is determined further by dividing the total obligation incurred by the total net allotment. It is measured by the ability to use the allotments from DPWH central office and Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
The district office got P1 billion for the implementation of 84 projects under the 2016 infrastructure projects based on National Expenditure Program. These include rehabilitation, upgrading and construction of national highways, improvements and widening of national roads, construction of missing gaps, off-carriageway improvement, and million for construction and maintenance of bridges along national highways. Also listed are construction and maintenance of flood mitigation structures and drainage systems, improvement of access road leading to tourist destinations, and construction and repair of various infrastructure including local projects. The SLDEO is tasked to maintain 293.48 kilometers of national roads and 153 bridges, built in 18 towns and Maasin City, the regional capital.