Tacloban City District Engineering Office (TCDEO) has proactively addressed the city's healthcare and safety concerns. The office recently donated COVID-19 facilities to Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) and scraped off the asphalt pavement on Daang Maharlika Road from EVMC to the Junction of San Juanico Bridge.
The COVID facilities donation aims to improve the healthcare requirements of the general public in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The isolation facility was donated to EVMC on January 26, 2023, after the TCDEO approved their request for full liability, operation, maintenance, and transfer of the facilities.
TCDEO signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tacloban and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in November 2020 to provide shelters for frontline and other healthcare personnel to reduce daily operational issues posed by the pandemic.
However, the isolation facility will remain the property of the DPWH and may be dismantled and removed after the pandemic.
In a letter dated January 13, 2023, the EVMC Hospital and City Mayor expressed their willingness to assume full liability, operation, maintenance, and transfer of the COVID-19 facilities. The Tacloban City DEO approved their request and scheduled the signing of the Certificate of Acceptance and Deed of Donation on January 31, 2023. Another meeting was conducted on February 7, 2023, at the Tacloban City Hospital to inform the proponents regarding the Deed of Donation.
In addition to the COVID facilities donation, the Tacloban City DEO also decided to scrape off the remaining asphalt pavement on Daang Maharlika Road from EVMC to the Junction of San Juanico Bridge to prevent vehicular accidents. Aqualine Construction personnel helped scrap off the asphalt on the night of February 8, 2023. District Engineer Johnny M. Acosta oversaw the operation with the District Chief of the Maintenance Section, Marichu T. Eduarte.
According to the Maintenance Section, the asphalt suffered excessive deterioration, leading to potholes beyond routine maintenance. As such, the Planning and Design Section is currently working on a project proposal to upgrade the existing road pavement.