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ILOILO CITY -- Over 30 commercial fishing boats have been charged by the Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force from January until October 2017 for violating the Revised Fisheries Law.

In an interview Tuesday, provincial administrator Raul Banias, supervising the task force, said most of those charged were big commercial fishing boats like "super hulbot" and those engaged in "palupad" or trawl fishing, dynamite fishing, among others.

He said these commercial fishing boats mostly come from Negros Island and Cebu while local fisherfolks doing dynamite fishing were from the towns of Carles, Estancia, Concepcion and Banate in the province of Iloilo.

Banias said there has been resurgence of dynamite fishing among local fisherfolks in the northern part of the province.

"The easiest and most effective way of catching fish is (through an) illegal way," he said.

But definitely, Banias said the number of violations has decreased compared to the same period last year.

He attributed the accomplishment to the relentless campaign of the provincial government and the local government units against illegal fishers and enforcement of the provincial and municipal ordinances against illegal fishing.

Recently, Banias said the Bantay Dagat Task Force nabbed 16 fishermen onboard F/V Mark Cris-RA from Barangay Bara, Roxas City for using trawl, an unregistered active gear, within the municipal waters of Concepcion town in violation of the revised Fisheries Code of the Philippines. (PNA)



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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—A Lanao del Norte lawmaker has called on the government to review the performance of National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), following the controversies that hound the agency.

"It is timely that we reevaluate the [NCMF] to determine if it has accomplished anything significant for Muslim Filipinos, and if there is a need to amend and update Republic Act 9997 so that the Commission will be more effective in its mandate for the Filipino people," said Rep. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo, of the 1st District of Lanao del Norte, in a telephone interview on Friday (Oct. 6).

Dimaporo noted that the NCMF was "rocked with scandal" when 177 Indonesian nationals bound for a holy pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia were arrested last year after obtaining "hajj" passports from the Department of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the NCMF.

Allegedly, the Indonesians were made to pay anywhere between P270,000 to P460,000 so they could be issued the "hajj" (pilgrimage) passport from the Philippines and join the Philippine delegation.

This resulted to the charges against NCMF officials for violation of Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, Philippine Passport Act, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, and estafa, said Dimaporo.

Dimaporo said the agency "needs to rebuild its image" as it has "lost the faith and trust of Muslim Filipino being the lead conspirators in the 2016 hajj passport scandal."

The lawmaker has already filed a resolution at the Lower House requesting the Justice and Foreign Affairs departments and the NCMF to provide a detailed briefing regarding their findings in the 2016 hajj passport scandal.

In 2015, Dimaporo said, the country had 8,193 pilgrims who went on a hajj in Saudi Arabia. The NCMF collected $2,020 per pilgrim to cover entrance fees, food in Arafat and Mina, hotel and housing in Mecca and Mina, and insurance.

"With 8,193 pilgrims at $2,020 per pilgrim, the NCMF mutawiff trust fund total $16,549,860. If we assume an exchange rate of P45 to a dollar, that's equal to P744,745,700. An amount larger than the total NMCF 2018 budget," the lawmaker said.

He said he had addressed this problem in the NCMF budget briefing under the Committee of Appropriations. The reply of NCMF was that the inadequate lodging, food, and transportation was due to supply and demand.

"Unfortunately for NCMF, they book food, accommodations, and transportation at the last minute, after they've collected the mutawiff fee from the pilgrims," he said, adding that other countries negotiate service contracts for their pilgrims good for 10 to 15 years.

In a separate resolution, Dimaporo also asked concerned government agencies to look into the proposed revolving fund for NCMF so it could pay the 20 percent downpayment required for hajj pilgrimage so they can have a meaningful religious experience. The amount needed is P137,620,000 that was submitted to the Department of Budget and Management for funding.

Dimaporo has appealed to government leaders to strengthen the NCMF as an "institution to live up to its essence, and that is to give dignity and representation to productive members of society — your brothers and sisters in Islam, Muslim Filipinos." (PNA/Jigger J. Jerusalem)



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MASLOG, Eastern Samar -- The local government unit (LGU) of this remote town will introduce hog- raising as livelihood activity for illegal drug surrenderers.

The LGU has partnered with the Roman Catholic Church and local police for the community-based rehabilitation of drug personalities.

The 5th class town, which can only be reached through a three-hour boat ride from the highway in Dolores town, has 27 drug surrenderers. All of them are farmers and considered as low-risk.

They will go through a three-month recovery program before receiving piglets.

The presence of illegal drugs in this remote town had caught local officials by surprise, said Mayor Heraclio Santiago.

"Although this is surprising, we are glad to learn from our assessment that they are all low-risk and can recover through proper intervention," Santiago said in an interview Thursday.

Illegal drug users here got their supply from traders in Dolores town, said Maslog town police chief Insp. Michael Oraller.

"Aside from body search and checking of personal belongings of strangers, we usually hold suspicious persons at the port for interrogations," Oraller explained.

Maslog is one of the towns in Eastern Samar that has been declared by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) as drug-free.

Mayor Santiago also hopes that PDEA's declaration will help them earn the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) Award from the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Maslog was recommended for national evaluation for SGLG award this year. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY -- The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) has requested from the provincial government a signal jammer device to be installed at the Iloilo Provincial District Jail in Nanga, Pototan.

The provincial government is currently assessing whether or not it could fund the purchase of the device requested during Wednesday's meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC).

IPPO director Senior Superintendent Marlon Tayaba, in a previous interview, said they suspect ongoing transactions and operations of high profile inmates involved in the illegal drug trade in the province.

He particularly mentioned high-value inmates Jesus Espinosa and Rolando Torpio, currently inside the facility.

Tayaba also said there are even some inmates recently apprehended doing operations using communication devices.

"If the signal will be lost, even if they have communication equipment, they cannot communicate," he said.

The IPPO previously requested from the provincial government communications equipment like radios, radio transmitter and repeaters.

A fund of PHP2.9 million contained in the supplemental budget has been approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. (PNA)



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DAVAO CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI has initially received four entries in the ongoing Anti-Human Trafficking Songwriting and Music Video-Making Competition launched by Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) last week.

But students, whether in-school or out-of-school) and amateur songwriters and music video makers in Davao Region, have until October 13 before the closing of the competition aimed at advocating and preventing all forms of trafficking that include illegal recruitment, sexual exploitation, forced labor or involuntary servitude, removal or sale of organs, armed activities of children, cybersex and sex tours.

According to Alma D. Acera, focal person of DSWD Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons, the song and video must follow the minimum length of three minutes and maximum of four minutes running time.

Acera said entries must revolve around human trafficking issues as defined by Republic Act 9208, as amended by R.A. 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.

These important elements must be included -statistical information, dangers of human trafficking, how to report, how to prevent and eradicate, and how to be safe against human trafficking, Acera said.

Also, the IACAT XI hotline number and IACAT XI logo must be highlighted as reporting mechanism, Acera added.

Dialect may be in Tagalog or Cebuano or a combination of Cebuano and Tagalog, or combination of Tagalog, Cebuano and English but with English subtitles. All parts of the song and video must be original, with nothing that is obtained from any ads, movies, soaps, video-sharing sites etc., and inserted as part of the song and video. It must be submitted in High Definition (HD) (720P and up) .mp4 playable format.

The song must not contain any expletives (swear word, obscenity, profanity) or any badmouthing of any institution, group or individual. While the video must not contain anything that promotes violence, obscenity or rebellion. Professional editing by a third party is not allowed.

Interested parties may submit entries to Alma Acera at DSWD Regional Office, R. Magsaysay Ave., Davao City.

For contest details, parties may call 09172014111 or email: rs.fo11@iacacp.gov.ph. Entries must bear the following details: Entry Name and Title, Composer and Video Maker, Age, Address and Contact Details.

All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation and all entries will automatically become the property of IACAT XI Network. IACAT XI Network agencies heads and focal persons and their relatives by affinity or consanguinity up to the fourth (4th) degree are not qualified to join.

IACAT is the regional body that works actively on cases of trafficking, with member agencies such as DSWD, DOJ, DILG, DepEd, CHED, DOH, DFA, NCIP, DOLE, POEA, PIA, OWWA, PPA, CAAP, PNP, NBI, BID, CHR, Tambayan Center, Child Alert, Center for Overseas Workers, Local Government Units, among others. (Carmela Duron/PNA)



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KAWIT, Cavite - An art exhibit on the life and works of General Emilio Aguinaldo as a Revolutionist, President of the Republic and a Freemason will have its rerun from Oct 14-28  at the Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo (MEA) in observance of the Museums and Galleries Month this October.

The MEA, in partnership with the Independent Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines, will be mounting anew the museum featured exhibit dubbed "‎1895-1899: General Aguinaldo."

The Masons co-organized the exhibit "to commemorate the centennial year of the lodge General Aguinaldo, which was founded in 1914 in this town," said MEA curator Paulette M. Bedruz.

Bedruz disclosed that the MEA exhibit would feature the initiation of General Aguinaldo as a Mason in Logia Pilar No. 203 of Imus City at the height of the Spanish colonial government's persecution of Masons in the country in the year 1895.

The exhibit will also feature the evolution of Philippine Masonry from the Spanish era to the present, as well as the advocacy of Filipino-Mason patriots who initiated a campaign for colonial reforms that eventually led to the formation of the Katipunan.

Likewise, other Cavite museums also line up various activities this "Museums and Galleries Month" to showcase history "more than just by the books" but to personally experience why Cavite is known for as the "History Capital" of the Philippines.

The month-long observance is pursuant to Proclamation No. 798 series of 1991 signed by then President Corazon Aquino, which declared October of every year as "Museums and Galleries Month."

The Presidential proclamation aims to foster the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino national culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual expression.

Other than the frequently visited Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo (MEA) here where the revolutionary and First Philippine President lived and declared the Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898, Kawit is also home to Baldomero Aguinaldo Museum named in Baldomero's honor as lawyer, stalwart supporter, leader of the Magdalo Faction and the first cousin of General Emilio Aguinaldo.

There is also the Tejeros Convention in Rosario, Cavite which strikes a discordant note in history as the infamous convention of two rival factions – Magdiwang and Magdalo – which held a meeting to supposedly bond as one as they forward Cavite's defense against the Spaniards.

But, the event ended up with the election of General Emilio Aguinaldo as the First Republican President and left Andres Bonifacio with frustrations in his struggles through his "Katipunan" movement.

The "Museo ng Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio" (Bonifacio Trial House) in Maragondon, Cavite traces back the events leading to Bonifacio's arrest and execution.

The museum is also where Bonifacio's various "tula" or poems and love for wife Gregoria De Jesus were put on display.

There is also the Don Ladislao Diwa Shrine, the resting place of one of the founders of the Revolutionary Faction KKK in Silang town and other privately-owned and managed museums like the GBR Museum in the City of General Trias, Museo Dela Salle in De La Salle University – Dasmariñas City, and Museo Orlina in Tagaytay City. (PNA)



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CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan -- Four people, including two one-year-old girls, died while 45 others were hurt after a water tank of the San Jose Del Monte (SJDM) Water District in Barangay Muzon here collapsed early Friday.

San Jose Del Monte City police chief Supt. Fitz Macariola identified the fatalities as 50-year-old Jimmy Garcia, Elaine Tiamson, 22 and two one-year-olds. The victims are all residents of the barangay.

Macariola said the incident happened around 3:30 a.m. on Friday.

Big volume of water burst and swept through residential houses and a nearby police detachment like a tidal wave, witnesses said.

The fatalities were recovered under debris, police investigators said. Rescuers brought the injured residents to the different hospitals in the city and still undergoing treatment. Police are still investigating the cause of the collapse.

The collapsed structure is 14 by 13 meters in height and has a 2,000 cubic meter capacity. The SJDM Water District is headed by General Manager Loreto Limcolioc.

To avoid a repeat of the accident, Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado on Friday ordered the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) to coordinate with the different water district officials in the province and inspect their water tanks and its structural integrity.

Alvarado said he was informed that there are many water tanks in the city and in other parts of the province which are similar to the water tank of the SJDM Water District.

"This tragedy happened like a thief in the night. We must inspect and ensure that the structural integrity of these facilities are safe and durable," he said. (PNA)



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LIPA CITY, Batangas -- Police here have arrested a 28-year-old man, who posed as member of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) donning the military uniform, inside a fast food chain along C. M. Recto Ave.in Barangay 4 in this city.

Lipa City police chief Supt. Meliton Salvadora, Jr. identified the impostor as Lloyd Christopher Endaya De Lemos, a native of Makati City and resident of Barangay Balintawak in this city.

Police investigators SPO1s Ronilo Balita, June Gonzales and Luis De Luna, Jr. said Endaya was spotted around 11:50 p.m. on Oct. 4 by the city Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team during their foot patrol operations.
The suspect was inside the McDonalds food store wearing the air force uniform inappropriately when law enforcers, led by SPO1 Fheljun Calalo, approached him.

The roving SWAT team also noticed the suspect's military belt bag tucked on his waist with a magazine, prompting authorities to ask the suspect.

Endaya identified himself as a member of the PAF and further verification by authorities resulted in the suspect's failure to present proper identification.
He later admitted that he is not a member of PAF as police also recovered from the impostor a military body bag with a replica of a caliber 9-mm pistol and an original magazine loaded with four ammunition for .45 caliber.
The police team arrested Endaya and brought him and the recovered evidence to the Lipa City police station for proper disposition.
The suspect is now charged with Usurpation of Authority and violation of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Law.  (Jojo C. Magsombol/PNA)

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GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The South Cotabato provincial government has appealed to the Department of Health (DOH) to speed up the approval of its proposed 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) testing facility in the wake of the lifting of the community quarantine measures in the area on May 16.

South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. said Tuesday the operationalization of the testing center in Koronadal City will serve as a safety net in case of the possible surge of Covid-19 cases once the province reopens its borders and remove all movement restrictions.

Tamayo noted that an operational testing center was among the criteria earlier adopted by the provincial inter-agency task force (IATF) on Covid-19 for the normalization of economic activities and other related movements in the province.

The other considerations were the establishment of treatment and isolation facilities as well as the mainstreaming of a reliable contract-tracing system for Covid-19 cases.

The provincial government already opened last month a dedicated Covid-19 hospital or patient care center in Surallah town while its own contact tracing mobile application, dubbed South Cotabato Contact Tracing System, is now ready for the initial rollout.  

"We really need to complete these criteria to ensure that we can properly protect and take care of our people here in the province," Tamayo said in a press conference.

The governor said they have been waiting for more than a month the approval and accreditation of the testing center at the Dr. Arturo P. Pingoy Medical Center in Koronadal City.

He said the testing center has long been ready and they have complied with the necessary requirements but the DOH and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine have not yet approved its accreditation.

The local government had forged a partnership with the private hospital for the conduct of Covid-19 tests in its biosafety level 2 laboratory.

The Polymerase Chain Reaction or PCR "genexpert" machine will be provided by the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO).

Tamayo said he does not oppose the lifting of the quarantine measures after May 15 as long as the requirements to do the same have been met.

As of Tuesday, he said the IPHO reported that less than 500 tests had been conducted in the province so far.

"Ideally, we should have tested at least 10,000 people by now out of our nearly 1 million population," he said.

Comparing the situation to other areas, he said Cebu City, which has a population of over 1 million, already tested more than 10,000 people, with more than 1,500 turning out positive.

Tamayo said the low number of confirmed cases in the province and the rest of Region 12, which have been declared as low-risk areas for Covid-19, can be attributed to the lack of testing in the area.

He said the IPHO has not taken any swab from suspect patients since last week due to the unavailability of swab kits, noting the same problem is also faced by other provinces based on his consultations with other local officials.    

"The reality is, we don't have new Covid-19 cases because we're not doing any tests," he said.

Tamayo said that he will convene the province's IATF in the next two days to decide on the next measures to take after the end of the general community quarantine on May 15. (PNA)

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CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan -- At least 10 drug dealers were killed while 132 others were arrested in a series of "One Time, Big Time" anti-drug operations in different parts of Bulacan on Thursday.

Bulacan Police Director Senior Supt. Romeo Caramat Jr. reported on Friday to Central Luzon Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Amador Corpuz that more than a kilo of shabu and 12 firearms were seized in the province-wide anti-drug operations.

Caramat said a total of 78 police operations were conducted that led to nine encounters which resulted to the death of 10 drug personalities. Of the total police operations, 67 were buy-bust and 11 were raids on pot sessions and Oplan Sita.

He said a total of 360 plastic sachets of suspected shabu weighing 109.98 grams; four tea bags of suspected dried marijuana leaves; six caliber .38 revolvers; five improvised shotguns and a caliber .45 gun were seized during the police operations.

In the City of San Jose del Monte, Supt. Fitz Macariola said the city police Drug Enforcement Unit conducted eight anti-drug operations which resulted to the busting of 29 drug personalities.

Macariola said the anti-drug campaign of the city police department would continue to track down drug suspects in the city. (PNA)



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CEBU CITY -- The Cebu Provincial Agriculture Office has submitted a budget proposal of PHP430 million for its operations next year.

This was disclosed by Provincial Agriculture Office chief Roldan Saragena on Friday during the "Kapistorya" forum at the Cebu Provincial Information Office here.

Of the PHP430 million, Saragena said only PHP180 million would be set aside for the regular projects and the remaining PHP250 million for the Farmer Scientist Training Program (FSTP).

The 2018 budget requested by the Provincial Agriculture Office is almost four times bigger than this year's PHP109 million.

Saragena said the budget does not include the PHP31 million funding requested for the Agri-Fishery Insurance Program which would be sourced from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office's (PDRRMO) funds.

Part of the PHP250-million allocation for the FSTP will go to the Fisherman Scientist Training Program, which will be the focus in 2018 after years of giving priority to farmers.

The Provincial Agriculture Office will also focus on the water system projects they plan to implement in the barangays, particularly in far-flung mountain areas, of every town in the province next year.

Another project on the Agriculture Office's 2018 agenda is the seed storage facility to store various good-quality seeds and seedlings to be appropriated to the farmers.

The PHP430-million budget, however, is still subject for deliberation and approval by the Cebu provincial government, Saragena said. (PNA)



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CALAMBA CITY, Laguna - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and delegates from 14 fellow member-countries of the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) will be pitching for agriculture value chain strategy.

The five-day regional agribusiness forum, set on Oct.  9-13, seeks to extend assistance to vulnerable but highly potent rural enterprises of small farmers and fisherfolks and turning them into vibrant ones.

Gracing the five-day activity, which will be held at the Hotel Jen Manila along Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City,  are Senator Cynthia A. Villar, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol and Foreign Affairs Secretary Allan Peter Cayetano. Each of them will deliver inspirational messages relative to food security and rural development.

DAR Secretary Rosalina Bistoyong said the forum intends "to project agricultural value chain as a meaningful tool for inclusive growth."

Themed "Strengthening Regional Convergence for Rural Development: Promoting Smart Agribusiness for Inclusive Growth," the forum will serve as a venue for developing a platform for knowledge sharing on wide and diverse experiences of CIRDAP-member countries in agricultural value chains and in agri-enterprise development.

"The idea is to help small farmers and fisherfolk increase their economic activities, uplift their standards of living and spurring rural development, This can be done by figuring out the roles of small farmers and fisherfolk and convincing the so-called 'Captains of the Industry' to make a pitch for it," Bistoyong said.
 Agricultural value chain is designed to rally and organize small farmers and fisherfolk into cohesive groups, with the end in view of enhancing the capacity of each group to meet the demand of their target markets: quality and quantity of their harvests, and add value to their products in exchange for fair market value.
Bistoyong said the organized small farmers and fisherfolk would be given crash courses on improving their business acumen, that is, the ability in dealing with food manufacturers and/or processors.

"We see this as a major step in eliminating the so-called 'middlemen,' who end up raking in more profits at the expense of the small farmers and fisherfolk by buying their harvests at low prices and selling them at higher prices," she added. (PR/PNA)

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CAMP DANGWA, Benguet -- Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa on Friday thanked his "kailians" (region mates) for honoring him as an adopted "son of Cordillera" for leading the country's anti-drug campaign.

Dela Rosa, in his message, said his adoption is proof of the region's continuing support to the Duterte administration's anti-drug drive which in turn shows the trust the Cordillera people give to his leadership in the Philippine National Police.

He lauded the region for having five of its six provinces declared drug-cleared.

Only Baguio City and the province of Benguet have yet to be declared drug-cleared. Baguio City was able to cut the number of drug affected barangays to only six out of the 128 barangays.

Dela Rosa's statement came after the traditional ceremony formally declaring him as "son of Cordillera".

The Regional Development Council (RDC) followed a set of guidelines and criteria for the "adoption", which Dela Rosa was able to meet.

The RDC during its third quarter meeting on September 7 recommended his "adoption". It went through a deliberation which was confirmed during the RDC Executive Committee meeting on September 28 where they spelled out the contribution of the PNP chief to the region through the Cordillera Police Regional Office.

His adoption is covered by RDC-Execom Resolution 14, Series of 2014 titled "Approving the adoption of Police Director General Ronald 'Bato' M. Dela Rosa as 'son of the Cordillera'."

Dela Rosa's adoption was based on the numerous accomplishments of the Cordillera PNP, under the leadership of Dela Rosa, among which is the region's improved drug situation - a significant decrease in the number of drug-affected barangays from 69 percent to 2 percent surpassing its target.

During the ceremony, Dela Rosa was assisted by Benguet Governor Cresencio Pacalso in wearing the G-string, representing the native attire of the male Cordilleran. He was also made to wear a head gear, worn by warrior Cordillerans, while his wife Nancy wore a native handwoven "tapis".

Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan, also the RDC chairman, rendered an "Uggayam", a native prayer delivered through singing, asking protection for Dela Rosa in the performance of his duties.

A ritual called "Owik" was performed at the grounds of Camp Dangwa, where the "Mambunong" (native priest) offered meat of a black pig to the gods asking for guidance, not just for the PNP chief but to the country and the people in the region.

A "tayao" Benguet dance was performed by Dela Rosa and his spouse, together with Pacalso, to celebrate of the adoption of "Mulingan" a Kankanaey (South-Central Cordilleran language) word meaning "big hard rock" in the list of Cordillerans who are worthy of emulation. (PNA)



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CAMP DANGWA, Benguet -- Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa on Friday thanked his "kailians" (region mates) for honoring him as an adopted "son of Cordillera" for leading the country's anti-drug campaign.

Dela Rosa, in his message, said his adoption is proof of the region's continuing support to the Duterte administration's anti-drug drive which in turn shows the trust the Cordillera people give to his leadership in the Philippine National Police.

He lauded the region for having five of its six provinces declared drug-cleared.

Only Baguio City and the province of Benguet have yet to be declared drug-cleared. Baguio City was able to cut the number of drug affected barangays to only six out of the 128 barangays.

Dela Rosa's statement came after the traditional ceremony formally declaring him as "son of Cordillera".

The Regional Development Council (RDC) followed a set of guidelines and criteria for the "adoption", which Dela Rosa was able to meet.

The RDC during its third quarter meeting on September 7 recommended his "adoption". It went through a deliberation which was confirmed during the RDC Executive Committee meeting on September 28 where they spelled out the contribution of the PNP chief to the region through the Cordillera Police Regional Office.

His adoption is covered by RDC-Execom Resolution 14, Series of 2014 titled "Approving the adoption of Police Director General Ronald 'Bato' M. Dela Rosa as 'son of the Cordillera'."

Dela Rosa's adoption was based on the numerous accomplishments of the Cordillera PNP, under the leadership of Dela Rosa, among which is the region's improved drug situation - a significant decrease in the number of drug-affected barangays from 69 percent to 2 percent surpassing its target.

During the ceremony, Dela Rosa was assisted by Benguet Governor Cresencio Pacalso in wearing the G-string, representing the native attire of the male Cordilleran. He was also made to wear a head gear, worn by warrior Cordillerans, while his wife Nancy wore a native handwoven "tapis".

Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan, also the RDC chairman, rendered an "Uggayam", a native prayer delivered through singing, asking protection for Dela Rosa in the performance of his duties.

A ritual called "Owik" was performed at the grounds of Camp Dangwa, where the "Mambunong" (native priest) offered meat of a black pig to the gods asking for guidance, not just for the PNP chief but to the country and the people in the region.

A "tayao" Benguet dance was performed by Dela Rosa and his spouse, together with Pacalso, to celebrate of the adoption of "Mulingan" a Kankanaey (South-Central Cordilleran language) word meaning "big hard rock" in the list of Cordillerans who are worthy of emulation. (PNA)



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BACOLOD CITY -- The Police Regional Office (PRO-18) has been officially deactivated Friday following the abolition of the Negros Island Region (NIR), the former Region 18.

Chief Superintendent Edmund Gonzales, director of PRO-18, led the turn-over of personnel, equipment and documents to both the PRO-6 in Western Visayas and PRO-7 in Central Visayas in rites held at the Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in this city.

The ceremony was witnessed by Director Camilo Cascolan, head of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Directorate for Operations.

The deactivation included the lowering and encasing of the flag of the PRO-18.

Gonzales, who will return to the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame while waiting for his next assignment, said that PRO-18 had performed well, based on its accomplishments in decreasing crime volume and in the campaign against illegal drugs.

The displaced 11 senior superintendents have applied for vacancies in other regions, he said.

The PRO-18, formed in November 2015, turned over 5,387 policemen and staff to the two regional offices.

These included 3,495 personnel in Negros Occidental transferred to PRO-6, comprising 1,944 from Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office; 743 from Bacolod City Police Office; 274 from Regional Public Safety Battalion; 315 from Class Sinag-Lahi; and Class Masiklab, 219.

The total number is comprised of 158 police commissioned officers; 3,121 police non-commissioned officers; and 216 non-uniformed personnel.

The remaining 1,892 personnel were endorsed to the PRO-7.

A week earlier, the Bureau of Fire Protection-18 also shut down its operations after its personnel held their last day of office on September 29.

Senior Superintendent Fred Trajeras Jr., acting director of BFP-18, said they had cleared their office at the second floor of Gaisano Grand mall in this city.

The BFP-18 turned over 650 personnel to the regional offices in Western Visayas and Central Visayas, including 411 personnel for Region 6, and 239 for Region 7.

All the regional offices under the NIR are scheduled to shut down operations by October 9, or 60 days after President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order 38 abolishing the region. (PNA)



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CEBU CITY -- Senior Superintendent Edgar Alan Okubo officially took over command of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) on Friday after a simple turnover ceremony at the headquarters in Lahug, this city.

A member of the Philippine National Police Academy Class of 1992, Okubo is the erstwhile chief of the Regional Public Safety Battalion and former director of the Pangasinan Provincial Police Office in Region 1.

He replaced fellow Sr. Supt. Eric Noble, now the new police attaché of the Philippines in the United States.

Okubo said he will continue the fight against hard drugs with more intensity as he aims not just to keep up but to exceed the outstanding performance of Noble as CPPO chief.

The new chief also vowed to give more focus on internal cleansing and totally rid the CPPO of scalawags following the report that 36 of the 58 erring cops identified by the Police Regional Office (PRO-7) were CPPO officers.

PRO-7 Director Chief Supt. Jose Mario Espino, who witnessed the turnover, said Okubo needs to display the stuff he's made of, knowing he has bigger shoes to fill.

According to Espino, the good leadership and performance of Noble is more than impressive and commendable, adding "Mahirap pakawalan if we have that kind of officer, but it's also hard (for Noble) to refuse that kind of position."

Espino said he gave Okubo the authority to cleanse his ranks of rogue officers and ordered him to continue the anti-illegal drugs campaign in the province, underscoring the PRO-7's best performance rating in drug-demand reduction in the barangays.

"One of my directives to Sr. Supt. Okubo is to continue our relentless campaign against drugs, at the same time continue the project of Police Sr. Supt. Noble because this is where I've seen how active our campaign is in demand reduction," Espino said.

"We tapped the NGOs to help us in the drug abuse education and rehabilitation programs," he said.

"Second, (I ordered him) to continue to have more policeman on the streets. Particularly, this is now the 'ber' months. We are preparing our security forces pagdating ng December," Espino added. (LBG/Michelle Bugtai/PNA)



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SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique -- The chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries of the SangguniangPanlalawigan (SP) on Friday said the new PHP40 million fish port here will not only boost the capital's economy but also provide jobs to residents.

SP Board Member Fernando Corvera said the new fish port, which was turned over by the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) to the local government of San Jose de Buenavista on Wednesday, will attract new investments particularly on the fishery sector.

"I even have a friend who has now expressed interest of putting up a private cold storage at the fish port (sic)," the board member said.

Corvera said the new fish port will also generate employment for the families of fisherfolks and the nearby community. "They can assist the fisher folks unload their catch or the traders in buying the commodity and be able to earn some money," he said.

He recalled that before the construction of the new fish port, the fisher folks had difficulty in landing and anchoring their boats due to the dilapidated port.

Maneuvering the boats to the shore was also challenging due to shallow waters. The PFDA constructed the new port away from the shorelines where there is a deeper seawater.

Meanwhile, Custodio Balawin, officer-in-charge of the Iloilo Fish Port Complex, said the fish port is part of the post-harvest facilities to enhance the livelihood of the fisher folks and fishing industry in the capital town of the province.

 He added that the new fish port will ease business not only for fisher folks of San Jose de Buenavista but even those from as far as Cuyo, Palawan who come to trade in Antique.

He said hopefully within this year another fish port in Patnongon will be constructed. (PNA)



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BACOLOD CITY -- The Negros Occidental Tourism Division urged tourism establishments in the province to be vigilant in terms of security to counter possible adverse effects of rebel atrocities to the industry.

Cristine Mansinares, provincial supervising tourism operations officer, said Friday the latest clash between government forces and suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Cauayan town will "influence" the tourism flow in the area.

Cauayan, along with other localities in southern Negros Occidental, especially Sipalay City, host the province's major tourist destinations with its beaches and diving spots.

The resorts offer various nature and sports tourism activities like diving, island hopping, and snorkeling, among others, mostly for foreign tourists.

Mansinares said insurgency concerns, if not addressed, may discourage visitors to come to these areas.

"Aside from continuing vigilance, local tourism establishments are also urged to closely coordinate with the barangays and local government units," Mansinares said.

On Tuesday afternoon, at least 30 members of the rebel group ambushed personnel of Cauayan Municipal Police Station on board a patrol vehicle.

Three civilians were injured after being caught in the crossfire on the road in Barangay Caliling.

The civilian-victims included two tourists, Swedish Karl Christer Arvidson and Brazilian Juliana Palmero, and Filipino driver Jason Tumayao, who were traveling to the neighboring Sipalay City.

Mansinares said security is everybody's concern.

"Apart from our police force, the community, including tourism establishments must be engaged to help in the prevention and detection of further threats that could really impact negatively the industry," she added.

Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson earlier said with the recent clash, the province needed a lot of public relations work to show to the world that Negros Occidental is still a place worth visiting especially for foreigners.

It is very evident and clear that tourism is an avenue that can further contribute to the economy especially amid the pressing challenges hounding the sugar industry, he added. (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has started the implementation of its PhP50 million livelihood assistance program to assist small traders displaced by the Marawi City crisis.

DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez on Friday said the initial funds is to provide assistance to regain the lost businesses brought about by the armed conflict.

Lopez said that part of the funds is being used to buy sewing machines, and other tools to shore up businesses of the internally displaced persons (IDPs).

"Part of the funds will include product development and access to market," Lopez said. "The grant is around PhP5,000 per trader," he added.

He said the DTI had already provided 10 sewing machines to the IDPs for their "Malong business."

"We will distribute 100 more sewing machines," he added.
Lopez said they are helping the IDPs sell their products under the Bangon Marawi Products Store.

At present, the products are displayed at the Ground Floor of the DTI Building on Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati City.

The objective is to introduce the Maranao products to the public as well as provide livelihood assistance to IDPs from Marawi City.

This follows Administrative Order No. 03 of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, mandating the creation of an inter-agency task force that would implement the recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of Marawi City and other affected localities.

"Critical here is to give them space to sell their products. We are talking to some malls in Iligan City to accommodate their products. Also public markets in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro to carry their products," Lopez said.

Some of the products of the IDPs will also be showcased in DTI's "Go Local" stores.

Assemblyman Zia Alonto-Adiong, Lanao del Sur crisis management committee spokesperson, has earlier urged the national government for the possibility to establish zero-interest and long-term loan for local traders in Marawi City.

Adiong said the financial package will be a big help to the people of Marawi City as part of the rehabilitation process. Adiong said the Maranaos are traditionally known as traders.

"They have mastered the art of trading. Being resilient and resourceful are the traits of Maranao," he said.

Adiong said the economy of Marawi City has suffered major losses after the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-inspired laid siege right at the center of the business district of the city.

Lopez said the financial funds will be accessed through their Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.) and other partner micro-finance institutions (MFIs).

He said they will integrate the concept of Islamic banking to provide zero interest for the IDPs.

Lopez arrived in this city on Friday as the keynote speaker of the annual trade exhibit dubbed as the Zamboanga Peninsula Exposition (ZAMPEX). (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has started the implementation of its PhP50 million livelihood assistance program to assist small traders displaced by the Marawi City crisis.

DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez on Friday said the initial funds is to provide assistance to regain the lost businesses brought about by the armed conflict.

Lopez said that part of the funds is being used to buy sewing machines, and other tools to shore up businesses of the internally displaced persons (IDPs).

"Part of the funds will include product development and access to market," Lopez said. "The grant is around PhP5,000 per trader," he added.

He said the DTI had already provided 10 sewing machines to the IDPs for their "Malong business."

"We will distribute 100 more sewing machines," he added.
Lopez said they are helping the IDPs sell their products under the Bangon Marawi Products Store.

At present, the products are displayed at the Ground Floor of the DTI Building on Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati City.

The objective is to introduce the Maranao products to the public as well as provide livelihood assistance to IDPs from Marawi City.

This follows Administrative Order No. 03 of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, mandating the creation of an inter-agency task force that would implement the recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of Marawi City and other affected localities.

"Critical here is to give them space to sell their products. We are talking to some malls in Iligan City to accommodate their products. Also public markets in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro to carry their products," Lopez said.

Some of the products of the IDPs will also be showcased in DTI's "Go Local" stores.

Assemblyman Zia Alonto-Adiong, Lanao del Sur crisis management committee spokesperson, has earlier urged the national government for the possibility to establish zero-interest and long-term loan for local traders in Marawi City.

Adiong said the financial package will be a big help to the people of Marawi City as part of the rehabilitation process. Adiong said the Maranaos are traditionally known as traders.

"They have mastered the art of trading. Being resilient and resourceful are the traits of Maranao," he said.

Adiong said the economy of Marawi City has suffered major losses after the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-inspired laid siege right at the center of the business district of the city.

Lopez said the financial funds will be accessed through their Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.) and other partner micro-finance institutions (MFIs).

He said they will integrate the concept of Islamic banking to provide zero interest for the IDPs.

Lopez arrived in this city on Friday as the keynote speaker of the annual trade exhibit dubbed as the Zamboanga Peninsula Exposition (ZAMPEX). (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The City Peace and Oder Council (CPOC) has requested President Rodrigo Duterte, through a resolution, to appoint five new prosecutors for this city.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, CPOC chair, on Friday said the resolution was approved after City Prosecutor Ricardo Cabaron explained the need for additional prosecutors.

Salazar said Cabaron complained about "his office having problems with the disposition of the cases in courts due to inadequate number of prosecutors, thus contributing to the overcrowding of inmates in the city jail."

She said Cabaron informed the CPOC in a meeting on Tuesday that the applications of five new prosecutors for Zamboanga City had already been submitted to Malacañang since April, but until now the President had not acted on them.

She said the CPOC also approved another resolution, requesting Justice Sec. Vitaliano Aguirre to create the positions for eight additional senior prosecutors for the four newly-created and operationalized regional trial courts. (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) is conducting a thorough investigation to identify the riding-in-tandem gunmen behind the killing of a policeman assigned with the anti-drug unit.

Chief Insp. Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer, identified the slain policeman as SPO3 Ronie Adanza, 43, of the Police Station 2's Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET).

Galvez said the incident happened at around 9:53 p.m. Thursday at Cariño Compound in Barangay Camino Nuevo, this city.

Galvez said Adanza, who was on his way home aboard a motorcycle, stopped to have a conversation with a group of people upon reaching the inner portion of Cariño compound.

She said two men riding in tandem on another motorcycle arrived and shot dead Adanza without any provocation and sped off.

She said Adanza was rushed but failed to reach the hospital alive. Three empty shells of caliber .45 pistol were recovered at the crime scene.

Galvez said prior to the incident, the victim, together with members of the Zamboanga City Police Office and Police Station 2, arrested a suspected pusher in an anti-drug operation at around 9:45 p.m.
Thursday along Agan Avenue in Barangay Camino Nuevo.

Local police authorities believe the motive of the incident is work-related. (PNA)



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DAVAO CITY -- A homegrown real property builder on Friday launched P1 billion hotel and condomimium project on the busy strip of J.P Laurel Avenue here.

The development project is set for completion in 2020.

Santos Land Development Corp. president Antonio S. Domingo said the project -- the Obsidian Suites Hotel and the Ivory Residences Condominium, is its first after 46 years of developing low-cost subdivisions in Davao City.

Domingo said this marks a significant diversification into new business venture of the company on tourism, business and recreational facilities.

Santos Land took the next step in its growth and expansion driven by the increasing demand of the market in the city.

"A homegrown player like us saw this huge opportunity he said just like other players of Metro Manila and from other areas as they look at the growth potential of Davao", he added.

The Ivory Residences is an 18-storey tower with 330 units of various sizes with about 120 parking units spread out in three floors. The other amenities include a swimming pool, a two-storey clubhouse and an outdoor park connecting the 3rd floor of the hotel, and a garden on the tower roof deck.

The building is compliant with the Green Building Code under the National Building Act and features the latest info tech services for the residents.The condominium will be served by three elevators.

The Obsidian Suites Hotel is a 10-storey business hotel with a roof deck with approximately 90 rooms ranging from superior, deluxe, junior and executive suites, and themed-suites.

Domingo said the hotel will have meeting rooms and two 50-seater function rooms convertible to a mid-size ballroom. It will have two restaurant outlets on the ground floor while the other is at the roof deck.

Confident of undertaking this project, Domingo said the company will continue to be the "Community Builder" in Davao under its core values of Commitment, Customer Focus, Excellence, Expertise, Integrity, Leadership, Quality and Teamwork in the execution and realization of this mega project.

He said his company's aggressiveness of embarking in project expansion is due to the government financial institutions to support their internally driven capital investments.

He said this twin projects will have a positive impactvon Davao City's economy particularly in the labor sector as this development is entirely Davao designed, locally managed, and uses local constructions, talent and suppliers. (Digna D. Banzon/PNA)



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DUMAGUETE CITY -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Office of the Legal Attaché of the United States Embassy in Manila will hold a one-day Seminar on International Terrorism and Crisis Management on Thursday in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

The provincial government of Negros Oriental, headed by Governor Roel Degamo, is spearheading the seminar to respond to the needs for a pro-active stance in the face of a real terror threat, said Joint Task Force Leon Kilat Executive Director Bimbo Miraflor.

 Miraflor on Wednesday said the resource speakers are Legal Attaché Lamont Siller and Steven Miller from the FBI, an agency under the Office of the Legal Attaché. 

This is the first-ever seminar of its kind in Negros Oriental, and similar to the one held previously in Boracay, he said.

 The US Embassy in Manila communicated with the provincial government offering to train the Task Force Leon Kilat and other attached agencies on crisis management and anti-terrorism, said Miraflor. 

 Law enforcement agencies like the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Coast Guard, the National Bureau of Investigation and similarly-natured units are attending the seminar.

 Other participants include government agencies such as the Land Transportation Office, the Philippine Ports Authority and the Bureau of Customs, who play a vital role in security and safety, and civilian authorities, such as the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) president, the Councilors' League president, and the League of Mayors of the Philippines-Negros Oriental chapter president.

 Because of limited slots, only the heads of these civilian organizations are invited to the seminar but they are hopefully expected to echo the seminar down to the lower levels, Miraflor said.

 The whole morning of the seminar will be dedicated to lectures and theory while the afternoon will be spent for tabletop exercises, he added. (PNA)



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LEGAZPI CITY -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) regional office for Bicol has reminded barangay chiefs to conduct an assembly on October 8 or face sanctions.

DILG Regional Director Eloisa Pastor, in a phone interview on Wednesday,  said the reminder is for the barangay chairmen to conduct the assembly and to make sure that all will comply.

Pastor said barangay assembly is one way of giving the people the right to be informed of what is happening in their respective villages. Ongoing development, projects and other concerns can be discussed during the dialogue between the residents and the village officials to share their ideas, sentiments, issues, recommendations and other barangay-related concerns.


Under Section 397 of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, barangay assembly is mandated to be done at least twice a year, Pastor said.

 "Barangay officials who fail to conduct a barangay assembly may face corresponding administrative complaints which can be filed by any resident of the barangay, concerned citizen, governmental or non-governmental entity before the Sangguniang Panlungsod or Sangguniang Bayan concerned,"  said Pastor.

Village officials who will fail to hold an assembly will be requested to explain, she said. 

The Barangay Assembly Day is anchored on the theme: "Sulong Barangay Kontra Droga, Krimen at Katiwalian: Makialam! Makilahok! Makiisa!" (PNA)



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BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar -- At least 141 villages in this province have been declared drug-free by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

The number represents 24 percent of the 597 villages in the province.

The municipalities of Maslog and Gen. MacArthur were recently declared drug-free towns in Eastern Samar, said PDEA assistant provincial officer Josefat Macawile on Wednesday.

"But this doesn't necessarily mean that these areas are completely free from illegal drugs. There is still risk that illegal drugs trade and use will recur in these drug-cleared villages," Macawile said.

"It is now the job of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) to monitor these communities," she said.

BADAC is headed by the village chief with some council members, watchmen, school officials, youth group, non-government organization representatives, and religious leaders as members.

Their mandate includes formulation, implementation and evaluation of programs and projects on drug abuse prevention, gather and update data on all drug related incidents and its effects to the peace and order situation and submits the monthly report of the city or municipal anti-drug abuse council and referring suspected drug users for corresponding counseling and rehabilitation.

Since the government launched a crackdown against illegal drugs, thousands have already surrendered to authorities. They have been assisted by local governments through community-based rehabilitation program and livelihood skills training.

A PHP5-million drug rehabilitation center will rise in Borongan City next year. (PNA)



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CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan -- First District Congressman Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado on Thursday said he would file a bill pushing to make the province of Bulacan the country's "Cooperative Capital".

Sy-Alvarado made the announcement during the celebration of "Buwan ng Kooperatiba at Pangangalakal 2017" at the Capitol gymnasium here Thursday morning.

"The successful cooperative movement started in our great province, thus it is only fitting that Bulacan should be known as the coop capital of the Philippines," Sy-Alvarado told cooperative members here.

Earlier, Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado said a number of cooperatives in Bulacan continues to grow big and strong and has been a vital part in boosting the national economy.

The governor said cooperatives help small medium scale enterprises grow and 97 percent of SMEs are from Bulacan.

"There are now at least 395 active cooperatives in Bulacan and they are helping big in uplifting the lives of many Bulakenyos. Therefore, it is about time that the province of Bulacan should appropriately be descri

bed as the coop capital of the country" the governor said, noting that cooperatives are the backbone of growth and development in the countryside.

Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will support Sy-Alvarado's move by passing a provincial resolution to make Bulacan the "coop capital" of the country.

"It cannot be denied that cooperatives came from Bulacan and it has become the engines of growth in the different villages in the province's 21 towns and 3 cities, especially in rural communities," Fernando said.

Senator Cynthia Villar, the event's guest of honor and speaker, sent her message through her chief of staff lawyer Regie Tabana.

Tabana said Villar is very supportive of the cooperative movement especially in the agricultural sector, being the chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Foods.

Tabana said Senator Villar is focusing on boosting the growth and development of the agri-sector because it will create livelihoods and jobs and eradicate poverty. She said that Villar is a staunch advocate of eradicating poverty by empowering SMEs.

She added that 99 percent of businesses in the country are composed of SMEs and most of them are in the agriculture and food business that create jobs and livelihood opportunities for people in the rural areas.(PNA)



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MASLOG, Eastern Samar -- The local government here confirmed efforts of some Muslims to convince locals in this town to join the Islamic faith, prompting them to be cautious of possible entry of radical movements.

Mayor Heraclio Santiago was, however, quick to say that they respect people's decision to change religion as part of the so-called "Balik Islam" campaign.

"Balik Islam" is a worldwide phenomenon implying that those who embrace Islam are actually just returning to their previous faith.

Santiago said "Balik Islam" was introduced in their remote town in 2015 by converts from Nueva Ecija, Cavite, Tacloban City and from the nearby Dolores town, where there is a big community of Muslims.

More than a hundred residents of Maslog have been converted to Islam, according to Santiago.

Validated information from village officials revealed that preachers offered livelihood assistance, housing aid, and political influence in their communities.

Santiago added that although some of residents were convinced to change religion, most of them are not really that devoted to Islamic faith.

"Most of them are on 'wait and see' attitude if the promises given to them would really happen," he added.

Latest verification by the Maslog Municipal Police Station shows more than 100 converts, about 66 of them decided to return to Roman Catholic faith.

"Maybe they got tired of waiting for the fulfillment of the promises, that's why they decided to return to their former religion," said town police chief, Insp. Michael Oraller.

Oraller stressed that even if they respect others people right to promote religion, they are also cautious on the entry of new faces in their town to ensure that no one propagates radical movement.

Maslog is a fifth class town in Eastern Samar, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 5,407 people. It can be reached from the national road in Dolores town through a three-hour boat ride. Dolores is 184 kilometers northeast of Tacloban. (PNA)



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TACLOBAN CITY -- The implementation of the PHP304-million Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) infrastructure projects has been moving slowly in Eastern Samar, an official admitted Thursday.

Politics and the absence of a technical working group have been tagged as major setbacks in ensuring the timely completion of projects.

"The technical working group in Eastern Samar is not functional. This is the mechanism of PAMANA in fast-tracking the process of doing projects," said PAMANA-Samar area manager Imelda Bonifacio.

The group is composed of officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), local government officials, and PAMANA staff.

PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn or PAMANA is the national government's convergence program that extends development interventions to isolated, hard-to-reach and conflict-affected communities, ensuring that they are not left behind.

Among the major ongoing projects in Eastern Samar are the Jipapad-Arteche Road and the Can-avid-Maslog road.

Another concern is the so-called tug-of-war between local government officials in the projects' areas, Bonifacio said.

In the case of Maslog, Mayor Heraclio Santiago said in an interview Thursday that he opposed the plan to start the project in Dolores or Can-avid because they are not the target areas of the project.

"This makes Can-avid and Dolores look like they are PAMANA communities. We have to agree that while they are doing the road in Can-avid and Dolores, work should also start in our town," Santiago explained.

The PHP234-million road project leading to the remote town of Maslog began in 2012 and is still ongoing. According to reports sent by the DPWH to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, most of the road sections have already been completed.

The Jipapad-Arteche Road is already complete but is not yet fully passable since the construction of a PHP70-million bridge in Jipapad has yet to start.

To fast-track PAMANA projects, Bonifacio suggested the creation of a joint-monitoring team, just like what the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) did in carrying out their PAMANA projects. (PNA)



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TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite – Nutrition and food security were highlighted in Cavite's Agri-Trade Fair organized by the provincial government this week to sustain self-reliant communities with farm harvests that are affordable and nutritious.

In a report on Thursday, the Provincial Information and Community Affairs Department (PICAD) said the two-day event at the provincial gymnasium here showcased various agricultural products of Cavite farmers and fishermen.

The trade fair on Oct. 2 and 3 adopted the theme, "Produktong Pang-agrikultura Mura't Masustansya para sa Malusog na Masa," to address nutrition and food security concerns.  

Diwa party-list Representative Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, who represented Senator Cynthia Villar, chair of the Senate agriculture and food committee, encouraged farmers and fishermen to engage in sustainable agri-enterprise projects.

She also assured the locals of their continuing support to the agriculture sector for farmers to improve their lives through livelihood training.

Governor Jesus Crispin Remulla also expressed the provincial government's appreciation to the Department of Agriculture (DA) through Secretary Emmanuel Piñol for the development programs and commitment in funding priorities for the province's agricultural sector.

Piñol had earlier pledged 500 bancas for Cavite fisherfolk and package of farm implement for the farmers during the opening rites on Oct. 2.

The DA, through its regional offices, has also guaranteed assistance to farmers and fishermen who aired their needs during the event.

DA IVA (Calabarzon) Regional Executive Director Arnel De Mesa and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director Lilian Garcia-Cese also assured the farmers and fisherfolk here on DA's assistance and livelihood support programs.

Garcia-Cese also relayed the DA'S commitment for the PHP5 million worth of agricultural projects for the fishing sector like motorized bancas and patrol boats while De  Mesa assured farmers of agricultural tools and equipment.

These farm machineries include harvester and thresher, multiplier farms, greenhouse and solar panels to advance the growth of local farmers.

Remulla, assisted by De Mesa, also awarded the Caviteño Gawad SAKA winners in the provincial and regional search.

Roberto Arahan is the regional recipient of the award and as national nominee for the Outstanding Farm Family Category in the ‎2016-2017 Gawad SAKA Search.  Fabian Maximillan Fabrega is the Outstanding Small Animal Raiser in the provincial level category.

Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla and Sangguniang Panlalawigan members also graced the agri-trade fair and pledged to further support plans and programs that would strengthen agriculture in the province. (PNA)



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DAVAO CITY – A car motor company is rallying behind the government's program on safe and responsible driving, bringing to Davao its test drive roadshow on globally recognized safe driving programs.

Starting its four-day roadshow and advocacy on Wednesday, Ford Philippines reinforces its commitment to safety through the Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) program to Dabawenyos.

Ford Philippines assistant vice president for Communications Edward Joseph Francisco said the program is in support to the government's campaign on road safety and responsible driving.

He said the DSFL program is already on its 10th year and the Davao roadshow this week was their first in Mindanao.

For this year, he said the company wants to tap 1,500 drivers to participate in the DSFL training sessions if only to update them on the latest techniques as well as enhance their skills on safe driving.

"This will also serve as a review for those already on-the-know of driving vehicles," he said. Francisco said the DSFL is a United Nations-recognized training initiatives that educate drivers about smart and safe driving skills to help minimize road accidents and promote fuel-efficient driving.

The focus this year, he said will be the inclusion of public utility vehicle drivers such as bus, jeepney, school bus, and taxi drivers.

The topics also included Distracted Driving in order for drivers to be more acquainted and be aware of the Distracted Driving Law in the country.

Ford launched DSFL in 2008 and to date more than 20,000 Filipinos have participated in the sessions.

This has been customized in the Philippines to reflect the local driving environment and road conditions.

"We will continue to help raise awareness about driver and road safety as well as the dangers of distracted driving," Francisco said.

Meanwhile, Rodel Gallega, vice president for marketing and sales, said the Ford Island Conquest which runs from October 6 to 8 at SM Lanang Premier Parking Lot, is Ford Philippines' ultimate test drive experience that allows customers to test drive the Everest mid-size SUV, EcoSport compact SUV, and the segment-defining Ranger pickup.

Car enthusiasts can enjoy the test drive arena that features an outdoor course with a water-wading drive-thru to highlight key features and capabilities of the Everest and Ranger.

"Davao is a strong market for Ford and we are excited to bring the Ford Island Conquest here after a series of successful rollout in Metro Manila, Luzon and Visayas," he said. (Digna D. Banzon/PNA)



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DAVAO CITY – The Police Regional Office (PRO) will embark on an all-new and life-changing program known by its acronym DDS.

It's not the infamous Davao Death Squad but it's a green or food revolution campaign wherein police officers become dirt little diggers at Camp Quintin Merecido in Panacan, Davao City.

Dubbed Davao Dirt Squad (DDS), Police Regional Office (PRO) XI spokesperson Chief Inspector Andrea dela Cerna said the campaign would aid police accomplished their Mission: Slim Possible, a weight loss program for the police in Davao Region.

"It's Dirt to represent earth," Dela Cerna said.

She said the campaign is also about life because they would grow plants and most of all it should also correct the impression that the police kill people.

Dela Cerna said the campaign would be officially launched next week after the police undergo a two-hour urban container gardening training which starts Thursday.

This is in partnership with the Rotary Club of Downtown Davao.

Dela Cerna said PRO XI is also seeking support from the Department of Agriculture (DA) XI for the provision of vegetable seedlings.

The objective of the campaign is to practice healthy lifestyle and loose extra pounds with a combination of 20 percent exercise and 80 percent food and proper nutrition.

Urban gardening is also being promoted by the city government as a scheme to guarantee food and environmental safety as well as reduce expenses through application of organic fertilizers.

The city government wanted to teach people to plant even without backyards so that there is food on hand which would mean savings to grocery budget.

Dela Cerna said proper diet and nutrition would help the police personnel lose weight but maintaining good health not only through exercise.

"We plan to cascade this project to our families...to the city, provincial level," she said. This will also be offered to the drug reformists.

Mission: Slim Possible is also in line with the "FitFil 1 Million Lbs National Weight Loss Challenge".

The PNP with its 170,000 personnel is committed to lose 500,000 pounds collectively for six months.

PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa earlier said the change of lifestyle towards better physical and mental health not only at how the police work and accomplish goals.

Dela Rosa underscored the importance of being fit and healthy to the PNP's productivity and successful police force. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)



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CEBU CITY -- A family of three were killed early Thursday as fire razed a bunkhouse of a lumber company in Barangay Tipolo, Mandaue City.

Antonio Paz, 34, his wife Marcela, 33, and 10-year-old son Ancel Jay were reportedly trapped inside the bunkhouse and died of suffocation before their bodies were burned.

Their charred bodies were found on the ground floor of the two-storey bunkhouse located inside the company compound.

Senior Fire Officer 1 John Herediano of the Mandaue City Fire Department said the fire could have started at the ground floor, making escape impossible.

The victims failed to get out due to the blaze and thick smoke, Herediano said.

Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire. (USJR intern Levirose Caballero/PNA)



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CEBU CITY-- Cebu City Councilor James Anthony Cuenco on Thursday filed a petition for review on certiorari with a prayer for an issuance of a temporary restraining order before the Court of Appeals here.

The Office of the Ombudsman dismissed Cuenco from government service for serious dishonesty and grave misconduct.

The city councilor's dismissal stemmed from his alleged involvement in the anomalous PHP3.34 million program funded by his father, former Congressman Antonio Cuenco's Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) over a decade ago.

Department of Interior and Local Government in Cebu City Director Joy Calvo said they served the dismissal order to the councilor's office at City Hall on Tuesday.

Also found guilty was Manuel Tipgos, named together with the younger Cuenco as among those who made questionable transactions in the implementation of the Tony N' Tommy (TNT) Health Program, then ran by the dismissed councilor.

Aside from the dismissal, the Ombudsman also ordered the cancellation of Cuenco's eligibility, forfeiture of his retirement benefits, and his perpetual disqualification from government service.

Cuenco questioned the motive and the timing of the decision by the anti-graft office.

"I have a sneaking suspicion that politics is behind this, but we will fight until the end. My conscience is clear. We will exhaust all legal remedies," Cuenco said in a press conference on Thursday.

Cuenco said the alleged irregularities happened in 2004 and that the case filed against him had been dismissed.

In 2013, a complaint was filed before the Ombudsman against the councilor and Tipgos after the Commission on Audit (COA) found that beneficiaries of TNT Health Program were non-existent.

Louis James Yrastorza, one of TNT's staff, attested in an affidavit that in August 2003 "the names of the supposed beneficiaries were fabricated and that it was respondent Cuenco who signs the fake referrals."

Based on the COA's findings and testimonies of some people, the Ombudsman has concluded that Cuenco and Tipgos, now a Bureau of Internal Revenue officer, have committed "serious acts of dishonesty in implementing the TNT Program." (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The police have arrested three people, including a barangay official, in an anti-illegal drug operation in this city, a police official said Thursday.

Supt. Nonito Asdai, Police Station 6 chief, identified those arrested as Barangay Councilor Pilar Dagalea, 64, of Mampang; Dexter Dagalea, 36; and, Joebert Eijansantos, 31.

Asdai said they were arrested in a buy-bust operation at around 9 p.m. Wednesday at Purok 4, Barangay Mampang, this city.

Recovered from the suspects were: PhP200 marked money consisting of two PhP100 bills; nine small packs of suspected shabu with an estimated PhP2,250 street value; and, other illegal drug paraphernalia.

Asdai said the buy-busy operation was launched following days of surveillance in the illegal drug trade of the suspects.

He said they were detained pending the filing of appropriate charges against them (PNA)



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SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna – Barangay assemblies that are slated here on Sunday (Oct. may tackle relevant concerns such as disaster preparedness and waste management aside from the accomplishment reports and financial status of each villages.

City Mayor Loreto S. Amante on Thursday ordered all of the 80 Sangguniang Barangays (village legislative councils) in the city to hold their assemblies this Sunday in compliance with Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. ‎2017-123.

The DILG memorandum calls for barangay assemblies to adopt the theme "Nagkakaisang Barangay: Lakas ng Kampanya Kontra sa Ilegal na Droga, Krimen at Katiwalian, Makiisa, Makilahok at Makialam," or the active participation and support of villages in the campaign against hard drugs, criminality and corruption.

Under the Local Government Code of 1991, or Republic Act 7160, barangay assemblies should be conducted twice a year when semestral reports on plans, programs and accomplishment for the period under review are presented by the village councils to their constituents.

The village leaders are also directed to present during the assembly the budget performance and financial statements, including plans and programs for the ensuing year.

Village assemblies may also discuss disaster preparedness; proper waste management, collection and disposal; peace and order and other relevant issues and concerns that need to be addressed by local leaders in their dialogue with constituents.

DILG City Local Government Operations Officer Maria Lorilyn Manrique urged barangay councils to coordinate with their office so that a DILG representative could attend the gathering.

This is in compliance with the Local Government Code which also requires the local government units (LGUs) to furnish copy of the reports including photos and documentation of the gathering five days after the assembly.

October is declared "Local Government Month" by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 63 series of 1992 which also sets Oct. 10 as "Local Government Day" in observance of the 26th year when the Local Government Code, or Republic Act No. 7160, was signed into law on Oct. 10, 1991.

The Proclamation provides that "the State recognizes the local government units as partners of the national government in the attainment of national goals." (Ruben E. Taningco/PNA)



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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- With the implementation of fare increase for taxicabs, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-10 (LTFRB-10) has urged the riding public to be vigilant against uncalibrated taxi meters.

This after the LTFRB central office recently approved the petition of taxi operators nationwide to add several pesos to the prevailing fare.

LTFRB-10 Director Aminoden Guro said taxi operators, who have not calibrated their taxi meters, cannot charge passengers with the new fare. He advised the riding public to check the meters of the taxi before paying the additional charge.
In the new LTFRB order, the flag-down rate for taxicabs remains at P40, but passengers will now pay P13.50 for every kilometer, instead of P3.50 per 300 meters. Drivers can now also charge P2 per minute for the waiting time.

To ensure that taxi drivers and operators comply with the order, Guro said taxi meters must be calibrated by private companies, and the units must be checked by LTFRB first before they are allowed to operate.

The LTFRB has decided to implement the increase based on the petition of the drivers and operators who are complaining of higher fuel prices, the traffic congestion in Manila, and the revival of operation of the ride-hailing services, such as Grab and Uber, especially in the National Capital Region.

According to the Philippine National Taxi Operators Association, the fare hike for taxis is long overdue as the last increase was in 2010.

The group said taxi operators are also suffering from financial hardship due to "record-low levels of dispatch and increases in spare parts prices and other expenses."

Ringo Lago, secretary-general of the transport group Solidarity of Transport in Region X-Pagkakaisa ng Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Starex-Piston), described the fare hike as "very laudable".

However, Lago also called on the administration to do something to solve the plight of the public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers. At the root of the transport workers' suffering, he said, is the scrapping of the oil deregulation law.

The enactment of Republic Act 8479, or the Oil Deregulation Law, in 1998, led to the non-interference of the government with the pricing, export and importation of oil products, among other provisions. (PNA/Jigger J. Jerusalem)



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DAVAO CITY – City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is giving P20,000 incentive to the top three local government offices who will reach the target weight loss by December this year. Each office of the city government must reach 100 pounds weight loss.

"Nag endeavor ang City Government of Davao na mo apil sa 1 million pounds weight loss challenge so that, nag-advocate og healthy lifestyle for the city employees (The City Government of Davao wants to endeavor to join the 1 million pounds weight loss challenge for the advocacy of healthy lifestyle for the city employees)," she said.

Duterte-Caprio, who weighed in on Wednesday for the challenge, said the incentive program is part of the FitFil Weight Loss Challenge as the city vowed to contribute 12,010 pound weight loss.

The mayor said she is also inviting all the barangays and other national government offices to join the weight loss challenge.

This campaign encourages the people to make a healthy lifestyle by having the right weight.

"There are deaths that are preventable if the people have a healthy lifestyle and have a right weight also," she said.

Duterte-Carpio said the people can save money from buying maintenance medicines because they do not need that if they are healthy.

She said the city government also spend on the maintenance medicines through the Lingap Para sa Mahirap program which are given to the indigent people.

"Naay ubang tao nga naga-maintenance because of unhealthy lifestyle (There are people who intake maintenance medicine because of their unhealthy lifestyle)," she said.

Duterte-Carpio vowed to lose 10 pounds in addition to the 12,000 committed by the city government to the FitFil challenge.

During the official weigh-in, the mayor showed her weight at 75.5 kilograms and a height of 5'5. She is expected to weigh 10 pounds less or 65.5 kg by December this year.

Duterte-Carpio said the city government joined the weight loss challenge to promote a healthy lifestyle among the city government employees. While she recognizes that it is not easy to lose weight, the mayor siad there should be an effort to burn whatever is taken in by the body.

The FitFil online and on-ground campaign started in June and will end on December 2017. (Armando Fenequito Jr/PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned the public against investing in "double your money scheme" as it may turn out to be an investment scam.

Lawyer Annabelle Corral-Respall, SEC Zamboanga Extension Officer-in-Charge, on Thursday issued the warning after they received report that a corporation based in Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay is soliciting investments.

Respall said they learned that persons or group of persons who belong to the corporation are soliciting from people in this city to invest on a government program.

But Respall did not mention what particular government program that seeks investment.

Respall said reports further disclosed that "an initial investment of PhP15,000 will result in a payout worth PhP150,000 allegedly upon implementation/release of the fund by the Central Bank."

"The public is advised to stop investing in this kind of investment scheme which may turn out to be an investment scam and to take the necessary precautions in dealing with people or groups of persons inviting the public to invest their money in this scheme." she said.

She said "those who invite or recruit people to join or invest" in such venture or offer investment contracts or securities to the public may be held criminally liable.

She advised the public to report to her office if they "have invested or have been approached or invited to invest in this kind of scheme."

She said they may reach her through telephone numbers (062)991-71-63 or (062)993-14-37. (PNA)



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PIGCAWAYAN, North Cotabato – A total of 50 participants from various sectors here are set to graduate Friday from a five-day Explosive Ordnance Reconnaissance Training course initiated by the local government.

Mayor Eliseo Garcesa Jr. said the Oct. 2–6 training aims to keep participants abreast of their respective functions in reporting and securing their community against threats of terror bombings.

The participants include members of the town police force, Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team or BPAT, vendors, drivers, traffic enforcers and private individuals.

Garcesa said the trainees would be issued vests and identification cards for easy recognition in times of emergency situations.

Members of the ordnance reconnaissance group are tasked to keep communication lines open at all times for quick response versus bomb detections.

Garcesa has also rallied town folks to be vigilant at all times in helping report to authorities suspicious-looking persons roaming in their respective villages especially during nighttime. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY -- More than 40 personnel of the First Company of the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) of the Police Regional Office (PRO 6) on Wednesday took over the one-day teaching duties of teachers at Pandan Elementary School in Brgy. Pandan, Lambunao, Iloilo.

Ma. Rocel G. Llona, principal of the elementary school, in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon, said that her management has requested the policemen to handle their classes through their "Pulis Sa Katawhan: Bringing the Philippine National Police Closer to the Community through School Initiatives" in observance of the World Teacher's Day.

"We requested the services of the RPSB 6 to replace us so we can relax the whole day," she said.

She said most of those who handled classes were education graduates so "they know how to deal with pupils."

She added that their topics were very informative and compatible with the grade level they handled.

Llona is a member of the Regional Advisory Council (RAC) of the RPSB.

RPSB first company commander, Senior Inspector Edgar Anonoy, said the elementary school was the first recipient of the PNP's best practices project under the enhanced "Pulis Ko, Titser Ko" program.

They discussed topics on crime prevention, laws governing children, love of country and the Anti-Bullying Act, among others.

The RPSB company is based in Janiuay, Iloilo. (PNA)



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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—The city's publicly-owned water utility needs to overhaul its system to effectively serve the consumers, Mayor Oscar Moreno said Thursday.

The Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) has been flooded with criticisms from its thousands of concessionaires, especially on the western part of the city, due to water shortage since Sept. 26 following two major earthquakes, which its bulk water provider said had affected its pipelines and that repairs had to be done.

COWD is the first water district in the country established in 1973, becoming a government-owned and controlled corporation in March 1992. It now has around 93,000 concessionaires, and about half of which are affected by the water problem.

Joffrey Hapitan, vice president of the Rio Verde Water Consortium Inc. (RVWCI), COWD's contracted bulk provider, has attributed the shortage to the Aug. 5 and Sept. 24 earthquakes, which he said damaged water pipes in the city's river—the main source of water for the city's western area.

In the COWD website, however, the utility said the damage was due to the bad weather.

"[RVWCI], the bulk supplier of COWD, experienced a major damage in their system. A part of their pipeline that crosses the Cagayan de Oro River has been damaged apparently by the debris propelled by strong river currents brought by heavy rains last weekend," a service interruption update on the COWD website said.

Moreno told the COWD management to "shape up" amid the torrent of complaints arising from the lingering water shortage in the city's first district.

"We need to level up especially that Cagayan de Oro is a growing city. You can't support the growth of the city with an anemic water district," he said.

Moreno said the COWD must undergo massive rehabilitation, reorganization and management revamp.

"It (COWD) had been insensitive. It has not fulfilled its obligation, and its continuing default has led to all of this (water crisis)," he said.

From a company that was once admired, Moreno said, the COWD has turned into a laughingstock and a liability.

The mayor has blamed the bulk water supply deal COWD has signed with RVWCI as the main reason behind the water shortage, saying the company has failed to ensure sufficient supply of water for the city's consumers.

He also slammed the RVWCI's reason for the water shortage, calling it a "lame excuse."

"This is not a blame game. All I want to do is for the people to realize where did we commit mistakes so that the [COWD] will never commit those mistakes again," the mayor said.

For the city to elevate its competitiveness and to make it attractive to investors, Moreno said Cagayan de Oro needs a stable, reliable water supply.

"You can never dream of becoming a competitive city if your water supply is inadequate and poor, and worst, inefficient," he added. (PNA/Jigger J. Jerusalem)



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DAGUPAN CITY -- Mayor Belen Fernandez on Thursday lauded three students of the Pangasinan Universal Institute (PUI) here, whose concept of developing a Rescue Optimization Boot-Vest or ROB–Vest for K9, was featured in the Emerging Technologies and Applications book published in Australia .

The three PUI students participated in the 3rd Australian Robotics Challenge and Symposium at the Griffith University in Australia on October 28-30, 2016.

The three are Jilian Kay Madison Sim Fernandez, Mathea Flynne Tan Sim and Beatrice Gail Borja Wong.

The three developed ROB-Vest to augment the search and rescue by canines with robotics technology in the aftermath of a disaster.

Copies of the book were turned over to the Division Office of the Department of Education (DepEd) here on Wednesday to inspire and expose public school students to the concept of developing robots, like what the three students presented in Australia.

The copies were given by Philippine Robotics founder Melvin Matulak and were received both by Mayor Fernandez and Schools Division Superintendent Lorna G. Bugayong along with Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Lourdes Servito, all program supervisors, district supervisors and school principals in the city.

Matulak said this was the first time that a Filipino concept in developing robots was featured in that Australian book.

The ROB-Vest is equipped with different sensors and tools to enhance a dog's tracking capabilities for survivors during search and rescue operations, especially after the occurrence of an earthquake.

"Saving lives is one of the most difficult things to do especially during and after the occurrence of a disaster. This is why we are doing our best to equip our city especially the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and the Public Alert Response Monitoring Center (PARMC) with the latest technology ", Fernandez said.

"I am happy to note that these young minds were able to develop a robot which will help canines search for survivors of an earthquake," Fernandez added. (PNA)



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TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite – Plans are afoot to reschedule the new voter's registration by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Cavite provincial office here following President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's signing into law of Republic Act 10952 postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections to the 2nd Monday of May 2018.

Interviewed by PNA here on Wednesday, Cavite Provincial COMELEC Director, lawyer Sheryl G. Moresca-Rubie, said there are re-scheduling and adjustments to be made following the polls postponement for more than six months from Oct. 23 to May 2018.

Rubie said that they are waiting for new directives from the COMELEC central office as the poll body would meet en banc to discuss the issue within 15 days before a new voters' registration is scheduled.

She said they are awaiting the decision of the COMELEC main office on what to do with the official ballots that have already been printed supposedly for the Oct. 23 polls.

Rubie said she would be meeting with Cavite police officials on the "change of plan" since the police had been deputized by the poll body for the duration of the earlier scheduled election period from Sept. 21 to Oct. 23.

Rubie added she would be meeting with provincial police officials this week once the COMELEC main office issues the order lifting the gun ban and deactivation of the poll-related checkpoints that were already in place since Sept. 23. (Rogelio Limpin/PNA)



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LAOAG CITY -- More gun owners with expired licenses in this province are heading to the nearest police station to deposit their firearms for safekeeping and to avoid being penalized. 

To avoid penalties such as imprisonment of 30 years for illegal possession of firearms under Republic Act 10951 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition, police reported that Bryan Marzan, 35, of Pinili town surrendered one Armscor caliber .45 pistol on Tuesday at the Pinili police station.

On the same day, 50-year-old Eligio Catalon Jr. from Billoca village, Batac City also deposited to the Batac police station one Armcorcal .40 pistol with a license already expired last May 3, 2015.

With the ongoing accounting of more than 6,000 firearms in the entire province with expired licenses, the Philippine National Police (PNP) advised all gun owners to renew their licenses.

Police are still collating the specific number of surrendered guns, Provincial Director Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in interview on Tuesday.

To make it easier for gun owners, personnel from the Civil Security Group's Firearms and Explosives Office (CSG-FEO) in Camp Crame, Quezon City will be in Laoag City on October 12 to 13 to bring the application process closer to gun holders.

Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa "Imee" Marcos has enjoined all gun owners here to take advantage of the opportunity to get their firearm license without having to go to Camp Crame. (PNA)



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DASMARIÑAS CITY, Cavite -- Nominations are now open for the search for exemplary Caviteños, who have served their people and the province but remain unrecognized.

Rosanni Recreo Sarile, Director of De La Salle University in Dasmariñas (DLSU-D) Marketing Communications Office, told PNA that the "Gawad Caviteño: Isang Parangal Para sa Natatanging Caviteño" is a continuation of the legacy of its "Gawad Bayani" search for modern-day heroes that was launched in 1993.
 
She said the "Gawad Caviteño" award aims to recognize Cavite's men and women who have achieved great things in their own field and have shown distinguished courage and noble qualities.
 
The nomination has six categories on Cooperative, Business, Environment, Volunteer Service, Teaching/Education and the Police.
 
Deadline for submission of entries will be on Nov. 29 and a list of qualified candidates for final interview will be posted on Jan. 28, 2018.
 
The formal "Gawad" or awarding rites will be held on March 7, 2018, in time for the university's LasalliansDays Festival 2018.
 
Search guidelines may be obtained from DLSU-D's Marketing office or interested parties may call +632.779.5180, +6346.481.1900 ext 3031 or email mco@dlsud.edu.ph for more details. (PNA)

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ILOILO CITY-- The city government, through its Public Safety and Transportation Management Office, is now starting preparations for the observance of "All Saints' Day" and "All Souls' Day.'
Jeck Conlu, head of the office, said on Wednesday that one of the major preparations is on traffic management.

A system review of the traffic management division is now ongoing. A revamp is expected as the series of examinations for traffic enforcers has already started.

Personnel of the Special Services Unit and the Police Auxiliary Unit will also be deputized so they can apprehend illegally parked vehicles.

Conlu said he will be seeking legal opinion if an ordinance is necessary to deputize personnel or a department order would suffice.

With this move, traffic auxiliaries will just focus on "directing traffic," said Conlu.

Moreover, Conlu has established a quick response team (QRT) and a hotline will be provided so that drivers and commuters can immediately ask for assistance.

Conlu said an examination was given to enforcers last week to enhance their capability. The examination and orientation is proposed to be done quarterly.

Those who failed to pass the examination after three attempts "have no reason to be there," Conlu said. He made it clear, though, that prior to the examinations, a review is also being conducted.

"In order for our traffic auxiliary to be effective, they should be equipped with knowledge with regard our ordinances," he stated.

Iloilo City has more than 200 traffic auxiliaries. (PNA)



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SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique -- The provincial government is asking all Antiquenos to lend pre-war pictures they have been keeping to be included in the Binirayan Festival grand photo exhibit in December.

Provincial Information Officer Eric Otayde, also executive director of the Binirayan Festival 2017, on Wednesday said the provincial government intends to put up a photo exhibit as one of the innovations for the annual festival celebration.

Pictures of people, churches, homes, landscapes and other edifices before World War II are considered treasures which the provincial government would like to help restore and be exhibited to give tourists and Antiquenos alike a glimpse of their glorious past.

"We need those old cherished pictures kept in your treasure chest so that we could appreciate more our past as a province," said Otayde in an interview.

He said there are not many pre-war pictures that have survived and so if Antiquenos who still have these kind of photos can lend it to the provincial government through the PIO then they will be sharing great memories to others who would visit the forthcoming exhibit.

Antique in history is the first Malay settlement in Panay island and that it bore many great men and women who took part in the revolutionary movement.

The province also had several churches built during the Spanish occupation.

Otayde said other activities will also be introduced in the Binirayan Festival this year such as the Antique International Marathon offering big cash prizes of PHP100,000 for first place in the 42 kilometer run, PHP50,000 for second place, and PHP25,000 for third place.

The 18 towns of Antique will also participate in the "Parada Ng Lahi" featuring their respective municipal festivals.

There will also be a grand ballroom of Antiquenos who will be coming home to join the celebration on December 26. Those who will attend the grand ballroom will have to pay a PHP5,000-worth dinner plate as part of the fundraising for the waiting shed with toilets to be put up in front of the eight hospitals in the province.

Otayde said that there are more new activities to be held the whole month of December that will make the Binirayan Festival something to look forward to. (PNA)



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LUBAO, Pampanga --  At least 7,044 indigents here on Wednesday received their Philhealth Medical Data Records (MDRs) for free.

The initiative is part of the convergence efforts of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth), Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through "Alaga Ka" program in coordination with the provincial government of Pampanga.

The beneficiaries were identified through the National House Targeting System (NHTS) conducted by the DSWD to provide help to the poorest of the poor.

After the lecture conducted by the Philhealth personnel, Governor Lilia Pineda led the distribution of MDRs to the beneficiaries , noting that her provincemates can now benefit from Philhealth services that guarantees zero balance billing.

Pineda assured that the indigent beneficiaries can properly avail of the health services in rural health units, district and provincial hospitals as well as accredited government-run infirmaries.

The lady governor also pointed out that non-Philhealth members can avail medical services through the "point of care" (POC) program.

"Those who are non-Philhealth members have nothing to worry about because they could still avail the benefits of Philhealth through the POC. They would be automatically enrolled to Philhealth after the assessment of the social worker," she said. (PNA)



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CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga -- The Environment and Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Wednesday issued a notice of violation to Far East Alcohol Corporation (FEACO) in Apalit town due to accidental disposal of molasses in Pampanga River.

Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources officer (PG-ENRO) Arthur Punsalan said the notice of violation was served following an over-all inspection conducted by the PG-ENRO along with Apalit Mayor Peter Nucum and Rey Cruz of the DENR-EMB.

The inspection was done to determine the compliance of FEACO with the basic requirements needed to mitigate the issues and concerns that caused the fish kill in the areas of Masantol and Macabebe towns.

Punsalan said they also inspected the tunnel where the rain water and other source of water is being run through going to Pampanga River and the tanks carrying thousand capacity liters of molasses that caused the fish kill.

Punsalan said the FEACO is conducting some engineering and environmental interventions as of the moment.

He added that they requested to commission a structural engineer to check and certify the structural integrity of all the tanks so that the accidental disposal of molasses in Pampanga River will not happen again.

Punsalan said that FEACO is requesting for the relief of the suspension.
However, he maintained that the suspension will only be lifted once the mandatory requirements of the EMB-DENR and the local government were complied.

"We are not anti-investors but we are pro-life and pro-environment. We cannot compromise the security of our environment and the security of our people," Punsalan said.

Earlier, the Committee on Environment Protection and Natural Resources of the Provincial Board has called an inquiry to address the disposal of molasses in the Pampanga River that allegedly caused the fish kill.

Punsalan said the DENR conducted water testing in the three different areas - before, after and the area of FEACO - to determine the existence of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and the dissolve oxygen.

The PG-ENRO, EMB-DENR and the local government unit here are set to conduct another inspection after a week to check the development in the said alcohol corporation. (PNA)



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LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- Representatives of the world's second largest cruise ship, the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, will be in Pangasinan October 13-14 to recruit workers.

The two-day recruitment will be undertaken by RCCL Crew Management Inc. at the Provincial Employment Services Office (PESO) located at the Capitol Complex, Lingayen.

PESO Chief Alex F. Ferrer said recruitment of ship crew will be held from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on October 13 and from 9 a.m. to 12 noon the next day.

Executives of RCCL were in Pangasinan two days ago to arrange the recruitment activity with Governor Amado Espino III and PESO.

Ferrer said the company is looking for people for the following positions: Culinary -- baker, butcher, Chef De Partie-Baker, Chef De Partie-Butcher, Chef De Partie-Garde Manger, Chef De Partie-Suchie, Commis 1, Head Baker, Pastry Sous Chef, Sushi Cook, Pantry Chef, Pantry Cook and Pastry Cook.

It also needs a lifeguard and a laundry attendant for housekeeping.

For inventory, the company needs assistant hotel, hotel storekeeper, provision storekeeper and technical storekeeper.

The marine positions include: a 3rd assistant repairman, artistic painter, assistant electrician, assistant refrigerator engineer, filter engine, filter repairman, filter turner, incinerator operator, mechanic, motorman, plumber, repairman, upholster, varnisher and wiper.

Ferrer said applicants without passport may also apply. (PNA)



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BACOLOD CITY -- Villages in Negros Occidental hit by floods in the last week of September reported PHP11.4 million in total crop damage and production losses.

As of Wednesday, a terminal report of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), covering the period September 22 to 30, showed the hardest-hit was the rice sector that posted a damage of PHP11 million, affecting 727 farmers in 47 barangays of six local government units in southern Negros.

In San Enrique town, affected were 278 farmers planting on 369.19 hectares, registering the highest production losses of almost PHP5.1 million.

Neighboring Valladolid reported a damage of PHP1.6 million to crops of 153 farmers with 254.85 hectares of rice farms.

Sipalay City reported a damage of almost PHP1.4 million, covering 78 farmers with 69 hectares of ricefields.

Others were Murcia with PHP1.3 million damage; Bago City, almost PHP1.1 million; and Ilog, PHP648,000.

The OPA report also showed PHP373,650 in losses in the vegetable sector, affecting 36 farmers in a 5.8-hectare plantation in Valladolid town.

Earlier, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) reported PHP196,403 damage to the livestock and poultry sector due to heavy rains in the municipalities of Salvador Benedicto, San Enrique, Binalbagan, and Hinoba-an. (PNA)



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DAVAO CITY-- The Department of Energy is optimistic that the Mindanao Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) will be fully operational by the second quarter of 2018.

"WESM is not put on hold," said DOE Assistant Secretary Redentor Delola during a press conference at the sidelines of the Energy Investment Forum and Stakeholders Conference at Grand Regal Hotel Tuesday.

Delola said there is a high reception from the cooperatives seeing no problem in the implementation of WESM. He added that there are test cases that have to be run yet.

The price determination terminology under WESM, Delola said, has yet to be established and approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). Once approved, WESM will be fully operational by second quarter of 2018.

Delola underscored the need for the country to have a single market price terminology for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

He said Luzon and Visayas has a 10-minute interval and Mindanao has five minutes. DOE is working on migrating this for a single market price at a five-minute interval.

Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said Mindanao is lagging behind in the spot market system.

He recalled that after the launching the system is still under trial operation until participants in the spot market would know how to operate.

WESM is providing a competitive and transparent power market for Mindanao electricity consumers. It will lead Mindanao closer to the fulfillment of the intent to restructure the electric power industry in terms of efficiency, greater innovation, end-user choice, and returns to investments.

Mindanao has a total installed capacity of 3,352 megawatts (MW). It has an available capacity of 2,600 MW against the actual peak demand of 1,696 MW.

By 2022, Delola said Mindanao will be needing 3,800-megawatt by 2022 from the current 2,600 MW with an expected growth under the government's Build Build Build program.

"So by 2022 we need around 1,000 MW more of supply of power that's the total requirement and that is already considering the 20 percent reserves," Delola said.

Delola said there is a 2,538 MW indicative capacity in the pipeline for the next five years that will come into the system.

This is spread all over Mindanao - a mix of coal, hydro, geothermal, and solar plants.

He said the mix of the incoming indicative capacity in Mindanao is 48 percent coal, 50 percent renewable energy and only 2 percent for the oil based.

Delola said Mindanao has 50 percent renewable energy. Of that, 29 percent is hydro, 4 percent biomass, 16 percent solar and one percent geothermal.

WESM in Mindanao will efficiently tap excess capacity and ensure 24-hour electricity service.

Besides the efficient use of excess capacity, the open market for power supply is one step of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte to address future economic growth and the increasing number of independent power producers and supply distributors.
WESM also promotes transparency and fair play among power distributors.

The market will be more systematic where trading is every five minutes. Under this system, all participants are required to register prior to injecting or withdrawing electricity. There are 83 trading participants under the Mindanao grid. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)



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BAGUIO CITY -- PLDT Inc. and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. announced Tuesday that free public Wi-Fi will be available in four primary areas in Baguio City before end of the year.

Louie Metra of PLDT, during the launch of the 2017 Consumer Welfare Month celebration here, said they are in the process of finishing the installation of fiber-optic cables that will provide the free public Wi-Fi system.

This will be initially made available at the Baguio City Hall, Burnham Park, Mines View Park and Session Road "by November or December", he said, adding that this is part of the national government's public Wi-Fi program.

Jose Rosete, External Affairs head of Smart Telecom, said their company supports the government's public Wi-Fi program, especially in 5th to 6th class municipalities or those in the countryside.

He, however, explained the challenges, which include the actual laying of fiber-optic cable lines to be able to attain the level of quality.
He nonetheless assured that in the Cordillera region, a large number of fiber-optic cables had been laid, which is not the same in other northern areas in the country.

Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Enabling Technologies Allan Cabanlong confirmed the problems being encountered in the Cordilleras with its peculiar terrain, making it difficult and expensive to install repeater systems that allow signal to connect the public Wi-Fi program of the government.

He assured that the DICT's free Wi-Fi, especially in the countryside, is nearing realization. (PNA)



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COTABATO CITY -- This city and parts of Maguindanao and North Cotabato provinces experienced a six-hour power blackout after saboteurs bombed the tower of the National Grid and Power Corporation (NGCP) in Barangay Manarapan, Carmen, North Cotabato shortly before Tuesday midnight.

The blackout started at around 11:15 p.m. Tuesday as the NGCP emergency crew scrambled to repair and to restore power to the affected areas at around 6:15 a.m. Wednesday.

"A bomb toppled 138 KV steel tower No. 106 in Barangay Manarapan that caused the permanent fault," the NGCP said in a statement.

NGCP linemen tapped on its link along Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat province to temporarily restore power in the affected areas.

Chief Inspector Julius Malcontento, Carmen town police chief, said a loud explosion was heard shortly before midnight Tuesday across the poblacion and later discovered the toppled NGCP steel pylon in Manarapan.

"We are still trying to determine the type of bomb used in the toppling of NGCP Tower 106 in the area. Investigation is still going on," he said.

Meanwhile, power consumers in the city and nearby areas took to social media in expressing their disappointment over the long power outage.

Power cooperatives affected were those of the Cotabato Light and Power Company in this city; the Maguindanao Electric Company; and Cotabato Electric Company in North Cotabato. (PNA)

 



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PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Sultan Kudarat -- The Army's 33rd Infantry Battalion based here has continued to get stakeholders support in winning the hearts of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and save them from the influence of communist rebels.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, commander of the Army's 33rd Infantry Battalion (IB), said his unit's efforts to help IPs to distance away from the influence of New Peoples' Army (NPA) have been getting wide support from local officials and town folks alike.

Cabunoc has led his unit on Wednesday in distributing school supplies to 50 Manobo school children in Barangay Kilogib, Senator Aquino town in Sultan Kudarat.

He said the activity was part of the community outreach program that was jointly organized by the 33rd IB and Dr. Dante Eugenio of Sultan Kudarat Doctors Hospital.

Kilogib has a makeshift school building for school children who could not make the 10-kilometer trek to the nearest school.

Lately, four of the NPA surrenderers came from the village of Kilogib which is located in the thickly forested community near the border of Ninoy Aquino and Kalamansig towns, both in Sultan Kudarat.

Cabunoc did not only convince the IP communist rebels to surrender but made them feel how to live normal lives as Filipinos, enjoying the beauty of nature and civilization.

He brought two NPA surrenderers to Kalamansig port and asked them how they feel.

"It is our first time to see the beauty of sea waters," Cabunoc quoted one of the former NPA as saying. "You see, if you are in the mountain fighting the government, you cannot move freely," he told the former rebels.

He then accompanied them to swim in Kalamansig port.
Since May, at least 30 communist rebels from the IP communities in the 33rd IB area of assignment have surrendered and turned over various firearms.

The rebel returnees also received financial assistance from Sultan Kudarat Governor Pax Mangudadatu who concurrently chairs the Region 12 Peace and Order Council. (PNA)



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CARMEN, North Cotabato -- Police and military authorities, along with force-multipliers, are hunting down those responsible in the toppling of National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) steel pylon in a remote village here Tuesday night.

Chief Insp. Julius Malcontento, Carmen town police chief, said unidentified men set off a powerful improvised bomb at one of the columns of NGCP Steel Tower No. 106 at Purok 1, Barangay Manarapan in Carmen, North Cotabato.

"The explosion occurred at 11:30 p.m. but there was no blackout in our area of jurisdiction," Malcontento said of the incident that plunged into darkness the entire Cotabato City and also portions of North Cotabato and Maguindanao provinces.

The affected steel tower carries the 138KV line of NGCP from its station in Maramag, Bukidnon to Kabacan, North Cotabato and other parts of Central Mindanao.

Malcontento said while Tower 106 was toppled down it did not affect the other towers, which also carry the 138KV line. NGCP Tower 106 is located about five kilometers from Carmen town center and situated in the middle of a banana plantation.

"Motive of the attack remains unknown as of this time," Malcontento told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in a phone interview.

Malcontento said village watchmen and members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPT) are helping the police in identifying and locating the perpetrators.

Army and police bomb experts have recovered components of the IED used by the unidentified suspects. Suspected militants in North Cotabato and Maguindanao have bombed more than 20 NGCP steel towers in what authorities believed could be carried out by the lawless elements to divert attention of military operations against them in Maguindanao.

Currently, government forces and its ally, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, had been pursuing ISIS--inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Maguindanao's second district. (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) on Wednesday said the number of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) surrenderers have already reached 117 since January this year.

This developed as three more ASG members have surrendered because of mounting pressure brought about by the continuous military offensives against them.

Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, identified the latest surrenderers as Jimil Inggan, 25; Madjidul Asari, 47; and, Alex Issan, 38, all followers of the late ASG sub-leader Ninok Sappari.

Sobejana said they surrendered on Sunday in Barangay Bonbon, Patikul, to the troops of the Army's 32nd Infantry Battalion headed by Lt. Col. Jaran Abdula.

Sobejana said they yielded two caliber .30 M1 Garand rifles, which were subsequently brought by the troops to the headquarters of the 501st Infantry Brigade.

"Inggan and his companions are currently undergoing custodial debriefing facilitated by our intelligence operatives," Sobejana said.

The surrender of Inggan and his two companions has brought to 117 members of the ASG, who surrendered to the military authorities since January, this year.

Of the total, 65 surrendered in Basilan, 29 in Sulu, 21 in Tawi-Tawi, and two in Zamboanga City.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Westmincomm chief, said they will gladly welcome the bandit-surrenderees "as we prepare them to live in the mainstream" of the society. (PNA)



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DAVAO CITY – The K to 12 technical-vocational-livelihood (TVL) teachers in Davao City are undergoing a four-day training on pest management of major crops conducted by the Department of Agriculture Regional Crop Protection Center (DA-RCPC) in Davao Region in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd).

The training, which ends Thursday, is aimed at strengthening the K to 12 TVL teachers' capacity and efficiency to articulate the standards and competencies on the required curriculum particularly involving agriculture subjects.

Being one of the four senior high school tracks of the K to 12 Basic Education Program, TVL demands skilled and proficient teachers since the track teaches practical skills and comes with industry partnership like DA that will let senior high students gain the needed experience for possible employment or further education/middle level skills training after graduating secondary education.

Dr. Susan Razo, chief of Integrated Laboratory Division (ILD), lauded the eagerness of the participants to know more about pest control and thank them for the trust and confidence given to DA.

"The four-day seminar will allow you to recognize the helpful and harmful pests as far as agri is concern. We hope that this will raise awareness especially to the students whom you will impart your knowledge with," Razo said.

Marilou Infante, chief of RCPC, said her office is willing to accomodate their students if an educational trip is necessary on their studies.

"We will provide necessary info as long as it can help the curriculum of the TVL," Infante assured.

Dr. Marcelo Roco, education program supervisor and TVL training team leader, said she personally wrote a letter to DA requesting the agency for training about crop pest management.

"Unfortunately, pest management qualification is not available TESDA training and assessment in the region until we have learned that DA-XI has the capabilities and experts to train such skills fo our teachers," Roco added.

Topics such as Biological Control Agents and its Utilization and Insect Pests and Diseases of Selected Crops will be tackled on the four- day seminar. (Cherry Mae Palicte/PNA)



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DAVAO CITY -- The ongoing Mindanao Trade Expo (MTE) at Glorietta Mall in Makati City earned P1 million in sales when it opened on October 2.

This was disclosed by MTE Foundation, Inc. (MTEFI), which brought MTE to the nation's capital.

MTE is one of Mindanao's most thriving market encounters, promoting Mindanao products to new local and foreign markets. A total of 32 exhibitors, including some of Mindanao's best products and services, are part of the trade exposition.

The Glorietta event, which will run until October 5, signifies another major step for MTE, which is a result of a strengthened partnership between MTEFI and Ayala Malls. The latter offered a wider market for Mindanao products and services.

MTEFI president Dr. Rosevic del Rosario-Cembrano said the exhibit in Glorietta was carefully planned and they took this opportunity as soon as it presented itself because such venue has so much potential in market expansion.

"We wanted to maximize this opportunity from the Ayala Malls. It has always been the desire of MTEFI to provide all avenues where the Mindanawon entrepreneurs can promote their products and services and expand their markets," Cembrano said.

The four-day MTE Glorietta 2017 highlights the following: (1) a showcase of Mindanao's best highlighting the products qualified for DTI's banner programs, Go Lokal and OTOP Next Gen; (2) a special setting of new product designs as an offshoot of the previously conducted design consultations; (3) business matching between Mindanao entrepreneurs and Manila-based companies; and (4) another special setting featuring the culture and products of the Matigsalug tribe of Davao City.

It can be recalled that the Matigsalug tribe's products and their brand, "Nasabeka," was two months ago at the MTE 2017 in Abreeza Ayala Mall, Davao City.

The project is a product of the partnership among DTI-Davao Region, AboitizPower subsidiary Therma South Inc., Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. and the Matigsalug Council of Elders Marilog District Davao City, Inc. (Macoemddci). (Jennifer Mendoza/PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) has registered 500,000 tourist arrivals since January this year in Region 9 or Western Mindanao.

Marilou Silorio, DOT regional tourism operations officer, on Wednesday said social media and promo fares are among the contributory factors that entice tourists to visit the region.

Silorio said the foreign tourists who visited the region included Americans, Chinese, Canadian, Indians, and Australians. The rest are "balikbayans" and domestic tourists.

In Region 9, Silorio said the top tourist destinations are Dapitan, Dipolog and Zamboanga Cities.

She said there are tourists who come to the region to visit places like Sta. Cruz Island, Jose Rizal Shrine and other eco-tourism destinations while the others for business purposes.

"In terms of products, we have so much to offer. We have better products compared to other (tourist) destinations and the places (to visit) are very proximate to each other," she said.

She added that the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, which is being celebrated every October, is also a tourist attraction event.

Silorio said they are optimistic that this year's number of tourist arrivals will surpass last year's record of 679,080 tourists. (PNA)



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DAVAO CITY -- The Davao City Local Peace Committee (DC PEACE) will buckle down to work next week for the guidelines on the local peace talks between the local government and the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA) in the city.

"Sa first meeting, naa ko didto para mag discuss mi sa among guidelines (In the coming first meeting, I will be there to discuss the guidelines)," City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said in an interview Wednesday after her weigh-in for the FitFil National Weight Loss Challenge.

Duterte-Carpio said the city government is set to release the appointment papers to the people who will be part of the DC PEACE within this week.

The peace committee will be chaired by retired Davao City Regional Trial Court Judge Ridgway Tanjili and the members are Archdiocese of Davao Archbishop and incoming Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Romulo Valles City Social Service and Development Office (CSSDO) head Malou Bermudo, Malabog Barangay Captain Jessie Areja, and lawyer Elisa Lapina from the City Legal Office.

Duterte-Carpio said that after the meeting next week, the committee will immediately conduct their dialogue with the CPP-NPA.

"Kita, nag-open lang ta sa channels kung interesado sila na makig-istorya and nay mga tao na authorized by the city government to talk to them (We are just opening channels for them if they are interested to have a dialogue and there are people who are authorized to talk with them)," she said.

Earlier, the city mayor said that the DC PEACE is given until November 30 next year for the dialogue with the CPP-NPA.

Duterte-Carpio said if there is no positive development "there is no point" that the city would continue the dialogue.

"There is more than one-year na sila makipagstorya (There is more than one year for them to talk with us)," she said.

She will also ask the committee to accommodate the members of the CPP-NPA who will surrender their firearms to the government.

Duterte-Carpio said she received around eight surrender fillers but she just told these people to address it to the committee. She also said that the members of the CPP-NPA need not to surrender their firearms because her plan is to make them work with the government.

"We are very flexible for that just to attain the elusive dream of peace," she said. (Armando Fenequito Jr/PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The police is conducting an in-depth probe to identify and arrest the suspects behind the improvised bomb explosion that injured three people in Zamboanga Sibugay.

Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) identified the victims as Melyn Sumaylo, 50; and her two children, Leo, 17; and Levie Jane, 19. They sustained minor injuries.

The police said the incident happened at around 11;30 p.m. Monday in Barangay Sto. Niño, Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay.

PO3 Raul Agsaluna, case investigator, on Wednesday said investigation showed the victims were in deep slumber when they were awakened by a loud explosion.

Agsaluna said the victims were injured from debris as the explosion partially damaged their house.

He said post-blast investigation showed the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED).

He said all possible motives are being considered in a bid to unmask the suspects, who fled after setting off the IED. (PNA)



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COTABATO CITY -- A foreign-funded group and the Department of Trade and Industry in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DTI-ARMM) are pursuing applicants for this year's "Local Changes: A Social Enterprise Ideation Camp."

In partnership with the Strengthening Civil Society Participation in Social Enterprise Education Development (CSO-SEED), DTI-ARMM Sec. Anwar Malang on Tuesday said the project is funded by the European Union (EU) and co-financed and implemented by the British Council.

Slated in Davao City on Nov. 5-11, the week-long camp aims to assemble diverse individuals who would like to explore their creative side while offering space to exchange, foster, think, and collaborate about social innovations through social enterprise.

Malang said, through the camp, CSO-SEED hopes to encourage individuals to use social enterprise to create visions for a better, secure and more prosperous future.

He added the camp is open to youth organizations, civil society organizations, cooperatives, community, or people's organizations seeking to deepen their social impact in a more sustainable manner through entrepreneurship.

"The camp is open to the youth and even to the elderly who are willing to learn through the project. They must submit a two-minute video, which will explain the impact of their social enterprise idea to the community," he added.

A seed funding of PhP100, 000 and a one-year mentoring support will be given to each generated idea that best fit the contest's criteria. (NYP/PNA)



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ILIGAN CITY—At least for this city and the rest of Lanao del Norte, this year's consumer welfare month celebration will focus on keeping prices stable through consistent monitoring.

This was the message of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Provincial Director Ruel Paclipan, as he opened the month-long celebration, highlighting the importance of consumerism on Monday (Oct. 2).

Paclipan noted that despite high demand brought by the influx of evacuees from nearby Marawi City, prices of goods have remained stable in Lanao del Norte.

Still, Paclipan acknowledged that the increased demand for basic goods arising from the ongoing Marawi conflict has also brought in unsafe products from unscrupulous traders.

One of these, he said, are butane canisters that have "proliferated out in the market." Paclipan reminded the consumers against butane canisters that they are unsafe and could potentially cause fire.

Meanwhile, various activities are set for the month-long celebration.

On October 10, the 13th Consumers Quiz will see secondary schools from Lanao del Norte competing among themselves. On the 17th, secondary students will also vie for the first-ever "ulaang Pangmamimili"—a role-playing depicting principles of consumerism.

The CWM celebration will culminate on October 27 with the 2nd Vendors Quiz that will be held at Pala-o and Central markets.

Presidential Proclamation No. 1098 declares October as Consumer Welfare Month (CWM), with the DTI as the lead agency. It aims to disseminate sound consumer information to both public and private sector, including the media on consumer-related matters including policies and technologies that affect the consumers, as well as to recognize the consumer as a vital player in the economy. (PNA/Irma S. Boza)



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- A woman died while some 600 families were affected by severe floods in the last two days in Koronadal City and Tantangan town in South Cotabato.

Gregorio Presga, chair of Barangay Saravia in Koronadal City, said a woman resident of their village died after she was swept by a flashflood in a creek in the area following heavy rains on Monday afternoon.

He identified the victim as Moreta Bastian, 41, of Sitio El Gawel Zone 1 in Tolosa Village

Presga said Bastian was trying to cross a creek in the area at past 4 p.m. when its water level suddenly rose.

Bastian was swept by the rushing floodwaters and was later rescued by local residents at a portion of the creek near the boundary of Tolosa Village and Purok Ilang-ilang in Barangay Saravia, he said.

"She was on her way home after working at a nearby farm when the flashflood came," he said in a radio interview.

Presga said the victim sustained injuries on her head and body and died before reaching the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Koronadal City.

In Tantangan town, portions of Barangay Poblacion were submerged in floodwaters following heavy rains in the area.

Darwin Dar, action officer of the Tantangan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Council, said Tuesday the flooding started late Sunday night, forcing some residents to leave their homes.

He said 30 residents evacuated to the municipal evacuation center in Poblacion due to rising floodwaters.

"Some residents reported that there were some areas wherein the floodwaters reached waist to shoulder-deep," he said.

Dar said the floods mainly affected around 600 households in six of Barangay Poblacion's 13 puroks, including areas near the municipal hall complex.

As a result of the floods, he said the local government suspended the classes in four elementary and high school situated in Poblacion on Monday.

The official said the municipal government has released initial relief assistance to the affected residents.

"The floods in most of the affected areas already subsided as of this morning but we're continually monitoring the situation due to the sporadic heavy rains," he said. (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Three people died while three others missing and feared dead when rampaging floodwaters swept a dump truck in a river in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, the police reported Tuesday.

The incident occurred at around 3:50 p.m. Monday at Dapitan River in Barangay Singaran, La Liberted town, according to Senior Supt. Raul Tacaca, Zamboanga del Norte police director.

Tacaca identified the fatalities as Lilia Eleobido, Ihid Pico, and Joana Tuse. Their remains were retrieved one after the other hours after the incident.

He said investigation showed that the victims were aboard a dump truck that was swept by rampaging floods while crossing the Dapitan river.

He said the remains of the three victims were retrieved by the responding policemen while search continued to locate the remaining three.

He said one of them, Eleobido, whose remains were among those recovered, died of acute respiratory failure secondary to drowning based on the finding of the La Libertad Municipal Health Office.

The rampaging flood was caused by inclement weather. (PNA)




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DAVAO CITY -- The National Telecommunication Commission in Davao Region (NTC) has achieved its P40 million annual target in a quarter away to end 2017.

NTC 1I director Nelson Canete attributed the positive performance of the agency to a more aggressive and renewed service delivery of its mandate.

"We would be earning more with the remaining three months this year," he said.

Canete also reported NTC is on track on their dialogue with local government units and clients operating radio stations, which need government registration.

He said NTC is able to deliver the message that everything must be registered with NTC for its operation to be legitimate.

With very limited manpower, Canete said the dialogue and open fora served as platform to make stakeholders understand their responsibilities set in the rules and regulations on using radio.

"Gone are the days that transactions in NTC are facilitated through fixers because that is not allowed with the new leadership," he said.

"Before only a few transacts with this office but now as early as 8 a.m. clients already come to us," Canete said.

Canete underscored the changes and slowly but surely "our clients had been educated that registration and other fees are based on what is required by law and that said fees are properly receipted."

"We are strict on regulating the sectors that we served as well as the officers and employees of NTC 1I," he said.

This month and November, NTC will conduct surprised inspection of taxi operators using radios. Right now, he said these are not regulated and many of those operating the radio communication don't have licenses.

Canete earlier said NTC has three programs: Oplan Malling to check on security guards with handheld radios have permits and they have license to operate; Oplan Window Shopping, to check on stores selling cellular phones and gadgets whether they have the license to sell and units carry an NTC sticker, and Oplan Sita, to check taxi operators/drivers that they have the license to use mobile.

Canete said NTC has strengthened this campaign to improve the implementation of regulations and the consumer protection aspect. (Digna D. Banzon/PNA)



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DAVAO CITY -- Law enforcers in Compostela Valley Province killed an ex-Army soldier after an attempt to fire back at the operatives during the implementation of a search warrant Tuesday.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA 11) authorities identified the slain suspect as Daz Montefolca alias Daks, 42.

The joint team from PDEA 1I, Nabunturan Municipal Police Station, Compostela Valley Drug Enforcement Unit, Compostela Valley Public Safety Company and Criminal Investigation Division implemented the search warrant in the house of Montefolca at Purok 9, Barangay Poblacion, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley at around 12:10 a.m Tuesday when Montefolca pulled his .38 revolver and exchanged gunfire with the operatives resulting to his death.

The operatives brought him to Nabunturan Doctor's Hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival.

Authorities also took six sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride known as shabu composed of two big plastic sachets, a medium sachet and 3 small sachets weighing 15 grams with a street value of P180,000, assorted drug paraphernalia and the .38 revolver.

The PDEA 11 reported that his live-in partner identified as Nolaizah Lumiguez was also arrested. She is now detained at PDEA 11 detention facility.

The seized suspected illegal drugs were submitted for laboratory test while cases for violation of Section 6, Section 11 and Section 12 of Republic Act 9165 the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being prepared against Lumiguez. (Armando fenequito Jr/PNA)



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CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao -- The military here announced Tuesday they have convinced local government officials in the coastal towns of Lanao del Sur to voluntarily surrender unlicensed guns as part of the military's loose firearms reduction program, an Army official said.

Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, chief of the Army's 6th Infantry Division Civil Military Operations Battalion, said most of the gun owners were local government executives who opted to voluntarily surrender 140 assorted firearms.

"They listened to our appeal to peacefully surrender unlicensed guns and reminded them that Mindanao is still under martial law," Besana told reporters.

The disarmament program resulted to the collection of high-powered guns that included M16 rifles, shoulder-fired rocket propelled grenades, shot guns, home-made .50 caliber machineguns, Garand rifles and pistols.

The stockpiling of guns, both licensed and unlicensed, had been a tradition among Moro politicians and ordinary citizens to protect themselves from armed families they are in conflict with due to "rido" (clan war).

Besana said the firearms were from officials of the seaside municipalities of Kapatagan, Malabang, Picong and Marogong, all situated east of Lanao del Sur.

He added town mayors and local police collected some of the firearms that they turned over to the 6th and 603rd Infantry Brigades. (Edwin Fernandez/PNA)



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COTABATO CITY -- The Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA) of Kidapawan City honored and recognized four centenarians this year as part of the local government's recognition and assistance program.

OSCA honored the centenarians and other senior citizens from the city over the weekend, as the country observed from Sept. 25 to Oct. 1 the Filipino Elderly Week with the theme "Pagkilala sa Kakayahan Ambag at Paglahok ng Nakatatanda sa Lipunan."

On Monday, the office of Mayor Joseph Evangelista announced that among the four elders, Cenon Ordona was the oldest at 105 years old.

Ordona was born on April 12, 1912. He is currently residing with his children and grandchildren in Barangay Poblacion, Kidapawan City.
Another centenarian, Teofilo Cayme, is 101 years old, also of same village. At 102 years old, Remedios Barzaga, born on January 17, 1917, has still vivid memories of her life on earth.

Also recipient of recognition and financial assistance from the local government was Faustina Costelo, 102, having been born on February 1915.

Aside from the assistance from the LGU, the centenarians each received PHP100, 000 cash from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The elders took home grocery items as gift from OSCA. (PNA)



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DAVAO CITY -- The City Council is mulling on establishing a Mental Health Division under the City Health office (CHO) to take care of people with mental problems.

City Council Committee Chair on Health, Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte said the proposed division will cover all those who need psychological treatment to prevent the illness from worsening.

The division can also offer free medication to any types of mental illnesses.

"We really want to give out free medicines and to ensure that the treatment will not only be acute but the goal is to make them well," she said.

Villafuerte said her committee is already conducting hearings after the approval of the mental health ordinance for the first reading.

"On October 12, we will have a meeting together with the different concerned agencies like the CHO, City Social Services and Development Office, central 911 and Davao City Police office among others to identify their role in the establishment of mental health division," she said.

Based on their initial meeting, Villafuerte said the agencies agreed in establishing the division if there should also be a halfway house for the patients especially those already abandoned by their families.

Villafuerte, a doctor by profession, said that most common cause of mental problem is depression and stress.

"These can be easily treated by mental health professionals through counseling and medication. We have to help them so that they can go back to their normal lives," she said.

"There are so many kinds of mental diseases, some can be cured at home, so those who do not need confinement may take medication at home through the supervision of the barangay psychologists," she added.

Villafuerte said the ordinance may be passed on 3rd reading next month so that it will be included in next year's budget. (Funny Pearl Gajunera/PNA)



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COTABATO CITY -- The Department of Agrarian Reform in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAR-ARMM) has a new regional secretary, the Office of the ARMM Governor announced.

Lawyer Laisa Alamia, ARMM executive secretary, said Dayang Carlsum Sangkula Jumaide was sworn and formally assumed office on Tuesday.

"We are confident that Secretary Jumaide will serve the agrarian reform partners' interest in our region," Alamia said in statement.

Jumaide replaced outgoing DAR–ARMM chief Amihilda Sangcopan who resigned in August this year.

Sangcopan, Anak Mindanao Partylist 3rd nominee for the House of Representatives, took the place of Rep. Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman who stepped down from the House on Oct. 2.

Prior to her new post as DAR chief, Jumaide is the assistant secretary of the ARMM's health department for four years.

Starting as a staff nurse at the Datu Alawaddin Bandon Sr. Memorial Hospital in Tawi-Tawi (1993-2000), Jumaide became a health information officer in the same province (2000-2006), project officer of the US Agency for International Development (2006-2010), and regional assemblywoman.

Municipal and provincial agrarian reform officers turned over the department's banner and key of responsibilities to the new DAR-ARMM chief. They also handed over a transition report, a personnel inventory and property plan, and an equipment report.

"To Sec. Dayang, I wish her the best. Hope you'll find it an honor to serve our farmers in ARMM. I did that for 30 beautiful months. Congratulations," Sangcopan said.

DAR-ARMM has been consistent in achieving 100 percent compliance to the Seal of Transparency and open-government partnership.

During Sangcopan's term, DAR-ARMM installed institutional feedback mechanisms to bridge the gaps in service delivery from the municipal to the provincial and regional offices.

"It's a new challenge for me but I assure you that DAR-ARMM will continue to implement, facilitate, and coordinate the delivery of support services to the agrarian reform beneficiaries," Jumaide said in a statement.

"Let us sustain the gains and bring in more reforms, let us see to it that the lives of our beneficiaries are exponentially blessed and enhanced beyond the ordinary," she added.

The DAR-ARMM has 66,000 agrarian reform partners situated in 103 Agrarian Reform Communities. The office also registered a total of 357 agrarian reform partner organizations. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY-- The Department of Tourism (DOT) is targeting to establish farm tourism sites in every town nationwide.

DOT Undersecretary for Ecotourism, Farm Tourism and Faith Tourism Advocacy Silvino Tejada said the goal of one tourism site in every town is just among the proposed programs of the department for 2018.

"This will be a long term goal of DOT at the same time a lasting legacy from all of us here who are promoting the country as a leading agri-tourism and providing income opportunities for farmers," Tejada said in his speech Tuesday during the second day of the 5th Farm Tourism Conference and Festival here. 

Other than that, they are aiming to develop materials such as consumer tourism brochure on farm tourism, coffee table book, workbooks on farm tourism for local government units, development of farm tourism mentorship program, cultural development program and other marketing activities to further promote farm tourism of the country.

Tejada said that there will be a consultation meeting by the DOT and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other stakeholders so they will be able to come up with an "excellent marketing platform for farm tourism."

He said that these are just among the activities in the pipeline as they are planning to launch a program dubbed "Farm Tourism Philippines" next year, as well as conduct a national summit, which will be a venue for the introduction of farm tourism development goal among tourism stakeholders in the country.

In a previous interview with Tejada, he said there are only over 800 farm tourism sites identified in the country, 36 of them are accredited by DOT while others are still processing their requirements.

Meanwhile, DOT-6 regional director Helen Catalbas welcomed the plan, saying that mayors and farmers are responding very enthusiastically on farm tourism.

Western Visayas has seven farm tourism sites, next to Calabarzon with 12.

These are Ephrathah Farms, Badiangan, Iloilo; Orchard Valley, Pavia, Iloilo; RPJ Multi-Ventures Inc. (Midway), Passi City, Iloilo; Peñalosa Farms, Victorias City, Negros Occidental; May's Organic Garden and Restaurant, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental; Owataks Herb Farm and Resort, Talisay City, Negros Occidental; and Rapha Valley Place of Wellness, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

But Catalbas said that they are targeting to establish 10 tourism sites before the end of this year and 30 sites by the end of 2018.

"This does not only cover agricultural farms but fish farms also that is why we are closely working with BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) as our converging agency also. We look at Western Visayas as farm tourism Capital of the south, we are targeting that way," she added. (PNA)

 



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BACOLOD CITY --  Negros Occidental is positioning itself  to become the food basket of the Philippines as food becomes the major tourism attraction of the province.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said  in  a statement Tuesday that one major reason why the province is attracting more tourists is its rich delicacies and cuisines paired with the Negrense hospitality.

"Food is our asset and strength thus, we need to further develop the local culinary industry," he said.

Aside from being the country's top producer of sugar and organic agriculture  products, Negros Occidental is also number one in livestock and poultry production, placing it in a position to become the country's food basket.

Marañon said that having abundant sources of raw material, the province is home to cooks who have the heart and skills in making good food.

He added that Negros Occidental is shifting to tourism and agriculture as the sugar industry continues to face major challenges.

The province showcased what it can offer in the Negros First Food booth during 32nd Negros Trade Fair held at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City on September 27 to October 1.

Marañon Jr. said the Negros First Food booth significantly contributed to the increased sales in this year's trade fair, adding that  lamb and  pekin duck are among the best-selling products.

"We are happy that all participating-producers have gained more than their sales in previous years. It only shows that Negros is really a food destination," he added.

Negrense producers earned PHP25.5 million in total sales during the five-day trade fair, which is  30 percent higher compared to last year's PHP19.5 million earnings, the Association of Negros Producers said.

Of the top five grossers, three were food producers, including  Felicia's, Inasalan sa Dalan, and Virgie's Homemade Products.

The event, themed "Food for Thought," featured 73 booths.(PNA)

 



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SCIENCE CITY OF MUNOZ, Nueva Ecija -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) will build the country's biggest biotechnology center at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) here.

This is a project that is seen to generate more technologies and innovations for farm management.

Dr. Roel R. Suralta, head of DA's Crop Biotechnology Center and one of the proponents of the project, said the goal of constructing the center is to generate improved technologies, increase productivity, and enhance the commercial value of DA's priority crops, such as rice, abaca, coconut, white and yellow corn, cotton, cassava, sweet potato, yam, tomato, and eggplant.

Suralta added that the center will not only provide equipment and facilities, but also training and support to the Filipino researchers who will venture into biotechnology.

"It also aims to build a network among local and international researchers to sustain and continually advance biotechnology in the Philippines," he said.

More than PHP300 million has been raised to build the state-of the-art laboratories and facilities.

The funding of the facility was granted by the US government through its Public Law 480 program, also known as the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act.

"Our submitted proposal was recommended by the DA and we were able to get PHP277 million for this project from the US food aid program. The remaining PHP25 million came from PhilRice," Suralta added.

He said the budget will cover the construction of new buildings, purchase of state-of-the-art biotechnology equipment and laboratory furniture, and monitoring and evaluation of the project in coordination with the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries. (PNA)



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LAOAG CITY -- The all-women group of loom weavers in Nagbacalan village, Paoay town have become richer by PHP1 million courtesy of the reigning Miss Ilocos Norte Dianne Irish Joy Lacayanga.

The 18-year old beauty queen, who traces her roots in Paoay town, recently emerged as the Miss Millennial Bayanihan Queen of the country's longest running noontime show, Eat Bulaga.

Backed by thousands of Ilocanos nationwide, Lacayanga got the most number of votes in the people's choice award.

Her prize came with PHP1 million for her chosen livelihood program—the loom weavers of Paoay.

Though they never expected the grant, the Paoay loom weavers association expressed gratitude to Lacayanga and the sponsors for being chosen as a recipient of the award.

"The amount will go a long way to improve our products," said Charito Cariaga, president of the Nagbacalan Loom Weavers Multi-purpose Cooperative on Wednesday.

Over the years since the multi-purpose cooperative was founded in 1992, the 'Abel Iloko' (handwoven cloth) product that is famous in Paoay town has evolved into a world-class quality and much sought after local product in the Ilocos region.

With support from the different public and private organizations promoting artisan products, the 'Abel Iloko' weavers are inspired to carry on and explore more ways to improve the heritage textile industry of the province.

Earlier this year, the state-run Mariano Marcos State University in neighboring Batac City trained 10 highly-skilled loom weavers in Paoay to come up with new designs employing mathematical procedures.

The new designs and patterns are now being applied and some of these are showcased in different trade fairs and exhibits. (PNA)



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TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite – Cavite fisherfolk are set to receive 500 fishing boats after farmers received fertilizers and farm tools for the agricultural sector's livelihood program under the Department of Agriculture (DA).

DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol made the commitment on Tuesday when he graced the Agri Trade Fair and Exhibits at the provincial auditorium in this city.

Piñol was welcomed by Cavite Governor Jesus Crispin Remulla, Provincial Agriculturist Lolita Perena and Lilian C. Gacia, director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to the three-day agri-trade event.

Lorna Avinante, administrative officer IV of the Provincial Agriculturist Office, said the 500 fishing boats will be distributed in the nine cities and municipalities along Cavite fishing areas.

Around 1,500 farmers, fisherfolk, and small and medium entrepreneurs participated in the trade fair where they exhibited their agricultural products and farm harvests.

The trade exhibit also showcased the agri-sector and SMEs livelihood component products such as bottled sardines, peanut butter, honey and specially-packed peanuts, dried fish, seafood among others. (Rogelio Limpin/PNA)



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CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela -- The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has set a 10-hour power interruption due to annual preventive maintenance on October 5 which will affect some service areas of Isabela Electric Cooperative (ISELCO) – I and II.

Lilibeth Gaydowen, NGCP North Luzon Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Officer, said the power interruption will start at 8:00 a.m. and end at 6:00 p.m.

Gaydowen said the areas affected by the power interruption are consumers served by ISELCO I's Reina Mercedes substation and ISELCO – II's Naguilian substation and NGCP Ilagan substation.

She said the NGCP maintenance crew will be conducting annual preventive maintenance and testing of 15MVA power transformer and associated equipment at Ilagan substation and simultaneously conduct corrective line maintenance.

Gaydowen said normal operations will immediately resume after work completion as she advised the customers to take the necessary preparations and precautions for the scheduled power interruption. (NGCP)

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TUGUEGARAO CITY -- A former vice mayor of Amulung town in Cagayan province was shot dead by still unidentified gunmen at around 6 a.m. Wednesday in Barangay Carig here, police said.

Superintendent Edward Guzman, city police chief, said former Vice Mayor Alexander Pascual succumbed to several bullet wounds. He said the suspects were riding a black Mitsubishi adventure with no plate number.

Pascual was on board a motorcycle on his way to the Department of Education (DepEd) in Region 2 when gunmen shot him. Investigators found five empty shells of .45-caliber pistol from the scene.

Guzman said investigation is ongoing. Pascual was a one-term town vice mayor from 2013 to 2016. (PNA)

 



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BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar -- The four military battalions deployed to Mindanao will soon return to Eastern Visayas to help curb insurgency in Leyte and Samar Islands.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, in a meeting with members of the Samar Island for Peace, Prosperity and Development (SIPPAD) on Tuesday, said the Philippine Army will create 10 new battalions in Mindanao within the year.

"There was an imbalance in the past years because some of the troops were sent to Mindanao, but we were able to get approval from the President to increase the population of our soldiers with additional 10,000 more this year," Lorenzana said.

The additional soldiers will form the 10 new battalions that will be assigned in Mindanao. Those military troops from other regions will be ordered to return to their mother units.

"They will return to help in maintaining peace and order in remote communities vulnerable to insurgency threats and help carry out development programs," Lorenzana said.

In the past four years, the Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City, Samar has sent four battalions to Mindanao to help address the spate of kidnappings perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf and fight Maute terror group in Marawi City.

These are the 63rd Infantry Battalion (IB), 34th IB, 46th IB from Samar provinces and 19th IB from Leyte.

Earlier, Samar province governors asked the government to consider strengthening the presence of military in remote communities to deter efforts of New People's Army to regain lost strongholds.

In response, Lorenzana urged local government officials to take part in the campaign against insurgency.

"Village officials must be pro-active to prevent radicals in penetrating their area. If they see suspicious people in their communities, they should ask them about their intention and tell police or the military about their presence," Lorenzana said.

SIPPAD is a group of non-political, multi-sectoral organizations headed by three Roman Catholic Church dioceses of Samar Island. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY -- The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) decided to spare city residents, especially indigents, from the burden of paying should they want to avail of tooth extraction service.

On Tuesday, the SP rejected the request of the city health office (CHO) to charge PHP150 per patient or PHP100 for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) for tooth extraction.

Councilor Candice Magdalane Tupas, SP chair of the Committee on Health, Sanitation and Hospital Services, moved that a PHP1 million fund be added to the budget of the CHO.

The amount is intended to benefit some 15,000 projected dental patients annually.

"We are recommending the Dental Health Department (of the CHO) to increase their budget in order to accommodate these patients, especially indigent patients," she cited in her committee report during the SP regular session.

Tupas said that for indigent patients, PHP150 already means one meal for their family.

The CHO has to submit a budget proposal incorporating all the needed supplies and medicines for the implementation of the dental program to the office of the city mayor or to the local finance committee.

Councilor Eduardo Peñaredondo, meanwhile, said that they couldjust negotiate with the local finance committee to make a certification that an additional fund of PHP1 million is achievable because the presentation for the 2018 supposed budget of the CHO has already been finished.

Councilor Day Lee Zulueta also said that the office of Iloilo City Lone District Rep. Jerry P.Treñas would also augment funds for the CHO. The health office was advised to just coordinate with the office of the solon.

CHO maintains 21 dental clinics all over the city. (PNA)



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LEGAZPI CITY -- Majority of village officials in Albay favor the postponement of this year's barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections to May next year, according to Joseph Philip Lee, president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) in Albay.

In a phone interview, Lee said the postponement would be an opportunity for all incumbent barangay officials to continue rendering services they have promised to their constituents.

Lee, chairman of Barangay Oro Site in this city, leads some 720 barangay captains across the province.

"The three years given to us by our constituents is too short a period to implement and accomplish projects that would improve the lives especially the marginalized," Lee said.

"This is the right time and chance to make it up with their constituents," he added.

Likewise, he said the postponement of the barangay election would give village officials ample time to carry out new and ongoing projects that needs to be addressed.

Lee revealed that some 72 or 10 percent of ABC village chiefs oppose the postponement of polls, citing reasons including poor health, family, and work-related matters.

Among the projects cited are: the clearing and assessment of illegal drug personalities in their respective villages; the upcoming barangay General Assembly; the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Masa Masid program; and Social and Infrastructure development programs.

Lee believes that these projects would be put on hold once the barangay election takes place, citing the governments Build, Build Program would be derailed because of the Comelec resolution banning the implementation of infrastructure projects during election period.

On Wednesday, Malacanang announced the postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections to May 2018. (PNA)



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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Two bodies possibly belonging to New People's Army (NPA) members were retrieved by government forces ar sitio Tambo, Barangay Binicalan in San Luis, Agusan del Sur, late Sunday afternoon, the military said Monday.

Based on a report by Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID), a unit from the 26th Infantry Battalion (26IB) figured in a firefight with an undetermined number of NPA guerrillas in Binicalan Friday last week.

Troops recovered high-powered firearms, an improvised explosive device (IED), personal belongings, and subversive documents at the area following the fighting. Also found were three AK-47 rifles, an M14 rifle, an M16 with an attached M203 grenade launcher, and an improvised M16 rifle.

Lt. Col. Rommel Pagayon, 26IB commanding officer, said they were tipped off by village residents that the NPA had left their dead comrades at the site.

"A day after the gunbattle, concerned populace in Sitio Tambo informed the government troos that a number of NPAs were fatally wounded in the firefight with the 26IB [soldiers] and that [two] of the terrorists were left to die miserably," Col. Pagayon said.

As of this writing, the bodies are yet to be identified and were brought from the mountains to be handed over to their families and given proper burial, Pagayon said.

Pagayon said the unnecessary loss of lives "could have been prevented if these [Communists] oheeded the call of the government to lay down their arms and live their lives peacefully and happily with their families."

For his part, Col. Andres Centino, the 401st brigade commander, appealed to the other NPA members to "stop terrorizing the indigenous peoples communities in the hinterland and let them live in peace."

Maj. General Ronald Villanueva, Army's 4ID commander, has assured the military's commitment to address the threats that prevent peace and development in the countryside.

"This I assure everyone that your Army will take all necessary actions that will fully address this more than four decade insurgency situation that hinders our country's development.
Sooner or later, if we continue to work together, this insurgency situation will just perish naturally and every plan and program of our government for our people will be realized. Everyone will be benefited," Gen. Villanueva said. (PNA/Jigger J. Jerusalem)



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ILOILO CITY -- Five community ports in some islands in northern Iloilo will be constructed in 2018, according to Fifth District Representative Raul Tupas on Monday.

These community ports will be constructed in Polopiña and Tambaliza islands in Concepcion, Iloilo; and Calagnaan, Gigantes Sur and Gigantes Norte islands in Carles, Iloilo.

Tupas said that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will fund and implement the project.

Unlike big and main ports, community ports will only cost from PHP15 to PHP25 million, Tupas said.

"These projects are in support to the program on eco-tourism in Concepcion and Carles because these are where the major islands are," he said.

He also stressed that the community ports will be of big help to the people in the islands because it is where the small bancas will dock, especially when they are bringing tourists in.

Aside from the community ports, the port of Bancal in Carles town will also undergo rehabilitation with a budget of PHP40 million.

Tupas said that total budget for the community ports and the rehabilitation will be around PHP210 million.

The congressman assured that the projects will  push through since the DOTr has already recommended the projects to the Executive Budget of the President and were already approved by the House of Representatives.

Based on the plans of DOTr, Tupas said that the projects are scheduled to undergo bidding process in the last quarter of this year. (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is conducting listing of farm households to update its database on agriculture here in Region 9.

Mark Anthony Belderol, PSA-Zamboanga district officer-in-charge, on Monday said they have employed the services of 89 enumerators to gather the region's farm households.

Belderol said the data gathering will cover 100,174 households in the Zamboanga Peninsula region. The listing of farm households will be until November 18, this year.

These are as follows: Zamboanga City, 41,550 households in 26 barangays; Zamboanga del Norte, 22,679 in 59 barangays; Zamboanga del Sur, 19,617 housholds covering 59 barangays; and, Zamboanga Sibugay, 16,328 in 39 barangays.

Belderol said the questions for the survey will include the respondents' personal information; if they have a farm; if they are farm workers; if they have fruit trees or backyard garden; and if they are engaged in poultry raising.

He appealed to the respondents to provide the enumerators the accurate data.

He said the data will be the basis of program planners of the government concerning on the agriculture sector. (PNA)



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BACOLOD CITY -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) urged Negrenses to be aware of their basic consumer rights as the agency leads the observance of Consumer Welfare Month this October.

Engiemar Tupas, senior trade and industry development specialist of DTI-Negros Occidental, said on Monday that consumers should make sure they get the right amount of products and the correct services they pay for.

"Consumers should be knowledgeable and vigilant in protecting their rights and welfare," he said, adding that erring establishments should be reported to the DTI and other concerned agencies.

Tupas said that senior citizens and persons with disabilities are entitled to avail discounts especially on purchases of medicines.
DTI-Negros Occidental Provincial Director Lea Gonzales reminded establishments to comply with the guidelines and standards aimed to protect consumer rights and welfare.

Establishments are mandated to strictly follow suggested retail prices especially for basic and prime commodities, she added.
Gonzales also said that businesses should not deceive consumers by selling defective and substandard products.
Electrical products such as appliances, lighting items, and even construction materials must have Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) markings certified by the Bureau of Product Standards.

Republic Act 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, provides that it is the policy of the state to protect the interest of the consumer, provide his general welfare, and to establish standards of conduct for business and industry.

To kick off the Consumer Welfare Month, DTI-Negros Occidental organized a Consumer Fun Run 2017 in Bacolod on Sunday.

A series of seminars on consumer rights and welfare will also be held this October.

This year's month-long observance is themed "Consumer Rights in the Digital Age." (PNA)



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Over the last two weeks, around 86,000 migratory birds were documented to have converged at an emerging sanctuary area in the coastal town of Glan in Sarangani Province.

The volume of birds broke last year's 78,817 record.

Lawyer Emma Nebran, former executive director of the Sarangani capitol-based Environmental Conservation and Protection Center (ECPC), said the number was based on the results of an ongoing migratory raptor study being conducted by the agency.

She said the annual study at the Raptor Hill of Barangay Rio del Pilar in Glan, Sarangani started last Sept. 18 and will end on Oct. 31.

Nebran was part of the ECPC team commissioned for the study, but was recently appointed to the judiciary.

"Just two weeks into the watch, the team has recorded 86,000 raptors, a record-breaking count compared to last year's 78,817 over five weeks of the confirmatory raptor migration study," she said.

The ECPC team and personnel from the Sarangani Information Office conducted a day-long watch last Friday in Raptor Hill.

In the entire day alone, the group counted around 54,000 raptors at the site.

"It appears that the peak season is here. Today, our team at the Raptor Hill counted around 54,000 Chinese Sparrowhawks. Like clock, the raptors are back," she said.

The autumn raptor migration study in Sarangani Province was first conducted in 2014 by Alex Tiongco and Maria Teresa Cervero who reported that Sarangani "is very likely a major migration route in autumn for raptors crossing from the Philippines to Indonesia."

To validate the report, Nebran said the provincial government of Sarangani, through the ECPC and the Raptorwatch Network Philippines, conducted an autumn raptor migration study at the site from Sept. 15 to Oct. 23, 2016.

She said the study was aimed to establish a database of species, numbers and routes of migrating raptors as well as locate roosting sites.

A total of 78,817 migratory raptors composing of seven species were counted in the 2016 study.

"It proved that Sarangani Province is indeed a major autumn migration route for raptors crossing from the Philippines to Indonesia," Nebran said.

She said researchers from the Japanese Society for the Conservation of Birds are expected to later join the ongoing study.

Last year, the study team conducted site reconnaissance for the arrival of the migratory birds of prey as they approach the Philippines in September and October to warm up and look for roosting sites after leaving Taiwan.

The birds were reportedly looking for thermal air currents that can be found in Mt. Latian Complex, the possible roosting site of such raptors.

Mt. Latian Complex has been identified as one of the important biodiversity areas in the Philippines. In 2002, it was declared by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as Philippine Biodiversity Conservation priority.

The presence of migratory birds in Glan was first discovered in 2014.

Nebrab said some residents around what is now called as Raptor Hill have noticed a thick flock of birds covering the sun, flying together.

The migration of the raptors is particularly a sensitive indicator of environmental health, which would draw the interest of tourists and wildlife enthusiasts. Conducting long-term counts of migrating raptors can help in the study of their migration patterns, behaviors and populations.

The raptors are spotted in Sarangani twice a year -- September to October for their arrival and in March to April for their return flight.

Raptors are characterized by their sharp vision that allows them to detect prey during flight. They usually feed on rats and insects.

Thus they serve as natural pest control in the area.

Studies and in-depth monitoring have been done in Indonesia and Taiwan. One theory states that Sarangani might be their exit point going to Indonesia and could be the major flyway.

The month-long study aims to promote coordinated actions to achieve and maintain the favorable conservation status of migratory raptors; to protect these migratory species along their flyways and to identify their important habitats, roosting sites and favored routes; and to produce a relevant research. (Serafin Ramos/PNA)



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KORONADAL CITY -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in South Cotabato is pushing for the implementation of various reforms to improve the barangay justice system in the province.

Aurora Andrea de Pedro, DILG provincial director, said Monday they are currently assisting the province's 199 barangays to enhance the mechanisms and operations of their Katarungang Pambarangay.

She said they have adopted as model Barangay Poblacion in Polomolok town that topped the Region 12 search for the best barangay justice system last year.

In the last several years, the official said the barangay council of Poblacion, Polomolok has introduced eight innovations that helped institutionalize its justice system.

De Pedro said the council had rolled out a "justice on wheels" program, wherein members of its Lupong Tagapamayapa conduct mediation process at the purok level to de-clog pending complaints.

She said it has enlisted barangay justice advocates among residents to assist the implementation of the Katarungang Pambarangay.

"The council has also been conducting house-to-house visitations to settle disputes among neighbors," she said.

The other "high impact innovations" of Barangay Poblacion, Polomolok include the "I-text kay Kap JR ang problema mo" campaign, which facilitates reporting of problems by residents through cellphone text messaging.

Vicente Yungco, Poblacion barangay chair, said they have implemented the computerized case recording system and maintains a data bank of cases filed at the barangay.

"The salient feature of this is that it will alarm the barangay when a resident claiming a barangay clearance has a pending case with us," he said.

Barangay Poblacion, Polomolok is a consistent winner of the DILG's Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentive Award (LTIA).

In 2012, it was adjudged as the second best in the country and eventually topped the national search the next two succeeding years or in 2013 and 2014.

De Pedro said the DILG-12 has adopted Barangay Poblacion, Polomolok as a "training center" for other barangays in the region.

Also known as Soccsksargen, the region comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Owing to this, de Pedro said they are hoping to develop more model barangay justice systems in the province in the coming years.

"Our goal is to instutionalize the system further among our barangays and mainstream the indigenous mediation structures that are capable of resolving disputes within a community, and beyond the formal courts of justice," she added. (PNA)



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KORONADAL CITY -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Region 12 has requested additional funding from its central office to stabilize a vital bridge here that has been threatened by perennial flooding.

Basir Ibrahim, DPWH Region 12 director, said Monday they submitted a request for the conduct of dredging activities and the construction of slope protection structures to stabilize the Namnama Bridge here.

He said the structure's approaches had been damaged due to scouring along the river's slopes as a result of the recent floods.

The official said earlier inspected the bridge along with personnel from the agency's maintenance division.

"The bridge's stability will be threatened if this will not be addressed immediately," Ibrahim said.

The Namnama Bridge connects this city to several outlying barangays and the municipalities of Lutayan and Columbio in Sultan Kudarat as well as Mangudadatu town in Maguindanao.

The bridge was totally destroyed in a major flood in June 2015 and was reopened in December last year following the construction of a new structure costing around P70 million.

Citing their assessment, Ibrahim said the problem was triggered by the changing of the Namnama River's course due to heavy rains.

He said more rainfall could result to the rise of flood waters and debris, and might further damage the bridge's approaches.

"As of now, protecting the bridge's approaches the soonest possible with the most available resolution is a high priority," he said.
Ibrahim said they will initially protect the affected slopes with coconut trunks with entrenched bamboo branches.

He said the local government of Koronadal has committed some P30,000 while the regional office will provide a counterpart fund of P30,000 for the initiative.

"These will be installed in the scoured slopes, both in the upper and lower river streams," the official said.

Ibrahim said measure had been proven effective in preventing further damage along the slopes of the Allah River, which traverses the provinces of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.(PNA)



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ILOILO CITY -- The Cabualan family from Leon, Iloilo was declared grand champion in this year's national search for "Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya" of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The family brought home the PHP30, 000 cash prize and a plaque, said 4Ps information officer II Montesa Caoyonan of DSWD in Region 6 on Monday.

The Cabualan couple, Romulo and Remia, together with their four children, personally received the award on Sunday during the National Family Day celebration at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex in Muntinlupa City, Manila, Caoyonan said.

Other national winners came from Negros Oriental (NIR), Davao del Norte (Region 11), Quezon province (Region 4) and Siquijor (Region 7).

According to Caoyonan, the couple are both rebel returnees but later turned into advocates of peace and development in their community together with their six children.

The couple joined the armed movement in 1984. After eight years of hiding from the military, the two surrendered in 1992. Their respective families welcomed them back home in Leon town.

In fact, at least 20 of their comrades also surrendered after the couple's submission to military.

After going back to the society, the couple received various assistance from the government agencies and private groups to start a new life.

It was in 2011 when the couple became a beneficiary of "Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program" covering three of their six children. Remia was chosen as a parent leader when the program started.

Aside from cash grants they are receiving from the program, Remia and her husband accepted the jobs as contractual laborers under the Trabahong Lansangan – a joint program of DSWD and the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) through a private contractor, the International Builders Corp. (IBC,) just to sustain the school needs of their children.

Remia is a timekeeper assigned in Leon while Romulo is a construction worker assigned in Iloilo City.

All their hardships paid off when two of the couple's children graduated from college. Another one is now in third year college while the three others are in high school.

The couple lauded 4Ps program as it is of great help to their family, especially in keeping their children in school and keeping them healthy. They added that the program also helped them boost their self-esteem and continue their advocacy as a catalyst of change through peace and development.

The search is an annual activity of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid) to document the impact of Family Development (FD) and the benefits of the program, specifically in the strengthening of family relations. (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Police authorities arrested a couple and seized PhP1.2 million worth of illegal drugs in a buy-bust operation in a slum village in this city, an official announced Saturday.

Supt. Nonito Asdai, Police Station 6 chief, identified the suspects as Prince Valliant Garcia, 29, and his wife, Aiza, 28.

Asdai said the couple was arrested in a buy-bust operation at around 2:40 a.m. at Buggok Phase I, Barangay Kasanyangan.

Asdai said the buy-bust operation was carried out following days of surveillance on the couple's illegal drug trade.

He said seized from the suspects' possessions were PhP500 marked money and, seven packs, including one large and one medium size, of suspected shabu with PhP1.2 million estimated market value.

He said the couple was detained while appropriate charges are set to be filed against them. (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Government security forces arrested an Abu Sayyaf jail escapee and two carnappers in separate law enforcement operations in Basilan province, a top military official said Saturday.

Arrested were Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member Boy Indama and suspected carnappers Salam Aslatan and Nuruddin Duray.
Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said Indama was arrested by joint military and police forces at around 12:45 p.m. Thursday in Lamitan City.

Galvez said Indama has a standing warrant of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention. He belongs to the group of Abu Sayyaf leader Furuji Indama.

He is among those who escaped from the Basilan provincial Jail on December 13, 2009.

Galvez said Aslatan and Duray were arrested at a checkpoint by the troops from the Army's 4th Special Forces Battalion at around 7 a.m. Thursday in Barangay Cabunbata, Isabela City, Basilan.

Seized from their possession were two motorcycles owned by Mursid Halikin, a resident of Tipo-Tipo town, Basilan.
Galvez said that Aslatan and Duray "are sought after by law enforcers for carnapping."

He said they were turned over to the police for proper disposition.
He said they will continue to support the other law enforcement agency in the implementation of the law and to arrest criminals. (PNA)



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BAGUIO CITY -- Behind bars, some 45 women continue to live a life with a tinge of normalcy, using their time to acquire skills and earn a living for themselves and their families.

"Joy" (not her real name), who has a 16-year old senior high school child she raises alone, is one of persons deprived of liberty (PDL) at the Baguio City Jail Female Dorm (BCJFD). They all look forward to live a normal life after facing a jail term.

She and other fellow PDLs see themselves opening a beauty parlor and wellness center upon their release or simply getting involved in a personal business venture to continue surviving for themselves and their families.

She is one of those at the BCJFD who received a scholarship from the continuing beauty care and wellness training being provided by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Cordillera and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology- Baguio City Jail Female Dorm in partnership with non-government organization service providers.

Each batch for a particular skill has 10 participant-students. More sessions are needed after the graduation and after the trainees have acquired their National Certification 2 (NCII) from TESDA.

The female inmates, many of whom have been in jail for at least two years, have become licensed beauty and wellness practitioners.

Senior Inspector April Rose Ayangwa of the Bureau of Jail Managemeny and Penology (BJMP) said they started training the PDLs many years ago -- focused on manicure and pedicure lessons.

Those trained render manicure or pedicure services to personnel of the jail and gets paid for it. They then went further to request TESDA to give refreshers courses and other beauty and wellness skills training.

"Dati manicure at pedicure lang, tapos dumadami clients, dumadami service providers so we thought of conducting more skills training para mapadami ang services. Nag training tayo and at the same time nag-iisip tayo san sila ipu-pwesto para magservice sa clients at kumita, kasi napakaliit ng jail," Ayangwa said.

The TESDA also provided trainings on facial and body massage, body scrub, hand and foot spa, manicure, pedicure and hair care skills as part of the "inmates welfare and development program of the agency.

After years and months of preparation, the inmates and the BCJFD conducted a theater play fund-raising activity. With the money raised and the donations from friends and other local companies, the BCJFD leadership sought the permission of the property owner of the condemned wooden structure adjacent the jail, for the use of the alley as a livelihood center for the inmates.

Last Sept. 13, the BCJFD opened the livelihood center of the female inmates to the public.

From 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, the trained PDL accepts clients for hair rebonding services for PHP400 to PHP600, body scrub for PHP250, whole body massage for PHP250, foot spa for PHP200 and PHP250 iwith pedicure, hot oil or keratin treatment from PHP150 to PHP250, blow dry for PHP30, hair press for PHP50, cellophane treatment for PHP200 to PHP300, hair trim PHP80, manicure PHP50, facial treatment for PHP200 and pedicure PHP50. Female clients can also accept bookings beyond parlor hours.

Joy said: "I feel very fortunate there are opportunities like these for us. When you enter the jail as an inmate, you think about your family outside, who will provide for their needs. But with the trainings and livelihood opportunities provided to us, we are able to keep our self esteem that despite being here, we can still help our families."

She feels positive that after her jail term, even if her record as a former jail inmate would bar her from finding a job, she and her son will survive.

"Kung hindi kami makahanap ng trabaho paglabas, sa training namin, may fall back kami at may kabuhayan na naghihintay. Pinag-iipunan ko rin yung puhunan ko paglabas para makabili ako ng mga gamit," Joy said.

With the opportunity provided, she said they have something to keep them busy rather than just gossiping with fellow PDLs. "This also helps our wellness -- psychologically and physically," she explained.

Earning an average of PHP500 a day, Joy is able to help her mother support her child and continue paying her Social Security System (SSS) contribution.

If convicted, she faces a maximum of 12 years jail term. She has been in jail for almost two years.

The BJMP gears not only to provide a humane treatment and safekeeping of the inmates, but also for their personal growth and development, to prepare them for the time they go back to their families in the community.

"We do not want them to return to the jail. We want them to have a livelihood so that they can live legally when they go out, when they cannot find a job after their jail term," Ayangwa said, adding that this is also part of the after-care that the government wants to provide to former PDLs. (PNA)



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CAMP MARCELO A. ADDURU, Tuguegarao City -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Region 2 officially declared the town of Sta. Teresita as the first drug-cleared municipality in the province of Cagayan on Saturday.

The formal declaration was led by Laurefel P. Gabales, PDEA Region 2 Director and Chairman of the Regional Oversight Committee, together with Dir. Jonathan Paul M Leusen Jr, of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 2; and Police Regional Office 2 (PRO2) Director Supt. Robert G. Quenery, who was represented by Cagayan Provincial Police Director Supt. Warren Gaspar A. Tolito.

The activity was also attended by other officials of the DILG, Cagayan province, 17th IB Phil Army Battalion, and Sta. Teresita town.

Tolito said since July 1, 2016, a total of 111 identified drug personalities have surrendered and are now tagged as "tokhang responders."

He added that the said number of drug surrenders have undergone the 8-cycles of the Community-Based Rehabilitation Program (CBRP).

Out of the 13 barangays of the town, four were considered drug-free while the other nine barangays earlier drug-affected were eventually cleared after the intensified war on drugs under Project: Double Barrel Reloaded. (PNA)



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DAVAO CITY -- Filipino pug Mark Anthony Barriga defeated Wittawas Bassapean of Thailand via unanimous decision to capture the vacant WBO International minimumweight title on Saturday night at the Heyuan Royal Garden Hotel in Beijing, China.

All three judges Edward Ligas, Martino Redona and Surat Soikrachang scored it 100-90.

Barriga, a London 2012 Olympian was trained by Joven Jimeneez, also trainer-manager of current IBF world super flyweight champion Jerwin 'Pretty Boy" Ancajas.

Both Barriga and Ancajas are from Panabo City.

Meanwhile, Ronnie Baldonado of Davao City retained his interim WBO Oriental flyweight title by stopping Indonesian challenger Iwan Zoda by a knockout in the sixth round in the same card promoted by Sen. Manny Pacquiao of MP Promotions and Wen Xin Zhou of Ding Xin Sports.

Four other fighters from MP Davao Gym also beat their respective rivals in the undercard. Genisis Libranza won by a unanimous decision on Yujie Zeng while Rene Mark Cuarto knocked out Guangxiong Li in the 3rd round.

Vincent Astrolabio also scored a unanimous decision against Ayati Sailike in their 8-rounder while Jayar Inson defeated Yangcheng Jin by a majority decision in a 6-rounder match. (PNA)



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BALANGA CITY, Bataan -- As the highlight of the Tourism Month's culmination, the Bataan Tourism Council showcased Saturday the festival costumes in the province's 11 towns and a city at the Vista Mall here.

The colorful costumes were made of indigenous materials common in each community for which the towns and city are proud of.

Abucay town has a Muslim princess-inspired costume made from juete sack (sako), tahong and walis lasa with sarimanok headdress made from metallic fabric and walis lasa as tail.

From the industrial town of Limay is a mermaid-cut Filipiniana costume made from juete sack, shells, pearl, fish scale, fish net and wood curved fish.

Costume in Orani town is made of indigenous materials like native rope, banig rapia and buli hats decorated with fishnet, artificial prawns and alimango made from dried waterlily.
Orion own's costume is made from sako, abaca rope, mango seeds and mango branches while in Pilar town is a modern Filipiniana costume made from sako, dried corn, rice stalks and rice grains with handpainted carabao and ricefield.

Meanwhile, Samal town's entry is a modern Filipiniana made from juete sack decorated with capiz and pearl.
Bagac takes pride of a Maria Clara costume inspired by woodcrafts from Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar with cashew nuts and egret (tagac) where the town got its name.

The City of Balanga has a floor sweeping festival costume made of sack cloth material featuring floral colored grasses, handpainted jars and logo of city.

A Maria Clara design with figures of bamboo and droplets of water is the festival costume of Dinalupihan town while Hermosa town's costume symbolizes color of duck's beak that produces balut. Materials used were sack cloth, eggs, plastic roofing for egg crack design and table runner.

In Mariveles town, home of multi-national companies under the Freeport Area of Bataan, is a black and white serpentine costume embellished with high quality bag products.

The clothing material in the festival costume of Morong town, on the other hand, is beach-inspired added with touch of pawikan. (PNA)



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BALANGA CITY, Bataan -- An all-breed championship dog show was held over the weekend at the Vista Mall here participated in by 103 dogs from different provinces in Central Luzon and Metro Manila.

The event was sponsored by the Metro Clark Pampanga Canine Club, Inc. (MCPCCI) and Philippine Canine Club, Inc. (PCCI).

The dog show was not like ordinary dog shows that feature talents or fashion but on the totality from dog's health and physical well-being.

"The judges are thoroughly looking into the standard of every participating dog, the totality of the dogs. This is a confirmation show based on standard wherein the dogs are being observed on how they stand and run," Shirley Capilihisan of PCCI.

Judges checked various body parts of the dogs -- the teeth, ribs, testicles -- and observed how the participants stand and walk/run.

Participating were small and big dogs of different breed. (PNA)



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TARLAC CITY -- At least 111.5 kilos of hot meat (botcha) were confiscated in an inspection conducted Saturday at the Victory Uptown Market here by the City Veterinary Office and Tarlac City Police Station.

The City Veterinary Office, headed by Dr. JulietaParairo, with the assistance of PO2 Ryan Torales of Tarlac City Police Station, confiscated the hot meat at John-Len Store.

The owner of the store could not be located at the time of the surprise operation.

Parairo said she will recommend the revocation of the business permit of the stall owner and a case of violation of RA 9296 as amended by RA 10536, or "The Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines," will be filed on Monday.
The seized hot meat will be burned and disposed of properly, she said.

Parairo said the routine operation is part of the intensified crackdown against the proliferation of "hot meat" or meat products that have not passed the government's inspection standards.

Last Sept. 20, some 103.8 kilos of hot meat was confiscated at the City Uptown Market here.

"The move is part of the city government's efforts to keep the residents safe from products that were not properly inspected and lack proper clearance from the city's abattoir," she said.

She asked the consumers to be vigilant in checking the condition of the meat to ensure safety and to always look for the meat inspection certificates of the stall owners. (PNA)



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LIPA CITY, Batangas -- A top official of the Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) urged workers to be aware and safeguard their rights, welfare and benefits under the agency's program.

In a report on Sunday, ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis together with ECC officials spearheaded the advocacy seminar at the Blue Sapphire Social Events Corporation in this city to intensify information and awareness on ECC improved services among workers.

She told more than 150 seminar attendees that the ECC is encouraging establishments from various business establishments, private sector and government agencies to also disseminate the information and broaden awareness among the workers' ranks in Batangas and neighboring areas.

ECC has embarked on its awareness campaign in coordination with and support from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Calabarzon regional office.

According to Banawis, their information campaign covers not only on the three components of the EC Program such as prevention, compensation and rehabilitation services but also on focusing recent EC Program reforms.

These reforms, Banawis said, are anchored on the "3Es" or Equalize, Enhance and Expand EC Benefits to improve the program.

Consultation meetings with both the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and Social Security System (SSS) offices based in Batangas were also held on Friday to update officers on recent EC program policies and facilitate future processing of EC Claims.

Aside from Banawis, lawyer Jonathan Villasoto, ECC Director and Dr. Raymond Banaga, Medical Officer II of the Work Contingency and Rehabilitation Division also graced the seminar and presented two of their EC recipients.

The ECC is now ISO 9001:2015 certified and has been a recipient of four recognition awards from the recently held 34th ASEAN Social Security Association (ASSA) Convention held in Udonthani, Thailand. (Maroe T. Genosa/PNA)



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