MikeLigalig.com

533 dengue cases recorded in Zamboanga City
Zamboanga City (23 June 2005) -- There is a reported serious outbreak of dengue hemorrhagic fever in the city, as City Health Office (CHO) yesterday reported a highly alarming number of case registered from January to June, this year.

Compared to last year's number of cases, CHO assistant officer Dra. Carol Lourdes Carabaña revealed that as of yesterday, a total of 533 cases of dengue have been recorded. She said the alarming cases of the dreaded mosquito-borne disease as of this period has even increased in triple the number of cases reported the whole year of 2004.

Earlier yesterday, City Health Officer Dr. Rodel Agbulos, in a radio interview disclosed that his office will embark on a massive fumigation campaign of barangays identified as dengue-prone areas. He said the campaign will kickoff today in line with its "Alarma Contra Dengue" program of the city to fight the said disease that has now invaded at least 18 identified barangays where cases of dengue have been recorded recently. (PIA)

Playing of "audiotapes" up to Congress - Bunye
MANILA (23 June 2005) -- The decision on whether or not any "audiotapes" will be played is up to the House of Representative's committees handling the wiretapping investigation.

The statement was issued by Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye as lawmakers bickered whether or not to have the recordings played in open session of the Lower House' probing of the alleged wiretapped conversation to rig the May 2004 election.

Bunye said the present administration respects the Congress committees' ruling on the matter.
Meanwhile, the Palace official expressed concern that the on-going probe may deviate from the real issue that the "tape" was dubious in origin.

"We are for the truth on this matter, but we hope that the on-going investigation would not be further exploited in fueling political unrest or media hype," he added. (PIA-MMIO)

Palace acknowledges Pinoys' hardships

MANILA (23 June 2005) -- Malacañang has acknowledged the growing hardships of the Filipinos amidst the economic and political turmoil that the country is experiencing.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye made the statement after the Social Weather Survey (SWS) report in May showed that 57 percent of the Filipino household heads regarded their household as poor.

Bunye, who is also the Presidential Spokesman, pointed out that no amount of political squabbles and attempts to discredit President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's government will stand the way to improve the living conditions of ordinary people, especially in the face of rising oil prices.

The Palace official assured the Filipino nation that the Arroyo Government is continuously seeking all means to lessen the impact of socio-economic pressures by growing the economy.

He said the present administration remain focused in achieving the economic goals as it pushes for the generation of more investments and job opportunities, institution of reforms to maintain fiscal stability, and the implementation of pro-poor programs. (PIA-MMIO)

Nahinumdoman Ko Ang Sierra Madre
sinulat ni MARIO L. CUEZON

Di ko malimtan ang tubig,
ang mga batong akong gipamunit,
ang mga sugilanon, ang pinulongan,
ang awit nga gitudlo namo
sa mga batang Dumagat,
UP Naming Mahal
gihimong Yokyok Namong Mahal.

Didto ko unang nakabatyag nga kagamay ko ba
sa ilawom sa higanteng mga kahoy,
wa hilabti sa mga siglo,
ang basa nga yuta sa ilawom niini,
ang dagkong mga punoang
di magakos og tulo ka tawo,
kadtong lugar nga halos wala nay Adlaw.

Unang pagkurog ko atubangan
sa likod sa taas ug itom nga halas,
parehas kadako sa akong kamot
ug usa ka gamayng bato lamang ang akong dala.

Didto ko unang nahadlok og lamok tungod sa malarya.
Kadtong batan-ong magtiayong Dumagat,
may dalang batang gihilantag usa na ka semana.
Dili sila pasakyon sa fierra kay wala silay pamilete.
Gibayran namo sila. Gihatod sa tambalanan.

Karon nahinumdoman ko na pod ang Sierra Madre
samtang nag-atubang sa nagkaupaw nga Malindang.
Unsa na kaha ang gidangatan sa iyang lasang?
Unsa na kaha kon gipugngan ang iyang tubig?

Dili ko gustong maghunahuna niini
bahin sa Sierra Madre,
nga naglubong kanako sa mga paghandom
sa kabatan-on kong nanglabay na.

Idle lands in Pangasinan, ideal for agricultural crops
By Danny O. Sagun

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan (23 June 2005) -â€" Some 1,600 hectares of unutilized lands in Pangasinan are set to be planted with various agricultural crops, it was learned today.

Assistant provincial agriculturist Dalia Aquino said that the idle lands, mostly located in the mountain areas of eastern and western Pangasinan, are suitable for crops like corn, mango, coconut, and cassava.

The coastal areas of Dasol town in western Pangasinan were also targeted for fish production, she added.

The development of new agribusiness lands is a joint project of the Department of Agriculture and the provincial government. Gov. Victor E. Agbayani and the DA entered into a memorandum of agreement last month to jointly pursue the project.

Meanwhile, rice stocks in the province is good for the next three months per inventory of commercial, government and household stocks, according to economist George Terrado of the National Food Authority Lingayen branch.

He said that the food agency continues to sell rice at P16 per kilo for the regular-milled rice and P18 for the well-milled variety. Commercial rice in the markets is presently sold at P20 to P24 per kilo.

Except for the towns of Sta. Barbara, Agno, Infanta and Anda, all municipalities in province have Bigasang Gloria outlets in the public markets. NFA information officer Marissa Jacinto disclosed.

The Bigasan outlets are retail stores dedicated to selling pure NFA rice. Retailers in the four towns with no Bigasan outlets have opted to sell NFA rice in their individual capacity, Jacinto said.

The two NFA officers said that the NFA rice stocks in the warehouses are well-maintained and protected from rats and other infestations.

Some 10,000 bags of rice are consumed daily in western Pangasinan. The daily requirement in the eastern part is a little less, they said.

Aquino and the two NFA officials guested this morning in the weekly Pantongtongan Tayo radio program of the Philippine Information Agency over Radyo ng BAyan-DZMQ. (PIA Ilocos)

PGMA breaks her silence on controversial audiotapes
by Aleli Aggasid-Batara
Laoag City (23 June 2005) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo promised Hongkong businessmen on Monday that she will respond on the allegations that she rigged the results of the previous election at the appropriate time.
The President assured the business community that she is not stonewalling but waiting for an atmosphere of sobriety while attending to more pressing problems in the country today.

She assured her audience that she won the presidential race and did not cheat her way to victory.
She further ascertained that she will finish her term on 2010 and implement much needed economic reforms for the development of the nation.

The administration has assured transparency in the investigation of the audiotapes by keeping the committee hearing open to the public.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye and NBI Director Wycoco have honored the invitation of the committee to appear at the hearing.

Meanwhile, Bureau of Immigrations Commissioner Alipio Fernandez assured the public that there is no departure record for COMELEC Commisioner Virgilio Garcillano following purported reports coming from the opposition that he escaped from the country through the Southern backdoor. (PIA)

Read Online Flaubert's Madame Bovary in Full Length

Globe collaborates with IT partners to improve customer service

MANILA, April 6 (PNA) -- Globe Telecom is committed on strengthening its relationship with its information technology (IT) partners to enhance its operations and improve customer experience.

Globe Chief Information Officer Pebbles Sy-Manalang said its Information Systems Group (ISG) seeks to engage its IT providers into strategic partners towards ensuring their success.

“We have been focused on delivering the IT requirements of the business but our relationship with some of our vendors remains transactional. Our aspiration is for the Globe Information Systems Group (ISG) to turn select IT providers into strategic partners and engage them to become Globe’s trusted advisors who share our vision, as well as our success,” Manalang said in a statement.

Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu said the company’s continuing growth was driven by the support and cooperation of its IT affiliates.

“Our partners have been instrumental in helping us get to where we are at today. Needless to say, these partnerships have benefited Globe in many ways as they provide enormous support to our various endeavors. We want to be able to continue building on these relationships now that we have achieved some level of success in the mobile business and as we aim to grow our wireline business,” he emphasized.

At the 1st Annual ISG Movers Awards, Amazon Web Services was declared “ISG Mover of the Year” for its support for Globe Telecom’s journey to become “IT partner of choice” within and beyond Globe.

Amazon Web Services was also declared as “2016 Service Provider of the Year” for providing support in its operations and consultancy services.

Amdocs was given the “2016 Project Mover of the Year Award” for moving the IT organization beyond typical project implementation and for exhibiting excellence in successfully delivering projects within scope, time, and budget.

Meanwhile, VMWare was declared “2016 Hardware and Software Mover of the Year” for increasing ISG’s capability to support the business through the hardware and/or software products and services that they maintain. It was also recognized as the “Partner Innovation Challenge 2016 Champion” for pitching the best innovation idea, besting 6 other partners. (PNA)
ABP

SEC suspends 20 more lending firms

MANILA, April 7 (PNA) -- The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) suspended the certificates of registrationas corporations of additional 20 lending companies which failed to obtain a Certificate of Authority (CA) to Operate as a Lending Company required under Republic Act No. 9474, or the Lending Company Regulation Act of 2007.

On March 7, 2017, the SEC suspended the certificates of registration of 84 lending companies also for their failure to obtain CA to operate as lending company.

The SEC is the lead agency in the administration of said law. (PNA)

Department of Agriculture eyes Php213-B budget for 2018

MANILA, April 7 (PNA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) is proposing a Php213-billion budget for 2018 to finance programs to boost farm production.

This is 370 percent higher than the Php45.29 billion approved for the DA this year.

DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol told reporters Friday that President Rodrigo Duterte, during his speech in Talavera, Nueva Ecija, said he would give his department a similar budget to that of the Department of Education, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Health.

“It’s huge. In fact, the DepEd is Php600 billion, we are not asking for that. What we are asking is Php213 billion for 2018,” he said.

Piñol said the President also personally told him to continue his department’s farm mechanization program.

Apart from farm mechanization, the agriculture chief earlier said other priorities of the DA were rice and corn program and easy credit lending. (PNA)
LESLIE D. VENZON

Oldest living Filipino WWII veteran is 107, recalls Bataan Death March
By Ben Cal

MANILA, April 7 (PNA) -- At 107, former Army Capt. Jose P. Javier is the oldest living Filipino World War II veteran who survived the infamous Bataan Death march.

But despite his old age, Capt. Javier, a medical doctor by profession, still managed to write a 143-page book entitled “A Century’s Journey” -â€" a story about his life, particularly as a soldier, who was always in the front-line attending to the wounded.

This writer was granted the rare privilege for an exclusive interview with the now bed-ridden Capt. Javier by the latter’s ever caring wife, Filomena at their residence in Quezon City last Monday as the nation prepares for the 75th anniversary of the "Araw ng Kagitingan" on April 9.

It was his wife who answered my query during the interview, although she said “there are some occasions that her husband could utter something, like when he is hungry or thirsty,” Mrs. Javier said.

“But during the praying of the Rosary, her husband is very attentive that when someone replies incorrectly, he immediately corrects him,” she added with a smile.

Mrs. Javier said her husband’s “passion for prayer trusting God and putting the Lord first has not diminished to date.”

In fact, in his book, Capt. Javier disclosed that he attended Mass and received Holy Communion at every opportunity even during the war. It was a Belgian priest who said the Mass held secretly in their mountain hideout in Luzon.

In his book, Capt. Javier recalled that prior to the outbreak of the war in the Philippines, World War II was already raging in Europe. It was only a matter of time that the United States would be involved in the fighting “sooner or later.”

In 1938, President Manuel L. Quezon tapped US Gen. Douglas MacArthur to organize and train a Philippine Army to prepare for any eventually, on top of the Philippine Constabulary, whose task was mainly for peace and order.

“Doctors were invited to apply for military training to prepare them for possible active duty,” Capt. Javier recalled.

“After I submitted my application, I was called to report to Camp Murphy (now Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City) for six weeks of training. Together with other doctors, I had my first experience of military life,” Capt. Javier said.

For three years, from 1938 to 1941, he was assigned to various places in the country, particularly in Mindanao as World War II had not broke out in the Pacific.

However, there were talks that war “which had embroiled Europe would involve the U.S. and the Philippines. But nobody thought that would happen soon. And everybody believed that if war did come to the Philippines, the mighty forces of the U.S. would quickly vanquish the enemy (Japan). How mistaken we were!” Capt. Javier wrote in his book memoirs.

On Sept. 1, 1941, he and other Filipinos were inducted into the U.S. Armed Forces of the Far East (USAFFE).

Capt. Javier was assigned as the executive officer of the 21st Medical Battalion under Lt. Col. Eliseo Bringas as the commanding officer. The unit was under the 21st Infantry Division commanded by Gen. Mateo Capinpin.

It was only on Dec. 9, 1941 that the earthshaking news that war broke out in the Pacific.

“Gen. Capinpin broke the news that Pearl Harbor in Honolulu was bombed by the Japanese the day before and that the U.S. Congress had declared war on Japan. On that day the Japanese bombed Clark Air Force Base (in Pampanga),” Capt. Javier said.

Immediately, the 21st Infantry Division was deployed to Lingayen Gulf where the Japanese Imperial Army was expected to land.

American and Filipino troops engaged the Japanese forces, but the invaders pressed their searing attack, Capt. Javier said, saying that “we began our retreat while our infantry engaged the Japanese to delay their advance.”

Despite the raging war, a handful of Filipino Catholics, celebrated Christmas Eve on Dec. 24, 1941 in dim light with only two candles in Camiling, Tarlac where the Filipino and American guerrillas had retreated.

On Jan. 1, 1942, they moved to Angeles City in Pampanga on their way to Bataan where they saw massive destruction with many bridges burning.

He said it was in Bataan where American and Filipino forces would make their stand against the pursuing Japanese.

“Those who planned the strategy were confident that our troops fighting a defensive war could hold the enemy until reinforcements would arrive from the U.S.” Capt. Javier said.

However, he said, the planners “did not occur to them that a successful attack on Pearl Harbor at the onset of the war would initially incapacitate the U.S. for some time.”

Pearl Harbor was devastated in a surprise attack by Japanese warplanes. This had spurred the Americans to go to war against the Japanese.

In his memoirs, Capt. Javier described how the Filipino and American troops fought gallantly in their foxholes in Bataan against the highly armed Japanese forces.

“Our cannons fired continuously day and night. But the Japanese could not be stopped. Their advances could not be stopped. Their advances could only be delayed,” he pointed out.

He also said there were times when heavy fighting stopped but they were temporary as the Japanese were only reorganizing before they would resume their offensive.

He said that fortunately Japanese planes did not incur much damage during their sorties in terms of troop casualties because Japanese pilots were targeting “our artillery which was wreaking havoc on their troops.”

During these aerial attacks, they wished they had their own warplanes to engage the Japanese aircraft.

Capt. Javier also said that every time they received words from America that reinforcements were coming as promised by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, they were buoyed up only to be dismayed later that there was none.

Then they received orders to hold their lines and “no more retreat…but our troops could only hold for a period of time. Finally, we were pushed to the foot of Mt. Samat.”Fighting continued to rage without letup with the medical unit under Capt. Javier treated and evacuated Filipino and American casualties.

Every time there was a lull in the fighting, Capt. Javier said he visited his men at the front-line to cheer them up. Nevertheless, Japanese reconnaissance planes dropped bombs occasionally that one of his medical staff, Dr. Juan Itchon, developed shell shock.

The Fall of Bataan

Capt. Javier wrote in his book the saddest day in his life when the Filipino and American soldiers in Bataan had surrendered on April 9, 1942 after more than three months of holding their fort against the mighty Japanese troops.

Suffering heavy casualties and short of ammunition, food, medicine and other supplies running out of stock, Bataan had fallen.

In his diary, the 31-year old Capt. Javier recalled that every Friday for the past three years how Fr. Fernando Guerzon, the division chaplain, led the Station of the Cross. But on Good Friday in 1942, there was none as the Japanese had overrun Bataan.

“For a while we hiked without direction or destination. Japanese soldiers overtook us. Some of them seemed to be friendly,” he said.

“You may go home now,” Capt. Javier heard some Japanese soldiers telling them.

“After one day of hiking, we were stopped and made to join many others. We were made to sit down on the ground while a Japanese soldier made a count touching each head with the end of a pole. I met Julio Abadilla who shared his little rice with me. We parted. I did not wait for anybody, nor look for a companion. I was eager to get out of Bataan. Are we really free, I asked myself?” he said.

Death March

Then Capt. Javier realized they were prisoners of war upon reaching Dinalupihan in Bataan at the boundary of Pampanga.

“From there we were made to march in columns, with a Japanese soldier at the head and another at the tail of the column,” he said.

Day and night they had to walk without stopping. Worse, they were not given food and water. They were weak and exhausted.

People who lived along the highway gave them water to drink that gave them some relief to quench their thirst.While they were walking, he saw his friend, Dr. Fernando Tinio, who was agonizing in pain because his feet were full of blisters. Tinio had to take out his shoes to continue walking with towels wrapped around his feet.

“Fortunately, the Japanese guard was not cruel, he just prodded us to walk faster to catch up with the rest,” he said.

During the long walk, some of them managed to escape, but some who were caught were bayoneted to death.

Capt. Javier also related when they reached San Fernando in Pampanga they were put inside a fence with barbed wire.

“It was then that we realized we were prisoners,” he said.

There were thousands of them with no food and other basic needs. In fact, Capt. Javier described the location as a “big pit” where there were no toilets and “where everybody went to relieve themselves. It was nauseating. We were given a ration of rice.”

The next day, they were hauled aboard a train and brought to Capas, Tarlac.

At that point, the Death March had not started yet. The Death March covered a distance of 65 kilometers from Balanga, Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga -- about 50 kilometers, and from Capas to Camp O’Donnel, about 15 kilometers.

When the Japanese invaded the Philippines, they expected to capture Bataan at the end of April 1942, but Bataan had fallen on April 9 of that year.

This had created problem of evacuation by the Japanese.“Perhaps they (Japanese) had prepared a plan but it broke down because they underestimated the number of U.S. forces. Their intelligence estimated the number of U.S. forces to be less than 40,000. The correct number was about 80,000.

The Japanese did not think of the civilians who had to get out of Bataan because they could be killed by artillery from Corregidor aimed at the Japanese,” Capt. Javier wrote in his book.

The Japanese expected that about 100,000 would be evacuated, but they underestimated the bulk of the evacuees which was twice the number.

“The result was that the evacuation was utterly disorganized, at least from the point of surrender to the town of Orani at the base of the peninsula,” he said.

They were ordered to march in columns but “what made it worse for the prisoners was the ill treatment by the Japanese, who either did not know or ignored the instruction of General Homma (the Japanese commander).”

“With rare exceptions, the Japanese officers and enlisted men were cruel and brutal. For no reason at all or for minor infractions, prisoners were slapped in the face, punched, or hit with the butt of rifles. Those who could no longer keep pace in the march, those who were caught trying to escape were given the ultimate treatment â€" bayoneted or shot. It is estimated that at least 600 Americans and between 5,000 and 10,000 Filipinos lost their lives during the march,” Capt. Javier said.

As a prisoner of war during the Death March, Capt. Javier always prayed for his safety. God answered his prayers when he was able to continue the Death March without being stricken ill.

Capt. Javier regained his freedom when the Japanese released him in Manila sometime in August 1942 when the war was still raging.

He joined the guerrilla movement until the Philippines was liberated in 1945 by American and Allied Forces led by Gen. MacArthur.

During the interview at his residence, Capt. Javier smiled and shook my hand firmly with the strength of a young soldier. It was an indication to thank me for the interview.He looked me straight in the eyes as he signalled to his wife, Filomena, who was beside him to serve me a snack which she willingly obliged. (PNA)

DOLE issues pay rules for Araw ng Kagitingan, Holy Week holidays

MANILA, April 8 (PIA)--DOLE Acting Secretary Ciriaco A. Lagunzad III has issued  labor advisory prescribing the proper payment of wages for the regular holidays and special (non-working) holiday for this month.

There are three regular holidays this month -- April 9, a Sunday, which is Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor; April 13, Maundy Thursday; and April 14, Good Friday, according to Lagunzad.

“The special (non-working) day is April 15, Black Saturday,” he said.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte issued Proclamation No. 50 on August 16, 2016 declaring the above as regular holiday and special non-working day.

Under Labor Advisory No. 3, Series of 2017, For these days, the pay rules to be observed for the  for the above regular holidays and special-non-working holiday are as follows:

A.   For the regular holiday on 9, 13, and 14 April 2017:

·         If the employee did not work, he/she shall be paid 100 percent of his/her salary for that day computed at [(Daily Rate + COLA) x 100%];

·         For work done during the regular holiday, the employee shall be paid 200 percent of his/her regular salary for that day for the first eight hours computed at [(Daily Rate + COLA) x 200%];

·         For work done in excess of eight hours (overtime work), he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate on said day. Computation: [Hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 200% x 130% x number of hours worked];

·         For work done during a regular holiday that also falls on a rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her daily rate of 200 percent. Computation: [(Daily Rate + COLA) x 200%] + [30% (Daily rate x 200%)]; and

·       For work done in excess of eight hours (overtime work) during a regular holiday that also falls on his/her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate on said day. Computation: [Hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 200% x 130% x 130% x number of hours worked].
B.   For the special (non-working) day on 15 April 2017:
·       If the employee did not work, the “no-work, no-pay” principle shall apply unless there is a favorable company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment on a special day;
·       For work done during the special (non-working) day, he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her daily rate on the first eight hours of work. Computation: [(Daily Rate x 130%) + COLA];
·       For work done in excess of eight hours (overtime work), he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate on said day. Computation: (Hourly rate of the basic daily wage X 130% x 130% x number of hours worked);
·       For work done during a special day that also falls his/her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 50 percent of his/her daily rate on the first eight hours of work. Computation: [(Daily Rate x 150%) + COLA]; and
·       For work done in excess of eight hours (overtime work) during a special day that also falls on his/her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of the his/her hourly rate on said day. Computation: (Hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 150% x 130% x number of hours worked).
Lagunzad stressed that the proper observance of the pay rules on both regular holidays and special non-working days encourages productive and efficient workers.

“Compliance with labor laws, including correct payment of wage during holidays, promotes workplace harmony and excellence, which redounds to the productivity and competitiveness of businesses," said Lagunzad. (DOLE/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)

Ilonggos rally for environmetal protection
by T. Villavert

Iloilo City (23 June 2005) -- The urgency to address the environmental degradation took center stage in the activity dubbed “Walk Advocacy for a green Iloilo City”.

This is a 7:30 A.M. parade in the city participated in by various sectors bearing placards, banners and posters that highlights public awareness on the consequences of neglect and destruction of the ecosystem. The Walk Advocacy is a joint undertaking of the Iloilo City government thru the Task Force on Clean and Green and the DENR. The activity has gathered big participation of students from various universities qand colleges in the city.

In a program held at the Freedom Grandstand, Val Talabero, OIC-Regional Executive Director of DENR VI warned of the great costs of environmental degradation. Sharing the information he learned from the World Bank’s Philippine Environment Report 2004, Talabero said that environmental degradation is costing the country some Pl00 Billion annually.

Sharing further the data, Talabero said that the country was losing P67 billion annually due to water pollution; P23 billion for lack of management of fisheries resources and P2l billion in health bills because of air pollution.
Talabero challenged everyone to support the government’s environmental protection program which is best addressed by Republic Act 9003, otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) Act of 2000, the first Republic Act signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

RA 9003 provides for a systematic and comprehensive ecological waste management program for all sectors of society to adopt and implement.

Likewise, Talabero congratulated the Iloilo City government for implementing the law. Iloilo City he said, generates 300 tons of garbage a day. Now the City government has converted the Calajunan open dumpsite into a controlled dumpsite.
To further solidify support to the environmental protection program, Barangay Captains in the city has manifested their pledge of commitment to practice, promote and implement the ESWM program of the city government.

Ecological Solid Waste Management refers to the systematic administration of activities which provide for segregation at source, transportation, storage, transfer, processing, treatment and disposal of solid waste and all other waste management activities which do not harm the environment.

The program at the Freedom Grandstand likewise, emphasized the “May Pera Sa Basura” through the success stories revealed by Sonia M. Marquillero, proprietess of Gabi Junkshop who is proud of her poor parents that through the basura she was sent to school and finished her law degree. Another testimony was heard from Barangay Captain Jess Mercado of Barangay Navais.

With World Bank’s assessment of environmental degradation costs, and with the economic gains one can get through proper environmental management, what else can Juan dela Cruz do to help maintain a viable environment? (PIA)

Leyte leaders pledge support to Arroyo administration

Tacloban City (23 June 2005) -- The following personages have expressed their unequivocal support to the GMA administration in an interview conducted by the Philippine Information Agency:

Hon. Trinidad G Apostol (Representative, 2nd District of Leyte): The attempt to overthrow the government will not gain any support from the members of the congress. These are all hearsay; there is no solid evidence to really say that the President is guilty to any of these allegations.
Gen. Dionisio B. Coloma (PNP Regional Director): I was the very first one to call the President to pledge my support to her. She will survive all these problems which are nothing but a political circus.
Gen. Jovito Palparan (AFP Commanding General): The entire officials and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines stand solidly behind Pres. Arroyo. She is still our commander-in-chief and we take orders from her. We are not affected by all these talks against the government. We are busy with all our own activity and we are still on top of the situation. There is no need to conduct any loyalty check among the officials of the 8th Infantry Division.
Mr. Roger Lo (President, Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry): We have signified continuous support to the Arroyo administration.
Dr. Leo Blanco (Reg'l Chairman, Phil. Chamber of Commerce and Industry): We issued a call to sobriety for economic stability and for the best interest of the country.
Mr. Eugene Tan (President, Candahug Liberation Jaycees and Pintados Foundation): We are always behind the leadership of her excellency Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Mr. Henry Yaokasin (President, Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce): We will always support the Arroyo administration.
Mr. Efren Redoña (President, Vice-Mayors' League): We will strongly support the GMA administration especially her 10-point agenda.
Atty. Danilo Matriano (Rotary Club of Leyte Gulf): We will always be behind GMA even if she is no longer the president.
Hon. Wilson Uy (President, Councilors' League of the Phils., Leyte Chapter): We are of course expressing our continued support to the present administration.
Hon. Jose Carlos L. Cari (President, League of Municipalities, Leyte Chapter): The league is among the various leagues which expressed their support during the National Convention in Manila last June 11.

crossing over the narrowest point of the Grand Canal in the heart of Venice, built in the closing years of the 16th century, renowned as an architectural and engineering achievement of the Renaissance. It was designed and built following a design competition by Antonio da Ponte and his nephew, Antonio Contino. A single stone-arch span supports a broad, rectangular deck carrying two arcades of shops fronting on three roadways. The lower chord of the bridge is only 83 feet (25 m), while the width is 66 feet (20 m). - source: Britannica Encyclopedia

20th- and 21st-century Japanese fantasy-based cartoon creatures that spawned a video- and card-game franchise.

In the Pokémonâ€"or “Pocket Monsters”â€"video-game series, players were able to explore the game's fictional world by looking for wild Pokémon creatures to capture and tame. As Pokémon trainers, they readied the small monsters to compete in battle against other trainers' Pokémon. Although fighting was a key aspect of the game and the creatures could be injured, none ever died; when defeated, they merely fainted.

Japanese game designer Satoshi Tajiri created the first Pokémon game in 1996 for the recently introduced Nintendo Game Boy portable console. The concept arose from his childhood hobby of collecting insects, as well as his love of anime, or Japanese animation. Tajiri saw the Game Boy as an ideal platform because its communication cable enabled players to connect their consoles and play together. Also, the pocket-sized device allowed busy Japanese schoolchildren to play the game in the short breaks between their classes.

The Pokémon creatures became a sensation in Japan and around the world, inspiring a long string of video games and a similarly popular game played with collectable trading cards. These products were soon followed by a wide variety of merchandise and a long-running animated television series, both of which focused on the adventures of a human trainer named Satoshi (after the game's creator; known as Ash in the United States) and his champion Pokémon, Pikachu. A series of lucrative feature films began in 1998.

Despite its widespread popularity and commercial success, the Pokémon product line was not without controversy. Many parents and teachers expressed dismay that the Pokémon games and television series, which were marketed to primary school children, were inherently violent. In addition, some adults protested the implicit message that it was all right for humans to capture and enslave sentient beings (the Pokémon had free will and rudimentary language), and others thought that the fantastic nature of the creatures promoted occult beliefs and practices. Adult fears and the cultlike allure of the Pokémon universe among children fostered a variety of satirical works by such arbiters of popular culture as Mad magazine and the television show South Park. - source: Britannica Encyclopedia

RDC-8 hosts e-Solutions seminar and e-Business forum

Tacloban City (23 June 2005) -- Serious on its aim to become the Philippines' next ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Hub, the Regional Development Council has organized two (2) very important activities: the ICT Exhibits and e-Solutions Seminar, and the e-Business Forum, to happen this June 27 and 28, respectively.
Both activities will be held at the Leyte SMED Center, Tacloban City.

According to DTI Regional Director Cynthia Nierras, the e-Solutions Seminar will allow participants to see and learn the latest technological advancements thru displays and lectures on ICT-enabled business solutions.

For the e-Business Forum on June 28, various topics will be presented like Leyte Governor Jericho Petilla's "Eastern Visayas: The Next ICT Hub." Other presenters include top executives of e-Business firms and government officials from Manila.

Nierras said that topics such as "Positioning Brand Philippines in the Global ICT Market" and "Enabling ICT Hubs in the Provinces" will be discussed to know the e-business situation of the country, trends, and even how to put up an e-business.

The e-Business briefing will be very relevant to local businessmen, schools and local government units. Industry champions from Manila will talk about customer contact centers, medical transcriptions, business process outsourcing, software development, and many other interesting topics.

Nierras explained that since June was declared as ICT Month, the two activities are part of the Region's celebration of ICT Month. She added that on June 29, the Leyte LGU plans to launch and proclaim the Leyte ICT Park. This forms part of the ICT Expo sponsored by the RDC thru its Regional Information Technology and E-Commerce Committee (RITECC), in cooperation with the Leyte Provincial Government, DTI, Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Bayantel as the major sponsors. Other partner sponsors are Globelines, D-Link, Samsung and EDS.

For interested persons who have questions on the activities, they may contact the Secretariat at the DTI Regional Office and call (055)323-5680 or 323-4163. (PIA)

Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto reminds government and private sector stakeholders, including resort owners, of Panglao Island that Bohol's development relies on its natural resources and thus Bohol cannot sustain its development while sacrificing its environment. The governor urged stakeholders to police their own ranks in order to keep Panglao Island clean and safe for its people and its tourists, from which industry it is thriving. This was what he reiterated during this morning's Panglao Coastal Waters Status Coordination Meeting called by the DENR - EMB region 7. The DENR EMB is updating stakeholders on compliance of establishments to environmental laws covering the coastal waters of Panglao. The meeting was attended by Panglao Mayor Nila Montero, municipal and barangay officials of Panglao and Dauis, the members of the Bohol Association of Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants (BAHRR) as well as other resort owners.

Check out the latest deals at www.aliexpress.com and www.gearbest.com

1st Paragon Logistics Int'l., Inc.                  
Address: Room 201 Mercantile Insurance Building, General Luna corner Beaterio Streets, Intramuros, Manila   
Phone Numbers: (632)527-0782
(632)527-0786   (632)527-0669   
Email Address: pbclogistics@skybro adband.com.ph   
Contact Person: Enrique R. Atayde - President and General Manager

12:24 Cargo Express Corporation         1         
Address: 538 MRR Road, Manila Mahogany Compound, Manggahan, Pasig City, Metro Manila   
Phone No: (632)748-1229 (0917-5481224)      
Email Address: info@1224cargo.com
Contact Person:
Jessie James B. Lugtu
- President and General Manager

1056 Logistics, Inc.         
Address: Room 226 Regina Building, Escolta, Manila   
Phone No:(632)247-3417   (632)353-0713   
Email Address: rmd@1056logistics. com, paul@1056logistics. com, zda@1056logistics.com
Contact Persons:
Maria B. Zapata - President and CEO, Rowena M. Dayao - Corporate Secretary and Accounting Officer, Apollo V. Petallano - General Manager, Karen L. Nanca - Account Officer

101 E-Trans Corporation         1         
Address:
12R Tower Three Adriatico Place Residences, Adriatico Street, Ermita, Manila   
Telephone Number: (632)353-0042   (632)353-0042   
Email Address: acctg.101e@gmail.com
Contact Person:
Concepcion B. Panen- Corporate Treasurer and Admin Manager

"K" Line Logistics
(Phils.), Inc. (formerly "K" Line Air Service (Phils.), Inc.)
Address:
Oyster Complex 2,
NAIA Avenue, Parañaque City, Metro Manila   
Phone Number:(632)825-1854   (632)826-1396   
Email Address:
customer.service@ph.klinelogistics.com, atty.mjandoquile@p h.klinelogistics.com   
Contact Persons
Rene R. Garcia -
President and COO, Alan Kiel T. Irlanda - Vice President and General Manager

Philippine Trade and Investment Center
Consulate General of the Philippines
Nybrogatan 12 SE-114 39 Stockholm, Sweden
Phone: +46.70.966.3560
Email: Stockholm@dti.gov.ph

Audio Format MP3 File Listen to the Stream
Listen to Sun Tzu's Art of War - Variation in Tactics Chapter

Nasagolan na sa mga militant settlers, nagubot na hinuon.

Check out the latest deals at www.aliexpress.com and www.gearbest.com

Try their Carabao Fresh Milk.

Check out the latest deals at www.aliexpress.com and www.gearbest.com

Flash floods hit Metro Cebu

CEBU CITY, April 3 (PNA) -- Flash floods brought about by heavy rains Monday morning turned major thoroughfares in Metro Cebu and other areas into virtual rivers, causing hours of traffic gridlock.

Among the areas hit by flash floods were the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Talisay, Toledo and Naga and the municipalities of Cordova, Consolacion, Liloan, Mingalanilla and Pinamungahan.

Engr. Alfredo Quiblat, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Mactan Station chief, said the three-hour rain started at 4 a.m. Monday.

Quiblat said the rains were the result of a convergence of easterly winds.

He said Metro Cebu would continue to have rains until Wednesday.

Quiblat said the Pagasa Mactan Station recorded 99 millimeters of rainfall, way above the normal rainfall of 50 millimeters expected in April.

He said every millimeter of rain was equivalent to 5,000 drums of water.

Quiblat said the rains poured Monday morning were equivalent to 495,000 drums of water. (PNA)
EDDIE BARRITA

Davao City still provides scholarships for 2003 Sasa blast victims

DAVAO CITY, April 4 (PNA) -- The city government continues to fund the scholarship of the survivors and the children of the victims of the 2003 Sasa Wharf bombing, spending around PHP5 million annually for their educational expenses.

One of the beneficiaries is 30-year-old Joel Torrevillas, a resident of Tibungco, this city. Torrevillas was a 17-year-old porter when the explosion happened that fateful day.

“I was having a snack at a food stall at that time,” Torrevillas recalled in the vernacular. “A kid was playing behind me, and then I heard an explosion. I woke up a month after because of complications.”

Torrevillas was a few meters away from the blast. He was saved by the child behind him who died during the explosion.

He can barely used his right arm after the incident.

In 2014, he underwent another surgery to take the splinter left in his lungs.

Maria Luisa Bermudo, City Social Services Development Office (CSSDO) head, said the city has sponsored over 500 scholars in different private and public schools and universities in the city.

Bermudo said the city continues to provide scholarships as long as the students show willingness to continue their studies.

“The beneficiaries of our educational assistance can choose their own school whether it’s a public or a private school, they can even choose their own course. We won’t impose on them what course to take,” she said.

All the scholars need to do is to follow the rules set by the city government like informing the city government immediately should they shift courses or continue their studies.

On Sunday, Torrevillas, the families and other victims of the Sasa Wharf bombing gathered at the blast site to commemorate the 14th year of the incident.

In 2015, joint operatives of Police Regional Office 12, Military Intelligence Group 12, Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Central Mindanao apprehended the suspect of the bombing, Abdul Manap Mentang.

Mentang was allegedly the man behind the Sasa Wharf blast and the 2005 Valentine’s Day bombing at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal. (PNA)
LCM/FUNNY PEARL GAJUNERA

University of Antique open to revival of agri school in San Remigio town

SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique, April 4 (PNA) -â€" The University of Antique (UA) is open to reviving the Antique National Agricultural School (ANAS) that was closed down several years ago in San Remigio town.

In an interview Tuesday, UA President Victor Navarra said they would open the agricultural school starting June 2017 if there are enough enrollees.

He said that they have a building in Tubudan village that could serve students taking Bachelor of Science (BS) in Agriculture major in Animal Science or BS in Crop Science.

For her part, Gov. Rhodora J. Cadiao urged students to enroll in these courses, saying the provincial government is ready to provide scholarships to them.

Cadiao said the provincial government still has a scholarship fund of PHP5 â€" 7 million, out of PHP15 million, that can be used by students pursuing agricultural studies.

”It’s my dream to revive ANAS,” the governor said.

She said that ANAS, which produced many agricultural graduates, was closed down in San Remigio and transferred to Hamtic town during the time of her father, who was then the governor, because of a political feud.

She said she wants to revive the school because Antique is an agricultural province and to encourage the youth to study agriculture or farming. (PNA)
AJPETINGLAY

'Boxer' cop relieved for punching trainee
By Villamor Visaya Jr.

TUGUEGARAO CITY, April 3 (PNA)- A police officer was relieved from his post at the city police after he allegedly punched an on-the-job trainee here, police said on Monday.

Police Officer 3 Vicente Lacambra was relieved from his post at the intelligence section here and was brought to far-flung Abulug police in the northernmost town in Cagayan.

The relief came after Lacambra punched the ribcage of Christian Bueno, a graduating criminology student and on-the-job trainee, for not heeding his instruction.

Not contented, Lacambra brought Bueno to the intelligence section and punched again the trainee's stomach. His fellow police officers pacified him.

Lacambra earlier instructed Bueno to bring his motorcycle for repair to a shop but the latter brought it instead to his classmate, a mechanic.

Bueno's parents have been poised to lodge physical injury charges and administrative complaint against Lacambra.(PNA)

Cagayan de Oro Councilor urges CSWDO to treat mentally-challenged persons

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 4, (PNA) - A city councilor here on Tuesday called on the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) to look into programs intended for mentally-challenged persons in the city.

City Councilor Nadya B. Emano-Elipe said that the CSWDO should "gather all mentally-challenged persons here and confine them in a “home” so that they could be taken cared of and be administered with proper medication."

She said that the past CSWDO administration "has taken cared all the mentally-challenged persons in the city’s streets, then confined them in a designated center for treatment."

Some of the mentally-challenged persons got well under the care of the CSWD before they were sent back home, while others were sent to Davao for further treatment.

Emano-Elipe cited the need to gather the mentally-challenged persons in a CSWD supervised center in order to rescue them and to spare the residents from possible harm. (PNA)

Puerto Princesa Underground River to open ‘Daylight Hole Cave’ tour
By Celeste Anna R. Formoso

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, April 4 (PNA) â€" The management of the renowned Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) here is set to open a new community-based sustainable tourism (CBST) attraction in Sitio Sabang, Barangay Cabayugan called the “Daylight Hole Cave.”

Jovic Fabello, spokesperson of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) Staff, who went as part of a team to the PPUR over the weekend, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) late Monday evening that the potential CBST is “a cavity within a contiguous limestone formation, which outlines part of the entire PPUR.”

Fabello said their team went to the site of the Daylight Hole Cave because it is a “significant cave” and, therefore, “should be assessed, surveyed, and mapped to determine its appropriate use and/or classification as stated in the Caves Act or Republic Act No. 9072” before it is opened to the public.

“The PCSD Staff, as a body under the PCSD, is mandated to provide machineries to coordinate the policy and functions, implement programs and organize such services in Palawan,” he said.

After the cave class has been determined, a participatory cave management planning should follow to ensure conservation measures and protection before a thumbs up is given for eco-tourism purposes.

He added a visitor management and safety plan must also be drawn to safeguard the site as part of the PPUR, which is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site.

PPUR Park Superintendent Elizabeth Maclang requested the PCSD Staff to conduct the cave assessment of the Daylight Hole Cave, according to Fabello.

Their team included Palawan State University (PSU) archeologist Dr. Jun Cayron, members of La Karst Palawan Cavers Association and PPUR staff.

Prior to operation, PPUR spokesperson Jan Elmer Badilla also disclosed that UNESCO would be sending infrastructure and activity guidelines, which need adoption by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council).

“The guidelines are still being crafted; we’re waiting for it from the UNESCO. Probably they’ll be sent next week. Then, we will need to request the City Council to adopt it before we can open the new CBST,” said Badilla, adding it will probably take time before it is operated.

The guidelines, Badilla enlightened, will contain what type of infrastructures and activities will be allowed to develop the Daylight Hole Cave as part of the park’s fresh CBST attraction.

“With infrastructures, the idea is to build traditional homes of the indigenous peoples (IPs) that live around the park area,” Badilla added.

The Daylight Hole Cave, “no doubt,” has potentials for ecotourism, Fabello furthered, as it can be offered as an alternative site to visit for tourists when the waves are strong in Sabang and the PPUR cannot be entered.

“Most caves are generally unsafe to traverse during bad weather, but if safety measures are placed within the area, then there is a possibility the Daylight Hole Cave can attract tourists, who love the adventure,” Fabello said.

Located at the back of the PPUR, the said cave is not a through and through cave. Its twilight zone is good for viewing and photography, while the dark zone will be off-limits.

Cave formations or dripstones (Speleothems) are abundant in the area of the Daylight Hole Cave. Speleothems are “secondary mineral deposits formed in a cave. They typically form in limestone or dolostone solutional caves.”

At its base is where the inflow of the freshwater is located that gushes inside the PPUR. It is a huge cave that was formed thousands of years ago due to a phenomenon called “collapse,” according to Fabello.

The cave cavity is measured to be approximately 32 meters wide and 28 meters high.

It has been known to the locals since the 90’s, and has been one of the venue for cave rescue training during the 7th Philippine Speleological Society Caving Congress held in the PPUR.

Since its discovery, and recently, many outdoor enthusiasts and tour guides frequent the cave without proper permits and safety gears.

This had to be stopped, said Fabello, until the Daylight Hole Cave is allowed to operate by environment authorities.

It is accessible by land, and will only take 30-45 minutes to trek with a little bit of hiking through a second growth lowland dipterocarp forest mixed with limestone forest and a bit of two short river crossings.

Once it is given the green light to operate, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) will be signed among the PCSD, its barangay home, the city government of Puerto Princesa, and the Protected Areas Management Board (PAMB) for the management plan implementation. (PNA)

Death of Pangasinan vice mayor not suicide--police

CALASIAO, Pangasinan, April 3 (PNA)--The Pangasinan police dismissed all speculations that resigned vice mayor Ferdinand Galang committed suicide early morning of Saturday inside his home in Barangay Mancup, Calasiao.

The police said they found no evidence whatsoever that the deceased committed suicide after Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) investigated the body and the premises.

Galang served as vice mayor of Calasiao for only less than six months till he resigned in December last year.

He was found inside his locked room in kneeling position with his face down with blood coming out from his mouth nose at about 8:00 a.m. Saturday.

Investigators said Galang may have died of heart attack as he was suffering from hypertension and had a prostate disorder based on a statement made by his elder sister Julie.

Neighbors who knew Galang well did not also believe he committed suicide. (PNA)
LVMICUA

2,800 students graduate from University of Antique

SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique, April 4 (PNA) - At least 2,800 students have graduated from the University of Antique (UA) main campus in Sibalom town and in its three other extension campuses in March.

UA is the lone university in Antique province. It has campuses in Hamtic, Libertad and Caluya towns.

UA President Victor Navarra said in an interview Tuesday that most of their graduates took up Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminology, BS Marine Engineering and education and technology courses.

He said that next week, UA will purchase a ship simulator so they could become compliant with the requirement of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

He noted the simulator is expensive, costing around PHP20 million, that is why UA, which also offers Bachelor of Science in Transportation, was not able to immediately acquire it.

”We now have the fund to buy the simulator from the income of UA,”Navarra said.

The simulator will be put up at the UA main campus in Sibalom and will be used in the training of students.

Navarra said that they are also planning to offer Marine Science and Conservation under the K+12 program track, so that they could also maximize the usage of the facilities of the marine engineering department. (PNA)
AJPETINGLAY

Pardoning police officers behind Espinosa slay is President’s prerogative - judge

TACLOBAN CITY, April 4 (PNA) - Giving pardon to the 19 police officials who allegedly plotted the killing of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa and another inmate inside their prison cells is a prerogative of President Rodrigo Duterte, the judge who issued their warrants of arrest said.

Judge Carlos Arguelles, presiding judge of Baybay City Regional Trial Court Branch 14, said the President may grant pardon to the suspects for as long as the camp of the accused will follow court procedures.

“The President has the pardoning power. In fact, I take exception to the observation of some that the case may reach the Supreme Court,” Arguelles said in a mobile phone interview on Monday.

On March 20, former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Region 8 (CIDG-8) head Supt. Marvin Marcos and 18 other CIDG operatives surrendered to the CIDG regional office three days after Arguelles issued the arrest warrants. The suspects have been temporarily detained at the CIDG lock-up cell here.

On April 1, President Duterte reiterated his commitment to grant pardon and to even promote policemen who just obeyed his orders in the drugs war.

Granting that the 19 detainees will plead guilty during the arraignment on April 26, Arguelles said he will give the prosecution a time to prove that the suspects are guilty.

If the suspects will no longer appeal the case, the court would then order where they would be detained permanently, making the court ruling final and executory.

“That’s the time that the President can grant them pardon. It will not even take an hour to do that,” Arguelles said.

On Saturday, the judge conducted a surprise inspection at the CIDG-8 detention cell to check if the agency is complying with conditions set by the court.

Arguelles noted that the CIDG-8 has been adhering to the court order that detainees should be inside their maximum detention cell and not roaming around the compound.

“I am impartial to anyone and I want to see if the authorities are fulfilling their functions. What I saw is that there’s no special treatment there,” the judge said.

Aside from Marcos, also named in the arrest warrants were Supt. Santi Noel Matira, Chief Insp. Leo Larraga, Senior Insp. Fritz Blanco, Senior Insp. Doegracias Diaz, Insp. Lucredito Candilosas, SPO4 Melvin Cayubit, PO3 Johnny Ibañez, SPO4 Juanito Duarte, PO1 Lloyd Ortigueza, PO1 Bhernard Orpilla, SPO2 Benjamin Dacallos, PO3 Norman Abellanosa, PO1 Jerlans Cabiyaan, PO1 Clixto Canillas Jr., SPO1 Mark Christian Cadilo, PO2 John Ruel Doculan and PO2 Jaime Dacsal.

Both the National Bureau of Investigation and the Senate found that these 19 CIDG officials allegedly plotted the pre-dawn raid of the cells of Espinosa and another inmate, Raul Yap, at the Baybay sub-provincial jail on Nov. 3, 2016.

Espinosa, the father of detained big-time drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, was named by President Rodrigo Duterte as one of the country’s local chief executives with drug links.(PNA)
ROEL T AMAZONA

Tacloban DAR to developers: Secure clearance for ‘Yolanda’ housing before deadline

TACLOBAN CITY, April 4 (PNA) â€" The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has reminded housing developers for super typhoon "Yolanda" survivors to seek land conversion clearance before the March 5, 2018 deadline so they can take advantage of more relaxed rules.

The DAR regional office here reiterated the call with just 11 months left before the expiration of special rules as set in Administrative Order No. 2 issued last Feb. 23 by Secretary Rafael Mariano.

The directive, which covers Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas regions, took effect on March 5 this year. It extended the special rules for land conversion, which has been implemented since 2014.

“All those who will develop Yolanda resettlement projects should apply for land conversion permit at the regional office before the expiration date or else they will have to submit the requirements at the central office,” said DAR regional director Sheila Enciso in a phone interview on Tuesday.

The special rule has increased the land conversion approval authority of the regional office to 15 hectares or three times more than the regular procedure.

Among the documents waived in the processing are true copy of land title as of June 15, 1988, original copy of tax declaration, proof of financial and organizational capability of the developer, socio-economic benefit study, and certification from the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board on land reclassification.

“Our office has been simplifying the process as the President (Rodrigo Duterte) called up for speedy construction of houses for Yolanda survivors. The expiration of the order is early next year because we presume that all resettlement projects will be ongoing by early of 2018,” Enciso said.

Mariano specifically issued the order to DAR's land use planning and conversion team and its field offices in Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas, the two regions badly hit by the 2013 monster typhoon. The two regional offices are only given 10 days to complete the process.

The rule applies to both government-funded houses and shelter donated by non-government organizations. However, for privately funded projects, they have to seek certification from the National Housing Authority (NHA) to prove that houses are meant for Yolanda survivors.

Since 2014 until last month, the DAR regional office here has already approved the conversion of 41 hectares for Yolanda housing in various sites in Tacloban City; Basey, Samar; and the towns of Pastrana, Carigara, Mayorga and Macarthur in Leyte.

A land use conversion clearance from DAR is one of the requirements needed to set up relocation sites. The NHA intends to build 205,128 houses for affected areas in the central part of the country. (PNA)
SARWELL Q. MENIANO

MILF's Camp Bushra gets PHP10M worth of projects as part of transformation process

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 4 (PNA) - At least PHP10 million worth of socio-economic and infrastructure projects were turned over to residents of Camp Bushra, one of the recognized camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front  (MILF) in Lanao del Sur, as part of the transformation process "to rehabilitate camps into  productive, resilient and civilian-led communities."

Irene Santiago, chairperson of the government’s implementing panel, said the initiative is part of the confidence-building measures under the Annex on Normalization of the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

“It actually shows the community that there are peace dividends,” Santiago said.

Under the three-year-old peace agreement, Camp Bushra is one of the six MILF camps recognized by the Philippine government. The others are camps Abubakar, Omar, Bad’r, Rajamuda and Bilal.

The socio-economic projects that were turned over on Monday included a solar dryer with warehouse and rice milling machine, two tire paths, a water system, a pathway and around PHP2 million worth of farm inputs. 

Task Force Camp Transformation (TFCT), which is composed of representatives from the government and the MILF, oversees the projects.

It is financed under the Mindanao Trust Fund for Reconstruction and Development Program (MTF-RDP) for the six previously acknowledged MILF camps.

The MTF-RDP is a multi-donor funding facility managed by the World Bank (WB) with technical assistance from the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and Community and Family Services International (CFSI).

Camp Bushra is the camp of MILF’s Eastern Mindanao Front. It is named after “the brave Caliph Ali.”

The camp is the home of former MILF Vice Chair Aleem Azis Mimbantas and has served as sanctuary of the late MILF Chair Ustadz Hashim Salamat during the all-out-war in 2000. Years later, both leaders were laid in peace at a secluded area of the camp.

Mohammad Salem, MILF coordinator for the TFCT, said part of the program is to capacitate the people’s organization in the area to “ensure that there is sustainability of the projects.”

Santiago said the camps transformation program is just one of several components under the peace deal.

She said there is a need for the people on the ground to feel the peace dividends, especially those areas that experienced “long deprivation” of basic services.

Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) also turned over on Monday a solar dryer with warehouse to residents in Barangay Ulitan, Unkaya Pukan and Barangay Guiong in Sumisip, Basilan.

The project is implemented by the BDA through the Bangsamoro Assistance for Development and Community Empowerment, a component of the MTF-RDP.

It is also a confidence building measure of the GPH-MILF as provided in the peace agreement. (PNA)
TPGJR/DARWIN WALLY T. WEE

Misamis Oriental disaster group braces for Holy Week

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 4 (PNA) â€" An official of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Division (PDRRMD) of Misamis Oriental on Tuesday urged devotees and tourists to cooperate with local authorities in the maintenance of peace and order as the observance of the Holy Week nears.

Francisco Dy, Jr., the PDRRMD head, made the appeal as the provincial government of Misamis Oriental lined up various activities during the observance of the Holy Week in the province.

He said that the PDRRMD would augment the security measures of the police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Provincial Health Office, Misamis Oriental Care System, Philippine Red Cross, Philippine Coast Guard and disaster personnel in the municipalities.

The PDRRMD would also tighten security in known tourist destinations like the “Sipaka Point” in Talisayan, Port of Balingo-an, and the “Hinuklog” (Retrospection) in Medina, among other tourist destinations in the eastern district of Misamis Oriental, Dy said.

He said that local law enforcers and disaster personnel would also be deployed in Misamis Oriental’s western district, particularly in the “Divine Mercy Shrine” in El Salvador City and in the “Birhen sa Moog” in the town of Laguindingan.

The alert level in Misamis Oriental would be raised from “Blue Alert” starting April 10 to “Red Alert” starting April 13 to 15, Dy said.

He said that the PRRM personnel would also be deployed in all recreation areas, especially in the beaches, immediately after the Holy Week and during Easter Sunday. (PNA)
NICOLE MANAGBANAG

Dumaguete City Health Office to conduct 'Operation Tuli' for teens

DUMAGUETE CITY, April 4 (PNA) -- The city government of Dumaguete through the City Health Office will conduct its yearly “Operation Tuli” (operation circumcision) for indigent young boys in the city this summer.

City Health Officer Dra. Sarah Talla said on Tuesday that young boys 7 to 14 years old can avail the local government’s free circumcision program starting this month of April.

Talla said the activity is scheduled every summer since there are no classes and it is the right time for teens and adolescents to get circumcised.

A fee of P200 each is required for the operation and for the office to provide the medicines.

A medical team will be visiting the barangays to do the operation, Dr. Talla said.

The operation caters 20 to 25 boys every Thursday and Friday for two months in the summer, Talla added.

It is important for adolescents to get circumcised since it is part of good hygiene, the health official stressed. (PNA)
SYRIL REPE

ComVal launches 'Oplan Liwanag' to rehabilitate drug users

NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley, April 4, (PNA) - The provincial government of Compostela Valley launched Tuesday "Oplan Liwanag," a province-wide initiative designed to rehabilitate drug users who surrendered to the government's anti-illegal drugs campaign.

Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy led the launching ceremony at the capitol building here witnessed by hundreds of visitors, including municipal officials, private sector representatives, police and the military.

Secretary Benjamin Reyes of the Dangerous Drugs Board graced the launching and served as the keynote speaker.

In his message, Uy expressed gratitude to the support shown by the various sectors in the province in the fight against illegal drugs.

“Your attendance to the launching of "Oplan Liwanag" shows your full support to the program and the aim of the provincial government to win the war against illegal drugs,” he said.

“Oplan Liwanag was conceptualized due to the desire of the thousands of drug dependents and users in the province to change themselves and go away from drugs through transformation programs and services,” Uy added.

The towns of Monkayo and Nabunturan are considered the pilot areas of the program in the province.

After two months of implementation in the pilot areas, 140 drug dependents and users successfully graduated from "Oplan Liwanag."

Following today's launching, the program will cover 11 towns and 252 barangays in Compostela Valley.

Oplan Liwanag includes six major rehabilitation and reformation sessions that will cover spiritual, psycho-social, health awareness, marriage and family enrichment, life skills training and skills development programs.

Uy said those who can complete the program will be given “after-care” to ensure their total reformation.

Senior Supt. Manuel Marvin Pepino, Compostela Valley police director, said there were 16,512 drug users who surrendered to the police and the local government units from July 1, 2016 to April 3.

The police were also able to conduct 12,981 house visitations during the period, Pepino added. (PNA)
LCM/ALEXANDER LOPEZ

DICT to launch fiber optic cabling project in Iloilo this April

ILOILO CITY, April 4 (PNA) -- A total of 55 government agencies based in Iloilo City will be the first recipients of the Fiber Optic Cabling (FOC) project of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) that is tentatively set to be launched on April 18, 2017.

The FOC project aims to interconnect government offices. Iloilo City was chosen as pilot area for the Visayas Cluster 1 that covers Western Visayas, Negros Island Region (NIR) and Siquijor.

Engineer Elmer D. Prudente, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Director said the installation of the fiber optic has been completed. They are just waiting for the contractor from Manila to install the switches for the project to operate.

The project covers government agencies from the Parola area going to the University of the Philippines (UP) in Molo district and back to West Visayas State University (WVSU) in Lapaz district, according to Engineer Derrick Rodriguez, focal person for the FOC project.

Rodriguez said the agencies were identified by DICT central office. They are qualified to avail if they own the building or on a long-term lease.

Each agency will have an allocation of one gigabyte. The consumption will be monitored on a monthly basis. If it could not be fully utilized, then the agency will be given allocation depending on their need.

He added that agencies can still use their existing internet connection as back up in case the FOC bogs down.

Prudente, meanwhile, stated that recipient agencies will have to secure the equipment that will be provided to them. “We will also be transferring the accountability to them,” he said.

He added that later on the budget for internet connections of government offices will no longer be provided and they have to use solely the government provided internet, which is also reliable.

The ring of the FOC is installed underground so it will not be affected during typhoons. However, they also have aerial installation, which when damaged needs technical expertise to get repaired.

Rodriguez added that proper coordination with the City Engineers Office (CEO) was done to ensure that it will not be affected by drillings in case there are future projects.

Meantime, they look forward to connect additional 45 government offices in the second phase of the project. If the second phase will not be pursued, then they can wait for the National Broadband Project that aims to provide internet even down to the barangay level.

Last month President Rodrigo Roa Duterte gave his go signal for the project. (PNA)
PERLA G. LENA

Troops pursue communist rebels who burned cargo truck in N. Cotabato

MAKILALA, North Cotabato, April 4 (PNA) â€" Police and Army forces here are hunting down the suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels who torched Monday night an 18-wheeler container truck loaded with bananas for export along a highway here.

Chief Inspector Elias Colonia, Makilala police chief, said the joint pursuit operation was immediately conducted following the burning of the truck at around 8 p.m. in Sitio Flortam, Barangay Batasan here.

Colonia said elements of the Makilala police and 39th Infantry Battalion quickly put up roadblocks to prevent the suspects from fleeing towards Mt. Apo, the country’s highest peak.

According to the cargo truck driver, Toto Omar, the armed men ordered him to disembark at gunpoint. They told him he won’t be harmed and that they were only after the truck. After the driver disembarked, the suspects poured gasoline on the truck.

The trailer truck is owned and operated by Paglas Corporation of Vice Mayor Tong Paglas of Datu Paglas, Maguindanao.

Investigators said the incident damaged at least PHP7 million worth of bananas for export and the vehicle.

Last month, communist rebels also torched a passenger bus owned by Yellow Bus Line, Inc. in the secluded area of Barangay San Vicente, also in Makilala. (PNA)
JOHN ANDREW G. TABUGOC

‘Internal cleansing’ continues for cops in Northern Mindanao

CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan De Oro City, April 4 (PNA) â€" The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Northern Mindanao has adopted various measures for the “internal cleansing” of erring officers and rank and file members, a police officer said Tuesday.

Superintendent Lemuel Gonda, the regional spokesperson of the PNP here, said the measures include the daily and random accounting and inspection of personnel of subordinate units, checking of attendance, and the proper wearing of uniforms.

He said that erring police personnel, both uniformed and non-uniformed, would be issued a “delinquency report” (DR) as part of the "on-the-spot disciplinary action" through the demerit system.

Gonda said that 121 personnel in the police regional command here had been issued DRs as a result of the random accounting and inspection of personnel in the police offices and stations in the region.

He said that the regional command also received 49 information about “misbehavior” allegedly committed by police personnel involving illegal drugs and illegal gambling.

The regional command also relieved and transferred to other police offices in Northern Mindanao at least 16 chiefs of police in the city and the provincial office due to inefficiency, Gonda said. (PNA)
CD

6 'big-time' drug personalities fall in Tacurong City

TACURONG CITY, April 4 (PNA) -- Joint police and military forces arrested Tuesday six alleged big-time drug personalities during a raid at a suspected drug den here, the Army said.

Capt. Arvin John Encinas, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division based in Camp Siongco, Maguindanao, said joint operatives from Army’s Task Force “Talakudong” and PNP arrested raided a suspected drug den at Purok Urban, Barangay San Emanual, Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat province at around 4 a.m.

Encinas identified the arrested drug personalities as Gary Domingo, 30, a resident of Tacurong City; Maricel Cortez, 22, of Davao City; Rusta Mamaluba, 44, and Paquito Mamalub, 34, both residents of Datu Paglas, Maguindanao; and Christial Paul Dulyosa, 18, and another minor, both residents of Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat.

"All of them have been in the watchlist of police and anti-drug units," Encinas told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

"In fact, they have warrants of arrest for drug cases and other crimes," he added.

Encinas said the raiding team seized from the suspects a homemade caliber 7.62 pistol, a caliber .38, a caliber .22 and suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) worth P4,000.

Now detained at the Tacurong City police station, the suspects are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Acts of 2002.

The minor among the arrested suspects will be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Encinas lauded the locals who provided Task Force Talakudong with vital information that led to the arrest of the suspects. (PNA)
EOF

Top PNPA graduate receives 'hero's welcome' in Cotabato City

COTABATO CITY, April 4 (PNA) â€" Newly-commissioned police Inspector Macdum Darping Enca, the valedictorian of this year's graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), should be emulated and recognized for giving this city a "lifetime honor," Mayor Cynthia Guiani Sayadi said.

“I can’t explain how happy we Cotabatenios are,” Sayadi said Monday night after the city government and local officials tendered a testimonial dinner for Enca, a native of this city.

“He put Cotabato City on the map of excellent and good people,” Sayadi said of Enca, valedictorian of PNPA Masidlak Class of 2017.

A motorcade around town preceded the recognition night where Enca got warm welcome from classmates, teachers, relatives and even strangers.

Engr. Yacobnor Enca is perhaps the happiest father now. “People I have not seen since birth are recognizing me for having a brilliant child in Macdum,” he said.

”I am very popular now, greetings keep coming even days after the graduation ceremonies,” he said. “I am very proud, this is unprecedented.”

”I was surprised,” Enca said of the welcoming local officials and police officers as he disembarked from the plane Monday afternoon from Manila.

”I am not used to it,” he said at the Cotabato airport. “Every time I returned home, only my parents welcomed me. Now almost everybody recognize me.”

From the airport, a motorcade toured Enca around the city, ending at the Peoples Palace (city hall) for a meeting with Mayor Sayadi.

To the people of Cotabato City, Enca advised that fear should not prevent anybody to excel. “Dare, nothing will happen if we allow ourselves to be taken by fear, that we cannot make it,” he said.

”Anybody can do what I have achieved, I do not have the monopoly of success in life. You, too, can succeed,” he told his townmates.

Mayor Shameem Mastura of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao also cited Enca for graduating as PNPA valedictorian. Enca earlier graduated as a top student of the Sultan Kudarat Islamic Academy in Sultan Kudarat town.

Enca’s father Yacobnor said he dreamed of his son to become an Islamic preacher and not to be a police officer. “But I believe in destiny, so this is his destiny,” he said. (PNA)
EOF

City DSWD rounds up Badjaos, orients them on anti-mendicancy laws

DUMAGUETE CITY, April 4 (PNA) -â€" The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) of Dumaguete City will step up efforts to curb mendicancy as they started taking Badjaos off the streets for profiling and orientation on anti-mendicancy laws.

CSWDO Chief Carola Alquero disclosed on Tuesday that more than 25 Badjaos, including adults and children, were rounded up Monday and brought to the CSWDO where they were fed and documented.

The Badjaos are a nomad tribe who primarily live off the streets, begging for money and food and bringing their young children, even infants, with them.

Alquero explained that the Badjaos were photographed, profiled and given name tags, as many share similar facial features which sometimes makes it hard for authorities to identify them.

A retired CSWDO officer, Tinang Jubela, and Atty. Conrado Concepcion II of the General Services Office were invited as interpreters as the Badjaos do not understand Cebuano but the Tausug dialect as they are from Mindanao.

A film showing was also held during the whole-day activity while the CSWDO also informed the Badjaos that it was unlawful to be begging in the streets, said Alquero.

Furthermore, the Badjaos were told that “using” their children in begging activities is also a violation of the law that protects the rights and welfare of children, Alquero added.

Alquero admits it is a repetitive problem of government, not only in Dumaguete, but in other areas in the country, where Badjaos thrive on begging.

It is also unfortunate that the city government does not have enough budget to house them and provide for food and other needs.

Furthermore, the Badjaos by nature are nomads and move from one place to another.

Two teams from the city’s Task Force and one team from the CSWDO carried out Monday’s rounding up of the Badjaos, who were allowed to leave later.

Meanwhile, Alquero disclosed that City Hall is planning to have the Badjaos taken off the streets again especially during the upcoming Dragon Boat Race this coming weekend as many people are flocking to Dumaguete from other places.

The initial plan is to house these Badjaos and other mendicants at the Dumaguete City High School gymnasium.

However, it is not clear yet whether this will pan out considering there is still no allocation to cover for expenses of the Badjaos and other beggars as City Councilor Michael Bandal has yet to find some budget for this, Alquero disclosed. (PNA)
JFP

Police file raps vs NPA rebels in Davao Sur ambush

DAVAO CITY, April 4 (PNA) â€" The special investigation Task Group “Sibayan” has filed four counts of murder, robbery, destruction of government property and frustrated murder against the New People’s Army (NPA) for the ambush that killed four members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bansalan town, Davao del Sur.

Chief Insp. Andrea dela Cerna, chief information officer of the Police Regional Office (PRO) XI, said Tuesday the four counts of murder, robbery and destruction of government property were docketed as XI-04-INQ-17C-00087 and XI-04-INQ-17C-00086 for the frustrated murder case.

The Task Force Sibayan named as respondents to the criminal charges barangay captain of Sibayan Eddie Dicdican, Brendel Terado alias "Gab/Val", Gilbert Amado alias "Bayan", Chargelyn Casquejo alias "Jellan/Megan’, and personalities who carry the aliases of "Soy-soy", "Kiram", "Bordz", "Kevin" and "Laklak", and four John Does.

It may be recalled that at around 7:30 a.m. last March 8, elements of the Bansalan PNP and a member of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) from Davao del Sur PNP were ordered to proceed to Barangay Sibayan to conduct investigations on a shooting incident that transpired the night before.

Before reaching Sibayan, the PNP team was waylaid by NPA rebels that resulted to the killing of four PNP members, including the SOCO member, and the wounding of another.

Two days after the ambush, the NPA in the area admitted responsibility to the ambush.

President Rodrigo Duterte and PNP Chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa condemned the incident and personally visited the families of the victims and provided them with financial and moral support.

The Commission on Human Rights in Davao region also condemned the incident while other sectors expressed concern over its effects to the peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

Dela Cerna said cases of double murder, docketed as XI-04-INV-17C-00085 at the Davao del Sur Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, were also filed against the persons of alias “Soy-soy”, “Laklak” and two John Does for the killing of Marlon Lumantas and Orlan Albopera last March 31.

Lumantas and Albopera were executed by the NPAs on the evening of March 7 in Sibayan.

She added that the cases are now being handled by Prosecutor Katrina Kris Gabrielle S. Givero. (PNA)
LCM/ALEXANDER LOPEZ

‘Dragon Fruit Lady’ soars high, inspires others to success

LAOAG CITY, April 4 (PNA Features) -- Defying cancer, 71 year-old Edita Aguinaldo-Dacuycuy continues to soar high as she inspires others to success.

Known as a “dragon fruit lady” of northern Philippines for having popularized the cultivation of this high value crop in various parts of the country and the United States, Dacuycuy’s passion to share the technology and being innovative in coming out with some value-adding products out of dragon fruit earned her title as one of the world’s female innovation leaders.

Bearing a child afflicted with cerebral palsy, Nanay Edita only wants the best for her daughter, Kaye. And in her search for things to ease her daughter’s pain and suffering, she discovered a little known fruit from the cactus family called a pitaya or dragon fruit. It maybe recalled that a friend from Macau recommended to Dacuycuy to try dragon fruit to help relieve her daughter’s frequent constipation, which is common among cerebral palsy patients. After witnessing positive results, the close-knit family decided to grow the fruit in their backyard. That decision has been turned into a modern-day success story.

Last March 31, Dacuycuy was in Malacanang again to join the latest batch of inspiring Filipina entrepreneurs 2017. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte personally extended his admiration to them in time for the culmination program of Women’s Month Celebration for exemplifying inclusive business models, helping low-income families and uplifting the lives of farmers.

Initiated by Go Negosyo, a non-stock, non-profit organization that advocates positive and enterprising attitude among Filipinos, the leading women Filipina entrepreneurs today, including Dacuycuy, were recognized for empowering fellow women entrepreneurs, sharing their best practices so that others will survive the challenging business world.

Dacuycuy received her presidential award as most outstanding high-value commercial crop farmer in May 23, 2011. The award came with PHP100,000 prize. Other awards followed after which she claims “all these came unexpected as blessings from above. Just do the mission and commission will follow.”

"We only thought of the benefit of the dragon fruit, which we have proven effective to our daughter Kaye," said the former manager of an insurance company and a graduate of Psychology at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

After seeing the dragon fruit doing wonders for Kaye's bowel movement problems, the Dacuycuy family planted the vine cactus in their backyard in Poblacion 2, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.

She recalled that when asked by neighbors what they were doing, they never told them they were planting dragon fruit.

"We were not sure then if what we were planting would really bear fruit," Dacuycuy said.

"Others may laugh at us once they know that what we were doing is simply a trial and error.”

The internet served as Dacuycuy's research center. She learned that the exotic dragon fruit is rich in fiber that helps in the elimination of wastes. It contains high levels of vitamin C, calcium and phosphorous, including other nutritional benefits such as high levels of antioxidants that can help prevent cancer, high blood pressure, rheumatism and urinary tract infection.

She then sent her daughter to meet with international dragon fruit growers in Thailand to learn how to cultivate dragon fruit. Dragon fruit is popularly known in South America. It is also being cultivated in Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Taiwan.

It gave the whole family so much joy when the cactus vine started flowering and bearing fruits. It inspired them to plant more dragon fruits.

But before they went large-scale, they first consulted agriculture experts from the Department of Agriculture and other government research agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology and the state-run Mariano Marcos State University.

Now, the Dacuycuy-owned REFMAD Farms in Barangay Paayas, Burgos, Ilocos Norte, the first organic dragon fruit plantation in Region 1, has expanded to about 13 hectares and is still expanding.

In 2015, REFMAD Farms celebrated its 10th year in business, selling fresh fruits and planting materials to interested growers, processed food products such as dragon fruit ice cream, tea, sandwich, shanghai, macaroons, cookies, red wine, vinegar, jam, cake, burger patties, etc.

Dacuycuy is also into organic fertilizer production.

At the farm, the hands-on dragon lady farmer observes zero-waste management farming. She makes sure that all farm wastes are turned into organic fertilizer. This is done with vermiculture technology in which she maintains a more than 30-kilo African night crawler to produce organic fertilizer that ensures sustainable growth of the dragon fruit cactus.

To maximize the potentials of dragon fruit as the vine of life, Dacuycuy shares her ultimate vision to build a dragon fruit winery which would require about 50 or more hectares of dragon fruit plantation.(PNA)
LEILANI G. ADRIANO

Nano carrier shows promise for drug delivery against solid tumors

SAN FRANCISCO, April 6 (PNA/Xinhua) -- Researchers at Oregon State University (OSU) have found a way to turn the tables on cancer cells in the oxygen-poor areas of solid tumors using a "prodrug" loaded into nanostructured platforms.

Carcinomas that affect the breast, lung, prostate and colon are among the solid-tumor cancers, as are malignancies in the lymphatic system, known as lymphomas, and the much less common sarcomas that arise in connective tissue.

The solid masses often contain hypoxic regions, where the concentration of oxygen in the tissue is low.

Hypoxic cancer cells grow slowly, making them less susceptible to the drugs prescribed to kill or damage them, and to standard chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

"One of the hallmarks of these solid tumors is their hypoxic regions," said Adam Alani of the OSU College of Pharmacy and lead author of a study published in the Journal of Controlled Release. "One reason these cancers become very aggressive is the development of this hypoxia."

The tumor model chosen by the researchers was lung cancer, which is known to have a very strong hypoxia association.

A prodrug is a pharmacologically inactive compound that the body metabolizes into an active drug, in the OSU case the cancer drug vinblastine-N-oxide provided by research partners at Cascade Prodrug Inc. of Eugene, Oregon.

The OSU researchers developed two different lipid-based platform formulations known as liposomes to carry the prodrug to the tumor's hypoxic regions.

There, the lack of oxygen triggers its metabolic conversion to vinblastine.

In both formulations, one with polyethylene glycol on its surface and the other without, the prodrug proved both safe and much more effective against non-small cell lung cancer than when it was delivered without a liposome.

And by itself, vinblastine-N-oxide had shown less than optimal efficacy in testing by Cascade Prodrug because of how fast the body clears it from the system, as it has a half-life of less than half an hour.

But the liposomes, both the "pegylated" one containing polyethylene glycol and the non-pegylated one, increased the half-life dramatically: to 9.5 and 5.5 hours, respectively.

The research began with laboratory cultures and progressed to safety and efficacy testing in animals.

"We made sure the nanostructure platform worked properly against lung cancer in vitro, then looked at the safety of the formulation in healthy mice and looked at the maximum tolerated dose -- the biggest dose you can use without producing side effects," Alani said. "Then we determined how long the nano carriers could keep the drug in the blood compared to the drug without the nanostructures."

Without any liposome, the drug showed some tumor suppression, but the mice that had received the drug alone had to be euthanized after 70 days because of tumors that were no longer being controlled.

Mice that had received the drug with one of the liposomes were healthy and tumor-free for the nearly 100-day run of the experiment.

"The nano carriers performed much better than the prodrug itself," Alani was quoted as saying in a news release. "We were able to literally cure the tumor." (PNA/Xinhua)

WASTE NOT THE MOMENT ON POLITICAL VENDETTA, SERVE THE PEOPLE INSTEAD
By Rep. Chester Lobramonte

As a Member of the House Committee on Justice, I assert that the time, efforts, and resources of the Committee would be better spent on the many bills pending before it instead of tackling the impeachment complaints recently filed.

One good thing these impeachment complaints could lead to though is the one-year vaccination against the initiation of other impeachment complaints provided in Article XI, Section 3 (5).

That inoculation could spare us the nonsense of wasting time on the abuse of the impeachment process for political vendetta and subverting the will of the people expressed in the May 2016 national elections. (Read: https://goo.gl/qoLlE5 )

The bills on juvenile justice, death penalty, protection of witnesses and whistleblowers, and measures to create the Dangerous Drugs Court, and the Commission on Immigration, are of critical importance to the proper and swift administration of justice in our country.

There are fifteen items on the legislative agenda on justice in the Philippine Development Plan 2017 to 2022. The sooner those bills are passed, the better off Filipinos will be. (Read: https://goo.gl/9Glm28 )

On current efforts of the Supreme Court and the Department of Justice, those designed to enhance and expand night courts, family courts, the eSubpoena and eWarrant systems, automation of the courts, and continuous trial deserved support from all sides. For the 2018 national budget cycle, these priorities deserving more funding.

Our friends in the news media, social media, and entertainment media would do our fellow citizens a great service by making more Filipinos, especially the poor and marginalized, aware of the details of these ongoing measures, particularly the night courts and the technological thrusts.

Is DILG Sec Sueno Corrupt or Not?
What's your take on this issue?

Philippine Army Gives Award to Provincial Government of Bohol
on its 120th Founding Anniversary

House Model

Greenhouse Gardening

Tulog Aron Dali Motubo

Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa in Panglao Island

Hennan Resort Swimming Pool

Filipino man has legs amputated after being bitten by Australian spider

SYDNEY, Australia -- A man from the Philippines visiting Australia has had his legs amputated and could lose his arms after being bitten by a white-tailed spider.

Terry Pareja, a father of two, was visiting his family in the Victorian country town of Birchip, 300 km. northwest of Melbourne when he was bitten by the spider on his right leg.

Pareja was not aware that he had been bitten until his leg began to swell and he developed a limp 24 hours after the incident.

After seeing a doctor, Pareja was rushed to hospital where his leg was amputated immediately but the flesh-eating bacteria had already progressed.

He was then airlifted to a Melbourne hospital were his left leg was amputated.

Raquel Ogleby, Pareja's sister, said it could be between 12 and 18 months until her brother was returned home.

"Last week, we met with doctors and they said he will need time and rehab as well and the whole process could take that long," Ogleby told Fairfax Media on Wednesday.

"He has been in hospital for 34 days, but he is slowly getting better. We will be looking to move house because he will need a bigger space to move."

Jeffmarey Pareja, Terry's daughter, started a crowdfunding page to raise money to pay for her father's medical bills.

"My dad went to Australia to visit my aunts and uncle for they have not seen each other for the longest time," she wrote on the page.

"Now my dad is in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) having two of his kidneys not working and is aided by kidney support. Doctors also discovered that the necrotising fasciitis (flesh eating bacteria) is still there and suggested that they would also amputate... both arms." (PNA/Xinhua)

Foreign Tourist at Alona Beach, Panglao

At least 4 people killed in factory explosion in N. Portugal

LISBON, April 5 (PNA/Xinhua) -- An explosion at a fireworks factory in Avoes, Lamego, northern Portugal, killed at least four people on Tuesday, according to local media reports.

The explosion took place in Avoes, some 350 km north of capital Lisbon at around 5:48 p.m. local time and 111 men, 35 vehicles and two helicopters are involved in the rescue action, according to the Civil Protection website.

Four bodies have been found and the remaining are still missing as it was reported that there was 15 people inside the factory.

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa, who is on an official visit to Luxembourg, has called the mayor of Lamego to expressed his condolences to the families of the victims of the explosion. (PNA/Xinhua)

18 illegal drug surrenderers finish rehab; offered jobs
By Rogelio Limpin

BACOOR CITY, Cavite, April 4 (PNA) -â€" Around 18 illegal drug surrenderers graduated from this city government’s 45-day community-based drug rehabilitation program and were offered jobs by a manpower agency on Tuesday.

The reformed illegal drug users/pushers completed their 45-day rehab program which began first week of February under the auspices of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) skills enhancement and capacity-building training and graduated in a simple ceremony at the Bacoor Government Center here.

Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla conferred the certificates of completion to the 18 rehab graduates and also presented their spouses and children/dependents who were also provided cash for work while the surrenderers’ underwent the 45-day rehab sessions.

Mayor Revilla also expressed her appreciation to the program proponents and graduation guests Bryan Revilla, chief operating officer of Alpha Philippines, a community based organization that ministered the spiritual counselling of the surrenderers.

She said “it is not the numbers of graduates that are important here as it is the quality of transforming themselves into changed persons and the support of their families and their acceptance anew in mainstream society.”

Cavite deputy police director for administration Superitendent Gregorio Evangelista and Bacoor City chief of police Christopher Olazo also graced the occasion.

The police officials said "what is significant in this project is not about the the statistics of surrenderer graduates but rather on how scores have been saved from the havoc wrought by illegal drugs.”

In an interview, Anselmo Silva, one of the rehab program graduates, vowed “never to return to this kind of vices claiming he is a new person now as he is welcomed back to the society as a reformed individual."

The rehab program covered livelihood tutorials and training sessions such as producing plastic decorative baskets, spiritual counselling, sports program and lectures by the Cavite PNP on the ill effects of illegal drugs and the comprehensive dangerous drugs law.

A non-government organization (NGO), “Bridges of Hope”, also served as a project partner of the city government and police collaborative rehabilitation program for the illegal drug surrenderers. (PNA)

PA to comply with President Duterte's call to let go of Bulacan housing units

MANILA, April 5 (PNA) -- The Philippine Army (PA) will adhere to President Rodrigo Duterte's appeal calling for soldiers to give up their housing units in Bulacan which were forcibly occupied by members of the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) since last month.

"We will adhere to the President's appeal. We will talk to our troops and explain to them the position of our President," Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao said Tuesday afternoon.

"We are also happy and excited to hear his plans to give our troops better housing facilities," he added.

The Chief Executive earlier said he decided to allow the members of the urban poor group to remain the Bulacan housing facility to avoid possible bloodshed between the militants and security forces who will be deployed to evict them.

“I am asking you kung maaari lang. Do not be offended. Take it with an open mind. Ako na mismo, inyong Presidente, nakikiusap sa inyo. Let us not wage a fight against our own people," President Duterte stressed.

The President added that he had already asked the National Housing Authority to look for a suitable land to build bigger and more comfortable housing units for the soldiers and policemen.

In the meantime, the President urged Kadamay not to forcefully dislodge the soldiers and policemen who are already in the occupied projects or he would be forced to evict the militant urban poor workers instead. (PNA)
PRIAM F. NEPOMUCENO

IC issues guidelines on approval of HMO products

MANILA, April 4 (PNA) -- All HMOs products are now required to be approved by the Insurance Commission (IC) before they may be offered and sold to the public.

This is pursuant to the new guidelines signed by Insurance Commissioner Dennis B. Funa which require all HMOs to file their HMO agreement, schedule of benefits and application form to the IC for approval.

The new guidelines has laid down the minimum provisions which must be contained in an HMO agreement, including, provisions on in-patient, emergency care and out-patient benefits and services, pre-existing conditions, availment and claims procedure, exclusions and limitations, and eligibility requirements.

One of the important minimum provisions which must be contained is all HMO agreements is the ten (10)-day period given to client counted from the effective date within which they can terminate the agreement provided that the client has not availed any of the services provided under the agreement.

Under the guidelines, an HMO product may be bundled with a Group Yearly Renewable Term Insurance plan, Group Accident Insurance Plan or any similar product that has been duly approved by the IC. In such cases, the HMO shall act as a group policyholder and shall act as the lead provider that will assume responsibility for the administration of the bundled products or services. To differentiate an HMO product from an insurance product, an HMO product is expressly prohibited to include any savings or investment component and any mortality risk.

One of the significant documentary requirement which must be submitted by HMOs to the IC in support of their application for product approval are actuarial notes, actuarial formulations and other documents which are required to be signed by an IC-accredited actuary.

Insurance Commissioner Funa said, “In the approval of HMO products, companies are now required to submit supporting documents prepared by IC-accredited actuary together with their application for product approval. These include actuarial notes which contain product description, actuarial assumptions on morbidity/incidence rates, expenses and taxes, as well as, actuarial formulations on net and gross premiums, reserves, table of gross membership fees and experience refund, if applicable.”

“The submission of actuarial formulations and studies are for the purpose of ensuring that the membership fee to be collected by HMOs are adequately, fairly and reasonably priced to prevent underpricing and overpricing,” added Commissioner Funa.

Other documentary requirements for the approval of HMO products includes, sample sales proposals and marketing materials, list of current affiliated hospitals and other services providers of the HMO and sample contract between the HMO and its service provider.

HMOs are given one (1) year from the effectivity of the new guidelines to amend their existing HMO products, agreements and contract forms to comply with the requirements of the new guidelines.

HMO products are pre-agreed or designated health care services to enrolled members for a fixed pre-paid fee for a specified period of time, which can be for a maximum period of 12 months, through the use of selected network of health care providers.

Regulation and supervision over HMOs was transferred from the Department of Health to the Insurance Commission by virtue of Executive Order No. 192, series of 2015. (PNA/PR)

Malacañang: PHL prepared to welcome more Chinese investors

MANILA, April 4 (PNA) -- Malacañang said the country is prepared to welcome some 150 Chinese investors to the country.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella, in a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday, April 4, said the Bank of China, China’s most internationalized and diversified bank, will be bringing in 150 Chinese investors to the Philippines.

The 150 Chinese investors are expected to attend the 12th ASEAN Finance Ministers’ Investors Seminar which will be held in Cebu this April.

He also said that the Bank of China will be providing the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry about PHP3 billion in aid to qualified micro, small and medium enterprise beneficiaries.

The Palace also expressed elation over the strong Institutional Investor’s outlook for the Philippines. The Philippines was given a thumbs-up by the Institutional Investor, a New York-based leading international business publisher.

Also, the recently approved Social Security System (SSS) pension increase is also seen to boost consumer spending.

At the same time, Abella said the two additional lanes along Timog Avenue to Scout Borromeo in Quezon City are now open with an improved flood control concrete box culvert.

Abella said the 522-meter Road Project and the 5.30 meters width by 4.35 meters deep Flood Control Project, totaling to PHP87.69 million, are expected to ease the flow of traffic along Quezon Avenueâ€"East Bound.

In the same briefing, Abella said the dismissal of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ismael Sueno manifests President Rodrigo Duterte’s determination to restore the trust of the people in government.

The President always reiterates in his speeches that he will not tolerate graft and corruption in government, noting that even a whiff of corruption, he will not hesitate to dismiss members of his administration.

“I think we have to give him credit and really understand and put it in context that what he’s really actually doing is really restoring trust in the government,” Abella said.

“Apparently for the longest time, the people have become, in a sense, hopeless about the situation. But he is actually empowering the Filipino people once more by giving them a trustworthy government. It’s quite a challenge,” he added.

Asked by reporters if there will be investigation or people to be charged after Sueno’s dismissal, Abella said it’s up to the President what to do next.

The Palace spokesman also said there is still no immediate successor for Sueno. (PNA)

Meralco’s scheduled power maintenance to affect Cavite, Rizal

MANILA, April 4 (PNA) -- The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has announced that its scheduled power maintenance on April 4-5 will affect the provinces of Cavite and Rizal.

Between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Tuesday and between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Meralco will install primary lines along the Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Highway in Abubot, Dasmariñas City, Cavite.

To be affected are a portion of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Highway from San Lorenzo Heights Subdivision, Phase 1, including Patio Tirona and C. Aguinaldo streets; Golden City Subdivision, Phases 3-5, San Lorenzo Heights Village; Riverside St.; Hyundai Dasmariñas, Usis Enterprise, Common Goal Real Properties and Royal Cargo Inc. in Barangays Salitran I and II and city proper in Dasmariñas City.

Also to be affected are the Golden City Subdivision Phases 1 and 2, Diamond Village Phases 1, 3 and 8 and Patricia South Villa Subdivision; and Puregold in Barangay Anabu II-F, Imus.

In Antipolo, a relocation of facilities along the Circumferential Road will be done between 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday and 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Areas to be affected will include a portion of E. Rodriguez Ave. from Milagros Ave. to S. Predracio St. including Roads 1, 2 and 3; Inday Subdivision in Barangay Jose; Demetria, Lacson M. de Leon, Maria Dizon and S. Lacson streets; Gloria Heights Subdivision; Adams, Carter, Filmoore, Hoover, Lincoln, Madison and Washington streets. Sitio Tubigan and Cuesta Verde Subdivision in Barangay Dalig, Antipolo City, Rizal. (PNA)

PNP launches online LTOPF and firearms registration system

MANILA, April 4 (PNA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday launched the License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) and Firearms Registration system aimed at expediting and simplifying the process of registration of firearms with the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO).

FEO director Chief Supt. Cesar Binag, in a press conference in Camp Crame, Quezon City, said that with the new online application, the system would not only be expedited but also the registration of firearms would be "corruption-free".

Binag added that under the new system, the "fixers" will be eradicated because of the faster procedure and that the applicants would not anymore need to give "grease money" in order to release their respective gun licenses.

He stressed that with the new online application, the LTOPF can be released in just 10 minutes based on the schedule provided to the applicants.

The online LTOPF will be similar with the application of visa or passport, which will set the "appointment schedule" of the applicants.

The FEO chief pointed out that the old requirements then and even the processing fees of the applicants will be the same under the new system. (PNA)

More aftershocks possible from Batangas quake

MANILA, April 5 (PNA) -- Government is expecting more aftershocks from the magnitude 5.5 earthquake that struck waters off Batangas province Tuesday night (April 4).

"The offshore earthquake was strong and occurred at a shallow depth only so we can expect further aftershocks in forthcoming days," said Erlington Olivare, science research specialist at Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

He said as of 4:24 a.m. Wednesday (April 5), Phivolcs already recorded 33 aftershocks from the earthquake.

"Those aftershocks were mainly spread out between Tingloy and Mabini areas," he noted.

Citing latest Phivolcs data, Olivare said Tuesday's 8:58 p.m. earthquake of tectonic origin struck 7.0 kms north 37° west of Batangas' Tingloy municipality at a depth of 3.0 kms.

He said damage is possible from the earthquake.

"We already began receiving unconfirmed reports some debris fell from a structure in Taal," he noted.

Earlier, Phivolcs reported the earthquake at 6.0 kms north 56° east of Tingloy and occurring at a depth of 5.0 kms.

Phivolcs also said the earthquake was initially reported at intensity V in Batangas City, Malvar and Calatagan in Batangas; intensity IV in Makati City, Obando in Bulacan province, Imus and Indang in Cavite province, Calamba in Laguna province, Sta. Ana in Manila, Valenzuela City and Tagaytay City as well as intensity III in Mandaluyong City, Quezon City, Pasay City as well as Gen. Trias andDasmariñas in Cavite.

The earthquake was also initially reported at intensity II in Talisay, Batangas and Abra de Ilog in Occidental Mindoro, Phivolcs added. (PNA)
CATHERINE J. TEVES

The primary law in transportation law is the civil code, (especially 1732) particularly the provisions on common carriers. The suppletory laws are the Code of Commerce, and special laws like the COGSA (Carriage of Goods by Sea Act), Salvage Law, Warsaw Convention (treaty), Tariff and Customs Code.
What is transportation?
It is a movement of things or persons from one place to another; a carrying across.

Check out the latest deals at www.aliexpress.com and www.gearbest.com

Moabot ra gihapon ang maong adlaw, Bugs.

Check out the latest deals at www.aliexpress.com and www.gearbest.com

DOLE Secretary orders airlines to stop collecting travel tax, terminal fee from OFWs

MANILA, March 3 (PNA) -- Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III on Friday ordered airline companies to cease and desist from incorporating the cost of travel tax and terminal fee in the cost of their tickets issued to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Bello, in his letter to Director General Jim Sydiongco of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), said OFWs are exempted from paying travel tax and terminal fees based on Presidential Decree No. 1183 and RA 8042, or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act of 1995, as Amended by RA 10022.

"It has come to my attention that the travel tax and terminal fees are being included in the cost of the airline tickets issued to our OFWs. While some OFWs were refunded of these fees at the airport prior to their departure, most of them, however, were not refunded because of lack of awareness about this privilege or lack of time to process their claim for refund," said Bello.

He also requested the CAAP to remit the travel tax and terminal fees which were not refunded to the OFWs to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

"Considering that the inclusion of these travel tax and terminal fees in the cost of tickets has been a practice of airline companies for several years, we request that the travel tax and fees collected from our OFWs which were not refunded to them be remitted to the OWWA," said Bello.

The Labor Secretary also instructed the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and OWWA to coordinate with CAAP and MIAA on the immediate operationalization of a mechanism for automatic exemption of OFWs in payment of travel tax and terminal fee.

In his letter, which was copy furnished to Secretary Arthur Tugade of the Department of Transportation, General Manager Eddie V. Monreal of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), and Atty. Guiller B. Asido of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, Bello requested the CAAP to make the necessary representation to concerned government offices in various airport terminals to cease and desist from collecting tax and terminal fees from OFWs.

Aside from the said government offices, the following airlines were also provided with the letter: Air Asia, Air Asia Zesr, Air China, Air Niugini, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airline, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, Air China Airline, China Eastern Airline, China Southern Airlines, Delta Air, Dragon Air, Emirates Airlines, Ethiopian Airline, Etihad, Eva Air, Gulf Air, Japan Airlines, Jeju Air, Jet Star Asia, Jin Air, KLM Royal Duth Airlines, Kuwait Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, Mandarine Airlines, Oman Air, PAL Express, Philippine Airlines, Qantas Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei, Saudia Airlines, Skyjet, Singapore Airlines, Silk Air, Thai Airways, Tiger Air, Tiger Airways, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, and Xiamen Airlines. (PNA)
JBP/Ferdinand G. Patinio/RSM

OWWA: No sufficient funds for repatriated OFWs in Northern Mindanao

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 2 (PNA) -- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Region 10 here has admitted that it does not have enough funds to extend assistance to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from Northern Mindanao who were sent home by their Arab employers, an official said Thursday.

Leonor Mabagal, officer-in-charge of OWWA-10, made the admission when more than a dozen OFWs from Northern Mindanao sought the help of OWWA-10 after they were sent home from the oil-rich country due to the failure of the Saudi government to pay their salaries.

Mabagal said that at present, the regional OWWA agency does not have sufficient financial assistance to the repatriated OFWs because the national OWWA office has not released the funds yet.

Despite the unavailability of the financial aid, former OFWs can still augment their livelihood either through borrowing at the government's Land Bank of the Philippines or avail of skills training at the Technical Skills and Development Authority (Tesda), Mabagal said.

During the dialogue with the OFWs at the OWWA-10 office, Mabagal assured the OFWs that they would assist them in obtaining loan.

“OFWs who have potential business endeavor may also apply for a livelihood loan ranging from PHP 100,000.00 to PHP 2 million under the OFW-Reintegration Program of OWWA in partnership with the Land Bank of the Philippines,” Mabagal said.

Jonas Rule, Migrante leader for the repatriated Saudi OFWs, said many of them have not received their wages for three to nine months since 2015.

Aside from the unpaid wages, the OFWs were not also paid their end of service payment and other benefits as most of them had already gone home, Rule said.

According to the Migrante group, some 11,000 workers from provinces in Region 10 were working in the Arab nation and employed by the Saudi Oger Ltd., Saudi Bin Laden Group, Mohammad Al Mojil Group and other firms, until the oil price crisis affected its economy. (PNA)
LAP/NYP/CD/Jigger J. Jerusalem

Mabuhay Miles, Globe give free sims to PAL passengers

MANILA, March 1 (PNA) -- The International Business Group of Globe Telecom partnered with Mabuhay Miles to make it easier for balikbayans, OFWs, and travelers to get in touch with their loved ones when they reach the Philippines via free Traveler sim cards distributed to passengers on PAL’s international flights to Manila.

“We continuously strive to serve the needs of our dear OFWs, balikbayans and tourists. Through the partnership with Mabuhay Miles, we have created an avenue where our customers are able to enjoy their homecoming by means of instant communication as soon as they land,” said Nikko Acosta, Senior Vice President of the International Business Group of Globe Telecom.

Since Dec. 14, 2016, the Traveler sim has been distributed to passengers on PAL international flights for free. As a bonus, customers can avail of unlimited calls to Globe and TM mobiles, 20 all-net SMS and 15MB mobile data valid for one day.

“Through this partnership with Globe, we are very happy to give our Mabuhay Miles customers a more enriching in-flight experience by making them feel we are making their trip to the Philippines more rewarding,” said Kevin Hartigan-Go, PAL vice president for Ancillary Business Unit. “As of today, we have supplied hundreds of thousands of PAL passengers with free sim cards and we cannot wait to give to more!” Hartigan-Go added.

Mabuhay Miles will give 500 bonus miles when Traveler Sim customers register or update their membership information.

New members need to enroll at www.mabuhaymiles.com and text their Mabuhay Miles number using the Traveler sim to 3456. Existing members can update their profile by texting their Mabuhay Miles number, name and email address to 3456. Passengers can buy prepaid load at the Globe booths at NAIA 2 (PAL terminal), other international airports nationwide, and at over 800,000 Globe retailers around the country. (PNA)

DOLE mulls review of existing deployment ban on OFWs in Libya

MANILA, March 30 (PNA) -- An official of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the agency is looking to review the existing deployment ban on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Libya.

According to Undersecretary Dominador Say, the verification is needed since there is an exiting ban on the deployment of Filipino workers in the host country.

"Ang gusto ko nga ipareview sana, pero hindi pa naman ito formal or official. Kasi we have an existing moratorium on sending our OFWs sa Libya," he said.

Say noted that the proposal is in response to the statement of some Libyan employers, who visited the DOLE recently that some areas in the said country particularly in the oil fields are now safe.

"Dahil according to Libyan nationals mismo, sabi nila may mga portions ng Libya na tahimik na. Like the oil fields protected by the military naman. Pero hindi pa rin tayo nakakapagdeploy. Eh kailangan nila," the DOLE official said.

"I think three weeks ago may pumunta dito na Libyan. Gusto ng mga oil companies na ito ng Filipino workers. But sabi ko nga, my hands are tied. Dahil may ban pa tayo. But he kept telling me that as far as the oil industry is concerned, safe kasi Libyan military ang nagbabantay," Say added.

Asked on how many Filipinos needed by Libyan employers, he said, "Hindi nila masabi pero hundreds ang kailangan. Filipino (Engineers) ang hinahanap nila."

"Well they were telling me, specifically itong nakipagkita sa akin sa Davao, they were telling me, the work attitude of Filipinos naiiba. Tapos pangalwa, yung English facility nila. Yung English skill. Tapos iyon nga yung work attitude na kahit sobra na sa oras, hindi tayo nagbibilang," Say added.

He noted that the employers are from the private sector.

"Private (sector)...supplier sila ng oil companies. At ang hinihingi sa kanila ng oil companies na iyan, specifically pinapangalanan is Filipinos. Gusto nilang kunin," the DOLE official added.

In September 2016, the POEA has lifted the ban on the processing and deployment of returning Filipino workers with valid and existing contracts to Libya.

But, the deployment ban for newly hired OFWs is still in effect. (PNA)

DOLE exploring various industries to aid workers affected by DO 174

MANILA, March 31 (PNA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is looking at various industries as employment opportunities for workers that will be affected by the nationwide implementation of Department Order (DO) 174 banning labor-only contracting and all forms of illegal contractualization practices.

With this, Labor Undersecretary Dominador Say noted that training and seminars will be provided to upgrade and improve workers' skills and be qualified for other employment opportunities.

“We believe that the new Department Order 174 can affect small and medium enterprises or businesses and some workers will be displaced. With this in mind, we have initially prepared to retool or reshape their skills if they are willing so that they may still earn income to support their families,” said the DOLE official in a statement.

The initiative is in coordination with other government agencies.

At the same time, Say urged displaced workers to visit the nearest DOLE offices to avail of the livelihood and skills training provided by the labor department and by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

He revealed that based on records, there are larger manpower requirements on other sectors that need to be filled such as in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), construction and infrastructure, and in the healthcare sectors.

“We want to give them jobs and make them employable on other sectors. If there will be displaced workers, we have workforce allocation intended for them. However, it will all depend on their willingness and eagerness to learn skills and knowledge which are beyond their expertise,” Say added.

He likewise revealed that overseas employment is available with the labor department continues to partner with the Japanese Government in drafting the Technical Internship Program which is expected to generate at least 35,000 jobs.

“DOLE is in talks with the Japanese Government. As of now, we are drafting the IRR and they are looking forward for the immediate commencement of the program. There are thousands of job orders from Japan and they want Filipinos to fill the said positions,” Say added.

He said that DOLE is crafting a Memorandum of Understanding with the Israel Delegation for the same reason of hiring Filipino caregivers.

“The Israeli government are expected to hire 200 Filipino care givers per year and this number can increase through the years as their need arises. They also want Filipinos for their unique qualities, skills, hospitality, and care,” added Usec. Say, who also serves as POEA OIC.

Meanwhile, the DOLE cautioned the public against unscrupulous individuals, and agencies who are offering OFWs and interested Filipinos various jobs in Japan and Israel.

“We still caution the public. Avoid persons who assure you of a regular work in Japan and Israel. As of now, discussions are still on-going. We suggest that Filipinos who are planning to work in the said countries to secure proper training and acquire certificates first so that they can immediately be qualified when the recruitment has commenced,” he added. (PNA)

SSS eyes mandatory OFW coverage

MANILA, March 27 (PNA) -- The state-run Social Security System(SSS) said it is asking the help of lawmakers to implement the mandatory coverage of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) following its goal to expand its members’ coverage while providing security protection for the country’s new heroes.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel F. Dooc said the shift to mandatory OFW coverage is one of the provisions of the proposed charter amendment the pension fund is pushing in the legislative stage.

“Our objective is not just to strengthen enforcement of compliance for the coverage of employers and employees in the private sector, but also to encourage self-employed individuals and voluntary members like OFWs to register and be active in the system” he added.

Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that OFW statistics stood at 2.4 million as of 2016. Of this number, about 20 percent only were paying-members of the SSS or about 500,000 OFWs, with contributions reaching PHP4.64 billion.

This number, however, represents only 13 percent of the estimated 3.84 million Filipinos working on temporary status abroad, as per latest data of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO).

He emphasized that the mandatory coverage of OFWs would increase the number of members of the pension fund on the back of SSS’ efforts for universal coverage.

On the other hand, SSS has disbursed PHP779 million in benefits to OFWs in 2016. These include initial and lump sum benefits fore retirement, death, (funeral with grant) and disability, and short-term benefits for sickness and maternity (for female workers).

“We are pushing for our OFWs to be covered on a mandatory basis in order to secure their basic safety net in time of contingencies. Their SSS contributions is essentially a form of long-term savings for the future, especially when they decide to return home and retire,” Dooc said.

He explained that Filipino migrant workers are often excluded from coverage under the social security schemes of their host countries, whose applicable laws and regulations provide only for the protection of their own nationals.

“Even those OFWs covered by their host countries may also end up not being entitled to social security benefits, or entitled but with significant reduction in amounts, because they cannot satisfy the long qualifying periods or the strict residency and immigration rules imposed by their schemes there,” Dooc added.

He also shared the reality that many OFWs, while registered as existing SSS members because of previous work in the Philippines, have stopped contributing since they migrated abroad, but when already in need, they would then regret being remiss in their financial planning and failing to qualify for the full range of SSS beenfits, particularly for long-term contingencies such as retirement.

“In the continuing recognition of the invaluable role of our OFWs, it is imperative upon the SSS, as an agent of the State, to ensure their access and eligibility to social security protection during the entire cycle of their migration, through their mandatory coverage under the SSS program,” Dooc said. (PNA)
PR-SSS

CBCP dismayed over CA decision blocking Veloso testimony vs recruiters

MANILA, March 28 (PNA) -- The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMI) expressed disappointment over the decision of the Court of Appeals (CA) preventing drug mule Mary Jane Veloso from testifying in the criminal case against her recruiters from her detention cell in Indonesia.

"What the CA did was depressing and disappointing. It is disservice to Mary Jane, obstructions to truth and justice," said CBCP-ECMI chairman Bishop Ruperto Santos.

He believed that the ruling is not good for the case and has prolong the suffering of the jailed OFW.

"Their decision just leads to uncertainty of the case and longer suffering for MJ," the Bataan prelate said.

"Indonesia is waiting for our court decision. And our court must render decision. But with what CA did, it is justice delayed," Santos added.

On Monday, the CA issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) granting the immediate relief sought by Veloso's detained recruiters, Ma. Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao for the deposition set for April 27 by Nueva Ecija Regional Trial Court Branch 88 Judge Anarica Castillo-Reyes.

Veloso was arrested at the Yogyakarta airport in 2010 after found in her possession for the drug-laden luggage.

She was scheduled to be executed but it was temporarily stopped last April 29, 2015 after then President Benigno Aquino III appealed her case to Indonesian President Joko Widodo. (PNA)
FGP

DOLE assures aid for stranded OFWs availing of Saudi amnesty grant

MANILA, March 30 (PNA) -- The government will be providing assistance for the immediate repatriation of some 5,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This moves comes after the country's implementation of an amnesty program for stranded migrant workers.

"Ang Saudi government nagbigay ng amnesty para sa ating mga stranded employees doon, sa mga OFWs... So ang gagawin namin doon is to facilitate the repatriation of the remaining mga stranded OFWs," said Labor and Employment Undersecretary Dominador Say in an interview.

"So we will be setting up mga centers kung saan kami magpoprocess ng kanilang papers. We are looking at mga 5,000 ang mapauwi," he added.

Say urged Filipino workers who are illegally staying in the said country to avail of the 90-day amnesty program by the Saudi government.

"Sa loob ng tatlong buwan kailangan mapauwi na. Dahil kapag nawala na yung amnesty, magbabayad na sila ng kanilang exit papers, mga Iquama, certificate of no objection from employer. Sa loob ng 90 days kailangan na namin maprocess at mapaalis na," he explained.

The DOLE official noted that they are looking to ask the employers to give separation pay to the OFWs.

"We will ensure na may makukuha nga para kapag dating nila dito iaadvance na ng Philippine government, ng OWWA funds or pondo ng department of labor para habang naghahantay sila may pera na sila dito. Kami na lang ang kukuha ng kanilang receivables," he said.

At the same time, he is optimistic that the visit of President Rodrigo Duterte which is scheduled on the second week of April, will be a fruitful one for the benefit of the workers.

"Just to take advantage of the 90 days amnesty na binigay ng Saudi Arabia. And then we are also looking at certain bilateral agreements na puwede pa nating makuha and other matter na puwede hingiin ni Presidente sa King ng Saudi Arabia like pardon ng mga nakakulong and many matters," Say added.

Asked on how much is the budget for the mission, he said, "Hindi ko lang alam ang ball park figure but we are looking at 5,000 then multiply that by the amount of the plane fare para makarating lang sila dito. Dahil hindi inassume ng Saudi Arabia ang pamasahe."

"Kasi it is really should be the employers ang magbabayad, but we understand they are under distress. Huwag na natin patagalin sa pagturo kung sino ang magbabayad. the Philippine government na siguro," he added.

The DOLE official noted that once the OFWs are back in the Philippines, the government will provide them due assistance.

"There are a lot of assistance na puwedeng ibigay sa kanila. may mga emergency livelihood naman na ibibigay. May pondo naman na ipapahiram kung may negosyo sila na maiisip. Natingnan na iyan jointly ng Bureau of Local Employment at saka Overseas Workers Welfare Administration," Say added. (PNA)

UAE court defers decision on Dalquez

MANILA, March 27 (PNA)-- The Court of Appeals in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, postponed on Monday its decision on the case of Jennifer Dalquez, the Filipina domestic helper facing execution for killing her employer in 2015, due to the non-appearance of one of the victim's children in the hearing.

"According to our Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the UAE Court of Appeals postponed its decision on the case of OFW Jennifer Dalquez to April 12 because one of the victim's children did not appear in court today," Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson said.

The Al Ain court in February deferred the execution of Dalquez, 30, pending the decision of the victim's children whether to affirm the execution or opt for blood money.

Dalquez may escape the death sentence if the victim's two children refuse to swear in court and ask for blood money instead.

Dalquez was sentenced to death for killing her employer on May 20, 2015.

The barrio lass from General Santo City said her employer tried to rape her at knifepoint and she accidentally killed him while defending herself.

Jose said upon learning of the incident, the Philippine Embassy in UAE sent a lawyer and filed an appeal before the court.

In June 2015, then Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz visited her in prison to check on her and promised to provide assistance to her family.

The DFA has brought her parents to UAE so they could visit her and attend a court hearing. (PNA)
SAMMY F. MARTIN

Gov’t agencies to ink MOA vs child abuse in Davao region

DAVAO CITY, March 28, (PNA) â€" Government agencies are set to ink a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for a unified fight against child abuse, particularly those left behind by Overseas Filipino Workers in the Davao region.

Eduardo Bellido, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) regional director, said Tuesday their agency will work with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Justice (DOJ) to curb cases of abuse involving OFW children, including human trafficking.

The MOA will be signed on March 30 and will be witnessed by various stakeholders in the area, including top officials of the three agencies.

Aside from the MOA signing, a program launch will also be held at the Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases here.

“This is an intensified campaign to offer full protection to children left behind by OFWs in Davao City and the rest of the region,” Bellido said.

The MOA will also enhance the campaign and coordination among the three government agencies in looking after the children of OFWs and defend them against abuse and exploitation.

OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac and Deputy Administrator for Operations Brigido J. Dulay will join the signing of the agreement as well as DOJ-11 Regional Prosecutor Janet Grace B. Dalisay-Fabrero and DSWD-11 Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat.

Bellido admitted they faced difficulties in previous years in monitoring the status of OFW children, especially cases of abuse and exploitation against them.

“We solely rely on reports from their families and from the DSWD,” Bellido said.

With the MOA, he expressed optimism the three agencies will be able to come up with concrete plans and programs to monitor the children of OFWs and provide them with the necessary assistance.

Bellido added that a seminar on the "Protection of Children Left Behind by the OFWS" will be facilitated after the signing.

Around 130 participants from the government and non-government organizations and families of OFWs in the Davao region are expected to participate in the activity. (PNA)
LCM/ALEXANDER LOPEZ

CBCP lauds conviction of Singaporean couple for starving Filipina helper

MANILA, March 30 (PNA) -- Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMI) lauded the state court of Singapore's verdict convicting the employers of a female overseas Filipino worker (OFW) for starving her.

"That is very inhuman act any man can take inflict to his fellow human bring. Brutal and heartless deeds. Justice must be served. It is just right that Singaporean couple not only be jailed but also pay necessary damages: moral, physical and psychological," said CBCP-ECMI chairman Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos.

With this, Santos said he prays that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) especially household service workers (HSWs) will be hired by compassionate employers.

"We pray always for their safety and change of hearts and compassion of their employers," Santos said.

The Catholic prelate added, "We see sufferings of our OFWs. They undergo severe hardships and agonizing deprivations."

Santos noted that the Church and the government have the responsibility to protect and guide them.

"And both Church and government has moral and legal obligations to them. We must always help and assist them in any possible way," he said.

On Monday, A Singaporean court has ordered Lim Choon Hong, 48, to be jailed for three weeks and fined 10,000 Singapore dollars (PHP359,500), while his wife Chong Sui Foon, 48, was sentenced to three months in jail.

The couple was convicted last year of violating employment laws for failing to provide enough food for Thelma Oyasan Gawidan, for more than 15 months. (PNA)

go\ˈgō\
verb
intransitive verb
1 : to move on a course : proceed <go slow> <went by train> â€" compare stop
2 : to move out of or away from a place expressed or implied : leave, depart <went from school to the party> <going away for vacation>
3 a : to take a certain course or follow a certain procedure <reports go through channels to the president>
b : to pass by means of a process like journeying <the message went by wire>
c : to proceed without delay and often  in a thoughtless or reckless manner â€" used especially to intensify a complementary verb <why did you go  and spoil it> <go jump in a lake>
d (1) : to extend from point to point or in a certain direction <the road goes to the lake> (2) : to give access : lead <that door goes to the cellar>
4 obsolete : walk
5 : to be habitually in a certain state or condition <go bareheaded>
6 a : to become lost, consumed, or spent <our time has gone>
b : die
c : to slip away : elapse <the evening went quickly>
d : to come to be given up or discarded <these slums have to go>
e : to pass by sale <went for a good price>
f : to become impaired or weakened <his hearing started to go>
g : to give way especially under great force or pressure : break <the roof went>
7 a : to move along in a specified manner : fare <everything was going well>
b : to be in general or on an average <cheap, as yachts go>
c : to be or become especially as the result of a contest <the election went in her favor>
d : to turn out well : succeed <worked hard to make the party go>
8 a : to apply oneself <went to work on the problem>
b : to put or subject oneself <went to unnecessary expense>
c chiefly Southern & Midland : intend <I didn't go to do it>
9 : to have recourse to another for corroboration, vindication, or decision : resort <go to court to recover damages>
10 a : to begin an action or motion <here goes>
b : to maintain or perform a certain action or motion <still going strong>
c : to function in the proper or expected manner : run <the motor won't go>
11 : to be known <goes by an alias>
12 a : to act in accordance or harmony <a good rule to go by>
b : to come to be determined <dreams go by contraries>
c : to come to be applied or appropriated <all proceeds go to charity>
d : to pass by award, assignment, or lot <the prize went to a sophomore>
e (1) : to contribute to an end or result <qualities that go to make a hero> (2) :  to be of advantage <has a lot going for her>
13 : to be about, intending, or expecting something â€" used in a progressive tense before an infinitive <is going to leave town>
14 a : extend <his knowledge fails to go very deep>
b : to come or arrive at a certain state  or condition <go to sleep>
c : to come to be : become <the tire went flat> â€" often used to express conversion to specified values or a specified state <gone Hollywood> <go condo>
d : to undergo a change <leaves go from green to red>
15 a : to be in phrasing or expression : read <as the story goes>
b : to be capable of being sung or played <the tune goes like this>
16 : to be compatible, suitable, or becoming : harmonize <the tie goes with his suit>
17 a : to be capable of passing, extending, or being contained or inserted <will these clothes go in your suitcase>
b : to have a usual or proper place or position : belong <these books go on the top shelf>
18 : to have a tendency : conduce <it goes to show>
19 a (1) : to carry authority <what she said went> (2) : to be acceptable, satisfactory, or adequate <anything goes here>
b : to hold true : be valid <the rule goes  for you, too>
20 : to empty the bladder or bowelstransitive verb
1 : to proceed along or according to : follow <if I were going his way> <went  the conventional route>
2 : to travel through or along : traverse <went the length of the street>
3 a : to make a wager of : bet <go a dollar on the outcome>
b : to make an offer of : bid <willing to go$50 for the clock>
4 a : to assume the function or obligation of <promised to go bail for his friend>
b : to participate to the extent of <decided to go halves on the winnings>
5 : yield, weigh <this fish goes ten pounds>
6 a : to put up with : tolerate <couldn't go the noise>
b : afford <can't go the price>
c : enjoy <I could go a soda>
7 a : to cause (a characteristic sound) to occur <the gun went bang>
b : say â€" used chiefly in oral narration  of speech
8 : to engage in <don't go telling everyone>
9 of a sports team or player : to have a record of <went 11-0 last season>
Other forms: went \ˈwent\; gone \ˈgȯn also ˈgän\; go·ing \ˈgō-iŋ, ˈgȯ(-)iŋ; “going to” in sense 13 is often ˈgōə-nə or ˈgȯ-nə or ˈgə-nə\; goes \ˈgōz\
go·er \ˈgō-ər\ noun
go about : to set about
go after : to try to get : seek
go all the way
1 : to enter into complete agreement
2 : to engage in sexual intercourse
go at
1 a : to make an attack on
b : to make an approach to
2 : undertake
go back on
1 : abandon
2 : betray
3 : fail
go begging : to be in little demand
go by the board
1 : to be carried over a ship's side
2 : to be discarded
go easy : to be sparing <go easy with  the sugar> <go easy on the kid>
go fly a kite : to stop being an annoyance or disturbance <told him to go fly a kite>
go for
1 : to pass for or serve as
2 : to try to secure or attain (as a goal) <go for the prize>
3 a : favor, accept <cannot go for your idea>
b : to have an interest in or liking for <she went for him in a big way â€" Chandler Brossard>
4 : attack, assail <my dog went for the intruder>
go for broke : to put forth all one's strength or resources
go great guns : to achieve great success
go hang : to cease to be of interest or concern
go into : to be contained in <5 goes into 60 12 times>
go it
1 : to behave in a reckless, excited, or impromptu manner
2 : to proceed in a rapid or furious manner
3 : to conduct one's affairs : act <insists  on going it alone>
go missing chiefly British : to become lost : disappear
go one better : outdo, surpass
go over
1 : examine
2 a : repeat
b : study, review
go places : to be on the way to success
go public : to make a public disclosure
go steady : to date one person exclusively and frequently
go through
1 : to subject to thorough examination, consideration, or study
2 : experience, undergo <had to go through quite an ordeal>
3 : carry out, perform <went through  his work in a daze>
go to bat for : to give active support  or assistance to : defend, champion
go to bed with : to have sexual intercourse with
go to one's head
1 : to cause one to become confused, excited, or dizzy
2 : to cause one to become conceited or overconfident
go to pieces : to become shattered (as in nerves or health)
go to the mat : to make an all-out combative effort (as in support of a position)
go to town
1 : to work or act rapidly or efficiently
2 : to be markedly successful
3 : to indulge oneself excessively
go with
1 : date
2 : choose 2 <went with an iron off the tee>
go without saying : to be self-evident
go with the flow : conform 2b
to go
1 : still remaining <ten minutes to go>
2 of prepared food : sold for consumption off the premises
Examples
He went to the window and looked  out at the yard.
She goes to the office every morning  and comes home in the evening.
I'm tired. Let's go home.
Origin: Middle English gon, from Old English gān; akin to Old High German gān to go, Greek kichanein to reach, attain.
First use: before 12th century
Synonyms: advance, come, come along, do, fare, forge, get along, get on, go along, go off, march, pace, proceed, progress, gain ground, beat it, hit the road, pull stakes (or pull up stakes), take a hike (also take a walk), take a powder
Antonyms: remain, stand, stay, stop
2
go\ˈgō\
noun
1 : the act or manner of going
2 : the height of fashion : rage <elegant shawls labeled…“quite the go” â€" R. S. Surtees>
3 : an often unexpected turn of affairs : occurrence
4 : the quantity used or furnished at one time <you can obtain a go of brandy for sixpence â€" C. B. Fairbanks>
5 : energy, vigor
6 a : a turn in an activity (as a game) <it's your go>
b : attempt, try <have a go at painting>
7 : a spell of activity <finished the job at one go>
8 : success <made a go of the business>
9 : permission to proceed : go-ahead <gave the astronauts a go for another orbit>
Other forms: plural goes
no go : to no avail : useless
on the go : constantly or restlessly active
First use: 1727
3
go
adjective
: functioning properly : being in good  and ready condition <declared all systems go>
First use: 1961
Synonyms: fit, ready, prepared, set
Antonyms: flat-footed, half-baked, half-cocked, underprepared, unprepared, unready
4
go
noun
Usage: often capitalized
: a game played between two players  who alternately place black and white stones on a board checkered by 19 vertical lines and 19 horizontal lines in an attempt to enclose the larger area on the board
Origin: Japanese.
First use: 1890

Your A51w is compatible to our app. Click HERE to get your FREE TubagBohol Android App

DOH: Rehab centers open to drug users, even those with court cases

MANILA, April 3 (PNA) -- Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Ubial on Monday affirmed that drug dependents who need rehabilitation as “inpatients” will be allowed to enter rehab centers even if they have pending court cases.

In an interview, Ubial cited a provision in a Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) resolution that states that patients found by health professionals to need residential care or rehabilitation could be admitted to DOH treatment and rehabilitation facilities, even if they have cases pending against them in court.

The health chief however reiterated that everything will depend on the result of the assessment of health professionals, as well as the recommendation of the court.

“If they are criminally liable, then they will be transferred to jails, but if the assessment finds that they are not hardened criminals, then they can be admitted in our drug rehabilitation centers,” she said.

DDB chair, Dr. Benjamin Reyes, stressed the importance of assessing the criminal liability of the drug users for the security of other “mild” drug dependents undergoing rehabilitation.

“It is very important that they do not become a security risk to others in the drug rehabilitation (centers),” he pointed out.

Reyes further said that time spent in rehab centers could be deducted from the sentence of those facing court cases.

According to the DOH, of the estimated 4 million drug users in the country, 1.6 million have been assessed and only 12,000 of them are undergoing treatment in 44 government rehabilitation facilities, while about 99 percent of the figure are in community-based rehabilitation centers.

“We believe that most of those who have surrendered voluntarily are the mild ones. And maybe the hardened users are those who are still at large and not in rehab centers. That is why we still continue and need the help of the police,” said Ubial.

She acknowledged that much needs to be done in the rehabilitation of other drug surrenderers.

“That is why we are still accepting donations from our partners and donors because we expect that this problem will not go away very soon. There is still a lot of room for improvement and development,” she said.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has donated 1.85 billion yen (PHP826 million) for the establishment and enhancement of drug rehabilitation facilities and the training of DOH health workers involved in drug rehab. (PNA)
LEILANI S. JUNIO

1,000 ‘Digong’s Day for Women’ attendees get scholarships from TESDA

MANILA, April 3 (PNA) -- About 1,000 attendees of “Digong’s Day for Women” were given scholarships by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the agency said Monday.

”Digong’s Day for Women” was held at the Kalayaan grounds in Malacanang last Friday, to cap off the National Women’s Month celebration.

During the event, President Rodrigo Duterte told women supporters how much he respects women, and even cited that even when he was the Davao City mayor, he already created ordinances to protect their welfare.

While some people think President Duterte has a bad boy image, he clarified during the event that he has never been disrespectful to women, adding that he has daughters who might be subjected to abuses.

TESDA told the Philippine News Agency that the recipients of scholarships came from different sectors of the society, and were pre-selected by the Palace. “Our commitment is to provide them with scholarships, skills training,” it added.

The agency handed the certificates to beneficiaries, and said these scholarships can also be used by their relatives.

Scholars can enroll in any course in the Training for Work Scholarship Program.

In a statement, TESDA Director General Guiling Mamondiong said the agency will continue to support the President’s programs, particularly on providing women with technical vocational skills.

”We want to help uplift the lives of Filipinos, by providing free skills training,” he said.

Mamondiong added that anyone interested to avail of a free skills training may inquire in their office, or check agency’s website.

Meanwhile, aside from TESDA, other agencies which supported the “Digong’s Day for Women” event were the Departments of Tourism; Health; Transportation; Social Welfare and Development; and Interior and Local Government. (PNA)
/MA. CRISTINA C. ARAYATA

NPAs continue to wreak havoc on banana plantations in Mindanao
By Lilybeth G. Ison

MANILA - Communist rebels continue to attack banana plantations in Mindanao for not paying revolutionary taxes despite the resumption of peace talks between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front-Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (NDF-CPP-NPA) in the Netherlands.

Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) reported that the NPA has once again launched an intensified series of attacks on banana and pineapple plantations, resulting in killings, arson and deliberate disruption of business operations in Mindanao.

Eduardo Maningo, spokesman for the ARBs, in a statement on Monday, appealed to the government anew to step up its efforts against lawless elements.

"We ask the government to please step up its protection of farm workers and businesses and to go after these lawless elements. The safety of our families and our livelihood is threatened. If the government fails to address this problem, businesses can leave and we will lose our jobs," he said.

If the violent attacks and harassment in farms persist, Mindanao’s most lucrative dollar earner will be compromised and affect the national economy, he added.

The Philippines is the second biggest exporter of bananas in the world despite small areas devoted to bananas, which are mostly located in Mindanao.

Current estimates place the people dependent on the banana industry at two million, inclusive of the family members of the bananeros as well as employees of downstream industries.

No doubt the industry has dramatically reduced poverty in the areas where they operate.

Authorities believe that the rebels’ assaults on the plantation are part of their extortion activities.

"Our industry is already hampered with problems. We have low productivity because of pests and diseases, drought, flooding -- the intermittent weather conditions and we're still reeling from the onslaught of typhoon 'Pablo' but the insurgency is the most alarming. We are scared for our lives,” said Maningo.

Last Thursday (March 30), the NPAs attacked the facilities of DOLE’s banana plantation in Barangay Sinawal in General Santos City. The rebels burned the cold storage and pelletizing facilities, a container van and other materials within the compound estimated at a cost of Php 6.9 million.

The company has stopped all farm operations, leaving 56 workers and their families severely displaced. Top management is yet to decide on the continuity of the business depending on the security conditions of the almost 200-hectare banana farm.

Meanwhile, authorities said operations against the NPAs will continue until a binding joint ceasefire is signed between the insurgents and the government.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla stressed that "until no official signing for a joint ceasefire, along with a third party mechanism to implement this between the government and rebels, the AFP and the police will not suspend operations against the NPAs." (PNA)

Flash floods hit Metro Cebu

CEBU CITY, April 3 - Flash floods brought about by heavy rains Monday morning turned major thoroughfares in Metro Cebu and other areas into virtual rivers, causing hours of traffic gridlock.

Among the areas hit by flash floods were the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Talisay, Toledo and Naga and the municipalities of Cordova, Consolacion, Liloan, Mingalanilla and Pinamungahan.

Engr. Alfredo Quiblat, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Mactan Station chief, said the three-hour rain started at 4 a.m. Monday.

Quiblat said the rains were the result of a convergence of easterly winds.

He said Metro Cebu would continue to have rains until Wednesday.

Quiblat said the Pagasa Mactan Station recorded 99 millimeters of rainfall, way above the normal rainfall of 50 millimeters expected in April.

He said every millimeter of rain was equivalent to 5,000 drums of water.

Quiblat said the rains poured Monday morning were equivalent to 495,000 drums of water.

Oil firms to hike pump prices Tuesday

Oil firms will increase pump prices on Tuesday following international market prices.

According to separate advisories Monday, Petron Corp., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Seaoil Philippines Inc., Flying V Corp., Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, PTT Philippines, Eastern Petroleum and Jetti Corp. will hike both gasoline prices and diesel prices by 35 centavos per liter.

Petron, Seaoil, Flying V and Shell will also increase kerosene prices by 30 centavos per liter.

Flying V will apply the price changes at 12:01 a.m., while the other oil firms will apply the movements at 6 a.m. (PNA)

Xpress Money Philippines
ARRANQUE SOLER CITIRISER BUILDING, 1427 SOLER ST, STA CRUZ, MANILA
+63 (2)7332671
customer.relations@xpressmoney.com

Wycliffe Bible Translators Philippines, Inc.
27/F Chatham House, 116 Valero cor. Rufino St., Salcedo Village Makati 1227
+63 (2)6598309
info@wycliffe.org.ph

Servcorp Philippines
Suite 22c Level 22, Tower One Ayala Triangle, Makati City
+63 (2)7556500
rasha.t@digitalmoz.com

Send Flowers Philippines
1677 Taft ave. Pasay
+63 (2)2745132
sendflowers3@gmail.com

Philippine Fire and Marine Insurance Corp.
Gorordo Cebu City
+63 (32)2324730
nzafra2@gmail.com

Merlin Philippines
6th Floor Commerce and Industry Plaza Building, McKinley Hill Cyberpark, Tagui
+63 (2)8368705
misgl.philippines@gmail.com

Farmind Philippines Inc.
24/F 6750 Office Tower 6750 Ayala Avenue Makati 1226
+63 (2)8128931
admin@farmind.com.ph

Europa Yachts Philippines
9641 Kamagong St. (corner Pasong Tamo) Makati
+63 (2)5532027
thomas.cachera@europayachts.net

Dazzle Dry Philippines
Manila
+63 (917)5804530
jen@tiltmediaproductions.com

Central Colleges of the Philippines
39 Aurora Blvd Quezon City
+63 (2)7162054

Bo Le Associates Philippines
Unit 1, 5/F Citibank Center Building 8741 Paseo de Roxas
+63 (2)8116258
bolemanila.ph@gmail.com

Auto Search Philippines
Quezon City
+63 (2)3303423
admin@auto-searchphilippines.com

Aesthetic Institute of the Philippines (AIP)
15 Eisenower Street Greenhills San Juan Metro Manila
+63 (2)7250808
info@aip.com.ph