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AFP to constantly adjust tactics to curb ASG threat

MANILA, Jan. 16 (PNA) -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines said it will constantly adjust its tactics in fighting the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

This was disclosed by AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo in an interview late Sunday.

He added adjustment in tactics will be done after six months which is in line with the self-imposed time frame set by AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año on eliminating the ASG threat.

"And if within six months, the ASG threat is still present or existing, after six months, then, we will have an assessment of the experiences, lessons made in fighting the ASGs and, we will come out with an adjustment (in tactics) that will be based on the previous semester," Arevalo said in Filipino.

He also said the AFP chief's commitment to crush the bandit group in six months is not ambitious as changes are now ongoing on operational commitments, procedures, leadership and compositions of the fighting teams.

Arevalo declined to comment on whether new forces will be deployed in the ongoing anti-ASG operations due to security reasons.

"I just cannot tell you about that yet, as of yet, but you can expect that, " he added.

Año earlier said that while Development Support Security Plan "Kapayapaan" is focused on the primacy primacy of the peace process, terror groups like the ASG, Maute Group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Ansar Al-Khilafah Philippines and other lawless groups will feel the full brunt of the military's combat power. (PNA)

Bicol, Eastern Visayas rainy due to LPA

MANILA, Jan. 16 (PNA) -- The low pressure area (LPA) spotted off east northeast of Borongan, Eastern Samar will continue to bring rains to Eastern Visayas and the Bicol Region in the next few days, state weather agency Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Monday.

Cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms which may trigger flash floods and landslides will be experienced in Bicol and Eastern Visayas.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA added that cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorm is expected in the rest of the Visayas, Quezon, Marinduque and Romblon.

Cloudy skies with light rains will be experienced in the Cordillera Autonomous Region, Cagayan Valley and Aurora.

The rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rains while Mindanao will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorm.

PAGASA weather forecaster Glaiza Escullar said the northeast monsoon is affecting Luzon.

Luzon and the Visayas will experience moderate to strong winds while coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, PAGASA said light to moderate winds coming from northeast to northwest will prevail with slight to moderate seas. (PNA)

Arroyo eyes new revenue agency to replace BIR

MANILA, Jan. 15 (PNA) -- Former President now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo wants to overhaul the Bureau of Internal Revenue and name it the National Revenue Authority (NAR) in a bid to boost tax collection.

In her House Bill No. 0695, Arroyo cited the need to create a Revenue Authority so as to reduce the country’s deficit and cut on public expenditures.

"There is an urgent need for Congress to create a Revenue Authority to address the growing taxpayer dissatisfaction particularly over front-line services, high level of tax evasion/avoidance, and increasing perception of systematic corruption in the Bureau,” Arroyo said.

She said past efforts to reorganize the BIR were unsuccessful because they were only made through administrative decree.

She also noted that the BIR is hampered by at least three fundamental institutional constraints: (a) rigid personnel management system where promotion is based merely on loyalty and seniority rather than exemplary performance (e.g. exceeding the revenue target); (b) compensation structure that restricts the hiring of first-rate professionals; and (c) strict line-item budgeting that limits the flexibility in the allocation of funds.

With the National Revenue Authority, Arroyo said tax collection can start on a clean slate since the same will be free from political interference in terms of decisions pertaining to revenue rulings, audit and assessment personnel management, and budgeting.

Under the proposed measure, the NRA will be governed by a Revenue Board composed of four representatives from the government and three from the private sector.

The government representatives shall include the heads of the Department of Finance (as Chairperson), the Department of Budget and Management, the National Economic Development Authority and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Private sector representatives shall be nominated by peak professional organizations, and appointed by the President of the Philippines.

She further stated that the NRA will be headed by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) responsible for the administrative matters like work program, organizational structure, annual budget, compensation package, and appointment of rank and file employees, among many others.

The CEO shall be appointed by the Revenue Board for a period of three years with possible reappointment under a performance-based contract.

The NRA will receive an annual service fee of not less than 1 percent but not more than 2 percent of total collection of the immediate preceding year, net of local government shares.

If it exceeds the annual collection target, the NRA will be likewise be entitled to 5 percent of annual collection in excess of its target. However, no portion of the performance bonus shall accrue to members of the Revenue Board.

"The NRA will establish a performance-based management system which shall govern the selection, hiring, appointment, transfer, promotion or dismissal of all personnel. Such system shall aim to attract and retain professionally competent, well-trained, honest, courteous and efficient personnel and to establish professionalism and excellence at all levels of the (NRA),” Arroyo said. (PNA)

Cop involved in abduction of S. Korean businessman surrenders to NBI

MANILA, Jan. 16 (PNA) -- A police officer allegedly involved in the kidnapping of a South Korean national in Angeles City, Pampanga last year surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

In a press conference on Monday, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa on Monday confirmed that SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel is now under NBI custody.

The PNP chief said the information came from Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.

According to NBI-Public Information Head Nicanor Suarez, Sta. Isabel surrendered to NBI on Sunday.

”I don’t have the exact time but according to the head of NBI task force against illegal drugs Roel Bolivar, yesterday (Sunday), he went to the NBI nag pa custody siya he is now with the NBI,” Suarez said in a phone interview.

Asked if they will turnover Sta. Isabel to the PNP, Suarez said that they have not yet received any instructions on the matter

At present, he noted that Sta.Isabel refuses to give any statement.

Last Friday, Aguirre assigned Prosecution Attorney Loverhette Jeffrey Villordon to handle the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) complaint of kidnapping and serious illegal detention against the suspects who kidnapped Jee Ick Joo, a South Korean businessman.

Aguirre vowed to expedite the resolution of the complaints regarding the incident, which gained traction as the suspects allegedly carried out the crime by doing a search operation in relation to the government's war on drugs.

Aguirre designated Villordon to replace Assistant State Prosecutor Hjalmar Quintana, who had inhibited from the complaints for kidnapping for ransom and serious illegal detention in relation to Jee's disappearance.

Choi Kyunghin, Jee's wife, 53, said his husband was forcibly taken by eight armed men on Oct. 18 from his residence and has not been located until now.

Choi has already offered a PHP100,000 reward for anyone who could give information on the whereabouts of her husband.

Atty. Brian Bantilan, lawyer of Choi said that Quintana reportedly inhibited after respondents accused him of being biased against them.

Bantilan said that one of the respondents was a former anti-narcotics policeman who was also involved earlier the kidnapping incident.

The lawyer said the incident has been reported as a kidnapping-for-ransom case after the victim’s wife said that she had already paid PHP5-million ransom last Oct. 31 but the abductors had demanded another PHP4 million from them.

PNP AKG believes it has an air-tight case against Sta. Isabel and several other suspects charged for the alleged kidnapping of Jee.

Sr. Supt Glenn Dumlao, AKG Acting Director, said Sta. Isabel was among several suspects facing charges of Kidnapping for Ransom and Serious Illegal Detention filed before the DOJ in connection with the abduction of Jee.

Sta. Isabel continues to defy the orders of Chief PNP, Director General Ronald M Dela Rosa to submit himself under restrictive custody to ensure his availability to face further investigation in connection with the kidnapping case.

Dumlao said that Sta. Isabel was identified as among several men who was seen in security camera footages as shoving Jee into a waiting vehicle. AKG investigators were also able to established Sta. Isabel’s presence at the crime scene before, during and after the kidnapping based on CCTV footages, visitor’s logbook, and testimony of security guards.

The suspect was also seen in a surveillance video recording while making a series of withdrawals from Jee’s ATM account, Dumlao said.

Dumlao also disclosed records of Sta. Isabel’s alleged involvement in the kidnapping of a certain Mylene Tan. (PNA)
BNB/CLTC/PTR

Gatchalian backs gov't efforts to push code of conduct in South China Sea

MANILA, Jan. 16 (PNA) -- Sen. Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian on Monday expressed support for efforts of the government to complete the Code of Conduct (CoC) in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) and use the Philippine chairmanship of ASEAN to do so.

“The Philippines must make the most of this opportunity, as the leader of ASEAN…to craft a just and lasting peace for the benefit of the 600 million people who call Southeast Asia home," Gatchalian said in a statement.

Gatchalian, who said that disputes in South China Sea have held the region back from achieving its true potential, said the country's position as ASEAN chair can steer the regional bloc toward completion of the CoC.

The neophyte senator, who serves as chair of the Senate committees on energy and economic affairs, was also optimistic that the final CoC would fast-track the amicable resolution of the various disputes between member-states.

This, he said, would be the key to usher renewed economic growth and social progress within the region.

"The theme of ASEAN 2017, 'Partnering for Change: Engaging the World', reflects a commitment to achieving progress within the region through diplomacy, cooperation, and mutual respect," Gatchalian said.

“The best way to give life to this theme would be to act as a catalyst for real change in the West Philippine Sea," he added.

The CoC is a legally-binding document which would govern the settlement of disputes between ASEAN member-states and China concerning their respective claims in the hotly-contested waters to the west of the Philippines.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. earlier said that the CoC may be finally completed by the middle of the year. (PNA) JBP/ANP and Jake M. Castillo (OJT)

2 PAL domestic flights cancelled due to bad weather

MANILA, Jan. 16 (PNA) -- Two domestic flights of flag carrier Philippine Airlines (2P) were cancelled on Monday morning due to bad weather.

These were the 2P 2079/2080 Manila-Catarman-Manila flights.

State weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) earlier forecast the low pressure area (LPA) will bring rains over Bicol and Visayas on Monday. (PNA)

Probe sought on woman turned away by 2 hospitals and gave birth in cab

MANILA, Jan. 16 (PNA) -- Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Monday called for a Senate panel probe on an incident where a woman gave birth inside a cab in Quezon City after she was turned away by two hospitals.

Initial findings from Hontiveros' office showed a certain Aira Arellano was turned away by a public hospital in Caloocan City last January 11 after its staff allegedly assessed that she went into labor prematurely. They said that they had no incubator for the baby.

Arellano went to the next nearest hospital but eventually gave birth inside a taxi. Meanwhile, rescuers and media on the scene then brought her to a private hospital in Fairview, Quezon City.

Because Arellano could not afford their fees there either, she was transferred to the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC). The EAMC staff who admitted Arellano and her infant, however, said that she had a regular childbirth.

Hontiveros, chair of the Senate committee on health, said that it is worth investigating if the hospitals violated the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law especially since Arellano and her child were victimized twice.

She said that she expects to tackle this incident during the second hearing of her bill meant to strengthen Republic Act No. 8344, a law that prohibits hospitals from asking for deposits first before treating patients with emergency needs.

The neophyte senator earlier filed Senate Bill No. 216 otherwise known as "The Amendments to the Anti-Hospital Deposit Act" that seek heavier penalties on hospitals that demand any form of advance payment before being admitted or given medical treatment to an emergency patient.

"We cannot tolerate hospitals denying mothers and their children health services in their time of urgent need. Where will our people go if they can't get medical help from either public and private hospitals?" Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros will coordinate with the Department of Health to get an inventory of the facilities at public hospitals and determine legislative and budgetary interventions that can improve health services.

"No life should be unnecessarily put at risk, no person should be denied adequate and quality medical care just because they are poor and our government-run hospitals cannot adequately respond to their emergency medical needs," Hontiveros added. (PNA)
JBP/ANP

Palace on record low self-rated poverty: 'Change has indeed come'

MANILA, Jan. 16 (PNA) -- Malacanang welcomed on Monday a record low self-rated poverty rate, saying Filipinos have started to feel the change promised by President Rodrigo Duterte in the last May 2016.

"Change has indeed come, and it is being felt by our people," Presidential Communications Office (POC) Secretary Martin Andanar said in a press statement.

For two consecutive quarters, Filipino families who considered themselves ‘mahirap’ or poor reached new record low, according to the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey last December 3-6.

In the third month of the Duterte administration last September 2016, the average self-rated poverty rate was 42 percent while in December 2016, it was 44 percent, both surpassed the previous record of 47 percent registered in 1987.

"On the two-point increase in self-rated poverty nationwide, we take note the survey finding that self-rated poverty rose in Balance Luzon," Andanar said.

"We thus factor in stronger-than usual typhoons that hit Luzon towards the later part of the year which may have affected the perception of our respondents," he added.

Last year, typhoon Karen damaged thousands of hectares of agricultural lands in Ilocos, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON and Bicol while typhoon Lawin destroyed houses and crops and displaced thousands in the northern part of Luzon.

"The Department of Agriculture has been providing assistance to those affected farmers in the wake of two destructive storms last year," Andanar said.

According to the SWS survey conducted on 1,500 respondents nationwide, the self-rated poverty reading “has been either steady or declining for nine consecutive quarters from 52 percent in December 2014 to 44 percent in December last year. (PNA)

Premium Airport Bus Express opens terminal hub at Robinson’s Place Manila
By Aerol B. Patena

MANILA, Jan. 16 (PNA) -- The Premium Airport Bus Express launched Monday its newest terminal at Robinson’s Place Manila to further provide an alternative mode of public transportation and ease traffic congestion in roads leading to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The Ultimate Bus Experience (UBE) Express hub at Robinson’s Place Manila seeks to offer a convenient way of travel between Manila and the NAIA terminals.

Its bus service route includes stops at Heritage Hotel, Midas Hotel, Hotel Jen,Century Park Hotel, Diamond Hotel, Luneta Hotel, New World Hotel, Pan Pacific Hotel, Bayview Hotel, Manila Pavilion, Manila Hotel, Bayleaf Hotel, and Robinsons Place Manila, from 6a.m.-11pm.

Ube Express President Garrie David said the premium airport bus express aims to ferry passengers directly to NAIA Terminals 1, 2, and 3 in one and a half hours.

“With the support given to us by Robinson's Place Manila, UBE Express can now provide service to the Filipino people especially OFWs by providing quality transportation â€" convenient, comfortable, and world class quality. Because in UBE Express, we want to give every Filipino an Ultimate Bus Experience,” David explained.

For his part, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary for Land Transportation Mark De Leon said the 24-seater UBE Express airport service will help lessen cars going to the NAIA terminals.

Its bus, a Mercedes-Benz MCV C 120 Low-Entry model, features state-of-the-art technology including Euro V and BlueTec engine, smooth steering, powerful braking systems, low-entry design, body design with high force absorption, PWD compatibility, ergonomically sound seats and ample room.

Other supporting components of the service include online booking service, GPS tracking, a mobile tracking app, radio communications, on-board WiFi, CCTV cameras, the exclusive usage of Petron fuel and e-ticketing technology (e.g. tap card and credit card).

“UBE Express not only increases travel capacity to and from NAIA and improves the weaknesses of existing modes, but more importantly, it’s a significant step forward for the Philippine transportation landscape. Our goal is to become the preferred airport shuttle service in the country and to provide the Filipino people and our visitors the Ultimate Bus Experience,” David said.

The UBE Express routes currently covers a large base of stops located at hotels, malls and provincial bus terminals strategically located in key areas such as Makati CBD, Entertainment City, Roxas Boulevard and Intramuros, that existing bus and jeepneys in nearby NAIA do not serve without transfers.

It plans to further expand its routes to include other key locations in Metro Manila.

The DOTr and its attached agency Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has initiated the Airport Bus Service project to augment the current public transport services in the NAIA terminals.

The initiative is a direct response to the public demand for more efficient and commuter-friendly transport services option for those going to and from NAIA Terminals 1-3. (PNA)
FPV/ABP

Umali eyes passage of death penalty bill before Congress adjourns in June 3

MANILA, Jan. 16 (PNA) -- House of Representatives justice committee chair Reynaldo Umali said on Monday the bill that seeks to restore death penalty will likely be approved before the end of the first regular session of 17th Congress on June 3.

In a press conference, Umali said the death penalty bill, a priority measure of the Duterte administration, is an important reform to pursue in overhauling the criminal justice system of the country.

"More importantly in my own sense, this is the part and parcel of the criminal justice system reforms that we would like to pursue and the death penalty will surely be a factor in strengthening or enhancing the criminal justice system," he said.

Umali shared that he was once against capital punishment, but he saw the need for its reimposition after his committee conducted its hearing on the illegal drugs trade inside the New Bilibid Prison last September.

"I am now in favor of death penalty on drug-related heinous crimes," said Umali.

The Mindoro Oriental lawmaker said the lower chamber will still have to work on the contentious measure “regardless of what action Senate will take on the bill”.

Under the proposed measure, the heinous crimes for which the death penalty will be imposed include trafficking in illegal drugs, arson, treason, murder, rape, kidnapping, and carnapping.

The mode of capital punishment could either be through hanging, by firing squad or lethal injection.

The imposition of death penalty has been suspended since 2006 with the enactment of Republic Act No. 9346, or “An Act Prohibiting the Imposition of Death Penalty in the Philippines.”

However, President Rodrigo Duterte has publicly declared that he wanted capital punishment reimposed on heinous crimes, especially on criminals involved in drug-trafficking.

Apart from the death penalty bill, Umali also hopes that the measure seeking to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to nine years old will also be approved for third reading before Congress concludes its regular session in June. (PNA)

PHL sees more export opportunities from ASEAN Economic Community
By Leslie D. Venzon

DAVAO CITY, Jan. 15 (PNA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) is pushing through a plan to export pork and poultry products to Singapore, as it also scouts for more export opportunities offered by the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community.

This was bared by DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol in an interview on the sidelines of the official launch of Philippine chairmanship of the ASEAN 2017 held here on Sunday.

"In ASEAN, our target initially would be Singapore because it is dependent on food import. (We will export) pork, chicken, eggs, even vegetable. But we have to really source these things from Mindanao because of its proximity to Singapore," he said.

Piñol considered the AEC “both as a boon and a bane” especially for the country’s agriculture sector.

"We are trying to discover now what is it that Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam would need from us. We also have to discover what it is that they need because if we don’t do that, there will be trade imbalance. We will be flooded with (imported) products," he added.

The agriculture chief stressed that the government is pursuing various programs to enable the farmers compete in the AEC.

Piñol said these programs include the solar-powered irrigation system, the mechanization program, technology transfer and provision of hybrid seeds.

He added President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to inaugurate the solar-powered irrigation system next month.

"It (AEC) also poses a challenge to us especially the DA because we have to make our farmers competitive or else, we will be swamped with cheaper and low cost agricultural products from other countries," he said.

Apart from export opportunities, Piñol further said the DA is pushing for greater cooperation with Malaysia on rubber technology after a group expressed interest to put up the country’s first tire factory in Mindanao using local rubber.

"So in order to ensure sustainable supply of raw rubber for the tire factory, we need to develop our rubber industry and we need the support of Malaysia for that, (and) even Indonesia actually," he said.

ASEAN groups 10 countries -- Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. (PNA)

DOJ chief gets award for accomplishments in anti-drug war

MANILA, Jan. 16 (PNA) -- The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) on Monday awarded Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has made great feats in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs particularly the successful PHP6-billion drug haul last December 2016.

The successive raids on houses in Mangga Street in Barangay Little Baguio and in Bonifacio Street, both in San Juan City, yielded some PHP3.6 billion worth of shabu. The raids were part of a four-month series of operations by the NBI that yielded a total of 890 kilos of shabu with a street value of almost PHP6 billion.

Aguirre said that this is the largest drug raid in the history of the fight against illegal drugs in the country.

”It is with a mixture of elation and pride that I accept this citation on behalf of the honorable men and women of the NBI and the DOJ who were instrumental in making possible the largest single drug haul in Philippine history,” Aguirre said during the VACC citation held in NBI in Manila.

”This citation represents the fruition of the collaborative effort of everyone. It symbolizes what is possible and what can be achieved if everyone works toward a common goal. I wish to commend the NBI under the dynamic and uncompromising leadership of Director Dante Gierran in making all these possible,” he added.

” Let us prove to all that under the Duterte Presidency, Crime will never pay. No refuge, no respite and no let up in our war against criminals. This award is not the end, rather it is just the beginning. We have made a big inroad in this war, let us be united in ending it in our favor. For the sake of our families, our love ones and of the future generations, let us all be relentless,” the DoJ Chief stressed.

He also expressed gratitude to the VACC for the citation.

”Let this be a jumping off point for greater achievements. Let this be a motivation for everyone to scale greater heights until we win this war,” he noted. (PNA)

Squid Adobo

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Rousing welcome greets Miss U bets in Boracay

MANILA, Jan. 14 (PNA) -- Miss Universe pre-pageant extravaganza began with a splash on Saturday with at least 16 delegates getting their feet wet, frolicking in the water and trying their hand on dragon boat-rowing off Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan.

Hundreds of waving local residents gave the Miss Universe entourage a rousing welcome who arrived at the Geodofredo Ramos Airport in Caticlan within an hour’s flight from Manila on Skyjet Airline and 15-minute Southwest speedboat ride to Shangri-la Boracay Resort & Spa.

Malay town officials, along with an Ati-Atihan dance group, led the throng of welcomers the delegates including Miss Argentina, Miss Australia, Miss Belize, Miss Chile, Miss Costa Rica, Miss Ecuador, Miss Guyana, Miss Malta, Miss Mexico, Miss Myanmar, Miss Namibia, Miss Nicaragua, Miss Poland, Miss Turkey, Miss US Virgin Island, Miss Honduras.

“This is unbelievable! All these folks, young and old, turned out to welcome us,” cried Miss Australia Caris Tiivel in delight.

Miss Myanmar Htet Htet Htun said, “Boracay is even more exciting and meaningful. The people are very friendly and joyful to be with.”

Apart from the dragon boat-rowing and swimwear photo shoot, the delegates also got an insight of the local indigenous Ati culture by trying their hand on weaving and fishnet-making.

"The intricate weaving shows the rich Filipino culture," said Miss Mexico Kristal Silva.

Private sponsors headed by former-Governor Luis Chavit Singson and Solar Entertainment were joined by Malay town mayor Ciceron Cawaling, and Department of Tourism (DOT) Asst. Sec. Ricky Alegre, who represented DOT Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo.

Also in attendance were Tessa Paz Alviz, Solar Entertainment vice-president for Programming & Marketing and Miss Universe first-runner up Shamcey Supsup, who hosted the event. (PNA)
RMA/PR/RSM

Fuel in a bottle sold along the streets in the Philippine countryside.

AFP modernization to continue under Duterte administration

MANILA, Jan. 14 (PNA) -- The modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will continue under President Rodrigo Duterte, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has said.

The AFP Modernization Program, now on its Second Horizon, will continue as planned, he said.

The Second Horizon runs from 2018 to 2022 and will see the acquisition of equipment more attuned to external defense missions.

Lorenzana earlier said the AFP Modernization Program remains a priority of the new defense leadership as the program jibes with the Duterte administration's plan to have a credible deterrence to secure Philippine territory, especially its maritime areas.

He said that while some projects may be fast-tracked to address criminality, terrorism and insurgency in the southern Philippines, the defense department will follow the plans laid for the AFP Modernization Program.

Some of the equipment acquired under the program are three Hamilton-class cutters, the latest of which is the BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17) that arrived last Dec.9; six multi-purpose assault craft; 114 armored personnel carriers; three brand-new C-295 medium lift aircraft; three C-130 heavy transport; four FA-50PH light-interim fighter aircraft, the last two jets arriving last Dec. 1; five utility versions of the AgustaWestland AW-109 helicopters and eight of its attack versions; five landing craft heavies; three multi-purpose attack craft; and two strategic sealift vessels. (PNA)

Nakatagay tingali og Fundador Brandy ning tawhana.

Warfare . . . or Discipline?

For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives. Hebrews 12:6

There is a tendency among Christians to view anything unpleasant that happens to them as the result of “spiritual warfare.”� When a difficulty arises, many immediately ask God to remove their distress. The problem is that their predicament may have nothing to do with Satan or with spiritual warfare. It may appear far more glorious for us to explain our hardships as Satan’s determined attacks against us, rather than admitting that we are merely reaping what we have sown and are being disciplined by our heavenly Father (Gal. 6:7). What is often mistaken as Satan’s attack may actually be chastisement from our loving Father. If you have neglected your role as spiritual teacher to your children, God may allow them to fall into sin. If you have been dishonest at work, God may correct you by letting you face the consequences. It would be foolish to pray that God would ease your discomfort. God is disciplining you in order to gain your attention and bring necessary change to your life. How tragic never to make the connection between your problems and God’s discipline. God’s discipline will not help you if you dismiss it as Satan’s doing or spiritual warfare. Not every hardship you face is the chastisement of God, but Scripture indicates that God will discipline you. If you misunderstand God’s chastening, you may actually blame Him for not answering your prayers or failing to protect you from Satan. Meanwhile, God is warning you of the danger you face because of your sin. Are there difficult circumstances in your life? Could it be the discipline of God? God, whose nature is perfect love, will correct you because He has your ultimate good in His heart.  Henry and Richard Blackaby

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Palace of Versailles

BFP wants fire station in all Iloilo LGUs

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 13 (PNA) -- The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) expressed hope to see all local government units (LGUs) in Iloilo province with a fire station each.

Provincial Fire Marshal Superintendent Jose Filomeno Salolog on Friday revealed that about 15 towns in the province have no fire station.

To address this, he urged local government units (LGUs) to donate a lot so that BFP could request a budget from their central office for the construction of a building.

The BFP is spending about Php4 million for the construction of one fire station.

But even if some LGUs are without a fire station, Salolog said that all 42 towns and one component city are equipped with firetrucks. Two, however, are under repair.

In the meantime, they are currently negotiating with the town of San Dionisio for the LGU to donate its firetruck to the BFP so that the latter could already request for the construction of a fire station. A site for the station has already been assured by the LGU.

If all towns will have their own firetruck, Salolog said that it will “give comfort to clients and BFP personnel” as they can extend “more efficient service to the public.”

On the other hand, BFP will be holding lectures and seminars this year to intensify its fire prevention campaign.

Salolog said that there is a need to strengthen this campaign in the province since they have noted a significant increase in the number of fire incidents last year, specifically grassfire due to the El Niño phenomenon. (PNA)
LAP/PGL/CBFERRER/CBF

PM Abe leaves Davao to cap two-day state visit in the Philippines

DAVAO CITY, Jan. 13 (PNA) -- Prime Minister Shinzo and wife Akie Abe capped their Davao City visit with a short stopover at the city’s biggest Japanese school on their to the Davao International Airport on Friday noon.

At the Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku (MKD) school, students welcomed the Japanese couple, who went out of their way to shake hands with the students who offered them a Japanese welcome song.

More than 1,000 students waved the Japanese and Philippine flags to welcome the Japanese premier and Mrs. Abe. They then proceeded to the Audio Visual Room to listen to the 25 senior students who were having lectures on Nihongo or the Japanese language.

The Prime Minister even joined the class and taught some Japanese words to the students.

He then wished them good luck and encouraged them to strive and work hard in learning his native tongue.

Bai Le Jean Siang, international student of MKD, said that Shinzo told them to enjoy their lessons and to strive harder.

"He told us that we should have fun, even though it is hard learning Nihongo he said that there will always be a fun time," Siang said.

She said they were overwhelmed by his presence especially that they look up to them as respected leaders.

"I am overwhelmed, for us IS students, we consider him as a rock star, he is someone we look up and he shook my hands unexpectedly," she said.

Dafny Jean Jolo, who is of Japanese descent and also an MKD student, said the Prime Minister wished them to become the bridge of Japan and Philippine's relationship in the future.

After his 10-minute talk with the students, Mr. Abe proceeded to the Francisco Bangoy International Airport for his departure for Australia. (PNA)
LAP/LCM/FPAG/LDP

League of Cities of the Philippines expresses full support to anti-illegal drugs campaign

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Jan. 13 (PNA) -- The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) has expressed its full support to the tough position of President Rodrigo Duterte against local officials involved in illegal drugs.

Angeles City Mayor and LCP president Edgardo Pamintuan in a statement said that "we, at the LCP leadership, believe that it is totally unacceptable for local officials to be into illegal drugs in any way, as user, protector or dealer."

Pamintuan said that local officials, particularly mayors, should in fact be at the forefront of the war against illegal drugs.

"We subscribe with the President's position that any mayor or local official involved in any activity related to drugs should be dealt with the full force of the law," he said.

Pamintuan also said the LCP will not condone and will even help prosecute any of its members who are into drugs.

He said that those who may be in the President's list should immediately clear themselves or face the consequences that the President has stressed on during his meeting with the mayors.

"We call on all our members to be pro-active in eradicating the menace in their respective areas, even as the LCP commits to implement its own program towards freeing our communities of drugs," he added. (PNA)

7 animal raisers associations in NegOcc to avail assistance for meat shop enterprise

BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 13 (PNA) -- The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) of Negros Occidental are looking for seven animal raisers organizations that will avail of assistance for the establishment of meat shop enterprises.

The project 'Marketing Support and Postharvest Facility for Livestock and Poultry Associations' will provide each raisers group a meat package amounting to Php140,000.

The package includes equipment, including transparent refrigerator, multi-function meat cutter, and grinder, digital weighing scale, and stainless steel table.

Shiela Jumayao, project development officer IV, said in a report Friday the project will be funded by the province’s 20 percent Development Fund in 2016.

The aim is to assist local animal raisers in improving their livelihood, she added.

Jumayao said that since poultry and livestock raisers in Negros Occidental are facing the challenges of low farm gate prices and limited market accessibility, the meat shop project is seen to help them increase their income through efficient marketing of products.

They can choose to process and sell their products themselves instead of bringing them to auction markets or selling them to individual buyers, she added.

To avail of the project, potential recipient-associations must submit audited financial reports, seek accreditation from the provincial government, secure business permit, and submit a letter of intent.

Associations are also required to submit copies of lease agreement for PVO to prove that raisers already have market spaces or stalls.(PNA)

Official mulls ‘sports summit’ in preparation for Palaro in Antique

SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique, Jan. 13 (PNA) -- Philippine Councilors League President and Ex-Officio Provincial Board Member Julius Cesar Tajanlangit is planning to hold a ‘Sports Summit’” to prepare the Antiqueños for the biggest sports event to ever happen in Antique, which is the Palarong Pambansa 2017.

“We have only a little more than three months to prepare for the Palarong Pambansa 2017 and we better be prepared. Preparations should not only be on the different game venues and the billeting of the athletes, but we also have to prepare our people,” SP Tajanlangit said.

“More than just hosting the games, we have to somehow ensure that the Antiqueños are ready to accommodate the estimated 20,000 people who will be staying with us for at least 10 days. Everybody should do his or her part because each one of us has an equally important part in this,” the youthful legislator stressed.

Although, SP Tajanlangit said, that the Antiquenos are familiar with the annual Palarong Pambansa and most are excited about it, there is a need to further educate the people about some important aspects of the competition.

He intends to invite sports personalities to give some lectures and insights.

SP Tajanlangit further said, “every Antiqueno has a role to play to make our hosting of the Palaro successful.”

“Part of the Sports Summit will be discussions on the role of the Police and the community on peace and order,” SP Tajanlangit further said, adding that orderliness during the whole duration of the sports meet is of utmost importance. (PNA)

PCIC claims released to Negros Occidental farmers increase by 47 % in 2016

BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 13 (PNA) -- The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) recorded a 47 percent increase in the total indemnity claims it released to farmers in Negros Occidental for 2016.

Jose Ma. Torres, officer-in-charge of PCIC-Negros Occidental, said in a report Friday they paid about Php53 million to 8,973 enrolled farmers in the province in the past year.

This is due to the influx of farmers who have enrolled in the program, especially under the Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSBSA).

Torres said the crop insurance program has largely helped local farmers recover from the losses they have incurred after the prolonged dry spell.

For 2016, the indemnity was paid to farmers covering an area of 10,371.54 hectares of mostly rice farms affected by dry spell, pest and diseases.

A year before that, total paid claims was only Php28 million availed by about 6,000 farmers planting 5,260 hectares.

Torres said that under the 2016 claims, majority of the amount, or Php32 million, was received by farmers enrolled under the RSBSA with the Department of Budget and Management as partner-agency.

Under the Negros First Universal Crop Insurance Program, which is being implemented with the provincial government, released was Php16.8 million.

A total of Php3.8 million was paid to farmers under various insurance programs like Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP), and Sikat Saka Program (SSP), among others.

Currently, there are 24,843 enrolled-farmers in Negros Occidental with an aggregate area of 27,157.18 hectares.

Torres said that under RSBSA alone, they have reached the target quota of Php40 million in premium subsidy for 2016.

The amount is twice more than 2015’s Php20 million target.(PNA)

Police, other law enforcement agencies in NIR continue to join hands in fight vs. drugs

BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 13 (PNA) -- All units under the Police Regional Office-18 (PRO 18) are working with other law enforcement agencies to address the proliferation of illegal drugs in Negros Island Region (NIR).

This was stressed by Chief Inspector Dianne Grace Catedral, public information officer of PRO-18, in a report Friday after President Rodrigo Duterte himself said that the NIR is the third most drug-affected region in the country during his meeting with all the mayors in Malacañang on Wednesday.

National Capital Region was number one in the list followed by Central Luzon.

The President confirmed that 90 percent of the barangays in NIR are affected by illegal drugs.

Catedral said: “With our Project Double Barrel and Oplan Tokhang, we hope to neutralize and put behind bars all the pushers and rehabilitate the users.”

She added that the community should also do their part in helping the police because the fight against illegal drugs is not the responsibility of the police alone.

For his part, Senior Superintendent Mariano Natu-el Jr., PRO-18 deputy regional director for operations, said that although NIR is the third most drug-affected region, it is not really seriously-affected by illegal drugs.

He explained that the data refer only to the number of affected barangays, but not in terms of the number of users and pushers.

Natu-el added that the percentage of drug users and pushers compared to the barangay population in the region is “very minimal.”

“It’s not alarming in terms of number of users to the percentage of population,” he said.

Natu-el added that most of the users and pushers in NIR have already been identified, adding that PRO-18 is now focusing on the clearing of the barangays from illegal drugs.

Negros Island has 1,219 barangays â€" 601 in Negros Occidental, 557 in Negros Oriental, and 61 in Bacolod City.

Records of PRO-18 as of September 2016 showed that 1,107, or 90.08 percent of the barangays in NIR are drug-affected.

As of December, 31 barangays in Negros Occidental and 24 in Negros Oriental have already been already cleared from illegal drugs.(PNA)

Japanese First Lady visits, pays respects at monument, graves of Japanese in Davao
By Alexander D. Lopez

DAVAO CITY, Jan. 13 (PNA) -- Japanese First Lady Akie Abe toured “Davao’s Little Tokyo” and paid respects to the graves and monument of the Japanese who died during the pre-war period.

Tracing the once major settlement of the Japanese, Mrs. Abe offered a wreath to the monument of the Zaryu Senbou Douhou Irei Tou or the “Tower of Japanese residents who passed away”.

She arrived in Mintal with President Rodrigo Duterte’s common-law wife Cielito "Honeylet" Avancena at quarter past 10 a.m.

Mrs. Abe’s tour in Mintal was one the highlights of the state visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in this city. She was welcomed by an estimated crowd of 100 mostly Japanese descendants, and local officials in the area led by Barangay Chairman Ramon Bargamento.

Also in attendance during the visit in Mintal were Bertola Medialdea, wife of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Yuko Ishikawa, wife of Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa.

Other officials in Davao City, including Congressman Alberto Ungab of 3rd district as well as former Congressman Isidro Ungab, also greeted the Prime Minister’s wife at the site.

Mrs. Abe was briefed by Bargamento about the history of the place.

Bargamento expressed gratitude to Mrs. Abe for the visit, saying the occasion was an honor and a manifestation of the continuing good relationship between the Philippines and Japan.

“She was teary-eyed at the cemetery. Siguro hindi niya ma-explain ang kanyang naramdaman (Maybe she cannot explain what she was feeling) when he saw that tower,” the village chairman told reporters in an interview.

He said he was only given 30 seconds to brief the Premier’s wife about the Japanese cemetery.

Despite the short visit, Bargamento said they are happy that Madame Abe was able to visit Mintal.

“We were in heaven, nasa heaven talaga (really in heaven). I tried my best to brief her of the important information regarding the area, the cemetery. I also handed to her a token â€" the old money,” he said.

Bargamento said Mrs. Abe was also thankful that she was able to know the deepness of the relationship between the Filipinos and Japanese in Davao.

“Nagpasalamat siya at yun nga ngayon nya nalaman yung lalim ng samahan ng mga Pilipino at Hapon lalo na sa Davao City at sa Barangay Mintal (She was very thankful. It’s only now that she learned about the deep relations of the Filipinos and Japanese especially in Davao City and Barangay Mintal),” he added.

The Japanese cemetery in Mintal is being maintained by the city government of Davao.

Mrs. Abe then proceeded to visit the Ureinashi Ni Ho or the “Monument of No Regret” that was built by the local government here.

Records said around 300 Japanese soldiers, including Japanese civilians were buried in said cemetery from the period starting 1935 until the end of World War II in 1945. (PNA)
LAP/LCM/ADL/LDP

PSA conduct Labor Force Survey in Region 9

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 13 (PNA) -- The Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA) has called for the cooperation of the public in the ongoing labor force survey (LFS) of the agency.

Ma. Flerida Tan, PSA regional supervising statistical specialist, on Friday said that the survey is aimed to determine the employment, unemployment and underemployment rate of the country.

Tan said the survey started on Monday, January 9, and ends on January 31.

Tan said they have employed 26 enumerators for the conduct of the LFS here in Region 9.

The total target number of households to be surveyed is 1,575.

The questions they would ask in the survey includes the nature of work; status of work; educational attainment; salaries; and other questions pertaining to the household - respondents.

Tan said the result of the LFS would serve as the basis of the government in the formulation of policies and programs on the generation of gainful employment and livelihood opportunities.

The PSA conducts the LFS every January, April, July, and October of the year. (PNA)
NYP/TPGJR/RGAAG/

Kalibo LGU urges revelers not to smoke

KALIBO, Aklan, Jan. 13 (PNA) -- Local government officials of Kalibo urged revelers coming for the Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-atihan Festival not to smoke.

Kalibo mayor William Lachica said that the local council has already passed a smoke-free ordinance that covers use of vaping or electronic cigarette.

Lachica said the ordinance is yet to strictly take effect this March. However, the local government is already starting its information dissemination campaign at the Kalibo Public Market.

Both the Citymall and the Gaisano mall in Kalibo are already restricting people to smoke while inside their establishments.

Local smoke-free advocates of Kalibo also hold a street dance party around the festival area of the Ati-atihan. Donned in white shirts, they carry streamers asking people to avoid smoking.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Health Office is set to air info commercial about the province as a smoke free destination.

The info commercial, to be aired in local cable television channels, will show the testimony of two Aklanons who had been addicted into smoking.

Out of the 17 towns in Aklan, at least eight towns have an anti-smoking ordinance. Only Ibajay and Buruanga have fully enforced the ordinance. (PNA)
PGL/AJP/JNAGUIRRE

Cauayan City gov’t buys 10 alcohol breath analyzers

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabel, Jan 13 (PNA) -- The city government here has purchased at least 10 units of alcohol breath analyzer to be used in the implementation of Republic Act 10586 otherwise known as Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013.

Mayor Bernard Faustino Dy said the city government has seen the necessity of having the said equipment to immediately analyze the motorists who are involved in accidents if they are under the influence of liquor or not.

Dy said the alcohol breath analyzer will be used by the city’s Rescue 922 and the Cauayan City Police Office (CCPO) personnel during rescue operations.

He said using the alcohol breath analyzer, the rescuers can immediately determine if the drivers involved in accidents are drunk or not and avoid the long process of going to the hospitals to determine the drivers if they are drunk or not.

Meanwhile, Ronald Viloria, Rescue 922 head of LGU â€" Cauayan City, thanked the local chief executive for the purchase of the said equipment for the rescuers.

Viloria said the equipment will be used by his fellow rescuers as Rescue 922, together with the police, are first responders 24/7 when accidents occurred even outside the city. (PNA)
ZST/SCD/MGEDALE

VP Robredo set to visit women inmates, children in conflict with the law in Cebu

CEBU CITY, Jan. 13 (PNA) -- Vice President Leni Robredo is set to visit inmates at the Women’s Correctional and the children in conflict with the law at the Operation Second Chance in Kalunasan, Cebu City on Saturday.

The visit is part of her advocacy to promote the rights of women and children in the country.

Robredo’s visit to Cebu is also upon the invitation of several civil society organizations (CSOs), including Pagtambayayong of Francisco Fernandez, the executive assistant of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

“She wants to listen to the problems of the women in prison and the children under rehabilitation as part of her advocacy. It is like exchanging communication and ideas in order to know their needs,” said Gabby Cruz, the focal person of the vice president.

Robredo will meet the women at 9 a.m., and the children at 10 a.m.

A press conference will follow at 11 a.m. Cruz said Robredo wants to be back at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport before 1 p.m. and stay away from the solemn procession of the Sto. Niño to keep people from saying she is politicizing the religious activity. (PNA)

DILG okays PHP5-M water system for Tacloban’s ‘Yolanda’ housing

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 13 (PNA) -- Nearly 700 households at the city’s northern relocation site will soon have access to potable water after the city government secured funding from the Department of Interior Local Government (DILG) for water needs of families badly hit by supertyphoon Yolanda.

The PHP5 million fund will come from the DILG’s bottom up budgeting (BuB) potable water system sub-project. Specifically, it will be used for the installation of the water pipeline distribution systems in two housing projects built by UN Habitat and GMA Kapuso Foundation.

City Administrator lawyer Irene Chiu said the project will provide much needed water services in permanent housing, whose dweller are highly dependent on daily water rations.

Recently, the city government had put up a satellite office in the north, some 13.4 kilometers from the city center, to provide much needed government services to the resettled communities.

Concerned households which attended the public consultation organized by the city government last week welcomed the project.

This latest development is part of the thrust of Mayor Cristina Romualdez to provide basic amenities to resettled families in the northern resettlement sites, according to Chiu.

She added that the BuB project will provide households with free pipe and water service installation and is expected to commence as soon as the fund is downloaded to the local government unit.

Each of the beneficiary households will be installed with a level 3-type water system; which means that each house will have their own water connection and meter.

Private water utility provider Mactan Rock will supply water sourced from different potable sources in the city.

The city engineer’s office will undertake the pipe installation, while Mactan Rock will take care of the water systems maintenance. (PNA)

NEDA Eastern Visayas sees 5.7% economic growth in 2017
By Sarwell Q. Meniano

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 13 (PNA) -- The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is eyeing a 5.2 percent to 5.7 percent economic growth this year, banking on private sector investments to sustain post-Yolanda gains.

The region, according to NEDA Eastern Visayas Regional Director Bonifacio Uy is keeping the positive outlook over the next years despite failure to maintain the 4.46 to 5.54 percent growth under the 2011-2016 Regional Development Plan.

In 2015, the region posted a remarkable growth of 3.9 percent in the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) due to massive post-Yolanda reconstruction activities.

The 2015 performance is a “significant turnaround” after the region incurred a 2.4 percent contraction in 2014, largely due to destruction of supertyphoon Yolanda.

The region suffered a big drop in GRDP in 2012 at negative 6.8 percent after a minimal 2.1 percent increase in 2011. It was followed with a big leap to 4.6 percent in 2013 due to good economy before super typhoon Yolanda struck.

“This year our growth would not be mainly driven by post-Yolanda recovery projects anymore, but by private sector investments in agriculture and tourism,” Uy explained.

Citing the 2015 report, the NEDA regional chief said that business optimism is high as the region received investment commitments valued at PHP7.5 billion, which was a triple-digit growth from the previous year’s value.

In a detailed list by the Board of Investments (BOI), newly-registered projects in 2015 comprise investments on renewable energy, manufacturing, and agribusiness.

“While the benefits of these investments are yet to trickle down, there is a promise of growth in the years to come. This is supportive of our vision of diversifying industries, which is geared to increase industrial value and mitigate economic fluctuation when major industries slow down,” he added.

The official is also positive on the benefits of major institutional and economic reforms across all sectors under the new administration.

“We are optimistic that Eastern Visayas will benefit from the agenda put forward by President Rodrigo Duterte administration, which puts emphasis on regional and rural development, especially along the agriculture and manufacturing sectors,” Uy said.

Eastern Visayas, composed of the provinces of Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, and Western Samar, is one of the country’s poorest regions based on the 2015 full year poverty report of the Philippine Statistics Authority.

With 38.7 percent poverty incidence among population, the region was ranked as the country’s third poorest next to Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (53.7 percent) and Caraga Administrative Region (39.1 percent).

The region is situated in the middle of the Philippines and serves to link the islands of Luzon and Mindanao through the national road and nautical highway that runs through it. (PNA)

Palace orders Friday as non-working holiday in San Pablo City
By Ruben E. Taningco

SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- By authority of President Rodrigo Duterte, Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea has signed Proclamation No. 127 declaring Friday the 13th of January as a special non-working holiday in San Pablo City.

The Presidential Proclamation made the “non-working” day declaration to mark the city’s celebration of the 22nd Coconut Festival and Street Dancing Competition (Mardi Gras).

The declaration said “it is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of San Pablo be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.”

San Pablo which claims as “the country’s coconut capital city” will showcase during the festival the various uses and products from the coconut as a “tree of life.” (PNA)

Aeta community to benefit from ‘Balay Kawayan’

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Aeta families with no houses of their own found a place at the ‘Balay Kawayan’ established for them free by the private sector with the help of the city government here.

Sonia Cadornigara, regional coordinator of the Homeless People's Federation of the Philippines, Inc. (HPFPI), said that they will be turning over to their intended recipients 24 housing units made of bamboo.

The houses were built in Barangay Lanit, Jaro in this city in a 3,000-square meter lot that was acquired by the city government.

She said that they are hoping for more improvements in the Aeta’s hygiene and home-keeping, as well as the community's drainage and road system.

Wilfredo Jurilla, executive director of the Iloilo City Urban Poor Affairs Office (ICUPAO) said that another 3,000 square meters will be acquired to be used as venue for their livelihood program such as handicraft making and massage training.

Their output will be marketed with the help of the city government and the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Incorporated during every Dinagyang Festival.

The housing project for the Aeta community started when one Aeta Pastor saw some Aetas roaming around the city and found out some of them were his relatives. With the help of the Ati Tribes Mission fund were raised to build their homes and a church.

Also supporting the project are the JCI Ilang-Ilang, Western Institute of Technology and the Healthy Foundation. (PNA)

20 vessels register with PCG Cebu to join Sto. Nino fluvial procession

CEBU CITY, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- A total of 20 vessels have registered with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Cebu Station as of Thursday to join the fluvial procession of the Holy Image of the Senor Sto. Nino de Cebu on Saturday morning, Jan. 14.

Commander Dionlett Ampil, PCG Cebu Station commander, said Thursday was supposed to be the deadline for the registration of vessels joining the fluvial procession.

But Ampil said they will still accept registrants on Friday.

The fluvial procession will the Sto. Nino form Mandaue City to Pier 1 in Cebu City.

Ampil said they have informed all mariners that the entire Mactan channel will be closed to all sea vessels traffic starting at dawn on Saturday until the end of the fluvial procession.

Ampil said they are strictly enforcing security and safety measures for the fluvial procession, including the ban on firearms, fireworks and balloons.

He said marshals on speed boats will also be deployed for a quick response during emergencies, especially when a participating vessel sinks.

But Ampil said the holding of the fluvial procession will largely depend on the weather.

”If the sea gets rough, we have to cancel the fluvial procession for the sake of the safety of participants,” he said.

Church officials said a motorcade from Mandaue City to Cebu City will be held if the fluvial procession is cancelled. (PNA)

Philippines, Japan flags spruce up city streets for Japanese Premier visit in Davao
By Lilian C. Mellejor


DAVAO CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Davao City flies the Philippine and Japan flag in all city streets for the visit of Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie Abe, who are expected to arrive in the city around 9:45 tonight.

For his Davao visit, Prime Minister Abe together with President Rodrigo Duterte will lead a meet and greet event with the business sector at the Waterfront Hotel followed by the ceremonial naming of a two-year-old Philippine Eagle at the garden area of the Waterfront following an investment forum.

Mrs. Abe will head to Mintal village, the city’s known “Little Tokyo” where many Japanese settled during the pre-war years.

Mr. Abe is also scheduled to visit President Duterte's humble home in Dona Luisa Village.

Before leaving the city in the afternoon, both the prime minister and Mrs. Abe will visit the city’s Philippine-Japanese school Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku.

On Wednesday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced it is ready with the security preparation for the state visit of Prime Minister Abe. Police personnel have been deployed in all routes of the Japanese leader including the village of Mintal in the third district.

DCPO Director Michael John Dubria told reporters during the AFP-PNP press corps on Wednesday that DCPO police teams will provide the necessary security assistance to the Presidential Security Group (PSG), which is on top of Mr. Abe’s visit to the city.

This the first state visit of the Japanese premier in the city to reciprocate the visit of President Rodrigo Duterte in Japan in October 2016.

Mr. Duterte was invited by Prime Minister Abe when the two met in Laos in September 2016 on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

PRO-7, NTC-7, Cebu City, telco execs meet on proposed shut down of cell sites during Sinulog
By Eddie Barrita

CEBU CITY, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Officials of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) 7, the Cebu City Government and telecommunications companies met Thursday afternoon to discuss a proposal for a temporary shutdown of cell sites during the Sinulog activities this coming weekend.

These activities are the fluvial procession on Saturday morning, solemn procession of the Holy Image of the Senor Sto. Nino on Saturday afternoon and the Sinulog Grand Parade on Sunday.

Among those who attended the meeting were PRO Director Noli Talino, NTC 7 Director Jesus Laureno, Cebu City Council Dave Tumulak representing the Cebu City Government and representatives of telecommunications companies Globe Telecom and Smart.

They discussed, among others, the number of cell sites to be shut down and the duration of the shutdown.

Talino made the request for the temporary shutdown of some cell sites as a precautionary measure because most bombs are detonated through the use of cellphones.

Talino’s proposal got the support of telecommunications giant Smart Communications Inc.

In a statement, Smart public affairs head Mon Isberto said the company will follow instructions from authorities, specifically from the NTC.

Laureno said Talino’s request has been forwarded to the NTC central office in Manila.

Laureno said only Secretary Rodolfo Salalima of the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) and President Rodrigo Duterte can decide whether to grant the PNP’s request or not.

Laureno said that during the procession of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila last Jan. 9, cellular sites were shut down with clearance from the DICT and President Duterte.

He said even Malacañang officials were affected because they failed to use their mobile phones for the duration of the procession.

But in case of emergency, Laureno said the medical teams, under the disaster councils of regions, provinces and city, may use radio communication systems.

Laureno also said telephone landlines will remain operational in homes and offices even if the cell sites will be shut down.

“Landline is not included, only cell sites are affected. There will still be wifi if you have a broadband connection on landline,” he said. (PNA)

OMB’s 'Oplan Pokemon' yields Php21-M pirated CDs, VCDs
By Norman B. Tamar

MASBATE CITY, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Agents of the Optical Media Board (OMB), along with the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) of the Philippine National Police, confiscated Php21-million worth of pirated CDs and VCDs from two store owners in the old market in this city on Thursday afternoon (Jan. 12) in what could be the second biggest operation of the agency since last year.

According to OMB Chairman Anselmo Adriano, the inspection, dubbed “Oplan Pokemon,” seized 150 sacks of assorted replicated movies in DVD-9 format and in compact discs at the market in Barangay Pating, Masbate City at 12:30 p.m.

“They found the facility in operation, selling replicated movie compact discs without the necessary permits,” he said.

Adriano said the OMB agents were led by Joseph Arnaldo while the SWAT was led by Inspector Rolando Guzman of the Masbate Provincial Police Office.

Arnaldo said their operation in Masbate “could be the second biggest operation,” next to that in Naga City last year, where they confiscated around 240 sacks of pirated CDs and VCDs valued at Php 33 million.

According to Guzman "Oplan Pokemon" was the first raid operation for Masbate province this year.

The team identified one of the store owners as Saranggani Mangandang Bantayao while the other store owner has yet to be named.

Adriano said the violators will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9239 and meted with fines from Php300,000 to Php1.5 million or six years imprisonment.

He said OMB is looking forward to amend RA 9239 so violators will face tougher penalties.

Adriano warned the public not to patronize pirated CDs and VCDs as violators will be charged accordingly.

He said the confiscated items will be shipped for destruction to OMB’s headquarters in Manila at No. 35 Scout Limbaga St. Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City. (PNA)
LAP/GVR/NBT/CBD/RSM

The Penetrating Word of God

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb 4:12

Does God’s word ever cause you discomfort? When you read the Bible does what you read make you uneasy? Do you find when you listen to sermons, that the Scripture seems aimed directly at you? You are experiencing the reality that the word of God is alive and can read your thoughts and judge your intentions. When God’s word speaks to you it is always for a purpose. God knows your heart and knows what you need to do to bring your life into conformity to Christ. If you have a problem with sinful talk, the word that comes to you will address the tongue. If you are struggling to forgive, God’s word will confront you with His standard for forgiveness. If pride has a stronghold in your life, God’s word will speak to you about humility. Whatever sin needs addressing, you will find you are confronted by God’s word on the matter. One way you can escape the discomfort of conviction is to avoid hearing God speak to you. You may neglect reading your Bible and stay away from places where it is taught. You may avoid those whom you know will uphold the truths of Scripture. The best response, however, is to pray as the psalmist did: “Search me, O God, and know my heart”� (Ps. 139:23).� Regularly allow the word of God to wash over you and find any sin or impurity (Eph. 5:26).�� Always make the connection between your life and what God is saying to you through His word. Make a habit of taking every word from God seriously, knowing that it is able to judge your heart and mind.Henry and Richard Blackaby

Ilocos Norte calls on Ilocano writers to submit project proposals

LAOAG CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -â€" The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) is calling on Ilocano writers to submit their project proposals in support to the bi-centennial celebration of Ilocos Norte in February 2018.

Jun Arvin Gudoy, head of the Communication and Media Office (CMO) said the provincial government through the administration of Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa Marcos will now start to accept and screen book project proposals which will be launched in time for the celebration.

Possible topics to be included in the proposal with a grant courtesy of the province shall include the history of Ilocos Norte, short stories for children, language and literature, culture, legal issues, architecture and a documentary of Ilocano heroes.

Open to all writers in all Ilokano-speaking provinces, Gudoy said interested applicants may just submit their project proposals at the CMO for screening.

The book launching is a major part of the bicentennial project highlighting the rich history of Ilocos Norte that spans from the pre-colonial era, Spanish colonization up to the Japanese and American regimes.

Since 2012, Ilocos Norte has been preparing significant projects for the grand bicentennial celebration through the creation of the bicentennial council who will spearhead the events.

The governor said the continuous development efforts of the provincial government in the past years focused on tourism, culture and heritage which residents here must be proud of.

The bicentennial celebration of the province in 2018 will be kicked-off by the marking of the centennial birthday of former president Ferdinand E. Marcos on September 17, 2017. (PNA)
LAP/LGA/EDS

Task Force to review Ilocos Norte environment code

LAOAG CITY, Jan 12 (PNA) --Underscoring the need to reinforce ordinances and resolutions in support of provincial programs, the administration of Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa Marcos plans to create a task force to review this province’s environment code and incorporate stricter measures against coal energy.

Backing Provincial Resolution No. 017-2016, which declared Ilocos Norte as "clean, green, and coal-free" in August 2016, the task force hopes to sustain the province stature as "the wind energy capital of the Philippines.”

Governor Marcos' initiative for a coal-free province also supports the national government's commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) to reduce carbon emissions in 2030.

Task forces created under the provincial government have continuously contributed to inclusive growth in Ilocos Norte, most notably the Task Force Trabaho in 2012, which was able to generate 50,915 jobs in three years.

To date, the province hosts the 150-Megawatt Burgos Wind Power Project of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC), the 81 MW Caparispisan Wind Power Station of Northern Luzon UPC Asia Corp., and the 52 MW Bangui Wind Power Project of Northwind Power and Development Corp.

More recent developments are the 5 MW Agua Grande Hydroelectric Power Plant in Pancian, Pagudpud, and two solar farms-- the 20 MW facility of Mirae-Soleq Philippines Inc., and the 4.1 MW facility of the EDC.

With the launch of Governor Marcos' vision for a "livable, sustainable, and resilient" province, promotion of renewable energy and proper care of the environment are among the priorities of Ilocos Norte.

This move would mean the shying away from energy development using coal of any type due to proven harmful effects to the environment, impact to climate change, and health menace to the people.(PNA)

North Cotabato mulls 2 more district jails to decongest lone jail compound

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Provincial officials in North Cotabato are pushing for the establishment of two more district jails in the province to decongest the lone jail facility in this city and prevent future rescue attempts, officials said Thursday.

This is among the recommendations of the Special Action Committee (SAC) formed after the January 5 attack on the North Cotabato District Jail (NCDJ) that resulted in the escape of 158 inmates.

North Cotabato Acting Gov. Shirlyn Macasarte-Villanueva, who chairs the SAC, told a news conference that the establishment of two more district jails, one in Kabacan and another in Midsayap, will decongest the current jail compound.

NCDJ, located at the back of North Cotabato Provincial Capitol grounds in Barangay Amas, Kidapawan City, was designed to accommodate 450 inmates but at the time of the attack, it has a population of 1,511 detainees. Only 20 jail guards are securing the compound.

Villanueva said while the jail is under the supervision and management of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the provincial government has been extending assistance through manpower and logistics.

The putting up of other jail facilities would avoid risks of transporting crime offenders from the current jail facility to different courts in the province.

The lady governor is anticipating the possibility of crime suspects getting rescued along the way from Kidapawan City to Kabacan and Midsayap, North Cotabato where courts are located.

Besides, she said, the prison camps can be improved in terms of cleanliness and become a conducive venue for rehabilitation and reformation.

SAC also recommended to Interior and Local Governments Sec. Ismael Sueno to transfer high risk inmates, especially those involved in bombings, kidnappings and other sensational crimes, to spare the province of violence from rescue attempts.

Villanueva said that request for transfer of "dangerous" inmates have been unacted upon by previous DILG officials.

Meanwhile, Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista said his office has requested DILG for funds for the construction of another jail facility in Barangay Kalaisan, Kidapawan City.

Currently, the Kidapawan City jail is located at the back of the city hall, within the city's commercial districts and near public schools.

In 2012, the Kidapawan City jail was also subjected to attack by armed men in an attempt to rescue inmates. That attack led to the death of three persons, including a fire officer who was among those who responded to the harassment.

GenSan extends operating hours of one-stop-shop for biz permits

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- In a bid to accommodate more clients, the city government has extended the operating hours of its one-stop-shop for the ongoing annual renewal of business permits and registration of new businesses.

Geraldine Zamora, chief of the City Permits and Licensing Division (CPLD), said Thursday they stretched their daily processing schedule by an additional four hours to cope with the increasing number of applications.

She said all offices involved in the processing of business permits are now open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday, and with no noon break.

The one-stop-shop, which is situated at the local government’s Investment Building, will also be open on Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., she said.

For the scheduled deadline on Jan. 20, Zamora said they will accept applications until 12 midnight.

“This is to ensure that all involved offices and units will be able to meet the needs of the applicants,” she told reporters.

The city government targets 9,000 to 10,000 applications for the renewal of business permits and registration of new businesses.

It aims to generate around PHP200 million in business taxes from local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) within the operating schedule of the one-stop-shop.

The City Treasurer’s Office and the CPLD opened the filing of application late last month and around 1,000 MSMEs have responded.

Zamora said they continue to monitor the ongoing processing activities to ensure that they would move faster.

“We we’re ordered to make the processing faster and easier for our clients,” she said.

She added that they ensure that all desks of the involved offices and units are properly manned during the operating hours of the one-shop-shop.(PNA)

1,000 reformed drug dependents join environment clean up drive

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Some 1,000 drug dependents undergoing rehabilitation under the city government’s “Balik-Pangarap” program joined an initiative to clean the waterside of a major river here Thursday.

Joel Aguirre, focal person of “Balik- Pangarap,” said the activity forms part of the program on social engagement and care for the environment as one of the pillars of their social transformation.

The activity focused on the three-kilometer flank of Kidapawan River here. They collected at least 50 sacks of assorted garbage that included plastics, aluminum cans, old rubber tires and slippers, used diapers, and expended shopping mall cellophanes.

“Their voluntary participation of the "Balik- Pangarap" program is a clear manifestation that they are slowly diverting their attention in caring for others through the preservation of natural environment,” Aguirre said.

Those undergoing rehabilitation under the “Balik- Pangarap” program are subjected to regular psychiatric assessment, fellowship meetings, sports fest, and social awareness on the road to full-recovery from drug dependency.

The program, launched in July 2016, aims to help recovering addicts by molding them as responsible and law abiding citizens once more.

The Provincial Anti-illegal Drug Council and the North Cotabato Police Provincial Office recommended the implementation of the program in other parts of the province.

Since July last year, a total of 1,373 drug dependents have yielded before police authorities here to avail of the program. (PNA)

Medical, surgical mission for poor, elderly set next week in GenSan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Hundreds of sick and elderly indigent residents in this city and its neighboring provinces of South Cotabato and Sarangani are set to benefit from a grand free medical and surgical mission slated here next week.

Dr. Marinel Lim, chief of the city government-operated Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital, said Thursday they are all set for the week-long medical and surgical mission, which will run from Jan. 15 to 21.

She said doctors from the Operation Bayanihan Medical-Surgical Missions (OBMSM) would mainly perform surgical operations.

The group is a mission arm of the Phil-Am Association of Nevada in the United States.

“This is one of the biggest medical and surgical missions that will be conducted here,” she said.

Lim said they initially opened last week the pre-screening and pre-qualification of patients for the surgical operations.

She said the operations, which will be conducted at the Dr. Jorge Royeca Hospital, will cover patients suffering from gall bladder stones, ovarian cysts, hemorrhoids, hernia, myoma, goiter, minor cysts and other illnesses.

The official said actual surgical operations are scheduled from Jan. 16 to 20, as the surgical team will have to conduct the final screening and checkup for the pre-screened patients on Jan. 14 to 15.

The mission team will also provide free medicines to senior citizens.

Harold Aponesto, OBMSM coordinator, said they have not set a limit as to the number of patients that would be accommodated during the mission.

He said prospective patients need to present identification cards or proofs that they are residents of the city, Sarangani and South Cotabato.(PNA)

Grenade blast rocks Shell gas station in North Cotabato
By Edwin O. Fernandez

PIKIT, North Cotabato, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- A gas station worker was injured when unidentified men tossed a hand grenade at the Shell Gas Station along the national highway here at 11 a.m. Thursday.

Supt. Emmanuel Peralta, North Cotabato police provincial director, in his report to Chief Supt. Cedrick Train, Police Regional Office (PRO) 12 director, said the blast slightly injured Jay Salac, 34, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Pikit.

Supt. Romeo Galgo Jr, speaking for PRO-12, said the victim who sustained injuries on his elbow was rushed to Cadulong emergency hospital.

Galgo said post blast investigation conducted by Pikit bomb experts showed the explosive used by still unidentified men was a fragmentation grenade based on pieces of evidence recovered at the site.

"A safety lever was found in the perimeter of the gas station," Galgo said, adding that investigation was still going on.

Police are reviewing the gas station's CCTV footage that captured the suspects.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Last week, the barangay hall of Barangay Poblacion was also subjected to grenade attack by still unidentified motorcycle-riding men. Fortunately, the explosive failed to go off.

Earlier, Mayor Sumulong Sultan has asked the Phillippine National Police for augmentation force as crimes are on the rise in the town due to intensified police operations against illegal drugs.

Police could not say if the grenade attack at the gas station was part of extortion activities of lawless elements.

"Investigation is still on going as to the motive," Galgo said.

The Shell gas station is only a stone's throw away from the Community Police Action Center (COMPACT) detachment. (PNA)

2 'shabu' pushers in watchlist nabbed in Koronadal City

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Anti-drug agents arrested two alleged pushers included in the drug watchlist in a buy-bust operation in Koronadal City late Wednesday night.

Kathryn Abad, public information officer of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 12, identified the suspects as Mark Vincent Valencia alias Berting, 33, and Rene Campomanes, 37, both residents of Barangay Zone I, Koronodal City.

She said the two were arrested at around 9 p.m. in the vicinity of Purok La Trinidad in Barangay Zone I after allegedly selling a sachet of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu to a PDEA agent who posed as a buyer.

Seized from Valencia were a small plastic sachet and three medium sachets containing suspected shabu weighing 0.5 gram and with an estimated value of P3,750, a brown coin purse and a cellphone used during the transaction.

Campomanes yielded an improvised all-weather glass tooter with suspected shabu residues and a disposable lighter.

The illegal drug operation was witnessed by officials of Barangay Zone I and local media workers.

Abad said they have long been monitoring the activities of the suspects, who were included in the area’s drug watchlist.

Citing reports from local informants, the two are considered as “big time” peddlers of shabu and usually conduct their transactions at a night club in the area.

“We’re currently determining the suppliers and other possible cohorts of these suspects,” she said.

The suspects are temporarily detained at the PDEA-12 headquarters here pending the ongoing investigation and filing of formal charges.

Abad said Valencia will be charged for violation of Sections 5 and 11 or sale and possession of dangerous Drugs, and Campomanes for Section 12 or possession of drug paraphernalia, under Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (PNA)

ARMM gov expresses full support to Duterte's anti-drug campaign, confirms mayors' attendance in Palace

COTABATO CITY, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has reiterated his full support to President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs and his desire to remove from office "narco-politicians" from ARMM.

Speaking to reporters, he said about 95 percent of the town and two city mayors in the ARMM appeared before the President in Malacanang Wednesday.

ARMM is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Eight of the local executives from ARMM were included in the "narco-list" of President Duterte that he made public on August 7 last year.

Among them was Mayor Samsudin Dimaukom of Datu Saudi Ampatuan in Maguindanao. Dimaukom showed up to PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa in Camp Crame after his name was included in the list.

A few months later, Dimaukom and nine of his companions were killed in a shootout with the police in Makilala, North Cotabato.

"I am strongly supporting the President’s war on drugs and criminality as this has long been a dreaded problem of the Philippine Society," Hataman said.

"Tama naman talaga na matapos na ang problema sa droga (It's high time to end the problem of illegal drugs in the country),” he said, adding that no other President has shown this much enthusiasm to address head on the problem that continues to destroy the future of Filipinos.

He refused to name the mayors who appeared before the President on Wednesday but said the President's action only shows he is very serious in addressing the problem.

Hataman noted that the problem on illegal drugs has kept the ARMM in the bottom of poverty incidence list as the region remains the poorest in the country.

With the war on drugs gaining grounds, Hataman said he foresees a better future for the region's 2 million population.

The regional governor also underscored that poverty alleviation is his administration's top priority with about PHP4 billion allocation this year for various programs and projects aimed at eliminating hunger and malnutrition in the region.

He rallied all ARMM officials and employees to focus on good governance as another step of alleviating the people from the bondage of poverty.

"The regional government is expecting this year around the same level as 2016’s investment inflow," he said, adding that his administration is also looking at inviting more job-generating investments this year to provide more opportunities to its constituents. (PNA)

POPCOM-Cagayan Valley holds population management caravan in Batanes

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The Commission on Population's (POPCOM) office in the Cagayan Valley region conducted a 10-day Philippine Population Management Program (PPMP) Caravan in Batanes province.

POPCOM deputy executive director Rosalinda Marcelino said that given its geographical location, Batanes is left behind in terms of access to basic population management programs and services.

She said that through the Caravan, the people of Batanes will be able to understand and appreciate the goals of the government’s Population Management Program.

In support of POPCOM’s advocacies on Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning (RPFP), Adolescent Health and Youth Development (AHYD), Population and Development (POPDEV), and Gender and Development (GAD), two major issues prevailing in the province were identified during the orientation -- teenage pregnancy and the out-migration of the working and school age population.

To highlight the program's RPFP component, the Organizational Meeting of the Provincial Implementation Team (PIT) for the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) Law was held to discuss the law's provisions and the roles of the PIT members in implementing the law. (PNA)

Still no let-up in drive against drugs - Cabanatuan City police

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Two persons believed to be supplying illegal drugs to bar goers yielded different kinds of chemicals in a buy bust operation in front of a bar along Quimzon St., Barangay Quezon District here around 3 a.m. Thursday.

Supt. Ponciano Zafra, city police chief, said that suspects John Michael Torroca, 23, tricycle driver, resident of Camp Tinio and Aileen Ignacio, 31, vendor, of Lexber Homes Subdivision, Barangay Bangad, both of this city, was nabbed by operatives in front of Hide Out Bar with eight sachets of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride), one sachet of dried marijuana leaves and a suspected Ecstasy tablet.

It was learned that Quimzon street hosts a number of karaoke bars that have become a favorite night place among youth.

Zafra said the arrest of the duo was a result of stepped-up intelligence work against illegal drugs operation in the city.

"We will not stop until we eliminate the illegal drugs problem," Zafra said.

At almost the same time Wednesday, combined operatives from the city police and the Provincial Public Safety Company arrested a certain Nathaniel Sy, 23, of De Guzman Subdivision, also of this city and two 17-year-old girls for alleged pushing and possession of 7.2 kilograms of marijuana leaves.

Another suspect, Raymart Bacuna, of Camp 7, Baguio City who was believed to be the supplier, eluded arrest though.

The leaves, with an estimated street value of PHP180,000, was the biggest catch of its kind here so far, according to Zafra.

The suspects were detained at the city police facility facing charges of violation of Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Law. (PNA)

Comelec dismisses petition to annul victory of winning Bocaue 'coin toss mayor'

BOCAUE, Bulacan, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The Second Division of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has dismissed the petition of losing Bocaue mayoral candidate Jim Valerio to annul and nullify the proclamation of his rival Eleanor "Joni" Villanueva-Tugna as winning mayor of this town in the May 9, 2016 elections.

It can be recalled that the mayoralty race in this town, known as the “fireworks capital” of the country and for its colorful fluvial festival, was decided via a coin toss after Tugna and Valerio both received an equal number of votes (16,694 votes each).

Tugna scored a 3-0 on a best of five mechanics against Valerio. She was immediately proclaimed the winner of the mayoral race.

Valerio was contesting that he was not present and was not properly represented when the Municipal Board of Canvassers (MBOC) conducted the breaking of tie via the toss of coin.

In a 10-page resolution, the Comelec Second Division-- headed by Presiding Commisioner Al L. Parreno, together with Commissioners Arthur D. Lim and Sheriff M. Abas, dismissed the petition after pointing out that “a coin toss is a luck-based method in the same way that drawing of lots is based on luck.”

The Second Division also stated that “it is noteworthy that the agreement to conduct the “toss coin” as means to break the tie was voluntarily entered into by the parties’ respective authorized representatives, as evidenced by a written gentleman’s agreement that legal counsels of the parties voluntarily signed. This act of petitioner’s counsel, duly authorized by by him to act as such, is binding upon the petitioner.”   

Furthermore, the Second Division also stated that under the provisions of Philippine election laws, “it can be seen that in an election resulting in a tie, the law provides for drawing of lots of the candidates who garnered an equal number of votes as the method by which the tie will be broken; thereafter, the candidate who may be favored by luck shall be proclaimed the winner.”

The poll body also explained that “while the law expressly mentions this method of breaking the tie, it does not, however, prohibit any similar method to determine the lucky, and thus, the winning candidate.”

It also added that “neither did the law declare that the use of any other methods, likewise based on luck, is a ground for the annulment of the proclamation of the candidate favored by luck.”

The Comelec’s Second Division stated that they found no irregularity in the way the MBOC used a coin toss, a method  based purely on luck, to break the tie.

Last Tuesday, the camp of Mayor Tugna announced that  Judge Herminigildo Dumlao of Branch 81 of the Bulacan Regional Trial Court dismissed the election protest also filed by Valerio.

In the said decision, the court sustained Tugna's argument that complainant/protester Jim Valerio "failed to give a detailed description of the acts or omissions complained of as required by Sec. 10(c)(iv), Rule 2 of A.M. No. 10-4-1-SC, otherwise known as the "The 2010 Rules of Procedure for Municipal Election Contests".

The protest was filed after Valerio lost in a coin toss alleging that in 34 clustered precints "frauds and irregularities were committed in the conduct of the election and during the canvassing of the election returns".

Tugna's lawyers Romulo Macalintal and Antonio Carlos Bautista asked the court to summarily dismiss the said protest for being insufficient in form and substance and for failure of Valerio to make a detailed specification of the acts or omissions complained of showing the electoral frauds, anomalies or irregularities in the protested precincts as required by the Supreme Court Rules for election protests involving elective municipal officials.

The court said that Valerio did not indicate in his protest the particular acts or omissions which amounted to fraud or irregularities committed in the conduct of election. (PNA)
LAP/ZST/EGGAMOS

RCBC robbery foiled in Pangasinan, 19-year-old suspect arrested

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- A 19-year-old resident of Barangay Malimpuec in Lingayen is now under investigation after his arrest Wednesday in a failed attempt to rob the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) branch inside the Columban Plaza Arcade here.

Supt. Jackson Seguin, chief of police of Lingayen, identified the suspect as Wilkin Daves Austria, who was caught red-handed inside a room of St. Joseph Medical Clinic located at the second floor of St. Columban Plaza, where he hid himself.

Initial investigation disclosed that the suspect entered Columban Plaza at past 3:00 a.m. on January 11 and went briefly to Rams Fitness Gym, one of the establishments at the second floor of the building.

The police found Austria to have entered the plaza by forcibly destroying the wooden ceiling of Novo Coe Fashion House, another shop inside.

Then with the use of a hammer, chisel and iron saw, he broke the concrete wall of RCBC.

While inside the bank, the suspect forcibly detached/disabled the alarm control panel, and switched off the control circuit breaker of the electric power of the bank, an act electronically detected by RCBC head office in Manila.

RCBC Manila immediately alerted the Lingayen Police over the incident and the latter went on to conduct an investigation.

While inside the bank, Austria destroyed the glass cabinet of the Close Circuit Television (CCTV) and tried to open the bank cash vault but failed.

Failing, he went to hide in one of the rooms at St. Joseph Clinic where policemen located him.

PO2 Eusebio Soriano of the Lingayen police conducted body search on the suspect and confiscated from him two small heat-sealed of transparent plastic sachets containing suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.

The police are yet to determine whether Austria acted alone or in collaboration with others whose names are yet to be determined.

The suspect is now lodged at the Lingayen police jail pending the filing of appropriate charges against him.(PNA)
LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

Negros Occidental Vet Office disperses PHP13-M in animal stocks, equipment in 2016

BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), through the Negros First Animal Livelihood Program and Provincial Animal Genetic Improvement Program, has dispersed about PHP13 million worth of animals and equipment to raisers in Negros Occidental last year.

The PVO report released Thursday showed the amount covers 56,602 heads of various livestock and poultry animals and five units of incubators benefiting 776 recipients, mostly individual and group farmer-raisers in the province.

PVO records showed that in 2016, the province had distributed 269 heads of gilt amounting to about PHP4.8 million, the biggest dispersal allocation.

Others were 60 heads of carabao, PHP2.4 million; 575 heads of piglet, PHP1.7 million; and 2, 000 heads of layers amounting to almost PHP1.1 million.

PVO also dispersed 30 heads of bull worth PHP900,000; 30 heads of ram â€" PHP720, 000; 11,447 heads of free-range chicken â€" PHP572,350; 1,613 heads of pekin duck â€" PHP266,145; 10 heads of boar â€" PHP250,000; and 19 heads of goat â€" PHP342,000.

The five units of incubator provided by the provincial government to recipient-raisers cost almost PHP203,000, records added.

Joselito Jaballa, provincial dispersal coordinator, said Thursday the total amount released was under the 2015 and 2016 Negros First Animal Livelihood Program and Provincial Animal Genetic Improvement Program fund.

The two complementing programs are aimed at upgrading the genetic makeup of the local existing livestock and poultry animals while augmenting the livelihood of local raisers.

Jaballa said that through animal genetic improvement, farmer-raisers are being equipped in boosting their livelihood through one, increasing the income.

“Aside from uplifting their economic condition, the project also has hugely contributed in achieving the province’s food security and self-sufficiency agenda,” he added.

Also, the animal dispersal is one of the province’s continuing measures to maintain its status as the country’s leader of livestock and poultry industry.(PNA)

DPWH-Biliran surpasses 2016 construction target

NAVAL, Biliran, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Biliran district engineering office (BDEO) ended 2016 with high accomplishment posting of 91.84 percent, surpassing the 85 percent target set by the central office.

The Biliran office has been allotted PHP683.745 million under 2016 DPWH infrastructure program with 66 projects.

DPWH Biliran district engineer David Adongay Jr. revealed that out of the 66 lined-up projects, Biliran completed 62 projects, with four remaining projects ongoing under the regular infrastructure program.

Adongay previously reported that these remaining projects encountered delay due to inclement weather condition in the province that hinders the contractors in smoothly performing their operation, and other problems such as the acquisition of road-right-of-way.

These projects are the PHP45-million construction of slope protection along Biliran Circumferential Road; PHP45 -million construction of Biliran diversion road including slope protection and right of way acquisitions; PHP8.7-million replacement of Banlas Bridge along Maripipi Circumferential Road; and the PHP5-million repair of Biliran Bridge along Leyte-Biliran Road.

Adongay said that those remaining projects will be spilled over on the first quarter of 2017.

“We need to fast-track our implementation of projects, but we have to ensure that projects are in good quality,” Adongay said.

Adongay was recently awarded as Best District Engineer by the DPWH regional office for his invaluable support and high degree of commitment in all the undertakings of the regional office and for consistently rendering his superior performance in the attainment of the department’s mission, vision and strategic objectives.

The Biliran field office ended the year garnering the awards as best in planning and design section, best in financial management section and overall best district engineering office out of 13 district offices in Eastern Visayas. (PNA)

Southern Negros swine breeders group get Php769,200 in enterprise assistance

BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 12 (PNA) -â€" The provincial government of Negros Occidental released Php769,200 worth of checks to the Manapla Swine Breeders Association for the implementation of its Swine Breeding Enterprise.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. led the turn-over rites held Thursday at the Governor’s Office here.

The checks were received by association chairman Francis Jelua and treasurer Michelle Ann Balase, in the presence of Lucille Gelvolea and Dr. Narissa Lemoncito of the Provincial Project Management and Implementing Unit.

The Swine Breeding Enterprise is one of the micro-enterprises under the Investments in Rural Enterprise and Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity (I-REAP) component of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) being implemented in Negros Occidental.

Engineer Arnel De Mesa, national deputy project director of PRDP, had earlier said they are looking at Negros Occidental as a model province, particularly in terms of maintaining balance and transparency in the implementation, and having many success stories.

Teams from DA-PRDP and its funding agency the World Bank arrived in the province last November for the conduct of the three-day 3rd World Bank Implementation Support Mission.

Among the other projects include two under the Intensified Building up of Infrastructure and Logistics for Development (I-BUILD). These are the Php154 million construction of Sagay Feeder Port and Fish Landing in Barangay Old Sagay, Sagay City; and the Php145 million rehabilitation of Hinicayan to Violeta Farm-to-Market Road with bridge component in Barangays E. Lopez and Kapitan Ramon, Silay City.

Also under the I-REAP are the Php328,000 rehabilitation of fish coral and fish trading support of Manlambus Fisherfolk Development Cooperative in Barangay Rizal, Escalante City; and the Php292,000 rehabilitation of fishing equipment for blue swimming crab enterprise in this town.

More than Php600 million sub-projects were already approved and pipelined in 2016 which mainly include farm-to-market road rehabilitation and construction with bridge components in cities of Cadiz and Sagay, and towns of Toboso, E.B. Magalona, La Castellana, and Pontevedra.

Marañon had also said the PRDP opened golden opportunities to benefit the rural marginalized sector.

“Its development framework addresses various critical aspects â€" providing links between producers and their potential markets â€" to ensure higher productivity and increased profitability for stakeholders in the whole chain of development,” the governor added.(PNA)

No rabies deaths in Bacolod City since 2015

BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- No rabies death has been recorded in this city since 2015, according to the City Health Office (CHO) report Friday.

City Rabies Coordinator Gloria Parreño said the zero death can be attributed to the massive animal vaccination, increased awareness on the animal bite program, and availability of vaccines.

In 2014, a transient resident, who was bitten outside Bacolod, died of rabies.

Parreño said the CHO is urging pet owners to be responsible and take the right measures to avoid being bitten by animals.

Have your pets vaccinated at the least or no cost at all in a government veterinarian office, she added.

CHO records further showed a total of 7,433 cases of animal bites were recorded in 2016, of which 6,022 are dog bites, 1,396 cat bites, and 15 from other animals.

Parreño said about 80 percent of those bitten are the animal owners themselves.

Records also showed that more than 7,400 bite victims were administered tissue culture vaccines, three for human rabies immunoglobulin, and 830 for equine rabies immunoglobulin.

Majority of those bitten were 15 years old and above, or a total of 4,731. Those bitten below 15 years old totaled 2,702.(PNA)

Waterless villages in Davao Oriental receive access to potable water

MATI CITY, Davao Oriental, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Some 2,873 households in nine waterless villages of Davao Oriental province received access to clean and safe drinking water when newly-completed Potable Water Systems (PWSs) were turned over to the provincial government on Thursday.

The completed PWSs were considered level-two water systems that were funded under the various programs of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) through the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) program of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP); the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig (Salintubig); and the Bottom-up Budgeting (BUB).

The water systems were implemented by the provincial government of Davao Oriental under the leadership of Governor Nelson Dayanghirang with the support of the office of first district Representative Corazon Malanyaon.

Among the villages that were provided with access to drinking water include Barangays Maganda and Tubaon in Tarragona town; Poblacion, PM Sobrecarey, and San Luis in Caraga town; and Batawan, Binondo, San Isidro, and Campawan in Baganga town.

The water projects had a total allocation of P22.8 million.

The project implementation was started during the previous administration of Malanyaon when she was still the governor of the province. The implementation was continued by the present leadership of Governor Dayanghirang.

“Water has direct impact in the lives of the people,” said Malanyaon, adding that access to potable water has been a priority project of the government as it recognizes water supply as one of the important means to improve lives of the people especially those in disadvantaged areas.

For his part, Dayanghirang hoped that the new water systems will help accelerate economic growth in poor communities in the province as it will provide new opportunities for the residents.

DILG provincial director Yvette Sunga also witnessed the turning over of the water projects to the community beneficiaries.

Sunga encouraged the recipient barangays to create their own water service association to take charge of the maintenance of the water service.

“This project is a testament of the government’s commitment in providing communities their utmost need which is water,” she said. (PNA)

Summit to encourage Iloilo youth leaders to become partners in eradicating illegal drugs

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- A summit is slated this January 18 in Iloilo province to encourage youths, especially young leaders to become partners in eradicating illegal drugs.

The "Youth Summit against Illegal Drugs" is facilitated by the Police Advisory Council for Police Transportation and Development (PAC-PTD) in partnership with the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).

Assistant Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) 6 Raul Anlocotan and currently the president of the PAC-PTD on Thursday said that youths are very susceptible to illegal drugs.

Thus, “there is also a need to collaborate with them, especially youth leaders in ensuring that their colleagues and friends will not be holding on to illegal drugs.”

He also extended invitations for all local chief executives in the province to support the initiative in response to the call of President Rodrigo Roa-Duterte that local government units must be actively involved in the fight against illegal drugs.

Mayors are urged to send 10 to 15 delegates from their town and shoulder the Php350 registration fee of each participant.

Meanwhile, Mayor Christian Sorongon of the town of New Lucena said the summit will appraise youth leaders of various activities to make their campaign against illegal drugs effective and replicate them in their schools and communities.

“With this, we are bringing the campaign against illegal drugs down to the grassroots level,” he said.

National Youth Commission (NYC) chairman Aiza Seguerra is among the expected guests to grace the event.

The summit will be held at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas. (PNA)
LAP/PGL/CBFERRER/CBF

Misamis Oriental's Kuyamis festival seen to boost the province’s tourism, coconut industries

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The celebration of Misamis Oriental’s annual “Kuyamis Festival” is seen to boost the tourism and coconut industries in the province, Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano said Thursday.

The “Kuyamis” is derived from the sweet native coconut trees, which was endemic only in the province of Misamis Oriental prior to the coming of the Spaniards.

Now on its fourth year, the festival, which kicked off last Monday and runs until Friday, converted the Provincial Capitol grounds into an agri - fair with Misamis Oriental towns displaying their mainly coconut-based local products.

Emano said that promoting the province through tourism is one of the flagships of the provincial administration.

“I believe that the 'Kuyamis Festival' could become one of the sustainable tourism projects that could help the provincial government attain its goal of promoting and developing the tourism industry in Misamis Oriental,” Emano said.

He said the festival also serves to highlight the multiple uses of the coconut that can help farmers increase their income.

Emano said that coconut farmers could earn more, if the other parts of the coconut tree other than the copra meat, could be utilized for various commercial purposes.

Data released by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) revealed that Misamis Oriental ranked fifth top coconut producer in the country.

The PCA said that Misamis Oriental has about 36,000 coconut growers who planted over 8 million coconut trees in 102,622 hectares of land in Misamis Oriental.

Citing data from the Philippine Statistical Authority, the PCA said that the country has around 329 million fruit bearing coconut trees planted on 3.517 million hectares of land or 26 percent of the country’s total agricultural land. (PNA)

Hike in PPUR entrance fee rates starts March 1, 2017
By Celeste Anna R. Formoso

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Beginning March 1, this year, entrance fees at the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) in Palawan will increase for both domestic and foreign tourists.

Jan Elmer Badilla, spokesperson of the PPUR management, said Thursday, the PHP175 entrance fee for domestic visitors and the PHP250 for foreign tourists will be PHP500.

Guests of a resident of the province will be charged PHP300 entrance fee.

On the other hand, PHP400 will be charged to a guest who will enter the park through the help of travel agencies.

Badilla said entrance fee rate for children, from three to 12 years old, will remain at PHP100.

He explained that the hike in entrance fees will be used to upgrade the facilities of the longest navigable river park.

The PPUR is more than 24 kilometers long and contains an 8.2 kilometers underground section of the Cabayugan River.

“Since 2007, the PPUR has been non-internal revenue allotment (IRA) dependent, and its income has always been the entrance fees. The expenses of PPUR are mainly for conservation and protection of the environment. At the rate things are going, right now, the expenses are bigger than the entrance fees that the PPUR is collecting,” Badilla explained to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

He added that, “if the park management exhausts the funds it is generating with the current entrance fee, it will go bankrupt when tourists are no longer interested to visit.”

With the increase in entrance fees, the PPUR can have a “sinking fund, or a fund formed by periodically setting aside money for the gradual repayment of a debt or replacement of a wasting asset.”

“The idea is to have a sinking fund. If you visit now, you can help in the sustainability of the PPUR as a World Heritage Site (WHS),” he said, explaining further that the sinking fund would be like a “savings or a trust fund.”

Every year, there will be funds left in the PPUR account to guarantee the sustainability of its management programs even if there is no source of income.

“It is also part of the transformative tourism plan of the PPUR. We want every tourist to not just enjoy the underground river but to also take part in the sustainable management of its resources for the benefit of the future generations,” Badilla stated.

The PPUR entrance fees will cover the use of paddle boat, hard hat, and life vest by the visiting guest.

Also known as the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP), the PPUR is a protected area in Palawan, located about 80 kilometers north of the capital City of Puerto Princesa.

The national park is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the western coast of the island. (PNA)

Fazenda de Esperanza founders visit Negros Oriental for proposed drug rehab center

DUMAGUETE CITY, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The founders of the Fazenda de Esperanza have expressed hope the proposed establishment of a drug rehabilitation center in Negros Oriental initiated by the Diocese of Dumaguete will be successful with the aid of government and the private sector.

Its founders, Fr. Hans Stapel, O.F.M. and Nelson Giovanelli, and Richardson Pereira da Silva, a Brazilian missionary doing volunteer work at the Masbate facility, in an interview Thursday said there is still much work to be done but they have already come up with a design for the project.

The visit of the Fazenda de Esperanza or Farm of Hope officials, comes months after the Diocese of Dumaguete, headed by Bishop Julito Cortes, had announced the donation of a 14-hectare property in Silab, Amlan town for the purpose, in response to the need for a rehabilitation facility for drug users who had voluntarily surrendered to authorities under Project Double Barrel.

Fazenda de Esperanza was founded in Sao Paolo, Brazil and had established its extension community in Masbate and another one in Naga, both in the Philippines.

Teaming up with Fazenda de Esperanza, the Diocese of Dumaguete, through its project coordinator, Fr. Ben Eric Lozada, the president of the Dumaguete clergy, hopes to adopt Fazenda’s mission of rehabilitating drug addicts through a non-conventional approach without the use of medication to treat withdrawal symptoms.

Nelson Giovannelli, a Brazilian and one of the founders of Fazenda, said he started with some priests at a Farm of Hope in Sao Paolo, Brazil to take in boys and girls that were suffering from drug addiction.

Giovannelli, who has been with Fazenda for 33 years, said that upon the invitation of Bishop Cortes and Fr. Lozada, they came here to look at the proposed site in Amlan where they would want to open and build another community in the Philippines.

The Fazenda team visited the site in Amlan on Wednesday, but they have discovered that the area is not feasible for the construction of buildings and other structures as it sits on a steep slope.

But Fr. Lozada said that with the aid of Amlan Mayor Gino dela Cruz and Vice Mayor Bentham dela Cruz, they are negotiating with owners of adjacent properties to sell their lands to extend the project site and allow for the construction of buildings for the rehabilitation facility.

Lozada said one landowner of more than one hectare of property met with him on Thursday to start negotiations.

Fr. Lozada is appealing to generous donors and sponsors to help the diocese procure the needed lands so that the drug rehabilitation project can move on.

Fazenda de Esperanza’s way of living consists mainly of the community of drug addicts being rehabilitated through engaging in farm work and other agriculture-related activities rather than being supervised by medical professionals.

Fr. Heinz, a Franciscan priest assigned in Brazil for almost 40 years and a co-founder of Fazenda de Esperanza, who spoke in Portuguese, said they will send people who will run the facility in Negros Oriental once it is established.

He said there are three important aspects in the Fazenda’s program of rehabilitating drug users.

First is the spirituality aspect, where those undergoing rehabilitation will put into practice everyday the gospel, said Fr. Heinz through his interpreter, Richardson Pereira da Silva.

Secondly would be the farm work that they will engage in at the facility, such as raising livestock, and third, the relationship in the community life.

Each house in the rehabilitation center is designed to accommodate 40 people who are encouraged to live as one family, he said.

The therapy of the program will last for one year, which is enough for them to apply a new lifestyle and a new mentality, Fr. Heinz went on to say.

Fr. Heinz said he is hoping the local communities, local governments, church and other sectors will pool together their resources to make this project a success. (PNA)

Some policemen in Negros Oriental monitored for 'illegal drugs involvement'

DUMAGUETE CITY, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) acting director Sr. Supt. Henry Biñas on Thursday said a number of police personnel in the province are under suspicion of illegal drugs involvement.

Biñas did not disclose any names but confirmed these policemen are mostly drug users while some of them are receiving money from drug personalities in areas where illegal drugs trade is still rampant.

According to him, he supports the directive of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Director General Ronald dela Rosa, to rid the ranks of erring policemen who persist in their involvement in the illegal drugs trade.

Biñas said he has already warned these policemen to stop their illicit practices and change their ways before it is too late.

There is still time to change because the PNP organization is giving its personnel a chance to give up their old ways, he said.

Biñas said he has reminded them of the harmful effects of illegal drug use as well as the consequences it has on families.

The police director also pointed out that some policemen in Negros Oriental have already been reassigned to other areas outside of the province in previous years due to their involvement in illegal drugs.

He said he cannot keep on reminding these police personnel because they are old enough to understand the consequences but definitely there will be strict sanctions imposed if they ignore the warnings. (PNA)

Multi-purpose sports facility at the Baguio Athletic Bowl being finalized

BAGUIO CITY, Jan 12 (PNA) --City Mayor Mauricio Domogan said plans for the multi-purpose sports facility at the Baguio Athletic Bowl, Burnham Park here is now being finalized.

Domogan said the project ,which has an initial PhP60 million budget, will be ready for bidding upon the completion of the requirements.

He said the project will under the public-private partnership (PPP) concept of development.

In September 2012, the Baguio City Council approved the terms of reference (TOR) for the project.

The TOR provides for the parameters of the proposed development project to cost PhP4.3 billion.

At the time, Domogan created a technical working group that prepared the terms and will ensure that the proposed project will be in accordance with the master development plan drawn by the University of the Cordilleras (UC).

Aside from the multi-purpose facility, the entire project will cover an area of 77,257 square meters which will involve the reconstruction and installation of tartan track and oval stadium with international standards, grandstand with 4,000-5,000 seats, surrounding fence, bunker and dugout, treatment unit, lounge, business office and media room, lighting system for night games and bleachers that can accommodate some 3,000 people.

It will also cover the reconstruction of the indoor swimming pool into international standards and other sports-related facilities like indoor tennis court, table tennis room, basketball court, indoor simulation golf range, convention room and sports-related shops and restaurants.

Likewise, it includes the construction of parking facilities and support facilities and amenities like building as rentable spaces, accommodation facilities and others where the investor can recover investments.

The construction period will be for two years and upon completion of the project, the athletic oval will immediately be turned over to the city government which will continue to manage and operate the same with all income accruing to the city government.

To regain its expenses, the developer will operate the other facilities like the swimming pool, tennis court, pay-parking and other support facilities for 25 years. (PNA)

207 drug dependents in Iloilo City complete rehabilitation program
By Perla G. Lena

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Some graduates of the Community Change Center (CCC) here could not help but shed tears of joy and gratitude for the chance that was provided them to reform and leave their addiction to illegal drugs.

On Thursday, 207 clients of the center, the first drug rehabilitation center that is managed by a local government unit in Western Visayas, completed the required 90-day prescribed program. They still have to undergo the next phase of the program, which is the livelihood training to be handled by the Technical Institute of Iloilo City (TIIC).

A 27-year-old mother of three from Jaro district said that the rehabilitation program has provided them direction. She also feels that they are already treated well by other people.

She was only 15 years old and still single when she had her first taste of the illegal drug. She temporarily stopped but resumed when she got married when she found out that her husband was involved with another woman.

She chose to enroll in cooking after the rehabilitation program and hopes to have her own business to start life anew.

Another graduate, a 54-year-old woman, said that she was happy that finally she was able to overcome her addiction. Her husband, who also surrendered in the "Oplan Tokhang", will join the next batch to undergo the rehabilitation program.

The initial implementation of the program targeted 420 surrenderers of the "Oplan Tokhang" but only 351 enrolled and 207 were able to complete the basic requirement of attendance to the 90-day period.

The city government, through the City Health Office, is now preparing for the second batch.

“For as long as we have clients, as long as there is a need, as long as there are surrenderers, the program continues,” said Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog of Iloilo City in his keynote address during the graduation ceremony.

The mayor, who attended the meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, said that the campaign will be strengthened further in response to the call of the President for local government units to help in the drive against illegal drugs.

He revealed that in heeding the advice of the President, the city government will allot bounty for those who can provide information as to whereabouts of high-value targets or those with warrants of arrest. Funds will be sourced from the city government’s intelligence fund.

The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) will formulate the reward system to be submitted to Mabilog in the next weeks.

As advised by the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6), the Iloilo City Police Office will now start the validation of drug-affected barangays. A sticker will be used to tag houses of former drug pushers and users who have been cleared from the use of illegal drugs.

Aside from the city’s CCC, 150 surrenderers from the city opted to avail of the rehab program that was offered by the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6).

PRO 6 director, Chief Superintendent Jose Gentiles said that their program seeks to complement and not compete with the city government’s initiative. The program is offered in the evening, which is ideal for those who are working or studying.

The CCC, on the other hand, operates during daytime only with two sessions daily.

Mabilog said that in totality, 357 have completed the rehab program as of date, which represent about 15 percent of the total surrenderers in Iloilo City.

“That’s good, we have 85 percent to go. If we can program some more, I’m sure that by the end of this three-year term we can complete the rehabilitation,” the mayor added. (PNA)

90.32% of Dagupan already drug-cleared
By Leonardo V. Micua

DAGUPAN CITY, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Two more barangays in Dagupan were cleared in a ceremony Thursday afternoon, raising the number of drug cleared villages in the city from 26 to 28 or 90.32 percent of the total 31 barangays in the city.

Supt. Neil Miro, chief of police, presented to Mayor Belen Fernandez for her signatures the resolutions of Barangays Pantal and Pogo Chico certifying that there is no more drug pusher or user in their villages, which he both earlier affirmed.

The certification included profiles of different surrendered drug personalities from the two barangays, which were validated and revalidated by the police.

Miro said there are now only three barangays in Dagupan yet to be cleared. These are Barangay 2 &3, Calmay and Pugaro, all with more or less 20 drug pushers and users yet to be neutralized.

But he said that with the help of the local government of Dagupan plus the officials of the three villages, there is a big probability these will also be cleared within this month of January.

In an interview, Mayor Fernandez expressed elation that more than 90 percent of the villages in Dagupan were already cleared but she believes the police may have a hard time clearing the remaining less than 10 percent of the villages.

She said the police should not rush in clearing the remaining three barangays tomake sure that no more drug users and pushers are left, otherwise she will not sign the certification declaring these villages as drug- free.

"I am happy because on Wednesday we met President Duterte in Malacanang where he reiterated to us mayors on his twin focus--to stump out illegal drugs and corruption. We mayors were asked to help get rid of these two menace," Fernandez said.

According to Miro, the drug personalities they are tracking down in Barangay Pugaro belong to the Garcia Group, while the one they are looking for in Calmay was the subject of an earlier warrant of arrest but was able to escape when somebody tipped him about the coming of policemen.

The drug personalities in Pugaro and Calmay may have already left but their families are still there, "that is why I am confident that they will still be coming back," Miro said.

He said to date, some Muslim drug personalities in Barangays 2 and 3 still visit the village at night when many are already in deep slumber.

Miro explained that Barangays Pantal and Pogo Chico should have been cleared earlier had they met the last requirement set in Dangerous Drugs Board Resolution, series of 2010, which is they should have no more drug pusher and user.

Having complied with that requirements, Pantal and Pogo Chico already qualified themselves to become drug-free, like the 26 others earlier declared as such late last year.

Barangay Chairwoman Julieta Perez of Pantal was overjoyed when her village was finally declared drug-free, adding that in the whole village, at least 95 drug personalities voluntarily surrendered with six others killed by unidentified person and others already arrested and jailed.

Pantal includes Sitio Aling, once a notorious haven of drug personalities, but is now a peaceful and self-sufficient community with not a single recorded user or pusher anymore.

Some drug surrenderers, she said, were recommended as beneficiaries to the Sagip Users Rehabilitation and Enhancement (SURE) program launched by Mayor Fernandez to qualify them for drug rehab at the Dagupan Drug Treatment Center.

The others went through community-based rehabilitation which they passed with flying color as shown by their current drug tests where they are already negative of illegal drugs.

On the other hand, Barangay Chairman Bryan Kua of Pogo Chico said with his village now drug-free, he looks forward to not having any incidence of Akyat Bahay or house robbery anymore.

There were 20 to 30 drug personalities who surrendered in Pogo Chico, said Kua, but added that some others were arrested in other barangays. (PNA)

President Duterte urges local chief executives to support admin thrusts
By Perla G. Lena

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- President Rodrigo Roa-Duterte has urged local chief executives to support his administration's priorities during his meeting Wednesday with mayors from various municipalities and cities in the country, Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said on Thursday.

Mabilog joined the batch of other mayors from Western, Central and Eastern Visayas and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) when they met with the President in Malacanang.

He said that President Duterte talked about the fight against corruption, criminality and illegal drugs and his advocacy on federalism.

The mayor who was elated for the chance to meet and listen to the President said that it’s good news that Western Visayas is not included in the top 10 drug-affected region in the country as announced by Duterte.

Mabilog said that the President showed them the thick list of local officials from governor down to barangay officials who are believed to be involved in illegal drugs.

To recall, in August last year, Western Visayas was criticized for being lax in its campaign against illegal drugs.

To align with the drive of the Duterte administration, Mabilog said that he has coordinated with the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) on appropriate interventions to work on demand and supply reduction in coordination with other concerned agencies.

In today’s graduation of 207 former drug dependents, Mabilog announced that the city government will make use of its intelligence fund to be used as bounty for high-value targets or those with arrest warrants.

“Those who have no work, all you have to do is provide information of their whereabouts. Once they get arrested, the cash reward will be yours,” he said amid the applause of the graduates. The guidelines are yet to be drafted by the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO).

Mabilog likewise urged them to work with the government in making Iloilo City the first drug-free city in the country. (PNA)

30,161 druggies in Eastern Visayas surrendered to cops in 2016 - report

PALO, Leyte, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- A total of 30,161 drug users and pushers have surrendered across Eastern Visayas region since the start of the massive anti-drug campaign of the government.

Records from the regional Philippine National Police (PNP), disclosed that starting July 1 up to Dec. 31, 2016, 27,493 drug users and 2,668 drug pushers voluntarily surrendered before the police authorities, who have been implementing the “Oplan Tokhang,” an anti-illegal drive campaign of the government under President Rodrigo Duterte.

The records also showed that 21,726 houses across the region were visited by the police authorities, who conducted the operation urging alleged drug users and pushers to surrender.

Covering the same period, the police conducted 587 operations against illegal drug personalities resulting in the death of 46 drug personalities and the arrest of 690 others.

A total of 16, 906.25 grams of shabu and 306.1 grams of marijuana with a combined estimate value of PHP135.2 million were confiscated in the course of the anti-illegal drug operations.

The PNP also disclosed that of the 186 listed as high value targets, 62 of them have surrendered, 54 were arrested, 12 were killed during the police operations.

Three killings were considered as “death under investigation” or no known suspects while 55 high value targets were under surveillance and subject to police operation.

Among those arrested were a police, soldier and an agent from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency; four former police personnel and four government employees.

“We are very serious on this campaign. When we say we mean business, once they go back to their old habit, they will be subjected to police operation. They were given a chance but if they engage again to illegal drug trade, they will be subjected to police operation because they are closely monitored,” said Chief Insp. Bella Rentuaya, police regional information officer. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA/EGR

Davao Sur town gears up for 50th town anniversary

MAGSAYSAY, Davao del Sur, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The local government here is preparing this early for its historic 50th town anniversary celebration on June 17, 2017.

“This a big celebration and we will make it eventful, symbolic, entertaining and spectacular,” Mayor Arthur Davin said.

Davin has created the Executive Committee (Execom), which he chairs, to draw out plan for the lined up activities. Execom members include the Office of the Municipal Administrator, Office of the Municipal Planning and Development Officer, Office of the Municipal Tourism Officer, Office of the Municipal Engineer and Office of the Community and Development Information Officer.

The Execom agreed to hold the Opening Salvo on April 29, exactly 50 days before June 17, with a Fun Run for a Cause at 5:00 a.m. that will be followed by a Holy Mass.

In the afternoon, the Mayor’s Cup 2017 featuring the inter-collegiate basketball tournament that includes invited colleges and universities in Davao del Sur opens back to back to the inter-high school division. Both divisions will have eight participating teams.

Other much-anticipated events include Mutya ng Magsaysay 2017, Cheerdance Competition, Beach Volleyball Tournament, MotoCross and Offroad Challenge, HipHop Dance Competition and Singing Contest. (PNA)
LAP/LCM/ANTHONY S. ALLADA/LDP

Cagayan de Oro dads enacts 93 ordinances in 6 months

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Legislators here had enacted a total of 93 local laws through approved ordinances in six months from July to December 2016, City Vice Mayor Rainier Uy said Thursday.

Uy, who chairs the city council, said that the ordinances were hammered during the 22 regular session from July 2016 toward the end of December 2016.

The major legislations included penal and regulatory ordinances, which focused on the health and welfare of the city’s residents.

For instance, Uy said, the City Ordinance No. 13102-2016, regulates all smoke-belching vehicles plying and traversing the territorial jurisdiction of the city.

Another ordinance, Ordinance No. 13121-2016, prohibits any person from selling and retailing unsafe and sub-standard petroleum products using plastic bottles, jugs, and similar containers.

Uy said that one of the most important ordinances was the approval of the City Ordinance No. 13178-2016, which consolidated all local laws otherwise known as the Comprehensive Socialized Housing Program of the city government.

He said that the local legislators also approved Ordinance No. 7783-2001, which increases the rates of financial assistance to victims of calamities while Ordinance No. 13129-2016 approved the closure and the rehabilitation of the city’s dumpsite in the village of Carmen here.

Uy said that the city council also approved Ordinance No. 13130, which spelled out the 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan of Cagayan De Oro for the calendar year 2014 t0 2024. (PNA)

Bulacan mayors support President Duterte's all out war vs illegal drugs
By Emil G. Gamos

GUIGUINTO, Bulacan, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Claiming that the effective all-out-war of President Rodrigo Duterte against illegal drugs has positively resulted in a significant drop in the crime rate in this province, the League of Municipalities-Bulacan Chapter on Thursday announced its full support to the Chief Executive in his ardent desire to rid the country of the dope menace.

Guiguinto Mayor Ambrosio “Boy” Cruz, LMP Bulacan president, said that mayors in the province have expressed their full backing to President Duterte's war against illegal drugs during their visit at the Malacanang Palace Wednesday.

The Chief Executive called for a meeting with the municipal and city mayors in the country wherein one of the discussed issues was how to suppress the illegal drug operation in their respective areas.

Cruz said that the no-nonsense crusade of the President against the proliferation of illegal drugs is also spilling over in the commitment of other crimes such as robbery, car theft and snatching among others.

"Many towns and cities in Bulacan have became peaceful. The intensified operations of the police have also put the heat on drug dealers while thousands of users are surrendering or getting rehabilitated,” Cruz said.

Cruz said that Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado is very supportive of the intensified all-out campaign of local officials and the police as he urged his colleagues in Bulacan LMP to be strict in the implementation of tasks assigned to them by the people to further develop their towns and cities.

Malolos City Mayor Christian D, Natividad, who was also present during the meeting, said that community leaders are also supporting the anti-drug crusade of President Duterte.

“People are now seeing the good results of the war against illegal drugs initiated by our President. We are also noting its good effects on investments,” he said. (PNA)

Guimaras to undergo drug-free assessment

JORDAN, Guimaras, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The island province of Guimaras is hopeful it will be declared drug-free.

Governor Samuel Gumarin said assessors from the Philippine Drug Enforcement (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), among others are set to visit the island-province on January 14.

"Hopefully, Guimaras will be the second province in the country to be declared drug-free as it will further boost the tourism industry in the island," Gumarin said.

The assessment on Saturday will be done after the bike ride dubbed 'Padyak Kontra Droga.'

Chief Superintendent Jose Gentiles, Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 regional director, is expected to grace the event.

Citing Guimaras Police Provincial Office (GPPO) data, Gumarin said 78 percent of the identified drug dependents surrendered to the police, and only eight of the 82 percent high value targets remain at large.

"The problem is the remaining targets are reportedly no longer here in Guimaras," Gumarin said.

Meanwhile, the provincial government is set to implement this year the Php1.5-million rehabilitation program for about 600 drug dependents who surrendered in the PNP Operation Tokhang.

The province did not implement the project in 2016 as staff that will man the program underwent a training first.

"Of the 600 assessed drug dependents, seven were severely dependent," Gumarin said.

The program is set to pilot at Nueva Valencia, with the 7th Day Adventist as partner.

Even the province will be declared drug-free, "We will not be complacent, instead, we will continue the anti-drug campaign, with the help of barangay captains," Gumarin said.

Meanwhile, Gumarin is now the head of Western Visayas Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC).

His appointment was signed by President Duterte and Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno.

"It's a pride for Guimaras. We were given the chance to lead the RPOC even if we are a small province," Gumarin said.

"We will continue the initiatives of President Duterte, particularly the campaign against illegal drugs," the governor said.

Gumarin said he will also work to improve the other sectors needed to ensure peace and order in the region.

He said the goal is to sustain the gains of the region's campaign against illegal drugs, with the help of the PNP, Army, local government units, and the private sector. (PNA)
LAP/PGL/MADE LOS SANTOS/CBF

5.1 magnitude quake jolts parts of Bicol
By Gina Rodriguez

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) â€"- A 5.1 magnitude earthquake jolted parts of the Bicol region on Wednesday afternoon, said an earthquake bulletin issued at the website of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The bulletin recorded the quake at 2:24 p.m. and traced its epicenter at 15 kilometers southwest of Virac, Catanduanes. The quake had a a depth of nine kilometers.

Local radio, Bombo Legazpi, citing data from Phivolcs, reported that the quake was tectonic in origin with no expected tsunami or damage to structures.

It said the instruments of Phivolcs recorded the quake at Intensity III in Legazpi City and Bulusan, Sorsogon.

Bombo Legazpi, however noted that Phivolcs' teams in the ground observed the earthquake at intensity 4 in Virac and Panganiban, Catanduanes; and in Legazpi City.

It was also felt in Daet, Camarines Norte; Sipocot, Camarines Sur and Naga City. (PNA)

Gov. Gumarin highlights Guimaras economic gains in his 3rd State of the Province Address

JORDAN, Guimaras, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The Province of Guimaras has steadily improved over the years as evident in the way of life of majority of Guimarasnons.

Governor Samuel T. Gumarin highlighted in his 2016 State of the Province Address (SOPA) Wednesday at the Provincial Capitol here the gains of his administration, which he said were not possible without the help of his constituents, his colleagues in governance, and the private sector.

“In three years, we have progressively reengineered our system by reintegrating the principles of good governance, full public accountability and in support to the international pact of Sustainable Development Goals,” said Gumarin, who is now serving his second term.

The economic improvement can be seen in the increase in the 2015 income.

“In 2015, the Province had a total gross income of Php514.2 million, an almost 21 percent increase from the 2014 total gross income of Php426.8 million,” he said, which was derived from the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) and local taxes.

Gumarin said the money was used to fund programs and projects geared towards the province’s goal of becoming the agri-tourism capital of Western Visayas.

Gumarin said the province was also successful in its poverty alleviation projects as evident in the decline in poverty incidence in 2015.

Per Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data, poverty incidence in the island-province is at 20.8 percent in 2015, 16.4 percent lower than the 37.2 percent poverty incidence in 2012.

He said now, a Guimarasnon family of five members needs a monthly income of Php6,634 to meet their basic needs and P9,501 to stay out of poverty.

He said 2015’s poverty incidence is the lowest compared to 2006, 2009 and 2012 data. (PNA)
LAP/PGL/MADE LOS SANTOS/CBF

PNP clears way for ASEAN, removes road obstructions
By Lilian C. Mellejor

DAVAO CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) removed “eyesores” and other obstructions in the routes of the heads of states, the diplomatic corps and visitors for the launching of the Philippines' chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Eyesores and obstructions include illegal parking signs on side streets, sign boards and advertisement signs of business establishments, garbage, construction materials and equipment.

Construction firms under contract with the Department of Public Works and Highways were ordered to cover diggings with steel plates. Construction firms were even on the rush to cover the road patches which are results of diggings.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 Director Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan, who is on top of the security preparation, said he has to do this.

But he stressed there is no order to keep homeless persons or beggars away from the visitors' eyes, only road obstructions for the security of the visitors.

Gaerlan called on all Davaoeños to support city officials and President Rodrigo Duterte as hosts of the international events by keeping their surroundings clean, emphasizing on the basic Filipino hospitality.

“Kung may bisita tayo di ba mag ayos tayo…maglinis…may mga bagong gamit. Dapat ganito din ang treatment natin sa ating bisita (If we have visitors isn’t it we keep things in order…we clean…we have new things. This should be the same treatment to our visitors),” Gaerlan said during the AFPâ€"PNP press corps forum on Wednesday.

“We should show our best. Keep our backyard in order and clean. Tulong tulong tayo dahil hindi kaya ng police ito (We should help each other because the police cannot do this alone),” he said. He also called out on the business sector for their cooperation and support.

Gaerlan together with other agencies have been mapping out the routes of the heads of states, the members of the diplomatic and other visitors attending the ASEAN summit on Sunday.

On Monday, the Police Regional Office started deploying over 1,400 police officers to the different areas of activities on Tuesday.

On Saturday, the PNP said some 3,000 police officers, members of Task Force Davao, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other force multipliers would have been deployed to secure places and delegates of the ASEAN Summit.

Most of the police personnel, particularly from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), will be assigned in the activity and billeting areas as well as securing roads.

Davao City will be the center of two major international activities this month. Aside from the ASEAN Summit, the city will also host one segment of the Miss Universe 2016.

For ASEAN alone, the city is expecting more than 1,000 delegates who include representatives from the diplomatic community, representatives from the private sector, national and local government units and business groups.

This year marks the Philippines' assumption as chair of the ASEAN with President Rodrigo Duterte taking the helm of the country's leadership.

The ASEAN 2017 theme is, “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World.” (PNA)

Task Force formed to probe Pangasinan barangay chairman's slaying

SAN NICOLAS, Pangasinan, Jan. 11 (PNA)-- The Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO) has formed Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Mejia to probe the slaying of Calaocan barangay chairman Rolando Seguban Mejia at 7:45 a.m. of January 10, in barangay Calaocan, San Nicolas.

Police Provincial Director Ronald Oliver Lee said Mejia, 59, was shot by a still unidentified suspect on board a motorcycle.

Mejia, who was allegedly active in the campaign against illegal drugs, was on board his own motorcycle that stopped along the road while he was talking with somebody using his cellular phone.

He suffered three gunshot wounds, one on his chest and two in his head.

He was rushed to the Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital in Tayug where was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

The shooting happened at the entrance of the Manzano residence in Barangay Calaocan, beside a barangay road.

Witnesses said while the victim's motorcycle was on a stationary position, the assassin on board a motorcycle came from behind.

The lone rider shot the victim once with the use of Cal. 45 pistol, hitting him in the chest.

Then the suspect alighted from his motorcycle and shot Mejia two times more in the head to finish him off.

Supt. Jackie Candelario, deputy police provincial director, said the motive of the shooting remains unknown but expressed hope SITG Mejia could use the victim's cellular phone retrieved from the crime scene in tracing the killer.

He said two persons, who allegedly witnessed the shooting, are now in protective custody of the police and may provide investigators with the initial description of the suspect.

Elements of SITG Mejia are also talking with the victim's family to find out if he received any death threat before he was killed.

A report said Mejia's active role in the campaign against illegal drugs in his village may have created many enemies who may have wanted him dead. (PNA)
FPV/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

Lucena City workers sport new attire, ready new city hall for 2017
By Gideon Belen

LUCENA CITY, Quezon, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Lucena City hall employees are sporting their new office uniforms for 2017.

Lucena City Mayor Roderick “Dondon” Alcala said preparations are also now underway for the eventual transfer of all city government offices, properties and services to the New City Hall building at Kanlurang Mayao by third week in March.

Alcala said the new city hall site would provide better and efficient services to city constituents under a new convenient location under one roof.

This will spare the city folk and residents who will transact business at the city hall from the run-around because the present setup has various city services housed in different buildings and offices.

City folks are elated of the latest developments and welcome the changes for improved services to them in 2017.

They said the new city hall site will also decongest the traffic in the city proper and spare them from going to and from city offices, running after documents and incurring additional expenses for fares. (PNA)

Bid for separation of GenSan into a separate congressional district revived

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Officials here and nearby South Cotabato province have renewed their bid for the separation of this city into a new congressional or legislative district.

South Cotabato (1st District) Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr., said preparations are underway for committee discussions on a proposed measure he filed at the House of Representatives that seeks the reconfiguration of the two legislative districts of South Cotabato.

This city, which is classified as an independent and highly-urbanized locality, is presently a part of the province’s first district.

Acharon formally filed last Dec. 13,2016 House Bill (HB) 4678, which sets the creation of a lone legislative district for the city.

The measure was immediately referred on Dec. 14,2016 by the House committee on rules to the committee on local government, which Acharon chairs.

The official said its time for the city to stand as a lone congressional district as it has long been qualified for it.

Citing results of the 2015 Census on Population and Housing, he said the city had a total population of around 594,000 and an annual average population growth rate of 1.91 percent since 2010.

In line with HB 4678, Acharon is pushing for the reconfiguration of the present composition of South Cotabato’s first and second congressional districts to carve out a separate or lone congressional district for this city.

The first district presently comprises this city and the municipalities of Tupi, Tampakan and Polomolok in South Cotabato.

The second district is composed of Koronadal City and the municipalities of Tantangan, Banga, T’boli, Surallah, Sto.Nino, Norala, and Lake Sebu in South Cotabato.

Acharon, who is a former mayor here, said that with the separation of the city, the remaining towns of Polomolok, Tupi and Tampakan will comprise the first district.

He said the three municipalities are already qualified to become a separate district as their combined population reach 262,090.

Based on the 2015 census, he said Polomolok has a population of 152,789 and posted an average annual growth rate of 1.92 percent. Tupi has a population of 69,976 while Tampakan has 39,525.

“This clearly shows that the reconstitution of the first district of South Cotabato is in order so as to ensure that they are not deprived of equal representation,” Acharon said.

He added that the approval of the measure will “give life to the Constitutional mandate of ensuring due and equal representation for all.

In the 15th Congress, Acharon filed HB 6038 or “an act reapportioning the composition of the first and second legislative districts in the province of South Cotabato and thereby creating a new legislative district from such reapportionment.”

But the measure failed to get past the preliminary discussions at the committee level until the congressional recess for the May 2013 elections.(PNA)
FPV/AVE

Youth volunteers give school supplies in 3 Albay towns hard hit by typhoon 'Nina'
By Mike Dela Rama

LIBON, Albay, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Around 600 elementary school pupils in the coastal and upland villages in the towns of Libon and Oas and Ligao City received school supplies, bath and dental kits from Team Albay Youth Organization (TAYO) which is conducting a series of barangay outreach activities as part of its post-typhoon "Nina" humanitarian services.

TAYO is a community-based organization working on disaster risk reduction, health and education advocacy in the province of Albay.

Alfred Nimo, president of TAYO, said the community outreach activity is extending school supplies to the students who were mostly affected by the recent typhoon.

He said the most common concern among children in the upland and coastal areas are educational, bathroom and dental supplies.

“This project is part of our psychosocial intervention for children who are considered a vulnerable group during calamities,” Nimo said.

The upland and coastal villages in the municipalities of Libon, Oas, Polangui and Ligao City were among the areas most devastated by typhoon Nina last December 25, 2016.

Nimo said the organization is targeting some 150 more barangays in the four areas during the next three weeks.

“We will reach them and distribute educational supplies, dental and bathroom kits to the children,” he said.

He said TAYO volunteers from different schools and municipalities will also be conducting an orientation on proper hygiene, health and nutrition of children.

Nimo urged parents in these areas to establish “front and backyard vegetable gardens to counter nutrition deficiency among the children.”

In a random interview conducted among children in visited villages in Rawis and Apud of Libon town, Bogtong in Oas and Catborawan in Ligao City, school pupils said their main problem are school supplies.

“Bihira po kami makatangap ng tulong galing sa grupo ng mga youth,” (we seldom receive help from youth groups) a grade 6 pupil said.

Nimo assured that they will continue to provide educational supplies to different barangays in Albay, especially those in far flung areas, such as those in the island town of Rapu-rapu. (PNA)

13,127 drug suspects surrender under Oplan TokHang in Negros Oriental since July 1st - PNP

DUMAGUETE CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- A total of 13,127 self-confessed drug pushers and drug users have voluntarily surrendered to the police in Negros Oriental since July 1 last year following the government’s launching of its massive anti-illegal drugs campaign Project Double Barrel.

Also known as Oplan TokHang, the anti-illegal drugs campaign in Negros Oriental has also resulted in at least 17 or more suspected extra-judicial killings (EJKs) of alleged drug personalities.

The latest accomplishment report of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) as of January 10, 2017 showed that of the 13,127 surrenderers, 12,195 of them were drug users while 932 were drug pushers.

The municipality of Sibulan topped the list of the ten areas with the highest number of surrenderers at 1,146 (eight pushers and 1,146 users), followed by Guihulngan City with 1,056 (105 pushers and 951 users); Tanjay City with 1,030 (131 pushers and 899 users); Sta. Catalina with 855 (89 pushers and 766 users); Bayawan City with 846 (85 pushers and 761 users); Bais City with 842 (99 pushers and 743 users); Siaton with 659 (14 pushers and 645 users); Canlaon City with 626 (15 pushers and 611 users); Mabinay with 609 (29 pushers and 580 users); and, Bacong with 593 surrenders (five pushers and 588 users).

Dumaguete City, the provincial capital, registered a total of 511 surrenderers (61 pushers and 450 users) while Basay, the farthest town in the south, had the least number of surrenderers at 115 (seven pushers and 108 users), the police report showed.

Other areas with their respective number of surrenderers are: Amlan, 316 (10 pushers and 306 users); Ayungon, 303 (53 pushers and 250 users); Bindoy, 213 (40 pushers and 173 users); Dauin (one pusher and 508 users); Jimalalud, 331 (seven pushers and 324 users); La Libertad, 416 (21 pushers and 395 users); Manjuyod, 130 (seven pushers and 123 users); Pamplona, 292 (14 pushers and 278 users); San Jose, 400 (four pushers and 396 users); Tayasan, 228 (84 pushers and 144 users); Valencia, 536 (21 pushers and 515 users); Vallehermoso, 286 (11 pushers and 275 users); and, Zamboanguita with 279 surrenderers (11 pushers and 268 users).

Senior Superintendent Henry Biñas, the acting NOPPO director, on Wednesday said the police will continue to encourage pushers and users to voluntarily turn themselves in for documentation purposes.

He said the next step for the police this year is to start clearing the barangays of suspected drug personalities.

This will be done in cooperation with the barangay captains, Biñas said.

Binas said some barangays in Negros Oriental have already been identified as subjects for clearing operations.

Biñas also revealed that due to relentless operations under Oplan TokHang, the supply of shabu in the local market has dwindled over the past months.

This, in turn, has resulted to the increase in the prices of shabu in the streets, he said.

But he said there are still some people who persist to engage in the illegal drugs trade despite warnings from the police.

On extra-judicial killings, Binas said that while the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Negros Oriental may have reported at least 17 cases, police records show there could be more than that although his office is still collating data from last year.

Biñas, however, assured that not a single police personnel in the province is involved or has been accused of participation in all of these supposed EJKs. (PNA)

Baguio City exec asksbusiness sector to use biodegradable plastics

BAGUIO CITY, Jan 11 (PNA) --City Mayor Mauricio Domogan has called on the business establishment owners to voluntarily shift to the use of biodegradable plastics in their daily transactions to lessen non-biodegradable waste in the city.

Domogan said the use of biodegradable plastics will greatly help in the efforts of the local government unit (LGU) to reduce the volume of waste generated from the business sector and allow residents to maximize the use of the plastics for their daily use.

The biggest contributors to the volume of plastic waste in the city are the department and grocery stores, and supermarkets, the mayor added.

The Baguio City Council is in the process of ironing out amendments to the anti-plastic ordinance to incorporate the concerns on the use of biodegradable plastics in the city, increase the penalties for violators and provide the prescribed rules and regulations for the strict implementation of the measure that could help significantly reduce the volume of generated waste in the establishments and residences.

Domogan said business establishments should not wait for the passage of the revisions and while biodegradable plastic would cost the establishment owners thrice more than the ordinary plastics, business establishment owners could either pass on to their patrons or shoulder solely the said cost.

He explained that the use of biodegradable plastic should not only be the obligation of the businessmen as residents have an equal responsibility in the process of waste reduction program of the LGU and the national government in general.

Residents should shift to the use of traditional “buri” (woven dried palm tree leaves) bags, eco bags or biodegradable plastics when shopping, as their contribution to waste management efforts, he added.

Based on the results of the Waste Analysis and Characterization Survey (WACS), the city produces at least 402 tons of assorted garbage daily.

The LGU of Baguio City is hauling out more than 130 tons of residual waste to the Provincial Engineered Sanitary Landfill of Tarlac, daily with an annual appropriation of more than PhP70 million. (PNA)

Cebu City sends heavy equipment to mountain villages to clear landslides

CEBU CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The Cebu City government on Wednesday deployed heavy equipment to the city’s mountain villages to clear landslides which blocked some roads.

The incessant rains in the past few days have triggered landslides in the city’s mountain villages, including Barangay Budlaan ang Pulangbato.

Nagiel Bañacia of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said boulders have blocked portions of the road in Sitio Tak-an in Budlaan, Sitio Tanay in Pulangbato, including the boundary between Agsungot and Binaliw.

Bañacia said a team has been deployed in the area to help clear the road which is landslide prone.

The rains also caused some rivers in Cebu to overflow and inundate some lowland villages.

Flooding was reported on Wednesday in one village in Consolacion town, some 19 kilometers from Cebu City, after a river in the area overflowed.

But the affected residents in Barangay Nangka, Consolacion, refused to evacuate as the evacuation site is far from the area and they do not want to leave their belongings.

In Mandaue City, some 200 families were evacuated at about midnight on Tuesday after the banks of the Butuanon River overflowed.

They were transported to a temporary shlter, but they returned to their homes Wednesday after the flood subsided, said Feliex suico Sr., head of Bantay Mandaue. (PNA)

PNP readies teams for 2-day visit of Japanese PM in Davao
By Lilian C. Mellejor

DAVAO CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -â€" The Philippine National Police (PNP) is now ready with the police teams to secure the two-day visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Davao City on Friday.

The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) will deploy police officers in all routes of the Japanese leader including the village of Mintal in the third district.

DCPO Director Michael John Dubria told reporters during the AFP-PNP press corps on Wednesday that DCPO police teams will provide the necessary security assistance to the Presidential Security Group (PSG), which is on top of Mr. Abe’s visit to the city.

The Japanese prime minister marks his official Philippine visit in Manila on Thursday and Davao on Friday to reciprocate the visit of President Rodrigo Duterte in Japan last October 2016.

President Duterte was invited by PM Abe when the two met in Laos in September 2016 on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella had confirmed Mr. Abe’s arrival on Thursday. The President will also host a state dinner for the Japanese leader in Malacañan. It was also Mr. Abe’s desire to visit Mr. Duterte’s hometown.

"They have struck a resonant chord between the two of them and apparently, Prime Minister Abe wants to visit the President's house," Abella had told reporters in Malacañang during a press briefing on Tuesday.

Abe will also meet business leaders in Davao.

Tracing history

One of the significant places that Mr. Abe will be visiting is Mintal, which is Davao City’s known “Little Tokyo” where many Japanese settled in pre-war years.

A portion of Mintal, which is a Japanese heritage site, will be undergoing development under a proposed masterplan being undertaken by Berkman International Inc., a consulting firm. A blueprint for the development received a P120-million budget from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

A workshop was conducted last year to gather stories about the village from families who lived in the area before, during, and after the Japanese occupation. It was also aimed to trace back history, and identify landmarks that have heritage importance.

The village has proposed the “revival and rehabilitation of its rich historical resources being declared as Japanese Heritage Area in 2009.”

The rebuilding of Davao’s “Little Tokyo” is expected to bolster the tourism industry in Mintal and the whole of Davao City as well. It was initially eyed as part of the tourism circuit and to attract more Japanese tourists or Davao’s Japanese descendants who annually come for a pilgrimage every September 1 dubbed as the “Sentimental Journey”.

The rebuilding of the heritage Mintal could take time because of many settlers. Mintal market used to be the site of a Japanese hospital and base, and an old artesian well (poso).

The Japanese monument within a school ground, which time and again was targeted by treasure hunters and the old cemetery also need rehabilitation. An old house of the Dacudao family that used to be a hospital, is also eyed as part of the heritage tour.

The village leader of Mintal has been initiating talks on the rebuilding plan with the help of the Japanese Chamber and the Japan Development Council in Davao.

A study by Mintal’s 76 Ayson & Campado Banwa states that Mintal was the focal point of pre-war economic activities of the Japanese to which Davao City attributes its pre-war economic preeminence, earning for it the monicker “Davaokuo” and for Mintal, “The Little Tokyo of the Philippines.”

Mintal is a 600-hectare agricultural land. It used to be a Japanese settlement. According to historians, the Japanese opted to engage in abaca business rather than fighting during the pre-war days. The early Japanese migrants referred to it as Mintaro, thus the name Mintal. It was once the occupied by Japanese engaging in the abaca plantation.

The familiar landmarks of Mintal are the Ohta Monument, a monolith in honor of Ohta Kyosaburo, considered by local historians as the “Father of Davao development.” Other markers and obelisks of Japanese nationals who died as barangay residents during the war can be seen in and around Mintal, Toril and Calinan. (PNA)
LAP/LCM/LDP

3 evacuation centers to be constructed in Western Visayas

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Three evacuation centers will be constructed in Western Visayas this year, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-6.

The project is an initiative of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) but will be funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

In an interview Wednesday, OCD-6 regional director Rosario Cabrera said that the processing of the requirements for the project is still ongoing but the DPWH has already identified the sites.

She added that have already coordinated with the concerned local government units where the centers will be put up. These are Iloilo City, Antique and Capiz, all highly prone to disasters, according to Cabrera.

Cabrera disclosed that DPWH has allotted Php36 million for the construction of the evacuation centers, which will have an area of 2,000 square meters each.

She explained that they no longer include Iloilo province because it already has a Php20 million worth of evacuation center in the municipality of Oton, which was a project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The evacuation center in Oton is a three-storey concrete structure with 1,000 square meters floor area that could accommodate 500 to 600 evacuees.

Once the evacuation centers are completed, Cabrera said that the public is assured that they have a place to go to in times of disasters like floods and landslides.

Meanwhile, Cabrera is advising the public to be vigilant and maintain safety while the region is currently experiencing light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorm due to low pressure area (LPA).

As of the moment, there are no reported cases of landslides in the region according to OCD-6. (PNA)
LAP/PGL/CBFERRER/CBF

Cauayan City gov’t establishes food bank project for indigent children

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela, Jan 11 (PNA) -- The city government here, through the City Nutrition Office, has established a food bank project that will serve as facility to store foods intended for indigent children in the city as part of an effort to help address malnutrition problem.

Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) member Edgar Atienza said the food bank is one of the projects of the city government to ensure that the foods needed by indigent children in the city are kept and distributed.

Atienza, committee chair on health, said the initial beneficiaries of the food bank project are the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) children and the children who are listed malnourished by the City Nutrition Office.

“This new project of the city government of Cauayan was conceptualized to ensure the health and wellness of all Cauayenos as they grow,” Atienza said.

The local legislator said that the food bank is to be fully operational in the coming months when all the needed equipment and food stocks are in place.

Atienza said the stored food will be distributed to the barangays regularly and be consumed by the indigent children in the city to ensure their continuous growth and health. (PNA)
ZST/SCD/MGEDALE

DPWH assures maintenance of major highways in central Leyte

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) â€"- The Department of Public Works and Highways Second Leyte Engineering District of the (DPWH) assures cleaner and wider highways as part of its maintenance thrust for 2017.

District Engineer Carlos Veloso said providing safe and convenient highways will help sustain economic gains in the district.

The second Leyte engineering has undertaken widening of primary roads in the past year particularly along the Maharlika Highway and the Palo-Carigara-Ormoc Road, which are busy highways connecting Luzon to places in Mindanao in the south and to Cebu through Leyte’s western part.

Veloso said the office will be providing safe and convenient travel for the public by removing obstructions along these primary roads and have road shoulders cleared as well.

An obstruction refers to any structure either temporary or permanent within the road right of way and poses danger to residents and motorists.

“Now that we have widened our roads, our goal is to have them highly maintained all the year through,” Veloso said.

Road signs will be put up as well to guide the travelling public.

Meanwhile, not only roads are up for widening this year, but also vital bridges in Leyte’s second legislative district.

Upgrading of bridges will be two-lane to a four-lane road. The recent four-lane road opened to the public is the Hiagsam Bridge in Jaro, Leyte which was battered to its knees during Typhoon Seniang in 2014.

The bridge is claimed to be typhoon resilient which will become a basic quality of the other bridges eyed for widening in 2017.

This bridge widening project set this 2017 will target the Calbasag Bridge, Bocog Bridge, Balocawe Bridge, Bawon Bridge and Balire Bridge along the primary highway.

Ponong Bridge, Sagkahan Bridge, Tagak Bridge and Cocot Bridge along the Palo-Carigara-Ormoc Road is likewise part of the bridge widening project. (PNA)

North Cotabato cops assure jail escapees they will not be harmed if they surrender

COTABATO CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Police authorities in North Cotabato assured fugitives of North Cotabato District Jail (NCDJ) on Wednesday that they will not be harmed if they decide to voluntarily surrender.

The assurance was issued by Chief Inspector Joyce Birrey, PNP provincial police spokesperson.

"There's no truth to words spreading around that the police will execute on sight any of the 89 fugitives who remained at large," Birrey told a news conference.

Some of the inmates who bolted the provincial jail last week after gunmen attacked the facility to rescue a drug lord said their companions who are still hiding are afraid to surrender for fear they will be shot dead and make it appear they resisted arrest.

"There is no basis to that information, there is no shoot to kill order," she added.

Gunmen, numbering about 12 (not 100 as earlier reported), stormed the undermanned jail compound in Barangay Amas, Kidapawan City at 1 a.m. on January 4, freeing 158 inmates.

Forty eight of the 158 prisoners have been arrested, two were injured and eight were killed during the manhunt operation.

During the attack, Jail Officer John Rey Vicedo was killed and 158 inmates escaped.

Many of them refused to leave their cells but the attackers threatened to shoot them or set the jail facility on fire, according to one of the escapee who voluntarily surrendered three days later.

The provincial government has offered PHP1 million for anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest of Esmael Nasser, alias "Commander Derbi," and another PHP1 million for Melvin Casangyao, a suspected drug lord who allegedly funded the operation to set him free, Governor Shirlyn Macasarte-Villanueva said.

A PHP10,000 bounty was also offered for any of the other escapees.

Macasarte-Villanueva said Nasser was a former detainee of the provincial jail who developed friendship with the moneyed Casangyao. Nasser, charged with murder, bombing and kidnapping, bolted jail in August last year.

He led the attackers on January 5.

Police said fugitives who wanted to surrender may consider showing up to local or town officials who will escort them back to the provincial jail to erase fear they will be executed.

Birrey said there are already surrender feelers received by the local police offices in the province and it was a good sign the fugitives will return to the fold of the law.

Meanwhile, the transport sector in Tulunan town, a neighboring municipality of Kidapawan City, has offered to help the police arrest the fugitives if they happen to board their tricycles.

Chief Inspector Felix Fornan, police chief of Tulunan, North Cotabato, said the 150 members of the drivers' association offered to provide the information and asked for photos and other information of the fugitives. (PNA)

Sustainable development council says no application for ‘Nickolodeon’ underwater park in Palawan
By Celeste Anna R. Formoso

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) â€" The multi-sectoral and inter-disciplinary body Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) clarified Wednesday that it has not received any communication expressing intention to construct an underwater theme park in Coron town in the Calamianes Group of Islands.

The clarification was made by PCSD Staff spokesperson Jovic Fabello following a signature campaign created by environmentalist Anna Oposa opposing the Nickolodeon underwater theme park that is allegedly going to be constructed in Coron in a 400-hectare property by Viacom International Media Network (VIMN) and Coral World Park Undersea Resorts, Inc. (CWPURI).

“I, too, was surprised because we have not received any application, any communication, any document expressing or proposing to put an underwater theme park in Coron,” Fabello told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

Fabello said any company or corporation wishing to invest in a themed underwater business venture in Palawan should pass through the PCSD for the issuance of the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) clearance, and should have a full blown environmental impact assessment (EIA) that bears expected outcome on the environment, design measures, and other mitigating measures.

“As of right now, I could say we have not received any application. Where in Coron is it going to be? If there is such a proposal, they should be able to talk too, to the local government unit (LGU) of the municipality,” Fabello reiterated, adding he didn’t know where Oposa was coming from with the signature campaign.

Oposa started the signature campaign against the alleged Nickolodeon underwater theme park at Bataris.com, which now has over 108,000 signatures.

In it, Oposa is calling on the local government of Palawan, VIMN, and CWPURI to “junk their plan to build a 400-hectare underwater theme park in Coron.”

She further said that, “By building artificial structures,Â" the underwater theme park will “undeniably damage and disrupt Palawan's marine ecosystems -- our Last Frontier.”

“If you are sincere and serious about marine conservation, the money allocated for the underwater theme park should be invested in marine protected areas, sustainable livelihoods for local communities, and environmental education programs,” the campaign said.

About Nickolodeon, the campaign also stated: “For a channel that targets children, Nickelodeon is setting a terrible example to the younger generation by taking away their right to enjoy our natural resources. We don't need an underwater theme park -- our underwater life is fascinating, entertaining, and educational on its own.” (PNA)

LTFRB 7 issues special permits to 16 buses, 100 PUJs for Sinulog

CEBU CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 on Wednesday said it has issued special permits to 16 buses and 100 public utility jeepneys (PUJs) to ply some routes during the Sinulog Grand Parade on Sunday, Jan. 15.

LTFRB 7 Director Ahmed Cuizon said these buses and PUJs will service commuters joining next Sunday’s Sinulog Festival.

Cuizon said they issued special permits to 75 jeepneys to transport passengers from Cebu City Hall to the South Road Properties (SRP) while 25 jeepneys will be available at Pier 1 in Cebu City and will ply routes all the way to Lapu-Lapu City.

Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) Executive Director Rafael Yap said the Cebu South Bus Terminal on N. Bacalso Avenue will be temporarily relocated at the SRP next Sunday.

Eight Metro Cebu Auto buses will also take passengers from N. Bacalso Ave. to Tabunok and another eight will be deployed at White Gold for commuters going to SM, Parkmall and North Bus Terminal.

Cuizon said these vehicles will be placed with special sample permits for identification purposes. (PNA)

School indie youth film makes the cut at 10th International Film Festival in Bangladesh

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Leyte National High School’s (LNHS) short film “Laot” (High Seas) has been chosen as one of the finalists to the upcoming 10th International Film Festival in Bangladesh.

The film will be the country’s entry and is categorized under the Child Filmmakers' Section.

Produced by a team of young talents from LNHS, the film was firstly, Eastern Visayas’ entry to the 2nd National Adolescent Health and Youth Development (AHYD) Film Festival held in December 2016.

LNHS, based in this city, is the largest public secondary school in Eastern Visayas.

The film, which focused on adolescent health issue and environmental advocacy, earned best trailer, best production design, best editing, best screenplay, best director and best actor during the regional film fest hosted by the Commission on Population (PopCom) and earned the ticket to join the national fete.

The film juxtaposed the changing climate through super typhoon Yolanda experience and emphasized on how the environment affects the health and well-being of young people. It is directed by Peter Am Alre Gaylon.

The Popcom-led regional and national AHYD film festival has become a venue for creating awareness on the status of today’s adolescents and young people and help them in the crucial stage of their development so they will grow into healthy, responsible, and productive adults.

Popcom Eastern Visayas Regional Director Elnora Pulma is elated with the official finalist selection of the region’s entry saying this will open new opportunities for young people to further their advocacy on adolescent health and environmental concerns.

The International Children's Film Festival in Bangladesh is an annual film festival which showcases full length features, shorts, experimental films made for and by children, including fiction animations and documentaries from around the world.

Founded in 2008, it is the biggest and also the only international film festival for children and young adults in Bangladesh.

The festival prevails with the vision of opening a new world of movies to the children of Bangladesh and exposing them to a diversity of cultures and traditions from various nations through cinema.

One of the primary missions of the festival is to provide the youth with a platform to showcase their talent in media and to understand its role in bringing attention to various social issues and in learning through entertainment.

The festival will be held from Jan. 24 to 30, 2017 at the Central Public Library in Shahbagh, Dhaka in Bangladesh, along with 11 other venues throughout the country. The Central Public Library will be the event’s central venue. (PNA)

Zamboanga police buy-bust operation nets 1 of 5 suspects in fishing boat crew massacre

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Cops here arrested in a drug buy-bust operation one of the five sea marauders responsible in the massacre of eight fishing boat crewmen off this city, an official announced Wednesday.

Supt. Rogelio Alabata, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer, identified the arrested suspect as Midzfar Nuño, 32, of Sitio Seaside, Barangay Sangali, siuated some 25 kilometers of this city.

Alabata said Nuño was arrested around 6 p.m. Tuesday in his residence after he allegedly sold a sachet of shabu to an undercover cop.

Alabata said Nuño is listed as the number two drug personality of the Police Station 3.

He said some witnesses recognized Nuño as one of five sea marauders responsible in the Jan. 9 massacre of eight crewmen of a fishing boat, F/B NR, when taken to the Police Station 3.

The fishing boat with 15 crewmen was returning to Barangay Sangali coming from Sibuctuc Island, Barangay Limaong, when five gunmen aboard on two motorboats locally known as “jungkung” accosted them.

The sea marauders killed eight of the fishing boat crewmen around 8 p.m. in the vicinity of Siromon Island, Barangay Dita, some 42 kilometers east of the city proper.

The sea marauders spared seven other crewmen and ordered them to jump off and swim to safety.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar earlier said the eight slain crewmen were tied and killed by the gunmen.

Alabata said the arresting team recovered from the possession of Nuño three heat-sealed plastic sachets of suspected shabu, marked money consisting of two PhP 100 bills and a grenade.

He said Nuño was detained pending the filing of criminal charges for his alleged involvement in the massacre of the eight fishing boat crewmen

He added that separate cases for illegal possession of explosive and for violation of Section 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are also set to be filed against the arrested suspect. (PNA)

Bukidnon farmers threaten to file a ‘class suit’ against recruiter

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- About 42 farmers who fled from Hacienda Luisa in Tarlac were preparing a “class suit” involving human trafficking against a recruitment agency in the controversial estate.

Mario Memper, the leader of the farmers, said Wednesday that about 161 farmers from Bukidnon were recruited sometime in July last year by a recruitment agency to work in Hacienda Luisita.

“We were promised to be paid PHP 900 daily wage, but we were actually paid only PhP 9.45 for a daily eight-hour work,” Memper told reporters here.

Memper, together with farmers from Bukidnon and the 42 other farmers who escaped Hacienda Luisita in November last year, trooped down to Cagayan De Oro City Wednesday to hold a protest rally.

He said that of the 161 farmers who were recruited from Bukidnon by the Greenland Labor Cooperative in July, only 42 farmers managed to escape amid the heavily guarded hacienda.

According to Memper, the 119 other farmers who remained in the Hacienda Luisita were asking for the assistance of the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Agrarian Reform to intercede on their behalf.

Hacienda Luisita, a 6,453-hectare sugar plantation in Tarlac, is owned by the Cojuangcos.

“Ironically, the hacienda was covered under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program during the presidency of Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino, but has continued to operate despite a court order to distribute the sugar land to farmers,” Memper said.

He said that the farmers in Bukidnon held the protest-rally in Cagayan De Oro City in order that the DOLE, DAR and other line agencies could take notice of the plight of the farmers.

Memper said that the farmers would also file a case with violation of the human trafficking laws. (PNA)
NYP/CD/MARK FRANCISCO/

Only 370 World War II veterans left in Pangasinan

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- There are only 370 World War II veterans in Pangasinan today, from some 15,000 after World War II when peace finally reigned again throughout the land 72 years ago.

This is based on records of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), an agency of the government which takes care of the welfare of the veterans and assures them that they get what they deserve under the law as heroes of the country.

PVAO regional chief Romeo Madriaga said there were 499 veterans in the list last year, which means that in just one year, 129 passed away.

He said because of old age and failing health, the number of World War II veterans continues to dwindle.

All the 370 in the roster are now in their twilight years with at least 13 of them centenarians.

Madriaga noted that Pangasinan had the most number of veterans after the war, in the same level as the province of Cebu.

He attributed this to the aggressive guerrilla recruitment activities undertaken after the fall of Bataan and Corregidor by then lieutenants Robert Lapham and Edwin Ramsey, both from the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE).

Madriaga said that it was the two valiant USAFFE officers who recruited Filipinos to the guerrilla movement to fight the Japanese.

There were 15,000 men and women who joined their group and when the war ended, all of them went back to their respective villages to again tend to their farms after serving their motherland.

Others used their back pay to start businesses while some used their educational benefits to go back to school, finished degrees and became professionals.

Madriaga noted that during the reunion of veterans during the 72nd commemoration of the Lingayen Gulf Landings, there were only 76 who were able to come.

All of them were fetched by Pangasinan provincial buses from their residences to be able to attend the commemoration, then brought back to their respective homes in the afternoon.

They again benefited from a medical and dental mission and given financial incentives and other tokens by Governor Amado Espino III.

Under Espino's father, then Governor and now Fifth District Rep. Amado Espino III, a Pangasinan Veterans Day was set every January 9 each year in honor of the veterans.

Madriaga noted that Pangasinan is perhaps the only province in the whole country today that treats its World War II veterans as some kind of first class citizens because of their sacrifices so that the Filipinos would become free.

The veterans enjoy free hospitalization and medicines in all the 14 hospitals operated by the province and even by private hospitals accredited by PVAO.

All of them and their kin are given Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) cards so that in case they need hospitalization, they would not pay anything.

Dr. Vivencio Vilalflor Jr., president and chairman of the board of the Villaflor Doctors Memorial Hospital, said there are 20 medical procedures identified by PVAO which World War II veterans can avail for free.

They can avail of procedures even in the province in any government or accredited hospitals so that they need not spend money for transportation if they go to the Veterans Memorial Hospital in Quezon City.

With their PVAO affiliation as well as their PhilHealth cards, the veterans do not have to pay anything if they get sick, said Dr. Villaflor. (PNA)
LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

Pampanga gov seeks review of inmates' cases to decongest provincial jail


CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Jan. 11 (PNA)-- Governor Lilia Pineda wants an immediate review of the cases of inmates at the Pampanga Provincial Jail as one measure to address congestion problem.

Provincial administrator Andres Pangilinan Jr. said it is the governor's instructions to ask the Lawyers' Group of Pampanga to review pending cases of the more than 1,900 inmates especially the senior citizens and those with weak cases.

"This can alleviate the overcrowding of the jail. We must maximize all available resources just to give them a much decent and humane treatment,” he said.

Pangilinan and personnel of the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) on Wednesday inspected the Pampanga Provincial Jail as part of the regular inspection of the facility.

They also inspected the drainage system of the jail to find a solution to Pampanga Philippine National Police Compound residents’ complaint of foul odor coming from the creek near the provincial jail.

"We checked the creek and found out that it is not as bad as how the residents describe it. But nonetheless, we will still do some improvement with it. We might do a box culvert to minimize the foul odor coming from the creek,” he added. (PNA)

PENRO-NegOcc installs free geocam mobile app for environmental law violations

BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Negros Occidental launched on Wednesday the use of geocam mobile application for Android users.

PENRO-Negros Occidental head Andres Untal said the geocam will allow users to take photos of environmental law violations with coordinates and report these to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Photos can be emailed to penrneg@yahoo.com or posted on the Facebook pages of PENRO-Negros Occidental, DENR-Negros Island Region, or PENRO Enforcement Section.

“We can take photos from ridge to reef and make community environmental law enforcement happen,” Untal said. “The coordinates will mainly help us determine whether the subject of the photo is within protected area, timberland, or titled property.”

On Wednesday morning, the PENRO-Negros Occidental staff led by Untal conducted a lecture and installed the mobile app for users who visited their office in Barangay 39 here.

Untal said he is encouraging the Negrenses to participate because they have a very significant role in the protection and conservation of the environment.

They can use the geocam mobile app even without an internet connection, he added.

The initiative is being implemented by PENRO in collaboration with the Protected Area Superintendent of the Northern Negros Natural Park.(PNA)

Negros Occidental governor reiterates support to advocacies of PNP

BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. has reiterated the support of the provincial government to the advocacies of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Marañon gave the assurance during PNP New Year’s Call to the Governor led by Senior Superintendent William Señoron, director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), held Wednesday at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City.

“Do not hesitate to come to us and tell us your problems so we can talk and solve them together,” the governor said.

The New Year’s Call was attended by NOCPPO’s Command Group, staff officers, special staff, and the chiefs of police of the 12 component cities and 19 municipalities of Negros Occidental.

Marañon also lauded the dedication and good performance of the NOCPPO in the past year, congratulating the police force for a job well done in maintaining the peace and order situation in the province.

“I always believe that a place can never progress if there is no peace,” the governor said.

Moreover, Marañon said the Police Regional Office-18 in Negros Island Region has become successful in its first year through the hard work and cooperation of its personnel despite the challenge of limited resources.

“Continue to pray and make the province more peaceful and drug-free,” he further told the police officials.

For his part, Señoron expressed the sincere appreciation of the NOCPPO to Marañon for his support to the PNP.

"As 2017 starts with its new challenges at work, it is also a time to pay a new year’s call to the highest official of the province,” he said.

Señoron added that the police will remain committed to its vigorous offensive operations, particularly in the fight against illegal drugs and other forms of criminality.

From July 1 to December 31, a total of 14,882 drug personalities surrendered to NOCPPO, including 12,663 users and 2,219 pushers.(PNA)
PGL/NLG

Police arrest Cotabato City village chair included in President Duterte's drug list

COTABATO CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Anti-narcotics operatives in Region 12 arrested Wednesday a village official included in the list of drug personalities of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Supt. Maximo Sebastian, head of Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (RAIDSOTF), said his team served five search warrants against Village chairperson Kumbol Mamalangkay of Barangay Rosary Heights 10.

"He is among the local officials included in the list of President Duterte," Sebastian told reporters.

Police were armed with search warrants issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Alexandrex Betoya for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and illegal possession of firearms.

The raiding team found an unlicensed cal. 45 pistol and ammunition in Mamalangkay's home in Purok Masagana, Barangay Rosary Heights 10.

No illegal drugs were found in the official's home, Sebastian added. But he maintained the information relayed to police that Mamalangkay was classified as illegal drug protector.

Also arrested was Mamalangkay's son who is a village councilman. Seized from him was an unlicensed handgun.

Sebastian said Mamalangkay had been placed under surveillance for at least three months by police operatives.

Two other homes of suspected illegal drug personalities in Cotabato City have been raided by the subject of warrants were no longer around.

Speaking to reporters, Mamalangkay said the raid could be part of retaliation against him due to his active and aggressive anti-drug campaign in his barangay.

Sebastian said anti-drug operations in the region will continue.

Region 12, also known as SOCCSKSARGEN, is composed of the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Koronadal and Gen. Santos. (PNA)
LAP/NYP/EOF

DPWH inspects construction of senior high school buildings in Antique

SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique, Jan. 11 (PNA) â€"- Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Director Wenceslao Leano, Jr. arrived in this province Wednesday to inspect the status of the senior high school (SHS) building constructions in the province.

Leano, who paid a courtesy call on Antique Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao, said that the inspection is in relation to the ongoing preparations for this province’s hosting of the Palarong Pambansa.

He said that he wanted school buildings that will be used as billeting areas of athletes finished before the scheduled national sports event.

“I want to see the senior high schools to be used as billeting areas prioritized,” the DPWH official said.

He said more than 50 school buildings are being constructed in the province with an estimated amount of PHP20-40 million each.

The DPWH official so met with Antique Vice Governor Edgar Denosta and chiefs of offices at the capitol. (PNA)
PGL/AJPETINGLAY

Mass deworming set for barangays, public schools in Bacolod City

BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- A mass deworming for all barangays and public schools here will be conducted next week, the City Health Office (CHO) announced Wednesday.

For the city’s 61 barangays, the deworming will be held on January 13 while for public elementary and high schools, on January 19.

Ma. Carmela Gensoli, head of the CHO, said the initiative aims to prevent and control soil transmitted helminthiasis, lymphatic filariasis, and schistosomiasis among the vulnerable age groups.

It is part of the simultaneous National Mass Deworming Activity led by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Education (DepEd).

Children infested with parasites suffer from malnutrition and anemia, as among the common effects, Gensoli said.

Free deworming drugs will be given to children aged 12 to 59 months in the barangays and to those enrolled in private schools aged 5 to 18 years old.

Out-of-school youth can also avail of free deworming.

Students from Grades 1 to 10 enrolled in public schools will be served in their respective campuses.

According to the DOH, routine deworming every six months will prevent the growth of these micro-organisms.

Gensoli said that the DOH has procured sufficient deworming drugs for the bi-annual campaign to ensure the provision of such every January and July to targeted group age.

A monitoring team has been assigned to ensure the efficient implementation of the program to prevent adverse effects of the mass drug administration, she added.(PNA)