MikeLigalig.com

TaskUs posts 410% revenue growth in 2 years
California-headquartered outsourcing firm TaskUs has reported a good 2016, posting a 410% revenue increase over two years. It was also this year when the company signed 13 new clients with USD1bn in aggregate value and opened three new offices - Pampanga in the Philippines, San Antonio in Texas, and one in New York City. It also hired 5,300-plus new employees and received 15 awards and recognitions this year. Co-founders Bryce Maddock and Jaspar Weir said creating an outsourcing business model with a millennial perspective has paid off. This year, the two said they focused on applying best practices to fuel established companies' growth.

Cebu will remain the largest BPO destination outside Manila - Colliers
Colliers International Philippines said Cebu's office property market is set for robust growth as demand from business process outsourcing (BPO) firms continues. In its report, Colliers said Cebu remains a preferred outsourcing destination because of the presence of adequate infrastructure, redundant internet connection, ample number of skilled college graduates, and a high level of urbanization. Colliers pointed out that Cebu is now the largest outsourcing destination outside of Metro Manila. In the first nine months of 2016, Cebu's office stock rose 14% to around 875,000 square meters. Colliers said this is a result of developers anticipating a spike in demand for office space from BPO firms.

Genpact expands partnership with Hyatt
Business process management and services firm Genpact  is expanding its finance and accounting (F&A) relationship with Hyatt to transform Hyatt's financial operations in Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia. The New York-listed firm, which operates in 25 countries including the Philippines, said it has signed a multi-year engagement with Hyatt to globalize the hotel operator's F&A organization. The contract expansion builds on a relationship that began in 2008 when the two companies worked together to drive F&A transformation at Hyatt's North American properties. Patrick Grismer, Chief Financial Officer, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, said the company's expanded work with Genpact underscores the benefits Hyatt realized in its North America hotel F&A operations.

Accenture posts strong Q1 FY 2017 results
Global business process outsourcing and consulting firm Accenture said its revenues increased 6% in US dollars and 7% in local currency to USD8.5bn in Q1 FY 2017 over the same period last year. Net income for the quarter was USD1.06bn, a 22% increase from USD869m for the Q1 last year. In a press statement, Accenture said new bookings for the quarter were USD8.3bn, with consulting bookings of USD4.9bn and outsourcing bookings of USD3.4bn. Accenture’s total cash balance at 30 November 2016 was USD4.1bn, compared with USD4.9bn at 31 August 2016. Pierre Nanterme, Accenture’s chairman and CEO, said the company remains confident in its ability to continue driving profitable growth, gaining market share and delivering value for clients and shareholders.

Bacolod's retail, residential markets buoyed by BPO
The robust outsourcing activity in Bacolod City is expected to further drive the city's retail and residential property markets. In a report, real estate services firm Colliers International said the continued dynamism of Bacolod City's business process outsourcing (BPO) industry is driving the growth of the city's retail sector. The BPO sector is forecast to employ up to 60,000 people by 2022, creating opportunities for retail developments, Colliers added. The report noted an estimated 80% of the city's fulltime BPO employees are single and about 90% of their salaries is allocated for household expenses, much of which is spent within the city.

ICT Creatives Awards Night fetes local game designers
The Department of Science and Technology's Information and Communications Technology Office recently hosted the 2nd ICT Creatives Awards Night, an event that recognizes the efforts of professionals and amateurs in game design industry. The event, which was held in collaboration with the Game Developers Association of the Philippines and Animation Council of the Philippines, featured the Game On Competition. The competition was participated in by seven colleges and universities. This year's Game of the Year award went to students of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde for Tesselate. Best Game Play was presented to Paul Anton Rae Aguilar, John Alson Entuna, Alexandra Arcega, Mario Joshua Ignacio, and Jed Ralph Pascua for Ragnarok Protocol, while Best Game Art was conferred to Daryll Española, Ferdinand Corrales, Kenneth Sta. Barbara, and Roi Adorio for Seizmore Fin.

Alterra acquires P860m shares of Philab Industries
Alterra Capital Partners, a listed genomics business process outsourcing (BPO) firm, has announced that it acquired P860m worth of shares or 93.48% of the outstanding capital stock of Philab Industries. The acquisition was aimed at facilitating Philab's backdoor listing on the Philippine Stock Exchange. Alterra first disclosed in mid-August the share purchase agreement that Philab President Hector Thomas Navasero and Genomics have signed with Conrado Alcantara and Alfonso Anggala along with Star Alliance. It then cited the new investors’ plans to construct a Genomics business process outsourcing hub as rationale for the transaction.

Iloilo City continues to attract BPO locators
Iloilo City's population of skilled college graduates has made it attractive for business process outsourcing (BPO) companies. The city has about 30 colleges and universities producing 15,000 graduates every year, with 20% majoring in business, 15% in math and information technology, and 6% in engineering. Property consultancy Colliers International cited the feasibility of the BPO sector in Iloilo City shifting from voice services currently to higher-value services such as health information management (HIM) and software engineering. Colliers said a number of universities in the city have already incorporated medical transcription courses in their regular nursing and medical technology programs.

WNS launches new BPM technology-enabled solutions
Global business process management firm WNS Limited has launched its next-generation suite of BPM technology-enabled solutions, dubbed WNS TRAC. In a statement, the company said WNS TRACT leverages its deep domain expertise, embedded analytics, in-depth process knowledge and technology capabilities to create end-to-end offerings. Keshav R. Murugesh, WNS CEO, said WNS TRAC helps clients achieve their strategic goals, especially in understanding their business and improving end-client experience. WNS TRAC can be rapidly deployed across different technology environments, including social, mobile, analytics and cloud. WNS Limited employs nearly 32,000 professionals across 42 delivery centers worldwide, including the Philippines.

Cognizant continues acquisition spree
Cognizant president for digital systems and technology Debashis Chatterjee said the company will continue to look for acquisitions that further expand its geographic footprint. In 2016, Cognizant completed four full buyouts and two partial ones. Eight of its 16 acquisitions in the past six years were during the past two years, including Sydney-based information technology services provider Adaptra. Chatterjee said Cognizant will continue to focus on organic growth and make strategic 'tuck-under' acquisitions or investments to help expand its digital, platform capabilities, strengthen its domain, consulting and analytics capabilities.

Southeast Asia RPO market forecast to hit USD154.7m by 2020
A report released by Transparency Market Research forecast a compounded annual growth rate of 19.3% for the recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) market in Southeast Asia. The report said the RPO market in the region will likely rise to USD154.7m by 2020 from USD45.6m in 2014. RPO refers to the outsourcing of various recruitment functions such as interview scheduling, candidate screening, offer execution, and job posting to third-party vendors. The region's RPO market is propelled by the rapid economic development in Southeast Asia and the several advantages presented by RPO. The report also noted the increased adoption of RPO services in the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Myanmar.

Unemployment rate drops to 5.5% this year
Preliminary data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the country's unemployment rate this year stood at 5.5% from last year's 6.3%. The data showed that the number of jobless individuals slightly declined to 2.4 million from 2.6 million. However, the same report also noted that the underemployment rate, or those employed but who wanted more hours of work to meet their needs, steadied at 18.3% to 7.5 million. The preliminary data showed that the country's annual employment rate for this year is at 94.5%, equivalent to some 40.8 million jobs. Last year, the employment rate was 93.7%, equivalent to 38.7 million jobs. The Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development earlier said job generation should go beyond business process outsourcing.

Inter BPO football tournament set in Cebu
Football teams from the different business process outsourcing (BPO) companies in Cebu are set to oin in ‘The 7th Sinulog Festival’ football event. The major football event, organized by the Cebu Football Association (CFA), will have divisions exclusively for BPO teams - Inter BPO men's division and Inter BPO ladies division. The football tournament set in January forms part of the activities lined up for the month-long celebration of the Sinulog Festival in Cebu City. According to one of the tournament officials Manuel Dumangcas, around 150 teams are expected to compete in this event which uses a 7-aside format.

Philippines expects up to 20% annual investment growth in 2016
Investors continue to have confidence and trust in the Philippine government, prompting a solid double-digit investment growth this year. The Board of Investments (BOI) expects 15% to 20% increase in new project commitments for 2016, the first time in many years that the commitments hit a solid double-digit rise. BOI-approved investments grew 49 percent in the January-September period this year to P286.44 billion compared with the P192.39 posted the same period in 2015. Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez expects more investments in the country as President Rodrigo Duterte has assured domestic business groups such as the IT Business Process Association of the Philippines of good economic fundamentals and steady policy of the government.

I am very proud to be both Navajo and American. As the President of the Navajo Nation, I’ve dedicated my life to ensuring that, as a Navajo, my story -- and our stories -- are part of our collective American history. Today, I want to share one of those stories with you.

There was a time when our nations, American and Navajo, were at war with each other -- when the U.S. Cavalry forcibly rounded up Navajo men, women, and children, and marched them at gunpoint to a foreign land hundreds of miles away. During this time, some of my Navajo ancestors successfully hid at a sacred place of prayer, shelter, and fortitude: the Bears Ears area of Utah.

This beautiful piece of land stretches for over a million acres across the southern edge of the state. Its ancient cliff dwellings, ceremonial sites, abundant rock art, countless cultural artifacts, winding creek beds, and expanses of desert land, contain the great history of my nation.

This place served to protect my family then, just as it has protected many Native American people throughout the years.

Today, President Barack Obama has signed a proclamation to protect this land as a national monument for future generations of Navajo people and for all Americans. Thanks to his action, this land will be finally given the legal reverence and protection it deserves.

This action reflects the President’s profound record on conservation: He has done more than any other president in history to set aside more land and water for the future.

But it is also in accordance with his actions to elevate the voices of Native people. Five sovereign tribal nations petitioned to have this irreplaceable land conserved.

Bears Ears National Monument is sacred not only to the Diné people, but also our Hopi, Ute, and Zuni neighbors. These tribes came together in an unprecedented show of unity to conserve these lands for future generations of all Americans. This intertribal coalition also pushed for a new standard for national monuments and tribal involvement.

Thankfully, President Obama and his team listened to our sovereign nations.

With this step to protect and conserve these irreplaceable lands, he has set a new precedent for national monument tribal collaborative management. And he has strengthened the relationship between our Navajo and American nations.

As both Navajo and American, I am proud our President listened to a sovereign appeal and acted to preserve our sacred land for future generations.

Thank you for listening,

Russell Begaye

President, Navajo Nation

True Worship

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:23-24

We are designed to worship God in spirit and in truth. As Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well, He sought to help her do this by imparting to her God’s living water (John 4:13-14). Jesus sought out this woman personally to give her abundant life. In the same way the Father seeks an encounter with each of us that is real and personal. The Samaritan woman had heard about God; Jesus said true worship must be “face to face” with God. Worship is not religion or ritual; worship is an intimate and vital encounter with a Person. True worship includes the full recognition of who God is: Holy, Sovereign, Almighty, Loving, Merciful. This recognition brings about the realization of our own sinfulness. True worship is life-changing! It creates within the worshiper’s heart a hatred for sin. True worship results in repentance, obedient submission, and a desire for holiness (Isa. 6:1-8). True worship generates a desire to show mercy and to express forgiveness. It includes a joyful acceptance of all that God has provided by His grace. True worship is not exclusive. Just as the Samaritan woman rushed off to tell ot.Henry and Richard Blackabyhers of her encounter with the Lord, so true worship will compel the worshiper to include others. As a result of this woman’s encounter with Jesus, many others from her village came to know Him as well. The one who has truly worshiped will have a sense of peace and a confident expectation of what God is about to do. True worship produces a transformed life, reflecting the One who has been worshiped   Henry and Richard Blackaby

DOT-CAR conducts training on tourism transport groups
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, February 29 (PNA) -â€" In continuing with the tourism program to arm the different transport groups with knowledge as front liners of the tourism industry in the Cordillera Administrative Region, the Department of Tourism Cordillera Regional Office (DOT-CAR) has conducted a seminar attended by some 80 public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators.

Lawyer Juan Nazarro, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Benguet Tourism Transport, Inc. (BTTI) on Monday, February 29 said 25 of the 80 slots were given to the transport group.

Nazarro said the seminar held last week focused on personality development, values formation and effective customer service including road safety and correct driving techniques.

Nazarro said the seminar at the DOT regional office will serve as an awareness campaign for drivers and operators to learn and appreciate the nature and benefits derived from tourism.

It will develop and expand the role of PUV drivers as frontliners and sources of tourism information and to get the support of drivers or operations in the tourism promotional efforts of the country, Nazarro added.

After each completed seminar, the participants will be accredited by the tourism department.

In advancing the tourism industry, the tourism agency coordinated with the Department of Transportation and Communication Cordillera Regional Office (DOTC-CAR) for the issuance of tourist transport franchises and exemption of “vehicles for hire and tourist transport” services from the moratorium on franchise issuance.

Nazarro said 14 members of the BTTI have completed the DOTC requirements while the others are still in the process of completion. (PNA)

Bohol solon backs proposed ‘Cebu-Bohol Friendship Bridge’ project

CEBU CITY, Oct. 25 (PNA) -- Rep. Aris Aumentado (Bohol, 2nd District) has expressed support for the proposed Cebu-Bohol Friendship Bridge, saying it will have a big economic impact to both provinces if realized.

Aumentado and several Bohol second district mayors and officials were in Cebu City Monday to conduct a “Bohol 2nd District Development Framework” meeting at Quest Hotel.

Aumentado said there will be no more stranded passengers in Cebu and Bohol even if ship trips are cancelled during typhoons because with a bridge, vehicles can freely travel.

Under the Philippine Coast Guard policy, vessels that are 1,000 tons or less are not allowed to sail once the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Administration (Pagasa) will raise typhoon signal number one.

Pagasa Visayas Director Oscar Tabada said typhoon signal number one means the typhoon will arrive in the next 36 hours.

Although the travel time between Bohol and Cebu is only from one to three hours, the PCG is implementing the policy to prevent accidents.

Aumentado said the bridge, which will pass through Cordova, Cebu and Jetafe, Bohol, was endorsed by his father, the late Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado.

Aumentado said the proposed project was already endorsed by the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 and was declared pending when it reached the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

Earlier, former Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy said he strongly supports the realization of the proposed 17-kilometer Cebu-Bohol Friendship Bridge because this will complement the coming Mactan-Cebu third bridge that will connect Cebu City and Cordova.

Sitoy, who is now a presidential legislative liaison, said that with the bridge, the Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) power grid can supply power to Bohol, which is only connected to Leyte, while Bohol can supply water to Cebu, side-by-side with it. (PNA)

Cebu trade leaders welcome proposed 17.5-km Cebu-Bohol Friendship Bridge

CEBU CITY, Dec. 8 (PNA) -- Cebu’s business leaders are looking forward to the realization of the proposed 17.5-kilometer Cebu-Bohol Friendship Bridge, which is expected to help spur the economies of the two neighboring island-provinces.

Gordon Alan Joseph, president of the Cebu Business Club (CBC), said if his project materializes, it will have significant benefit to tourism as it would create a better supply chain between resource-rich Bohol and Cebu’s more mature markets.

“I think this is an excellent project, and for it to succeed, I do hope they design it to be able to withstand serious earthquakes and typhoons,” he said.

The proposed bridge will be from Getafe town in Bohol to Cordova town on Mactan Island in Cebu.

Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) President Glenn Soco described the project as a monumental undertaking that will bring good to the local economy.

“It will enhance trade and commerce between both provinces,” he said.

Soco said this has been a long-standing proposal of the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7, and it was about time that the project finally moved forward.

Edilberto Mendoza, president of the Cebu Association of Tour Operators (Cato), said once the bridge is fully operational, the two provinces can expect an improvement in their respective tourism industries.

“Connectivity has always been a hindrance to tourism in both provinces,” he said.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 said Central Visayas welcomed a total of 3.16 million tourists in the first seven months of this year, with Cebu getting the bulk at 2.3 million visitors; followed by Negros Oriental, with 402,405; Bohol, with 402,246; and Siquijor, with 54,788 arrivals. (PNA)

DILG: Pres. Duterte's drive against illegal drugs tops agenda of Barangay Assembly Day
MANILA, Oct. 4 (PNA) --The Department of Interior and Local Government said Tuesday that the Duterte administration's campaign against illegal drugs will be the top agenda on the first wave of Barangay Assembly Day on Sunday.

“Barangays are the first line of defense to lead the fight against illegal drugs. Communities are more familiar of the peace and order situation in their area,” said DILG secretary Ismael Sueno.

Sueno said that since one of the top priorities of President Rodrigo Duterte is the campaign against illegal drugs, barangay officials should discuss with their constituents how they can help in eradicating this pervasive social menace in their respective areas.

In line with this, he directed punong barangays to discuss their compliance with national laws and issuances such as revitalization of the Barangay Anti-Drug Action Council (BADAC) and their roles in drug clearing operations.

“We call on barangays to re-activate their BADACs and do their functions consistently such as gathering, updating, and reporting all drug-related data and information in their neighborhood,” said Sueno.

He also said that punong barangays must declare a substantial appropriation from their annual budget for anti-illegal drugs programs, projects and activities in accordance to Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 or Republic Act No. 9165.

The second Barangay Assembly Day for the year themed “Para sa Isang Tunay na Pagbabago, Mag-MASID at Makiisa sa Isang Maka-MASAng Asembleya” is to be conducted in 42,036 barangays in the country.

The conduct of Barangay Assembly Day is pursuant to Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, states that '‘the barangay assembly shall meet twice a year to hear and discuss the semestral report of the Sangguniang Barangay concerning its activities and finances as well as problems affecting the barangay.’' (PNA)

BADACs commit to active anti-drug drive
ILOILO CITY, Sept. 7 (PNA) -- More than a thousand members of Iloilo City’s 180 Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs) committed to support the intensified campaign against illegal drugs through strengthened bodies in their respective villages.

A pledge of commitment was signed by participants during Hublag Kontra Droga: Arming the BADACs Re-orientation at Jaro Gym September 6.

“This is another initiative of our massive anti-drug program in the barangays. It is a serious issue that we have to stop illegal drugs in the city. We have to support what is the right thing to do for the future of our residents,” stressed Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog.

He called for the cooperation and collaboration of BADACs in combating the illegal drug concern in an effort to clear the city of drug personalities by yearend.

Mabilog as chairman of Iloilo City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ICADAC) was cited by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in 2015 for causing the 100 percent activation of BADACs, a feat considered to be the first in the country for a Local Government Unit to get recognized.

The mayor also initiated to arm the BADACs with a comprehensive confidential reporting mechanism of illegal drug situation in their villages to be submitted to ICADAC starting September 15 and every 15th of the month thereafter following their regular meeting.

“We, the members of BADAC, strongly commit ourselves to actively participate in the fight against illegal drugs by recognizing our role in the anti-illegal drug activities in our community. We pledge to perform to the best of our ability the powers and functions given to us as the first line of defense in curbing illegal drugs in the barangay,” they pledged.

They also committed to “crush, destroy, and eliminate illegal drugs; take and neutralize drug lords and pushers as they have no place in our barangays.” (PNA)

Council approves resolution seeking budget allocation for BADAC
BAGUIO CITY, Aug. 5 (PNA) â€"- The Baguio City Council approved Resolution numbered 142-2016 filed by Councilor and Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) representative Michael Lawana requesting for assistance for and in behalf of all the 128 barangays in the city.

The resolution re-echoes President Rodrigo Duterte’s call to fight illegal drugs sale and use nationwide.

Lawana, on Friday, August 5 said the resolution seeks the assistance of the executive branch of the city government to strengthen the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) by way of budgetary allocations.

On July 11, the Department of Interiors and Local Government â€" Baguio City Field Office (DILGBC) issued a memorandum enjoining barangay officials to spearhead the fight against illegal drugs by activating the BADACs.

Records show that there were 686 individuals who voluntarily presented themselves to the authorities and signed their pledges of commitment to stop their drug dependency and trade.

Lawana said the BADAC played a big role in eradicating drugs in the community as well as in monitoring the trade of illegal drugs that are being operated in the barangay sector.

Lawana observed that the BADACs need support in order to sustain the on-going war against drugs.

The resolution, Lawana said, will formalize the needed support from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and concerned agencies to assist the barangay officials in dealing with the issues and concerns regarding the unprecedented surge and instantaneous voluntary submission of persons-of-interest in connection with the use and sale of illegal drugs.

“It is necessary that mandatory appropriations for BADAC must be made and incorporated in the annual budgets of the barangays and the menu for activities and projects for the BADAC are not limited to campaigns for illegal drug use but also activities such as seminars and the like,” stressed Lawana. (PNA)

Negros barangay officials urged to actively campaign against illegal drugs
BACOLOD CITY, June 28 (PNA) -- The Department of Interior and Local Government-Negros Island Region (DILG-NIR) has enjoined barangay officials to actively campaign against the proliferation of illegal drugs.

DILG-NIR Director Margie Biligan said they can take part in the campaign by organizing the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs).

They should make the councils functional, she added.

Biligan acknowledged though that there are barangay leaders who are not supportive of the police anti-criminality campaign because they fear for their safety.

However, Biligan stressed that DILG has directives that define the roles of barangay officials, and these include cooperation with uniformed personnel.

The police needs the cooperation of barangay leaders and the community in their fight against drugs and criminality, she added.

Biligan said barangay officials should coordinate with the police if they are concerned with security and safety of their constituents.

Eradicating illegal drugs should have the cooperation of barangay officials and the community, the DILG official said

From January to May this year, a total of Php22.635 million worth of drugs were recovered by the police across the region.(PNA)

‘Nina’ maintains strength, expected to make a landfall over Catanduanes on Christmas Day
By Ma. Cristina C. Arayata

MANILA, Dec. 23 (PNA) -- Severe tropical storm (STS) “Nina” is expected to intensify further before making landfall, state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

STS “Nina” is expected to make landfall over Catanduanes on Christmas day, either in the afternoon or evening.

As of 10 p.m. Friday, "Nina" has maintained its strength and continues to move in a west northwest direction at 20 kph.

It has maximum sustained winds of up to 105 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 130 kph.

Estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy rains within its 400 km diameter of “Nina”.

The center of “Nina” was last eyed at some 700 km east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar.

Sea travel is risky over the Seaboards of northern Luzon, PAGASA said.

Catanduanes, Sorsogon, northern and eastern Samar are currently under tropical cyclone warning signal (TCWS) no. 1. (PNA)

Ombudsman orders 3-month suspension vs. Southern Leyte town mayor

MANILA, Dec. 22 (PNA) -- The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered a three-month suspension without pay of Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte Mayor Napoleon Cuaton.

This after the Ombudsman found Cuaton guilty of simple misconduct.

In its ruling, the Ombudsman found that in July 2013, Cuaton deliberately failed to reinstate Administrative Aide I Gerry Mencide as directed by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) which ruled that he was illegally terminated without cause.

Worse, the respondent appointed another individual to occupy Mencide’s position.

“It is clear that respondent Cuaton intentionally disregarded CSC’s order of reinstatement. Instead of implementing the Decision, he issued two unnumbered Office Orders removing complainant from his position,” the Ombudsman said.

Under the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service, the administrative offense of simple misconduct is a less grave offense punishable by suspension of one month and one day to six months for the first offense.

The Ombudsman ordered the Regional Office of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to implement the suspension order. (PNA)

Christmas: a season of mixed emotions for families mourning the death of their loved ones
By Ferdinand G. Patinio

MANILA, Dec. 22 (PNA) -- While Christmas is a happy season for most Filipino families, an official of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM) said it is a painful season particularly for families whose loved ones have recently died

According to Fr. Carmelo Arada Jr., assistant commissioner of the RCAM’s Commission on Liturgy, the annual celebration is also a special time for Filipinos to gather as a family.

“Yung Pasko para sa mga Pilipino talagang it is an occasion to gather as a family, kaya it is also in Christmas, it is a happy season but it is also a painful season especially those who have just died that year. Yung iba they celebrate Christmas by maintaining an empty chair in the dining table to remember na di siya nawawala sa pamilya,” he said.

The Catholic priest added, “Masayang pantheon ng Pasko pero sa maraming tao malungkot din, halimbawa yung mga nanay at tatay na nagkaroon na ng sari-sariling pamilya at anak nila, so it is a lonely Christmas for them.”

With this, Arada noted that Christmas, the day Jesus Christ was born should also remind the people that life is short and the occasion should not only allow them to be good but also year round.

“Ngayon reality 'yan na talagang mainly lang ang buhay, Christmas is a reminder for us na life is short, life is fleeting, hindi lang Pasko 'yung pagiging mabuting tao, we do it the entire year because maikli lang ang buhay, life is short and fleeting,” he explained.

Arada said that during holidays and all other special occasions, he visits his mother at the cemetery to pay respect and “to recognize the role of his mother in becoming a priest.”

“Ako pumupunta ako ng sementeryo, sa nanay ko. Ako lahat, actually hanggang ngayon I go to my mother every week kahit very short lang na visit, during significant occasions, birthday, anniversary, Pasko, I celebrate my first Mass of the day sa tomb ng nanay ko,” he said.

The RCAM official added, “Actually kapag pumupunta ako sa sementeryo ang daming tao kahit walang okasyon eh, dun sila nagpipiknik, dun sila. ‘Yung parang recognition din natin yan na death does not end our relationships, our love for each other. Death does not cancel Christmas. Kasi hindi ba minsan kapag namatayan kayo, ayoko nang mag Pasko. Yung paniniwala natin na even beyond death, there is love.” (PNA)

DFA warns Filipinos on online employment scams in Portugal

MANILA, Dec. 22 (PNA) -- The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon once again reminds the public to be extra cautious in making transactions over the internet with spurious companies and individuals offering employment and issuances of entry/working visas for companies in Portugal or other countries in Europe, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.

The Embassy has recently noted continuing cases of Filipinos who have been victimized or have received e-mails from alleged companies or law firms in Portugal who offer jobs and/or promise to process entry/visa permits for employment through payment of fees by money transfer.

In some cases, unscrupulous individuals have misrepresented real and even reputable companies in Portugal by using information on their websites but replacing their contact information. These individuals require payment of fees for Entry Clearance Certificates, International Overseas Employment Certificates (IOEC) and Affidavits of Guarantee Fund, all of which are not required by Portuguese authorities.

In other cases, the victim is asked to transact with a designated travel agency who will process the necessary visas and paperwork required for the job contract.

"The public is hereby advised to exercise due diligence and caution in dealing with unverified parties to avoid being victimized by these scams. Be aware that business companies with international dealings rarely hire employees solely on the basis of curriculum vitae but will always require personal interviews. Prospective employees should likewise be wary of job offers from individuals who ask for monetary fees for testing or processing of documents prior to employment because this is a sure sign of a scam,"the embassy said.

The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon has been coordinating with companies in Portugal and with local police authorities on this matter.

Filipinos who wish to work in Portugal or have other transactions (except tourist visa applications which are already handled by the Embassy of Greece in Manila) may contact the Portuguese Embassy in Jakarta through the following contact information:

Embassy of Portugal

Jalan Indramayu No. 2, Menteng, 10310

Jakarta, Indonesia

Phone: +6-221-319-08030 ; +6-221-319-08022

Fax: +6-221-319-0831

E-mail: porembjak@cbn.net.idporembjak@jakarta.dgaccp.ptmail@jakarta.dgaccp.pt

The public may also contact the Philippine Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal at filipinas.emb.lisbon@gmail.com. (PNA)

Preparing for the Presence of God

Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight...And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Luke 3:4, 6

If we are to receive the powerful presence of God, we must prepare ourselves. John the Baptist was God’s messenger to help people prepare to receive the Savior of the world. John preached unwaveringly: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven at hand!” (Matt. 3:2). Those who heard John’s message and prepared their lives recognized Jesus when He came, and they left all to follow Him. This was especially true of the disciples, whose hearts God Himself prepared (Matt. 16:17). Preparation must precede God’s presence!

God’s instruction for preparation is specific: repentance! This involves a complete change of mind, heart, will, and behavior toward Him. He is Lord, and your life must be prepared to receive Him as your Lord. Anything less is inadequate. Some were obviously unprepared to follow Jesus and missed the opportunity (Luke 9:57-62). The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were largely unprepared for His arrival. They knew the Messiah was coming. They even knew where He would be born (Matt. 2:4-6). Yet when word came that the Savior had been born, they made no effort to join Him, preferring instead their religious ritual.

If you are unprepared, you, too, will miss the opportunity to experience Jesus. You may practice religion, but you will miss God. While others encounter the Lord personally in worship, your heart will remain unmoved. As others receive a fresh word from God, you will experience a painful silence. Religious activity can never substitute for a heart that is pure before Him. Purity comes only through repentance. Pray, as the Psalmist did, that God will examine your heart and reveal your need to repent of your sin (Ps. 139:23-24).

PHL shares post gains, PHP ends flat vs USD

MANILA, Dec. 21 (PNA) - - The local stocks market and the Philippine peso took a breather Wednesday after days of being in the negative.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) finished the day with a 0.42-percent , or 27.70 points, increase to 6,686.36 points.

A trader attributed this to correction, citing that this is in line with the region.

All Shares rose 0.33 percent and most of the sectors followed suit.

Services led the sectoral indices with a 1.54 percent increase followed by the Financials with 1.16 percent jump.

Mining and Oil rose 0.67 points and Holding Firms by 0.33 points.

On the other hand, Property and Industrial shed 0.24 percent and 0.19 percent, respectively.

Volume of trade reached 916.63 million shares amounting to Php 5.28 billion.

Gainers led losers at 109 to 49 while 48 stocks were unchanged.

The peso ended the day flat to a greenback at 49.99, which a trader said is just normal after episodes of depreciation for weeks now.

It again touched the 50-level but still managed to finish shy of this level.

This, after it opened the day at 49.97 and traded between 50.00 and 49.95.

Average level for the day stood at 49.98, same as in the previous session.

Volume of trade reached USD 421 million, higher than the USD 363.8 million Tuesday.

The local currency is projected to trade between 49.80 and 50.00 Thursday. (PNA)

The port and Costanera
Just beyond Avenida Roque Penez, Calle Fleming, more commonly known as the Bajada Vieja, is one of Posada’s most picturesque streets, lined with original nineteenth-century houses. The street leads down to the port, where boats formerly departed to Paraguay and Brazil, though the rising level of the Paraná has put all ferry services on hold for the immediate future. Nearby, at Roque Saenz Peña 1405, the Galería de Mate is worth browsing for its dizzying array of yerba as well as all the accompanying equipment, and other local handicrafts.

From here, the riverside walkway known as the Costanera is lined with bars and restaurants and is a lovely spot to watch the sunset or wonder about life in Encarnacíon, Paraguay, clearly visible on the opposite bank. Currently stretching about twenty blocks from north to east, it has been much improved in recent years, and is popular with joggers and dog-walkers; plans are in place to extend it as far as the international bridge.

Pre-Columbian Argentina

Of all South American countries, superficially, at least, Argentina has the least marked pre-colonial culture. During the nineteenth century in particular, whole indigenous peoples were wiped out by various waves of newcomers, their superior weapons and their deadly diseases. Yet
drinking mate â€" now a quintessentially Argentine custom â€" was learned from the native peoples, while a good many traditional festivals and prevailing superstitious beliefs were inherited from those who lived on Argentine soil long before the Europeans arrived. Though no Machu
Picchu, the pre-Columbian â€" and mostly pre-Inca â€" ruins at Quilmes, Tilcara and Shinkal are nevertheless marvellous archeological sites, while fine rock drawings can be admired at accessible locations across the country. - The Rough Guide

9 under probe for 41 missing firearms in Urdaneta City Police Station

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Dec. 23 (PNA) -- Nine members of the Urdaneta City Police Station (UPS), one of them a non-uniformed personnel, are under investigation in connection with the missing 41 firearms of various calibers at the armory of the police station.

Supt. Jackie Candelario, deputy police regional director for operations, reported that investigation into the missing firearms is now being conducted jointly by the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

The investigation was ordered by the Police Regional Office 1 following an inventory conducted by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) regional office that 41 firearms in the armory of the Urdaneta police could not be accounted for.

Candelario described the incident as a big blow to the police organization that needs to be investigated thoroughly to pinpoint the person or persons responsible.

Those under investigation, he said, were temporarily relieved of their respective posts and are now restricted to quarters at the Police Provincial Office in Lingayen until the resolution of the case.

He said investigators are looking into whether the incident was perpetrated by only one person or in connivance with other police personnel. (PNA)

PDIC to continue processing claims of Xavier-Tibod Bank, Inc. (A Microfinance Bank) depositors

MANILA, Dec. 22 (PNA) -- The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) announced that deposit insurance claims from depositors of the closed Xavier-Tibod Bank, Inc. (A Microfinance Bank) who have not filed their claims may be filed at the PDIC Public Assistance Center, 3rd Floor, SSS Bldg., 6782 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, Makati City.

Claims for deposit insurance may be filed until December 2, 2018. Claims may also be filed by mail.

When filing deposit insurance claims at the PDIC Public Assistance Center, depositors are required to submit their original evidence of deposit and present two valid photo-bearing IDs with signature of the depositor directly to PDIC.

Depositors may also file their claims through mail and enclose their original evidence of deposit and photocopy of two valid photo-bearing IDs with signature, together with a duly accomplished Claim Form which can be downloaded from the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph.

PDIC reminds depositors to deal only with PDIC authorized officers.

Depositors who are below 18 years old should submit either a photocopy of their Birth Certificate issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or a duly certified copy issued by the Local Civil Registrar as an additional requirement, with the Claim Form signed by the parent.

Claimants who are not the signatories in the bank records are required to submit an original copy of a notarized Special Power of Attorney. In the case of a minor depositor, the Special Power of Attorney must be executed by the parent. The format of the Special Power of Attorney may be downloaded from the PDIC website.

In addition, all depositors who have outstanding loans or payables to the bank have to coordinate with the duly authorized PDIC Loans officer prior to the settlement of their deposit insurance claim.

The procedures and requirements for filing deposit insurance claims are likewise posted in the PDIC website.

Xavier-Tibod Bank was ordered closed by the Monetary Board through Resolution No. 2133.A dated December 1, 2016. It is a two-unit rural bank with Head Office located on Pabayo St., Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City (Capital), Misamis Oriental. Its other banking office (OBO) is located along National Highway, Brgy. Poblacion, Salay, Misamis Oriental.

For more information, depositors may contact the Public Assistance Department at telephone numbers (02) 841-4630 to 31, or e-mail PDIC at pad@pdic.gov.ph. Depositors outside Metro Manila may call the PDIC Toll Free Hotline at 1-800-1-888-PDIC (7342). (PNA)

EXL names Nagaraja Srivatsan EVP and Chief Growth Officer
Nasdaq-listed outsourcing and analytics company EXL has announced the appointment of Nagaraja Srivatsan to the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer. Based at EXL's corporate headquarters in New York, Srivatsan will oversee sales and marketing, EXL consulting and strategy. He will also join EXL's Executive Committee. Prior to EXL, Srivatsan was Senior Vice President and Venture Partner at Cognizant, where he spent 14 years holding various senior leadership roles. EXL Vice Chairman and CEO Rohit Kapoor said Srivatsan's deep understanding of digital and as-a-service solutions will help EXL continue to develop differentiated offerings within the company's core domains.

Duterte pushing for more BPO businesses in the Philippines
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is encouraging business process outsourcing (BPO) companies to further expand and add more centers in the country. Duterte said he is pushing for more BPO businesses in the country, in response to questions from some executives of the BPO sector and other industries. Craig Reines, Chief Operating Officer of Sitel, expressed concern that certain changes in the economic landscape in terms of investment incentives may be disadvantageous to the BPO sector. Duterte, however, assured business leaders that there will be changes for the better. He even urged BPO firms to establish BPO centres in his hometown Davao.

Microsoft extends Accenture contract for another 7 years
Accenture will continue to provide to Microsoft finance and accounting (F&A) and procurement business process services in the next seven years. This, after Microsoft awarded Accenture a contract extension through 2025. The original contract was awarded in 2007. Accenture will continue to provide Microsoft with procurement, accounts payable, financial and accounting services for its more than 120 subsidiaries worldwide. Sean McNamara, managing director for Accenture’s Communications, Media & Technology business, said the company's relationship with Microsoft is one of the industry’s great examples of what two organizations can achieve in a long-term, sustained collaboration that is focused on driving business outcomes.

Visaya Knowledge Process Outsourcing gets outstanding SME award
The Department of Trade and Industry has conferred the Most Outstanding SME Award for the Service Sector to Visaya Knowledge Process Outsourcing during the recent National Export Congress. It was the second consecutive year for Visaya to receive the award, which highlights the significant contribution of exports as the main source of the country's foreign revenue. Visaya KPO specializes in healthcare information management, contact center solutions, finance and accounting outsourcing and IT consulting. It was established to cater to the needs of small to medium-sized companies in the US.

Top BPO firms join Bukidnon job fair
Philippine Call Centre Institute, Teleperformance and Convergys Philippines participated in the annual job fair organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bukidnon in Valencia City. A total of 21 companies participated in the job fair, which resulted in on-the-spot hirings of about 33 applicants. Convergys Philippines was among those who made on-the-spot hiring. Convergys was hiring for its Cebu City facility. DOLE has been holding a series of job fair in the countryside to provide residents employment opportunities.

Qualfon lights up Christmas tree to support children's home
BPO firm Qualfon recently held a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at its Cebu contact center as a fundraiser for the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Hearts Children's Home. The Christmas tree lighting also celebrated Qualfon's expanded recruitment center. Qualfon employees purchased more than 100 Christmas tree ornaments and gave presents to children at the local orphanage. Qualfon will use monetary donations from the ornaments to purchase school supplies and augment the student’s school-related expenses for the month of December. Qualfon Cebu Site Director Steve Brown said Qualfon takes pride in its mission to be the best BPO and make people's lives better.

Teleperformance raises USD250m fund
France-headquartered Teleperformance announced that it has raised USD250m from a senior unsecured debt issue. The fundraising took the form of a US private placement with institutional investors, and was carried out in two tranches: USD75m with a seven-year bullet maturity and a 3.92% coupon, and USD175m with a ten-year bullet maturity and a 4.22% coupon. Teleperformance said the proceeds will be used to repay a portion of the bank debt incurred in connection with the acquisition of LanguageLine Solutions LLC. Group Chief Financial Officer Olivier Rigaudy said Teleperformance is naturally as committed as ever to maintaining a balanced financial structure in order to ensure sustainable growth.

Aegis Limited gets award for employing PwDs
Global outsourcing and technology services firm Aegis Limited announced that it has received the National Award 2016 for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). The award was given by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. Aegis currently employs more than 700 PwDs globally, accounting for over 1.75% of its total workforce. The company has partnered with over 27 NGOs worldwide and more than 100 institutions. Aegis Limited Global CEO Sandip Sen said "diversity and inclusion" is at the core of the company's business strategy and this will continue to be one of Aegis' key focus areas.

Dumaguete townscape to include BPO office space
Real estate developer Filinvest's 1.9-hectare townscape in Dumaguete will include more than 2,000 square meters of business process outsourcing (BPO) office space. This was revealed by Filinvest during the recent unveiling of the life-sized market of Marina Town, the first land development of the company in Negros Island Region. The townscape is located across the Dumaguete Bay. About 73% of the total land area of the project is allotted for open areas and commercial establishments, including a hotel and a lifestyle mall with over 2,000-sqm of BPO office space.

Accenture CEO earns USD18.5m compensation in 2016
Accenture Chairman and CEO Pierre Nanterme earned a total of USD18.5m in compensation this year, higher than last year's USD15.8m. In a filing at the Securities and Exchange Commission, Accenture said Nanterme's compensation this year is comprised of 74% long-term equity awards, 50% base compensation, 16% annual bonus, and 5% one-time discretionary cash bonus. The company said the compensation program for named executive officers is design to reward them for their overall contribution to company performance. Nanterme became chairman of Accenture's Board of Directors in February 2013 and served as CEO since January 2011. Nanterme joined Accenture’s global management committee in 2006, and was group chief executive of our Financial Services operating group from September 2007 to December 2010.

EXL named Leader in IDC Marketplace
Operations management and analytics firm EXL has been named a Leader in the IDC Marketplace: Worldwide Business Analytics BPO Services 2016 Vendor Assessment. IDC Marketplace is based on a comprehensive and rigorous framework that highlights the factors expected to be the most influential for both short-term and long-term success. It includes a quantitative and qualitative analysis of 11 business analytics service provider. Ankor Rai, Senior Vice President and Global Co-Head of EXL Analytics, said the recognition showcases EXL Analytics' ability to innovate and executive at a speed that meets the rapid change required in today's business environment. EXL was earlier named as a Leader in the Everest Group report ‘Analytics BPS - Service Provider Landscape with PEAK Matrixâ,,¢ Assessment 2016’ and the ‘Winner’s Circle’ in the ‘HfS Blueprint Report: BFS Analytics Services’.

Cognizant acquires Australian consulting firm Adaptra
Global outsourcing firm Cognizant said it has acquired Sydney-based consulting, business transformation and IT services firm Adaptra. The financial details of the deal were not immediately disclosed by Cognizant, which said that approximately 100 professionals from Adaptra will join the outsourcing firm. Adaptra works with five of the top 10 insurers in Australia and New Zealand to define their business and operating models, and provide platform advisory and implementation services. Cognizant Asia Pacific head Jayajyoti Sengupta said Adaptra's business transformation and expertise will complement Cognizant's digital business, operations and systems capabilities.

Now Corp teams up with Eton Properties to strengthen presence in BPO sector
Listed IT firm Now Corp has teamed up with Eton Properties to provide internet services to Eton Centris, a 12-hectare retail and mega-complex that is home to the largest business process outsourcing companies in the Philippines. Now Corp considers the alliance with Eton as a major step towards its goal of strengthening its presence in the BPO sector. Winning Eton's business further strengthens Now Corp's niche in the telco industry, said Kristian Pura, head of enterprise marketing at the company. Eton Properties AVP for marketing, PR and corporate communications Martha Herrera said speedy and uninterrupted internet connection is crucial  for the day-to-day operations of BPO companies.

Submarine cable to boost Mindanao's CT-BPO appeal
The Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (Bimp-Eaga) Submarine Terrestrial (Best) Cable System project is forecast to further boost Mindanao's position as an investment destination for ICT-BPO companies. According to ICT Davao Inc President Samuel Matunog, the early years of the laying down of the Best cable system will serve the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The challenge, he said, is how to get the connection out of ARMM and into neighboring provinces. The project will provide better internet interconnection and increase bandwidth within the Bimp-Eaga sub-economic region.

Legal process outsourcing market forecast to hit USD27bn by 2024
A new report released by Grand View Research showed that the global legal process outsourcing (LPO) market could grow as much as USD27bn by 2024, with the Philippines, India and South Africa as popular destinations. Litigation support is anticipated to gain prominence, accounting for more than 20% of the revenue share by 2024. The report also found that a majority of LPO providers are maintaining their physical presence in the US, along with back offices in the Asia Pacific region, in order to strengthen their foothold in the market. Some of the key players in the legal process outsourcing market include Axiom Law, Elevate Services Inc, Pangea3 LLC, UnitedLex Corporation, and IntegreonInc.

Vietnamese BPO opens office in Cebu
Vietnamese multinational software and outsourcing company FPT Software has opened its Philippine operations in Cebu IT Park to serve its growing number of clients around the world. FPT now offers its services to local companies, especially those in the banking and finance, manufacturing, and BPO industries. To support this endeavor, FPT Software created a Philippine division of the worldwide business development office to focus its efforts in reaching out to Philippine clients. For Philippine clients, FPT can provide human resource information system, payroll system, treasury management system, accounting and inventory system. Headquartered in Hanoi, FPT Software also has presence in Japan, USA, Germany, France, Slovakia, Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia.

Cebu BPO firms to form their own association
Locally owned outsourcing companies in Cebu will soon have their own association, according to Performance 360 Global Services founder Michael Cubos. The new organization will be part of the clusters of the ICT/BPO business group that the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants to create. The local BPO group will become the voice of the small and medium-sized outsourcing or IT companies operated and owned by Cebuanos. Cubos believes the country's IT/BPO industry should be capitalized by Filipino entrepreneurs as its potential is huge and sustainable. At present, local outsourcing and ICT companies are not formally organized as a group, except that most BPO companies are also members of the IBPAP national organization.

NOCCI lauds PPA for NIR request on proposed Bacong, Negros Oriental port facility

DUMAGUETE CITY, Dec. 20 (PNA) -- The multi-awarded Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) lauded and commended the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)-Dumaguete Port Management Office (PMO) headed by Port Manager Atty. Sarah Mijares for its swift and immediate action on the request of the Negros Island Regional Development Council (NI-RDC) for the conduct of a preliminary feasibility study on the proposed seaport in Bacong, Negros Oriental.

The proposed seaport aims to address the growing volume of domestic and international cargoes in the province of Negros Oriental.

It is also expected to boost employment in the municipality and other areas outside of Bacong.

NOCCI president Edward Du, in a statement Tuesday, thanked the PPA officials for supporting NOCCI's advocacy for a new seaport in the municipality of Bacong given its strategic location and as part of the booming Metro Dumaguete economic growth corridor.

The proposed Bacong seaport will also complement the proposed immediate relocation of the Sibulan airport to Bacong, Du said.

NOCCI is also pushing for the immediate endorsement of the Bacong airport feasibility study to NEDA for possible funding in 2018 by the national government.

“These two major infrastructure projects when completed will surely boost trade, investments & tourism in Negros Oriental”, Du added.

Du was recently elected as Chairman of the Negros Island Economic Development Committee and is also the incumbent co-chair of the Negros Oriental Provincial MSMED Council.

NOCCI recently won the 2016 Most Outstanding Chamber of Commerce Award in Asia and Pacific in Taipeh, Taiwan and will vie for the 2017 World Chamber Award in Sydney, Australia.

Just recently, the Negros Island regional development council (RDC) passed Resolution No. 20, series of 2016, requesting the PPA to conduct a feasibility study on the proposed seaport in Bacong. (PNA)

Aklan SP bats for ISO certification

KALIBO, Aklan, Dec. 20 (PNA) -- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Aklan is eyeing for an International Standardization Organization (ISO) accreditation.

This was revealed by Vice Governor Reynaldo Quimpo during the Christmas party of the SP held at Nenettes Garden here Monday night. His wife former Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo is doing the coordination for the ISO certification.

"We are now in close coordination with the Anglo Japanese American, the certifying body of the ISO in complying with the requirements for the ISO," Quimpo said.

As part of the requirement for an efficient delivery of SP services, the legislative body will soon inaugurate the new SP building. It is expected to be a modern legislative office.

Quimpo also urged the local media to take active participation in all of the SP undertakings for transparent governance and help the people of Aklan.

"We consider the media as our best friend in development works," said Quimpo.(PNA)

Dumaguete prelate calls on lay faithful to reject death penalty
By Judaline F. Partlow

DUMAGUETE CITY, Dec. 20 (PNA) -- Bishop Julito Cortes of the Diocese of Dumaguete has exhorted all Catholic lay faithful to support the Church’s stand rejecting the re-imposition of the death penalty.

Bishop Cortes disclosed Tuesday that the diocese has released a statement that “emphasizes the stand of the Church that the death penalty is really not acceptable”.

He cited Pope Francis in his document Amoris Laetitia that the church rejects death penalty and quoted another Pope and now a saint, John Paul II, who said the death penalty is “cruel and unnecessary”.

“As Catholics and Christians, we have to oppose this because life is sacred,” said Bishop Cortes.

As the Christian world celebrates Christmas, the Dumaguete prelate notes that through the birth of Christ, “God has become man and by becoming man, God wants to save man and man has become sacred”.

“And it is for that reason that man has an inviolable right to live. It is a God-given right,” Cortes stressed.

On the part of the Church, Bishop Cortes said they continue to pray for the enlightenment of legislators, especially the congressmen, during the days of discussions and debates and further readings before the pending bill on the death penalty reaches the Senate.

“What we are worried about is the rumor that it might be railroaded and so with our prayers we hope that those Catholics and Christians that are concerned about the people and the country would talk to their congressmen to persuade them about this particular stand that is based on the teachings of the law of God against killing”, said Cortes.

According to him, God’s law, “Thou Shall Not Kill”, does not “give even the government the right to be able to take away life and even criminals have a right to that life”, he added.

Cortes disclosed that as early as September 14 this year, the diocese has already come out with a circular letter providing the priests with ethical guidelines on the proposal to restore the death penalty, as given by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

The guidelines help the priests in their catechesis on the Church’s stand against the death penalty but as a concrete implementation of this, the diocese has come up with a homily guide for all the priests during the Advent Season.

Starting in Advent, during the whole Misa Aguinaldo or the nine-day novena masses up to Christmas and on to the Epiphany, the homilies tailored against the death penalty is the diocese’s initiative at implementing the ethical guidelines, Bishop Cortes explained.

“This will help to form our people about the issues at stake regarding extrajudicial killings and the death penalty”, Cortes said.

Under the leadership of Fr. Carmelito Limbaga, Jr., the Chancellor of the Diocese of Dumaguete, the deacons, pre-deacons and selected priests, the diocese has come up with this homily guide, entitled “Pierced Side”.

The cover of the homily guide has a “dramatic” picture of a manger with the crown of thorns on top and blood splattered all over, a photo provided by renowned local photographer Charlie Sindiong and with Fr. Limbaga collaborating on the concept, Cortes explained.

During this Advent Season, Bishop Cortes said the Church talks about four elements that are woven in the homilies, to include the extrajudicial killings, the death penalty, the Year of the Parish and homage to Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Meanwhile, as Christmas Day is fast approaching, Bishop Cortes in his message to the people says Advent is “a period of looking into one’s self and is an opportunity for conversion”.

“It is a time to renew one’s relationship with God and to stay away from sin, which alienates us from God and alienates us from each other”.

According to him, this is a season of grace to choose a life in God and that is the best way to prepare for Christmas.

“The inner conversion and renewal of one’s relationship with God in Jesus Christ is the best way to prepare for Christmas”, Cortes said.

RDC lauds appointment of Cabinet official to oversee post-Yolanda resettlement

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 20 (PNA) -â€" The Regional Development Council (RDC) here has welcomed the appointment of Presidential Assistant Wendel Avisado as a key to “address bottlenecks” in the resettlement of families badly-affected by super typhoon Yolanda.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Director Bonifacio Uy, acting RDC chairperson, said Avisado convened concerned government agencies in Manila to discuss several issues concerning the relocation of thousands of families.

Among those present are officials from local electric cooperatives, Local Water Utilities Authority and National Housing Authority.

“We hope that through his appointment, there will be an enhanced implementation of post-Yolanda resettlement activities in the region,” said Uy, whose agency is tasked to monitor recovery programs after the monster typhoon.

Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte assigned Avisado to oversee recovery efforts for families affected by the 2013 super typhoon. The official was the former Davao City administrator from 2004 to 2010 during the term of Duterte as mayor.

The appointment came more than a month after the President publicly expressed disappointment over the slow pace of transfer of families from danger zones to relocation sites in the past three years.

During the 3rd year of super typhoon Yolanda commemoration last Nov. 8, the President asked Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino to facilitate resettlement of families.

Dino has urged all government agencies and the private sectors in the Visayas to “give their full support” to Avisado as part of the government’s thrust to speed up resettlement program.

“In three years, there were only 1,500 households resettled. The President wanted to fully transfer everyone away from the danger zone. In less than two months, we doubled the number of resettled families and the numbers are rising,” Dino said in a Facebook post on Dec. 17.

The NHA reported that as of Dec. 19, 2016 in this city alone, there are already 3,624 permanent houses occupied out of the 14,433 target units for super typhoon Yolanda survivors. (PNA)

City gov't eyes bigger venue for Dinagyang’s golden year

ILOILO CITY, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- The city government here is looking forward to the completion of a bigger Freedom Grandstand in time for the 50th year of the staging of the Dinagyang Festival in 2018.

The new Freedom Grandstand will have a 4,000-seat capacity, double the size of the existing structure at J.M. Basa Street, City Proper. It will also have office spaces, according to a media statement from the city public information office.

The structure will be built in Muelle Loney facing the Iloilo River. It will rise in a 2,600-square meter property of Panay Railways Inc. which the City Hall will purchase at Php32 mill

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog noted that construction works are expected to start next year and hoped to be completed on target schedule.

“We want to hold the 50th Dinagyang Festival in a bigger new venue fit for its golden year and to accommodate more guests and spectators,” said Mabilog.

The present grandstand will be demolished to pave the way for restoration of Sunburst Park, which will also show the beauty of façade of Customs House or Aduana building.

The City Council already approved a resolution authorizing Mabilog to sign in behalf of the city a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) of Department of Tourism (DOT) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) for Sunburst Park revival project.

Under the MOU, the City Government will “maintain, operate, manage and administer” the Sunburst Park once it is finished. BOC owns the park property.

Sunburst was named in honor of the American 40th Infantry Division of the same nickname that liberated Iloilo City from Japanese during World War II.

Meanwhile, occupants of the site where the new grandstand will be constructed will be relocated to city-owned resettlement site. The Bureau of Fire Protection regional and city offices will be allotted satellite parking area at their current location as they will be transferred to Molo district. (PNA)

DOLE-12 steps up monitoring on compliance with new wage order

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Dec. 20 (PNA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 12 has stepped up its monitoring on the compliance of private employers with the region’s new minimum wage rates.

Jessie dela Cruz, secretary of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB), said Tuesday they have launched another round of inspections on companies and commercial establishments in parts of the region to ensure the proper implementation of Wage Order No. RB XII-19, which took effect last Oct. 9.

The new wage order, which was approved by the board on Sept. 9, provided for a P15 to P20 increase in the daily wages of private workers in the region.

It raised the area’s floor pay to as high as P295 from the previous P275.

“Our labor laws compliance officers are currently conducting inspections to check if there are companies and commercial or business establishments that are not yet implementing the new wage rates,” dela Cruz said.

The official said the inspections or enforcement activities are focused on five priority industries in the region.

These are companies and establishments in security, manpower, manufacturing, construction and retail industries.

Aside from the regular inspections, he said they conduct surprise visits to employers that were subjects of complaints from their workers.

“We’re entertaining anonymous complaints from workers and we prioritize these companies for the inspections,” dela Cruz said.

Under the new wage order, workers in the non-agriculture sector received a P20 adjustment, bringing their daily wages to P295.

For those in agriculture and retail sectors, the RTWPB-12 raised the previous daily wage rate of P257 to P272.

Dela Cruz said they have not yet received any application from local companies and establishments for a one-year exemption on the implementation of the new wage order.

Based on the wage order’s approved implementing rules and regulations, he said concerned companies may apply for such exemption until Jan. 26, 2017.

He said companies that were severely affected by natural and man-made calamities like floods, earthquake and arson may seek for the one-year relief.

The applications would be subjected by the RTWPB-12 to stringent evaluation process, among them the analysis of the financial statements of the concerned employer, he added. (PNA)

South Cotabato police gets P10.4M for construction of new office building

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Dec. 20 (PNA) -- Police personnel in South Cotabato have started the preparatory works for the construction of its new office building at a new site in Koronadal City.

Sr. Supt. Franklin Alvero, South Cotabato police director, said Tuesday the bidding process has already started for the project, which received an initial allocation of P10.4 million from their central office.

He said the Police Regional Office 12’s bids and awards committee held last week a procurement conference as part of the process.

“The actual construction works are projected to start by January and it is due for completion by October,” he said in a radio interview.

The police official said Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno had endorsed the immediate funding and implementation of the project based on requests from the provincial government and other local leaders.

The new office building of the South Cotabato police will rise in a lot owned by the provincial government in Barangay Morales in Korondal City.

The provincial police is presently based at the old barracks of the defunct Philippine Constabulary in Barangay Zone 4.

The city government of Koronadal, which owns the site, had been pushing for the relocation of the provincial police office.

Koronadal City Mayor Peter Miguel said they are planning to develop the site as the new base of the city police, which is currently occupying a portion of the old city hall compound at the city’s main commercial district.

The mayor said Secretary Sueno has pledged an initial P5 million grant for the construction of the new city police station.

Miguel said they are looking at building a modern police station building patterned after the main base of the Valenzuela City police.

The building will host modern lockup or detention facilities, underground parking spaces and a helipad at the roof top, he said.

Meanwhile, Alvero said the provincial government of South Cotabato has approved the release of around P4 million as support to its operations.

He said the funding would be utilized for the logistical needs of operating units engaged in public safety activities.(PNA)

DBM tells Degamo: NIR on status quo basis

DUMAGUETE CITY, Dec. 20 (PNA) -- Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo has confirmed receipt of a letter from Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Benjamin Diokno that the composition of the Negros Island Region (NIR) will be on a status quo basis.

As a result, their respective budgets will be from Region 7 for Negros Oriental and Region 6 for Negros Occidental, Degamo said Monday evening.

The letter, which Gov. Degamo said that he received last week, was in reference to the joint appeal for retention of NIR coming from the two governors, other officials, leaders of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and business groups, among others.

The joint appeal assured President Rodrigo Duterte that NIR will not incur additional costs to the national government and that regional officials will be able to effectively function within its budget.

It also said that NIR will level the playing field in developing the Visayas regions and accelerate its transformation as a showcase of socio-economic progress, thereby encouraging reverse migration and decongestion of Metro Manila.

Secretary Diokno stressed that while the national government has acknowledged such presentation, forming the NIR administrative region at this time may not be timely in the pursuit of the federal government being advocated by President Rodrigo Duterte even as such will require a huge budget for it to be fully operational.

Diokno, in his letter, said the matter on whether or not to retain the NIR still rests with the President. (PNA)

Zamboanga City allocates PhP49-M to pay CNA incentives of employees

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec. 20 (PNA) -- The city government has allocated PhP 49-million for the payment of the 2016 Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) to its employees this month.

Ferdinando Alvarez, city budget officer, said that a total of 1,960 city government employees are entitled to receive PhP 25,000 each under this year’s CNA.

Alvarez said they included department heads and regular rank and file employees as well as city councilors.

Alvarez said city government employees who have been employed and still in service as of October 31, 2016 are qualified to receive the CNA incentive.

The CNA is granted based on the savings of the city government coming from traveling expenses, communication expenses, repairs and maintenance, transportation and delivery expenses, supplies and materials, and utility expenses without hampering the operation of the office.

Alvarez said the payment of the CNA will be done by office and must not be released earlier than December 15.

Belen Sheila Covarrubias, city hall information officer, on Tuesday said that the release of the CNA started since December 16.

“The release (of the CNA) is ongoing,” Covarrubias added.

The payment of this year’s CNA by the city government to its employees is the third since it started in 2014. (PNA)

Zambo mayor orders probe on food poisoning case

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec. 20 (PNA) â€" Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has ordered the City Health Office and other concerned agencies to investigate an incident of food poisoning that recently downed 33 people.

Salazar issued the order after she learned of the incident that occurred during a Christmas party on December 9 in one of the local hotels but was only reported to the City Health Office (CHO) on Sunday, December 18.

Reports received by the CHO disclosed that nine of the 33 patients were hospitalized while the remaining 24 were treated as out-patients.

Dr. Ivy Iturralde, head of the city epidemiology surveillance unit, said they are conducting "contact-tracing" to determine the cause of the food poisoning.

However, Iturralde said they are facing difficulty in the conduct of "contact-tracing" since several days had passed before the incident was reported to them.

Salazar has advised management of food establishments to ensure the foodstuffs they serve are fresh and well-cooked to ensure the safety of the customers especially this yuletide season.

“In the light of the Christmas season, we are calling all food establishment operators to ensure the safety (of their customers) and the quality of food they serve,” Salazar said.

Iturralde said they have assigned sanitary inspectors to check local food service establishments to ensure the food they serve are safe for consumption. (PNA)

Zambo police launch manhunt to recapture escapee-detainee

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec. 20 (PNA) -- A police investigator is in hot water following the escape of a detainee from his custody in the Halls of Justice in this city.

Senior Supt. Luisito Magnaye, Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) director, on Tuesday said he ordered the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) to conduct a thorough investigation on the incident.

Magnaye said placed under investigation is PO1 Ronie Boy Torres, an investigator of the Police Station 11.

Magnaye said Torres was escorting a detainee, Marvin Francisco, who escaped around 1:20 p.m. at the Hall of Justice in Barangay Sta. Barbara, this city.

He said Torres was waiting for the promulgation of a court resolution and issuance of commitment order when Francisco escaped from his custody.

“It appeared the detainee have thought of escaping after learning he would be committed to the city jail,” he added.

Francisco, 27, a resident of Barangay Sta. Catalina is charged for violation of Republic Act 6539 otherwise known as the Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972.

Magnaye said Francisco was recently arrested by the anti-carnapping unit of ZCPO in Barangay Sta. Catalina.

DTI to open 2 Negosyo Centers in Antique this week

SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique, Dec. 20 (PNA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in this province will open two Negosyo Centers (NCs) in Pandan and Caluya towns this week.

DTI and Go Negosyo Center coordinator today said that the Pandan NC will be launched on Wednesday and December 22 the Caluya NC.

The opening brings to five the available NCs in the province. The first center opened in this capital town in April.

Hopefully next year seven more NCs will open in other towns, he said, adding the Director Mercedes Young is working hard for the plan to get realized.

The opening of the Negosyo centers would facilitate DTI services right in the municipalities without the businessmen going to San Jose de Buenavista where the DTI provincial office is located.

Also business registration as well as entrepreneurship trainings and lectures could already be done at the Negosyo center. (PNA)

Parade of pets adds color to Antique’s Binirayan Festival

SAN JOSE de BUENAVISTA, ANTIQUE, Dec. 20 (PNA) -- Forty-three dog owners bringing with them their pets joined today’s “Pet Day,” one of the events lined up for this year’s Binirayan Festival.

Provincial Veterinarian Dr.Romeo Magdatu said that the activity was held to encourage responsible pet ownership.

“If your dogs are three months old and above give it vaccine so that they will be protected,” Magdatu said. Dog vaccination is also necessary for the safety of the owner and other people.

The event held at the Evelio B. Javier Freedom Park in San Jose de Buenavista was organized by the Office of Provincial Veterinarian, Antique Best Canine Club, Incorporated (ABCCI) and the Binirayan Foundation, Incorporated.

A showcase of tricks, games and costume presentation highlighted the event. (PNA)

LTO-Bayawan City 'motorada' nets over 500 motorcycle registrants

DUMAGUETE CITY, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- The Land Transportation Office (LTO) District Office in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental has successfully staged its motorcycle caravan that resulted in the application for registration of 500 or more motorcycles in its area of coverage.

LTO-Bayawan City district chief Alberta Janine Lawas on Monday disclosed she believes that with the staging of the “1st Motorada: Gasa sa Motorista” motorcycle caravan Saturday, her office has exceeded its target motor vehicle registration for this year.

Lawas, however, could not yet give the exact numbers as her office is still collating data from the weekend “motorada” for those who registered their motorcycles as well as applied for a driver’s license.

The “motorada” is the LTO-Bayawan District Office’s initiative to encourage motorcycle owners in their area of responsibility (AOR) to have their units registered, explained Lawas.

Its AOR include Siaton, Sta. Catalina, Bayawan City and Basay in Negros Oriental but also caters to residents of the adjacent Hinoba-an and Sipalay in Negros Occidental.

Only registered motorcycles in the LTO-Bayawan District Office and drivers with driver’s license were allowed to participate in the “motorada” and were qualified to the raffle promo with a brand new Kawasaki motorcycle for the grand prize.

An employee of the city’s garbage collection section of the Bayawan City local government, Ariel Bilocura, of Bulibuli, Barangay Banga, Bayawan City, was the lucky winner of the Kawasaki LCT 100.

Other raffle prizes included two bicycles, washing machine, gas stove, and sacks of rice, said Lawas.

The LTO-Bayawan District Office and the local government unit of Bayawan City, headed by Mayor Pryde Henry Teves, spearheaded the “motorada”, with partners like Universal Robina Corporation.

Lawas rode on a motorcycle, along with other LTO-Bayawan District Office staff, local government workers and other motorists in the caravan that started from the boulevard and passed through the major city thoroughfares.

Present during the “motorada” were Sr. Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas of the Philippine National Police Regional Police Office 7 in Cebu and Bayawan City Councilor Junjun Carreon, representing Bayawan Mayor Teves and 3rd District Rep. Arnie Teves.

Following the motorcade, questions were raised during a program on different traffic rules and regulations and Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation Code of the Philippines with prizes also given to the winners with the correct answers.

Meanwhile, Lawas has reiterated her appeal to motor vehicle owners to have their units registered otherwise they will face strict sanctions.

She also disclosed that her office is strengthening their campaign against motorcycles without mufflers or with mufflers that do not meet government standards.

Lawas expressed gratitude to the Bayawan City LGU, the sponsors and the participants for making the “motorada” a success. (PNA)

Consumers assured of sufficient supply of Noche Buena products in Antique stores

SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique, Dec 20 (PNA) -- Supply of Noche Buena products in the supermarkets and major grocery stores in Antique is sufficient, as assured by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Antique provincial office.

Glen Fernando of the DTI Antique, on Tuesday, said that they have not received complaints on possible shortage of Noche Buena products.

Gaisano and Robinson’s Mall in Antique’s capital town San Jose de Buenavista have enough stocks like ham, queso de bola, pasta and milk products, he said when he made an ocular inspection of the two establishments on Monday.

“There are tie-up products like spaghetti with sauce and other promotional sales, which are advantageous to consumers,” he said.

He said that DTI will be intensifying its monitoring as more consumers are expected to shop this week in preparation for December 24-25.

He also reminded establishment owners and consumers to always be guided by the Suggested Retail Price (SRP).

“We have distributed SRP posters in different stores for their reference,” Fernando added. (PNA)

TMO to intensify crackdown versus defective mufflers

DUMAGUETE CITY, Dec. 19 (PNA) â€"- The Traffic Management Office (TMO) will intensify its campaign against defective motorcycle mufflers.

TMO Chief Danny Atillo is taking heed of Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo's directive to be more aggressive in apprehending those with defective mufflers especially this Yuletide season to promote peace and order, said City Information Officer Dems Rey Demecillo.

The Traffic Management Office has so far apprehended 119 persons since September 2015 for using defective mufflers, Demecillo further said in a media release Monday.

Atillo was quoted as saying that nearly P60,000 worth fines were also imposed on the violators, while P44,000 in fines and penalties were additionally slapped against them for other offenses.

Nevertheless, Atillo vowed that his office will intensify the crackdown against the misuse of mufflers which generated numerous complaints from inconvenienced citizens. (PNA)
LAP/JFP/PR

5 suspects, including 2 minors, nabbed for illegal manufacture of fireworks in Bulacan

CAMP GEN. ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- Police continue to intensify their crackdown against illegal manufacturers of firecrackers in this province, dubbed as the “fireworks Capital” of the Philippines.

In its latest operations against clandestine fireworks shops, police arrested five suspects, including two minors, during a surveillance in Barangay Pulong Buhangin, Santa Maria.

Bulacan acting police director Senior Supt. Romeo Caramat Jr., identified the arrested suspects as Edwin Del Rosario, 40, caretaker; Rolly Roxas, 32, helper, native of Bocaue Bulacan; Jayr Asi, 26, helper, and the two 15-year old suspects, all residents of Sitio Manggahan, Barangay Pulong Buhangin, Sta. Maria.

Supt. Raniel Valones, acting chief of police of Santa Maria Municipal Police Station, reported that his men arrested the suspects while conducting patrolling and surveillance operation against illegal firecrackers.

Valones said the suspects failed to present any documents pertaining to the manufacturing of fireworks.

Recovered from the suspects were chemicals being used in making fireworks, finished products and other raw materials.

No rest for ‘Oplan Tokhang’ in Puerto Princesa
By Celeste Anna R. Formoso

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- The Yuletide Season and the New Year celebrations will not hinder the local police’s implementation in this highly urbanize city of planned operations under the national government’s anti-drug abuse program "Oplan Tokhang".

Inspector Pearl Manel Lamban-Marzo, spokesperson of the City Police Office (CPO), said in media interviews Monday that lawmen, under Oplan Tokhang, will continue doing house-to-house visits to urge drug users and pushers to voluntary surrender before they are made to bear the full force of the law.

“Oplan Tokhang will continue implementing through the Christmas and New Year celebrations,” Lamban-Marzo said, adding so far, they have already conducted the operation in nine large barangays or villages in Puerto Princesa out of 66.

“We will not stop until we have knocked on the houses of suspected illegal drug users and pushers to convince them to voluntary surrender to prevent any untoward incident,” she said.

As of current, Lamban-Marzo said the number of suspected illegal drug users, who have voluntary surrendered to the CPO has reached over 600 in this city.

The number of individuals, who were arrested, on the other hand, has now reached 77 with the inclusion of Barangay San Rafael Councilor Redentor Macula, 42, who was arrested Sunday night for possession of two sachets of suspected "shabu" or methamphetamine hydrochloride, other drug paraphernalia, a shotgun with live ammunition, and a .38 caliber bullet.

Lamban-Marzo said Macula’s arrest without any incident as a high value target (HVT) was due to a search warrant issued by Judge Angelo Arizala of the Palawan Regional Trial Court (RTC).

“Macula is the first public official on our high value target to be arrested since we started the implementation of Oplan Tokhang in Puerto Princesa,” Lamban-Marzo said.

Charges of illegal possession of drug paraphernalia will be filed against him as soon as investigation has been completed.

Oplan Tokhang is culled from the Cebuano words “Toktok-Hangyo,” which means knocking on doors to make appeals and to give warning against drug users and pushers. (PNA)

DTI: No increase in prices hike of Christmas products in Cagayan Valley Region

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Dec 20 (PNA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 2 is strictly monitoring the prices of Christmas products in all business establishments in the Cagayan Valley Region.

DTI-02 information officer Manilyn Ponce, on Tuesday said the department has dispatched its trade and industry officers and required them to report immediately to the office the business establishments who are not complying with the Suggested Retail Price (SRP) for proper action.

Ponce said the some of the products to be checked are gift items, food products and among others.

The DTI has trained the designated municipal trade and industry officers to effectively implement the department's mandate, she added.

The DTi also posted in all strategic places, particularly in public markets the list of SRP of all groceries and supermarkets.

Ponce said warned erring business establishments to refrain from overpricing and or imposing unnecessary price increases to avoid being charged with penalties. (PNA)

Cebu City cops prepare security plan for Sinulog 2017

CEBU CITY, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is preparing a security plan for the Sinulog 2017 celebration which falls on the third Sunday of January, an official said.

Chief Insp. David Señor, CCPO operations division chief, said the preparation includes a walk-through of the Sinulog Grand Parade route which was conducted on Sunday.

Senor said he was accompanied in the walk-through inspection by the station commanders, the engineering department, the sponsors and the Cebu City Government.

Senor said he noted some minor obstacles in the parade route, but he assured the public that the Sinulog will push through.

“There will be a clearing operation three weeks before the Sinulog. Piles of construction materials that were placed after the road construction will be cleared, together with ambulant vendors and telephone cables,” he said.

Señor said five judging areas will be put up along the routes.

The assembly area will start with the contingents from Barangay Carreta to the area in front of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) on P. Del Rosario up to N. Bacalso Ave.

It will cover the area of Sector 6, 7 and 8 where there will be no judges.

Almost 2,000 security personnel, which includes uniformed men, police in civilian clothes, university students, military, as well as the local government units, will be deployed for crowd control. (PNA)

Dumaguete City issues notices of violations to 'illegal' business establishments

DUMAGUETE CITY, Dec. 19 (PNA) â€"- The local government of Dumaguete City has issued notices of violation to 181 business establishments who have been operating without a mayor's permit based on the inspections conducted by the Dumaguete City Task Force headed by Eduardo Oira.

In its accomplishment report covering the period June 1 to December 14, 2016, the Task Force has conducted 573 inspections, a media release said Monday.

Of the number, 392 were found to have been operating with updated mayor's permit while 181 have none.

The report was forwarded to the City Treasurer's Office, which issued notices of violations.

Penalties will be imposed on the business establishments for delay or failure to apply for mayor's permit.

Oira said that the City Task Force is an agency vested with police powers to harness, mobilize and marshal selected government employees for the appropriate, rigorous and forceful dispensation and implementation of all regulatory ordinances/directive of the City Government of Dumaguete and laws without hesitation. (PNA)

DOH 6 urges Antique LGUs to adopt community-based fireworks display

SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- The Department Health Regional Office 6 (DOH 6) has urged Antique Local Government Units (LGUs) to adopt the community-based fireworks display to prevent injuries this Christmas Season.

DOH6 Assistant Regional Director Paz Corrales, who is in Antique Monday, said that their department will be closely monitoring firework-related injuries as they recently launched their Iwas Paputok campaign to raise public awareness about the hazards of fireworks.

She said that although President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has not signed the Executive Order (EO) banning fireworks, but then the DOH is intensifying its campaign urging the support of LGUs.

She further said that LGUs should identify a certain area in the municipality where vendors could only sell fireworks

Likewise, a white code alert is now raised by the DOH including the Integrated Provincial Health Office under Dr. Ric Noel Naciongayo starting December 12 until January 5, 2017.

The white code alert status placed health personnel on standby mode and ready for mobilization.(PNA)

Pag-IBIG advises public on delay of document processing as it gears to migrate to new system

ILOILO CITY, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- Membership verification and processing of loan and retirement documents will be temporarily suspended by the Home Development Mutual Fund (HMDF) or Pag-IBIG Fund in all its member services branches (MSB) in Western Visayas from January to February next year.

Gina P. Lanceta, MSB head in Molo district, this city, disclosed Monday that Western Visayas was chosen as pilot site for the new Provident Fund Management System (PFMS) and Short-Term Loans Management System (STLMS).

PFMS is an ID-based records-keeping and capturing system. It is an enhanced system on the updating and maintaining of the contribution records of its members.

“There will be a stoppage in the processing of loans but in the end it will have a positive effect to members. It will be a seamless transaction, with no more manual transaction,” she explained.

She urged those who are planning to file their loan applications to submit their documents before this year ends. The program will be officially launched in Iloilo on January 10 next year.

Transactions will also be affected in MSB based at the Plazuela in Mandurriao district of this city, Capiz, Aklan, Sagay and Kabankalan in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City.

Lanceta, meanwhile, emphasized that the migration to the new system will require all members to have their Member’s Identification (MID) number while employer must secure an Employer Identification (ERID) number to ensure no duplication of records.

Employees who have none yet could register online or avail of the employee-assisted registration at Pag-IBIG branches. Employers can register via Pag-IBIG branches, through the Philippine Registry System (PRS) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) or the Integrated Business Registry System (IBRS) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).

Without the said numbers, they could no longer transact with Pag-IBIG.

Lanceta added that they already called for a forum with the employers last week to inform them of the migration process.

Bacolod City mayor orders 100% deployment of traffic enforcers for holidays

BACOLOD CITY, Dec 19 (PNA) -- Mayor Evelio Leonardia ordered the 100 percent deployment of traffic enforcers during the Yuletide season to ensure the smooth flow of traffic in this city during the holidays.

Leonardia said Monday he has directed Superintendent Luisito Acebuche, chief of Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO)-Traffic Management Unit (TMU), to dispatch all 289 traffic enforcers.

They will be deployed full force for three days before Christmas, specifically December 22, 23, 24, and for three days before the New Year, or on December 29, 30, 31.

Acebuche said at present, the BTAO is implementing two shifts, deploying 144 traffic enforcers in the morning, and 145 in the afternoon.

Leonardia had earlier said the BTAO is looking for ways to improve the traffic situation, and also identifying possible alternative routes.

Last Saturday, the mayor ordered the suspension of the traffic rerouting plan for Christmas following complaints from commuters and motorists who experienced heavy traffic on Friday.

The BTAO was supposed to implement the traffic rerouting from December 16 to 31, between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., affecting mainly the routes of public utility jeepneys.

Acebuche had earlier said that next year, the city government will hire 100 traffic enforcers more.

Currently, the BTAO is also implementing adjustments in various areas to further decongest the traffic volume.(PNA)

Village officials in Pampanga urged to cooperate with police against illegal drugs

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- The Pampanga police has asked for the cooperation of the village officials in the fight against illegal drugs.

Police Senior Superintendent Joel R. Consulta, Officer-in-Charge Director of Pampanga Police Office, said that village heads should cooperate with them to fully utilize the peacekeeping force of the province.

“To minimize the killings especially in our province, I ask you to please cooperate with us. Report to us those involved in the illegal trade, because before we declare the province drug-free, we should eradicate even the last user standing,” Consulta said.

He also admitted that there are still more drug suspects lurking in the province.

“Apart from the first 10,000 drug surrenderers, we still have apparently 9,663 reported suspects who still are in the villages. They are currently under our surveillance, and that makes our drug suspect count reach the 20,000 mark,” he added.

Consulta also said that there are some barangay officials who cover up their drug suspect friends.

“Nothing will change in our community if we keep on covering up those involved in illegal drugs. No economic development will flourish if that will continue to happen. All of the efforts made by Governor Lilia and Vice-Governor Dennis Pineda and the provincial government will be put to waste if drugs will continue to rule your villages,” he added. (PNA)

DPWH-7 to rebuild PHP60-M south Cebu town bridge destroyed by flood

CEBU CITY, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Region 7 will rebuild the Dumlog Bridge in Sibonga town in southern Cebu which was destroyed by a flood at the height of a typhoon two years ago.

Engineer Nonie Paylado, DPWH 7 chief of planning and design, said the PHP60-million funding for the rebuilding of the bridge will be taken from calamity funds.

Paylado said DPWH may be able to start the construction of the PHP60-million permanent bridge in the first quarter of 2017 because the funds for the project were already released.

The DPWH central office has allocated about PHP60 million for the reconstruction of the concrete bridge.

Paylado said the project will first undergo public bidding.

The 18-meter approach to the Dumlog bridge collapsed and was washed away during a flash flood caused by tropical storm Seniang in December 2014.

Due to the flood’s impact, the rip-rapped soil and rocks that formed part of the road were also washed away.

The damage on the approaches of the bridge isolated eight southern Cebu towns, prompting the DPWH to construct a temporary steel bailey bridge on top of the damaged bridge. (PNA)

Mayor vows to put end to New Year's day 'tradition' in Dagupan village

DAGUPAN CITY. Dec. 19 (PNA) -- Residents of Dagupan hailed the pledge of Mayor Belen Fernandez to stop a noon-day New Year tradition in Barangay Pogo Grande here of exploding simultaneously all firecrackers that were not sold until January 1 for the safety of the people and their guests in that village.

Fernandez said the January 1 noon-day simultaneous firecracker explosion, which is usually a crowd-drawer, runs counter to "Oplan: Iwas Pautok" launched by the Department of Health and the city government last December 12 which the city of Dagupan vowed to promote.

Supt. Neil Miro, chief of police of Dagupan City, was reported to have already talked to Pogo Grande Barangay Chairman George Galvan to relay to him the mayor's intention to stop his village's tradition.

He and the other village chiefs were instead enjoined by Oplan : Iwas Paputok Task Force to set up a community fireworks display on the eve of New Year and not at any other time, including noon of January 1.

The Task Force is also seeking a ban on individual and residential use of firecrackers to minimize death, injuries and loss of limbs.

Mayor Fernandez noted that in the January 1 noon tradition at Pogo Grande, powerful firecrackers such as big triangles, pla pla, Judah's belt and even Goodbye Philippines are being tied together for them to explode one after the other in rapid succession.

Pogo Grande is noted as Dagupan's firecracker manufacturing hub though this year, according to Bureau of Fire Protection fire marshal Romeo Tungpalan, there is only one registered firecracker manufacturer in the village.

It is still a puzzle how it came to be that one morning of January 1, a village man started collecting all unsold firecrackers and gave these to the designated village hermano mayor, who then allows these to be exploded at one time in their street to provide a sort of entertainment to residents and their guests.

This became a "tradition" in Pogo Grande that has been done for some 25 years already, starting during the administration of then Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr.

However, unlike many other traditions in Dagupan City and Pangasinan, this noon-day tradition in Pogo Grande was not associated to any myth nor legend handed down from one generation to another.

Barangay Captain Galvan himself said this is one way of helping the thriving firecracker industry in his village by assuring market for the manufacturers' left-overs to at least enable them to at least recover their investments.

So far, only a few people were hurt in this January 1 noon firecracker explosion as the police as well as BFP, including the City Health Office which usually fields an ambulance to the firecracker explosion site, are keenly monitoring the activity.

At the same time, Fernandez cautioned his constituents against selling firecrackers on New Year's eve but rather encouraged them to sell fruits.

Fruits enjoy brisk sale before New Year's day anywhere in the Philippines. In fact, the parking area of the Fernandez family-owned CSI Market Square here is being opened to vendors selling all kinds of fruits on the 31st of December. (PNA)

DOST turns over Php1.7-M worth of projects in Negros Occidental

BACOLOD CITY, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) turned over Monday Php1.7 million worth of equipment and packaging technology assistance to the provincial government of Negros Occidental, and micro enterprises in the province.

Of the amount, the province received Php1 million for the purchase of one unit each of bamboo splitter, thickness planer, twin rip saw, and laminating press.

These equipment which will be used for the Bamboo Innovation Center being constructed at Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan here.

This is under the agency’s Grants-In-Aid (GIA) project aimed at harnessing the country’s scientific and technological capabilities by providing financial grants to various programs in order to spur sustainable economic growth.

DOST Negros Island Region (NIR) Director Engineer Rowen Gelonga, who led the turnover rites at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall, said they hope the project will support the development of bamboo industry not only in Negros Occidental, but also in the entire region.

Gelonga, who also heads DOST Region 6, said bamboo is a renewable resource, and people only need to learn new ways of maximizing the commodity that will further bring in economic development.

"Through this partnership with the provincial government along with the support of other agencies, we hope to mainly achieve product innovation,” he added.

Provincial Administrator Leonardo Eusebio, who represented Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., thanked the agency for extending the assistance to develop the bamboo sector, which is one of the province’s priority-commodity now.

It will hugely contribute to the province’s measures to develop the local bamboo industry, Eusebio added.

Meanwhile, the remaining amount of about Php720,000 for packaging technology assistance was distributed to 72 micro enterprises.

Through the project, which is now in its second phase, DOST-Negros Occidental assisted the biggest number of recipients from Sixth District, with 28.

In Second District, 13 micro enterprises availed of the packaging services; Fourth District, 12; Lone District of Bacolod, 11; First District, four; and Third and Fifth Districts, two each.

DOST Provincial Director Engineer Allan Francis Daraug said the agency has recognized the need for local micro enterprises to improve their label and packaging.(PNA)

DOH 6 honors top performing partners in Antique

SAN JOSE de BUENAVISTA, Antique, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 honored Antique’s top performing districts and one municipality in the conduct of the national school-based deworming, lymphatic filariasis mass drug administration (MDA) and school-based immunization (SBI), Monday.

The awards were handed by DOH Assistant Regional Director Dra. Paz Corrales, Antique Officer-in-Charge Julius Ceasar Tajanlangit and Antique Integrated Provincial Health Center (IPHC) officer Dr. Ric Noel Naciongayo.

Tajanlangit congratulated the school principals and school heads who did their duty well in order to implement the health programs for good health is the school children’s ticket to a productive citizenry.

He said that the MDA and SBI are necessary for the protection of the health of children.

Meanwhile, Corrales said that the accomplishment in Antique has contributed much to the regional figure. She then urged the school officials to continue their good partnership.

Naciongayo said that recognizing the Department of Education (DepEd), DOH and municipalities in the province of Antique is their way of giving back for all the efforts and sacrifices that were done by their partners in pursuing health programs.

The schools which got an above 95 percent coverage for MDA and SBI were the Anini-y District , Sibalom North District, Hamtic South District, Pandan District, Sebaste District, San Remegio l, San Remegio ll and Bugasong.

The Diclum National High School, Callan National High School, Igcado National High School and San Pedro National High School posted a 100 percent coverage for the MDA and SBI.

The Local Government Unit (LGU) of San Jose got the award as the only municipality in the province of Antique with a 100 percent coverage on Filariasis MDA.

The awarding ceremony was held at the Integrated Provincial Health Center (IPHC). (PNA)

11 more barangays in Negros Occidental declared drug-cleared

BACOLOD CITY, Dec 19 (PNA) â€"- From only 30 earlier this month, the number of drug-cleared villages in Negros Occidental has increased to 41.

The 11 additional barangays, this time in Himamaylan City, were declared cleared from drugs during the ceremonial signing held Monday at New City Health Conference Room of Barangay I-Poblacion.

These include Caradio-an, Carabalan, Cabadiangan, Libacao, Buenavista, Nabali-an, Sara-et, To-oy, San Antonio, Mambagaton, and Cabanbanan, a report released by the Himamaylan City Police Station showed.

The rites was witnessed by Superintendent Antonietto Cañete, chief of police, and his deputy Inspector Raymundo Franco, with Mayor Agustin Ernesto Bascon and the village chiefs of the 11 barangays.

The last three drug-cleared barangays in Negros Occidental were those in San Enrique town, including Tabao Rizal, Tibsoc, and Baliwagan.

Earlier, two villages in Cadiz City, including Barangays Dr. V.F. Gustilo and Celestino Villacin, were also declared drug-cleared.

Others are 10 barangays in Sipalay City. These are Barangays 1, 2, 3, 4, Cabadiangan, Camindangan, Cayhagan, Mambaroto, Manlucahoc, and Nauhang.

Another 10 in La Carlota City were also declared drug-cleared, including Ara-al, Ayungon, Balabag, Cubay, Haguimit, La Granja, Nagasi, RSB, San Miguel and Yubo and the five in Salvador Benedicto town, including Pinoyawan, Bago, Bagong Silang, Kumaliskis and Pandanon.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said the barangays declared drug-free have complied with the requirements assessed by the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) and the police, with the validation of the mayor.

Under the new classification, a barangay is considered seriously-affected if there is one clandestine drug laboratory or marijuana plantation in the community and that the identified pushers and users are more than 20 percent of the barangay’s total population.

Moderately-affected are those with two percent to 20 percent of the barangay’s total population considered as drug personalities while slightly-affected are barangays with reported presence of drug personalities of less than two percent of the total population.(PNA)

Strong winds, big waves damage 250 houses, 99 pump boats in northern Negros

BACOLOD CITY, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- A total of 250 houses were damaged by strong winds and big waves that hit the coastal communities in four local government units in northern Negros Occidental since the weekend.

A report of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) released Monday showed affected areas were those in the cities of Cadiz and Victorias, and towns of Manapla and E.B. Magalona.

Thirty-two houses were totally damaged, including 12 in Cadiz and 10 each in Manapla and Victorias.

Of the 218 partially damaged houses, 110 were reported in Cadiz; 49 in Manapla; and 59 in Victorias.

In Cadiz, a total of 122 families in 11 barangays were affected while in Manapla, 59 families in five villages. In Victorias, 69 families were affected in one barangay.

Still in Cadiz, 42 pump boats were totally damaged and 57 others were partially damaged. Also, 18 “tangkop” fishing gears were damaged along with four “kamalig” or nipa huts.

The local government of E.B. Magalona has yet to submit a final report as of press time.(PNA)

Film featuring Antique’s Mararison Island wins award in WV film festival

SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- Mararison Island, one of the three island barangays in the town of Culasi, was featured in the Western Visayas CineKasimanwa Film Festival through the live action film entitled “Isla” (Island).

'Isla' was a short film by Jonathan Jurilla, an Associate Professor from the University of the Philippines in the Visayas-Miago campus. He is also a photojournalist who spends most of his free time in the province of Antique, particularly in the island of Mararison.

It was cited “for using film medium as an effective tool in promoting film tourism without mention of locations, capitalizing on the beauty and grandeur of the island using apt camerawork that made audiences feel they are part of the journey of the characters.”

The film that was made in corroboration with other UP professors Emmanuel Lerona and Ruperto Quitag as cinematographers, won the special jury prize for tourism.

'Isla' is my first live action film. This year, I only wanted to prove to myself that I can do live action filmmaking other than doing animation and video documentaries,” said Jurilla as he received the award last night, December 18.

It was premiered along with two other short films by Ilonggo directors last December 14 at the Cinema One of Shoemart (SM) City, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Jurilla’s Isla, during the said premier readily caught the retina out of the eye of the viewers because of its fresh cinematography and unpretentious linear narrative.

The film’s two main characters were Dimple Rios and Lyn Holy La Vega.

“The film showcased three different tourist attractions of a selected province (Antique) and since the biggest sponsor was the Department of Tourism, I wrote a film that could satisfy their demand. The reward is proof that 'Isla' has met that objective,” Jurilla said in a text message.

Other minor sponsors included the 'Kalye Viajero' (street travelers) a blog, Dayaw Multimedia and UPV.

He furthered that “receiving this special prize is more that I could ask for. All I ever wished was to get 'Isla' showcased in this year’s Cinekasimanwa Western Visayas Film Festival and this recognition is a big bonus.” (PNA)

Coast Guard on heightened alert for the holidays
By Judaline F. Partlow

DUMAGUETE CITY, Dec. 19 (PNA) -â€" The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental has stepped up its monitoring of all sea-faring vessels in anticipation of the influx of tourists and returning residents to the provinces during the Yuletide Season.

Lt. Junior Grade Donna Liza Ramacho, Dumaguete Coast Guard Station commander, disclosed Monday that they are now on heightened alert status beginning December 17 up to the first week of January 2017.

Public assistance desks are set up at major ports in Dumaguete, other parts of Negros Oriental and the nearby Siquijor island-province, which is part of the Coast Guard Dumaguete Station’s area of coverage, Ramacho disclosed.

K-9 teams and special operations group personnel are deployed to man these public assistance desks to ensure the safety and security of sea travelers, Ramacho further disclosed.

According to Lt. JG Ramacho, overloading of sea vessels is their primary concern especially with passengers taking last-minute trips to catch up with the twin celebrations of Christmas and New Year.

As such, the Coast Guard commander has reminded her personnel to always make a head-count and recount of passengers before clearing a vessel for departure, Ramacho said.

For bigger vessels that entail long travel hours, Coast Guard personnel detailed as sea marshals are on board, she added.

In Dumaguete, only the vessel of 2GO shipping lines has sea marshals as it takes about 22 hours to travel from here to Manila, the Coast Guard commander disclosed.

Meanwhile, the skippers or boat captains are asked to render a report to the Coast Guard every hour or so to determine the current sea condition, according to Ramacho.

Continuous monitoring and patrolling is also undertaken as part of the joint Task Group on Anti-Terror Threat in the seas of Negros Oriental and Siquijor and nearby areas, Ramacho said.

Previous reports identified some parts of the Visayas as potential targets of kidnapping activities by threat groups like the Abu Sayyaf, triggering travel advisories from the United States Embassy and the British Embassy in Manila to take extra precautionary measures when visiting this part of the region.

In a related development, the Coast Guard is set to deploy to Dumaguete City a D-300 patrol boat to augment the current floating assets of the PCG here, disclosed Ramacho, who had earlier requested for a bigger patrol vessel for Dumaguete.

The DS-300 is currently on standby in Cebu City but is available at any given time and ready to deploy when needed here, according to Ramacho.

Ramacho said she is hopeful that the DS-300 Coast Guard vessel will be deployed to Dumaguete by the first week of January. (PNA)

DENR turns over free land patents to 114 beneficiaries in Iloilo

ILOILO CITY, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through its Iloilo Provincial ENR Office distributed free land patents to 114 beneficiaries on Monday.

Artemio Colacion, head of the DENR Regional Public Affairs Office (RPAO), said that the beneficiaries have complied with requisites necessary to avail of the program. The recipients included 98 from Poblacion East, Oton and 16 for land patent beneficiaries from the municipalities of Tubungan and Barotac Viejo.

The distribution of the land patents, also known as “Handog Titulo” was the highlight of the activity dubbed as “People’s Day” held in the town of Oton.

Colacion said Mayor Carina Flores of Oton assured that more land patents will be released as they are currently working with DENR to identify areas that do not have land titles.

As of today, DENR here already issued 2,922 free residential land patents, higher than the 2,754 target land patents to be issued in Western Visayas this year. Also, the department was able to issue 1,158 free agricultural land patents to its beneficiaries, higher than the 1,025 target.

The Patent, Processing and Issuance (PPI) program of DENR is one of the priority programs of the government, which has been instrumental in alleviating poverty among the rightful claimants.

It also promotes social equity and provided opportunity for beneficiaries to benefit from their lands.

Colacion said that they are hoping to distribute more free land patents in 2017. (PNA)

General Santos hospital placed under Code White Alert for holidays

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- The city hospital here was placed under Code White Alert starting on Monday in line with the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Dr. Marinel Lim, chief of the local government-operated Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital, said the move is aimed to ensure the hospital’s preparedness in catering to various emergencies related to the holiday revelries.

She said they have already completed the necessary preparations for the holiday operations, especially in terms of personnel, equipment and supplies.

“All the needed supplies are already in place. We made sure that our nurses will no longer need to look for them during emergencies,” Lim said.

The official assured that the hospital’s emergency room is fully equipped to handle patients with injuries caused by firecrackers and related devices.

A Code White Alert is declared when there is a mass gathering or national event and there is a possibility of emergency conditions that may need immediate medical attention, a Department of Health (DOH) briefer said.

The move refers to the “readiness of hospital manpower like general and orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, internists, operating room nurses, opthalmologists, and otorhinolaryngologists, to respond to any emergency situation.”

During Code White Alert, the DOH said emergency service, nursing and administrative personnel are placed on an on-call status for immediate mobilization.

In the previous Christmas and New Year holidays, the City Health Office’s epidemiology and surveillance unit recorded at least 29 firecracker-related injury cases within the city’s 26 barangays.

A victim of a stray bullet was brought to the city hospital for treatment.

Most of the firecracker-related injury cases were caused by the banned firecracker piccolo and occurred at the height and after the Christmas and New Year revelries.

Lim urged parents to monitor their children during the holidays and make sure that they will not have access to firecrackers and related devices.

“Let’s avoid giving money to our children to buy firecrackers as they are the most vulnerable to injuries,” she said.

In the previous holiday season, she said a number of the reported firecracker-related injury cases involved children aged 10 years-old and below.

DOH Region 12 formally launched last week its “Iwas Paputok” campaign for this year that mainly focuses on the promotion of community fireworks displays.

The campaign, which is dubbed “Oplan: Iwas Paputok, Fireworks Display and Patok!,” is part of the agency’s efforts to reduce the cases of firecracker-related injuries in the region during the holiday revelries.

DOH and concerned stakeholders are presently pushing for the issuance by President Rodrigo R. Duterte of an executive order that would prohibit the individual and residential use of firecrackers and similar devices.

It promotes instead the staging of community fireworks displays organized by local government units. (PNA)

Eastern Visayas cops step up enforcement of firecracker regulations

PALO, Leyte, Dec. 18 (PNA) -â€" The Philippine National Police (PNP) regional office here has ordered its personnel to intensify the enforcement of firecracker regulations this holiday season.

PNP Eastern Visayas Regional Director Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar said the police force should prioritize the implementation of Republic Act No. 7183 or the law that regulates the sale, manufacture, distribution, and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.

This statement was made by the PNP regional chief as cops prepare for the upcoming celebration of Christmas and New Year wherein Filipinos traditionally use firecrackers to welcome the holidays.

According to Beltejar, the police together with the Department of Health, Bureau of Fire Protection, and other concerned government agencies are working hand in hand for a zero firecracker-related incident and damages to property during the Yuletide season.

“The police will go after manufacturers of illegal fireworks and firecrackers and will remain vigilant against those who are not strictly complying with safety guidelines,” Beltejar said.

The PNP encourages the public to use safe merry-making instruments and alternative noise-makers instead of using firecrackers and fireworks that pose risks to life and limbs and public safety.

The PNP reminded the public to use only authorized firecrackers products; follow the manufacturer’s instruction on the labels; use a flat and solid surface with no dry grass when lighting firework products; not to use matches, candles, lighters, sparklers and cigarettes to ignite the firecracker; use punk incense strikes instead to avoid catching the blast on your hands.

The public is also advised move away when the firework strand ignites, not to attempt to re-light firecrackers that failed to ignite, and wear safety apparel when lighting firecrackers.

As the PNP will be on full alert status during the Yuletide season, the police asks the public to stay safe and report to them relevant and timely information with regards to the holiday season through the nationwide emergency hotline 911 or social media. (PNA)

Zamboanga Sibugay places 7 inundated villages under the state of calamity

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay, Dec. 19 (PNA) â€" The provincial government on Monday placed under the state of calamity seven of the 27 barangays in the nearby town of Buug.

The seven barangays were inundated by flood brought about by three-day continuous heavy downpour spawned by inclement weather condition that hit the municipality over the weekend.

Governor Wilter Palma on Monday said that the flood had damaged hundreds of hectares of agricultural crops in Buug.

Placed under the state of calamity with the concurrence of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan were the villages of Talamimi; Talairan; Labrador; Poblacion; Manlin; Pulog; and, Pamintayan.

Palma said the seven barangays were isolated since the bridge along the Pamintayan provincial road had collapsed due to the flood.

The provincial road serves as the main access of the seven affected barangays to the town proper of Buug.

Palma said the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has yet to assess the worth of properties and agricultural crops damaged during the flood.

The declaration of the state of calamity enables the local government to impose price ceiling on basic commodities based on Republic Act 10121 otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act.

The declaration also enables the local government to reprogram funds for repair and safety upgrading of public infrastructures and the granting of no-interest loans by government financing or lending institutions. (PNA)

Zambo OCVet intensifies monitoring on sale of meat products

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- The Office of the City Veterinarian (OCVet) has intensified its monitoring to ensure that meat products sold in the markets and meat shops are safe for human consumption.

Dr. Portia Quintas, OCVet chief for veterinary inspection services, on Monday said they intensified the monitoring since there is an increased in demand of meat products brought about by the yuletide season.

Quintas disclosed they have so far confiscated 102 kilograms of hot meat from various meat outlets since December 1 in this city.

Of the total, Quintas said 17 kilograms were roasted meat or “lechon” while the rest are raw meat.

“Hot meat is dangerous since there is the possibility it has prognostic diseases which might be transferred to humans,” Quintas said.

She advised the public to ensure the meat products they buy has meat inspection certificate.

The certificate is a proof the meat is clean and slaughtered in licensed slaughterhouses.

She said the meat is fresh when it is colored pinkish to red and without foul odor.

She discourages the public from buying meat products from peddlers since these did not pass sanitary inspection.

She said the public may slaughtered animals in their backyard provided it is for the consumption of the family and not to be sold.

She meat products sold in markets and meat houses are safe for consumption since it is regularly inspected by OCVet meat inspectors. (PNA)

ACE Medical Center to open branch in Zamboanga City

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- The Allied Care Experts (ACE) Medical Center, a fast-growing chain of hospitals, is opening up a branch to provide quality medical services in this city and to the nearby provinces.

Dr. Amado Enriquez, ACE Medical Group president, said that entry of ACE Medical Center is to provide opportunity to medical specialists to serve their native place.

“What is happening now is that after the doctors undergo specialization in Manila, they stay there because the facilities where they can practice are there,” Enriquez explained.

Enriquez said the opening of the ACE Medical Center-Zamboanga would provide the needed facilities for medical specialists to serve their town mates.

“We will bring back the specialists to their localities,” Enriquez stressed.

He said the opening of the ACE Medical Center - Zamboanga would also provide the residents the opportunity of availing services of medical specialists and to lessen the lack of good and fully equipped hospitals.

He said the standards of the World Health Organization is one bed for every 500 Filipinos “but what is happening now is one bed is to 1,000 Filipinos.”

He said the benefits that ACE Medical Center - Zamboanga would grant to their clients will be honored by ACE sister hospitals in other parts of the country.

The ACE Medical Center operates hospitals in Manila, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Pateros, and in Subic.

Here in Mindanao, ACE Medical Centers will be established in the cities of Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Dipolog and General Santos aside from Zamboanga City.

The ACE Medical Center that would be opened at Barangay Tetuan here is a one - basement, eight - storey fully equipped hospital to be manned by medical specialists.

Enriquez and Engr. Ibrahim Nuño, president of the Metro Stonerich Corporation, on Sunday led the signing of the construction contract in this city.

Nuño said the construction of the ACE Medical Center would commence on January 9, 2017 and expected for completion within a 10-month period although the contract is 18 months since the laying of the foundation has been completed. (PNA)

OPA warned against preservative-laced vegetables

KALIBO, Aklan, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- The Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA) urged Aklan residents to be vigilant against the high possibility of the proliferation of preservative-laced vegetable in the province.

Uldarico las Pinas, high value crops coordinator of OPA, on Monday, said that they received complaints from residents on the matter.

"Unfortunately, we do not have the capability to be scientific in our findings to prove that a certain vegetable, especially cabbage was laced with preservatives or was it made up of synthetic materials. We do not have available laboratory in the province to do the confirmation," he said.

Due to the said limitation, he said that the OPA does not have power to prosecute suspected sellers of preservative-laced vegetable.

"What we could only do is to warn the residents to be vigilant, especially this Christmas season. It should be better if they buy vegetables from backyard garden or plant their own to ensure their health," he said.

Residents here fear that they may incur cancer if they eat too much of these suspected preservative-laced or vegetables made of synthetic materials. (PNA)

Festival in Sibalom, Antique culminates with good announcement from lone district solon

SAN JOSE de BUENAVISTA, Antique, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- The annual Buruyluganay Festival of Sibalom town ended evening of December 18 with a good note from Antique’s lone district representative, Paolo Everardo S. Javier.

In a phone patch message, Javier reiterated the good news that starting school year 2017 tuition fees in all state colleges and universities (SUCs) will be free.

“Your representative pushed for the infusion of re-allocation of the PHP8.3 billion budget initially from the projects for the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and it was unanimously approved. The Senate likewise approved the same and it only showed that we are really prioritizing the future of our young citizens,” Javier said.

Javier also announced to the audience that poor Filipinos, to include indigent Antiqueños, will enjoy free hospitalization by 2017.

“Medicines will also be available at the hospitals' pharmacy and this would lessen the burden of the family when their loved ones are confined in a government hospital,” added Javier.

The event also dubbed as Congressman’s Night and served as a sort of a reunion for the members and officials of the Middle Voice Youth Federation Inc. (MVYoFi), an association of young Antiqueños, which was founded in the municipality of Sibalom in 2010.

The night capped with a comedy act by comedians from the city of Iloilo and a dance sports competition participated in by members of the MVYoFi.

The festival that kicked off December 14 anchored on the theme, “Kami Rugya sa Sibalom, Buruyluganay sa Gihapon” (roughly translated as “We at Sibalom are still united"). (PNA)

Antique capitol employees to receive PEI on Dec. 20

SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique, Dec 19 (PNA) -- Antique capitol employees will receive their Performance Enhancement Incentive (PEI) on Tuesday, according to acting Governor Julius Ceasar Tajanlangit.

Tajanlangit, who was designated by Gov. Rhodora J. Cadiao as officer-in-charge while she is on official travel to Manila, announced during Monday morning’s flag-raising ceremony that employees will each receive a PHP5,000 PEI.

Provincial accountant Esther Minnie Julian said that they have allocated around PHP6.5 million for the benefit that will be availed by around 1,200 regular employees.

The PEI is being given to employees to encourage them to improve their efficiency.

It could be recalled that then President Aquino signed the Executive Order (E.O.) 181 entitled “Implementation of the Provisions of the FY 2015 General Appropriations Act (GAA) on the Grant of the FY 2015 Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) to Government Employees” last May 15, 2015.

The E.O. 181 was intended to strengthen public service within the Philippine bureaucracy.(PNA)

12 Sino fishers jailed in Palawan await return to China
By Ruth T. Rodriguez

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Dec. 19 (PNA) â€"- Twelve Chinese fishermen, who were jailed in Palawan for poaching pangolins and encroaching in the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP) in 2013, are expected to be deported to China any day now after the guilty verdict against them by Branch 51 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) was overturned December 1 by the Court of Appeals (CA).

Ferdinand Tendenilla, chief of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in Palawan, confirmed Monday to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that the Chinese fishermen are now in their custody following their discharge from the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF).

Tendenilla said the 12 Sino fishers, who are all “in good health condition,” will be extradited as soon as their travel documents have been prepared by the Chinese Embassy and sent to Palawan.

“They could be deported any day now; we are just waiting for their travel documents,” the BI Palawan chief stated, adding they are also waiting for the deportation order from their head office.

The CA, in overturning the RTC’s decision on December 1, said the Chinese fishermen did not commit poaching or illegal fishing because they were not caught in the act inside the marine protected area.

It can be noted that the Sino fishermen were arrested, and convicted to serve 10-12 years imprisonment in August 2014 for violating Section 27 (Poaching) and Section 26 (Possession of Protected Species) of Republic Act 10067 or the Tubbataha Act of 2009; Article 212 (Corruption of Public Officials) of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, and administrative cases in the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board (TPAMB).

The cases were all filed after their fishing vessel Min Long Yu ran aground in the protected reefs on April 8, 2013.

When environment authorities boarded Min Long Yu to conduct inspection, they were shocked to discover around 20,000 pounds of pangolin or scaly ant-eater meat that they suspect were caught in Palawan.

“The damage the Chinese vessel caused to the reef is heart-breaking,” said Tubbataha Management Office (TMO) Superintendent Angelique Songco, adding some that were destroyed were estimated to be about 500 years old.

Songco is yet to comment on the decision of the CA to annul the decision of the regional trial court. (PNA)

PNP-12 provides livelihood for drug personalities

COTABATO CITY, Dec. 18 (PNA) â€" The Police Regional Office in Central Mindanao (PRO-12) has started rehabilitation program for drug personalities who voluntarily surfaced and offered to be rehabilitated, a police official said Sunday.

Superintendent Romeo Galgo Jr, speaking for PRO-12, said there are 33,200 drug personalities have far “surrendered” to police offices across the region.

Region 12, also known as SOCCSKSARGEN region is composed of the provinces South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Saragani and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal and Gen. Santos.

The rehabilitation program forms part of the brain child of Chief Supt. Cedrick Train, PRO-12 regional director, called “PROJECT DUTERTE,” an acronym for Drug Use and Trafficking through Rehabilitation, Training and Enforcement.

It served as the “implementing rules and regulations” of “Oplan Double Barrel,” a comprehensive police anti-narcotics program launched by the Philippine National Police.

“Oplan Double Barrel” was an operation plan patterned after a double-barreled gun. The upper barrel is a massive drive against big time drug lords, pushers and distributors while the lower barrel is a program aimed at providing drug dependents the opportunity to mend ways.

The latter includes giving drug personalities livelihood programs after detoxification process.

“'Project Double Barrel' in reality is giving new meaning to life, new hope and direction for drug surrenderees,” Galgo said.

He cited the case of a seven-hectare open farm field in Barangay Sinawal, Gen. Santos City where drug personalities planted corn and other crops. Three hectares are already planted with corn while the rest are planted with squash, sweet potatoes, bananas, tomatoes, among others.

Galgo said the drug personalities were not “detained.” They were allowed to go home after they signed affidavit of undertaking, expressing desire to reform.

Since they volunteered to be rehabilitated and trained on income generating projects, the drug personalities regularly showed up at police office in Gen. Santos City to farm in Barangay Sinawal, get paid and sent home again.

In a video presentation, the PRO-12 Regional Information Office that Galgo heads, a drug dependent only named as Justin, revealed how the project has given him the opportunity to reform.

“Now, my life has direction, I can sleep soundly without fear,” Justin said. “I did not regret grabbing this opportunity provided by the police,” he added. (PNA)

Blackout hits Bohol anew

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Dec. 18 (PNA) -- Hitches in Leyte grid clutched anew the entire island of Bohol to another total power outage on Saturday.

Bohol sub-stations of National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) dried up again of power supply twice yesterday when the Ormoc-Maasin 138kV Line 2 tripped anew.

The tripping in the Leyte side of the Leyte-Bohol power grid caused supply interruption at 9:56 a.m. to 10:31 a.m. and at 11:18 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday.

NGCP-Leyte had to send a line inspection team in a chopper to conduct aerial inspection.

The chopper team reinforced the ground patrol team that went out tracing the cause the entire afternoon.

The chopper team had to wait until later in the afternoon as the winds prevented it from flying at first attempt.

Betty Martinez, spokesperson for NGCP-Visayas, explained that NGCP actually sent three patrolling teams along the 114-kilometer Ormoc-Maasin Line 2.

They surveyed the area from Structure 180 to Structure 220. The first team took charge of Structure No. 180, while the second team proceeded to Structure 220, and the third team surveyed the middle part.

While line patrol had been undertaken in Leyte, business operations in most parts of Bohol halted on another Saturday power glitch.

Most common cause of unscheduled power interruptions is “vegetation” such as coconut fronds, branches of trees, or any even banana leaves touching the transmission lines. This causes load interruptions.

Except for incidents like this, NGCP undertakes necessary power shutdown from time to time to facilitate maintenance routines usually on Saturdays.

Just within the month, Bohol had experienced one scheduled power blackout and a major unscheduled power shutdown.

The scheduled 13-hour power shutdown on Dec. 3 from 4:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. stretched to 20 hours and a half and NGCP managed to restore power only at 12:27 a.m. on December 4, attributing it to bad weather that made it difficult for the NGCP linemen and engineers to undertake the procedure.

An unscheduled power interruption affecting the entire Bohol followed on the same day at 1:21 p.m. and NGCP restored power at 2:02 p.m., attributing it to another tripping of the 138kV Ormoc-Maasin Line 2.

NGCP qualified the December 3 scheduled power shutdown as necessary in relation to line upgrading activity as a second line, or Line 2, has been added to the Leyte-Bohol grid that supplies electricity to Bohol through submarine cables.

Line 2 has been in place to ensure continuous power supply in the future.

In most cases, linemen have to dodge with the weather in Leyte that is prone to typhoons and other weather systems.

On November 18, tripping in Ormoc-Maasin line caused an almost one-hour blackout in Bohol. The unscheduled power interruption hit Bohol from 9:51 p.m. to 10:47 p.m.

NGCP traced the sudden shutdown of power supply to the tripping of the 138-kilovolt Ormoc-Maasin line in Leyte which affected the operation of all the three power distribution utilities in Bohol- -Bohol Light Company, Inc., Boheco I and Boheco II.

On Sept. 3, NGCP also conducted maintenance activities in some parts of Bohol affecting only BOHECO II service area at 5:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m. and at 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

The maintenance activities were undertaken along the 69kV Ubay-Alicia-Garcia line.

Another round of maintenance activities were undertaken on Sept. 1 at 5-6 a.m. and at 5-6 p.m., affecting only the BLCI Dampas sub-station, BOHECO I Loay and Panglao substations and BOHECO II Garcia Feeder.

The maintenance activities were undertaken along the 69kV Tagbilaran-Garcia line.

On Aug. 6, power interruption was scheduled, affecting BOHECO II Guindulman and Alicia substations at 5:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m. and at 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., to facilitate maintenance works along the 69kV Ubay-Alicia-Garcia line.

Another blackout was experienced on June 11 from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. when NGCP transferred wires of Tower 70 along the 138-kilovolt Ormoc-Maasin Line 1 to a temporary structure to facilitate repairs on the tower, in addition to project-related and other synchronized maintenance activities.

In barely a month, another blackout followed on July 9 affecting the entire Bohol from at 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. due to shutdown of the 138-kilovolt Ormoc-Maasin line to facilitate return of wires from Emergency Restoration System (ERS) structure the repaired Tower 70 in Albuera, Leyte.

Another 13-hour blackout was experienced on March 5 from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. when NGCP had to shutdown the 138-kilovolt Maasin-Ubay submarine cable line for its annual preventive maintenance including the 100-megavolt-ampere transformer and other equipment at Ubay Substation.

It was actually another instance when NGCP had breached its original target of supposedly containing the power interruption from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on a Saturday.

By the time households were expecting the return of power supply at 6:00 p.m., the NGCP issued another advisory informing that the power interruption would be extended up to 7:00 p.m. as they were still working on the line configuration from Corella-Tagbilaran and Tagbilaran 69kV line sections.

By 7:00 p.m., the NGCP issued another advisory informing that the power interruption would further be extended up to 8:00 p.m.

NGCP explained that as of 7:00 p.m., line configuration from Corella-Tagbilaran and Tagbilaran 69kV line sections had been completed already, but the lines could not be re-energized because of a breaker problem on the part of BLCI.

The March 5 blackout was the second power interruption in 15 days and the first to cover entire Bohol this year.

Power interruptions in parts of Bohol, affecting only consumers of BOHECO II, were experienced on February 18.

The power interruptions then only spanned from 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

It was only due to maintenance works along the 69-kV Ubay-Alicia-Garcia line.(PNA)
BNB/ANGELINE VALENCIA/SSC

Dagupan fish pen owners given only 3 days to voluntarily demolish their structures

DAGUPAN CITY, Dec. 189 (PNA)--The city of Dagupan is now bent on demolishing all illegal fish pens standing on all rivers here after the City Legal Officer issued a final ultimatum giving the owners of these structures only three days after receipt of the notice to voluntarily demolish their pens.

City Legal Officer Victoria Cabrera issued the ultimatum on order of Mayor Belen Fernandez as she revealed that the remaining fish pens in Dagupan City, numbering 43 although standing on titled properties, are a nuisance per se.

It was the mandate of the city government to abate a nuisance in order to protect its citizens from a potential danger, she said.

The notices were already hand carried to individual owners of the remaining fish pens by the office of City Agriculture Officer Emma Molina.

Up to Dec. 16, Molina had yet to give an update who among the pen owners already received their notices and their date of receipt of the same to find out when the three-day countdown started.

Failure of the owners to voluntarily demolish their structures will compel the city government to do the same at their own expense.

Cabrera revealed that the city government will not file cases against the owners of these illegal fish pens and will just proceed on demolishing their structures using the power of the city government under the law to abate a nuisance per se.

She explained that the city will be at a disadvantage when it will sue the fish pen owners individually as the status quo will be observed, which means these structures will continue to stay till the cases against them are resolved by the court, and therefore will still continue to enjoy the fruits of these structures.

She knows how long it will take for a litigation to be resolved, citing her experience as a long-time legal practitioner.

"We will defend the city if the fish pen owners will sue the city for demolishing their fish pens," she stressed.

Mayor Fernandez is uncompromising in her stand against all the illegal structures in the river.

As a matter of fact, she said, a trawler was already rented by the city government to be used in pulling out bamboo poles deeply embedded in the water, which can not just be removed manually.

Only the fish pens standing on titled properties that were submerged in water were left in the city as those located along navigational lanes were already removed.

The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPSMI), which initially conducted reconnaissance survey of all city rivers, was all-praise to the current situation obtaining in these rivers.

Experts of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission are also coming in Dagupan City on Dec. 20 to also look into the city's river system and to recommend how it can be rehabilitated faster and make it more sustainable for the benefit of small fishermen.(PNA)

Lanao Sur exec organizes summits to fight extremism, narcotics

COTABATO CITY, Dec. 18 (PNA) -- The provincial government of Lanao del Sur have launched a series of multi-sectoral summits aimed at containing religious extremism and narcotics that created unstable peace and order and stalled development in the province, officials said today.

In a statement, Lanao del Sur Gov. Soraya A. Adiong said Lanao Sur’s prevalent poverty and unstable peace were used by militant Maute Group to propagate religious extremism that made Marawi City and surrounding towns of Lake Lanao “unsafe.”

“During our teenage years, it was safe for us to roam around Marawi City even in the evenings, not afraid of any violence and danger,” the 66-year old Adiong said. “These days, current events in our province involving a group of local terrorists have kept us in the news the past couple of weeks,” Adiong admitted.

To bring back the old days, Adiong said, she decided to seek stakeholders’ participation in the government’s fight against illegal drugs, religious extremism and poverty.

Six summits were held in Marawi City and nearby municipalities attended by academic, political, business, traditional and religious sectors to craft measures that will save the province from the hands of extremists and jihadists.

During the summits, calls for federalism as an anti-dote against extremism and poverty became even louder in support to President Duterte’s advocacy for Mindanao.

Efforts were brought down to community level with stakeholders, including police and military officials and officials of Mindanao State University, explaining the ills of extremism and narcotics.

Adiong’s son, Mamintal Jr, the vice governor, earlier urged national education officials to strictly implement law requiring accreditation of private Arabic and Islamic schools to comply national academic standards and norms.

It was Adiong’s reaction to reports that some Arabic and Islamic schools (Madaris) have become “breeding grounds for radicalism.”

In one of the meetings, Islamic preacher Ismael Menk, an international peace advocate, talked about “misinterpretations” by jihadist of the Qur’an scriptures to promote terrorism as what the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The Maute Group have been espousing ISIS ideology, bombing areas in Mindanao. The group was blamed for the September 2 bombing in Davao City that left 15 dead and 60 wounded. Eight of its members allegedly involved in Davao bombing are now in government custody.

Dr. Habib Macaayong, MSU president, said the state college has lined up more peace summits next year. President Duterte was invited as keynote speaker on the MSU-sponsored peace summit on February 2017. (PNA)

Cagayan Valley firm gives fiberglass boats to fisherfolks

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Dec 19 (PNA) -- SN Aboitiz Power Magat, Inc.(SNAP-Magat) has donated fiberglass boats to fisherfolks in Cagayan Valley to boost their income.

The recipients of the 15 fiberglass boats were fisherfolks from Isabela, Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya.

“We are grateful for this since this will enhance and promote sustainable livelihood for our fisherfolks to support their families,” Governor Carlos Padilla said .

SNAP-Magat turned over the fiberglass boats at the Magat Dam View Deck in Ramon, Isabela.

NAP Magat officials said the boats were made during a recent boat making training sponsored by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources(BFAR).

The materials for the boat making were provided by SNAP-Magat funded through their corporate social responsibility(CSR) program.

The boat making training was aimed to teach fisherfolks on the design, construction and maintenance of fiberglass fishing boats.

This would enable them to develop boat-building as a skill and potential source of alternative income.

The project also promotes eco-friendly practices as use of fiberglass boats will reduce dependence on wood from trees for boat materials.

Boats made of fiberglass have the advantage of withstanding the elements under heat and cold, and have corrosion-resistant properties that allow them to last for around 30 years

The boat making training project was granted through the Magat Task Force (MTF), a multipartite advisory council responsible for sustainable aquaculture in the Magat reservoir, among others.

SNAP-Magat and BFAR in Cagayan Valley are members of the MTF along with BFAR-Cordillera Administrative Region and National Irrigation Administration(NIA)-Dams & Reservoir Division, which also provided support to the project; National Freshwater Fisheries Technology Center(NFFTC); the provincial governments of Isabela and Ifugao; Community Environment and Natural Resources Office-San Isidro, provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office-Nueva Vizcaya and the Fisherfolk Sector Council.

SNAP-Magat owns and operates the 360-megawatt Magat Hydroeletric Power Plant at the border of Ifugao and Isabela.

It is a joint venture of SN Power of Norway and AboitizPower. (PNA)

Port of Subic expects increased port operations with Taiwan-based shipping lines

SUBIC BAY FREPORT, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- Port operations in the country’s premier freeport is expected to experience increased activities as the Taiwan government expressed keen interest in building partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Lawyer Randy Escolango, SBMA officer-in-charge (OIC) administrator, said that executive officials from Taiwan Maritime and Port Bureau, in their recent visit here, are keen to the possibility of creating partnership in transshipment.

”We are hoping that this partnership with the Port of Taiwan will come to reality. Because this is in line with the priority programs of President Duterte’s administration making the Port of Subic to become a major port in Asia,” Escolango said.

The partnership aims to increase the volume of container traffic between the Port of Subic Bay and Taiwan Ports, through Yang Ming Shipping Line.

”I even suggested to the Director General of Taiwan Port Bureau to encourage industries in Taichung to use the Port of Subic as gateway in the region,” he said.

The "Southbound Policy" of the Taiwan government has initiated concrete measures in prioritizing countries south of Taiwan, including the Philippines, in the area of trade and investments.

Due to this paradigm shift, the Philippines is taking advantage of this opportunity to capture the matured growth of industries in Taiwan in the fields of high-value manufacturing, innovation, logistics and transshipment, renewable energy, e-commerce and financing.

Escolango noted that Taiwan is the Philippines' sixth trading partner with USD7.85 billion worth of bilateral trade in 2015.

At present, there are 52 Taiwanese companies in Subic Freeport, mostly inside the Taiwanese-run Subic Bay Gateway Park, with over USD500 million worth of investments generating 12,500 direct employment and hundreds more in indirect jobs, such as transport service and catering.

Meanwhile, Escolango said that the Port of Subic has undergoing development and improvement projects in anticipation of increased port activities next year.

Projects completed under the 2015 infrastructure budget include the improvement of road networks inside the Naval Supply Depot, which is being utilized as unloading, warehousing and stockpiling area of imported bulk grains, containerized and non-containerized items.(PNA)

Heavy downpour closes roads in Samar provinces
By Sarwell Q. Meniano

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- Incessant rains dumped over the weekend has caused landslide and flood that rendered some roads unpassable in Samar provinces until early Monday morning, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported.

In a situationer report sent to media, the DPWH has monitored 11 landslides, rockslides and roadslips in three Samar provinces that blocked the highway. Floodings in 13 sections of national road have been reported, thus preventing traffic blow in some busy streets.

“The DPWH has been doing everything to clear the highway from landslide and rockslide debris in order to curb further disruption of traffic flow,” said DPWH Eastern Visayas Regional Director Edgar Tabacon.

Landslides, rockslides, and roadslips have been noted in road sections along Borongan to Guiuan, San Julian, Taft, Arteche to Taft in Eastern Samar; Calbayog-Allen, Calbayog-Catarman, Calbayog diversion road in Samar; Laoang-Catubig, Lapinig-Arteche, and Palapag-Mapanas-Gamay-Lapinig road in Northern Samar.

Highways submerged with floodwater were reported along road sections in Taft-Borongan in Eastern Samar; Calbayog City in Samar; Catarman-Calbayog, Lope de Vega, Catarman, Bobon, Mondragon, Laong-Catarman, Laoang-Catubig-Las Navas, Laong-Catubig, Lapinig-Arteche, and Palapag-Mapanas-Gamay-Lapinig in Northern Samar.

On Monday, the state weather bureau has raised flood warning for rivers in Oras, Dolores, Ulot, Taft, Borongan, Suribao, Llorento, Balangiga and Sulat in Eastern Samar due to northeast monsoon that will bring light to moderate rains

Other affected water courses are Catarman, Bugko, Pambujan, Catubig, Palapag, and Gamay in Northern Samar; Sangputan, Palo, Salano, Daguitan, Marabong, Cadacan, Bongquirogon, Salug, Pagbanagaran, Pagsangahan and Binahaan in Leyte; Bisay, Himbangan and Pandan in Southern Leyte; and Basey, Silaga, Calbiga, and Jibatan rivers in Samar.(PNA)