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Santiago City tricycle drivers undergo values enhancement awareness seminar

SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela, Dec 19 (PNA) -- A group of tricycle drivers in the city have undergone values enhancement and awareness seminar sponsored by the city government.

Rogelio Marzan, head of the Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS),on Monday said the seminar was conducted to ensure that tricycle drivers in the city will carry with them the values in giving public utility service to the passengers.

Marzan said that he recommended the seminar to the local chief executive and approved it seeing the importance of enhancing the values among tricycle drivers.

The seminar will be conducted in batches to ensure that all tricycle drivers have undergone a values enhancement seminar.

Among the topics discussed are avoid arrogance among passengers, providing courteous to passengers, avoid reckless driving, and several others, including traffic rules and regulations while in the city streets.

Marzan said the seminar also aims to make the city a place of disciplined tricycle drivers.

The DPOS official has urged the tricycle drivers to always carry with them the values they have learned and in serving passengers with courtesy and respect. (PNA)

Bicol police recover cocaine bricks worth PHP100-M off Tiwi, Albay
By Connie B. Destura

LEGAZPI CITY, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- The government’s anti-drug campaign in Bicol got another boost after local fishermen turned over to local police authorities 18 bricks of cocaine that they found floating 100 meters off the shores of Tiwi town in Albay on Sunday night, said the top official of the Bicol police Monday morning.

Chief Supt. Melvin Buenafe, director of the Regional Police Office (PRO5), in an interview, said each of the cocaine bricks found in waters off Barangay Sogod, Tiwi weighed 1 kilogram each and that the 18 kilos of cocaine bricks could cost up to PHP100 million.

Senior Insp. Jan King Calipay, chief of police of Tiwi Municipal Police Office (MPO), said two fishermen while on board a motorized banca found floating offshore a net full of “brick-like items wrapped with brown packaging tape.”

He said the two fishermen, Manuel Comota and Razel Bragais, informed Teresita Cericos, barangay captain of Sogod, about the package and immediately informed the MPO about it.

Buenafe thanked the fishermen and Cericos for their “courage in responding to the Philippine National Police’s campaign against illegal drugs.”

He encouraged the public to continue supporting the Philippine National Police (PNP) in its anti-drug campaign.

Calipay said the recovered cocaine bricks were submitted to the PNP crime lab for further testing.(PNA)

DPWH constructs flood control project in Isabela

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 2 remains proactive in its bid to lessen the damages brought by perennial flooding in Iligan, Isabela through the implementation of the Baculud flood control project.

A flood control structure comprised of bored piles and sheet piles was started to construct with reinforced rubble concrete and a cemented pavement and with line canal to prevent the inflow of water and reduce the risk of flooding especially during rainy season.

DPWH-2 Regional Director Melanio C. Briosos said DPWH is keen in its thrust of ensuring that its projects cater to the needs of the public.

The PHP184 million project will address the life-long clamor of the people who are at risk during the onslaught of natural calamities within the province.

Expected to be completed early next year, the project is seen to mitigate the adverse effects of perennial flooding and safeguard the safety of the people who live nearby. (PNA)

Cavite province to implement color coding scheme starting Dec. 22
By Rogelio Limpin

TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite, Dec. 16 (PNA) -- The provincial government will start implementing the color coding scheme on Dec. 22, 2016 based on the ordinance passed by the provincial legislative council and approved by Governor Jesus "Boying" Remulla.

The ordinance seeks to regulate the operation of private vehicles within the territorial jurisdiction of the province through the Unified Vehicular Reduction System (UVRS) which is similar to color coding scheme of Metro Manila Development Authority(MMDA).

The ordinance will be implemented along Aguinaldo Highway from Bacoor City to Tagaytay City, Molino Boulevard to Paliparan, Dasmarinas City, Governors Drive to Carmona and Trece Martires City to Daang Hari Road.

Authorities will restrict cars, motorcycles, trucks and other private vehicles from traveling on Aguinaldo Highway, Governors Drive, Molino-Paliparan Road and Centennial Road based on plate numbers in specific days.

Banned are vehicles with license plate numbers ending as follows: Mondays 1-2, 3-4; Tuesdays, Wednesdays 5-6, 7-8; Thursdays, 9 and 0 on Fridays, from 6:00 am to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Violators will be fined with at least Php 300. (PNA)

Christmas cards, letters flood Legazpi City post office
By Jorge Hallare

LEGAZPI CITY, Dec. 17 (PNA) -- Amid the widespread use of social media like Facebook and various messaging apps, traditional postal services that require postage stamps for mails to be sent is enjoying a resurgence in this city, especially during the holiday season.

An official at the Legazpi City Post Office (LCPO) said they are now experiencing a "mail traffic problem" because of the huge volume of Christmas cards and letters that must be sent abroad.

“Many are still patronizing the old way of sending their messages and greetings to their loved ones, especially this yuletide season,” said Honorio Pecundo, postmaster 6 of LCPO.

He said as early as the middle of November they have been experiencing problems sending mails abroad, especially in the US and Middle East, where many Filipinos are living and working.

"In fact, we have suspended accepting mails going to the East Coast (in the US) and some parts of the Middle East where we are experiencing an extremely high volume of mails," Pecundo said.

He said LCPO has stopped accepting mails that are intended for the 14 US states in the East Coast like Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida and Cyprus and Yemen in the Middle East.

Among those who could not send her holiday greetings abroad is Amparo "Ampy" Luna, 76.

Luna, a resident of Barangay Pigcale in this city, said that three days ago, she tried to send a Christmas card through LCPO for her son, 50-year-old American national Michael Uenkingcard who is based in Virginia, but was told by LCPO that they have stopped sending mails to that US state.

Pecundo said LCPO’s counterparts in the US have been faced with lack of personnel who will deliver a big volume of mail this coming Yuletide season.

He added that they have also suspended the sending of mails to Cyprus and Yemen because of war in that part of the Middle East.

Luna said she usually prepares for the Christmas card that she would send to her son because she knows he would want to read it as many times as he would like to.

She believes a card has a more "personal touch" to it than if she were to send her holiday greetings through her cellphone or via the internet.

Luna said that her son told her he could not understand why the shipment of Christmas cards to the East Coast has been suspended.

“That's really weird and there's no reason for it," her son told her through Facebook.

Cesar Baliza, assistant post master, said they receive an average of 45,000 mails and letters on regular months while during special periods such as December they receive 60,000 mails and letters for shipment abroad.

He said they expect a similar number of mails and letters from other countries to be delivered monthly to 70 barangays in Legazpi City.

Baliza said after suffering a slump for many years due to competition posed by advanced technologies in the Internet the demand for postal services at LCPO has been seeing a significant increase this year.

He said even during the months outside of the holiday season they get “bulk volumes” of mails and letters from different government agencies, regional trial courts, Public Attorneys Office, private lawyers, commercial banks and insurance companies -- all of whom are regular clients.

Baliza cited PhilHealth as among those who contribute to their bulk volume of mails because of the PhilHealth cards they send annually to indigent members in various barangays in the city.

He said LCPO now has an average monthly income of PHP1.3 million or PHP13 to PHP14 million annually.

“There are even students who still patronize the old way of sending messages,” said Baliza.

But LCPO discovered however that majority of the letter senders do not know how to send a letter or mail properly as they are more familiar with cellphones, internet and other modern means of sending messages.

“They are confused as to where to put the name of the letter sender and receiver in the letter envelope and as to what is meant by the Zip code,” he said.

Baliza conveyed an appeal to the public, especially students and those who do not know how to fill up the face of the letter envelope, that LCPO personnel are willing to go to schools or even barangays to conduct an orientation on how to correctly do them to facilitate the sending of their greeting cards or letters to their loved ones. (PNA)

CA in Cebu orders permanent closure of 15.4-hectare Cebu City landfill

CEBU CITY, Dec. 16 (PNA) -- The Court of Appeals (CA) Special 19th Division in Cebu City has granted the “writ of kalikasan” and ordered the permanent closure of the Cebu City Government-owned 15.4-hectare Inayawan Sanitary landfill until it is fully rehabilitated.

In its 25-page decision, the CA ordered Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña to permanently cease and desist from dumping garbage or solid waste at the Inayawan landfill.

Penned by Associate Justice Edgardo L. Delos Santos, the 19th Division chairperson, and concurred by Associate Justices Edward Contreras and Germano Francisco Legaspi, the decision also ordered Osmeña to continue the rehabilitation of the Inayawan landfill.

The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 was directed to regularly monitor the Cebu City Government’s strict compliance with the CA’s decision.

The EMB-DENR 7 was the co-respondent of the case that includes EMB 7 OIC-Director William Cuñado, DENR 7 Director Emma Melana, in representation of DENR Secretary Gina Lopez.

In case of non-compliance, the EMB-DENR 7 is directed to file or recommend the filing of appropriate criminal, civil and administrative charges before the proper authorities against the responsible persons.

The EMB-DENR 7 is also ordered to submit to the CA a monthly progress report on the Cebu City Government’s compliance until such time that the rehabilitation of Inayawan landfill is complete and sufficient according to the agency’s standards.

The petition for a writ of kalikasan case was filed by Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera, for and on his behalf, and in representation of the People of the Cities of Cebu and Talisay, and the future generations, including the unborn.

Garganera prayed for the issuance of a temporary environmental protection order (TEPO) against Osmena and EMB-DENR ultimately seeking to enjoin the reopening and operation of the sanitary landfill.

The landfill, which started operations in 1993, was closed by then mayor Michael Rama in 2015 but was ordered reopened by Osmena in July 2016. (PNA)

Anini-y village receives health station from KALAHI-CIDDS

SAN JOSE de BUENAVISTA ANTQUE, Dec. 16 (PNA) --- The KALAHI, or the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan, or literally, the “linking hands in the fight against poverty” through its program the Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services (CIDSS)in the municipality of Anini-y, Antique inaugurated and turned over one unit health station with complete amenities Friday at Barangay Igtumarom, this municipality.

Barangay Igtumarom’s elective officials, Sangguniang Bayan members, Local Government Unit (LGU)employees; the community of teachers, parents and pupils of Igtumarom Elementary School and residents witnessed the simple ceremony.

This one unit health Station has a project cost of Php 840,000. It was constructed within 90 calendar days.

“I’m so thankful for the agencies which coordinated with one another to give our barangay an opportunity to serve the need of the residents. We lack facilities like this here in this mountainous area like Barangay Igtumarom , and this project will benefit our people ,” Igtumarom’s Barangay Secretary Marvin Saim said.

The local government unit of Anini-y also assigned some health personnel like midwives and nurses in the health canter to cater to the needs of its residents. (PNA)

Number of Cebu villages declared drug-free rises to 65

CEBU CITY, Dec. 16 (PNA) -- The number of villages in Cebu Province which were declared by local authorities to be free of illegal drugs, peddlers and users has risen to 65, a police official said.

Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Eric Noble said the villages were in the towns of Dumanjug and Tabuelan in mainland Cebu and San Francisco, Poro, Tudela and Pilar in Camotes islands.

Noble said the barangays have allegedly fulfilled the parameters set by the Dangerous Drugs Board’s (DDB) resolution, which provides guidelines for the drug-clearing operations in the barangays.

Noble said the declaration, which was made by the local anti-drug abuse councils in the different towns, would be validated by the CPPO, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7 and the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office (CPADAO).

Noble said the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Badac), Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Madac) and PDEA must submit their certifications before these are validated and approved.

Earlier, 16 barangays in Alcoy, Boljoon and Santander towns in southern Cebu had also been proclaimed drug-free.

The reports from the barangay and municipal anti-drug abuse councils in these towns were already submitted to CPADAO for final approval.

The DDB said a village was classified as being cleared of illegal drugs when drugs were no longer available; it isn’t being used as a drug transit or transshipment point; it had no illegal drug laboratory, chemical drug warehouse, or a marijuana cultivation site; and it had no resorts or other places being used as drug dens.

The village must also have no more drug pushers, drug users or dependents, as well as protectors or coddlers and financiers. (PNA)

Ex-IBP Cebu City chapter president dies (Obit)

CEBU CITY, Dec. 16 (PNA) -- Former Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) â€" Cebu City Chapter president Alex Tolentino passed away on Thursday afternoon after succumbing to colon cancer.

Lawyer Earl Bonachita, who represented Tolentino when the late lawyer got involved in a legal row a few years back, said Tolentino’s death was a big loss not just for his family but also for the legal community.

“Aside from serving as past president of IBP Cebu City Chapter, he passionately served as legal aid volunteer lawyer,” Bonachita said.

“I could personally attest that he was one of the most diligent and passionate defense lawyers in the city. With him gone, we will sorely miss his legal aid services for the poor. May the young generation of lawyers emulate his passion to defend the marginalized especially in these trying times when many innocent lives are lost without the benefit of due process of law,” he said.

Bonachita said Tolentino died at his residence along Echavez Street in Cebu City at 1:20 p.m. Thursday.

IBP â€" Cebu City president Hidelito Pascual said Tolentino’s passing was a great loss to the law profession in Cebu City.

“He has always been at the forefront of issues,” he said.

Bonachita said Tolentino’s wake will be held at St. Peter’s at Imus Street, Cebu City.

His interment will be on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at Golden Haven in Barangay Talamban, Cebu City. (PNA)

Antique's provincial labor office holds safety awareness training for firecracker manufacturers

SAN JOSE de BUENAVISTA, Antique, Dec. 17 (PNA) -- Antique’s provincial labor office said it has carried out the work stoppage order for all establishments that manufacture and sell pyrotechnics and firecrackers when it gathered 66 entrepreneurs from the towns of San Jose, Hamtic and Patnongon for a Safety Awareness Training.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)â€"Antique is only performing its role to assist these manufacturers, as mandated by Rule 1012.02 of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards in relation to Article 168 of the Labor Code, its provincial director, Lorraine Villegas, said in an interview Friday.

”This work stoppage order was issued because of the many incidents from October to November of this year when explosions in fireworks shops killed some persons and injured many others, and the DOLE national office is just preparing to lessen the fireworks incidents, knowing that this business increases its production during the holiday season,” said Villegas.

She described the Safety Awareness Training that was attended by manufacturers and sellers of pyrotechnics and firecrackers, as well as representatives of local government units, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) as a great help.

Villegas said her office requires these manufacturers and sellers to submit a PNP certificate, a BFP clearance and a certificate proving that they attended the DOLE orientation.

“We are holding this training for free and we are also inspecting factories if they are compliant with the agencies’ standards relative to the General Labor Standards,” she added. (PNA)

Iligan City Mayor denies implicating 2 former lawmakers in illegal drug trade

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Dec. 16 (PNA) â€" Iligan City Mayor Celso Regencia on Friday denied a hand in the report about the alleged involvement of two former lawmakers in that city in the illegal drug trade.

In a statement released to the media here, the City Mayor's Information Office, said that Regencia had nothing to do when President Rodrigo Duterte reportedly included the names of former Rep. Vicente Belmonte, of Iligan City, and former City Mayor Lawrence Cruz in the "narco-list" as alleged protectors of the illegal drugs there.

Cruz served as Iligan city mayor and representative, while Belmonte, who accused Regencia as the mastermind in an attempt to kill him in 2014, used to be a congressman in the city’s lone district.

In his speech before the business leaders on Monday, Duterte mentioned “Representative Vincente” and “Mayor Lawrence” as just two of the political figures involved in the illegal drug trade in Nothern Mindanao.

Duterte also said his exposé would eventually lead to the prosecution of the two former officials.

In an interview on Love Radio-Iligan on Tuesday, Cruz said that he was the “Lawrence” being alluded to by the President, but denied that he (Cruz) is a drug protector.

“I just want the people to know that [the accusation] is not true. I am innocent. Even if I have to undergo a drug test today, I will test negative,” Cruz was quoted as saying.

Now that his name was mentioned by Duterte, Cruz said he was afraid that he would end up like the slain Albuera, Leyte mayor, Rolando Espinosa, who was killed by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) inside his cell at the Baybay, Leyte sub-provincial jail last month.

He said that he now feared that his house would be raided and searched and if the law enforcers would find nothing, they would resort to “planting” illegal drugs, and then later "kill me."

Cruz said that politics might be behind the accusation and assured his political opponents that he had no plans of running in the next elections.

Jose Pantoja, the Iligan City Information Officer, said that Regencia challenged Belmonte and Cruz to file a legal action against Duterte for implicating them in the illegal drug trafficking in the region.

Pantoja said that there was no truth to the allegation that it was Regencia and Iligan city police director Senior Superintendent Leon Roy Ga who provided Duterte the names of Cruz and Belmonte.

Cruz should not blame Regencia and Ga on why their (Cruz and Belmonte) names were mentioned in Duterte's drug list and urged the lawmaker to file charges against the President, Pantoja said.

Pantoja said that it was not as easy as anyone might think to simply tell the President to include the names of Cruz and Belmonte in the narco-list.

“Duterte has the power to order the law enforcement authorities [like the CIDG, PDEA and the NBI] through their intelligence units to verify the name of politicians involved in the illegal drug trade. He (Cruz) must not blame Regencia right away,” he added.

As of this writing, Belmonte has yet to issue a statement regarding Duterte’s statement. (PNA)

Koronadal cops, inmates foil escape try of detainees

KORONADAL CITY, Dec. 17 (PNA) -- Police and inmates foiled an attempt by four detainees to bolt out of the Koronadal City police lockup early Saturday.

Koronadal City police director, Supt. Barney Condes, told DXOM-AM Radyo Bida that the escape plot was discovered after detainees in another cell alerted police officers on duty at about 2:30 a.m.

Condes said the lockup watch officer quickly responded and prevented the escape of inmates Rex Valeriano, 29; Lyndon Calanza, 29; Alex Mangudadatu, 23; and Rodelo Moliji, 18.

Condes said all of them are facing drug charges and one of them is also facing robbery charges.

Recovered from the detainees' possessions were six spoons, a bamboo pole and a five-inch concrete nail that they used to carve a hole on a concrete wall.

Condes said the action of other inmates in alerting the police officers was the result of the humane treatment the police have been giving the detainees.

Following the discovery of the escape attempt, Condes temporarily suspended jail visits but noted that spoons are not among the banned items inside the half-way detention facility.

He also ordered the police to monitor the inmates strictly and institute measures that would prevent future attempts to flee from the lockup. (PNA)

NIA- Antique distributes 22 units of shallow tube wells to four LGUs

SAN JOSE de BUENAVISTA, Antique, Dec. 15 (PNA) -- National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Antique Managerial Office distributed 22 units of shallow tube wells (STW) to four municipalities in the province namely Tibiao, Laua-an, Sebaste and Bugasong.

Barangay Pangalcagan, Bugasong and Tibiao each received six units of STW with Php 1,345,908.50 allotted budget while Barangay Casit-an Laua-an and Barangay Abiera, Sebaste has the same budget allotment of Php 1,082,988.50 for five units of STW each.

Each unit of tube well was projected to irrigate 6 hectares and a total of 132 hectares will be irrigated by 22 units of shallow tube wells. These will benefit the farmers who have farms around the municipalities where these wells are located. The project started this December and hopefully be completed by January 2017.

The undertaking of NIA got its allocation from the national office and has no counterpart from the LGU concerned. (PNA)

Organizers to hike subsidy to dancing contingents in Sinulog 2017

CEBU CITY, Dec. 16 (PNA) -- The Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI), organizers of the annual Sinulog Grand Parade held every third Sunday of January in Cebu City, will raise the subsidies of dancing contingents in the 2017 Sinulog celebration.

Cebu City Councilor Hanz Abella, Sinulog executive committee head, said the increase on the subsidy would be determined in their next executive committee meeting.

A subsidy would also be given to participating barangays, he said.

The SFI has been giving Php 200,000 as financial assistance to out-of-town contingents and those from Cebu Province and Php 120,000 for their transportation.

Abella said they would increase the subsidy as they expected fewer participants in the grand parade next year.

“There are only few who signified to join because of the change of administration. The contingents are not being supported by their local government units. They don’t have budgets so we are planning to increase the subsidy,” he said.

Earlier, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he would no longer allow public elementary and high schools from the city to join the Sinulog sa Kabataan.

Osmena said the participants must come from the barangays.

SFI executive director Ricky Ballesteros said the Sinulog sa Barangay and the Sinulog sa Kabataan Lalawigan each had 10 contingents.

Ballesteros said the grand parade only have four out-of-town contingents, those from Lanao del Norte, Dumaguete City, Catbalogan City in Samar and Tangub City.

The two contingents from Placer, Masbate so the Kulturang Placereño will not be able to defend its title in the Sinulog-based category.

The contingent from Panglao in Bohol will also not join the Sinulog next year. (PNA)

Leyte road mishap kills 5

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, Dec. 15 (PNA) â€"- A collision between two passenger vans left at least five passengers dead along the national highway of Villaba town in Leyte on Wednesday afternoon.

A police report stated that the van E.R. Jr., a Toyota Hi Ace owned by Ephraim Requitillo, Jr. bound to Palompon town from Ormoc City, failed to control the steering wheel due to slippery road and bumped into the Gee Rhaim van from the opposite route in A. Tumamak village, Villaba town.

The vehicle glided and ran crisscross before it finally headed to the lane of the other vehicle. The head-on collision caused severe damage to both vehicles but the five passengers including the driver of Gee Rhaim, also a Toyota Hi Ace van, sustained only minor injuries.

Three of E.R. Jr.’s seven passengers reportedly died on the spot including the driver, while another was declared dead on arrival at the community hospital. Other injured commuters were rushed to Ormoc City hospital where one was pronounced dead.

“I stopped when I saw the van moving unstable after it glided while stirring down near our direction,” Gee Rhaim’s driver Themestocles Hortelano recalled.

The Requitillo family attended to the needs of the victims. (PNA)

Calamba City cops seize Php200K worth of illegal drugs from 15-year old female
By Zen Trinidad

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, Dec. 16 (PNA) -- Elements of the city police force here seized 100 grams of suspected "shabu" worth Php200,000 from a 15-year old female in a buy-bust operation in a mall terminal at Real village here on Thursday afternoon.

Police Superintendent Alfred Tapulao, acting chief of police, said operatives led by Police Inspector Jose Marie Peña conducted a buy-bust operation at the terminal of SM City Calamba along Real Village around 3:00 p.m. that resulted to the arrest of the 15-year old female (name withheld), a resident of Habay, Bacoor City, Cavite.

The suspect was brought to the city’s social welfare office for custody while a case for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 was prepared for filing in the City Prosecutor’s Office. (PNA)

Cavite offers relocation, cash assistance to public market fire victims
By Rogelio Limpin

ROSARIO, Cavite, Dec. 16 (PNA) -- The local government of this municipality has offered a relocation site and cash assistance in a form of a loan up to Php50,000 to businesses in the public market that were destroyed by a fire Thursday evening. The blaze was declared a fire out Friday morning.

Mayor Voltaire Ricafrente and Vice mayor Jose Ricafrente offered the site beside the municipal hall for the relocation of the businesses destroyed by the fire. They also offered the loan from Php 20,000 to Php 50,000 for the owners to continue their businesses.

Provincial Chief Fire Marshall Superintendent Jerome Reano said the fire started at 9:25 p.m. Thursday and was declared fire out at 2:30 a.m. Friday.

Damage to the dry and wet section of the public market was estimated at Php 15 million with no casualty. (PNA)

Cagayan De Oro, Iligan City police bag awards for illegal drug campaign

CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan De Oro City, Dec. 16 (PNA) -- Cagayan de Oro City police chief, Police Senior Supt. Ronnie Francis Cariaga, bested all other city police chiefs in the highly urbanized city category to bag this year's national award in the fight against illegal drugs campaign.

The regional police command announced here Friday that Cariaga bested all other contenders in the highly-urbanized cities nationwide and was adjudged "Best Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Group-Highly Urbanized City Level."

He added that Senator Vicente Sotto III would present the award during the observance of the First Founding Anniversary of the Philippine National Police Anti-illegal Drug Group (AIDG) in Camp Rafael Crame, Quezon City later Friday.

PNP Director General Ronald Dela Rosa and Anti-illegal Drugs Acting Director, Police Supt Albert Ignatius Ferro, would assist Sotto in the presentation of the award.

Iligan City police chief, Police Senior Supt Leony Roy Ga would also receive similar award as "Best Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Group-Station Level" besting all police stations nationwide.

"We are very happy and deeply honored for these twin awards by our hardworking City Directors. This will not only give justice to the hard work of our personnel on the ground but also encourage them to strive harder amidst many challenges and trials while performing their jobs as policemen," Police Chief Supt. Noel Constantino, the regional police director in Nothern Mindanao, said. (PNA)

DPWH S. Leyte ranks 20th nationwide in project contract management app use

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec. 16 (PNA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways Southern Leyte District Engineering Office (DPWH-SLDEO) has been listed as one of the country’s top performing office in the usage of the Project Contract Management Application (PCMA).

With a score of 86.14 percent as of end of November 2016, the SLDEO ranked first in Eastern Visayas region and 20th nationwide in terms of PCMA use. There are 234 DPWH district offices in the country.

“This is something that we should be happy about because PCMA was just adapted in the district this quarter and yet we’re able to make it to the best of 20 district offices,” said District Engineer Ma. Margarita C. Junia.

The PCMA replaces the modernized project monitoring system used to check projects from 2015 and prior years.

“Aside from improved monitoring of project contracts, the new system also aims to achieve transparency since project updates can be viewed online,” Junia added.

The PCMA include data quality and internal control features to prevent basic data problems from occurring, immediately highlighting the error and preventing data entry until corrected.

“After a project engineer encodes updates, there’s no way for them to manipulate the information since the database is centralized,” she added.

Through the PCMA, the public can verify the data available online and actual physical accomplishments of project on sites, according to DPWH.

The PCMA utilizes the new project identification and project component identification structure in the multi-year programming and scheduling application.

The application adheres to the new way of project identification with monitoring of physical accomplishments will be by project, project component, and contract.

Under the 2016 infrastructure projects based on National Expenditure Program, the district office has PHP1 billion worth of infrastructure projects this year.

Other district offices tagged as excellent in PCMA usage are located in the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Bohol, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Pangasinan, Camarines Sur, Isabela, Tarlac, Cebu, Quirino, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Cotabato, Sarangani, Cagayan, and Surigao. (PNA)

3 evacuation centers in Isabela near completion

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela, Dec 16 (PNA) -- The Provincial Engineering Office of Isabela reported at least three more typhoon-proof evacuation centers funded by the provincial government are now near completion.

The three evacuation centers are part of the five evacuation centers that the provincial government of Isabela have allotted funds for the construction.

Engineer Gregorio Aguilar of the Provincial Engineering Office said that the evacuation center in Maconancon is on-going its construction with at least 58.8% completed; Divilacan has at least 52.9% completed and Palanan is 48.09% completed.

Aguilar said the Dinapigue evacuation center is 100% completed and already has generator set delivered while the Isabela Multi-Purpose Evacuation Center also is 100% completed and ready to use by evacuees.

Meanwhile, Aguilar said the Bureau of Fire (BFP) and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) is at 19.53% completed.

The BFP â€" PDRRMO building is also funded by the provincial government to accommodate the fire personnel of BFP â€" Isabela and PDRRMO personnel respectively.

The building will also serve as the operations center before, during and after disasters. (PNA)

9 villages in Santiago City declared drug-free

SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela, Dec 16 (PNA) -- At least nine villages in this city were declared as drug-free by the Santiago City Police Office (SCPO)
AFTER THERE WERE NO MORE REGISTERED ILLEGAL DRUG ACTIVITIES AND DRUG USERS.

SENIOR SUPT. PERCIVAL RUMBAOA, SCPO CHIEF, SAID THE NINE VILLAGES ARE SAN ISIDRO, LUNA, SINILI, SANTA ROSA, ABRA, SALVADOR, NABUAN, CABULAY AND BANNAWAG.

RUMBOA SAID THE POLICE IN THE CITY HAVE CONDUCTED OPLAN TOKHANG BEFORE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BARANGAY OFFICIALS AND YIELDED A NUMBER OF DRUG SURENDERERS WHO WERE RECOMMENDED FOR VARIOUS SKILLS AND LIVELIHOOD TRAINING TO ENSURE THAT THEY WOULD NO LONGER ENGAGED ON ILLEGAL DRUGS.

EARLIER, CITY MAYOR JOSEPH TAN HAS CHALLENGED ALL BARANGAYS TO BE DRUG-FREE AND ONCE IT IS DECLARED AS DRUG-FREE, THE CITY GOVERNMENT WILL BE GIVING SERVICE VEHICLES FOR THE OFFICIAL USE IN THE VILLAGES. ZST/SCD/MGEDALE

ARMM sets PHP10.1-B for 2017 infra projects

COTABATO CITY, Dec. 16 (PNA) -- Officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on Friday approved PHP10.1 billion worth of infrastructure projects to be implemented next year, officials said.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman and members of the Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA), the region's lawmaking body, on Friday signed Public Works Act of 2017 that authorizes the appropriation of PHP10.1 billion for infrastructure projects in ARMM.

The region’s Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-ARMM), through its district engineering offices across the region, will implement the approved projects.

Hataman said the projects include the construction of major roads and bridges, water supply, seaports, shores, drainage canal, flood control, strategic infrastructure projects in support of tourism, agriculture, peace and security, public health or sanitation, and other socioeconomic development activities and those in conflict- or calamity-affected areas.

He said the appropriation will be effective even beyond Fiscal Year 2017 until fully released, obligated, and disbursed for the purpose. The infrastructure funds, Hataman stressed, will be properly distributed to the region's five provinces and two cities.

“We will make sure that all the provinces will receive development projects from the regional government,” Hataman said.

DPWH-ARMM Secretary Don Mustapha Loong noted that the implementation of the projects will be undertaken through competitive public bidding with the local and national media in attendance.

To effectively oversee the projects, the Regional Project Monitoring Committee, inclusive of the legislative assembly members or representatives, will conduct periodic checks and validation of the status of the project's implementation, based on the approved program of work, project specifications, and time frame of completion.

Since Hataman assumed office as officer in charge and eventually as elected governor, members of the local and national media, along with ARMM watchdogs, have been well-represented to ensure transparency and accountability.

He urged the local media to monitor and report any anomaly they observe in the implementation of public works. (PNA)

Aboitiz power firm in Cotabato decentralizes electric bill payment

COTABATO CITY, Dec. 16 (PNA) -- The Aboitiz-owned Cotabato Light and Power Company (Cotabato Light) has continued to improve its services to clients as it recently decentralized the payment of power bills, officials said Friday.

"In line with our thrust of providing customer convenience, Cotabato Light has partnered with another third party for easy transactions for our clients," Anna Lea Lee Nataño, Cotabato Light's branding and corporate communication chief, said in a statement.

She said the firm has partnered with SaveMore, a grocery center inside the City Mall of Cotabato, where the power firm's clients could pay electric bills.

The move was seen as Cotabato Light's efforts to bring electric bill payments closer to consumers, saving them cost and time, considering the traffic problem hounding commuters in the city.

Other Cotabato Light collecting partners are EC Pay, CIS Bayad Center, Cebuana Lhuillier, M. Lhuillier and USCC Western Union.

"Since this is available to all branches in the Philippines, a power consumer can pay the electric bill anytime," Arlene Hepiga, Cotabato Light branding and corporation communication staff member, said, adding that the same policies apply, such as surcharges for late payment.

"Pay your bills while you shop at SaveMore," a billboard greets power consumers queueing at the power firm's main office billing section.

Hepiga said all power consumers need to do as they settle their power bills at malls is to present the electric bill, the statement of account, or the old official receipt that indicates the client's account identification. Partial or full payment is accepted, cash or check is accepted and transaction receipt will be issued by partners upon payment.

"No additional charges will be collected," Nataño said. "Now, it’s more convenient, fast and reliable to pay your Cotabato Light Electric Bill from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m." (PNA)

Cebu City legislator welcomes CA order to close city’s landfill

CEBU CITY, Dec. 16 (PNA) -- Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera on Friday welcomed the order of the Court of Appeals (CA) Special 19th Division in Cebu City to close the Inayawan landfill.

Garganera, who filed the case seeking for the closure of the landfill, said the victory in his case was for all Cebuanos.

“We should never cower in the face of opposition when what is at stake is our health and our very own future. The stronger the opposition, the more we should be convinced of its rightness,” he said.

But Garganera said he had not officially received a copy of the CA order.

He said he already asked his staff to go to the CA office to ask for a copy of the order.

Garganera filed the petition for the issuance of a Writ of Kalikasan against Cebu City Mayor Osmeña and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR) 7 asking for the closure of the landfill.

Roberto Cabarrubias, who heads city hall’s Department of Public Services (DPS), said they also had not received a copy of the order.

He said they would follow it once they get a copy.

He said they were now looking for an open space to be used as a temporary transfer station where the city’s garbage could be dumped.

Cebu City mayor warns to arrest Sinulog revelers caught drinking alcohol

CEBU CITY, Dec. 16 (PNA) -- Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena has warned revelers who will be caught drinking liquor or alcoholic drinks along the streets during next year’s Sinulog Grand Parade, to be held in the third Sunday of January, will be arrested.

Osmeña also vowed to implement certain measures that would help prevent public disorder during the Sinulog parade, one of the country’s biggest tourist drawers.

“I am sorry if I sound very strict but we have to start this way,” Osmeña said.

Osmeña said the presence of drunken people would create public disturbance and a risky situation.

“We cannot have several hundred people running around wild,” he said.

A stampede was reported in a street party on Gen. Maxilom Avenue in Cebu City a few hours after the Sinulog Grand Parade ended.

Injured persons were brought to a nearby private hospital.

But a day after, police said no stampede happened although there were unruly revelers amidst the huge crowd.

Osmeña also said he wanted to finish the celebration early.

“We are cutting it early, before the sun down. People are just barely partying, finish, over. I hope it would be manageable,” he said.

Rat, black bug infestation destroys PHP11-M agri products in North Cotabato

COTABATO CITY, Dec 15 (PNA) -- Rat and black bug infestation in farming communities in Kabacan, North Cotabato have destroyed more than PHP11 million worth of agricultural crops from October to December this year, disaster officials today said.

David Don Saure, Kabacan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC), said seven of 24 villages have been affected by rat attacks and black bug infestation.

Kabacan is North Cotabato's rice producing town that earned recognition not only in the province but region-wide. It is more known as North Cotabato's rice granary.

Saure said the municipal agriculture office, in its assessment report, reported that the infestation has affected more than 500 hectares.

It also affected 491 farm families in seven villages.

Saure said as of Dec. 13, the total cost of damages to crops was pegged at PHP11,420,942.

With the situation, Saure said the MDRRMC has recommended to the office of Mayor Herlo Guzman and the town's Sangguniang Bayan to place the entire town under state of calamity.

Guzman said he was considering the MDRRMC recommendation and sought the help of town council members. Today, the town council will discuss the proposed declaration, Guzman said.

Severely affected villages are Cuyapon, Dagupan, Katidtuan, Lower Paatan, Malamote, Kilagasan and Aringay. Saure said other communities were also affected, not only by bugs and rat attacks but also floods due to frequent light to moderate rains.

Last year, Kabacan had experience massive rat infestation that affected more than PHP24-M worth of crops. The local government also launched "rat tails for rice," where farmers collect rat tails in exchange for a kilo of rice. (PNA)

Solon allots Php 12 M for health services, financial aid

SAN JOSE de BUENAVISTA, Antique, Dec. 16 (PNA) - Antique’s solon Paolo Everardo S. Javier disclosed to local media on a brief press conference held at Barangay Odiong, Sibalom, Friday night that his office had allotted Php 9 million for the continuity of his Medical Assistance Program for the indigent Antiquenos.

The amount was to be divided among two hospitals in the city of Iloilo, namely Western Visayas Hospital and Don Benito Hospital and the remaining Php 5 million will be downloaded to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office on February next year.

Javier also allotted another Php 3 million for non-Philhealth members for them to avail the universal health program.

He also said that he was willing to assist the more than 600 Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) in their clamor to appeal for the increase of their honorarium.

It was reported that during the 2016 BNS Summit held at the EBJ Memorial Gymnasium last Dec. 15, the National Nutrition Council Deputy Executive Director Dr. Azucena Dayanghirang urged the participants to gather signatures from concerned citizens and have this petition submitted to the office of the congressman for him to push for the honorarium increase.

”I understand that it is to be deliberated in the Lower House and if ever there is a request for me to sponsor or to push for it, then I am more than willing to do it,” said Javier.

The young solon and son of former Antique governor Exequiel B. Javier had prioritized health, education, livelihood and infrastructure as his flagship programs for his last term as Antique’s representative. (PNA)

Group seeks inclusion of PHP26-B Cebu expressway in President’s emergency powers

CEBU CITY, Dec. 15 (PNA) -- A group has sought the inclusion in President Rodrigo Duterte’s emergency powers the implementation of the proposed PHP26-billion Cebu expressway that will go from Carcar City in the south to Danao City in the north.

Engr. Fortunato Sanchez, subcommittee chairman on infrastructure and utilities of the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board-Research, Program and Organizational Development (MCDCB-RPOD), said the project could be implemented if the President will be given emergency powers.

If the proposed Traffic Crisis Act of 2016 is passed, the PHP26-billion Carcar-Danao circumferential road may be implemented to help solve the traffic problem in Metro Cebu, Sanchez said.

But Sanchez said that since the proposed project is still in the survey stage, he recommended to the MCDCB to implement major traffic reduction projects worth PHP15 billion that already have existing studies.

Sanchez said the proposed Carcar-Danao circumferential road is still within the conceptual stage with two parties conducting road studies.

Two groups, CEDCO Inc. and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), have already provided studies on its viability.

But Sanchez said that while the construction phase is easy, acquisition of the road-right-of-way (RROW) for the project will be a difficult task.

Sanchez proposed to the MCDCB that while awaiting more updates on the proposed circumferential road, the board could focus on other projects such as the PHP5-billion circumferential road from the City of Naga to Lahug in Cebu City.

Aside from the proposed circumferential road from Naga to Lahug, there are also 14 to 18 leftover projects that were proposed by Metro Cebu Land Use and Transportation Study (MCLUTS), among others.

Sanchez said the PHP15 billion worth of projects, which already have existing studies, can be proposed under the draft Traffic Crisis Act of 2016 or through the General Appropriations Act. (PNA)

18 boat crewmen injured in engine room explosion in Bataan

LIMAY, Bataan, Dec. 15 (PNA) -- Some 18 boat crew members were injured, eight with severe burns, in an explosion of still undetermined cause late Wednesday afternoon inside an engine room of a motor tanker docked along Manila Bay here, police reported on Thursday.

Police said the injured were first brought to the St. Michael Hospital in Orion, Bataan but later, some were transferred to the Bataan General Hospital (BGH) in Balanga City.

Left at the St. Michael Hospital were four crew members with second to third degree burns. Some others, although far from the engine room, suffered cuts and bruises from broken window glasses.

Dr. Noel Laxamana, head of BGH Emergency Room, said six were rushed to the government hospital.

“Six were rushed here where four sustained deep burns in various parts of the body while the two others have minor injuries,” he said.

“There was a big explosion. It was so sudden,” a crew with minor injuries said.

He said that he and the other crew members were at the back of motor tanker Rhea Faye when they heard the sudden explosion.

He said they were docked in the Limay waters while waiting for their turn to be loaded with oil products from an oil refinery.

Police said they were still in the process of investigation. (PNA)

Pampanga gov cites Bantay Bayan members in their efforts vs illegal drugs

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Dec. 15 (PNA) -- Governor Lilia G. Pineda lauded on Thursday some 10,736 Bantay Bayan members from the 505 barangays of the province for their relentless efforts in assisting the government in its intensive fight against illegal drugs.

Pineda said the Bantay Bayan served as force multipliers of the local government unit (LGUs), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in curbing all forms of criminality.

In particular, the governor also emphasized the involvement of Bantay Bayan members in the all-out war against illegal drugs through monitoring and reporting suspected drug peddlers and users.

"We only have 2,000 police officers but I am confident because I have more than 10,000 Bantay Bayan (members) that will help me fight against (illegal) drugs," Pineda said.

She also reiterated the benefits of the families of Bantay Bayan which they can avail under PhilHealth membership program provided by the provincial government.

The governor also disclosed the possible tie-up of the provincial government to Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital through the allotment of two-story building and the possible construction of an annex building in Mexico Community Hospital worth PHP10 million. (PNA)

DOT-12: Tourism promotion continues despite negative news

KORONADAL CITY, Dec. 15 (PNA) -- Tourism stakeholders in Central Mindanao region on Thursday appealed for the public to help contain arson cases against passenger buses and construction equipment in the region.

Admitting the rash of bus burning in the provinces of South Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat have negative impact on tourism industry, Nelly Dillera, Department of Tourism (DOT-12) regional director, said promotion programs of her office shifted to full gear.

"It has negative impact on tourism but we have confidence in our security officials," Dillera told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

The latest arson case involving passenger bus by suspected communist rebels occurred Tuesday night, that 5th arson case in South Cotabato since Nov. 13.

She said the incidents should not affect the industry and her office's massive promotions.

Generally, Dillera said, the tourists spots in the region remained safe and sound. Tourists, both local and international, continued to arrive in the province of South Cotabato which listed 390,000 tourist arrivals since January this year.

She said while military and police were finding solutions, the tourism stakeholders would continue promoting spots that tourists could visit during the holidays. (PNA)

Cebu Capitol to exceed 2016 target income of PHP2.9B

CEBU CITY, Dec. 15 (PNA) -- The Cebu Provincial Government may exceed its Php 2.9-billion target income for 2016, an official said.

Cebu Provincial Treasurer Emmanuel Guial said the province has already collected Php 2,585,645,236.73 from January to October this year.

Guial said the 2016 target income of Php 2.9 billion includes the province’s monthly share of Php 210.9 million from the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).

With the monthly IRA alone, Guial said the provincial government will be able to exceed its target income in two months, meaning, November and December.

Guial said the province’s share of the IRA had been increasing by 10 percent every year.

The top five contributors to the province’s income are the 12 districts hospitals and four provincial hospitals, with Php 194.8 million; real estate property tax, with Php 59 million; South Bus Terminal, with Php 57 million; property transfer tax, with Php 19.3 million, and rent and utility income within the Capitol compound that reached Php 16.3 million.

Guial said he expects a more efficient tax collection next year with the use of the iTax software.

The computer software will be given to towns for free to be used in the computerization of the Income Revenue Tax System, including tax declarations. (PNA)

Pag-Ibig’s MRI frees borrower of loan upon death, total disability

CEBU CITY, Dec. 15 (PNA) -- An insurance program of the Home Mutual Development Fund, popularly known as Pag-Ibig Fund, will free a borrower-member of any obligation to pay a housing loan upon death or total permanent disability, an official said.

Fermin Sta. Teresa Jr., vice president of Pag-Ibig Home Lending Operations-Visayas-Mindanao Group, said under the Mortgage Redemption Insurance (MRI), a borrower-member who dies or suffers from a total permanent disability, would be declared fully paid of a contracted housing loan.

Sta. Teresa said the MRI was an insurance against risk of death and incapacity.

Aside from full payment declaration, the family of the deceased member will get Php 20,000 in burial benefits.

Sta. Teresa said a housing loan borrower who fell terminally ill, such as with cancer, would get Php 500,000 in amortization support.

If the borrower has a balance of Php 1 million, the balance to paid will only be Php 500,000.

Ma. Victoria dela Peña, Pag-Ibig vice president for members services branch operations-Visayas-Mindanao Group, said the MRI premium of 40 centavos per Php 1,000 loan has been reduced to 23 centavos per Php 1,000.

She said processing of claims under MRI was within 24 hours.

She also said the Cebu Housing Hub had a total of 2,770 borrowers and a total loan value of Php 2.5 billion in 2015 and 3,791 borrowers as of November 2016, with a loan value of Php 3.8 billion.

A total of 4,829 borrowers were reported in the entire Visayas in 2015, with total loans of Php.2 billion and 6,858 as of November 2016, with total loans of Php 5.8 billion. (PNA)

Davao mayor urges CAAP to fast track repair of Davao Airport

DAVAO CITY, Dec. 15 (PNA) -- Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio urged the Civil Aviation Authority (CAAP) to fast track the repair of the Francisco Bangoy International Airport here, particularly on the cooling system and other facilities.

Mayor Duterte-Carpio already sent a team to check with CAAP in Manila on the status of repair works in view of many complaints from travelers of the Airport's cooling system and restrooms.

Davao City Investment and Promotion Center (DCIPC) chief Lemuel Ortonio said that CAAP officials were committed to complete installation of package-type aircon units early next year.

Ortonio, who is a member of the team, said that CAAP would be installing a total of 37 units, of which 17 were already installed while the 20 units were for installation.

The cooling equipment at the Davao airport had not been functioning for quite awhile now because the needed spare parts were not available.

Ortonio said the parts had to be imported. He also noted that the cost is higher and purchases need to pass through a bidding.

With the bidding not yet happening, Ortonio said CAAP in the meantime installed a backup system like the package aircon type units. (PNA)

New Davao City TF Haribon commander assumes post

DAVAO CITY, Dec. 15 (PNA) -- The Joint Task Force Haribon in Davao City has a new commander in the person of Col. Gilbert Gapay.

Gapay will take the place of Brigadier Gen. Ronnie Evangelista, who will assume his new post as commander of the Civil Relations Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, was formally installed to the post in a turnover of command Thursday at the Station, Panacan, Davao City.

Gapay, before his assignment to TF Haribon, was the former assistant division commander of the Mechanized Infantry Division and brigade commander of the Philippine Army in the provinces of Lanao in Mindanao.

His assumption to lead TF Haribon was welcomed by Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom).

“His vast experience being assigned in various positions in the AFP is expected to infuse innovations and security concepts of Joint Task Force Haribon in securing Mega Davao,” Eastmincom spokesperson Major Ezra Balagtey.

Gapay is an aviator and armor officer and a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1986 where he graduated on top of his class.

He will also serve as the concurrent deputy commander of Eastmincom.

The TF Haribon was activated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in October this year with the purpose of expanding the security measures as Davao City is now becoming an alternative seat of the government.

The task force will also secure other areas near Davao City, to include parts of Davao del Norte and the Island Garden City of Samal.

It is also tasked to assist the Presidential Security Group (PSG) in securing the President and other very important personalities (VlPs) during their regular visits and official businesses in Davao City and the nearby localities.

TF Haribon is composed of Task Force Davao, Task Force Samal, 84th Infantry Brigade, the Philippine Navy and the 11th Tactical Operations Group of the Philippine Air Force. (PNA)

Army foils BIFF attempt to over-run detachment in Maguindanao

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao, Dec. 16 (PNA) -- For the second time in three days, outlawed Moro armed men tried, but failed, to over-run last night an Army base in Maguindanao, an Army official said.

Colonel Robert Sarmiento, commander of the 19th Infantry Battalion, said about 50 heavily armed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) harassed at 9 p.m. the headquarters of 19th IB "Bravo" company in Barangay Bagan, Guindulungan, Maguindanao, two days after, another band of BIFF harassed Army and police bases in nearby Datu Salibo, also in Maguindanao.

Sarmiento said the soldiers were expecting harassment from the group since it separately attacked the detachments of 2nd Mechanized Battalion and Datu Salibo police station on Wednesday night.

Attackers belonged to a faction of the outlawed BIFF under Commander One Eye.

Sarmiento said no casualty on the government side and he could not say whether the attackers suffered casualties following a sporadic overnight exchange of bullets and mortars.

Sarmiento, meanwhile, appealed to the BIFF to give its brothers Muslims and Christians in Maguindanao the chance to peacefully celebrate Christmas and New Year.

The BIFF is a breakaway faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that broke from mainstream rebel movement due to ideological differences.

Latest military estimates, the group has about 1,000 armed followers operating mainly in the towns of Datu Salibo, Datu Piang, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Mamasapano, Shariff Aguak, Guindulungan and Talayan, all in Maguindanao's second district. (PNA)

Bacolod City to host 5th Negros Island- Regional Development Council meeting

BACOLOD CITY, Dec. 14 (PNA) -- The City of Bacolod will host the 5th regular meeting of the Negros Island- Regional Development Council (NI-RDC) at the Planta Hotel, Thursday.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he coordinated with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)-Negros Island Region (NIR) Office to facilitate the preparations.

“We are honored to host the RDC meeting as we believe in the establishment of the NIR,” Leonardia said.

The NI-RDC is chaired by Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., with NEDA-18 Regional Director Efren Carreon as vice chairman.

The members include the two governors, Marañon and Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, the 13 city mayors of Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, and the six city mayors of Negros Oriental.

Other members are the 22 heads of the different regional agencies in the NIR, 15 private sector representatives (PSR), and the two presidents of the leagues of municipal mayors of the two provinces.

The NI-RDC held its first organizational meeting in Bacolod on December 4, 2015 to mark the start of operations of the NIR. The NI-RDC Executive Committee held its first meeting in Dumaguete City on January 15, 2016, where Marañon was elected chair.

The second meeting was conducted in Dumaguete City last March 11; third meeting, Kabankalan City, June 29; and fourth meeting, Mabinay, October 25.

In his Executive Order No. 183, former president Benigno Aquino III said the NIR was created “to further accelerate the social and economic development of the cities and municipalities comprising the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, and improve the delivery of public services in the aforementioned provinces.”(PNA)

Negrense irrigators get Php15-M worth of agricultural equipment

BACOLOD CITY, Dec. 14 (PNA) -- A total of Php15 million in agricultural equipment and tools were turned over Wednesday by the Negros Occidental provincial government to 128 irrigators’ associations in the province.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. led the turn-over rites held at the National Irrigation Administration-Negros Island Region Irrigation Office (NIA-NIRIO) in Bago City.

Marañon said the provincial government plans to implement more irrigation projects for Negrense farmers, whom he urged to take good care of the projects provided to them by the government.

The governor was joined by Department of Agriculture-Negros Island Region Executive Director Joyce Wendam; Engineer Mario Sande, NIA regional irrigation manager; and Rosemary Caunca, provincial consultant on Local Governance and Inter-Local Government Alliance for Agricultural Productivity.

The project dubbed “Purchase of Farm Equipment and Machineries and Operationalization of Rice Processing Center,” is funded by the provincial government of Negros Occidental through grants and donations.

The farm machineries include 50 units of hand tractor with engine, 50 units of thresher with engine, four units of rice mill, one rice cart trolley, one unit of heavy duty weighing scale, and five push carts.

Recipient-associations also received 50 units of pump and engine with suction for mobile irrigation, 10 units of motorized grass cutter, and 10 units of knapsack sprayer, among others.

The project also covers the installation of electrical and water systems for the rice processing center located at Barangay Bagroy, also in Bago City.

The processing center was provided by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to the Federation of Irrigators’ Association Central Negros (FIACN).

Caunca, who is also the president of the League of Government-Assisted Federation of Irrigators’ Associations in Negros Occidental (LEGAFIANO), said the project is anchored on the government’s initiative in helping local farmers generate more income.(PNA)

PRO 7 says no untoward incident in Miss Universe bets’ visit to Oslob town

CEBU CITY, Dec. 14 (PNA) -- The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 said no untoward incident happened during the visit of some Miss Universe candidates to the southern town of Oslob on Tuesday.

Miss Universe candidates from China, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam visited the town of Oslob Tuesday despite an earlier travel advisory that warned Americans, Canadians and British nationals against traveling to the town, Dalaguete and Santander in southern Cebu.

The candidates went whale-watching, an activity organized by the Tourism department.

PRO 7 Director Noli Taliño has repeatedly declared southern Cebu is safe.

Personnel from the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) and Oslob Police Station, teams from the tourist police unit, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Task Force Cebu, Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy have secured the area.

CPPO Director Eric Noble said the activity was “very nice, peaceful, orderly, happy, and exciting.”

But environmental groups earlier urged the candidates to skip the whale shark-watching activity.

Anna Oposa, executive director and co-founder of Save Philippine Seas, urged organizers and candidates, in a statement, not to patronize the unregulated feeding of whale sharks in Oslob due to its effects on the species.

“In the last few years, Oslob has become a controversial tourist destination because the whale sharks are fed dead, frozen shrimp, which disrupts their natural behavior as migratory species. Tourism activities remain unregulated,” Oposa said.

Oposa said that with the pageant being held in the Philippines early next year, Oslob’s whale watching activities will be promoted to a global audience.

She is worried the publicity would bring more tourists to the southern Cebu town. (PNA)

Cebu council defers approval of MOA on land-swap deal with Cebu Capitol

CEBU CITY, Dec. 14 (PNA) -- The Cebu City Council has voted to defer the approval of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Cebu City Government and Cebu Provincial Government on the 93-1 land swap that will address the plight of some 5,000 families living in province-owned lots in the city.

Cebu City Councilor Jose Daluz III moved that the MOA be referred to the Council’s ad hoc committee on 93-1 before the approval to allow the members to review the agreement and talk to the beneficiaries.

Councilor Nendell Hanz Abella opposed the move of Daluz, prompting Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella to proceed with the voting process.

Councilors Daluz, James Cuenco, Raymond Garcia, Jocelyn Pesquera, Jerry Guardo, Pastor Alcover Jr., Philip Zafra and Joel Garganera, members of the majority bloc, voted in favor of the motion.

Members of the minority bloc including Councilors Margarita Osmeña, Sisinio Andales, Eugenio Gabuya, Alvin Arcilla and Joy Augustus Young, voted against it.

Councilors Abella and Dave Tumulak also voted against the motion.

Since there was a tie, Labella had to break it and voted in favor of the motion.

Cebu City Mayor Osmeña and Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III signed the MOA last week.

The MOA needs the approval of both the Cebu City Council and the Cebu Provincial Board. (PNA)

Public playgrounds, fitness parks make Ilocos Norte 'livable province'

LAOAG CITY, Dec. 14 (PNA) -- In line with Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa "Imee" R. Marcos' vision to transform Ilocos Norte into a province that is "livable, sustainable, and resilient," the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) launched Wednesday the first of five public playgrounds-cum-fitness parks.

A Children's Party highlighted the park opening at 4:30 p.m., immediately preceding the "Paskua Mi Ditoy" (Pasko Namin Dito) Capitol Light-up which annually marks the provincial Christmas celebration and tourism campaign.

Last October 28, Marcos revealed her latest vision for Ilocos Norte to become "livable, sustainable, and resilient" in her State of the Province Address (SOPA), with the first goal including the creation of new public spaces to strengthen community relations.

She had said, "The first space is our home, the second space is our workplace, and the third space is the public domain… anywhere we congregate and form social capital, volunteer associations, binding friendships.

The 3G-park concept refers to a communal space wherein children, adults and the middle-aged, and seniors can come together and engage in active play or exercise in an environment that is both secure and ripe for recreation, which are other factors in Ilocos Norte's "livable province" campaign.

Playgrounds and fitness parks are also scheduled to open in the initial locations of Dingras, Badoc, Batac City, and Bacarra before the end of this year for PGIN to gauge the projects' success before implementing them in all towns of Ilocos Norte.

Marcos had urged, "Timpuyog idiay kalsada, timpuyog pay ti plaza ken dap-ayan!" (Unity on the streets, unity in the plaza and public spaces!)(PNA)

BFP allots P11.8M for construction of new Koronadal City fire station

KORONADAL CITY, Dec. 14 (PNA) -- The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has allotted around P11.8 million for the construction of the city’s new fire station.

Fire Sr. Insp. Reginald Legaste, city fire marshal, said Wednesday their central office has started the preparatory works and the bidding of the project, which is targeted to begin early next year.

He said the project has already been posted at the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System.

“We’re currently waiting for the completion of the bidding process and the awarding of the project to the winning contractor,” he said.

The official said the new fire station will be constructed at a 2,000-square meter lot donated by the city government located at the back of the Koronadal City Hall complex in Barangay Zone III.

The current city fire station is located at a crowded corner of the Osmena Street and Alunan Avenue here in the city’s main commercial district.

The site is beside the city’s central public market and near the city police station and old city hall compound.

Legaste said the present fire station has limited space and the adjacent streets are usually crowded.

“The new fire station site has enough space to accommodate our fire trucks and ambulances,” he said.

Based on the project’s specifications, he said the new fire station building will feature various modern amenities.

Legaste lauded the city government, especially City Mayor Peter Miguel, for supporting the project.

He said that aside from providing the site, the local government has also committed a counterpart funding of P2.5 million for the construction of the fire station building.

The city government has been supporting the operations of the city fire station and had donated a fire truck and necessary equipment to beef up its capability. (PNA)

Dumaguete to light up giant X’mas tree Thursday

DUMAGUETE CITY, Dec. 14 (PNA) â€"- In keeping with the holiday season, the local government of Dumaguete City will light up a giant Christmas tree at the Quezon Park on Thursday.

Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo will lead in the switch-on ceremony at 6 p.m., said Dems Rey Demecillo, City Public Information Officer, on Wednesday.

According to Demecillo, the cost of the giant X’mas Tree is P300,000.

Earlier, City Hall had announced it was requesting P1 million for the installation of lights, decorations and replacement of the 18-watts LED bulbs into 27 watts capsule type for all lamp posts at the park.

The Silliman University Campus Choristers will be performing on Thursday evening following the Christmas Tree Lighting, said Demecillo.

On Friday, a city-wide Christmas Choir contest will be held at the Quezon Park starting at 7 p.m., Demecillo disclosed.

Ten groups will be participating in the contest, which forms part of the city’s activities lined up for this Christmas season, he added. (PNA)

PHP3.9-M Negosyo Center opens in southern Negros town

HINIGARAN, Negros Occidental, Dec. 14 (PNA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and municipal government of Hinigaran unveiled Wednesday afternoon the PHP3.9 million Negosyo Center in this southern Negros Occidental town.

Mayor Jose Nadie Arceo, who led the opening rites, said the local government is banking on entrepreneurship due to its huge potential in further alleviating the lives of the residents.

Arceo added that he has high regards in the capability of the people, which could really go high when necessary support is provided.

The Negosyo Center here is the eighth facility opened in Negros Occidental.

Last December 6, the seventh Negosyo Center in the province was unveiled in Bacolod City.

The DTI-Negros Occidental in partnership with the respective local government units (LGUs) also opened Negosyo Centers in cities of San Carlos, Victorias, and La Carlota earlier this year.

The Negros First Negosyo Center at the Provincial Capitol Complex here was opened last year along with those in the cities of Kabankalan and Sagay.

Next year, DTI targets to open at least 100 Negosyo Centers nationwide. Of which, nine will be in Negros Occidental.

The establishment of Negosyo Centers is provided under the Republic Act 10644, or the Go Negosyo Act.

It provides MSMEs the ease of doing business, and facilitates access to grants and other forms of financial assistance, and shared service facilities, among others.

The law also aims to ensure management guidance, assistance and improvement of the working conditions of enterprises, and facilitate market access and linkaging services for entrepreneurs.

The Go Negosyo Act has a provision to include in the General Appropriations Act the funding for the creation of Negosyo Centers, which is normally in a counterparting scheme with the host cities and municipalities.(PNA)

Bacolod City to host 5th Negros Island- Regional Development Council meeting

BACOLOD CITY, Dec. 14 (PNA) -- The City of Bacolod will host the 5th regular meeting of the Negros Island- Regional Development Council (NI-RDC) at the Planta Hotel, Thursday.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he coordinated with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)-Negros Island Region (NIR) Office to facilitate the preparations.

“We are honored to host the RDC meeting as we believe in the establishment of the NIR,” Leonardia said.

The NI-RDC is chaired by Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., with NEDA-18 Regional Director Efren Carreon as vice chairman.

The members include the two governors, Marañon and Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, the 13 city mayors of Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, and the six city mayors of Negros Oriental.

Other members are the 22 heads of the different regional agencies in the NIR, 15 private sector representatives (PSR), and the two presidents of the leagues of municipal mayors of the two provinces.

The NI-RDC held its first organizational meeting in Bacolod on December 4, 2015 to mark the start of operations of the NIR. The NI-RDC Executive Committee held its first meeting in Dumaguete City on January 15, 2016, where Marañon was elected chair.

The second meeting was conducted in Dumaguete City last March 11; third meeting, Kabankalan City, June 29; and fourth meeting, Mabinay, October 25.

In his Executive Order No. 183, former president Benigno Aquino III said the NIR was created “to further accelerate the social and economic development of the cities and municipalities comprising the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, and improve the delivery of public services in the aforementioned provinces.”(PNA)

‘Boxing blast in GenSan’ set

DAVAO CITY, Dec. 14 (PNA) -- The MP Promotions will have its year-ending boxing presentation dubbed as the “Boxing Blast in Gensan” on December 17 at 1 p.m. at the Robinson’s Place in General Santos City.

Undefeated Genesis “Cobra” Libranza (10wins, 7 KOs) of MP Stable Davao will be fighting against Ronerex Dalut (9 wins-19 losses-2 draw-2 KOs) of Gensan for 10 rounds in the main event.

The 23-year-old Libraza, a native of Bayugan, Agusan del Sur, previously scored a 3rd round technical knockout against Jetly Purisima last June 24 at the Almendras gym in Davao City.

Dalut, 27, is coming from 2nd round knockout loss from the hands of former world champion Edrin Dapudong last August 27 in Kidapawan City. Dalut is a veteran of five championship fights - vacant Philippines Boxing Federation (PBF) super bantamweight title, PABA bantamweight title, WBC Asian Boxing Council flyweight title, WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental super flyweight title and PABA super flyweight title. Dalut, however, was not lucky in all five title-fights.

Twelve other bouts will also be featured under the sanction of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Southern Mindanao headed by OIC Arlene Olondrez.

Undefeated bantamweight Vincent Astrolabio (6 wins-5 KOs) of Gensan will face veteran Renante Suacasa (7-18-0-1 KO) of Koronadal City in the main supporting bout.

The other 10-rounders will pit flyweight Michael “Chieftain” Bravo (10-1-0-3 KOs) of Kidapawan City against Surigao del Sur; Ian Ligutan (6-5-2-3), Rene Mark Cuarto (9-1-0-4) versus Zamboanga del Norte’s Gerald Paclar (7-3-1-4), Orlie Silvestre (6-3-1-5) against veteran Rodel Tejares (20-40-7-5) of Bukidnon and Ronnie Baldonado (7-0-1-4) versus Cotabato’s Raymund Dayham (8-7-1-7).

Also seeing action are Aries Buanavidez against Lino Antaran (8 rds.-112 llbs.), Joel Lino vs. Joey Antonio (8 rds.-106 lbs.), Vincent Dayaganon vs. Dave Maningkil (6 rds.-108 lbs.), Jing Aguan vs. Holy Quinones (4 rds.-122 lbs.), Joebert Torena vs. Rio Galiputan (4 rds.-108 lbs.), Vince Paras vs. Jeffrey Alejandre (8 rds.-108 lbs.), Garyn Diagan s. Jimbo Namion (4 rds.-105 lbs.).

The boxing card is supported by Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Family Country Homes and Road Side Hotel. (PNA)

Drug dealers nabbed, brod who offered bribe to police also arrested
By Rogelio Limpin

BACOOR CITY, Cavite, Dec. 14 (PNA) -- A drug personality, a cohort female drug dealer including her brother who tried to bribe lawmen were arrested by Bacoor City police operatives during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Ligas on Wednesday.

Police identified the suspected female drug personality as Ariong Macapasir Y. Samurong, 36 years old, who is on the police drug personalities’ watchlist Rank No. 58 and presently resides at Westville Homes, Ligas village in this city.

Her cohort Fatima Bawi Y. Sarif, 22 and resident of Barangay Aniban 2 in this city including her brother Monadato Macapasir Y. Guilla alias "Datu", 40 and head collector of the Zapote Market were also arrested.

Bacoor City chief of police Superintendent Christopher Olazo said the three were nabbed following the entrapment deal with Ariong as the principal target of the buy-bust operation.

Supt. Olazo said that the suspect’s brother Monadato Macapasir interceded upon learning of his sister’s arrest and offered money to the arresting officers in exchange for his sister’s liberty.

An entrapment operation was launched by police operatives during the handing of the bribe money amounting to Php 30,000 pesos to PO1 Jorex Gutilban, prompting lawmen to arrest the suspects.

The buy-bust in coordination with PDEA 4A under its control issued by duty officer Elnie P. Jocson resulted in the arrest of the suspects.

The operatives confiscated plastic sachets of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) weighing 5.0 grams from Fatima Bawi who aided Ariong Macapasir at the said transaction.

Police also confiscated plastic sachets of shabu weighing 5.4 grams from Ariong Macapasir and Php 6,000 used as buy bust money.

The pieces of evidence were brought to this city police station for processing and turnover to the Cavite police crime laboratory for examinations.

The suspects are now detained as police filed criminal complaints in court for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs law. (PNA)

Dagupan now almost 100% drug-free

DAGUPAN CITY, Dec. 14 (PNA) -- The Dagupan police announced that at least five more villages are set to be declared drug-free here in the next few days, a move that could raise the number of drug-cleared villages in the city to 26 before the end of the year.

Supt. Neil Miro, chief of police of Dagupan City, said this could put to 83 percent the number of drug-cleared barangays in the city from the total 31 in the whole city.

Miro, however, still refused to name the five barangays slated to be cleared in the next few days till all the papers are signed by their respective Barangay Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs) before these are submitted for final certification by Mayor Belen Fernandez, chair of the City Drug Abuse Coordinating Council (CADACC).

The 21 villages earlier declared drug-free are Mamalingling, Salisay, Tebeng, Pogo Grande, Mangin, Salapingao, Barangay IV, Lomboy, Poblacion Oeste, Calmay, Caranglaan, Malued, Bacayao Sur, Bacayao Norte, Bacayao Sur, Lasip Chico, Bonuan Binloc, Tambac and Lucao.

"With a few more efforts to be exerted, we can expect the whole of Dagupan to be drug-free soon", he said, adding that only five villages, three of which are considered as hot spots on illegal drugs, are now yet to be cleared.

He added that there are 50 more drug personalities being sought in the barangays that have not yet been cleared, from the original 2,000 at the start of the war on drugs, and whose number was reduced later to 1,500.

Miro identified Barangays Bonuan Gueset, Pantal and Bonuan Boquig as still the most problematic barangays as far as the drug menace is concerned because of their big population, including their location and also considering the fact that Pantal is the center of the whole of Dagupan.

"Personally, I believe we can make Dagupan City 100 percent drug-free by the end of the year but there is nothing to rush because we want to make it sure that once we declare a village drug-free, their people would not go back to their old vice again.

So far, not one of the 21 villages declared as drug-free, had gone back to drugs, Miro said.

Meanwhile, Marcelino Fernandez, president of the Federation of Barangay Councils and ex-officio city councilor, said he is happy that many barangays in Dagupan, including his own, Lucao, are now declared-drug free.

He attributed this to the aggressive efforts of the local police headed by Supt. Miro and the barangay officials themselves who all went out of their way to ensure that drug pushing and use in many parts of the city will be stopped.

He also thanked the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), Barangay Service Point Officers (BSPOs) and other concerned people in the community for helping their village officials identify drug dependents, users and pushers who need to surrender and undergo rehabilitation.(PNA)

DCPO cancels muzzle taping of firearms

DAVAO CITY, Dec. 14 (PNA) -- The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) will no longer tape gun muzzles as scheduled on Friday following an order from the Philippine National Police (PNP) on non-taping of firearms during the Yuletide season.

This was announced by newly-designated Deputy Director of the DCPO, Supt. Ireneo Caburnay, during the AFP-PNP Press Corps forum on Wednesday at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.

DCPO was scheduled to tape gun muzzles on Friday but cancelled the activity following an order from the PNP.

Caburnay said they already received guidance from PNP headquarters in Camp Crame that they no longer need to tape gun muzzles but emphasized on the need to follow laws against indiscriminate firing of firearms.

Caburnay said all members of the PNP know they are prohibited from firing guns unless there is legitimate police operation or in exercise of law enforcement when life of a police officer is in danger such as in a buy-bust operation.

“They are aware but we need to remind them that exercising discipline within their ranks is part of their oath,” he said in an interview.

For more than 10 years now, taping of gun muzzles during the Yuletide season is traditionally practiced by the PNP to stop illegal discharge of firearms due to incidents of stray bullets hitting Christmas and New Year’s revelers.

The non-taping of gun muzzle was approved by PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa giving his full trust on all police officers as disciplined professionals.

To assure that revelers are safe against being hit by stray bullets, Caburnay said they only need to remind police officers especially the 600 new cops who joined the PNP in Davao region. They also include the police officers who have been re-assigned in the city to follow DCPO’s kind of discipline during the Yuletide revelry.

In times of break or when police officers are allowed to go off-duty by their station commanders, Caburnay said firearms are left inside their homes. (PNA)

Davao fashion designers cry foul over non-inclusion in Ms. Universe fashion show
By Lovely A. Carillo

DAVAO CITY, Dec. 14 (PNA) -- Fashion designers here cried foul over their non-inclusion in the Ms. Universe fashion show in Davao City that will feature Mindanao Fabrics and Tapestry.

"We are very concerned about this. Why are we not included when it is being held in Davao and they will be featuring Mindanao fabrics," designer Alfonso Guinoo said during Wednesday's Habi at Kape forum.

He said Davao designers are more than capable of designing the clothes that will be worn by the Ms. Universe candidates, thus making him wonder why the local designers are not protected.

We have talented people here, he said, but none of the local designers have been tapped for the fashion show.

"Parang everything was done secretly almost finished na ang mga clothes nila," he said.

Guinoo feels they are being kicked-out from their own city.

According to him, they have already spoken to Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo but were only told she had no hand in choosing the designers.

Dodji Batu of the Davao Fashion and Design Council Foundation said they are very disappointed.

"Our members are multi-awarded here and internationally and we are usually contacted by Manila people before they come here," he said.

Batu said they were sent fillers that the fashion show will push through but with a proposal for Davao designers to only dress up local models in a pre-fashion show in the cocktail area before the fashion show.

While they do not want to claim that all the designs be given to them, he said this is a slap on the face of the Davao designers.

"There is a legit group but there was no consultation," he said, admitting that they received a message from Manila designer Rene Salud extending invitation but only for those who will approve the condition of the proposal.

He said they told the Manila people about their disappointment but the meeting did not push through after that. (PNA)

Heightened religious activities to mark 2017 Dinagyang Festival
By Perla G. Lena

ILOILO CITY, Dec. 14 (PNA) -- Religious activities in line with the celebration of the 2017 Dinagyang Festival will be more heightened as they usher the golden year of the festival.

Rev. Fr. Edsel Raymund Alcayaga, parish priest of San Jose and in-charge of the liturgical committee, said that 2017 also leads to the 50th year of the arrival of the image of Señor Santo Niño that heralded the festivity and later on has evolved to become the Dinagyang Festival.

“In 1968, the image was brought here and a merrymaking was held to honor him. It was later adopted by the city government and evolved later into Dinagyang Festival,” he explained.

The wooden image is currently enshrined at the side altar of the San Jose church.

To boost its promotion, Alcayaga said that they will no longer invite a pilgrim image from Cebu, which used to be the practice every Dinagyang time.

Also, a mini-“sadsad” or merrymaking will form part of the daily 5:30 p.m. novena masses that will kick off January 11 until 19, 2017. Before only one “sadsad” was held in the afternoon of the Kasadyahan Festival.

Meanwhile, Eden Deriada, who heads the Kasadyahan committee said that they are expecting 10 performing groups on January 21, 2017. Five of them are come-backing groups, she said.

The tribes include Tribu Tatusan of Caluya, Antique; Tribu Haw-as of Dumangas, Tribu Salakayan of Miagao and Tribu Tultugan of Maasin, Pintados de Pasi of Passi City all in Iloilo province; Tribu Patabang of Tapaz, Capiz; Hubon Binagtong sa Manggahan of Cabalagnan National High School, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras; and another group from Murcia.

MassKara Festival will join as non-competing group, she said.

Kasadyahan Festival gathers champion festivals of various local government units in Western Visayas and neighboring Negros Occidental highlighting their religious and cultural celebration. (PNA)

Provincial gov’t awards model teen centers in Iloilo

ILOILO CITY, Dec. 14 (PNA) -- The provincial government here through its Population Office cited several performing teen centers in Iloilo during the 3rd Provincial Teen Center Day and Awarding of 2016 MODEL ILOILO TEENiran on Wednesday.

Engr. Ramon C. Yee, Provincial Population Officer said that the provincial government built teen center to serve as “homes” for teenagers where they can ask questions on topics and issues that they could not understand.

Special awardees included Janiuay National Comprehensive High School as Best in Social Media Advocacy; Pavia National High School, Best in Data Management; Igbaras National High School, Best in Program Presentation; Duenas National High School, Best in Innovations and the Duenas National Comprehensive High School and Pavia National High School as Best Peer Helpers.

Awardees for the major awards were given to the Janiuay National Comprehensive High School, Pavia National High School, Lambunao National High School, Duenas National Comprehensive High School and Igbaras National Highschool.

This year’s recognition ceremony anchored on the theme “Re-igniting Leadership, Commitment and Volunteerism towards responsible adolescents and citizenry” which focuses on the youth or teenagers that has a greater number of victims by the said conditions.

Atty. Jose Donel Traspor, who was the guest of honor, encouraged more teen volunteers. (PNA)

DPWH-2 upgrades Lasam-Gagabutan road

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Dec. 14 (PNA)--The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office 2 has completed the concrete pavement of the Lasam-Gagabutan Road in Cagayan province, providing smoother transport condition to motorists and commuters traversing along the area.

The project includes the pavement of a 2,092 lineal meters of Portland concrete pavement with a width of 6.70 meters and thickness of 0.28 meters.

DPWH-2 Regional Director Melanio Briosos said that the newly-concreted road section eases the traffic flow in the area, provides comfort to the riding public, and lessens the occurrence of accidents.

“This is also vital in boosting socio-economic development as delivery of basic needs and social services will be hastened,” he added.

The PHP62.6 million worth project is expected to boost rapid economic growth in the province by attracting investors that would open more business opportunities and employment for the residents. (PNA)

Former Aklan congressman Quimpo dies of cancer

KALIBO, Aklan, Dec. 14 (PNA) -- Former Aklan Congressman Atty. Allen S. Quimpo died of cancer in a hospital in Manila at around 2 am early morning of Wednesday.

This was announced over the radio by his Dan Salas who served as his spokesman.

As the news of his passing spread, message of condolences poured over the social media.

Already known to many, Quimpo was an environmentalist as he founded the Kalibo Bakhawan Eco-Park. The said park is now one of the tourism destinations of Kalibo and has received several awards from the United Nations (UN).

Quimpo during his term as congressman for nine consecutive years in the 1990's authored the passage of the Aklan State University. The university formerly known as Aklan State College for Agriculture is considered excellent in agriculture in Western Visayas.

Quimpo also founded the local Tibyog Party which is considered a major political party in the province to this day. He also served as chief executive of Kalibo for several years.(PNA)

Livestock breeding and production center now ready to serve Antique farmers

SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique, Dec. 14 (PNA) -- Farmers in Antique province can now avail of the upgraded breeds of farm animals at the newly inaugurated Provincial Livestock Breeding and Production Center (PLBPC) in Barangay Tubudan, San Remigio, Antique.

Porferio P. Gallego, Jr. , Supervising Agriculturist of the Antique Provincial Veterinary (ProVet) Office, today said that the center that was inaugurated last week is now ready to assist farmers in raising livestock for additional income as well as for other farm-related activities.

The PLBPC was established in 2013 but there were necessary preparations to be done prior its full-blown implementation. These included that forage and pasture development and installation of perimeter fence for the 20-hectare property. A multi-purpose structure that would serve as staff house and other functions was also constructed.

Currently, there is still also an ongoing construction of the housing units for the farm animals.

The area where the PLBPC is located is owned by the University of Antique (UA) but has a memorandum of agreement for a joint venture with the ProVet that belongs to the Antique provincial government.

Gallego said that PLBPC has now a total of 18 Bulgarian Murrah buffalo/carabao breed, 15 American Brahman cattle, and 27 Anglo Nubian Cross goats. These farm animals can be availed by the farmers in order to improve the genetic population of their own animals.

Farmers need to have at least 2,500 square meter forage and pasture land to ensure the sustainability of the animals dispersed to them.(PNA)

17,685 dogs immunized by Antique provincial vet office

SAN JOSE de BUENAVSITA, Antique, Dec. 14 (PNA) -- The Antique Provincial Veterinary (ProVet) Office reported Tuesday that 17,685 dogs were already immunized since January 1 to this date in the 18 towns of the province.

The number of dogs immunized is equivalent to 32.6 percent of their targeted 38,000 dogs supposed to be immunized this year.

Porferio P. Gallego, Jr., Supervising Agriculturist of ProVet said that the low turnout could be due to the lack of vaccines as well as vaccinators in the municipalities.

He then urged for the support of the local government units to the provincial dog ordinance so that it could be well implemented down to the barangay level.

He said that without the two human rabies that happened this year, Antique could have already been a rabies-free province in the past two years.

The two human deaths due to canine rabies were in the villages of Pis-anan in Sibalom and in Cadolonan, San Remigio.

As part of promoting responsible dog ownership, there will be a dog show to be held on December 20 at the EBJ Freedom Park. The dog show that is part of the Binirayan Festival activity will be participated in by local dog owners. Their pet dogs will be judged based on their breed and tricks. (PNA)

DPWH Region 2 personnel found negative for illegal drugs use

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Dec. 14 (PNA) --Personnel of the four District Engineering Offices (DEOs) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region Office 2 were tested negative for illegal drugs.

This was the result of the drug test conducted to the employees of the Cagayan 2nd DEO, Cagayan 3rd DEO, Isabela 2nd DEO, and the Quirino DEO led by their district engineers.

“I am happy that everybody got negative in the drug test. It is a sign that we are in the right direction,” District Engineer Reynato R. Ubina of the Isabela 2nd DEO, said.

Likewise, District Engineer Lorna B. Asuten of the Cagayan 2nd DEO stressed that the negative result manifests their cooperation in mitigating illegal drugs dependency.

In conjunction with the drug test, a blood-letting activity was also initiated.

“The department, aside from fulfilling its mandate of building hospitals and health centers, also extends its assistance through simple causes like this blood-letting drive. We are honored for being a part of this mission. We are hopeful to expand this activity even outside the DPWH workforce,” District Engineer Marifel T. Andes of the Quirino DEO, said. (PNA)

Solano women’s group get livelihood skills training from DTI

SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya, Dec. 14 (PNA) -- Members of the Solano Women’s Cub (SWC) in this town have received livelihood skills development training from the Department of Trade and Industry(DTI) as a preparatory step in starting and managing their livelihood projects.

Henry Connel,Jr., DTI provincial chief on Wednesday said at least 28 members of the SWC attended Tuesday the training on good manufacturing practices and skills training on meat processing.

“This activity aims to educate the participants on the concepts of good manufacturing practice and how these can affect the marketability of the products,” he said.

Connel also said the participants were oriented to the maintenance of a clean production facility, controlled environmental conditions and temperature and product safety.

“The participants were also able to experience hands-on training of the activity and they were able to produce four different products such as pork, tocino, longganisa, pork nuggets and embotido,” he said. (PNA)

Sri Lankan president calls Chronic Kidney Disease national disaster

COLOMBO, Dec. 20 (PNA/Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena said on Tuesday that illnesses related to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) had become a national disaster.

Sirisena, who was conferred an award by The International Society of Nephrologists (ISN) for his "extraordinary contribution" to the fight against the Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu), said CKDu is endemic among poor farmers in 11 districts and villages of Sri Lanka.

There are 20,828 patients and 5,000 deaths per year. "It is a national disaster," Sirisena said.

Sri Lanka estimates that as many as 400,000 people, or 5 percent to 6 percent of the population in the North Central Province are affected by CKD.

President Sirisena called for more measures to prevent the disease and meet the needs of the suffering patients and their families.

As the first national level program in the world, the Sri Lankan National Program against CKDu has made rapid progress in a short time, ISN President Adeera Levin said. "Sri Lanka is a model for other countries to follow."

The Sri Lankan model emphasizes not only treatment but also prevention, care of patients and their families, research and education. The program is coordinated and led by a Presidential Task Force. (PNA/Xinhua)

Australian authorities ban over-the-counter codeine sales

CANBERRA, Dec. 20 (PNA/Xinhua) -- Australians from 2018 will be banned from buying painkillers containing codeine unless they have a signed prescription, in a move designed to crack down on codeine addiction and overdoses.

"After significant consideration and consultation on the effects of medicines containing codeine on people's health and well-being, (we have) decided that products containing codeine will not be able to be sold over the counter in pharmacies, making such products available on prescription only," according to a statement from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) released Tuesday.

The TGA said the number of Australians becoming addicted to over-the-counter codeine medication is too high, and that from Feb. 1, 2018, Australians will require a script to purchase painkillers containing the drug.

"Low-dose codeine-containing medicines are not intended to treat long-term conditions, however many consumers used these products to self-treat chronic pain. This meant that consumers frequently became addicted to codeine."

The TGA said that consumers who become addicted to codeine run the risk of developing "severe" health conditions, while it added that consumers could use alternative over-the-counter medications, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.

"The TGA also took into consideration that there is little evidence that low-dose codeine medicines are any more effective for pain relief than similar medicines without codeine," the statement said.

"Misuse of over-the-counter codeine products contributes to severe health outcomes, including liver damage, stomach ulceration, respiratory depression and death."

But not everyone is satisfied with the TGA's decision. Pharmacy Guild president George Tambassis said it would also negatively affect the "98 percent" of Australians who use codeine medicines properly.

"The decision has purportedly been made to help stamp out abuse of these medicines by some people but in reality this measure will only encourage vulnerable patients to doctor shop and try to find ways around the system," he told the Australian Associated Press. (PNA/Xinhua)

Alcohol poisoning death toll in Russia rises to 53

MOSCOW, Dec. 20 (PNA/Xinhua) -- The death toll from alcohol poisoning in the east Siberian city of Irkutsk has risen to 53, and 26 people are still hospitalized, the Russian news agency TASS reported Tuesday.

The victims consumed a bath lotion which local officials later found to contain deadly levels of methanol and antifreeze. Police have found an underground facility that made the counterfeit lotion, and seized 500 liters of the substance at about 100 shops in Irkutsk.

President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the mass poisoning as a terrible tragedy on Monday, adding that the president was being briefed about the situation.

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev told a Cabinet meeting on Monday that authorities need to deal with the illegal turnover of such substances with alcohol content and quickly ban it.

On Monday, Russian media reported that 21 people had died of alcohol poisoning in Irkutsk. All of them got poisoned after consuming the bath lotion marked with the warning that it is not for drinking.

Poisonings caused by surrogate alcohol are often seen in Russia, but the case in Irkutsk is the deadliest in years. (PNA/Xinhua)

Saudi on high alert to fight spread of MERS corona virus

RIYADH, Dec. 20 (PNA/Xinhua) -- Saudi Health Ministry has vaccinated more than 2 million individuals with high risk of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) corona virus with seasonal flu vaccine, Okaz local newspaper reported on Tuesday.

It also announced succeeding in dealing with 90 percent of MERS corona virus contamination-spreading spots in health facilities.

It increased the number of hospitals in the global infectious disease surveillance program to 28 institutions.

Although Saudi Arabia has been taking serious steps to ensure nationwide protection from the virus, the ministry announced on Monday a death and two new MERS corona virus cases.

The country has reported hundreds of deaths and infections since the first diagnosed case in 2012. It recorded the highest number of cases in the world. (PNA/Xinhua)

Senator hopes free tuition in SUCs implemented annually

MANILA, Dec. 20 (PNA) -- A Senator on Tuesday expressed hope that a measure will be passed by March next year to assure that free tuition in state universities and colleges (SUCs) will be implemented annually.

Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV was referring to Senate Bill No. 177 or the Free Higher Education for All Act giving free tuition fee to all students in SUCs, which he authored.

Currently, PHP8.3 billion has been allocated for the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) under the 2017 national budget of PHP3.35 trillion to provide students in SUCs with free tuition for next year.

However, Aquino, chair of the Senate Committee on Education, said the measure will have to be passed before it becomes an annual allocation in the national budget.

"Kaya namin gustong isabatas ito. Kasi ang budget mo, is good for one year. Definitely, malaking bagay po itong ginawa ng mga kasamahan natin sa Senate na ipasok ito for next year but gusto natin itong makita na regular and yearly (That’s why we want to turn it into a law. Because the budget is only good for one year. Definitely, this is a big achievement done by our fellow Senators for next year but we want to see this yearly)," Aquino said in a TV interview.

"Kaya tinutulak po namin iyong Free Tuition Fee in SUCs Act that we’re hoping to pass by March of next year para by June, nakalaan na rin ang mga detalye kung paano ito i-implement and for the succeeding years na rin (That’s why we are pushing for Free Tuition Fee in SUCs Act that we’re hoping to pass by March of next year so that by June, the details on how to implement it in the succeeding years will be detailed)," he added.

Aquino, however, clarified that the PHP8.3 billion allocation in the budget for free tuition in SUCs does not mean that students will be completely exempted of paying any fees.

He explained that the tuition usually accounts for 30 to 40 percent of the total cost of students but they will still have to pay miscellaneous fees depending on the degree, such as lab fees and the like.

Senate initiative

Aquino also gave credit to his colleagues for making the free tuition in SUCs next year a Senate initiative.

The PHP8.3 billion budget was initially meant for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to implement projects for the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), however, senators, particularly Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Loren Legarda moved to have it transferred to CHED.

He also denied grabbing credit for the PHP8.3 billion allocation for free tuition fees in SUCs noting that “there’s a lot of credit to go around.”

"Senators Legarda and Lacson for pushing for this. Senators (Ralph) Recto, (Sherwin) Gatchalian, (Francis) Escudero and (Juan Edgardo) Angara who share this advocacy. The senators and congressmen who passed the budget on time. And of course, President (Rodrigo) Duterte, who is expected to sign the bill into law," Aquino said.

"Education is a big issue, and much like the credit that can be shared by all, we all need to do our share to make the needed reforms in education happen," he added.

The senator said that there are currently six versions of the bill which the Senate panel is consolidating. If passed, it will institutionalize yearly the allocation for free tuition fee for SUCs. (PNA)

BOC confident to surpass 2016 revenue target

MANILA, Dec. 20 (PNA) -- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has expressed optimism that the bureau will hit its full revenue collection target this year after surpassing its November collection by PHP3 billion.

During Tuesday’s press briefing at the Malacanang, BOC acting spokesperson for enforcement and intelligence operations Neil Anthony Estrella said “very likely” the revenue collection will exceed target.

"That’s our expectation," Estrella told Palace reporters.

Estrella said the November’s revenue collection has exceeded by PHP3 billion and is expected to repeat the performance this December.

"As of now, all indicators are pointing that we will meet again the target for this month considering that last November, we exceeded around more than PHP3 billion," he said.

For the first half of December, he said the BOC has already collected PHP19.947, which is 57 percent of the total PHP35.116 billion assessed target for December this year.

"Given this improvement, the Bureau of Custom is already 93.3 percent of the PHP409 billion assessed target for the whole year," Estrella said.

Estrella attributed the enhanced revenue collection to the positive trust rating of the Bureau of Custom, reduction of corruption, cooperation of stakeholders, transparency in the bureau and full efforts of traders to increase revenue collection.

He said all CCTVs are now in place, removing the opportunity of corruption at least within the BOC premises.

"We installed first the CCTVs within the vicinity of the Port of Manila and then next in our airports where there are BOC personnel," Estrella said.

Estrealla said the BOC, under the stewardship of Nicanor Faeldon, has also stepped up efforts to fight smuggling.

He said BOC has already submitted the draft of implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016 to the Department of Finance (DOF) for final review.

Under the IRR draft, the large-scale agricultural smuggling will be classified as economic sabotage with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of twice the fair value of the smuggled agricultural product and the aggregate amount of the taxes, duties and other charges.

"This is part of the commitment of the BOC in the fight to eradicate smuggling in the country," Estrella said.(PNA)

(YEARENDER) Successful conduct of polls is Comelec's best feat in 2016
By Ferdinand G. Patinio

MANILA, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- Recognitions and awards from voters, stakeholders and an international electoral body are proofs that the May 9, 2016 national and local polls are one for the books.

This was according to Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Juan Andres Bautista as their efforts have been recognized, which gave them a big boost to do more in holding future electoral exercises in the country.

“’Yung ating nakaraang halal and pinamatagumpay na halal sa kasaysayan ng ating bansa in terms of almost everything eh,” he said.

He added, “Siguro maganda rin assessment ng NAMFREL, PPCRV na talagang they said among all elections this is the best managed. It has the least of violent incidents, it was the fastest in terms of transmission, maraming mga indicators, turnout and then ‘yung satisfaction, makita mo naman dun yung mga survey na ginawa ng Pulse Asia. I think 90 percent of our population were very pleased with the outcome.”

Several days after the May 9 polls, the National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), one of the citizens’ arm of the poll body in the last national elections “believed that on the whole, this election has been managed far better than the past two automated elections held in 2010 and 2013.”

They are also convinced that voters are supportive of the Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) that were utilized in the May 2016 polls.

“Further the electorate seems to have more confidence in the election system this year compared to the past.While there are still some problem areas to look into and to correct, these do not detract from the generally perceived credible and orderly conduct of the May 9 elections,” Namfrel said in their assessment report.

They added, “The most commendable aspect of this election is the highest voter turnout rate ever of 81 percent for local and 31 percent for overseas voter (versus 76 percent and 17 percent in 2013 respectively).”

Likewise, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), another citizens’ arm of the Comelec in the May polls was satisfied with the outcome of the elections.

Earlier, Ana Singson, PPCRV Communications head had revealed their assessment of last electoral exercise is satisfactory in terms of transmission of election results, transparency and coordination with the Comelec.

"Definitely better than 2010 in terms of transmissions we saw so much more we reached 96.14 percent and you will add to what PPCRV has encoded we actually reached 98 percent that is the second highest after the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC)...The transmission levels in 18 hours we have reached 91 percent, we never reached 91 percent in 2013 we only reached 74 percent," she said in June.

Last July, the Pulse Asia Ulat ng Bayan Survey reported that majority of Filipinos said the conduct of the results of the May 2016 elections in their area was fast (92 percent), orderly (93 percent), and free of electoral violence (95 percent).

Around 89 percent of respondents described the electoral results as being believable.

Likewise, the survey showed that there was no vote-buying (66 percent), and no cheating (83 percent) during the last elections.

Recently, the poll body has been recognised by a London-based election management body for its efforts in connection with the successful holding of the 2016 national and local elections.

The International Centre for Parliamentary Studies of the 2016 International Electoral Awards (IEA), which was held in Maputo, Mozambique last December 6, awarded the Comelec with Electoral Commission of the Year, Excellence in Election Management, the Accessibility and Minority Participation Awards.

It was reported that the 2016 NLE recorded the highest voter turnout in the history of Philippine automated polls at 81.95 percent.

With this, Bautista admitted that the most challenging part of the May polls was the lack of time.

“Ako, feeling ko talaga panahon eh, medyo nagkulang kami sa panahon eh. Naremember nyo ‘yung 3 commissioners newly appointed in May 2015, mga bagito kami, may learning curve, at that time wala pang mga makina, hindi pa naman alam kung ok na yung paghahanda until ang Supreme Court nag-utos na gagawa ng resibo,” he said.

Challenges faced

But, Bautista noted that the challenges only helped them to ensure that the elections will be successful.

“Pero in a way, at least lahat ito nakatulong para siguraduhin na ang ating election ay making matagumpay so I think at least all sectors seem to believe that as I said this is the most credible elections in Philippine history,” he added.

The poll body chief admitted that he wish that the incident at the PPCRV control centre involving the cosmetic change conducted by SMARTMATIC and Comelec officials did not happen.

“Oo, sana hindi puedeng mangerai, sana hindi na lang nangyari. Sa aking palagay hindi naman malaking bagay yun. Alam mo naman hindi puedeng perfect eh, may mga mangyayari't mangyayari,” he said.

The incident prompted the camp of then vice presidential candidate Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. formally filed criminal complaint against executives of Smartmatic Philippines and a Comelec employee in connection with the unauthorized change in the script of the poll body's transparency server.

Named respondents were Smartmatic's Marlon Garcia, project manager; Elie Moreno, project director and Neil Benigued, member of Technical Support Team of international service provider and Rouie Peñalba, Comelec IT Officer II.

In a 14-page complaint, ABAKADA Rep. Jonathan Dela Cruz, Campaign Adviser of the vice presidential bet noted that the respondents violated "Section 35 (b) and (c) of R.A 8436, as amended by R.A. 9639 ("the AES Law").

It would be recalled the an adjustment was made to the script to fix the "?" character to "Ã'" on the name of some candidates.

At the same time, Marcos has filed an electoral protest filed before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) against Vice President-elect Leni Robredo

He asked the PET to annul the proclamation of his closest rival in the May 9 polls and declare him as the true winner in the last elections.

Likewise, Marcos also wants the Tribunal to order the annulment of votes in several provinces and cities.

In the VP race, Robredo got 14,418,817 votes as compared to the Marcos’ 14,155,344 votes.

The case is still being heard.

Conflict among en banc members

Bautista admitted that indifference or conflict in opinions amongst the member of the seven-man en banc is part of their job, since every member is different from each other.

“I think ‘yung mga differences in opinion are part and partial of any agency kasama ‘yan sa trabaho,” he said.

“Sa akin kasama lang yan. There is nobody who is irreplaceable lahat naman kami puedeng palitan ang mahalaga ay ‘yung institution ay pangalagaan. It is very important that we maintain, independence, integrity, the credibility of the institution,” he added.

It can be recalled that there were several instances where majority of the en banc have opposed the action of Bautista among them was the scrapping of the Php30 million intelligence funds from the agency’s 2017 budget.

Barangay and SK polls postponed

On Oct. 15, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 10923, the law that suspended the Oct. 31, 2016 village and youth polls and moved it to Oct. 23, 2017.

Prior to the signing of the law, the Comelec has suspended the activities for the October 2016 polls although it already printed some 400,000 ballots.

5 million new voters

Though the Barangay and SK polls have been suspended to next year, the poll body has commenced the continuing registration last Nov. 7 that will run until April 29, 2017.

The Office of the Election Officer in city/municipality all over the country will accept application for registration from Mondays to Saturdays, including holidays, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on Dec. 24 and 25, and April 13 and 14.

The Comelec is expecting to register 5 million new voters, 3 million for the village polls and 2 million for the youth elections.

2017 polls

Bautista noted what they want to achieve in the October 2017 polls is to have an honest and credible elections

“Syempre gusto natin mayos ang election sa 2017, although manual ‘yan. “Yung barangay alam ninyo naman, alam naman natin masalimuot ang barangay but again kung titingnan ninyo naman ang aming strategy very simple we want to learn from the lessons of the past, we want to look at past elections and see what we did right, see what we did wrong. What we did right we should further improved, what we did wrong we should correct so that we won’t do it again,” he added. (PNA)

TUBAGBOHOL.com can now be accessed by your smartphones via Tapatalk App both in Android and Apple OS.

The Russian ambassador to Turkey was shot in the back and killed as he gave a speech at an Ankara art gallery on Monday by an off-duty police officer who shouted "Don't forget Aleppo" and "Allahu Akbar" as he opened fire.

President Tayyip Erdogan, in a video message to the nation, cast the attack as an attempt to undermine NATO-member Turkey's relations with Russia - ties long tested by the war in Syria. He said he had agreed in a telephone call with Russia's Vladimir Putin to step up cooperation in fighting terrorism.

At a special meeting at the Kremlin, President Putin ordered increased security at all Russian missions and said "the bandits" who committed the act would feel retribution.

"We must know who directed the killer's hand."

The assassination of an ambassador, not least of a major power such as Russia, marks a dangerous escalation of tension in the region and beyond. Security sources said he was off duty and some witnesses said there was no security scanning machine at the entrance.

The attacker was smartly dressed in black suit and tie and stood, alone, behind the ambassador as he began his speech at the art exhibition, a person at the scene told Reuters.

"He took out his gun and shot the ambassador from behind. We saw him lying on the floor and then we ran out," said the witness, who asked not to be identified. People took refuge in adjoining rooms as the shooting continued.

A video showed the attacker shouting: "Don't forget Aleppo, don't forget Syria!" and "Allahu Akbar" ("God is Greatest") as screams rang out. He paced about and shouted as he held the gun in one hand and waved the other in the air.

TUBAGBOHOL.com can now be accessed on mobile phones via Tapatalk App both in Android and Apple OS. - (Reuters)

Islands
The outlying islands surrounding mainland Bohol under the jurisdiction of the Bohol Provincial Government are:

Alicia
Bagatusan
Bagong Banwa
Balicasag
Banacon
Banbanan
Bansaan
Batasan
Bay Sa Owak
Bilangbilangan
Bonbon
Bosaan
Buabuahan
Bugatusan
Busalian
Cabilao
Cabulâ€'an
Cabantulan
Cabgan
Calangaman
Cancoslino
Calituban
Cataban
Catang
Catiâ€'il
Cuaming
Gakâ€'ang
Gaus
Guindacpan
Hambongan
Hingutanan
Inanoran
Jaguliao
Jandayan
Jao
Juagdan
Lapinig
Lapinig Chico (Tres Reyes)
Limasoc
Lumislis
Maâ€'agpit
Mahanay
Makaina
Makalingao
Malingin
Mantatao Daku
Mantatao Gamay
Maomauan
Maubay
Mocaboc
Nasingin
Nocnocan
Pamasaun
Pamilacan
Pandanon
Pandao
Pangangan
Pangapasan
Panglao
Pinango
Potohan
Pungtud
Saag
Sagasa
Sandingan
Sentingnenay
Silo
Sinandigan
Tabangdio
Talibon
Talimobo
Tambo
Tangtaang
Tintinan
Tumok
source: Wikipedia

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China considers enhanced support for ethnic minority medicine

BEIJING, Dec. 19 (PNA/Xinhua) -- A draft Chinese law enhancing traditional Chinese medicine's (TCM) role in China's medical system will support ethnic minority medicine in the country.

According to the draft law, tabled for a third reading at the bimonthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, the state will enhance support, innovation, application and development, as well as professional training in ethnic minority medicine.

The state will step up the establishment of medical institutions practicing ethnic minority medicine and provide better training for practitioners, it said.

Ethnic autonomous regions should also create their own measures to develop local ethnic minority medicine in accordance with relevant laws, the draft said.

TCM has gained increasing global attention since Chinese pharmacist Tu Youyou was awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her work using artemisinin to treat malaria.

Ethnic minority medicine is an important part of TCM. According to a white paper issued by the State Council Information Office this month, 60,000 TCM and ethnic minority medical drugs have been approved.

At the end of 2015, there were 3,966 TCM hospitals and 42,528 TCM clinics across the country, including 253 hospitals and 550 clinics specializing in ethnic minority medicine.

There has also been steady progress in the standardization of ethnic minority medicine, the white paper said.

Monday's draft also said China will protect TCM's intellectual property, adding that it will provide "special protection" for TCM formulas that are considered "state secrets."

It vowed enhanced supervision on the quality of TCM materials, banning the use of highly toxic pesticides during the planting of herbs. (PNA/Xinhua)

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20 Negrenses injured by firecrackers during New Year revelry - police
BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 1 (PNA) -- Twenty firecracker-related injuries were reported in Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, during the New Year revelry, the police said.

A total of 12 injuries were tallied by the Bacolod City Police Office, said acting director Senior Supt. Melchor Coronel.

Senior Supt. Samuel Nacion, officer-in-charge of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, said eight incidents were recorded in the province as of Jan. 1.

Both officials said that no stray bullet incidents were reported.

They considered the New Year celebrations in the city and the province generally peaceful despite reports of shooting and stabbing incidents.

During the New Year's Eve, at least 30 people were rushed to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod due to road accidents, police also reported.(PNA)

6.0-magnitude quake hits 83km WNW of Kirakira, Solomon Islands -- USGS

HONG KONG, Dec. 18 (PNA/Xinhua) -- An earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale jolted 83km WNW of Kirakira, Solomon Islands at 05:46:25 GMT on Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The epicenter, with a depth of 39.11 km, was initially determined to be at 10.2273 degrees south latitude and 161.1952 degrees east longitude. (PNA/Xinhua)

Suicide bomber targets pro-gov't soldiers in Yemen's Aden, killing 32

ADEN, Yemen, Dec 18 (PNA/Xinhua) -- About 32 pro-government soldiers were killed and several others injured when a suicide attacker struck their gathering in Yemen's southern port city of Aden on Sunday morning, a military official told Xinhua.

"The suicide bomber detonated his explosives among scores of soldiers who gathered outside the house of Brigadier Nasser Anbouri in Aden's district of KhorMaksar," the local military official said on condition of anonymity.

"The suicide attack occurred while the soldiers were waiting in a long queue to receive their monthly salaries near the Anbouri's house," the local military official said.

All the dead soldiers were members of the newly-trained special security forces operating in Aden province, according to the official.

The suicide attack comes less than two weeks after a similar attack claimed by the Yemen-based affiliate of the Islamic State group struck an army base near Aden's international airport, leaving 50 pro-government soldiers killed and more than 40 others injured.

The southern port city of Aden is the headquarters of Yemen's internationally-backed President Abdu-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and his government.

Aden witnessed several well-planned assassinations and armed attacks after Saudi-backed forces drove the Shiite Houthi rebels out from the strategic city in July 2015.

However, the newly-trained anti-terrorism troops supported by UAE armored vehicles made substantial achievements in recent weeks, disabling several explosive material factories used by terrorists to manufacture car bombs in Aden.

In addition, several commanders of the Yemen-based al-Qaida branch were captured in the successful raids conducted by the UAE-backed Yemeni forces in Aden and neighboring provinces.

Yemen, an impoverished Arab country, has been gripped by one of the most active regional Al-Qaida insurgencies in the Middle East.

The Yemen-based Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), also known locally as "Ansar al-Sharia," emerged in January 2009, claiming responsibility for a number of terrorist attacks against Yemen's army and governmental institutions.

The AQAP and the IS-linked terrorists took advantage of the security vacuum and ongoing civil war to expand their influence and seize more territories in southern Yemen.

Security in Yemen has deteriorated since March 2015, when war broke out between the Shiite Houthi group, supported by former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and government forces backed by a Saudi-led Arab coalition.

Over 10,000 people have been killed in ground battles and airstrikes since then, many of them civilians. (PNA/Xinhua)

South Korean President's team says impeachment procedures lack legal grounds

MOSCOW, Dec. 18 (PNA/Sputnik) -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye's representatives claimed impeachment procedures against her were illegal and lacked sufficient evidence of wrongdoing.

On Dec. 9, the South Korean parliament voted in favor of starting the process of impeachment against the embattled leader over the "shadow adviser" scandal involving Park's associate Choi Soon-sil. The decision is now with the country's Constitutional Court. The court's first session was held on Dec. 12.

"Choi did not exert influence on state affairs, and we ask those making the accusations to come up with concrete proof… Even if there is evidence of offenses, none are so serious to justify an impeachment," the president's representatives said, as quoted by the Yonhap news agency on Sunday.

The representatives claimed the impeachment violated the principle of the presumption of innocence and called on the Constitutional Court to reject the case.

The political scandal around the president broke out in late October when media reported that Park allowed Choi Soon-sil, her longtime friend and "shadow adviser," who held no official post, to edit her speeches thus letting her influence the country's policy. Moreover, Choi was suspected of pressuring South Korean corporations and extorting money from them for her non-commercial funds.

Park has rejected the claims and said that she was unaware of any wrongdoings by her associate. (PNA/Sputnik)

BCDA eyes BGC-NAIA bus rapid transit tunnel by 2019
By Kris M. Crismundo

MANILA, Dec. 18 (PNA) -- The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) targets to complete its bus rapid transit (BRT) system project by 2019, BCDA President and CEO Vivencio Dizon told reporters.

Dizon said the project was, eyed to be a BRT tunnel which will connect Bonifacio Global City (BGC) and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals 1, 2, and 3.

He added the feasibility study for the BGC-NAIA BRT tunnel would start by first March or April next year by China Road and Bridge Corp. (CRBC).

The BCDA chief said that the feasibility study of CRBC was among the Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) signed by the state-owned corporation during the state visit of President Rodrigo Duterte in China last October.

Once the feasibility study is done, the detailed engineering design for the project will follow.

Dizon said the construction of the BRT tunnel would take about two years.

“By 2019, we can have our BRT system from BGC to NAIA and vice versa,” he said.

Dizon said that there would be no concerns for the right of way for the BRT project as the BGC and NAIA properties were all BCDA assets. (PNA)

Economic managers suggest to PRRD higher member contribution for proposed Php 2,000 pension hike to save SSS from bankruptcy

MANILA, Dec. 18 (PNA) -- The country’s economic managers have recommended to President Duterte that the congressional proposal for a two-step, across-the-board increase of Php 2,000 in the Social Security System (SSS) monthly pension be made contingent on a corresponding adjustment in the contributions of employers, employees, self-employed individuals and volunteer members to save this pension fund from bankruptcy.

In a Dec. 15 memorandum to the President, Secretaries Carlos Dominguez III and Benjamin Diokno of the Departments of Finance (DOF) and of Budget and Management (DBM) along with Director-General Ernesto Pernia of the
 National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) fretted that without an
 accompanying “upward adjustment or restructuring of the contribution rate,” the 
proposed pension hike would unduly jack up the unfunded liabilities of the SSS from Php 3.5 trillion to Php 5.9 trillion.

If approved, this congressional proposal “may adversely affect the Republic’s credit rating,” said the three Cabinet secretaries in their memo to Mr. Duterte, and the “SSS would be bankrupt and left with no funds for other members in the future.”

Although the government is ready to keep the pension
fund viable by way of a subsidy in case the SSS finds itself in dire financial straits, the three secretaries stressed that this should merely be a “last resort,” because it remains the primary responsibility of member-employees and their employers to keep it afloat not only for their benefit but for future generations of members as well.

Given that “government subsidy only introduces undue fiscal burden to taxpayers,” they pointed out in their joint memo that “the public must not be made to carry the burden of the increase which benefits only privately employed individuals.”

The three secretaries were reacting to a proposal by the Congress, as contained in Joint Resolution No. 5 of the Senate and Joint Resolution No. 10 of the House of Representatives, for the SSS to implement a staggered Php 2,000 across-the-board increase in its monthly payments to member-pensioners now numbering 2.2 million - the first tranche of Php 1,000 to be given starting in January 2017 and another Php 1,000 in January 2019.

Without a corresponding increase in member 

contribution, the three secretaries said the congressional proposal would cut the actuarial life of the pension fund by 14 to 17 years from 2042 to 2025-2028 because the SSS will have to cough up an additional Php 32 billion annually to cover the initial Php 1,000 hike and Php 62 billion for the entire Php 2,000 increase in monthly payments.

“While we recognize the thrust of the joint resolution to promote the well-being of the country’s private sector retirees…...any increase in pension without increasing member contribution and expanding its membership base would introduce severe fiscal issues, and should be discouraged,” they said.

“We strongly recommend that any improvement in pension benefits be accompanied by an upward adjustment or restructuring of the contribution rate from employee members and their employers, as well as self-employed and voluntary members,” they said. “We do not believe it is unfair to ask for this increase as pensions have increased 22 times while the contribution rate has only increased three times since the establishment of the rates in 1980.”

“This proposed resolution is foreseen to cut the actuarial life of the fund by 14 to 17 years from 2041 to 2025-2028 and will result in approximately Php 64 billion additional pension every year” to an estimated 2.2 million pensioners, they said. “This has detrimental effects to the financial position of SSS and the viability of its business model.”

According to the House resolution proposing the Php 2,000 pension increase, there are at least 33 million members of the SSS and 2.2 million retirees currently receiving pensions.

To save the SSS from going bankrupt and enable it to continue providing the mandated benefits to other members who are not yet entitled to monthly retirement payments, the three secretaries recommended to President Duterte an increase in the member contribution from the current 11 percent to 17 percent upon the implementation of the Congress-proposed across-the-board pension hike.

And to cushion the effect of their proposed adjustment in the monthly contribution of SSS members, the three secretaries recommended to the President that the first tranche of the Php 2,000 monthly pension increase be moved back and carried out once the Congress approves the first package of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program, which provides for sizable cuts in the income tax payments of low-income workers.

This tax reform package on income tax cuts with accompanying revenue measures was submitted by the DOF to the Congress last September.

“We suggest implementing an increase in benefits when we launch the personal income tax reform,” they said. “This is the ideal way to move forward as it will be the correct time to consider an increase in benefits to ensure that the financial burden of additional contribution by members will be offset by a decrease in the personal income tax.”

“We believe matching additional benefits with increase in contribution is the best action Government can take from a fiscally sound and equitable standpoint,” they said in noting that the proposed pension hike would “benefit only 2.2 million pensioners while the rest of the taxpayers will need to bear the fiscal burden that it will result to.”

The three secretaries informed the President that “an initial Php 1,000 across-the-board increase to Php 4,200 will result in a 31.25 percent increase in the average basic monthly pension of SSS pensioners.”

“This is equivalent to more than Php 32 billion additional pension benefits that SSS has to pay,” they said. “Moreover, a Php 2,000 across-the-board pension increase to Php 5,200 will result in a 62.5 percent increase in average basic monthly pension and is equivalent to Php 64 billion additional pension benefits.”

Citing an SSS study, they said “the SSS Reserve Fund which is tapped when contributions of SSS members are not enough to cover the benefit payments made to its members, is currently projected to last until 2042 (26-year life). This proposed resolution is foreseen to cut the actuarial life of the fund by 14 to 17 years from 2042 to 2025-2028.”

As provided in Section 21 of Republic Act No. 8282 (SSS Act of 1997), the Republic of the Philippines “accepts the general responsibility for the solvency of the SSS, but while Government accepts this as a contingent liability, it is important that members and their employers take primarily responsibility for making SSS stable and viable not only for the immediate generation of pensioners but also for the next generations.”

“Government subsidy, while ready to make our social system viable when it fails is primarily a fund of last resortâ€"not to be used as an excuse for projects or regulations that are financially unsustainable and unviable to begin with,” they added. (PNA)

DoubleDragon bullish on hitting 100 CityMalls target by 2020
By Leslie D. Venzon

MANILA, Dec. 18 (PNA) -- Listed DoubleDragon Properties Corp. is looking to pursue another fundraising activity next year to fund expansion projects, optimistic of hitting its target to build 100 CityMalls by 2020.

“If it is positive, the economy will be very good and the demand will be strong, we will be preparing for the next tranche… If the bond market will be good, then we’ll just use up the remaining shelf registration,” DoubleDragon Chairman Edgar “Injap” Sia II told reporters.

Sia said the firm was operating 10 CityMalls, and two more in Divisoria and Binan, Laguna.

He noted 54 new sites have been secured, 29 of which are being built and the rest are on the planning preparations stage.

Sia hopes that 50 malls will be completed by 2017.

“Two years from now, all the hundred sites of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will have been secured,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Php5.3 billion worth of 10-year fixed rate retail bonds DoubleDragon raised last week marked the first tranche of its three-year retail bond shelf registration approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with an aggregate amount of Php15 billion.

The firm expected the amount to fully cover the capital expenditures (capex) requirements to complete its 2020 goal of developing one million square meters of leasable space.

“If we will raise more funds after that (Php15-billion shelf offering), it is no longer connected to the 2020 goal. We will pace it based on the market reception,” Sia added.

DoubleDragon is a property firm jointly owned by Jollibee Foods Corp. chairman Tony Tan Caktiong and business partner Edgar “Injap” Sia II. (PNA)

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)

Bohol Provincial Board members clash over naming of highway

PANGLAO, Bohol, Dec 18 (PNA) -- The honorable members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Bohol finally clashed over naming of Bohol circumferential road during the regular session on Friday held at the posh Bluewater Resort, barangay Danao of this tourist municipality, about 15 kms. south of capital Tagbilaran City.

The camp of Gov. Edgar Chatto and Rep. Rene Relampagos of Liberal Party, who filed a bill No. 4331 to name the said highway to then Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, got what it wants despite strong opposition of the faction of Vice-Gov. Dionisio Balite, a PDP-Laban stalwart.

As expected SP Board Members (BMs) Atty. Benjie Arcamo, Atty. Abel Damalerio, Dr. Elpidio Jala, Dr. Romulo Cepedoza (Liga ng mga Barangay president for Bohol), Ricky Masamayor, Kristine Alexie Tutor, Jade Bautista, all belong to LP, voted for a Resolution endorsing Relampagos’ measure naming the circumferential highway to CPG.

BM Agapito Avenidon, an LP ally and BM Nino Rey Boniel, an oppositionist but both represent 2nd district, abstained.

Outvoted were opposition BMs Dionisio Victor Balite, Atty. Tomas D. Abapo, Jr. and Phil. Councilors League Bohol chapter president Gloria Gementiza who advocated that the said highway be appropriately named after then Governor and Congressman Erico B. Aumentado.

BM Abapo moved for a separate Resolution, also endorsing House Resolution No.4673 proposed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to name the Bohol circumferential highway to the late Cong. Erico B. Aumentado (EBA) (2nd district), his group was again defeated with Boniel voting.Not over yet

But Boniel said that the fight it’s not over yet until it’s over. He said that former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of Pampanga has filed House Bill No. 4673, to name the Bohol circumferential highway to then cong. Erico Aumentado.

The question remains as to who really deserves of highway name since it is the Congress has the final say to name public highways and other places in honor of deserving public officials in their names.

Earlier in his privilege speech, provincial BM Abapo, Jr. told his collegaues that the Philippines Councilor’s League (PCL) Bohol chapter,led by BM Gloria B. Gementiza, has passed a Resolution asking Congress to name the said highway to EBA.

He also said that the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Bohol chapter, headed by Clarin town Mayor Allen Ray Piezas, an LP ally, was inclined to do the same in the name of the late second district solon EBA, the father of incumbent Congressman Aris Aumentado.

It will be recalled that former board member Gerry Garcia (2nd district, LP) has proposed to name the said highway to EBA.

Then BM Garcia, who did not make it in the congressional race in May 9, 2016 elections, batted for honoring EBA who was very much instrumental in making the circumferential highway a reality.

But his wish appeared to be ignored by the majority of his colleagues (serving 2013-2016) belonging to Chatto’s camp after referring it to a committee until this time it was not taken up yet.

The governor, in his speech during the 120th CPG Day (Nov. 4), said he would endorse to the SP chaired by Balite to name the said highway to CPG.No consultation

Boniel, in an exclusive interview, said it appeared that Relampagos’s proposed House bill lacks consultation with the people especially the municipal mayors in what appeared to be far from the Capitol administration’s bragging about public consultation on matters of public interest.

He said that Relampagos should have consulted the mayors first as a matter of procedure.

Boniel did not hide his preference to name the said highway to EBA. “I just want to be realistic,” he said, saying it cannot be denied that EBA was very instrumental in making the circumferential road a reality, hence, he deserved such a tribute.

There are already names for CPG, such as CPG highway in Manila, streets in some other places and public buildings and the town of former Pitogo, he said.

But he added that he still respect the voice of the majority of the provincial board.

It will be recalled that former Rep. Isidro Zarraga (3rd district) succeeded in naming the former Bohol National High School to Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School allegedly without the benefit of public hearing or consultation.

The move generated an uproar that alumni members and stakeholders wanted its name restored but to no avail. (PNA)

NFA accredits more rice outlets

MANILA, Dec. 15 (PNA) -- To make affordable government rice more accessible to the consuming public, the National Food Authority (NFA) is increasing the number of its accredited rice outlets nationwide.

NFA Officer In Charge Tomas R. Escarez directed all field offices to accredit additional rice retail outlets not only inside the market but even in remote barangays to make NFA rice readily available especially to the marginalized sector.

NFA rice is still being sold at Php27.00 per kilogram for 25 percent brokens; and Php32.00 per kilogram for 15 percent brokens.

To enable those who are interested to become an NFA accredited rice retail outlet, Escarez said that field offices were instructed to ease the requirements for accreditation.

He said that interested applicants can be issued a temporary accreditation pending completion of inspection and submission of requirements so they can immediately sell NFA rice to the consuming public.

NFA currently has a total of 16,775 accredited rice outlets nationwide. Aside from the traditional rice outlets inside and outside the markets, NFA has also other non-traditional rice outlets such as the Bigasan sa Barangay, Bigasan sa Parokya, and Barangay Food Terminal.

NFA also participates in the Diskwento Caravan in the different municipalities organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to bring affordable government rice closer to the public especially during this holiday season.

Escarez reported that the food agency has already distributed a total of 21,405,835 bags of the good quality but low-priced NFA rice from January to November of this year through its accredited outlets across the country.

He said that the agency intends to open more non-traditional rice outlets to further widen its reach and to ensure that more low-income consumers would benefit from the government subsidized rice. (PNA)

Chicago agricultural commodities close mixed

CHICAGO, Dec. 16 (PNA/Xinhua) -- Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) grains futures settle mixed on Thursday with soybean futures rebounding as buyers entered the market amid continued signs of robust demand for U.S. supplies.

The most active corn contract for March delivery fell 5.5 cents, or 1.52 percent, to 3.565 dollars per bushel. March wheat delivery dropped 8.75 cents, or 2.09 percent, to 2.09 dollars per bushel. January soybeans added 5.25 cents, or 0.51 percent, to 10.29 dollars per bushel.

Prices for soybeans closed higher following a three-day slide in the market as buying by commodity funds developed in part due to a government report showing weekly export sales had topped analyst expectations, with China the main purchaser of U.S. supplies.

Firm overseas demand is seen as critical to making a dent in large soybean stockpiles, which were added to by what is likely to be record U.S. crop this year.

Corn and wheat prices sank, buffeted in part by sharp gains in the U.S. dollar, which makes domestic grain supplies less attractive to foreign importers.

Prices for corn also were weighed down by a bigger production forecast from Informa Economics, which pegged the 2016 crop at 15.275 billion bushels. The United States Department of Agriculture's latest estimate for corn was 15.226 billion. (PNA/Xinhua)

NIA to undertake Php100-B irrigation projects, systems in 2 years
By Leslie D. Venzon

MANILA, Dec. 18 (PNA) -- The government plans to construct more irrigation systems and projects worth Php100 billion over the next two years to support the country’s drive for rice self-sufficiency.

In an interview, newly installed National Irrigation Authority (NIA) Administrator Peter Tiu Laviña said these projects include locally-funded ones costing Php14 billion.

Laviña said the feasibility studies to be financed by China are also being completed on six irrigation projects totalling Php42 billion.

“We want many projects… (These are in) various stages. There are projects with already available funds, there are projects with on-going bidding; while others in feasibility studies (phase),” he said.

Laviña earlier told reporters the administration intended to rehabilitate and improve irrigation systems to serve especially the rice farmers in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s goal to attain rice self-sufficiency.

The Duterte government aimed for rice self-sufficiency in two years.

The administrator bared that irrigation development has only reached 57 percent or 1.7 million hectares of land.

“Our plan it to launch many irrigation projects to cover the remaining 43 percent,” Laviña said, noting this represents the remaining 1.32 million hectares of the total estimated irrigable lands of 3.02 million hectares.

Apart from construction of more irrigation systems and projects, Laviña cited other priorities he wanted to focus on during his term.

These also include attainment of food self-sufficiency by making the best use of the irrigation systems and utilizing water resources for hydropower to increase NIA’s sources of income and the implementation of free Irrigation service fees.

Laviña stressed the government is currently studying the overall policy on scrapping the irrigation fees.

“Definitely, we will follow the Presidential directive on free irrigation,” he assured. “Definitely, the poor rice farmers should have zero (fee). But to those who also use the irrigation systems and have the capacity to help us maintain the irrigation system, they should have payments or contribution in our maintenance.” (PNA)

US FDA bans powdered medical gloves due to health risks

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (PNA/Xinhua) -- The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday issued a final rule banning most powdered medical gloves in the United States, saying these products present "unreasonable and substantial risk" to both doctors and patients.

The ban applied to powdered surgeon's gloves, powdered patient examination gloves and absorbable powder for lubricating a surgeon's glove. One exception was powdered radiographic protection gloves, which the FDA said are not available on the market.

Powder is sometimes added to gloves to help make them easier to put on and take off.

However, powdered gloves are associated with an extensive list of potentially serious adverse events, including severe airway inflammation, asthma and other allergic reactions, lung inflammation and damage or post-surgical adhesions, which are bands of fibrous scar tissue that form between internal organs and tissues, said FDA in a statement.

In addition, aerosolized glove powder can carry proteins that may cause respiratory allergic reactions, it added. (PNA/Xinhua)

Low-dose aspirin found to work on blood platelets, help prevent cancer

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 17 (PNA/Xinhua) -- Researchers have found that low-dose aspirin, or "baby" aspirin, may inhibit the normal function of blood platelets and reduce their ability to upregulate an "oncoprotein" called c-MYC, which plays an important role in cancer cell proliferation and survival.

The mechanism by which low-dose aspirin may have some benefits in helping cancer prevention, especially colon cancer, in addition to protection against cardiovascular disease, was the result of a study published in AJP-Cell Physiology by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and Oregon State University (OSU).

"The benefit of aspirin may be due to its effect on blood cells called platelets, rather than acting directly on tumor cells," said senior author Owen McCarty, a professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at OHSU. "Our work suggests that the anti-cancer action of aspirin might be in part as follows: during their transit in the blood, circulating tumor cells interact with platelets, which spur tumor cell survival by activating oncoproteins such as c-MYC. The inhibition of platelets with aspirin therapy reduces this signaling between platelets and tumor cells, thus indirectly reducing tumor cell growth."

C-MYC orchestrates the expression of more than 15 percent of all genes, including those involved in cell cycles, survival, protein synthesis and cell metabolism.

However, it appears to be overexpressed in a large number of human cancers, including colon, pancreas, breast, lung and prostate cancers. "Early cancer cells live in what's actually a pretty hostile environment, where the immune system regularly attacks and attempts to eliminate them," said Craig Williams, a professor in the OSU/OHSU College of Pharmacy and co-author on the study. "Blood platelets can play a protective role for those early cancer cells and aid metastasis. Inhibition with aspirin appears to interfere with that process and c-MYC may explain part of that mechanism."

The study shows for the first time the ability of platelets to regulate the expression of the oncoprotein c-MYC in cancer cells.

Elevated expression of c-MYC has been found in almost one-third of colon cancers and 42 percent of advanced pancreatic cancer, the researchers wrote, concluding that "because the interaction between platelets and cancer cells is believed to occur early ... the use of anti-platelet doses of aspirin might serve as a safe and efficacious preventive measure for patients at risk for cancer."

Consistent with epidemiological studies which show that the anti-cancer benefit of aspirin occurs at very low doses, the researchers also found that the effect on platelet function is as great at low doses as it is at the higher doses, which are sometimes used to treat inflammation, headaches or pain, suggesting that clinicians will be able to use low doses of aspirin and minimize the risk of bleeding, which is a serious concern with any antiplatelet medication. (PNA/Xinhua)

Avian influenza found in turkeys at British farm

LONDON, Dec. 17 (PNA/Xinhua) -- Bird flu has been found at a farm in Lincolnshire of England, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed on Friday.

Avian flu of the H5N8 strain has been found in more than 5,000 turkeys, the department said.

Most birds at the premises have died and the remaining ones there are due to be culled.

Defra also said it has put in place a 3-kilometer protection zone and a 10-kilometer surveillance zone around the infected farm to limit the risk of the disease spreading.

Public Health England said the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency has made clear that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for British consumers. Thoroughly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.

There has not been a single reported case of H5N8 infecting people anywhere in the world.

Chief veterinary officer Nigel Gibbens said this is the same strain that has been affecting poultry in Europe. (PNA/Xinhua)

DOH hopeful to come out with 'needed guidelines' on condom distribution

MANILA, Dec. 17 (PNA) -- Department of Health (DOH) officials on Saturday said they are hopeful that they can come out with the necessary guidelines on the planned distribution of condoms in public schools.

Dr. Eric Tayag, DOH spokesperson, said they will be discussing with the Department of Education (DepEd) regarding the plan to distribute the condoms among the students, particularly to those who are at risk of acquiring Human Immuno Virus (HIV) infection.

"Watch out for that to happen, perhaps before the year ends," Dr. Tayag said.

The DOH earlier announced of its plan to include school and communities in the control and prevention of HIV, especially among the young population, as a ‘new approach’ will added to the traditional solutions done in the past.

The proposal was made as DOH Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial who said there is a need to think outside the box or explore other strategies.

This was earlier supported by the National Youth Commission (NYC) because of the high incidence of HIV among the young population.

DepEd also came out with a statement citing the need to study first whether this move to arrest the epidemic is appropriate to cover schools and learning institutions.

In the statement released last December 7, DepEd expressed its desire to discuss also what are other measures that can be explored without compromising, first, the parents’ right and responsibility to educate their children against the dangers of engaging in pre-marital sex, and second, the State’s mandate to protect minors from any form of abuse.

DepEd also wants to look into how and why, despite progressive mindset in other countries, this approach is not implemented by all.

Meanwhile, DOH earlier clarified that distribution of condoms will not be like candies that will be distributed left and right to anyone.

The agency explained that prior to distribution, training modules will actually be made available first to teachers so that they can be comfortable in providing their students the information on sexuality, problem of teenage pregnancy, ways of taking care their body, valuing themselves, the young people's role in society and in nation building, difference of love and infatuation, saying no to pre-marital sex etc.

Aside from that, the agency also clarified that only those who made admission that they are engaging in risky behaviors will be distributed with condoms and only the school authorities such as doctors/nurses will be allowed to provide them discreetly.

The agency also said that the idea of distributing condoms should also not be taken as “signal” to freely engage in sex but as an “educational tool” wherein those at risk will be reminded to practice safe sex if they can’t really avoid it.

“There is a need to understand, that even if we will not distribute condoms at all, there will still be sexual relationship/s that cannot be avoided...and these were proven by surveys... so the distribution of condoms is not a way of introducing them to sex,” Tayag said.

He compared a condom to umbrella wherein if one comes out from his/her house bringing an umbrella, it doesn’t follow that the person wants to rain so he/she can use the umbrella.

“Having a condom or bringing with you a condom does not mean you are looking/ready for sex but a “protective” way to protect you and your partner from an unprotected sex,” he explained. (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

UN chief urges parties to solve Libya's ongoing crisis

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 18 (PNA/Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday urged parties in Syria to join efforts to find a consensual solution to the country's ongoing crisis.

On Dec. 17, 2015, the Libyan Political Agreement was signed in Skhirat, Morocco. Saturday marks one year since the signing of the UN-brokered deal.

Ban said he cautions that the slow pace of implementation of the agreement has not brought the stability to the country, and therefore he urged those that are not currently engaged in the process to join the efforts, according to a statement released by his spokesperson.

"The Secretary-General reiterates that the United Nations will continue to accompany the process and support the Libyan people," said the statement.

Over the past year, under the agreement, the Presidency Council was formed and operates from Tripoli. However, Libya remains divided politically. And terrorism remains a major threat to the country. (PNA/Xinhua)

Algeria condemns terrorist attack in Burkina Faso

ALGIERS, Dec. 18 (PNA/Xinhua) -- Algeria on Saturday condemned the terrorist attack against a military detachment in northern Burkina Faso on Friday.

"Algiers vigorously condemns the despicable terrorist attack perpetrated Friday against a military detachment in the city of Nassoumbou," spokesman for the Algerian Foreign Ministry, Benali Cherif, told APS news agency.

"We offer our condolences to the families of the soldiers killed in this attack and we extend our deep sympathy and solidarity with the people and the government of Burkina Faso," added the diplomat.

Such attacks "should not undermine the determination of Burkina Faso and its neighboring nations in terms of the fight against the scourge of terrorism, which has no future in our African continent," said the official.

Some 15 counter-terrorism troops of Bourkina Faso's army were killed when an armed group attacked their post near the Malian border on Friday, local sources reported. (PNA/Xinhua)

UN chief calls for safe, orderly migration on Int'l Migrants Day

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 18 (PNA/Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Saturday called on the international community to act on global compact to ensure safe, regular and orderly migration.

In his message on the International Migrants Day which falls on Sunday, Ban said this has been a turbulent year for refugees and migrants due to continued devastating effect of armed conflict on civilians.

He noted thousands of people have lost their lives in transit in the Mediterranean and elsewhere; in addition, migrants and refugees are being alienated and blamed for ills of society.

Therefore, Ban called on governments to build on their commitments to govern large movements of refugees and migrants in a way that is people centered and rooted in fundamental human rights.

The total number of international migrants has increased from an estimated 175 million in 2000 to 244 million persons in 2015. One of every ten migrants is under the age of 15, according to the UN.

In September, 2016, the UN General Assembly adopted New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants to enhance protection of refugees and migrants.

The Declaration reaffirms the importance of the international protection regime and represents a commitment by UN member states to strengthen and enhance mechanisms to protect people on the move.

The International Migrants Day is observed annually on Dec. 18 to celebrate the role of migrants and the contribution that migration brings to development. (PNA/Xinhua)

UK to keep providing military training for Ukrainian army until 2018

MOSCOW, Dec. 18 (PNA/Sputnik) -- The United Kingdom will continue to provide training for the Ukrainian military until early 2018, UK Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said.

"Extending British training of Ukrainian Armed Forces sends a clear message that we support Ukraine and remain firmly committed to its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, in the face of a more belligerent Russia," Fallon said as quoted by ITV broadcaster.

More than 5,000 Ukrainian personnel will have been trained by the UK advisers by Match 2017. London also gifted Kiev 1 million pound (USD1.25 million) worth of non-lethal military equipment.

The United Kingdom is not the only country to provide assistance for the Ukrainian army. The United States will advise on training up to four battalions in Ukraine throughout 2017. Since 2014, Washington has provided Kiev with USD600 million in military assistance, including training, equipment and reform advisory effort, according to the US Department of Defense.

Canada began training members of Ukraine’s military in summer 2015. Within the framework of its training mission, Operation UNIFIER, Canada has 200 military personnel in Ukraine until March 31, 2017.

In April 2014, Ukrainian authorities launched a military operation against pro-independence militias in the Donbas. In February 2015, the sides reached a ceasefire deal after talks brokered by the leaders of Russia, France, Germany and Ukraine in the Belarusian capital of Minsk. (PNA/Sputnik)

Argentina's economic reforms face challenges: Moody's

BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 17 (PNA/Xinhua) -- The economic reforms undertaken by the Argentine government faced challenges in its first year, with some failing to have had the expected impact, Moody's said in a report published Thursday.

"Since coming to power a year ago, the Argentinean government has successfully implemented transformational reforms which should lead to an upturn in private investment and drive greater growth," said the report by the credit ratings agency.

Moody's highlighted the positive factors that the Argentine government reached a deal with the country's international creditors, restored Argentina's status on the capital markets, and is reforming the national statistics institute, which measures inflation and economic growth.

Furthermore, the government has improved fiscal transparency and increased the central bank's autonomy, contributing to better operative conditions for the private sector, read the report.

However, "progress in the consolidation of these reforms could slow down next year due to growing political pressures and external economic risks," Moody's cautioned.

On Thursday, Argentina announced a rise of 1.6 percent in inflation last month, while the government said it would seek to keep inflation between 12-17 percent in November.

For the banking sector, a sustained economic recovery would create new lending opportunities while Argentina's return to capital markets will offer banks more financing flexibility, said Moody's.

However, it warned that "profitability could be harmed and capital could be reduced if inflation drops and financing costs increase in real terms."

"Asset risks could rise moderately as subsidies are eliminated and consumers' repayment ability diminished," it concluded.

In early December, Argentine President Mauricio Macri defended himself against critics, saying that he was "not (the magician, David) Copperfield.

"We are ready to grow after five years of stagnation. This was a year of construction and that comes from transformation," he said. (PNA/Xinhua)

China to increase financial support for steel, coal M&As

BEIJING, Dec. 17 (PNA/Xinhua) -- China will increase its financial support for mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in the steel and coal industries, an official statement has said.

The loan ratio for legitimate M&As could be raised to as high as 70 percent of the total value of a transaction, according to the statement jointly issued by the China Banking Regulatory Commission, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Meanwhile, the government should strictly control credit delivery to prevent it from funding illegal new production capacity in the steel and coal industries.

Banks and banking institutions should not provide credit support to illegal steel and coal projects and should stop loaning to relevant companies, the statement said.

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of steel and coal. Cutting overcapacity is a high priority as the two industries have become a drag on growth.

In February, the government announced that steel capacity should be cut by between 100 million and 150 million tons by 2020, 45 million tons of which should be achieved in 2016. Coal capacity reduction has been set for half a billion tons over the next few years, with 250 million tons expected for 2016.

Progress came faster than expected. In late November, the State Council announced that both targets for the year had been achieved ahead of schedule. (PNA/Xinhua)

Black money holders get last chance to disclose till March 2017

NEW DELHI, Dec. 17 (PNA/PTI) -- Offering one last chance to black money holders, the Indian government on Friday said they have time until March-end to come clean by paying 50 percent tax on bank deposits of junk currencies made post demonetization.

Offering tax dodgers confidentially and immunity from prosecution under the new tax evasion amnesty scheme Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY), which kicks-in from tomorrow, Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said nondisclosure of deposits made in banks after the Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes were junked will attract stiffer penalties as well as prosecution.

Not declaring the black money under the scheme now but showing it as income in the tax return form would lead to a total levy of 77.25 percent in taxes and penalty. In case the disclosure is not made either using the scheme or in return, a further 10 percent penalty on tax will be levied followed by prosecution, he said.

The disclosure scheme is part of The Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Act, 2016, which was approved by the Lok Sabha earlier this month and has been assented by the President.

The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) will commence on December 17 and shall remain open for declarations up to March 31, Adhia told reporters here.

"Beginning tomorrow most of the banks will have challans to be filled for depositing tax for availing the PMGKY scheme.

Only after payment of 50 percent tax and setting aside the 25 percent of the remaining undisclosed amount for 4 year, a person can avail the PMGKY scheme," he said.

Adhia emphasized that mere depositing of cash in banks will not convert black money into white. Taxes have to be paid.

As per the scheme, taxes will have to be paid first and then the scheme can be availed on production of tax receipt, unlike the recent Income Disclosure Scheme and other such plans wherein disclosures were made first and taxes were recovered later.

Also, as the disclosures will be kept confidential, the holder of unaccounted cash need not disclose it in Income Tax Returns forms.

After the shock November 8 demonetization announcement, the government allowed the junked Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes to be deposited in bank accounts.

For those holding unaccounted cash, it offered new tax evasion amnesty scheme wherein 50 percent tax will be charged on declarations and quarter of the total sum be parked in a non-interest bearing deposit for four years. (PNA/PTI)

Caritas Manila receives more donations during holiday season

MANILA, Dec. 17 (PNA) -- An official of the social services arm of the Catholic Church on Saturday said they usually get more donations in kind during the holiday season.

Fr. Anton Pascual, Executive Director of Caritas Manila, said the reason why they get donations during December is because many donors are cleaning up their houses, stockrooms of things that they no longer need.

"Maraming naglilinis ng kanilang bahay. Maraming nag-aayos ng kanilang bodega kaya maganda mag-donate sa Segunda Mana this time para matulungan sila ma-declog ang kanilang bodega at mga bahay and it is the season of giving," he said.

With this, Pascual reminded donors to give out items that are still valuable so that those who would receive the donations would be able to use them.

"Mahalaga din 'yung quality ng binibigay. 'Yung meron pang value hindi 'yung hindi na magagamit. Dapat ang binibigay natin meron pa value, meron pa makikinabang sa binibigay may it be appliance, apparel, or equipment sana meron pa siya value," he added.

But, the Catholic priest noted that even if the gifts are second hand, it's still a gift.

"A gift is a gift. Even second hand gift is valuable. Its the thought that counts and the quality of the relationship between the giver and the receiver that matters," he said.

Segunda Mana is the donations-in-kind program of Caritas Manila which accepts pre-loved items such as: clothes, shoes, bags, toys, home and fashion accessories as GIFTS for CHARITY.

Through Caritas Manila’s Segunda Mana, it advocates the 3Rs: reuse, reduce and recycle.

It also supports over 5,000 poor but deserving youth scholars under the flagship program of Caritas Manila, the Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program (YSLEP).

To know more about Segunda Mana and other programs of Caritas Manila, visit Caritas Manila

Caritas Manila

CARITAS MANILA's programs and services are directed towards the total human development of marginalized people and the promotion of social justice in the light of the Church’s Catholic Social Teachings.

For donations, call the DonorCare lines 563-9311, 564-0205, 0999-7943455, 0905-428-5001 and 0929-834-3857. (PNA)

Bohol remains powerless as blackout cripples business

TAGBILARAN CITY, Dec. 4 (PNA) -- An announced total blackout that unexpectedly lasted for more than 21 hours on Saturday till early dawn Sunday has practically crippled businesses, leaving them in disarray and resorting to literally cranking their respective standby generator sets to keep business going.

It was supposedly 12 hours (or less) for maintenance purposes as pronounced by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) days before the shutdown.

Later on the night, a series of announcement coming from the power distributors in Bohol ensued. It said that power energy will be restored an hour after the supposedly 5 in the afternoon to 6:30 p.m. then, again, to 8:30 p.m. All did not materialize.

Then another power advisory relayed thru SMS said there was “technical problem” in Ubay side after the submarine cable, referring to interconnection of Leyte power grid to Bohol, was energized. Finally, the power was restored at past midnight.

Bohol is still suffering from lack of power supply since it did not have yet its own generating capacity, Provincial Board Member Atty. Tomas D. Abapo, Jr. said in gist during the session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Friday.

Bohol’s economy has already been hurt and businesses paralyzed during the 12-hour total blackout a day before the fight of Manny Pacquioa on Nov. 6, 2014, the veteran lawmaker Atty. Tomas Abapo Jr. said.

There had been similar blackouts in past months accordingly for maintenance of its facilities in Leyte where the geothermal source of power come from.

Abapo said the sad experience of blackout is reminiscent of aftermath of supertyphoon "Yolanda" that crushed Leyte exactly three weeks after the magnitude 7.2 shook Bohol on October 15, 2013.

Bohol remains powerless even as it’s essentially dependent on geothermal plant in Tongonan, Leyte for its some 70-megawatt requirement during peak hours.

“Bohol is an island province that is fully dependent on Leyte for power,” Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Panglao Island Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PICCI) and Bohol Association of Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants (BAHRR) said in their joint statement urging Department of Labor and Employment for daily wage hike freeze.

It added that “Establishments in the province incur additional costs for the acquisition of expensive but efficient and high quality generators and alternative power supplies to avoid hampered business operations during Leyte’s monthly maintenance (whole day blackout) and constant unavoidable brownouts. Additionally, most supplies and materials needed are usually imported from other provinces, thus, logistics on business operations in Bohol are more costly.”

“Bohol's competitive edge as an investment destination is negatively affected until Bohol can find alternative power sources,” Rosalinda Paredes, a city resident said in her Facebook post.

BM Abapo brought up the power concern before the session because he wanted to know the status of what the Bohol Energy Development Advisory Group (BEDAG) has done so far after its creation by executive order issued by the governor two years ago. Abapo said that the mandate of the group is “to ensure continuous, adequate and reliable” power supply for Bohol.

He said that BEDAG chair Engr. Acierto, shall be invited to shed light before the provincial board on the following queries: What are the proposals for energy sources? Who are the potential investors? And What’s the timetable in addressing the power inadequacy in Bohol?

NGCP said thru its spokesperson betty B. Martinez in her fb post today it “sincerely apologizes for the inconveniences the prolonged power interruption had caused to power consumers in Bohol.” It added that power fully restored in Bohol at 12:27AM Dec. 4 following the “energized Facility: New Ormoc-Maasin 138kV Line 2,” she said.

Bohol is served by a little over combined 20 MW from the two hydro plants and another (hydro) in Balilihan and Bohol diesel power plant. It needs more than 60 MW during peak hours, according to power distributors in Bohol.

Bohol Electric Cooperative (BOHECO) I and II serve power distribution in 47 municipalities and Bohol Light Company in this city. (PNA)
lgi/RVO/ssc

PAL's maiden flight from Singapore arrives in Cebu

MANILA, Dec. 17 (PNA) -- A fully-booked Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight to Cebu carrying mostly Filipinos arrived from Singapore early Saturday morning, signaling the start of a new scheduled passenger service between the two countries.

PAL PR 518 took its maiden flight from the Changi International Airport to the Mactan, Cebu International Airport (MCIA) at 2:45 a.m..

This new Cebu-Singapore route brings the number of international destinations PAL flies to and from Cebu to six. PAL currently offers direct flights from Cebu to Los Angeles, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Incheon.

The four-times-weekly Singapore-Cebu will be available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, while the CEB-SIN on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Flight PR 518 will leave SIN at 2:45 a.m. and arrive in CEB at 6:40 a.m., while PR 517 will depart CEB at 10:00 p.m. and be in SIN by 1:45 a.m..

PAL joins Air Asia, Silk Air, Cebu Pacific, and Tiger Airways in serving Cebu to Singapore destination bringing the total number of flights from MCIA to Singapore to 31.

The flag carrier earlier announced its discounted roundtrip airfares from Cebu to Singapore and back at USD 130, with travel tax of USD 68, which can be used until end December this year for travel until mid-March 2017.

After PAL, Japanese low-cost carrier Vanilla Air will also start mounting direct flights between Tokyo (Narita) and Cebu beginning Christmas day, December 25.

Recent data from DOT showed that arrivals from Singapore accounted for over 133,000 tourists from January to September 2016 making it seventh among the Philippines’ top source markets for international visitors.

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo welcomed the new direct flight saying it was a chance to turn Cebu into one of the country’s major hubs.

"Cebu is a premier city of Visayas. We now have the chance to make this not only a main tourist attraction -- but also a major hub from which travelers can hop to as many destinations in Visayas as possible,” Teo said.

Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Antonio Morales meanwhile expressed hope that this inaugural flight will further entice Singaporean citizens and permanent residents to visit the Philippines. (PNA)

10 teenagers arrested in Belgium for planning terrorist attacks

MOSCOW, Dec. 17 (PNA/Sputnik) -- Ten teenagers had been arrested in Belgium for planning terrorist attacks at Christmas fairs, Belgium prosecution spokesman Eric Van Der Sijpt said Saturday as quoted by local media.

The teenagers reportedly received online instructions on how to kill a person and how to make a bomb.

“[The teenagers] were recruited by terrorist groups to prepare or commit terrorist acts,” the spokesman said, as quoted by Belgian newspaper Laatste Nieuws.

On Friday, German Der Spiegel reported that a 12-year-old boy of Iraqi origin planned to carry out a terror attack at a Christmas fair, but the bomb did not detonate. The boy was reportedly recruited by Daesh terrorist group.

Daesh is notorious for recruiting teenagers from all over the world using social media.

series of compromise measures passed by the U.S. Congress in an effort to settle several outstanding slavery issues and to avert the threat of dissolution of the Union. The crisis arose from the request of the territory of California (Dec. 3, 1849) to be admitted to the Union with a constitution prohibiting slavery. The problem was complicated by the unresolved question of slavery's extension into other areas ceded by Mexico the preceding year.

To maintain an even balance between free and slave states, a series of measures was offered by the “great compromiser,” Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky. In an attempt to give satisfaction to both proslavery and antislavery forces, the important sections of the omnibus bill called for the admission of California as a free state, the organization of the territories of New Mexico and Utah with the slavery question left open (see popular sovereignty), settlement of the Texasâ€"New Mexico boundary dispute, a more rigorous provision for the return of runaway slaves, and the prohibition of the slave trade in the District of Columbia.

With the influential support of Senator Daniel Webster and the concerted unifying efforts of Senator Stephen A. Douglas, the five compromise measures were enacted in September. These measures were accepted by moderates in all sections of the country, and the secession of the South was postponed for a decade. The Compromise, however, contained the seeds of future discord. The precedent of popular sovereignty led to a demand for a similar provision for the Kansas Territory in 1854, causing bitterness and violence there (see Bleeding Kansas). Furthermore, the application of the new Fugitive Slave Act triggered such a strong reaction throughout the North that many moderate antislavery elements became determined opponents of any further extension of slavery into the territories. While the Compromise of 1850 succeeded as a temporary expedient, it also proved the failure of compromise as a permanent political solution when vital sectional interests were at stake.

1848 - Revolutions of Europe

series of republican revolts against European monarchies, beginning in Sicily, and spreading to France, Germany, Italy, and the Austrian Empire. They all ended in failure and repression, and were followed by widespread disillusionment among liberals.

The revolutionary movement began in Italy with a local revolution in Sicily in January 1848; and, after the revolution of February 24 in France, the movement extended throughout the whole of Europe with the exception of Russia, Spain, and the Scandinavian countries. In Great Britain it amounted to little more than a Chartist demonstration and a republican agitation in Ireland. In Belgium, The Netherlands, and Denmark it manifested itself in peaceful reforms of existing institutions; but democratic insurrections broke out in the capitals of the three great monarchies, Paris, Vienna, and Berlin, where the governments, rendered powerless by their fear of “the revolution,” did little to defend themselves. The revolution was successful in France alone; the Second Republic and universal manhood suffrage were established, but the quarrel between the supporters of the république démocratique and the partisans of république démocratique et sociale culminated in a workers' insurrection in June 1848.

In Austria, where the new ministers promised to grant constitutions, the monarchy withstood the storm; and in Prussia King Frederick William IV, who led the movement for the unification of Germany, hoisted the black, red, and gold flag that had become the symbol of German unity. The German governments agreed to the convocation of three constituent assemblies at Berlin, Vienna, and Frankfurt by which democratic constitutions were to be drafted for Prussia, Austria, and Germany.

In Italy, at first, the revolution only took the form of a nationalist rising against Austria led by the king of Sardinia under the Italian tricolour, the “white, red and green.” The republic was proclaimed in 1849, and then only in Rome and Tuscany. Within the Austrian empire the nationalities subjected to the German Government of Vienna agitated for a national government, and Hungary succeeded in organizing itself on an autonomous basis.

This upheaval seemed to indicate a redistribution of the territories of Europe. In the name of the Provisional Government in France, Alphonse de Lamartine declared that the treaties of 1815 were no longer valid in the eyes of the French Republic, but he added that he accepted the territorial delimitations effected by those treaties. France did not lend its support to the revolutionaries in Europe.

The restoration had commenced even before the revolution was over, and it was accomplished by the armies that had remained faithful to their respective governments. Military repression was first employed in Paris by Louis-Eugène Cavaignac against the insurgents in June, and by Alfred, prince von Windischgrätz, on June 17 against the Czechs in Prague, and later by the Austrian Army in Lombardy and in Vienna; then in Berlin in December, and in 1849 by the Prussian Army in Saxony and Baden. Order was restored in Rome only by French intervention, and in Hungary with the help of the Russian Army. The king of Prussia, having refused the title of emperor offered to him by the Frankfurt Assembly, sought to achieve the unity of Germany by a union between the German princes. Austria and Russia, however, compelled him to abandon his design by the Convention of Olmütz in 1850. The immediate result of the reaction became manifest in the withdrawal of liberal democratic or nationalist concessions which had been made during the revolution: universal manhood suffrage, liberty of the press and of assembly. Absolute monarchy was reestablished in Germany, Austria, and Italy; and the governments, in alliance with the middle classes and the clergy, who were terrified by the Socialist proposals, strengthened the police forces and organized a persecution of the popular press and associations that paralyzed political life. In France the reaction led to the coup d'etat against the assembly on the part of Prince Louis-Napoléon on Dec. 2, 1851, and the reestablishment of the hereditary empire under Napoleon III in 1852.

The restoration, however, was not complete, for universal manhood suffrage was not abolished in France; in Prussia, the Constitution of January 1850, which established an elective assembly, and, in Sardinia, the Constitution of March 1848 were retained; the signorial rights were not restored in Austria.

Judiciary Act of 1789

act establishing the organization of the U.S. federal court system, which had been sketched only in general terms in the U.S. Constitution. The act established a three-part judiciaryâ€"made up of district courts, circuit courts, and the Supreme Courtâ€"and outlined the structure and jurisdiction of each branch.

The Judiciary Act of 1789, officially titled “An Act to Establish the Judicial Courts of the United States,” was principally authored by Senators Oliver Ellsworth and William Paterson and signed into law by Pres. George Washington on Sept. 24, 1789. The act's creators, by essentially all accounts, viewed it as a work in progress. Although indeed amended throughout the years, the basic outline it provided has remained largely intact.

The act divided the country into districts with one court and one judge in each, along with attorneys responsible for civil and criminal actions in their districts. The act also created the office of attorney general of the United States; the attorney general, a member of the cabinet, is appointed by the president and is head of the Department of Justice.

Circuit courtsâ€"which make up the middle tier of the federal court systemâ€"were created to serve as principal trial courts. They also exercise limited appellate jurisdiction. A local district judge and two Supreme Court justices preside over the circuit courts.

The act established that the Supreme Court would be composed of one chief justice and five associate justices and that all decisions of the Supreme Court would be final. The act also vested in the Supreme Court the power to settle disputes between states and provided for mandatory Supreme Court review of the final judgments of the highest court of any state in cases “where is drawn in question the validity of a treaty or statute of the United States and the decision is against its validity” or “where is drawn in question the validity of a statute of any state on the ground of its being repugnant to the Constitution, treaties or laws of the United States, and the decision is in favor of its validity.” In Cohens v. Virginia (1821) the Supreme Court reaffirmed its right under the Judiciary Act to review all state court judgments in cases arising under the federal Constitution or a law of the United States.

Rody campaign not only against
Drugs but also against poverty

Malacañang on Saturday said the latest results of the consumer expectation survey (CES) conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is proof that the Duterte administration is not only concentrated in the anti-illegal drugs campaign but also on efforts to alleviate the plight of the Filipino people.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Assistant Secretary Ana Maria Paz Banaag said President Duterte is not only concentrated in eliminating illegal drugs but also on improving the lives of the Filipinos.

Banaag welcomed the BSP’s Fourth Quarter 2016 consumer expectation survey, which rose to a new all-time high of 9.2 percent from 2.5 percent in the third quarter of this year.

“This government, this administration, the President is working so hard and it is not all about the drug war, it is all about a lot of things that the President is concerned about and especially so, alleviating the plight of the Filipino people,”
Banaag said in an interview with Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday, December 10.

“Doon natin nakikita kasi mas maganda mag-focus tayo sa mga positive lalo na at Pasko, diba? Na maraming nangyayaring ibang bagay sa ating bansa, maraming pinagtutuunang ibang bagay ang ating Presidente,” she said.

“All sectors in the government are working and doing their best para mapaunlad ang ating bansa at nagre-reflect ‘yan dun sa impressions din ng ating mga kababayan at ‘yung positive outlook ng business sector sa ating bansa,” she added.

The Palace official cited that in President Duterte’s trips abroad, the President has nothing in mind except how to gain something to bring back home to help improve the lives of the Filipinos.
She also noted that the President has been working hard, almost even without rest.
President Duterte is slated for a State Visit to Cambodia and Singapore next week as part of the President’s introductory visits to neighboring Asian countries.

Banaag said, ”President Duterte has the Chairmanship of the ASEAN for next year. That’s why the President has to sit down, attend meetings, bilateral meeting with other countries for the ASEAN next year.

She added that while Duterte is satisfied with the country’s preparation for ASEAN Summit in 2017, there is still room for improvement.
“Satisfied naman ang Pangulo. But you know, we can give more. We can do better --- always better, hindi lang good, always better,” emphasized Banaag.

Banaag meanwhile said Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade continues to have the trust and confidence of President Duterte despite calls for Tugade’s resignation.

“Secretary Tugade, as a presidential appointee, enjoys the trust and confidence of the President,” Banaag said, noting that the DOTr is doing its best to solve the traffic woes.
Meanwhile, Banaag said the Palace condemns human rights violations and is against extrajudicial killings.

Banaag said the Philippines is one with the rest of the world in the commemoration of the International Human Rights Day.

“We are one with all the Filipino people and all those celebrating worldwide with the Human Rights Day,” she said. (PNA)