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LEGAZPI CITY – The regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) here on Thursday said it has allocated more than P91 million in the pre-implementation of the Special Areas for Agricultural Development (SAAD). The fund is for livelihood projects of the three provinces in Bicol region included in the top 20 poorest provinces in the country, as pilot areas.

DA regional information officer Emily Bordado said the SAAD is a welcome opportunity for the region particularly the far-flung areas that did not receive any intervention from DA for the last two years.

Under the program, the allocated budget of P91 million for the Bicol region for 2018, will be used to finance livelihood projects on upland rice, corn, livestock poultry and vegetables.

The program is anchored on two major components -- Social Preparation and Food Production and Livelihood.

Bordado said the program is people-focused and it would address the needs of special clients – those agri-stakeholders not qualified for regular programs.

SAAD is one of the strategies of DA to alleviate poverty and achieve food security by looking into the weaknesses of the poorest areas and their potentials in food production and livelihood programs.

For 2018, the provinces of Masbate, Catanduanes and Sorsogon in the Bicol region were identified as pilot provinces.

In Masbate, the municipalities of Monreal, San Pascual, Balud, Mandaon, Uson and Cawayan were initially included; in Catandunes, the municipalities of Gigmoto, Bagamanoc, Baras, San Miguel, Bato and Panganiban; while in Sorsogon, the municipalities of Magallanes, Donsol, Matnog, Juban, Barcelona and Prieto Diaz were also tentatively identified as pilot areas. (PNA)



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BAGUIO CITY — Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo on Thursday morning urged the graduates of the University of the Cordilleras here to hone their skills but to never forget their fellowmen who are in need.

"I know that your being here, you have plans for the future, some will become teachers, doctors, public servants and CEOs of your own companies, I hope that when that time comes, you will choose to go where you are most needed. The journey will be tough and hard at times, do not be discouraged, take the leap of faith. Manalig lang at magtiwala," said Robredo, who was the guest speaker at the graduation rites.

The Vice President reminded graduates of their obligation to do their share in making the country a good place for everyone.

"Find your paths but always be reminded of the poor and the powerless who are most in need" as the future of the country is a job that rests on every Filipino's shoulders, she told them. "There is so much you can do if we can get everyone on board."

In making a decision on what path to take after graduation, Robredo said, "genuine service demands that we always come from place of understanding and empathy. Empathy is voice to the weak and powerless. Empathy teaches us to listen and not to impose ourselves on others. Empathy translates into empowerment in which people will realize their full potential. As you enter this stage in your life, may you find anger with empathy, hate with compassion and hopelessness with action. Stay true to your word and reveal the life inside you."

She said Filipinos find strength from challenges and trials but it does not stop them from acting and moving forward to become better people. "We all know the operations in Marawi continue to tear apart the communities and instill anxiety to our people. But even the horrors of war cannot dampen the Filipino spirit, the symbol of everyday acts of heroism among soldiers, volunteers and locals prove the trials and adversities only make us stronger."

Robredo also told the graduates about signs that will come their way, which should be studied and contemplated on with the consideration that there are people who need help.

"Believe in symbols of hope especially for the last, the least and the lost. Turn your ideas into tangible solutions. Create beautiful disruptions. The future of our nation rests in your hands. We are counting on you," the Vice President added. (PNA)



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DUMAGUETE CITY – Hundreds of students from two schools in Amlan, Negros Oriental are expected to benefit from free Internet service following the launching of a pilot project by the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI), the Department of Information and Communication (DICT) and the Department of Education (DepEd).

In partnership with the local government unit (LGU) of Amlan, the NOCCI-led PPP (Public-Private Partnership) Off-grid Internet Project was launched Wednesday through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement, with other provincial and local officials also in attendance.

The beneficiaries are the public high schools in the barangays of Silab and Jantianon in Amlan, where there is very little or no signal at all, said NOCCI president Edward Du.

According to Du, the country's two telecommunications companies, Smart and Globe, had declined to put up cell sites in these areas, such that the Chamber had to come in and partner with the government to pilot the Free Wi-Fi Project under Republic Act 10929, otherwise known as the Free Public Wi-Fi Law of 2017.

Du said there are 400 off-grid public schools in Negros Oriental alone, and if this pilot Internet connectivity will succeed, they hope to expand the same free Wi-Fi service to these schools.

Amlan Mayor Gino dela Cruz has lauded the project, thanking the prime movers for bringing it to his municipality, saying this would certainly improve the learning capabilities of the students.

According to the mayor, their municipality is fortunate to have this project because DICT's Internet connection via fiber optics is being transmitted through the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), which has a sub-station in Pondol, Amlan.

Du, meanwhile, explained that the project is part of the Chamber's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as it continues to support the government efforts to find additional key players to break the "duopoly" of Smart and Globe so that Internet connectivity in the country would be at par with its ASEAN neighbors.

He said the multi-awarded NOCCI will be participating in an upcoming international competition for the world's best chamber of commerce and this particular project will be among their "best practices" to be presented. (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A top military official has urged political and religious leaders in Lanao del Sur to actively participate in combating violent extremism.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said they should establish and develop municipal defense through constant and close coordination with the military and police within their areas.

"We have to keep in mind that violent extremism is a global menace and it needs to be addressed by all sectors of society. It could be anywhere, it could be creeping already within our homes, our communities," Galvez said.

"It could be right under our noses, we just might not have any clue that it is there already," Galvez added.

He also encouraged the local chief executives to take responsibility in their respective communities especially on issues of security.

"However, we need to harmonize our efforts into one goal this time--to fix what violent extremism has broken and to prevent it from spreading and creating further destruction," he said.

Meanwhile, the Westmincom said in a statement on Tuesday that the Lanao del Sur Provincial Peace and Order Council has proposed to propagate mainstream Islamic moderation, putting the resolution in the hands of Muslim traditional leaders, the Ulama, and the community.

"Opportunities for building the capacity of Muslim teachers in Islamic studies and religious leaders must be created," the Westmincom quoted Lanao del Sur Vice Governor Mamintal Adiong as saying.

"There is also a need to review policies on recognition of the traditional Madaris and to adopt common regulation, supervision, accreditation, and standardization of curricula to ensure teachings and learnings are consistent with the mainstream Islamic moderation and practices," he added.

He said this could be achieved if the traditional leaders, parents, and the Ulama take active role in ensuring that those who are most vulnerable are educated. (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Seven people, including four suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits, were killed while two others were wounded in a clash in the province of Sulu, a top military official said Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said the clash occurred at around 12:45 p.m. Tuesday in sitio Kan Hassan, Barangay Bud Bunga, Talipao, Sulu.

Sobejana identified the groups as that of Jul Hamidi of Barangay Upper Kamuntayan, Talipao and another one of suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits led by Al Arod.

Sobejana added that the group of Arod is a known enemy of the Hamidi family.

He said Arod is the son of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Arod Wahing.

The firefight resulted in the death of Jul Hamidi and two of his followers, namely Kaidal Sayyari and a certain Juddama.

Two of Hamidi's followers were wounded. One of them was identified as Hatib Jamih.

On the side of the Abu Sayyaf, four were killed including Arod. Two of the other three fatalities were only identified as a certain Kiram and a certain Awa.

Sobejana said the Abu Sayyaf bandits withdrew towards the forested area leaving behind their slain companions and dragged along the wounded members.

Sobejana said troops from the Army's 21st Infantry Battalion are tracking down the fleeing Abu Sayyaf bandits. (PNA)



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DUMAGUETE CITY-- The Philippine National Police (PNP) acting provincial director of Negros Oriental on Tuesday admitted that police personnel in Guihulngan City are directed to be extra cautious in responding to calls for assistance especially in the hinterland barangays.

 Sr. Supt. Henry Biñas made the admission Tuesday as yet another person was shot over the weekend in Guihulngan City, now perceived to have an unusual number of shooting incidents since the July 21st ambush by alleged Communist terrorists that left six policemen dead and three other police personnel and a civilian wounded.

 Sr. Supt. Biñas admitted that Guihulngan police cannot move alone without the help of the Philippine Army or the PNP's Special Action Force who are better trained on the ISO (internal security operations), considering the treacherous manner that the NPA employs to target the police and other law enforcement operatives.

While it is not immediately easy to presume whether the motive for any killing is related to the drugs war or the terrorist movement, Sr. Supt. Biñas disclosed that he has directed the police chief of Guihulngan to coordinate with the Army or the SAF prior to responding to crime incidents especially in the mountainous areas.

The provincial director admitted that shooting incidents in the mountainous areas of Guihulngan have gone up, although he didn't have available data yet.

 He said the police are cautious when responding to calls especially in the mountains as anything can happen, such as the Communist NPA terrorists using other people as "bait" by killing them so policemen will respond and in the process, the lawless elements can carry out attacks against them.

 The latest victim was a man believed to have ties with the Barangay Intelligence Network (BIN) and was shot over the weekend for a still unknown motive in Barangay Binobohan of that northern city. (PNA)

 



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TUGUEGARAO CITY -- A 5.1 magnitude quake jolted Calayan, Cagayan province and some areas of Apayao at 6:08 a.m. Wednesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 2 Regional Director Dante Balao said aftershocks are expected and advised the public to stay calm and vigilant.

Phivolcs said the quake was tectonic in origin. There were no reported casualties or damage to property, Balao said. (PNA)

 



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Police operatives arrested three alleged "notorious" drug pushers included in drug watchlist were arrested in a buy-bust operation on Wednesday morning in a village in Koronadal City.

Chief Insp. Jomero Sentina, deputy chief of the Koronadal City police station, identified the suspects as Randy Despordado, 30, Aldrin Curoz, 32, and Elvie Facun, 33, all of Barangay Morales.

He said the suspects were nabbed at around 5:30 a.m. at a portion of Purok Spring, Barangay Morales after allegedly selling a sachet of suspected metamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu worth P500 to a police officer who posed as a buyer.

Seized from the suspects were six small, seven medium and one big plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, various drug paraphernalia and P500 marked bill.

Sentinta said they earlier received a tip from a concerned informant that the suspects had been selling shabu in their neighborhood and at a nearby night club.

He said they immediately subjected them to a series of surveillance operations to confirm their illegal activities.

"We were able to conduct two successful test-buys before we decided to launch the operation," he said.

The police official said they sent the recovered evidence to the South Cotabato Scene of the Crime Operatives or SOCO crime laboratory in Koronadal City for proper examination and valuation.

He said the suspects, who are currently detained at the Koronadal City police station lock up, will be charged with violation of sections 5 and 11 or selling and possession of dangerous drugs, under Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.(PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has continued the implementation of Operation Plan Toktok Dalaw (Oplan Toklaw) to reconnect forgotten inmates with their families.

The program was initiated in April this year by the late Chief Insp. Ervin Diaz, former Zamboanga City Reformatory Center (ZCRC) warden.
Diaz succumbed to cardiac arrest earlier this month.

Through the Oplan Toklaw, ZCRC personnel, in coordination with barangay officials, paid a visit to the families of inmates with no visitors and encouraged them to visit their detained loved ones.

Supt. Allan Vargas, who replaced Diaz, on Tuesday said Oplan Toklaw will address the sad plight of the inmates who are not visited by their relatives at the ZCRC.

"We pity the inmates, since their relatives have forgotten them already. So we remind their relatives to visit them at the (detention) center," Vargas said.

Vargas said they will also provide free rides to those who don't have the means to visit their relative-inmates.

He said more than 200 inmates have been listed with "no visitors" for years already even as they are residents of this city.

He added they have so far reconnected five inmates with their respective families since Oplan Toklaw was adopted.

"We wanted them to meet with each other and to get closer again as this could also help in the reform agenda of the center for the inmates," he said.

He said Oplan Toklaw will continue for as long as there are still inmates listed with no visitors. (PNA)



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The provincial government of South Cotabato has completed nearly P150 million worth of priority infrastructure projects in several parts of the province during the first half of the year.

Vicente Ayongao, acting head of the Provincial Engineer's Office (PEO), said Wednesday these projects included 39 vertical and horizontal structures that were part of the province's 2017 infrastructure program.

He said these included the repair, rehabilitation and upgrading of road networks as well as the construction of barangay structures and facilities.

A report released by the PEO showed that the local government's investment in the completed projects reached a total of P149,770,815.23.

Aside from the construction and development costs, the provincial government also shouldered the labor expense for several low-budget projects.

Among the major road projects completed were the construction and rehabilitation of the Norala-Banga road worth P47.4 million; Lambayong–Maltana road with lined canal in Tampakan worth P13.1 million; Polomolok–Cannery Road in Polomolok worth P11.9 million; Poblacion–Slaughterhouse road in Norala worth P9.9 million; national highway junction–Acmonan road in Tupi worth P9.8 million; and, the Upgrading of San Jose-Columbio provincial road in Koronadal City worth P3.34 million.

The other projects included the construction of day care centers, senior citizen buildings, school buildings, mini gymnasiums, covered courts and stages, barangay halls, multi-purpose buildings, multi-purpose drying pavements, water systems, lined canals, slope protection structures, playground systems and improvements of provincial government offices.

Ayongao said they are currently implementing 46 more projects that are worth a total of P202,822,809.64.
He said most of these are due for completion by yearend and in early 2018.

Aside from these, the official said they are set to start the preparatory works for five more erosion and flood control, and bridge projects worth P11.36 million.

These projects, which were approved earlier this month by the provincial board, wil be funded through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund–Investment Plan.

The approved projects were the construction of Purok Lapu-Lapu Bridge in Puti, Norala worth P5 million; erosion control structures at Hanoon Elementary School in Lake Sebu worth P4 million; a box culvert in Rizal, Banga worth P2.5 million; a box culvert connecting Purok Pag-asa and Purok B'laan in Magsaysay, Koronadal City worth P1.2 million; and flood control structure at Sitio Esting, Lampitak in Tampakan worth P1 million.(AVE/PNA)



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Police authorities here are pushing for a ban on the use of helmets by motorcycle riders in the city's downtown area in a bid to counter criminal activities involving motorcycle-riding suspects.

Sr. Supt. Romeo Ruel Berango, acting city police director, said Wednesday the move could help prevent the occurrence of street crimes and facilitate the easy identification of suspects in some cases.

He said they are set to submit a proposal to the Sangguniang Panlungsod or City Council here for the passage of an ordinance regarding the measure.

"This is really necessary as most crime suspects have been hiding their identities by using motorcycle helmets," he said.
Berango specifically cited several cases of daring murders these past months that involved suspects riding-in-tandem in motorcycles.

A number of these killings were believed perpetrated by hired gunmen based in areas outside the city.

The police official said they decided to propose such matter to the City Council for thorough studies and public consultations.

"Several key cities have already banned the wearing of motorcycle helmets as a security and crime prevention measure," he said.

The city government, through the traffic management office, has been strictly implementing the wearing of helmets by motorcycle riders as a safety measure.

The city's traffic enforcers, who are deputized by the Land Transportation Office, have been apprehending motorcycle riders not wearing helmets and those using motorcycle that don't have standard accessories like side mirrors.

To complement the proposed ban on the wearing of helmets, Berango said they will also ask for the imposition of a minimum speed limit for motorcycles to prevent accidents.

He said another alternative would be the designation of motorcycle lanes along the city's major thoroughfares.(AVE/PNA)




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MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato --- A 19-year-old "banana cue" vendor was crowned Mutya ng North Cotabato in this year's beauty contest in celebration of the province's 103rd Foundation Anniversary and Kalivungan Festival.

During the pageant night at the Libungan municipal gymnasium, beaming Krislyn Jabonera bested other aspirants representing various towns in North Cotabato.

Aside from winning the most coveted crown, Jabonera, who represented Midsayap town, also won special awards, including the Best in Production Number and Best in Long Gown.

Jabonera told reporters that she has been helping her mother sell "banana cue" beside the town hall and Midsayap Central Elementary School.

First runner up was Angelica Lobrigo of Mlang town while Rizalin del Mundo of Kidapawan City won the second runner-up title.

Third runner up was Rica Jane Sabanal of Matalam.

The pageant night was star-studded as Venus Raj and KC Montero with Manila-based entertainers wowed the crowd.

Libungan Mayor Amping Cuan said the town was honored to host the beauty contest this year because it placed Libungan in the region's tourism map.(PNA)



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The provincial government of South Cotabato has ordered the temporary stoppage of small-scale mining operations at a portion of a gold rush site in T'boli town due to safety concerns.

The order was issued by the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) following a landslide last month that affected mine tunnels at sitio Tunnel in Barangay Kematu.

South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes, who chairs the PMRB, said Wednesday the temporary stoppage covers at least 12 mine tunnels situated near a mountain that was hit by a major landslide last July 18.

"The stoppage order will remain in effect until we deem the area safe for mining operations," she said.

The affected tunnels are the Ling-Lin Tunnel operated by permittees Michelle/Jorito Balonga; UG Tunnel of Isagane Gane; Maligaya Tunnel of Esther Gane;Yana Tunnel of Beverly Maguan; GMD Tunnel of Jaime Degorio; Jack Pot Tunnel of Amado Martinez; Maguan Tunnel of Grace Maguan; New Open Tunnel of Jesus Casensia; Dyesebel Tunnel of Rino Adilan; Scud Tunnel of Lito Huela; Lanado Tunnel of Shiela Lanado; and Abel Tunnel of Alcaba Adel.

The governor said the PMRB issued the order based on recommendation made by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Region 12, Provincial Environment Management office (Pemo) and the T'boli Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office.

She said a team from the three offices had conducted site investigation and assessment regarding the impact of the landslide.

Along with the stoppage order, the governor directed the affected mining operators to submit emergency response and preparedness plans for their tunnels and operations.

Siegfred Flaviano, Pemo head, said these plans will serve as basis whether the closed mining tunnels would be allowed to resume their operations.

"We will evaluate these plans thoroughly and if we find them sufficient, then we can recommend the reopening of the tunnels," he said.

The official said they have tapped the provincial and the T'boli municipal disaster risk reduction and management offices to assist the affected mining operators in the crafting of the emergency response and preparedness plans.

A number of landslides were recorded these past years near and within the small-scale mine tunnels in Kematu and portions of neighboring Barangay Desawo that claimed the lives of several workers.

MGB-12 had listed portions of these villages as high-risk areas to landslides, especially during the rainy season.

To address the problem, the Pemo and MGB-12 have been closely monitoring the mining operations in T'boli and have been conducting regular inspections, especially on the implementation of various safety regulations and standards at the mine tunnels.(AVE/PNA)



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SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao –- Three more members of ISIS-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were arrested by Moro rebel group in Maguindanao as manhunt against local jihadists has continued.

The three were arrested while trying to slip past members of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in a river at sitio Butalo, Barangay Sambulawan, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao on Tuesday afternoon, according to Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, police regional director for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm).

They were on board a wooden-hulled banca posing as fishermen when the MILF Task Force Ittihad (Unity) members noticed firearms covered with black cloth beside them.

When checked, the MILF, which signed a peace agreement with the government and obliged to get rid of terrorists in Mindanao, found several firearms.

Sr. Supt. Agustin Tello, Maguindanao police director, identified the arrested BIFF members as Mahmod Alimudin, 43, Oting Kaligan, 27 and Akmad Jacaria, 18, all residents of Barangay Sambulawan.

They are reportedly followers of Commander Abu Toraype, a BIFF sub-leader, who pledge allegiance to ISIS.

More than 50 peple have been killed in the on-going Army-backed MILF pursuit operations against the BIFF.

Fighting between former comrades erupted in mid-August when the local terrorists encroached MILF identified communities in Datu Salibo.

Al Haj Murad, MILF chair, said the MILF, in keeping with the 1997 ceasefire agreement with the government, will continue to prevent BIFF from influencing MILF members and sympathizers.

The three will be turned over to the Maguindanao police for filing of appropriate charges.

It can be recalled that 10 MILF fighters were hurt when the BIFF set off an improvised bomb and are being treated in a military hospital inside Camp Siongco, Maguindanao.

Earlier, Lt. Colonel Gerry Besana, chief of the Army's 6th Infantry Division's Civil Military Operations, said the Army banned civilians to use water transportation in the marshland to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

Ustadz Esmael Abdulmalik, leader of a faction of the BIFF, was injured during the firefight, according to spokesmen of two other factions.

More police and military detachments have been established in Maguindanao to prevent the BIFF from carrying out diversionary and sympathy attacks after Abu Toraype was killed in a clash with the MILF last week. (PNA)



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DAVAO CITY -- Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio took in a new commander of the Task Force Davao, replacing Col. Erwin Bernard Neri who is promoted as the commanding officer of an Army brigade based in Maco, Compostela Valley.

During the turnover ceremony on Wednesday at the Task Force headquarters at Sta. Ana Wharf, this city, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio challenged the army officer to: "bawal huminga...bawal matulog..at huwag mo akong ipahiya (it's forbidden to breathe..forbidden to sleep...and don't shame me)."

The "bawal huminga...bawal matulog" is the same challenge passed on to him by Neri, who took the position as the chief of the 1001st Infantry Brigade in Compostela Valley.

Neri admitted this was the challenge to him by Duterte-Carpio in order not to repeat the bombing incident at Roxas night market in September last year.

In her speech, the city mayor told Mempin to consider "huwag mo akong ipahiya" as the challenge, recalling the September bombing last year. She said she would blame Mempin if something happens in Davao City under his command.

Duterte-Carpio reminded Mempin to be on his toes and see to it that the people of Davao can safely sleep at night.
"If I see you offline that means you are sleeping," she told Mempin.

She admitted Mempin was not her recommended officer to replace Neri. "Someone has recommended you, but I vetted you," she said.

The city mayor even joked that she is eight weeks pregnant just to taunt Mempin to keep the city secure, recalling that she lost her twins after the September bombing

She revealed that she kept sending photos of the ultrasound result of the third baby to Neri as reminder not to stress her to keep the baby alive.

Given the tall order, Duterte-Carpio, however, assured Mempin of the city government's support so that he can achieve his objective, particularly on anti-terrorism.

In an interview, Mempin said that all units of the Philippine Army, including the Task Force Davao should make sure there is zero incident.

"Even if it is only one bombing, it is a failure of counter terrorism," Mempin said. He added he is honored the city mayor vetted him as TF commander.

He said he has a sworn duty to ensure the safety and protection of the people and the state.

Being in the Army, he said, "You give up everything for service". If Neri took the challenge to prevent and counter terrorism, Mempin said he is also ready with the tips given to him by the former TF commander.

Mempin said Neri advised him to strengthen intelligence network, stronger stakeholder engagement, and visibility of soldiers in order not to be caught unaware.

"We can rest but not literally sleep on your duty," he added.

Mempin, a graduate of the Philippine Mlitary Academy (PMA) Class 1990, was a brigade staff. He was the chief of Governance and Strategy Management Office of the 10th Division.

He was also the former battalion commander in Cebu where he was involved in counter-terrorism for two years.

Meanwhile, Duterte-Carpio rated Neri's assignment 10+1 and adopted him as godfather of Stonefish.

She also thanked the TF Davao for their passion and discipline. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)



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DAGUPAN CITY -- The city government will soon create a Local Employment Council (LEC) in preparation for the opening of two big shopping malls here which in turn is expected to hire locals.

Josephine Corpuz, officer-in-charge of the office of the City Planning and Development Coordinator, told the City Council Tuesday afternoon that the city should prepare a list of qualified manpower to respond to the demands for local labor of these two malls.

Opening in Dagupan City next year are The City Mall to rise in Barangay Mayombo and the SM City Dagupan now being built on M.H. Del. Pilar Street on a lot that used to be the main terminal of the defunct Pantranco.

These shopping malls, among many already in the city, will certainly need people to fill up various positions and likely recruit locals, especially graduates from colleges and universities in Pangasinan, Corpuz said.

Corpuz said the formation of LEC, to be headed by Mayor Belen Fernandez, has been identified as one of the priorities of the Dagupan City Comprehensive Development Plan for 2017 to 2022. The plan has been proposed to the city council for approval.

The LEC will tie up with the city's Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and the Dagupan City Investment and Development Board in preparing for a list of employable city residents, she said.

City Councilor Jeslito Seen hailed the slated opening of the two big shopping malls, saying they will certainly trigger unprecedented economic boom in the city. Dagupan City was recently rated as number 13 in economic index among all component cities in the Philippines, a big jump from being number 44 in 2013.

He noted that Dagupan City was recently picked by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) as one of the economic zones of the country to specialize in Information Technology, Business Processing and Outsourcing (BPO) and tourism industries.

In addition, Dagupan is now being groomed as one of the Smart Cities in the Philippines in the coming years due to its big economic potentials as site for IT, BPO and other allied industries. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY -- Mayor Sigfredo Betita of Carles, Iloilo, reportedly one of those in the "narco-politicians" list of President Rodrigo R. Duterte in 2016, is optimistic that Chief Inspector Jovie R. Espenido will be able to ferret out the truth.

Betita said Espenido is "welcome" in Iloilo, adding that his administration is "very supportive of the programs of the President."

"If he comes to Iloilo I will welcome him," he said as he revealed his initiatives to combat illegal drugs in an interview Wednesday afternoon.

Following an information coming from the provincial drug enforcement unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) that illegal drugs are "rampant" in his town, Betita said that he met with all the village chairmen in his town and the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) for the passage of a reward system ordinance.

The proposal is PHP10,000 to PHP20,000 for low value targets and PHP20,000 to PHP50,000 for high value targets, he said. In the meantime, the mayor makes use of his personal money.

Carles, a coastal town in northern Iloilo, has a population of around 73,000.

He added that support, which include  travel, food and office supplies among others, has been extended to members of the PNP for them to become active in their fight against drugs and criminality.

The mayor said the tourism industry in Carles town was not affected by the illegal drugs' tag. So far, no tourists were involved in illegal drugs.

He expressed apprehension that the next target of drug peddlers are tourists particularly those visiting Isla De Gigantes, which is now fast becoming a new destination.

Based on a report of the local police, the mayor said there are no suppliers of illegal drugs in their municipality. (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- One-hundred-two female soldiers and policewomen have been deployed to Marawi City to specifically assist female evacuees, elderly and youngsters with special needs, who need utmost attention.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, on Wednesday said they are assigned to different evacuation centers in the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte and Iligan City.

"These female personnel underwent special training on gender and development, and studied modules on cultural sensitivity prior to their deployment," Galvez said.

"Something has to be done with the situation of the female refugees and the children, that is why we opted to best address the problem by designating female soldiers and cops," Galvez added.
He said they will also clean houses and streets when rehabilitation is already in full swing.

The female personnel, consisting of 62 Philippine Army and 40 policewomen, arrived Tuesday, August 29, aboard a C-130 Hercules plane in Laguindingan, Cagayan de Oro City.

Galvez, Chief Supt. Raul Boac, deputy regional director for administration of the Police Regional Office-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; Marawi City administrator Camid Gandarma and Sultan Macmod Dalidig, chair of the 16 sultanates in Lanao, welcomed them.

Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, Westmincom information officer, said they were placed on orientation program and "will be deployed tomorrow (August 31)."

Some of them, who are nurses and medics, will be assigned to the medical stations inside the evacuation centers. (PNA)



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TACLOBAN CITY -- The Philippine Army has assured Leyte villagers that they will not allow communist rebels to recover former strongholds.

Brig. Gen. Francisco Mendoza, Army's 802nd brigade commander, said on Wednesday that recent clashes in the mountains of Burauen, Leyte do not mean that rebels are gaining strength in the province.

"The three encounters in Burauen town in the past few weeks happened in the mountains and far from communities. This is an indication that rebels are no longer welcome in villages," Francisco said.

The official said the clashes happened because villagers reported to the military the sightings of armed rebels in the mountains.

A soldier was wounded during clashes from August 15 to August 20. These encounters led the discovery of camps of New People's Army (NPA), and driving rebels upland, farther from settlements.  Mendoza revealed there are about 50 rebels in Leyte province, 40 of them armed.

The NPA has stepped up their insurgency drive within the mountain range of central Leyte, he said citing intelligence report.

"We will not give them the opportunity to recover the areas already recovered by our government forces from rebel influences," assured Mendoza despite the recent deployment of the 19th Infantry Battalion to Mindanao.

Burauen Mayor Juanito Renomeron confirmed on Wednesday, the efforts of rebels to  penetrate far-flung villages of Roxas, Candag-on, Cagbana, and Mahagnao.

He said these rebels are not from his town, but from Samar, Luzon, and Mindanao provinces.

"I told residents to return to their communities and teachers to resume classes because the military is on top of the situation. We also identified safe evacuation centers within their village if in case there would be encounters between soldiers and rebels," Renomeron said. (PNA)



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COTABATO CITY -- A town mayor in North Cotabato Wednesday said the communist rebels, who seized a police officer, already sent feelers to negotiate for his possible release.

"Hopes are high for the release of PO1 Bristol Catalan," said Mayor Rody Caoagdan of Makilala, North Cotabato.

In a radio interview, Caoagdan said an emissary of NPA Front 53, which operates in the borders of North Cotabato and Davao del Sur, sent him information that the rebels who captured Catalan wanted to open communication with him.

Caoagdan refused to give more details except raising hopes for Catalan's upcoming freedom from captivity.
"I continue hoping PO1 Catalan will be with his family soon," he said in the vernacular.

Catalan, a member of intelligence unit of Makilala Municipal Police Office, was driving his two sons to school in Barangay Katipunan, Makilala when three gunmen seized him.

His children were unharmed but were traumatized, the police officer's wife Jessa said.

Jessa said she has not received word from her husband or from his captors since he was snatched on August 16.

Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of the Diocese of Kidapawan also appealed to the communist rebels to free PO1 Catalan as soon as possible without condition.

"I appeal to the CPP/NPA/NDF to free PO1 Catalan soonest so that he will be reunited with his family and children," Bagaforo said in a radio interview.

Jessa also appealed for his husband's release since "he is our only bread winner" and his captivity has affected her children who have stopped schooling.(PNA)



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BACOLOD CITY -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is expected to release on September 4 the implementing guidelines of the transition process for the dissolution of the Negros Island Region (NIR). 


Anthony Nuyda, concurrent director of DILG in NIR and Western Visayas, said the central office is finalizing the guidelines.

He added that the DILG will draft an initial report on the NIR transition process by the middle of September, and then submit it to President Rodrigo Duterte.

On August 7, President Duterte issued Executive Order (EO) No. 38 abolishing the NIR, composed of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, due to lack of funds, prescribing a 60-day transition period.

Based on the timetable, the regional line agencies in NIR will be dissolved by October 9.

During a closed-door meeting Tuesday afternoon held in Talisay City, Nuyda was joined by DILG Undersecretary for Local Government Austere Panadero in a discussion with the directors of the regional line agencies.

On Wednesday, Undersecretary for Regional Operations Adoracion Navarro of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) also held a similar meeting with Negros Occidental provincial officials and private sector representatives in the same venue.

Moreover, Nuyda said 19 of the 25 regional offices already submitted their transition plans.

A transition action plan includes the status of their funds and financial transactions/payment of obligations, disposition of property, furniture/fixtures, supplies and materials before the closure of their offices; reversion of their permanent personnel to regional offices of origin; and what to do with contractual and job order personnel who will be displaced with the NIR abolition.

Moreover, the special bodies formed by the NIR will be merged with those of the former regions of both Negros provinces.
These include the Regional Development Council, Regional Peace and Order Council, and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

NIR was created through EO No. 183 signed by former president Benigno Aquino III on May 29, 2015. It separated Negros Occidental from Western Visayas (Region 6) and Negros Oriental from Central Visayas (Region 7). (PNA)



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BACOLOD CITY -- A non-government organization (NGO) is pushing for more food safety awareness among consumers in Negros Occidental in its bid to help upscale the local food supply chain.

German NGO Afos Foundation gathered about 60 consumers mostly members of parents and teachers associations for a public forum on food safety at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall here Wednesday.

The activity was held in collaboration with the Association of Negros Producers- Foundation Enterprise Development Inc. (ANP-FEDI) and the provincial government.

Rendell Barcimo, technical coordinator for food safety of Afos Foundation, said the forum is aimed at raising the awareness of consumers on the importance of consuming products certified with various food safety standards.

Barcimo said there is a need for local consumers to be informed about food safety because it mainly concerns human health.

The Afos Foundation, through its OURFood Program: Optimizing and Upscaling Roles in the Food Supply Chain, has been advocating food safety in Negros Occidental by assisting companies and producers in complying with the standards.

"However, we recognized that there is a lack of awareness among consumers," Barcimo said, adding that "the producers' potentials cannot be optimized if consumers are not aware of their food safety efforts."

The Afos Foundation earlier expressed concerns over the increasing cases of food poisoning and food-borne diseases, posing health risks to the general public.

Thus, there is a need to close the loop. Meaning, the food safety initiative should cover the entire chain, from producers and food handlers up to the consumers, it added.

Barcimo said a positive "response" among producers was already established, and they just have to work more on the consumption aspect.

He pointed out that most consumers look for cheaper products yet grown in "conventional" farming system.

They have not yet realized the benefits of consuming products undergoing safety standards, he added. (PNA)



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COTABATO CITY -- Elements of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (CIDG-Armm) and PNP Public Safety Battalion arrested Wednesday a man for possession of high-powered firearms.

Supt. James Allan Logan, CIDG-Armm director, said government forces were armed with a search warrant when it raided the house of Hadji Amid Maraging in Barangay Tamontaka Mother, Cotabato City at around 6 a.m.

Maraging, who claimed to be a battalion commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), did not resist arrest.

Seized from Maraging were two M-16 Armalite rifle, an M-16 rifle, two hand grenades, rifle grenades and assorted ammunition.

Maraging is facing charges of violation of Republic Act 10591 or illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

The MILF and its military wing – Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, could not be reached for comment. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY -- Around 1,000 Ilonggos gathered in this city Wednesday to pray for peace in the Philippines.

The "Pasa Lord Prayer Movement," an interfaith group, introduced a universal prayer which was translated in Hiligaynon. Together, participants recited the prayer that lasted for about a minute at noontime.

The universal prayer seeks God's favor, blessings for leaders, safekeeping of families and grace to live at peace with one another. It also asks for protection from foreign invasion, lawless acts, terrorism and war, as it seeks peace, unity, prosperity and transformation for the nation.

The prayer movement for peace stemmed from the ongoing clashes in Marawi City between the government troops and Maute terrorist group and from the problems besieging the country such as hard drugs, criminality and corruption.

In an interview, "Pasa Lord" co-convenor Niels Patrick Riconalla stressed the need for the Filipino people to pray to help ease the country's problems.

"Filipinos must be united in prayer for our country regardless of their religious affiliation," he said.

Riconalla encouraged all the Ilonggos to make "praying for the country" a habit especially every noon.

The "Pasa Lord Prayer Movement" was launched last July to encourage Filipinos to pray for peace in the country.


The participants composed of city and village officials, religious sector, and academe, among others, were joined by the movement's lead convenor and founder Lourdes Pimentel. (PNA)



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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -– The Court of Appeals (CA) Mindanao Station has issued an injunction that temporarily stopped an order of the Office of the Ombudsman to dismiss Mayor Oscar Moreno from office.

In an 11-page order dated August 29, the CA granted Moreno a Writ of Preliminary Injunction (WPI) in order to "prevent grave and irreparable injury to petitioners, and so as not to render the instant petitions moot and academic pending their resolution."

The Ombudsman's decision to remove Moreno from office stemmed from a series of complaints filed by Antonio Nuñez Jr. for grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the interest of public service, serious dishonesty, and gross neglect of duty.

Nuñez accused Moreno of approving the lease of heavy equipment without a public bidding when he was the governor of Misamis Oriental.

The Ombudsman indicted Moreno for each of the six charges, issuing six dismissal orders for the embattled local chief executive.

Moreno said he got hold of a copy of the court injunction late Tuesday afternoon, issued by the appellate court's Former Special 23rd Division and was signed by Associate Jutices Louis Acosta, Edgardo Camello, and Oscar Badelles.

Lawyer Dale Bryan Mordeno, Moreno's legal counsel, said he is hoping the CA will issue a consolidated WPI just like what it did in its August 29 resolution.

The CA issued a single WPI for the Ombudsman's six dismissal orders, docketed as OMB-M-A-15-0530, OMB-M-A-15-0528, OMB-M-A-15-0529, OMB-M-A-15-0532, OMB-M-A-15-0531, and OMB-M-A-15-0533.

Aside from granting Moreno a temporary reprieve, the CA also prohibited the Ombudsman "to resolve petitioner's Joint Motion for Reconsideration with utmost dispatch."

Mordeno said Moreno is facing 48 complaints, 42 of which are still pending at the Office of the Ombudsman awaiting implementation.

He said it would be better for the CA to issue a consolidated WPI since most of the cases contain similar details.

For his part, Nuñez said he was dismayed with the CA's issuance of WPI but accepted the decision of the court.

He added his motive for filing complaints against Moreno is not personal but for the "common good." (PNA/Jigger J. Jerusalem)



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ILOILO CITY -- The government's Libreng Gamot sa Masa (LinGap sa Masa) program still has PHP100.9 million fund ready to be disbursed for medicine expenses of indigent patients in Western Visayas.

In a press conference Wednesday, information officer May Castillo of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 6, said that PHP37.1 million has been disbursed as of August 24.

Western Visayas was allotted PHP138 million being the pilot area for the project. The project started last March in partnership with the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

The PHP37.1 million that was disbursed was used to purchase medications for 5,257 indigent patients.

The bigger share of PHP26.1 million was availed by 4,101 patients under the family head and other needy adult (FHONA) client category and PHP8.5 million for 1,017 under the senior citizens client category.

Meanwhile, PHP2.3 million was spent for 117 patients under the persons with disability (PWD) category and Php123,788 for women in especially difficult circumstances (WEDC).

She added that the remaining money will not be returned to the treasury even if the fund will not be fully utilized before the end of the year. Instead, it will still be used next year. The budget was sourced from the trust fund of the President.

Patients in the region, especially those admitted at the WVMC, are further encouraged to avail of the free medicines.

Requirements needed to be qualified as beneficiary include doctor's prescription, certificate of indigency and a valid identification card.

Eligible patients will be issued a DSWD LinGap sa Masa Guarantee Letter (GL), which indicates the needed amount for medicines. It will be presented to the pharmacy of the hospital by the patients to be able to get medicines. (PNA)



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SAN LUIS, Pampanga -- The provincial government on Wednesday released PHP750,400 as payment to 316 workers who culled fowls in poultry farms here following an avian flu outbreak.

Vice Governor Dennis Pineda led the distribution of the payment at the Dr. Emigdio Bondoc Convention Center here. Each worker was paid PHP P700 for each day of work. None of the workers showed symptoms of the bird flu virus.

Pineda said the provincial government hired the workers to speed up the culling of egg-laying chickens, ducks and quails in order to prevent the spread of the avian flu virus outside the one-km quarantine zone around Barangays San Carlos and Sta. Rita in this town.

"Thank you for helping save the poultry industry because culling was one way to stop the spread of the virus," said Pineda, also vice chair of the Pampanga Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.


The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and the provincial government, assisted by 300 soldiers, destroyed a total of 470,640 chicken layers, broilers, ducks, pigeons, game fowl, native chickens and quails within the one-km quarantine zone and seven-km control area, according to Roy Abaya, director of the Department of Agriculture in Central Luzon.

The provincial government likewise deployed a medical team that conducted check-ups, vaccinated 220 workers and gave Tamiflu to residents, farm, provincial and municipal personnel involved in the culling process.

The vice governor said Governor Lilia Pineda has instructed him to prepare a cash-for-work project for farm workers who will be jobless for three months. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY -- Chief Inspector Jovie R. Espenido is now officially assigned at the Police Regional Office (PRO) in Region 6 (Western Visayas) following his stint at the Police Regional Office (PRO 10) in Northern Mindanao.

PRO 6 spokesperson Gilbert Gorero said Special Order 8834 from the national headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) dated Aug. 29 relieved Espenido from his previous post and reassigned him to PRO 6.

The order was received by PRO 6 Tuesday evening.

"His designation will follow after his courtesy call on PRO6," Gorero said in a text message.

Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) director, Senior Superintendent Remus Zacharias Canieso, was also relieved from his post and was promoted as chief directorial staff (CDS) of PRO 6 by virtue of Special Order 8833.

He will replace Senior Superintendent Nolasco K. Bathan as CDS who, in turn, will be assigned to PRO Calabarzon as acting deputy regional director for operations (DRDO).

Canieso's relief has nothing to do with the transfer of Espenido as he personally asked for a transfer as a prerequisite to a higher position during the visit of PNP chief, Director-General Ronald Dela Rosa on Aug. 14, Gorero said.

PRO 6 deputy director, Senior Superintendent Jesus Cambay, was temporarily designated as officer-in-charge (OIC) of the ICPO.

On Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte announced that the next assignment of Espenido will be in Iloilo to help in the fight against illegal drugs.

Espenido's reassignment in this region was warmly received by Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, who was earlier linked by President Duterte to illegal drugs.

Mabilog, in a previous interview, welcomed Espenido's assignment here so he could report to President Duterte what the city government has done to address the issue on illegal drugs. (PNA)



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DAVAO CITY --The Department of Tourism (DoT) and three tourism players in Davao City on Wednesday sealed the deal for the implementation of the Tourism Industry Skills Program (TISP) aimed at capacitating industry stakeholders nationwide.

DoT partnered with Guide Union for Inbound and Eco-tours Destination (Guide), Letecia by the Sea Consortium, and Eden Mountain Resort for the project, which is funded by the Asian Development Bank and the Canadian International Development Agency (Cida).

ADB and Cida poured in P100 million for TISP with each region in the country getting an allocation of P5 million. TISP targets 40,000 trainees nationwide.

In Davao, Guide will train 50 industry stakeholders on Basic First Aid and Basic Life Support and Foreign language Course.

Letecia has 124 trainees for Back to Basic Training on Beach Resort Operations, Basic First Aid and Basic Life Support, and Open Water Diving Course; while Eden will train 85 industry workers on Asian languages and Customer Service Training for Frontliners, Basic First Aid and Life Support, System Repair and Maintenance Training like in Carpentry, Plumbing, and Electrical Installation and Maintenance.

During the signing ceremony at Marco Polo Hotel, DoT 11 director Roberto Alabado underscored the importance of the training for a stronger sector and in increasing the capacity of the local industry.

He said this is in preparation for the next surge in the tourism given that Davao will see more connectivity like Davao-Singapore, Davao and Kuala Lumpur.

Davao is also included in the package for the Qatar – Philippines connection. This, he said, will trigger increase in foreign visitors.

"We need to strengthen our local tourism industry. We have to prepare for this surge," Alabado said.

TISP intends to empower industry workers to provide quality service leading to customer satisfaction, meet services standards, increase employment in the tourism sector, improved income opportunities, increased competitiveness of the Philippine Tourism Industry, and increased tourist arrivals and tourism receipts.

This is the second implementation of TISP. The first was also funded by ADB and Cida.

Director Ma. Rica Bueno of the DoT said TISP implemented in 2014 in four pilot areas: Davao, Cebu, Bohol, and Palawan. An evaluation of the funders showed success in terms of profitability of the enterprises.

The impact of the training was on food sale, lessening of staff turnover, and workers gained more confidence in their work places.
With the success of the pilot run, Bueno said an extension was decided. The P100 million funding for the year will be for one year only.

DoT undersecretary Alma Jimenez said this should be a good time to clean the house not to capacitate industry workers but passage of ordinances to instill discipline because there is a strong mode of obedience, and planning to narrow the gap requirements of the industry in terms of manpower.

Jimenez emphasized on acquiring necessary competencies and skills. She said there are many workers in the industry but lack the necessary skills.

Jimenez said this will also improve the country's competitiveness in tourism and address the concerns of the Philippine Tourism Human Resources Development Plan. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) filed criminal charges against two policemen for the killing of a soldier in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, a police official said Wednesday.

Chief Insp. Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer, said the case of murder was filed on Tuesday before the Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Prosecutor's Office.

Galvez named the policemen-respondents as PO2 Ronald Zeros and PO1 Michael Bulanday, both of Aurora Municipal Police Station, Zamboanga Del Sur.

They were charged over the killing of Cpl. Rodilo Bartolome on August 23 in Barangay Monte Alegre in Aurora town.

Bartolome was assigned with the Army's 53rd Infantry Battalion and presently detailed in embattled city of Marawi since May.

He just disembarked from a passenger bus on his way to visit his family in Barangay Kanipay, Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur when he was killed.

The two policemen were checking the reported presence of a gunman when they allegedly shot Bartolome, who was clad in civilian clothes. (TPGJR/PNA)



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PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan – For its outstanding nutrition programs on children, a southern Palawan village won the 2016 Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Committee award in the recently held Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony in the Mimaropa region.

The award was given to Barangay Panacan in the municipality of Narra.

A media bulletin quoted Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO) Rachel Paladan as saying that Barangay Panacan was recognized for its "outstanding leadership in the implementation of nutrition programs on children."

Data from the Provincial Nutrition Office show that the town of Narra is second to San Vicente that has the lowest malnutrition prevalence rate (MPR) at 4.59 percent.

The award was received by Barangay Chairman Ferdinand Zaballa with Mayor Lucena Demaala and Paladan at Acacia Hotel in Muntinlupa on August 22.

The northern Palawan town of San Vicente also received an award for qualifying as a finalist in the 2016 Outstanding Municipalities Green Banner Award along with the selection of Rosie Asuela as one of the finalists in the Outstanding Regional Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS).

The regional award on nutrition is a program under the National Nutrition Council and the Department of Health (DOH), where health employees, institutions, and local leadership are recognized for efforts against malnutrition in their areas. (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Blood Bank of the Philippine Red Cross-Zamboanga Chapter has discovered three bags of donated blood were positive of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) while another three are still subject to confirmatory test.

The bags of contaminated fluid were among those donated to the PRC Blood Bank since January this year.

Nimfa Linao, PRC Blood Bank medical technologist, on Wednesday disclosed the bags of blood were found to be contaminated with HIV through laboratory analysis.

The Department of Health's (DOH) Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) already confirmed this while the results of the other three have yet to be released.

Linao added that all bags of donated blood are being tested for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis and Malaria.

Last year, eight bags of donated blood were found positive of HIV.

"We screen the donor while the blood is being checked to determine it is free from diseases," Linao said.

Linao said the donor of HIV-positive blood was immediately referred to the City Health Office Wellness Center for medication and counseling. (PNA)



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DAVAO CITY – The Davao City Investment and Promotion Center (DCIPC) has granted incentive package to three big projects worth P12 billion.

The three projects – a feedmill, low-cost housing, and a green project -- came in during the first quarter of this year.

Also under review are four other projects worth P400 million that all sought tax incentive covering a three-year fiscal and incentive on real property tax for two years.

"Hopefully the Board of DCIPC can act on them (four projects) by October," said Lemuel Ortonio, head of DCIPC.

Ortonio said there are other new businesses that did not apply for incentives, but the city will extend services in securing permits and refer them to the right agencies for the smooth processing of the required permits.

Meanwhile, Ortonio said the city's Business Bureau is in the process of perfecting the system on business permit application procedure from three to two days provided that the applicants submit complete and correct corresponding documents otherwise it will be sent back to them.

The city government has been riding high on positive business climate.

Ortonio said that in the first half of the year, the city's Business Bureau registered a total value of investments a little over P247 billion which is higher by P17 billion as compared to 2016 annual data of P230 billion.

Also, the city posted a six percent increase in the number of businesses from 32,000 in 2015 to 38,000 in 2016.

Ortonio said he will still discuss with the Business Bureau on the total investment targets for the remaining months of 2017.

The city is also coming up with industry profile of different investments. DCIPC started the profiling for the agri-business, health and wellness, and property development.

"We saw this as an effective measure so we would know whether there is a need to invite more on these type of investments," he said.

He said DCIPC also received several unsolicited proposals mostly on solid waste management and street lighting projects under the Private Public Partnership (PPP) scheme.

"What we did was provide the prospective investors the requirements so they could comply and these will be reviewed by the Davao City PPP secretariat," Ortonio said. (Digna D. Banzon/PNA)



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COTABATO CITY -- Another priest of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) succumbed to cardiac arrest Wednesday night.

"At the time of his death, he was assigned at NDU residence. He expired at the Notre Dame Hospital at about 9:05 p.m. after receiving the last rite and in the presence and company of his fellow Oblates, Order of Preachers sisters and some relatives," Fr. Eliseo Mercado, OMI said of Fr. Manuel "Manny" Mina.

He was 71 years old.

Fr. Mina was the second Oblate priest to have died this month. Last August 7, Fr. Elino "Eling" Isip, OMI, also died in Quezon City.
Interment for Fr. Mina is yet to be announced.

The OMI is a congregation of missionaries that included His eminence Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, OMI, DD, archbishop of Cotabato and Jolo Bishop Angelito Lampon, OMI, DD.

The congregation has been in difficult missions around the world, including Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. They are into various ministries, including education, parishes, inter-religious dialogues, media, livelihood assistance and services to poor communities.

Many of its missionaries experience violence while performing missionary works in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi missions. An Oblate Bishop was brutally killed in Sulu along with several other OMI priests. Some were kidnapped by extremist groups.

But that did not stop the Oblates from "daring the undared" and continue missionary works among the less fortunate brethren belonging to other faith.

Fr. Mina was born in Alcala, Cagayan Valley. Before joining the Oblates, he aspired to become a veterinarian taking Veterinary Medicine at the University of the Philippines. Then he moved to Mindanao where he took accountancy course at Oblate-run Notre Dame University in Cotabato City.

Fr. Mercado said Fr. Mina's parents influenced him to join the priesthood. "His desire to become a priest was nurtured by his parents during his childhood, in their example of a life giving and self-sacrificing love for each other and for their children," Mercado said.

"The first Oblate priests, whom he met, were foreigners and he was impressed by their presence in our islands who were so far from their homes and yet so dedicated to their missionary work," he added.

His desire to become an Oblate was further boosted by the good examples shown by the young Oblate seminarians. "(That) fostered his vocation to become an Oblate," Fr. Mercado said.

Then Oblate provincial superior, Fr. Joseph Milford, OMI, the native of Cagayan Valley went straight to the OMI Novitiate seminary in 1967 without passing through the Juniorate formation stage.

He was ordained priest on March 27, 1976 and his first assignment was as assistant parish priest of Midsayap, Cotabato from May 1976 to August 1977 (and again in May 1978) and of Banisilan, Cotabato (then an isolated and almost inaccessible parish) from August of 1977 to March 1978.

Mercado said when the Oblates opened a parish in Caloocan City, Fr. Mina became its first parish priest. As parish priest of Birhen ng Lourdes, Bagong Baryo in Caloocan, Fr. Mina worked mostly with the urban poor "whose conditions cry out for justice."

"They helped me become more aware what it means to be a real Oblate. They accept you not because you are a priest but because they see that you are willing to throw in their lot with them," Mercado then quoted Fr. Mina in an article posted on the OMI newsletter.

After his parish assignment in Caloocan, Fr. Mina became NDU chaplain. He also supervised the NDU campus ministry programs.

His expertise in formation of young Oblates brought him to the OMI Juniorate seminary inside the NDU campus in 1985. At the same time, Fr. Mina taught Philosophy among Oblate seminarians.

From NDU, Fr. Manny became the Novice Master of the OMI Novitiate in Tamontaka, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. "He accompanied seminarians, young people and professionals who seek to give their life to God as one with us," Fr. Mercado said.

He then went for a renewal program at St. Louis University in the US where he deepened his formation ministry.

Upon his return, Fr. Mina, according to Fr. Mercado, became director of the postulants, a stage in OMI formation where Fr. Mina accompanied young professionals in search of their vocation as Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

From formation duties, he was assigned to the Oblate Missionary center in Fairview, Quezon City where he engaged in retreat work.
Fr. Mercado said Fr. Mina was a good cook and he loved to cook, especially Ilocano dishes.

Fr. Mina became Superior of the OMI Scholasticate from May 1998 to 2000 and elected to the OMI Provincial Council in charge of the Formation.

"Manny go to God and pray for us," Fr. Mercado said of his confrere.(PNA)



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The provincial government in South Cotabato is set to launch a new anti-poverty convergence program that will assist the development of impoverished communities in parts of the province.

South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said Thursday preparations are underway for the rollout of the program by next month, in partnership with various national government agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs).

Dubbed as "Convergence Program for Poverty Reduction of South Cotabato," she said the initiative aims to empower and transform poor communities into productive areas through the provision of basic services and development projects.

She said at least 20 government agencies and NGOs have initially pledged to support the program, which would be launched on Sept. 15 at its pilot site at sitio Traanlatang, Barangay Kematu in Tboli town.

"They agreed to pool their resources to address the basic unmet needs of residents and develop the area," the governor said.

Fuentes said the participating entities initially pledged to pour in a combined P1 million for the implementation of convergence programs and projects in the area in the next three years.

She said these included the improvement of the sitio's roads; implementation of capability and capacity training for livelihood, health, financial literacy and community empowerment; provision of arm chairs and other construction materials for its school; conduct of feeding programs; and, installation of additional sanitary toilets.

The Oblates of Notre Dame-Hesed Foundation Inc. specifically committed to assist in the empowerment of women and children as well as in capacity development for sitio governance and family decision-making, while Maguindanao Development Foundation, Inc. eyes to assist community empowerment through peace building.

The Rotary Club of Marbel, Mahintana Foundation Inc., and the South Cotabato Foundation Inc. will help in the conduct of feeding programs and trainings on community-led total sanitation, financial literacy and adoption of "Smart" agriculture practices.

RD Foundation will provide 50 armchairs with six sets of kiddie tables and chairs for the sitio's Day Care Center, while the South Cotabato Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation will assist in the construction of sanitary toilets with septic tanks, provide additional arm chairs and assist in the opening of a community store.

A group of technical-vocational schools will provide skills training on food processing, electrical installation and welding for interested residents of sitio Traanlateng, and mining firm Tribal Mining Corp. will support the Alternative Learning System program, the construction of school buildings and provision of arm chairs.

T'boli town's Minahang Bayan Association will assist in the energization of households in the area.

For government agencies, the Department of Public Works and Highways said they will start the concreting of a road network going to Hidak Falls that will pass through Sitio Traanlatang and three other sitios of Barangay Kematu.

The Department of Education Division Office will assist the processing of the land title for the sitio's school and support its five newly-hired teachers.

For the environment and human security component, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Provincial Environment Management Office will pursue roadside greening and riparian development through the cash-for-work scheme.

The Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Trade and Industry will provide entrepreneurial training and assist a local coffee production venture.

Fuentes said the local government is overwhelmed with the support committed by their development partners for the initiative.
"We're always ready to receive your help through the means and processes that you want," she said.

To facilitate the proper implementation of the program, the provincial government has designated a convergence officer who will handle the processing of the grants and aids.

It will also establish a monitoring body to ensure that the program will be sustained. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) will review next week the country's protocol in responding to avian influenza, Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said Wednesday.

The current protocol followed by the government, according to Piñol, severely impacted the poultry industry. It required the closure of all poultry farms within the one-kilometer radius of the outbreak site and the banning of poultry products from within the seven-kilometer radius from where the outbreak was reported.

"We realized that by instituting the old protocol, we actually adversely affected the business," he said.

He cited the experience of European countries where poultry farms within the one-kilometer radius are placed under observation instead of being shut down. Affected fowls are then culled, he said.

He, however, said the government should ensure that the problem is contained as it couldn't afford to take chances.

He also noted that the "experience now has made us more prepared for any eventuality."

Piñol said the government has succeeded in handling the bird flu outbreak in San Luis, Pampanga and Jaen and San Isidro in Nueva Ecija within 18 days.

PNA Central Luzon has earlier reported that a total of 470, 640 chicken layers, broilers, ducks, pigeons, game fowl, native chickens and quails within the one-km quarantine zone and seven-km control area were destroyed to contain the spread of the avian flu virus.

Piñol added that poultry farms affected were also compensated. An initial fund of PHP29 million was released to the affected sector.

Piñol said he is set to sign an order lifting the ban on the seven-kilometer radius. (PNA)



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Police tightened security in the entire city in time for the five-day 19th Tuna Festival that will formally open on Friday, Sept. 1.

Chief Insp. Geovanni Ladeo, chief of city police's public safety company, said Thursday that all police units in the city have been ordered to step up security measures in line with the festivity.

He said around 1,200 police personnel and elements from other support security units have been deployed in festival venues, especially at the city's oval plaza grounds, and other areas where crowds will converge.

The enhanced security measures are part of the comprehensive security plan earlier laid out by the city police and the Army-led Joint Task Force (JTF) GenSan.

"It's a multi-layered security plan, focusing on measures to ensure the safe, smooth and orderly conduct of the festival," he said in a statement.

Ladeo said the security measures included the conduct of regular mobile operations under operation plans or Oplans Sita and Kapkap.

Aside from elements from the JTF GenSan, he said the security operations are being augmented by personnel from the Police Regional Office-12, the city's civil security unit and force multipliers from barangay peacekeeping teams.

He urged the public to be extra vigilant and immediately report suspicious personalities and activities.

"We advise the public to be vigilant and be aware of personalities who are coming in their barangays," Ladeo said.

Col. Adonis Bajao, JTF GenSan commander, said the city's security situation remains stable quoting their own monitoring.

He said they have adopted all necessary measure to maintain such status, especially during the festival week from Sept. 1 to 5.

Aside from the Tuna Festival, the city will host the annual National Tuna Congress on Sept. 6 to 8 that is expected to gather around 500 domestic and foreign delegates.

The city will also host the first-ever Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asean Growth Area or BIMP-Eaga arts and culture festival dubbed "Budayaw" on Sept. 20 to 24.(AVE/PNA)



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BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan -- Some 100 participants from Malay town composed of barangay officials, particularly those from the local disaster councils and emergency response teams, were trained on how to read geohazard maps.

The training held Tuesday was part of the information drive on the importance of understanding geohazard and geohazard maps conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Mines Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 6 across the region.

A lecture on geohazard and map reading exercises were held during the one-day workshop.

Geologist I Laila Grace Indico of MGB 6 said the activity trained participants on how to interpret the 1:10,000 scale geohazard map of Malay, including the island of Boracay.
"The training will help the participants become more aware and be more prepared," said Indico.

The detailed map of the landslide and flood assessment of the town can be used as a tool for the barangays and the local government unit of Malay to develop its disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation initiatives, she added.

The detailed map in a scale of 1:10,000 for LGUs in the region was completed by MGB in 2014. It is updated every five years, said Indico.

Catherine Fulgencio, of the Malay Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said the training was also in line with its goal for a disaster-resilient town.

"We want to arm our people particularly those in the barangay level with the necessary knowledge to be able to ensure that no lives are lost when landslides, flooding and other disasters occur," she said.

The workshop was the last leg of the information, education and communication campaign of MGB in Aklan this year. (PNA)



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PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- The city government here will launch a campaign in October that will require homeowners to register their pets in a renewed effort to prevent the spread of rabies.

City Veterinary Office (CVO) chief, Dr. Indira Santiago, said Monday afternoon that pet owners will be required a registration fee of PHP50.00 for each registered animal.

"If your pet is caught by the city pound and it's not registered, then you will have to pay PHP2,000. If your pet dog bit anyone and it has not been vaccinated, PHP10,000 will be your penalty," Santiago said.

Pet registration will start this October 1 in coordination with barangay leaders.

"This campaign has been strengthened to campaign against rabies, and we're really involving the barangays to share the responsibility," Santiago said.

Santiago added that homeowners who have more than three pets will be required to get permits from the CVO.

"If you have more than three dogs, you have to get a permit from the city vet for it to determine if you can own such number to take care of," Santiago added.

The CVO wanted to strengthen the local barangay units for the campaign by giving them enough knowledge on their roles to carry out rabies control. (PNA)



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COTABATO CITY -- Police forces in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur have been alerted to prevent retaliatory and sympathy attacks following the death of Maute patriarch Cayamora on Sunday.

Chief Supt. Theodore Sindac, Police Regional Director for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm), ordered the deployment of more police checkpoints in Lanao Sur and Maguindanao after intelligence reports indicated that sympathizers of the Maute Brothers will bring the war outside Marawi City.

Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur are adjoining provinces under PNP-Armm.

Cayamora Maute, father of local terrorist leaders Omar and Abdulla, died on Sunday at a hospital after complaining of chest pain.

A police intelligence officer said relatives of the Maute patriarch were emotional on the news of his demise while in government custody.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr, chief of Western Mindanao Command, also ordered the Army to remain on alert for possible rampage by Maute terrorists.(PNA)



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SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique -- Antique Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao on Tuesday said that her election as the Visayas Regional Development Committee (RDC) chair is a way to push more infrastructure projects for the province.

Cadiao, who admitted that the unanimous decision to elect her came as a surprise last August 25, added she is happy to serve other provinces in the Visayas island composed of Western, Central and Eastern Visayas.

"This is also a great opportunity because the Senate Committee on Finance is chaired by an Antiquena Senator Loren Legarda and me as the Visayas Regional Development Committee chair," she said.

She added that the new position will keep her away at times from her office to attend meetings in Malacanang and in other provinces but that will be a chance for her to bring up proposed projects to the higher authorities, especially with the help of Senator Legarda.

The governor said the Visayas RDC, which meets quarterly, will provide support to the thrust of President Rodrigo R. Duterte particularly on interconnectivity.

Cadiao's co-chair is Region 7 chair Kenneth Cobunpue. They will serve for three years until 2019. (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA  CITY -- The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp) has lined up activities in line with the observance of the Peace Month in September.

In a statement, Opapp on Tuesday said simultaneous celebration of Eid'l Adha on Friday, September 1, at the four evacuation centers in Iligan City will mark the formal launch of the Peace Month.

Officials from Opapp and other national as well as local government agencies are expected to join the celebration.

This year's Peace Month highlight is the "Peace Buzz," which is a peace caravan that will roam nationwide to bring the government's peace initiatives on the ground.

The "Peace Buzz" will kick off in Baguio City, and will make stops in Quezon City, Legazpi City, Catbalogan City, Butuan City, Davao City, Iligan City. It will conclude its journey in Marawi City, in time for the Closing Ceremony of the Peace Month.

Aside from the "Peace Buzz," Opapp will also conduct series of fora that aims to educate different stakeholders about the peace process.

The other activities will include contests that target the youth such as film-making, photography, and spoken word competition.

Opapp Undersecretary Nabil Tan has encouraged the public to be active participants to the peace process and be advocates of peace.

"Let us find ways in which we can contribute to the ongoing peace process and become catalysts of peace, unity and understanding in our respective communities," Tan said.

"I believe that all of us can be peace builders. Let us start now," he added.

The month of September was declared as the "National Peace Consciousness Month" by virtue of Proclamation No. 675 dated July 2004.

This year's celebration of the Peace Month is anchored in the theme "Puso para sa Kapayapaan, Magkaisa para sa Bayan." (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY -- Some two remote local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas are recipients of the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program of the Department of Science and Development (DOST).

During Monday's kick-off of the Regional Science and Technology Fair held at SM City here, the municipalities of Carles, particularly Isla de Gigantes, in Iloilo and Libacao in Aklan were recognized as beneficiaries of the program.

"This is DOST's response to multi-dimensional development constraint in marginalized areas of the country," said Engr. Rowen Gelonga, Regional Director of the DOST in Western Visayas.

The interventions cover health and nutrition, water and sanitation, basic education and literacy, livelihood/economic enterprise development and disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.

In Carles, the program was implemented in Barangays Gabi and Asluman where more than 80 percent of each village's population were tapped as recipients. Each barangay has a population of around 2,000, according to Mayor Sigfredo Betita.

The package of interventions can be around PHP500,000 to PHP1 million including livelihood and economic enterprise programs, water and sanitation, health and nutrition, technical assistance on food supply and StarBooks digital library, he said.

Through these services, the impoverished situation of the people will be alleviated, he said.

Betita said the services have benefitted them a lot, like educating residents about sustainable livelihood program.

Gelonga said the StarBooks digital library with 10,000 publications showcases "how technology can change the way of life of the people in the far-flung areas of the country."

They also provided beneficiaries with ceramic filters for potable water, livelihood programs, training on disaster resiliency and feeding program using complementary food produced by the University of Antique (UA).

Carles, being a coastal area, is supposed to be abundant in marine resources, but ironically it has higher malnutrition cases.

Meanwhile, Libacao, on a regular basis has produced passers in the Philippine Science High School entrance examination after the CEST program was introduced. DOST conducted tutorial classes in science and math among graduating students in Libacao.
Gelonga said they are now starting to implement the program in almost all provinces in the region.
"Despite our limited budget we really look forward to the strengthening and expansion of our CEST program," he said. (PNA)



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CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao -- Military authorities in Maguindanao Tuesday advised the public to avoid using water transportation in tributaries and rivers as the Army and Moro rebels have continued manhunt against ISIS-inspired group.

Lt. Col. Jerry Besana, commander of the 6th Civil Military Operations (CMO) Battalion based here, said transport of goods and people in Rio Grande de Mindanao in the Liguasan Marsh could be dangerous following reports that the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) Abdulmalik faction has planned to use civilians as human shields.

The Army has been conducting sustained military operations in the towns of Datu Salibo, Sharif Saydona and Datu Piang since last week.

"Please advise everyone that water transportation in the vicinity and adjoining municipalities of Datu Salibo, Shariff Saydona and Datu Piang will be restricted," Besana said in a statement.

"This action is being implemented for the safety of civilians," he said, adding "we will continue our efforts in fighting the insurgents in order to disrupt the group that threatens the security operations."

Government forces and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that signed a peace deal with the government, have continued their manhunt operation.

The MILF first clashed with the ISIS-flag carrying armed group in Datu Salibo when the outlawed group tried to encroach into MILF identified communities by setting off several improvised bombs.

More than 50 people have been killed from both sides since the clashes between former comrades erupted three weeks ago. Dozens were also injured.

Among the dead was the son of BIFF faction leader Esmael Abulmalik known as "Commander Torayfe."

Under the 1997 ceasefire agreement between the government and MILF, the rebel group must help the government get rid of terrorists in communities identified with the MILF.

For the past two weeks, the MILF had been pursuing the ISIS-flag carrying armed group, led by Esmael Abdulmalik of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao's second district.

According to Abu Amir, the BIFF Imam Karialan faction, Abdulmalik was injured in a clash with MILF Task Force Ittihad (Unity).

Senior Supt. Agustin Tello, Maguindanao police director, said the police have been helping the MILF in locating the BIFF/ISIS group.

Tello said police and military authorities in Maguindanao have been placed on heightened alert to thwart possible retaliatory attacks from Abdulmalik's group.

Abdulmalik was one of the lieutenants of slain Malaysian bomb expert Zulkifli bin Hir alias "Marwan" who was killed in police operations in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in 2015.(PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A top military official has urged political and religious leaders in Lanao del Sur to actively participate in combating violent extremism.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said they should establish and develop municipal defense through constant and close coordination with the military and police within their areas.

"We have to keep in mind that violent extremism is a global menace and it needs to be addressed by all sectors of society. It could be anywhere, it could be creeping already within our homes, our communities," Galvez said.

"It could be right under our noses, we just might not have any clue that it is there already," Galvez added.

He also encouraged the local chief executives to take responsibility in their respective communities especially on issues of security.

"However, we need to harmonize our efforts into one goal this time--to fix what violent extremism has broken and to prevent it from spreading and creating further destruction," he said.

Meanwhile, the Westmincom said in a statement on Tuesday that the Lanao del Sur Provincial Peace and Order Council has proposed to propagate mainstream Islamic moderation, putting the resolution in the hands of Muslim traditional leaders, the Ulama, and the community.

"Opportunities for building the capacity of Muslim teachers in Islamic studies and religious leaders must be created," the Westmincom quoted Lanao del Sur Vice Governor Mamintal Adiong as saying.

"There is also a need to review policies on recognition of the traditional Madaris and to adopt common regulation, supervision, accreditation, and standardization of curricula to ensure teachings and learnings are consistent with the mainstream Islamic moderation and practices," he added.

He said this could be achieved if the traditional leaders, parents, and the Ulama take active role in ensuring that those who are most vulnerable are educated. (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Seven people, including four suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits, were killed while two others were wounded in a clash in the province of Sulu, a top military official said Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said the clash occurred at around 12:45 p.m. Tuesday in sitio Kan Hassan, Barangay Bud Bunga, Talipao, Sulu.

Sobejana identified the groups as that of Jul Hamidi of Barangay Upper Kamuntayan, Talipao and another one of suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits led by Al Arod.

Sobejana added that the group of Arod is a known enemy of the Hamidi family.

He said Arod is the son of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Arod Wahing.

The firefight resulted in the death of Jul Hamidi and two of his followers, namely Kaidal Sayyari and a certain Juddama.

Two of Hamidi's followers were wounded. One of them was identified as Hatib Jamih.

On the side of the Abu Sayyaf, four were killed including Arod. Two of the other three fatalities were only identified as a certain Kiram and a certain Awa.

Sobejana said the Abu Sayyaf bandits withdrew towards the forested area leaving behind their slain companions and dragged along the wounded members.

Sobejana said troops from the Army's 21st Infantry Battalion are tracking down the fleeing Abu Sayya



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DUMAGUETE CITY-- The Philippine National Police (PNP) acting provincial director of Negros Oriental on Tuesday admitted that police personnel in Guihulngan City are directed to be extra cautious in responding to calls for assistance especially in the hinterland barangays.

 Sr. Supt. Henry Biñas made the admission Tuesday as yet another person was shot over the weekend in Guihulngan City, now perceived to have an unusual number of shooting incidents since the July 21st ambush by alleged Communist terrorists that left six policemen dead and three other police personnel and a civilian wounded.

 Sr. Supt. Biñas admitted that Guihulngan police cannot move alone without the help of the Philippine Army or the PNP's Special Action Force who are better trained on the ISO (internal security operations), considering the treacherous manner that the NPA employs to target the police and other law enforcement operatives.

While it is not immediately easy to presume whether the motive for any killing is related to the drugs war or the terrorist movement, Sr. Supt. Biñas disclosed that he has directed the police chief of Guihulngan to coordinate with the Army or the SAF prior to responding to crime incidents especially in the mountainous areas.

The provincial director admitted that shooting incidents in the mountainous areas of Guihulngan have gone up, although he didn't have available data yet.

 He said the police are cautious when responding to calls especially in the mountains as anything can happen, such as the Communist NPA terrorists using other people as "bait" by killing them so policemen will respond and in the process, the lawless elements can carry out attacks against them.

 The latest victim was a man believed to have ties with the Barangay Intelligence Network (BIN) and was shot over the weekend for a still unknown motive in Barangay Binobohan of that northern city. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY--  Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog is not at all threatened by the impending transfer of Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido to this city as ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Mabilog said that the proposed transfer of Espenido is a "welcome development" because he will be able to see for himself the initiatives of the city and assess whether or not these are enough.

"As we welcome Chief Inspector Espenido, let us show him and let us show our dear President that illegal drugs has no place in Iloilo City," Mabilog said in his message during the flag-raising ceremony here Tuesday.

He then urged everyone's cooperation as his office,  the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) cannot do the job of addressing the problem on illegal drugs alone.

He also emphasized that Iloilo City is different from Iloilo province but both have efforts to address the problem.

Iloilo has a government unit-led rehabilitation initiative called Crossroads, Mabilog noted.

Of the 3,180 surrenderers in the city, 1,200 have already availed of the treatment and rehabilitation.  Those who have not yet submitted themselves to rehabilitation are being revisited under "Oplan Reboot" of the PNP.

PNP and PDEA also avail of support using the city's peace and order funds. Data from the Iloilo City Peace and Order and Public Safety (POPS) plan disclosed that each law enforcement agency was appropriated PHP8 million in 2017.

The funds were for the conduct of drug testing, community and school-based anti-drug preventives, operations against high-value targets, procurement of surveillance vehicles and motorcycles and drug clearing operations.

Since 2016, Mabilog said that 376 positive operations were conducted by the said agencies.

In 2012, the city government provided PDEA with a detention facility. They were also provided with vehicle for the transport of the K-9 and four motorcycles to increase their response time.

"Wala kita nagkulang (We are not remissed), according to my ability and my knowledge. I publicly would like to say I am sorry, I apologize to the media, to the people of Iloilo City if it is not enough. But then, I did exert everything," Mabilog said who turned emotional while delivering his message.

"One thing I am quite sure of, with God as my witness, that I have never protected anyone, especially in illegal drugs. Never. I will never do that. Probably this challenge is a mission from our Lord. I am a Christian.  We are all Christians. Some of us here are brother Muslims. God is the beginning and is the end. He is the Alpha and the Omega," he added.

Mabilog will call for a meeting with the Iloilo City Peace Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ICADAC) this week.  The meeting will tackle how the city government will further support PDEA, PNP and even the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on the rentals of K9 dogs to "lock down our city."

In his message he also emphasized that he is bent on finishing his term until 2019 because he has the mandate of the people.

"I will stay because and foremost, I have never protected anyone against illegal drugs even any form of criminality," he stressed. (PNA)



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TUGUEGARAO CITY -- A 5.1 magnitude quake jolted Calayan, Cagayan province and some areas of Apayao at 6:08 a.m. Wednesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 2 Regional Director Dante Balao said aftershocks are expected and advised the public to stay calm and vigilant.

Phivolcs said the quake was tectonic in origin. There were no reported casualties or damage to property, Balao said. (PNA)



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Police operatives arrested three alleged "notorious" drug pushers included in drug watchlist were arrested in a buy-bust operation on Wednesday morning in a village in Koronadal City.

Chief Insp. Jomero Sentina, deputy chief of the Koronadal City police station, identified the suspects as Randy Despordado, 30, Aldrin Curoz, 32, and Elvie Facun, 33, all of Barangay Morales.

He said the suspects were nabbed at around 5:30 a.m. at a portion of Purok Spring, Barangay Morales after allegedly selling a sachet of suspected metamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu worth P500 to a police officer who posed as a buyer.

Seized from the suspects were six small, seven medium and one big plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, various drug paraphernalia and P500 marked bill.

Sentinta said they earlier received a tip from a concerned informant that the suspects had been selling shabu in their neighborhood and at a nearby night club.

He said they immediately subjected them to a series of surveillance operations to confirm their illegal activities.

"We were able to conduct two successful test-buys before we decided to launch the operation," he said.

The police official said they sent the recovered evidence to the South Cotabato Scene of the Crime Operatives or SOCO crime laboratory in Koronadal City for proper examination and valuation.

He said the suspects, who are currently detained at the Koronadal City police station lock up, will be charged with violation of sections 5 and 11 or selling and possession of dangerous drugs, under Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.(PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has continued the implementation of Operation Plan Toktok Dalaw (Oplan Toklaw) to reconnect forgotten inmates with their families.

The program was initiated in April this year by the late Chief Insp. Ervin Diaz, former Zamboanga City Reformatory Center (ZCRC) warden.
Diaz succumbed to cardiac arrest earlier this month.

Through the Oplan Toklaw, ZCRC personnel, in coordination with barangay officials, paid a visit to the families of inmates with no visitors and encouraged them to visit their detained loved ones.

Supt. Allan Vargas, who replaced Diaz, on Tuesday said Oplan Toklaw will address the sad plight of the inmates who are not visited by their relatives at the ZCRC.

"We pity the inmates, since their relatives have forgotten them already. So we remind their relatives to visit them at the (detention) center," Vargas said.

Vargas said they will also provide free rides to those who don't have the means to visit their relative-inmates.

He said more than 200 inmates have been listed with "no visitors" for years already even as they are residents of this city.

He added they have so far reconnected five inmates with their respective families since Oplan Toklaw was adopted.

"We wanted them to meet with each other and to get closer again as this could also help in the reform agenda of the center for the inmates," he said.

He said Oplan Toklaw will continue for as long as there are still inmates listed with no visitors. (PNA)



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The provincial government of South Cotabato has completed nearly P150 million worth of priority infrastructure projects in several parts of the province during the first half of the year.

Vicente Ayongao, acting head of the Provincial Engineer's Office (PEO), said Wednesday these projects included 39 vertical and horizontal structures that were part of the province's 2017 infrastructure program.

He said these included the repair, rehabilitation and upgrading of road networks as well as the construction of barangay structures and facilities.

A report released by the PEO showed that the local government's investment in the completed projects reached a total of P149,770,815.23.

Aside from the construction and development costs, the provincial government also shouldered the labor expense for several low-budget projects.

Among the major road projects completed were the construction and rehabilitation of the Norala-Banga road worth P47.4 million; Lambayong–Maltana road with lined canal in Tampakan worth P13.1 million; Polomolok–Cannery Road in Polomolok worth P11.9 million; Poblacion–Slaughterhouse road in Norala worth P9.9 million; national highway junction–Acmonan road in Tupi worth P9.8 million; and, the Upgrading of San Jose-Columbio provincial road in Koronadal City worth P3.34 million.

The other projects included the construction of day care centers, senior citizen buildings, school buildings, mini gymnasiums, covered courts and stages, barangay halls, multi-purpose buildings, multi-purpose drying pavements, water systems, lined canals, slope protection structures, playground systems and improvements of provincial government offices.

Ayongao said they are currently implementing 46 more projects that are worth a total of P202,822,809.64.
He said most of these are due for completion by yearend and in early 2018.

Aside from these, the official said they are set to start the preparatory works for five more erosion and flood control, and bridge projects worth P11.36 million.

These projects, which were approved earlier this month by the provincial board, wil be funded through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund–Investment Plan.

The approved projects were the construction of Purok Lapu-Lapu Bridge in Puti, Norala worth P5 million; erosion control structures at Hanoon Elementary School in Lake Sebu worth P4 million; a box culvert in Rizal, Banga worth P2.5 million; a box culvert connecting Purok Pag-asa and Purok B'laan in Magsaysay, Koronadal City worth P1.2 million; and flood control structure at Sitio Esting, Lampitak in Tampakan worth P1 million.(AVE/PNA)





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GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Police authorities here are pushing for a ban on the use of helmets by motorcycle riders in the city's downtown area in a bid to counter criminal activities involving motorcycle-riding suspects.

Sr. Supt. Romeo Ruel Berango, acting city police director, said Wednesday the move could help prevent the occurrence of street crimes and facilitate the easy identification of suspects in some cases.

He said they are set to submit a proposal to the Sangguniang Panlungsod or City Council here for the passage of an ordinance regarding the measure.

"This is really necessary as most crime suspects have been hiding their identities by using motorcycle helmets," he said.
Berango specifically cited several cases of daring murders these past months that involved suspects riding-in-tandem in motorcycles.

A number of these killings were believed perpetrated by hired gunmen based in areas outside the city.

The police official said they decided to propose such matter to the City Council for thorough studies and public consultations.

"Several key cities have already banned the wearing of motorcycle helmets as a security and crime prevention measure," he said.

The city government, through the traffic management office, has been strictly implementing the wearing of helmets by motorcycle riders as a safety measure.

The city's traffic enforcers, who are deputized by the Land Transportation Office, have been apprehending motorcycle riders not wearing helmets and those using motorcycle that don't have standard accessories like side mirrors.

To complement the proposed ban on the wearing of helmets, Berango said they will also ask for the imposition of a minimum speed limit for motorcycles to prevent accidents.

He said another alternative would be the designation of motorcycle lanes along the city's major thoroughfares.(AVE/PNA)



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MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato --- A 19-year-old "banana cue" vendor was crowned Mutya ng North Cotabato in this year's beauty contest in celebration of the province's 103rd Foundation Anniversary and Kalivungan Festival.

During the pageant night at the Libungan municipal gymnasium, beaming Krislyn Jabonera bested other aspirants representing various towns in North Cotabato.

Aside from winning the most coveted crown, Jabonera, who represented Midsayap town, also won special awards, including the Best in Production Number and Best in Long Gown.

Jabonera told reporters that she has been helping her mother sell "banana cue" beside the town hall and Midsayap Central Elementary School.

First runner up was Angelica Lobrigo of Mlang town while Rizalin del Mundo of Kidapawan City won the second runner-up title.

Third runner up was Rica Jane Sabanal of Matalam.

The pageant night was star-studded as Venus Raj and KC Montero with Manila-based entertainers wowed the crowd.

Libungan Mayor Amping Cuan said the town was honored to host the beauty contest this year because it placed Libungan in the region's tourism map.(PNA)



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The provincial government of South Cotabato has ordered the temporary stoppage of small-scale mining operations at a portion of a gold rush site in T'boli town due to safety concerns.

The order was issued by the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) following a landslide last month that affected mine tunnels at sitio Tunnel in Barangay Kematu.

South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes, who chairs the PMRB, said Wednesday the temporary stoppage covers at least 12 mine tunnels situated near a mountain that was hit by a major landslide last July 18.

"The stoppage order will remain in effect until we deem the area safe for mining operations," she said.

The affected tunnels are the Ling-Lin Tunnel operated by permittees Michelle/Jorito Balonga; UG Tunnel of Isagane Gane; Maligaya Tunnel of Esther Gane;Yana Tunnel of Beverly Maguan; GMD Tunnel of Jaime Degorio; Jack Pot Tunnel of Amado Martinez; Maguan Tunnel of Grace Maguan; New Open Tunnel of Jesus Casensia; Dyesebel Tunnel of Rino Adilan; Scud Tunnel of Lito Huela; Lanado Tunnel of Shiela Lanado; and Abel Tunnel of Alcaba Adel.

The governor said the PMRB issued the order based on recommendation made by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Region 12, Provincial Environment Management office (Pemo) and the T'boli Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office.

She said a team from the three offices had conducted site investigation and assessment regarding the impact of the landslide.

Along with the stoppage order, the governor directed the affected mining operators to submit emergency response and preparedness plans for their tunnels and operations.

Siegfred Flaviano, Pemo head, said these plans will serve as basis whether the closed mining tunnels would be allowed to resume their operations.

"We will evaluate these plans thoroughly and if we find them sufficient, then we can recommend the reopening of the tunnels," he said.

The official said they have tapped the provincial and the T'boli municipal disaster risk reduction and management offices to assist the affected mining operators in the crafting of the emergency response and preparedness plans.

A number of landslides were recorded these past years near and within the small-scale mine tunnels in Kematu and portions of neighboring Barangay Desawo that claimed the lives of several workers.

MGB-12 had listed portions of these villages as high-risk areas to landslides, especially during the rainy season.

To address the problem, the Pemo and MGB-12 have been closely monitoring the mining operations in T'boli and have been conducting regular inspections, especially on the implementation of various safety regulations and standards at the mine tunnels.(AVE/PNA)



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SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao –- Three more members of ISIS-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were arrested by Moro rebel group in Maguindanao as manhunt against local jihadists has continued.

The three were arrested while trying to slip past members of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in a river at sitio Butalo, Barangay Sambulawan, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao on Tuesday afternoon, according to Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, police regional director for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm).

They were on board a wooden-hulled banca posing as fishermen when the MILF Task Force Ittihad (Unity) members noticed firearms covered with black cloth beside them.

When checked, the MILF, which signed a peace agreement with the government and obliged to get rid of terrorists in Mindanao, found several firearms.

Sr. Supt. Agustin Tello, Maguindanao police director, identified the arrested BIFF members as Mahmod Alimudin, 43, Oting Kaligan, 27 and Akmad Jacaria, 18, all residents of Barangay Sambulawan.

They are reportedly followers of Commander Abu Toraype, a BIFF sub-leader, who pledge allegiance to ISIS.

More than 50 peple have been killed in the on-going Army-backed MILF pursuit operations against the BIFF.

Fighting between former comrades erupted in mid-August when the local terrorists encroached MILF identified communities in Datu Salibo.

Al Haj Murad, MILF chair, said the MILF, in keeping with the 1997 ceasefire agreement with the government, will continue to prevent BIFF from influencing MILF members and sympathizers.

The three will be turned over to the Maguindanao police for filing of appropriate charges.

It can be recalled that 10 MILF fighters were hurt when the BIFF set off an improvised bomb and are being treated in a military hospital inside Camp Siongco, Maguindanao.

Earlier, Lt. Colonel Gerry Besana, chief of the Army's 6th Infantry Division's Civil Military Operations, said the Army banned civilians to use water transportation in the marshland to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

Ustadz Esmael Abdulmalik, leader of a faction of the BIFF, was injured during the firefight, according to spokesmen of two other factions.

More police and military detachments have been established in Maguindanao to prevent the BIFF from carrying out diversionary and sympathy attacks after Abu Toraype was killed in a clash with the MILF last week. (PNA)



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DAVAO CITY -- Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio took in a new commander of the Task Force Davao, replacing Col. Erwin Bernard Neri who is promoted as the commanding officer of an Army brigade based in Maco, Compostela Valley.

During the turnover ceremony on Wednesday at the Task Force headquarters at Sta. Ana Wharf, this city, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio challenged the army officer to: "bawal huminga...bawal matulog..at huwag mo akong ipahiya (it's forbidden to breathe..forbidden to sleep...and don't shame me)."

The "bawal huminga...bawal matulog" is the same challenge passed on to him by Neri, who took the position as the chief of the 1001st Infantry Brigade in Compostela Valley.

Neri admitted this was the challenge to him by Duterte-Carpio in order not to repeat the bombing incident at Roxas night market in September last year.

In her speech, the city mayor told Mempin to consider "huwag mo akong ipahiya" as the challenge, recalling the September bombing last year. She said she would blame Mempin if something happens in Davao City under his command.

Duterte-Carpio reminded Mempin to be on his toes and see to it that the people of Davao can safely sleep at night.
"If I see you offline that means you are sleeping," she told Mempin.

She admitted Mempin was not her recommended officer to replace Neri. "Someone has recommended you, but I vetted you," she said.

The city mayor even joked that she is eight weeks pregnant just to taunt Mempin to keep the city secure, recalling that she lost her twins after the September bombing

She revealed that she kept sending photos of the ultrasound result of the third baby to Neri as reminder not to stress her to keep the baby alive.

Given the tall order, Duterte-Carpio, however, assured Mempin of the city government's support so that he can achieve his objective, particularly on anti-terrorism.

In an interview, Mempin said that all units of the Philippine Army, including the Task Force Davao should make sure there is zero incident.

"Even if it is only one bombing, it is a failure of counter terrorism," Mempin said. He added he is honored the city mayor vetted him as TF commander.

He said he has a sworn duty to ensure the safety and protection of the people and the state.

Being in the Army, he said, "You give up everything for service". If Neri took the challenge to prevent and counter terrorism, Mempin said he is also ready with the tips given to him by the former TF commander.

Mempin said Neri advised him to strengthen intelligence network, stronger stakeholder engagement, and visibility of soldiers in order not to be caught unaware.

"We can rest but not literally sleep on your duty," he added.

Mempin, a graduate of the Philippine Mlitary Academy (PMA) Class 1990, was a brigade staff. He was the chief of Governance and Strategy Management Office of the 10th Division.

He was also the former battalion commander in Cebu where he was involved in counter-terrorism for two years.

Meanwhile, Duterte-Carpio rated Neri's assignment 10+1 and adopted him as godfather of Stonefish.

She also thanked the TF Davao for their passion and discipline. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)



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DAVAO CITY -- The chief of police in Davao City regrets the death of the patriarch of the Mautes as he could have the vital information on the Marawi siege launched in May.

Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Director, Sr. Supt. Alexander Tagum said it was unfortunate Cayamora Maute, the father of brothers Abdullah and Omar who led the attack on Marawi City in May, died.

Tagum said in two days that Cayamora was held in Davao City before his immediate transfer to Manila, he was not cooperative with the police authorities during the investigation.

"He was not cooperative. There was no voluntary information," Tagum said in an interview Monday.

But Tagum still believes the Maute patriarch was obviously the main solicitor for support to the ISIS. He said Cayamora even sent his children for foreign training. Cayamora had previous affiliations with Islamic groups.

He reportedly led the Maute group during his younger days. It may be recalled that Cayamora together with three family members were arrested by Task Force Davao after they were intercepted at the Sirawan checkpoint in Davao City on June 6.

Cayamora was nabbed along with his second wife Kongan Alfonso-Maute, daughter Norjanna Balawag-Maute, son-in-law Bensarali Tingao, and the van driver Aljon Salazar Esmael.

During his arrest, Cayamora concealed his identity by sporting a clean cut image (no more beard), and body and face covered with malong, prompting them to hold the family for further verification.

When Cayamora was asked to remove the cover of his face, the soldier suspected him to be one of the persons in the gallery of the Maute terrorists.

Posters of the Maute terrorists are posted in all checkpoints, police and army vehicles since the declaration of Martial Law.

According to reports, Cayamora was rushed to the hospital after complaining of weakness and difficulty in breathing on Sunday dawn. He was reportedly given antibiotics and constantly monitored, he added.

Cayamora again complained prompting jail nurse to conduct nebulization and put oxygen support. Cayamora was diagnosed to be suffering from hypertension, diabetes, pneumonia and viral hepatitis when he was committed to the Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)



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CEBU CITY -- A drug personality in Talisay City, Cebu was arrested in a buy-bust operation early Sunday night.

Butch Gutierrez, 35, of Barangay Poblacion, was taken into custody after peddling illegal drugs to a police poseur buyer around 6 p.m.

 The buy-bust operation was led by Police Superintendent Joie Yape, chief of the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB), in coordination with the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, Talisay City Police Station and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Recovered from Gutierrez were three medium-sized plastic packs and seven small packets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or "shabu", and seven rolled tinfoil strips.

The suspect is temporarily detained at the Talisay Police Station awaiting filing of appropriate charges against him.

Yape, meanwhile, called on his fellow police officers involved in the drug trade to stop their illegal activities to avoid any eventual arrest or unfortunate encounter.

The PIB chief also warned narco-politicians that time will come when they must be punished or pay for their involvement in illegal drugs.  (With reports from USJR intern Levirose Caballero/PNA)



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CEBU CITY -- Mayor Tomas Osmeña has recognized informers, especially on illegal drugs, as living heroes.

 During a short program in celebration of National Heroes Day at the Cebu City Hall on Monday, the mayor said the government's campaign against illegal drugs will not be successful without these informers or concerned citizens, especially those who have informed him about drug personalities in their communities either through text or Facebook messages.

 Received information resulted in the arrests of quite a number of suspected drug pushers in the different barangays of the city.

Since these informers have taken great risks in divulging the identities of their neighbors, Osmeña called them: "Heroes of today."

 The mayor also recognized the heroic deed of 21-year-old Crisanto Amorante, a pizza parlor worker, who unfortunately died while trying to help  a woman against robbers in Barangay Carreta.

 Amorante's parents and siblings received the posthumous recognition award from Osmeña, who said that Crisanto's unselfish deed is worth emulating and  people should help anybody in need instead of turning a blind eye.

 Highlight of the celebration was the giving of the "Modern Day Hero" award to Cebuana marathon runner Mary Joy Tabal, who bagged the gold medal in the 2017 South East Asian Games in Putrajaya, Malaysia.

 Osmeña said Tabal is very deserving of the award as she did not only give honor to Cebu but to the whole country. (With reports from Michelle Bugtai/PNA)



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CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday assured the public that poultry products from Pampanga and Nueva Ecija are safe for human consumption as he joined other national and local government officials in a boodle fight of chicken-based menu.

President Duterte also gave the assurance that the national government will continue its surveillance and vigilance to mitigate the impact of bird flu.

The Chief Executive announced in a press conference that he will ask Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) chief Andrea Domingo for available funds to give additional assistance to the affected poultry raisers.

Speaking before some 1,000 attendees from the local government units and poultry raisers, Duterte said Pampanga is not only a factor in food security but part of the food chain.

"The efforts and sweat poured in by the Kapampangans play a crucial role in securing the country's food chain," the President added.

He also pointed out the resiliency of the Kapampangans in these trying times, and that he is confident that the LGUs can contain the avian flu outbreak.

The President, together with Department of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, awarded an indemnity check to San Luis town worth PHP20,723,790.

He also gave checks to two poultry farm owners from Jaen town, Mary Grace Castro and Manuel Ruiz Luiz, whose poultry farms were depopulated because of the avian flu outbreak.

Shortly after the awarding ceremonies, President Duterte, along with Piñol, Governor Lilia Pineda, Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, 3rd district Rep. Aurelio Gonzales and local chief executives ate chicken, balut, and eggs in a boodle fight here to show the public that poultry products in Pampanga are safe.

 Meanwhile, Piñol said an opportunity was presented by the crisis brought about by the avian influenza outbreak after a group of German and Colombian engineers committed to provide technology to turn chicken manure to organic fertilizer. He said the group is now establishing a facility for the project. (PNA)



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BORACAY, Aklan -- An international luxury cruise ship will make its maiden call in this resort island and expected to bring 3,500 tourists and 2,000 crew members on August 30.

MV Genting "Dreams of Dream Cruises" is expected to bring mostly Chinese passengers, said Jean Pontero, special operations officer of Aklan Jetty Port Administration, on Monday.

The cruise ship is expected to arrive at 7:30 a.m. for a day tour around the island. It will be the ninth cruise ship to dock in the island this year.

A traditional welcome with Ati-atihan dance performance is prepared for the cruise tourists by the officials of the local port administration, Department of Tourism and local government unit of Malay.

After the day-tour, the cruise ship will leave the island around 4 p.m. to sail back to China.

Some eight more cruise liners are expected to visit this island resort this year.

The last cruise to visit was MS Sky Golden Era, which made its maiden call last July 10. (PNA)



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BACOLOD CITY -- Some eight personnel of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) Veterinary Quarantine Services in Western Visayas are augmenting the quarantine inspection services in the ports of Negros Occidental in the wake of the bird flu outbreak in Luzon.

Sulmer Gamarcha, veterinary quarantine inspector of BAI Veterinary Quarantine Services based at the Bacolod Satellite Office, said they immediately deployed personnel to the province although they already planned to beef up the presence of their inspectors here even before the avian flu outbreak.

Negros Occidental has a huge livestock and poultry industry so there is a need to further strengthen its quarantine measures, Gamarcha said.

In the past two weeks, the eight BAI personnel were assigned to Bacolod-Silay Airport as well as BREDCO port and Banago port in Bacolod, and the sea ports in the cities of Escalante and San Carlos.

"We are augmenting the quarantine personnel of the Provincial Veterinary Office in monitoring the entry of poultry and poultry products especially from Luzon," Gamarcha said.

So far, the BAI men have yet to intercept violators since the ban on the shipments of poultry from Luzon was enforced.

Quarantine inspectors require shippers to present veterinary certificates and proof that the farm-source of the poultry products, especially in Luzon is accredited.

Inspectors will off-load or return to its origin commodities that do not have shipping permits, Gamarcha added. (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Joint Task Force Marawi is hosting a five-day educational tour for 35 children in Manila, a top military official announced Monday.

Brig. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista, Joint Task Force Marawi commander, said the tour is from August 28, to Sept. 1, which kicked off with a simple send off ceremony at the Lanao del Sur provincial capitol.

Dubbed as "Tabak Educational Tour: Peaceful Environment for Marawi Children," the Manila tour is expected to provide the children-participants, who live in conflict-affected areas, with educational experience, social and cultural values for peace-building, and exposure to peaceful environments.

Bautista said the participants, ranging from 7-13 years old, were identified as among those vulnerable and susceptible to violent extremism.

"This is one of the initiatives of the armed forces to ensure that those children displaced by the crisis in Marawi City are given adequate support and psycho-social treatment by the government. It is imperative that at the initial stage, those deemed vulnerable are being guided and educated to know their roles in the mainstream society," said Bautista, who is also the Army's 1st Infantry Division.

He noted that the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-inspired Maute group recruited and use child warriors in the main battle area and "are still recruiting minors until now."

The Joint Task Force Marawi has tapped the assistance of the Lanao del Sur provincial government, Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Desk, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Teach Peace Build Peace Movement, and the Kilos Kabataan Livelihood Foundation, Inc. to realize the educational tour project.

The task force also coordinated with concerned government agencies, offices, and partners in Manila.

"Rather than hold guns and become combatants, we want these children to foster a sense of responsibility and, in the future, become leaders of a peaceful Marawi," Bautista said. (TPGJR/PNA)



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BACOLOD CITY -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) has extended the contracts of 34 job order (JO) workers in its soon to be abolished regional office in Negros Island Region (NIR) until December 31 this year.

This was confirmed by DA-NIR Regional Director Joyce Wendam on Monday, saying that depending on their performance, the services of the JOs may be retained for the DA operations in the province.

The DA-NIR has an initial 28 JO personnel, but six more were hired during the third quarter.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte's Executive Order 38 abolishing the NIR allowed a 60-day transition period, which means the regional line agencies will shut down their operations by September 30.

"We received a positive response to our request to extend the services of our JO personnel. They may still be extended further depending on their performance because we need people to man our operations in the province," Wendam said.

A total of 21 regular employees have been assigned to the DA-NIR, and eight of them will move back to DA Region 6 in Iloilo City.

The 13 others will remain in their respective stations in Negros Occidental.

Wendam said an agricultural program coordinating officer (APCO) will also be assigned for Negros Occidental, representing the regional director of DA Region 6.

"The support to farmers and fisherfolk in Negros Occidental will continue as these are DA's basic services for them even if the DA-NIR will be dissolved," she added.

Moreover, Wendam also requested Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol to transfer the P9.2-million research fund, earlier provided by the Bureau of Agricultural Research to Negros Occidental, to the DA Region 6 with the abolition of the NIR.

She said the authority to transfer would provide easy access of funds by Negros Occidental once it will be reverted to Western Visayas.

Wendam added that the DA-NIR has already submitted its transition action plan to DA central office, DA Regions 6 and 7, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). (PNA)



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DAVAO CITY – The top executive of St. Luke's Medical Center did not rule out the possibility of partnering with the Davao City government on its Lingap sa Mahirap, a health program for indigent families.

Dr. Edgardo Cortez, president and chief executive officer of St. Luke's Medical Center, also corrected public impression that St. Luke's is only for the rich.

"I'd like to correct that. The rich is only 10 per cent of the class A and B. We cater across C market," he pointed out .

"We are not the most expensive hospital," Cortez added.

"There should not be a question of – if I can afford," he stressed.

The establishment of St. Luke's in Davao is reportedly a testament of St. Luke's Medical Center's unceasing endeavor to continuously provide accessible, top-tier medical care to a broader patient base.

Seen to rise in 2020 in Davao City, St. Luke's will have the same standard of healthcare services not only for Dabawenyos, the Mindanaoans but also those from neighboring Southeast Asian countries.

Cortez said many, if not all, of the services offered by St. Luke's at Global City in Taguig and Quezon City will be made available at St. Luke's Davao.

Aside from the healthcare services, Cortez said the hospital will have good practices to protect the environment aligned to Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio's administration of welcoming development but not at the expense of the environment.

Cortez said it's 100 per cent assurance that the hospital will have good sewage system, facility for disposal of garbage, source of power, standards of sustainability.

On Saturday, Cortez formally announced St. Luke's is coming to Davao. St. Luke's in Davao is the third St. Luke's hospital in the country. It will be located within the 25-hectare newly-launched Azuela Cove in Lanang, this city. It will also include a Wellness Center designed for disease prevention, early diagnosis, and life coaching. St. Luke's is an internationally-accredited healthcare institution.

Cortez said St. Luke's Davao will also bring the same good key drivers of clinical outcomes – benchmark on success rate, patient safety, education, training, research, great patience experience and great experience. It will be a tertiary hospital with 250 beds.

There will be clinics which will be offered to the doctors for sale.

"That is their only investment," Cortez said.

St. Luke's Davao is also eyed for medical tourism. Cortez said this was expressed by President Rodrigo Duterte, who also wants Davao hospital to cater to medical tourists given that the city is a pathway from other countries like Indonesia, Brunei, and Saipan.

He cited the practice of Thailand which offers packages for medical patients with no exorbitant fees. St. Luke's Davao, which will be headed by Jose Moran, currently the SVP and head of Medical Practice Group and the medical director of St. Luke's Quezon City, will be designed ready for the future.

Currently, St. Luke's is closing deal with the architect for St. Luke's Davao. By October, the hospital would have the concept and design and by the second half of 2018, construction of the hospital will begin for a two-year period. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)



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DAGUPAN CITY -- The blue mussels introduced in Dagupan rivers a few years ago are now considered a bane to local fish farmers raising signanid (malaga) and grouper (lapulapu).

This was bared by Marvin Asis of the City Agriculture Office (CAO) during a committee hearing conducted on Tuesday by the City Council on the proposed Dagupan Comprehensive Development Plan for 2018 to 2022.

De Asis said the blue-lipped mussels, which multiply rapidly, stick to the nets of fish cages and hinder the flow of water to the pens.

He told the City Council that many fish pens are no longer operating in some rivers of Dagupan because fish farmers cannot afford to change their nets all the time.

Fish farmers in Dagupan City earlier consider the blue-lipped mussels as allegedly invasive species of mussel, as its shell and meat are a little smaller than common brown and black mussels normally being raised in commercial quantity in the coastal waters of western Pangasinan.

The brown and black mussels are susceptible to red tide that usually occurs in western Pangasinan where the water becomes much salty during summer.

On the other hand, blue mussel is intolerant to salty environment and thrive only in brackish water that is plentiful in Dagupan City.

However, Westly Rosario, chief of the Dagupan-based National Integrated Fisheries Technology and Development Center (NIFTDC), does not consider the blue-lipped mussels as bane but rather a boon.

He said aside from being a good source of protein food, the blue-lipped mussels can give birth to two other profitable industries in Dagupan—duck- and crab-raising.

Rosario said the blue-lipped mussels now abundant in rivers of Dagupan can be reduced into powder and become feeds to the ducks. The farmers will no longer need to buy expensive commercial feeds.

On the other hand, the blue mussels, even if not pulverized, can also be used as feeds for crabs, citing the first crab farm in Dagupan owned by former Speaker Jose De Venecia located in Sitio Watac, Barangay Mamalingling, Dagupan City.

Previously, Dagupan has no mussels until this was introduced by a local fish entrepreneur in his farm some four years ago and which soon spread rapidly.

Fish farmers have earlier asked the city government for help in fighting the uncontrollable spread of blue mussels in rivers, which they said affected their production of milkfish and other species. (PNA)



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The city government is set to reactivate its special task force against avian influenza or bird flu as it moves to maintain the entire area free from the viral disease.

Dr. Antonio Marin, chief of the City Veterinarian's Office (CVO), said Tuesday preparations are underway for the reactivation of the General Santos City Avian Influenza Task Force (GSCAITF) in coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 12.

He said City Mayor Ronnel Rivera has scheduled a meeting with concerned stakeholders on Sept. 7 for the revival of the task force.

The official said the GSCAITF will be headed by the mayor and composed of officials and representatives from the CVO, DA, City Agriculture Office, City Health Office, city police, Army-led Joint Task Force GenSan and the city poultry raisers association.

"We are initially planning to hold a series of trainings for task force members and the city's quick response team (QRT)," he said.

Marin said the trainings will include mechanisms on monitoring and surveillance activities, and the proper use of prescribed personal protective equipment or PPE.

He said QRT and GSCAITF members will utilize the PPEs in taking blood samples from chickens and birds that could be infected by the disease.

The task force and QRT are mainly tasked to respond and handle cases of possible bird flu outbreaks within the city's 26 barangays.

The team will spearhead the implementation of quarantine measures, collection of samples and proper testing for suspected cases.

"The collected blood samples would be sent to the DA laboratory in (Barangay) Lagao for confirmatory tests," Marin said, referring to DA12's Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory here.

As of Tuesday, the official said the city remains free from bird flu, which could potentially affect humans, and measures are being undertaken to prevent the entry of the disease in the area.

DA 12's Veterinary Quarantine Services has been closely monitoring the city airport, Makar port and the public transport terminals for the possible shipment or movement of live fowl and poultry products from bird flu affected areas in Luzon.

The agency earlier quarantined a shipment of fighting cocks that entered the city through a commercial flight from Manila.

CVO personnel had monitored suspicious deaths among chickens in parts of the city but were eventually ruled to be cases of the Newcastle disease. (AVE/PNA)



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BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan -- A community-based monitoring system (CBMS), a program aimed to generate data to help address poverty, will be implemented by the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Malay.

The project is confirmed to push through after the Sangguniang Bayan approved on Tuesday the request of Malay Mayor Ceciron Cawaling to enter into an agreement with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The memorandum of agreement (MOA) will govern the duties and responsibilities for the implementation of CMBS project this year.

CBMS is a data gathering tool that will enable the LGU to generate evidenced-based data for the formulation of appropriate policies and programs, said Debra Lynn Romero, Local Government Operations Officer V of DILG-Aklan.

Through CBMS, the LGU can generate disaggregated data and indicators relating to education, income and hunger, employment, health and sanitation, housing water and sanitation, migration, impacts of climate change, peace and order and other community-specific indicators by surveying all households in the town.

"These data will enable LGUs to identify who and where the poor are in their areas and what are their needs," Romero said.

The LGU will allocate PHP2.1 million for the project to cover the 17 barangays of Malay including the three villages of Boracay.

At present, some 510 LGUs across the country are already implementing the system.

In Aklan province, Malay will be the fourth municipality to implement CBMS, next to Kalibo, Buruanga and Lezo.

The CBMS program was developed by the Network Coordinating Team of the Angelo King Institute of Economics and Business Studies of the De La Salle University and was adopted by the DILG. (PNA)



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DAVAO CITY – Low supply of shabu here is taking toll on the drug buy-bust operation by local police authorities and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Director Sr. Supt. Alexander Tagum said it has been challenging for the police to launch buy-bust operation the past months because the low supply of shabu has brought the price from P2,000 per gram to P12,000 in Davao.

Since April, Tagum said the shabu supply had been sold in small quantity, but the price has gone up.

"Mahirap (Difficult). It (P12,000) is a large sum of money to convince pusher. May pambili (We have money to buy) before," Tagum said.

But this does not stop the DCPO to launch anti-drug operations.

"We will not stop habang may nagtitinda pa ng drugs (We will not stop until there are still people peddling drugs)," Tagum stressed.

Asked why authorities did not bring the operations to high-end subdivisions and universities, PDEA 11 assistant director Joel Plaza admitted it is one area that is challenging for the authorities as most are reported financiers.

"Hindi ganyan kadali hulihin (It is not that easy to arrest)," Plaza said, emphasizing that drugs itself is the evidence. Plaza noted that there is no shabu laboratory in Davao Region.

Shabu supply is sneaked in by couriers from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Region 10 particularly Lanao del Sur, Marawi, and Iligan.

According to Plaza, supply of shabu in Davao has dropped because of the ongoing crisis in Marawi.

Tagum said DCPO is also trying to encourage barangay officials to revive the ronda-system to include in private subdivisions. They (barangay officials) can coordinate this with the security guards of subdivisions.

Plaza added that PDEA has projects in relation to the conduct of anti-drugs operations in subdivisions.

Meanwhile, Plaza reported that PDEA's continuing drive against hard drugs in the region resulted in the arrest of 611 drug personalities during its 480 operations from January to July, this year.

PDEA operatives also confiscated 835 grams of shabu valued at P4.175 million (at P5,000 per gram) and 5,703 grams of marijuana valued at P199,000.

Plaza said PDEA already filed a total of 1,685 cases in Davao region.

Given this development, both Tagum and Plaza assured that the government will continue with its campaign to clean the country of hard drugs in line with the campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)



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DAVAO CITY – Using the hashtag #desperado, President Rodrigo Duterte's son-in-law lashed back at Senator Antonio Trillanes III over smuggling accusation at the Bureau of Customs (BoC).

Lawyer Manases "Mans" Carpio, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio's husband, described Trillanes as a "desperate rumor-monger," who happens to be a senator.

Carpio admitted to have visited BoC because he represents many clients, who have transactions with the agency.

"I represent many clients who have transactions with the Bureau of Customs. It is my job as a lawyer to appear before government agencies for and on behalf of my principals," Carpio said in a statement posted on his Facebook account.

"Senator Trillanes is imputing malice in saying that my appearance before the BOC is because of smuggling. He is just a desperate rumor-monger who happens to be a senator.#desperado," Carpio added.

Carpio, who also happens to be the nephew of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, was tagged by Trillanes as allegedly involved in corruption in the BOC.

Trillanes claimed he has at least three informants who can validate this allegation.

The senator has been targeting the Dutertes, including Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and City Councilor Nilo "Small" Abellera to discredit the President in his anti-corruption campaign.

Abellera Jr. did not appear on Tuesday's continuation of the Senate hearing on the P6.4 billion shabu shipment from China which slipped through the BoC and later seized in Valenzuela City.

Abellera Jr's name was mentioned by Customs broker, "fixer" and witness Mark Taguba as a member of the so-called "Davao Group" that allegedly facilitated the release of the illegal shipment.
Abellera was invited to the Senate hearing but did not show up due to health reasons. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)



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BAGUIO CITY -- This summer capital of the country will commemorate its 108th founding anniversary on September 1, which will showcase the city's accomplishments as home of champions.

The day is also declared as a special non-working holiday in the city.

Baguio Day coincides with the observance of Eid al-Adha or "The Feast of Sacrifice" which has been declared as national regular holiday.

City administrator, Lawyer Carlos Canilao, on Tuesday said the city will recognize the men and women who have excelled in various fields like sports, arts, profession, pageants, excellent public servants and even its outstanding citizens.

"We are recognizing the excellent performance of our people," as a theme for this year's charter day "Baguio @108: Land of Champions," he said.

Leading the awardees of outstanding citizens is Retired Police Deputy Director General Benjamin Magalong for public service. Magalong was born, raised, educated and still a resident of Baguio. He is joined by ophthalmologist Dr. Joan Balderas and surgeon Dr. Dionisio Claridad.

Mixed Martial Arts World Champion Edward Folayang will serve as guest speaker in this year's event.

Other prominent achievers are expected to grace the occasion including the reigning Miss International, Kylie Verzosa.

The big event will be kicked off by the ringing of church bells at 6:00 a.m to wake up the residents to join the celebration of Baguio Day.

The event will end with a high mass at the Baguio Cathedral at 5 p.m.

The celebration is not limited for a day as various activities have been lined up for the whole month of September including "Boxing at the park: Laban sa Pagbabago", where drug surrenderers, trained in boxing as part of the rehabilitation program, will participate.

On September 3, the city will also mark Victory Day. Mayor Mauricio Domogan described the event as the day Japanese Imperial Army General Tomoyoki Yamashita signed his surrender documents in Baguio, inside the US Ambassador's house in John Hay, which marked a victory for the entire country and the end of World War II. (PNA)



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BAYBAY CITY, Leyte -- A top military official has cautioned businessmen in Leyte province not to fall victim to a group introducing themselves as members of a liquidation squad or a vigilante group.

Brig. Gen. Francisco Mendoza, Philippine Army 802nd Brigade commander, denied the existence of vigilante groups in Leyte.

The official made the statement in a media interview Tuesday after a businessman from Ormoc City reported having received death threats through phone calls.

"These are all scams. I urge those who received this call to ignore this and if they feel that they are threatened, they must call security agencies like the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army to report the incident," Mendoza said.

Mendoza added that even members of the New People's Army in Leyte province have "no capability to impose active threats" to businessmen.

"With development comes peace. We cannot achieve peace and development if there are extortionists bringing disorder to our business community," Mendoza added.

Mendoza also added that people should also be cautious in spreading text messages or information on social media pertaining to existence of vigilante groups if not validated by law enforcers.

"These are just false information meant to create panic in the people's mind," Mendoza added.

The army official noted that all similar reports received by the military turned out to be false. (PNA)



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BAYBAY CITY -- The city government here will put up a new marker for victims of mass killings perpetrated by the New People's Army (NPA), whose remains were exhumed in 2006.

The Inopacan mass grave discovery and exhumation marked its 11th year anniversary on Monday.

However, venue for the commemoration was set at the local church grounds following the demolition of the marker at the public cemetery where the skeletal remains of at least 67 individuals were buried after they were uncovered on August 23, 2006.

Baybay City Mayor Carmen Cari said the marker was affected by the road widening project undertaken by the Department Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the area.

"We will build a new marker where all family members can pay their respects," Cari said.

She vowed the new marker will be put up in an area that will be safe and accessible to the public.

Meanwhile, Carmelita Tenaja, whose husband was one of those executed, remembered how their family members suffered at the hands of the rebels. She was joined by more than a hundred other family members from Baybay City, Inopacan and Mahaplag towns who offered mass and lighted candles for their loved ones.

Tenaja tearfully recalled the plight of families whose sons, fathers and brothers were killed in the 1980s mass purging and said that each year the case drags dims their hope for justice to be served.

After the mass grave discovery, the Philippine Army filed 15 counts of murder before the Manila Regional Trial Court against couple Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, Satur Ocampo, Vicente Ladlad, Randal Echaniz, Rafael Baylosis, Exusperado Lloren and several others.

The Tiamzons got temporary freedom to be part of the ongoing peace talks between the government and the NDF in Oslo, Norway. The case filed against the top hierarchy of the NPA had its last hearing last year.

The mass purging tagged by the NPA as "Oplan Venereal Disease," has claimed the lives of about 300 residents in Leyte province, based on estimates of former rebels and the victims' relatives.

Skeletal remains of 67 individuals were unearthed from shallow graves at Subang Daku village in Inopacan town on August 28, 2006 through the help of villagers.

Brig. Gen. Francisco Mendoza, commander of the Army's 802nd Infantry Brigade, expressed hope that cases filed against NPA leaders will speedily roll in court, saying causes of the delay is more on the judiciary process.

"We are extending all active support we can to the family members. Our hopes are one with them that justice will be served soon," Francisco said.

He added that they will annually commemorate the Inopacan mass grave discovery and exhumation so the victims will be remembered and that their sufferings in the hands of communist terrorists will serve as lessons "well-learned" in the present times. (PNA)



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The city government is all set for the grand 2017 Tuna Festival that will showcase the area's thriving tuna industry as well as efforts for advocacy and promotion of peace in Mindanao.

City Councilor Shandee Llido-Pestano, city tourism council chair, said Tuesday they have finalized the preparations and lined up activities for the 19th edition of the festivity slated Sept. 1-5.
"Everything is set and we're ready for the grand opening on Sept. 1," she said.

The event, which is co-organized by the Philippine Fisheries and Development Authority, will pay homage anew to the city's multimillion tuna industry through fresh and traditional activities.

These included the usual crowd drawers tuna float parade, "sugbahan sa dalan," and the grand fish fest at the city fishport complex.

Pestano said this year's celebration is giving special attention to the city's aspirations for the resolution of the conflict in Marawi City and lasting peace in the entire Mindanao.

She said such advocacy inspired this year's theme: "A PEACEtival of fun -- Bida sa Saya, Bida sa Tuna!"

"This year, we considered what has been happening in our neighboring areas so we also made the event as a celebration of peace," she said.

For the first time, Pestano said the Tuna Festival will be a stand-alone celebration after the local government moved its charter anniversary celebration to June 15 from the previous Sept. 5.

June 15 was the day the city's charter was officially signed into law while Sept. 5 previously celebrated its belated inauguration.

Luisito Correa, 2017 Tuna Festival director, said other highlights of the celebration are the 2nd Dragon Boat Race, 2017 Bancarera, Ms. Tourism Coronation Night and the 5th Mayor Rivera Shooting Cup.

He said some of the events and activities, among them the flea market and grand carnival, already started last Aug. 15 and will end on Sept. 15.

The other activities are Garden Show Exhibit, Party Zone at the oval plaza, Gensan Tuna Fest Food Strip, Photo and Arts Exhibit, Sounds of the Festival, Steeltech Night, Tunaman Triathlon, 8th National Skimboarding Competition, 5th Jetski Challenge, 7th International Invitational Table Tennis Tournament, 3rd Invitational Dog show, 3rd Airsoft Tournament, 2017 7-A-Side Football, GenSan Invitational Motocross Competition, Tuna Festival Basketball Open Tournament, 16th Yellowfin Mountain Bike Challenge, 1st Ultimate Frisbee and Culinary Olympics and Cookout.

Correa, who is also manager of the city fishport complex, said they scrapped the street dancing competition this year to make the celebration more focused on the tuna industry.

He said the street dancing competition will be held during the city's Kalilangan Festival, which is a cultural event, every February.(AVE/PNA)



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Authorities have declared three more barangays in South Cotabato province as "drug-cleared," bringing down the number of drug-affected villages in the area to just five.

Chief Insp. Marvin Duadua, police community relations chief of the South Cotabato Provincial Police Office, said Tuesday Barangays Kematu in T'boli, and Seloton and Talisay in Lake Sebu are now considered "cleared" of illegal drug users and pushers based on their assessment.

He said these villages have fully complied with checklist issued by Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) in line with the initiative.

The official specifically cited the provisions of DDB Regulation No. 3, series of 2017, or the "Strengthening the Implementation of Barangay Drug Clearing Program."

Duadua said they are presently working with various stakeholders to facilitate the declaration as "drug-cleared" of the remaining five of the province's 199 barangays.

These are Barangays Gen. Paulino Santos in Koronadal City, Ambalgan in Sto. Nino, Ned in Lake Sebu, and Poblacion and Kipalbig in Tampakan.

"We will recommend the declaration of these barangays as drug-cleared once they complete the requirements set by DDB," he said.

The official said local police units have been assisting the concerned barangays in complying with the guidelines.

The South Cotabato police earlier assisted the creation of a special task force to help in the clearing of Barangay Ambalgan in Sto. Nino.

A prayer rally was staged last week by residents of the village, which is a known entry point of illegal drugs proliferating in the province.

Once the five barangays are declared as "drug-cleared," the entire province would be eligible for the same classification.

As of Tuesday, a total of seven municipalities in the area have been declared by the police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency as cleared from illegal drugs.

These are the municipalities of Tboli, Tantangan, Norala, Tupi, Polomolok, Banga and Surallah.

Boardmember Agustin Dema-ala, action officer of the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council, urged the police to continually monitor areas that had been declared as "drug-cleared."

"There are still possibilities that those who surrendered might go back to their usual activities. Our police should not be complacent about this," he added. (PNA)



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BACOLOD CITY -- Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. on Tuesday said he is optimistic that both Negros provinces will be reunited under the federal government as one island state.

The governor shared his hope as 3rd District Rep. Alfredo Benitez, who chairs the third technical working group (TWG) formed by the House committee on constitutional amendments, confirmed on Sunday that he has proposed to include in the draft a Charter revision of Negros Island as one federal state.

Marañon, who has expressed support to federalism, said Negrenses should move forward after the dissolution of the Negros Island Region (NIR).

On August 7, President Rodrigo Duterte issued Executive Order No. 38 abolishing the NIR.

Marañon said under a federal government, 14 states are being proposed, including six in Luzon, and four each in Visayas and Mindanao, among which Negros Island is identified to become one federal state.

"Let's work together to make Negros as one state," the governor urged Negrenses.

Benitez said the House of Representatives is targeting to complete the draft of the Constitutional amendments not later than December.

The third technical working group will draft the Preamble, National Territory (Article I), Declaration of Principles and State Policies (Article II), General Provisions (Article XVI), and Transitory Provisions (Article XVIII).

The first TWG led by Davao Oriental First District Representative Corazon Nuñez-Malanyaon will take charge of the provisions on the Executive and Legislative (Articles VI and VII), the new Article on Federal and Regional Powers, Numbers of States, and the Local Government and Taxation/Allocation of Resources (Article X).

The second TWG, chaired by Capiz Second District Representative Fredenil Castro, will craft the provisions on the Bill of Rights (Article III), Citizenship (Article IV), Suffrage (Article V), Judiciary (Article VIII), and the Amendments or Revisions (Article XVII).

The fourth TWG, headed by Leyte Third District Representative Vicente Veloso, will be in-charge if the National Economy and Patrimony (Article XII), Social Justice, Labor and Others (Article XIII), Education, Science and Others (Article XIV), new Article on the Bill of Duties, Accountability of Public Officials (Article XI), and Family (Article XV). (PNA)



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COTABATO CITY -- Government forces and Moro rebel group that signed a peace deal with the government have continued to hunt down ISIS-identified armed group in Maguindanao.

Under the 1997 ceasefire agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the latter must help the government get rid of terrorists in communities identified with the MILF in various parts of Mindanao.

For the past two weeks, the MILF had been pursuing the ISIS-flag carrying armed group, led by Esmael Abdulmalik of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao's second district.

Abdulmalik heads a faction of the BIFF thay pledged allegiance to ISIS.

A military intelligence officer said Abdulmalik, one of the lieutenants of slain Malaysian terrorist and bomb expert Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, was believed to be injured.

Abu Amir, spokesperson for the Imam Karialan faction of the BIFF, said Abdulmalik was injured in several clashes with the MILF's Task Force Ittihad (Unity) in remote villages of Datu Salibo, Maguindanao.

Abu Misri Mama, speaking for the Bongos faction of the BIFF, said he has no report about Abdulmalik getting injured but his son, Abu Torayfe, sub-leader leader of the BIFF whose men were identified with ISIS, was reported dead.

Abu Torayfe was killed. He is the son of Commander Esmail Abdulmalik," Mama said. "We have no report that Abdulmalik was injured."

Senior Supt. Agustin Tello, Maguindanao police director, said the police have been helping the MILF in locating the BIFF/ISIS group.

The Army's 602nd Infantry Brigade had been providing artillery assistance to the MILF's Task Force Ittihad and placed its forces on alert to thwart any possible retaliatory or diversionary attacks by Abdulmalik's men on civilians and "soft targets" in Maguindanao.

More than 50 fighters from both sides have been killed while dozens were hurt in the clashes between former comrades.

It started when the ISIS-flag carrying BIFF tried to encroach an MILF community in Barangays Tee and Andavit in Datu Salibo by setting off improvised bomb that injured 10 MILF fighters.(PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The police have arrested four drug suspects as the anti-illegal drug campaign continues in Region 9, an official said Saturday.


The campaign is in line with President Roderigo Duterte's declaration of war against drugs in the country.


Chief Insp. Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office (PRO-9) information officer, identified the drug personalities as Gerry Boy Miranda, 28; Ace Tablon, 37; Albert Tan, 34, and Rolly Cinco, 37.


They were arrested Friday in separate anti-illegal drug operations in different parts of Region 9.


Galvez said Miranda was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Fatima, Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte.


Tablon and Tan were arrested in separate buy-bust operations in Barangays Divisoria and Tulungatung, respectively, in this city.
Cinco was arrested for violation of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 in Monching, Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay.


Galvez said the arresting officers confiscated from the suspects packs of suspected shabu, marked money and illegal drug paraphernalia. (TPGJR/PNA)



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LIBUNGAN, North Cotabato -- Police and military have launched a massive manhunt against two men last seen with a manager of a money remittance company who was later found dead in an irrigation canal.

Witnesses provided the Libungan town police office with vital information that identified the two men last seen leaving Alamada, North Cotabato on Thursday afternoon with Dexter Alan Capio, 30, manager of Palawan Pawnshop and Pera Padala center branch in the said municipality.

According to Senior Inspector Aniceto Acobo, Libungan town police chief, Capio's remains were found by residents dumped in an irrigation canal in Barangay Batiocan Friday dawn.

He was believed to have been mauled to death, a police official investigating the case said.

Acobo said the police are following up a lead that could identify the suspects and their eventual prosecution.

The police chief said Capio's relatives said he has no known enemies and that he has no threats to his life.

"We are exploring all other angles and identifying the people with him days before he was found dead," Acobo said in an interview.

Police ruled out involvement of the victim in illegal drugs.(PNA)



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LAOAG CITY -- The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) and the Resiliency Office on Saturday said they are prepared to secure residents due to tropical storm "Jolina".

Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Lilian Rin assured that rescue equipment is ready "in any eventualities" in case the weather will worsen.

 "Tinitignan natin ang panahon at sa ngayon, beneficial pa ang ulan na dulot ng bagyo (We are looking at the weather, and right now the rain due to the storm is still beneficial)," she said. However, she emphasized the need for preparedness due to the unpredictability of the weather.

 The PDRRMC, including officials from the PSWDO, Philippine National Police (PNP), Provincial Engineering Office (PEO), Provincial Health Office (PHO), Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO), Sustainable Development Center (SDC), and Provincial Veterinary Office (PVET), have already pre-positioned food items, medicines, and non-food items like plastic tents and utensils.

 Relief packs are ready and supplies are also stationed at the resiliency clusters stationed throughout Ilocos Norte, she said.

 The 21 towns and two cities of the province have been prepared for the storm since Friday. 

 Dump trucks, rubber boats, ambulances, and other equipment needed during disasters  are stationed and ready to be dispatched in various strategic locations in the province.

 As of 8:00 a.m. Saturday, the weather bureau said typhoon "Jolina" has weakened  after crossing the rugged terrain of Northern Luzon.

 As of  press time, Tropical Cyclone Warning System (TCWS) 2 remains in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur while La Union, Apayao, Isabela, Quirino, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Abra and Nueva Vizcaya are under TCWS 1. (PNA)

 



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PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- Continuing efforts to help recovering drug surrenderers (RDS) in Palawan stepped up on Friday with the implementation of the 16-week Community Enhancement and Livelihood Project (CELP) going to the northern town of Araceli.

Ma. Teresa Acda, provincial team leader of the CELP-Technical Working Group, said the memorandum of agreement (MOA) to help 10 RDS in Araceli, a fourth class municipality in the province of Palawan, was signed by Vice Governor Dennis Socrates, Araceli Mayor Noel Beronio,  and other stakeholders.

"We're really focused on helping our RDS because they deserve clean breaks against drug dependency. We want them to have fresh outlooks in life, to have positive views of everything despite what happened in the past," Acda said.

She said like the RDS in Roxas, El Nido, Brooke's Point, and San Vicente, those in Araceli will also undergo moral and spiritual counselling, physical training regimen, livelihood lectures, and support of the community care team (CCT) to heal from addiction.

"If other municipalities can implement CELP, we believe Araceli can also do it through its mayor. We know we will see positive changes out of the 10 RDS," she said.

In his message, Socrates stressed the important need for Palawan in taking a stake to help the RDS fight drug addiction as an ill of the society.

"Ito ay isa sa mga nagiging ugat ng pinakamaraming krimen sa ating komunidad kaya ito ang tugon natin na isang programa para sa ating mga drug surrenderees (This is one of the root causes of many crimes in our communities so, in response, we have opened this project for our drug surrenderees)," he said. (PNA)



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CEBU CITY -- Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial on Saturday said there's nothing more to fear about the bird flu virus as the 34 persons suspected to have been infected all turned out negative.

"We have no more fear, but we're still on heightened surveillance and monitoring," Ubial said. "Sentinel birds were also positioned in farms where fowls have been culled. Should these birds get infected, then we will review again whether bird flu is still around."

Ubial also said that although no human transmission has been reported yet, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and their neighboring provinces have been placed on heightened alert status as part of precautionary measures to avert any possible transmission of the virus.

"I also ordered the pre-emptive positioning of necessary commodities to protect humans from bird flu infection, such as personal protective equipment and anti-viral drugs, in Region 3 where Pampanga and Nueva Ecija belong," Ubial further said.

The Department of Health (DOH) is likewise working closely together with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to ensure that poultry and its by-products are safe for human consumption, Ubial added.

Ubial was in Cebu on Saturday to spearhead the groundbreaking ceremony of the DOH Regional Office Complex, Sub-National Blood Center, and the DOH-7 Warehouse at the South Road Properties here. Health Assistant Secretary Leonita Gorgolon also arrived for the affair together with DOH-7 Regional Director Jaime Bernadas.

Also present were Rep. Raul del Mar of Cebu City's North District and City Councilor Mary Ann delos Santos, who attended the occasion on behalf of Mayor Tomas Osmeña.  (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY --The PHP40.2 million Iloilo River Esplanade-Phase 3 in this city was opened to the public on Friday afternoon.

 The phase 3 of River Esplanade is an extension of two existing esplanades along the Iloilo River, the city's most frequented place where people gather, and health enthusiasts regularly jog and go biking.

Senator Franklin M. Drilon and Secretary Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) inaugurated the Iloilo River Esplanade-Phase 3.

In his speech, Drilon announced another esplanade extension that will be completed within 18 months up to two years.

The new extension will be built across Phase 3.

 The newly-opened Esplanade-Phase 3 called for the construction of a 200 linear meter riverside promenade along the Iloilo Diversion Road with paving blocks, slope protection, landscaping and other complementing structures such as seat wall, view deck, boating station, skating rink, activity area, anong others.

The construction of the project started in 2015.

 The 1.2 kilometer-Esplanade 1 was opened last 2012 while Phase 2 was completed two years ago.  (PNA



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BUTUAN CITY—The country's second top police official hailed Caraga Region's law enforcers for their role in the country's fight against illegal drugs, terrorism and other forms of criminality.

Deputy Director General Ramon C. Apolinario, deputy chief for administration of the Philippine National Police, underscored the service of the men and women of Police Regional Office (PRO-13) in the "success of the government's fight against illegal drugs, terroristic activities and other forms of criminal and illegal activities."

Apolinario was the guest of honor in the 116th Police Service Anniversary Celebration at the PNP regional headquarters here on Friday, where he also led the awarding of officers, personnel and police units for their crime-busting performance.

Police units that received awards are:

—Surigao del Norte Provincial Police Office, for having the most mumber of arrests in the implementation of Project Double Barrel"

— Agusan del Sur Provincial Police Office, for having the most number of surrenderers in the implementation of "Project Double Barrel"

—Agusan del Norte Provincial Police Office, for having the most number of "high-valued targets" neutralized in the implementation of "Project Double Barrel"

—Dinagat Islands Provincial Police Office, for having the most number of accounted "watchlisted" illegal drugs personalities in the implementation of project "Double Barrel"

—Butuan City, for having the largest volume of confiscated "shabu" in the implementation of "Project Double Barrel"

Meanwhile, individual awardees were:

Sr. Supt. Rogelio Raymundo for "Best Senior Police Commissioned Officer for Administration"; Supt Excelso Lazaga for "Best Senior Police Commissioned Officer for Operations"; Insp. Allen Dogao, for "Best Junior Police Commissioned Officer for Administration"; and Senior Insp. Johncel Barrameda, for "Best Junior Police Commissioned Officer for Operations".

Early this month, the PNP also awarded RPO-13 as having the country's best Regional Police Strategy Management Unit (RPSMU), with no less than President Rodrigo Duterte handing the award to PRO-13 director Rolando B. Felix. (PNA/Noel B. Najarro)



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MARIVELES, Bataan -- Flash floods hit four villages here and destroyed a footbridge at the height of intermittent light to heavy rains Friday afternoon till midnight.

Floods washed away the footbridge connecting portions of barangays Ipag and Balon Anito.

Edwina Mia of the Mariveles Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office said the affected barangays were Balon Anito, Baseco, Ipag and San isidro.

"The floods rose from above knee to chest deep from 4 p.m. (Friday) to near midnight in most of the low-lying areas," she said.

Some residents said flood subsided in their villages before 3 a.m. of Saturday.

Only nine families chose to be evacuated temporarily in the barangay hall but returned home on Saturday morning, Mia said.

 Hundreds of workers of multi-national factories at the Freeport Area of Bataan bound for home were stranded and waited for several hours for the flood to subside.

 Rodito Luyo, Ipag barangay chairperson, said they placed ropes in flooded areas to assist factory workers who were going home.

 The village head said floods rose up to waist-deep in Purok 3 to 6 in Ipag from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday.

 On Saturday morning, residents were seen busy cleaning their houses and the streets of thick mud left by the floodings.

 Smith Esturas and Albert Escurido, both residents of Ipag, said the floodwaters came from the mountain that overflowed the rivers in the area. (PNA)



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CEBU CITY -- The Cebu Provincial Health Office (CPHO) will be extending the distribution of dengue vaccines to different municipal health offices in the province due to low turnout of intended recipients.

 The CPHO on Saturday said the last day of distribution was on August 20, but since all vaccines have not been administered to its target beneficiaries, they will continue the distribution for one more week.

 The parents' fear of the vaccine's complications and side effects on the children is cited as reason for the low turnout.

 Report claimed that children who received the vaccine's first dose suffered from skin rashes.

 Another possible reason could be that most of those affected by dengue are children eight years old and below, while the vaccines are intended for those who are 9-14 years old,  CPHO added.

 The CPHO has again called on the parents to avail of this free vaccination and assured them of its efficacy to combat dengue.

 The CPHO said they were unable to fully convince the parents to have their children vaccinated since some recipients did manifest some side effects.

 Sought to comment on the reported side effects of the dengue vaccine, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial said: "Right now, we could not make any conclusion with regards to the dengue vaccine because the pilot implementation is not yet over."

 "But there would be instances that patients will have dengue fever after being vaccinated because the dosage is still incomplete," said Ubial, who was in Cebu on Saturday to spearhead the groundbreaking ceremony of the DOH 7 Regional Office Complex at the South Road Properties. (PNA)



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SAN NICOLAS, Pangasinan -- Mayor Rebecca Saldivar on Saturday assured the situation is already under control following the second encounter between government forces and New People's Army (NPA) members in remote Barangays Malico and Sta. Maria here in less than a month.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are continuously conducting clearing operations and intelligence monitoring,  Saldivar said.

"I am appealing to the public to remain calm, be alert and get involved against threat groups like NPA," Saldivar said after attending Saturday morning's Command Conference called by Police Provincial Director, Sr. Supt. Ronald Oliver Lee, and attended by different heads of police and military security units.

It can be recalled that three suspected NPA members were killed in an encounter between policemen and NPA troops at around 5:20 p.m. Friday in the boundary of Barangays Malico and Sta. Maria, San Nicolas town..

Earlier on July 28, PO2 Aries Tamindong of the Regional Public Safety Battalion 1 was killed in an encounter with NPA members .
The mayor also appealed not to believe baseless information or false news that are circulating, and rely only on official reports of proper authorities.

She urged the people of San Nicolas to always notify or report suspicious-looking personalities or incidents to the police.

"Rest assured that the local government, the PNP and AFP are determined to put an end to the deplorable acts of the enemies and will always ensure that the enemies will never threaten the peace and order of our beloved municipality, San Nicolas," she added. (PNA)



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CASIGURAN, Aurora -- The cost of damage to agriculture caused by tropical storm 'Jolina' in the northern part of Aurora was initially pegged at around PHP41.27 million.

Engineer Elson A. Egargue, chief of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), said that this town, where the storm made landfall Friday night, was worst hit with an estimated agricultural loss of PHP34.3 million.

Egargue said the agricultural sector of Dilasag town was likewise affected by the tropical storm with an initial PHP5.69 million loss. Damage to livestock and fisheries sectors were also initially placed at PHP39,600 and PHP50,000, respectively.
The town of Dinalungan was also not spared by Jolina with some PHP1.19 million agricultural loss.

Egargue added that a total of 3,083 individuals or 881 families were evacuated in the towns of Baler, Maria Aurora, Dipaculao, Casiguran and Dilasag.

Meanwhile, he said the Villa Maria Aurora boundary to Bongabon, Nueva Ecija Road is not passable due to the swollen Labi creek at Barangay Labi, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija.

On the other hand, the Baler-Canili-Pantabangan national road, Baler-Casiguran national road, Baler to Villa Maria Aurora are passable to all types of vehicles.

Egargue said early preparation was made by the PDRRMO personnel with all mayors, municipal local disaster risk and management councils and other offices in the province for the possible impact of Jolina.

Prior to the tropical storm's landfall, Egargue said precautionary measures and other pre-disaster response activities were put in place, including the early prepositioning of 9,000 family food packs as well as non-food items.

Heavy equipment, medicines and medical supplies were also readied.

He added that medicines were on standby at the Provincial Health Office while those from the Department of Health (DOH) were prepositioned in northern Aurora.

Likewise, he said there was constant coordination with the different concerned offices. (PNA)



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CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan -- Four drug peddlers, including a couple, were arrested during a series of anti-drug operations by the city police here Saturday.

In a report to Bulacan police director Senior Supt. Romeo Caramat Jr., city police chief Supt. Fitz Macariola on Sunday identified the arrested suspects as couple Arnel and Angeline Orabao, both 31 years old, residents of Barangay Graceville; Johna Ray Lopez, 18, single, a resident of Barangay Maharlika; and Liezel dela Cruz, 49, married, of Barangay Muzon, all in this city.

He said the couple was busted after selling PHP500 worth of shabu to a police undercover agent.

Ten more plastic sachets containing an estimated five grams of suspected shabu worth PHP8,000 were recovered from the suspects, together with the marked money, Macariola said.

Lopez, on the other hand, was arrested by another anti-narcotics police team after selling a plastic sachet of shabu to a police agent. Six more plastic sachets containing more or less two grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP6,000 were recovered from the suspect.

Dela Cruz, on the other hand, was arrested during a buy bust operation in Barangay Muzon where six plastic sachets of susoected shabu weighing more or less five grams were recovered from her.

The San Jose del Monte Police is set to file charges of violation of Republic Act 9165 or the "ComprehensiveDangerous Drugs Act of 2002" against the arrested suspects. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY -- Preparations are underway for the construction of the longest bridge in the country, the proposed Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridge.

Secretary Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced on Saturday that a team will be coming to Iloilo this month to start the plans for the construction of the bridge.

Villar was in Iloilo City Saturday to lead the inauguration of the PHP134.91-million Nabitasan-San Rafael by-pass road and the PHP40.2-million Iloilo River Esplanade-Phase 3.

In a media interview, Villar explained that technical studies to be conducted had to be thorough considering that it will be a 19-kilometer bridge and one of the largest projects in the country.

Villar noted the longest bridge in the country today is only two kilometers long. He is hoping they could finish the studies and plans and submit them to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) by 2018 for approval.

"Maybe, hopefully, by next year, we could procure the project and we could start by last quarter of next year," he said.

Meanwhile, Villar said that funding for the project will possibly be through the Official Development Assistance (ODA). He said that they are waiting for the Department of Finance (DOF) for the funding plan.

"The Department of Finance will decide as to where they will get the budget. We in the DPWH will focus on the implementation," he said.

During the launching of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) ‎‎2017-2022 last month in this city, NEDA in Western Visayas said the Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridge is included in the "Build, Build, Build" project of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The budget needed for the bridge is PHP27 billion according to NEDA-6.

Villar said the project will push through under the Duterte administration.

Aside from the bridge, Villar assured that more iconic projects will be constructed in Iloilo, a place he described as "close to my heart" as his grandfather is from Cabatuan town.

He said that major projects will be constructed, road widening projects to continue, and the River Esplanade will be continuously developed.

The DPWH chief lauded the booming economy of Iloilo because of the investment made in infrastructure projects here.

"This is something we can replicate all across the country," he said.
He also credited these projects to Senator Franklin M. Drilon and local officials of Iloilo including Governor Arthur Defensor Sr., Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and Rep. Jerry Treńas. (PNA)



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DAVAO CITY -- The city government is eyeing more eco-friendly programs after it launched Friday the Biodiesel Fuel Project with the help of the Japan International Cooperating Agency (JICA).

This was revealed Sunday by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, saying she is looking for more eco-friendly programs to benefit not only Davao but the rest of the regions in the country.
Protecting the environment is one of the top socioeconomic agenda of the mayor.

The biodiesel plant alone would bolster her environment thrust.

Last Friday, the city government launched a three-month test run of 30 public utility vehicles and garbage collection trucks of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) to determine the viability and sustainability of using recycled cooking oil into biodiesel fuel.

The biodiesel project is an initiative of the city government with the help of the JICA using the technology of recycling used cooking oil into biodiesel fuel. It is the technology offered to the city government for free by Biomass Japan Inc. and Shinozaki Transport Warehouse Co. Ltd.

The test run will be conducted from September to November.

The mayor said using biodiesel fuel would benefit consumers and even the city government in terms of fuel expenses.

Under the project, the city government piloted the collection of used cooking oil from households and establishments from 10 barangays in the first district as collection points. It will not only protect the environment but de-clog canals given that used cooking oil is being dumped into canals.

According to Shegito Mizumoto, the trainer from Japan Biomass, the Davao city government is the sole LGU recipient of the biodiesel project. JICA chose Davao as a pilot area for this project because of its efficient enforcement of local legislation.

Mizumoto said Biomass Japan will provide the training and the technology which costs about PHP10 million but the technology is given to the city for free. Biomass Japan will install the facility and train operation and maintenance staff of CENRO. The machine can produce 3,000 liters of biodiesel per day. The 1,000 liters used cooking oil is equivalent to 900 liters biodiesel fuel.

Duterte-Carpio said the facility, which harnesses technology to transform used oil to biodiesel fuel, is a welcome development -- especially since waste management is one of the key priorities of the city government. The mayor remains steadfast in preserving the environment amid the fast growing development in the city.

"With this project, we hope to encourage all Dabawenyos to take on a more active role in preserving the environment," she said.

"Nature's gifts are priceless, jewels worn by this planet that we can never redeem once sold to industrialization," the mayor said. (PNA)



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ISABEL, Leyte -- A Japanese firm will build a 70-megawatt diesel power plant inside the 425-hectare Leyte Industrial Development Estate (LIDE) in this town, an official confirmed Sunday.

LIDE Management Corporation General Manager Eddie Agustin said that Japanese firm Marubeni Corporation will need about two hectares to build the facility. The official declined to disclose total investments.

"Survey of the area is on-going and they are targeting to start supplying power by September next year," Agustin said.

Marubeni's construction of a power plant will help ensure power stability for two major LIDE locators – Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Corporation (PhilPhos) and Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corporation (PASAR).

PhilPhos is the country's leading producer of phosphatic fertilizer with a rated capacity of 1.17 million metric tons every year.

PASAR, on the other hand, owns and operates the only copper smelter and refinery in the country. Its primary product is the electrolytic copper cathodes, the raw material used for manufacturing various kinds of electric cables, telecommunication wires, copper shapes and copper-alloy products.

Both firms directly get their power supply needs from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, sourced from the nearby Leyte Geothermal Power Plant.

"We will now have an alternative energy source with the new power plant inside LIDE. Operations will not be disrupted in case of power shutdown caused by natural calamities," Agustin told reporters.

Located in this town, LIDE is owned by the National Development Company, a government-owned and -controlled corporation attached to the Department of Trade and Industry. The property was established in November 1979 through Letter of Instruction No. 962 to spur economic development in Eastern Visayas and as prime site for heavy industries.

LIDE was declared a Special Economic Zone under Republic Act (RA) 7195 as amended by RA 8748 or the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995. (PNA)



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LAOAG CITY -- The president of Ilocos Norte chapter of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry has opposed the newly-approved Congressional measure allowing a four-day work week by increasing the normal daily work hours.

 Last week, Congress approved on third and final reading House Bill 6152, a measure seeking to institutionalize a "compressed work week scheme" where the weekly 48 normal work hours are spent on fewer days.

 It was passed with 226 affirmative votes, with no dissents or abstentions.

 The flexible work schedule is meant to maximize and enhance employees' performance.

 Ricardo Tolentino, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry's chapter in Ilocos Norte, has expressed concern that this may have a negative impact on the productivity of small businesses and the local workforce as well.

 Tolentino, in an interview on Monday, said he will set a meeting with the local business sector in the province to tackle the issue.

 While he acknowledged that the compressed four-day work week could help solve heavy traffic in Metro Manila, Tolentino said it is just a "band-aid solution" to the problem.

 "What we need is a long-term solution to traffic. Reducing the number of days to work is just a band-aid solution. It is not good for business and the marginalized earners who need to work daily to make ends meet," he explained. (PNA)



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TAGBILARAN CITY -- The proposal to make the positions of barangay secretaries and treasurers permanent will be one of the priority topics in the coming annual assembly of the Bohol League of Barangay Secretaries (BLBS).

Bohol 1st District Rep. Rene Relampagos will discuss the "necessity of making the position of barangay secretaries and treasurers permanent" in the 4th Congress for Barangay Secretaries on September 2-3 at the Bohol Cultural Center here.

Relampagos will also discuss the roles of barangay secretaries and treasurers for Barangay Federal Stability, in view of President Rodrigo Duterte's "thrust on socio-economic stability towards a federal system of governance".

Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. will take charge of discussing the President's thrust towards federalism.

 In his memo to all barangay secretaries in Bohol, through the barangay captains, Governor Edgar Chatto said "pursuant to the administration's call to transform Philippines into a Federal Republic, it is envisioned that the progress of the barangay depends upon the reciprocal performance of duties and obligations between the barangay officials and the residents".

"While the barangay officials are duty-bound to enrich their people, the latter are obligated to enrich their barangays," Chatto added as he highlighted the principle: "Enrich the People, Enrich the Barangays."

Chatto added that major reforms start at the barangay level in the process of achieving genuine national progress.

This process is necessary to strengthen the support to the vision of transforming Philippines into a Federal Republic.

 Chatto cited House Bill 2172 filed during the 16th Congress in 2013 which introduced the idea to make the positions of barangay secretaries and treasurers permanent.

 Aside from HB 2172 filed by then-Batangas Rep. Mark Llandro Mendoza on July 31, 2013, there is HB 5287 filed by Palawan Rep. Frederick Abueg on December 11, 2014.

(Angeline Valencia/PNA)



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ILOILO CITY -- Iloilo Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog is hoping to work side by side with Ozamiz City police head Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido.

This after President Rodrigo Duterte designated Espenido as new Iloilo police chief, in a speech during the celebration of National Heroes Day on Monday.

Iloilo was once tagged by President Duterte as "most shabulized" and "bedrock of illegal drugs". He also tagged Mabilog as a drug protector.

"I look forward to working side by side with Chief Inspector Espenido as the President's pointman in the battle against hard drugs in Iloilo both the city and the province," Mabilog said in his statement.

Mabilog said he is hoping that Espenido will help in eliminating the city's problem on hard drugs.

"I am sure that we could learn from his experience in fighting against hard drugs especially in identifying who are the new 'players' and where they are hiding," he said.

"In the city of Iloilo, I will share with him our own strategies and compare notes on how to win this war at the barangay level."

The mayor also assured that the city government is open to ideas on how to further strengthen its fight against the problem on hard drugs.

 Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office (PRO) in Western Visayas also welcomed the assignment of Espenido to Iloilo.

PRO-6 spokesperson, Superintendent Gilbert Gorero said in an interview that they welcome "any officer in PRO-6."

 Gorero said that they have yet to receive the order on Espenido's assignment. (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A suspected member of an armed group involved in extortion activities was killed while another managed to escape in a brief firefight in a remote village in Zamboanga del Norte, the police reported Monday.

Chief Insp. Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer, identified the slain suspect as Abdusalam Wahab alias Boyong, of Panabotan, Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte.

Galvez said Wahab was killed in a brief encounter with joint police and military forces around 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Barangay Doña Cecilia, Sirawai municipality.

She said the troops were on security patrol when they chanced upon two lawless elements and engaged them in a brief firefight that resulted in Wahab's death.

She said Wahab has a standing warrant of arrest for attempted murder issued by the court in the municipality of Siocon, an adjoining town of Sirawai.

She said the troops recovered from the possession of Wahab a caliber .45 pistol and a hand grenade.

She said Wahab's group is allegedly engaged in criminal activities in Barangay Doña Cecilia, Sirawai. (TGJR/PNA)



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COTABATO CITY -- Life is getting harder for a housewife whose police husband was abducted by communist rebels in North Cotabato two weeks ago.
Jessa Catalan, wife of Police Officer 1 Bristol Catalan, an intelligence officer of Makilala Municipal Police office in Makilala, North Cotabato, appealed to New Peoples Army (NPA) to free her husband as soon as possible and without any condition.
Two weeks after the rebels seized her husband, Jessa said she has not heard anything from her husband or from his abductors.
The pain of waiting for any good news is excruciating for a wife and her children whose only source of income is her husband's salary as government law enforcer, she added.
Jessa said since PO1 Catalan was kidnapped, her two children had stopped schooling.
PO1 Catalan was sending his two children to school in Barangay Katipunan on board a motorbike when three men forced him to board another motorbike, leaving his children unharmed.
The children are traumatized seeing their father taken at gunpoint by armed men, Jessa said.
Catalan was abducted by NPAs a week after the North Cotabato police office and Provincial Public Safety Battalion arrested a suspected NPA leader and seized from him three high-powered guns, explosives and subversive documents.
Makilala Mayor Rudy Caoagdan has aired an appeal to the NPA to free Catalan, the second police officer abducted by NPAs in North Cotabato since 2015.
According to Caoagdan, Catalan has no known enemies and is a good law enforcer not involved in any illegal act.
Senior Supt. Emmanuel Peralta, North Cotabato police director, said efforts continue for the safe recovery of PO1 Catalan.(PNA)

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KORONADAL CITY -- Police here arrested two suspected "big time" drug pushers and recovered around P1 million worth of illegal drugs in a buy-bust operation in a village here Friday afternoon.


Supt. Ronald Allan Penaverde, Koronadal City police chief, identified the suspects as Ver Gil Subaldo Hurtado, 35, alias "Benje," and Mark Palma dela Cruz, 37, alias "Intsik," both residents of Purok Twin River East in Barangay Sto. Nino.


He said the suspects were arrested at Hurtado's house at around 4 p.m. after selling a sachet of suspected metamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu worth P500 to a police officer who posed as a buyer.


In a subsequent search, Penaverde said they recovered from the possession of the two suspects two small packs, two medium packs, three large packs, five big packs and a jumbo pack of suspected shabu, a "wrap" of dried marijuana leaves, five open plastic sachets with traces of suspected shabu, four empty transparent plastic sachets, disposable lighter, bamboo sealer, improvised tooter, stainless scissor, multicolor pouch and aluminum container box.


The police official said the recovered shabu was estimated at a market value of around P1.062 million.
Penaverde said they were earlier informed of the illegal activities of the suspects.


He said they subjected the two to surveillance operations and a "test-buy" that turned out positive.


Dr. Glorio Sandig, City Anti-Drug Abuse Council action officer, said the volume of the seized shabu shows that the suspects are high-level targets.


"They were into repacking of shabu based on the recovered pieces of evidence," he said.


The operation was witnessed by Sandig, Sto. Nino barangay chair Norberto Banaria and a media worker.


Penaverde said they sent the recovered pieces of evidence to the provincial police crime laboratory for proper examination and valuation.


He said the suspects, who are currently detained at the Koronadal City police station lockup, will be charged with violation of Sections 5 and 11 or selling and possession of dangerous drugs, under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.(PNA)



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DAVAO CITY –  Davao City will host the first Regional State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) Coaches' Forum on September 1 and 2 at the Ritz Hotel @ Garden Oasis in Bo. Obrero.

SCUAA has invited Philippine Olympian Association member Akiko Thompson, Ateneo de Davao University Athletic Director Noli Ayo and Davao del Norte Sports Science Officer Kris Mishael Junasa as speakers in the forum.

The topics are Coaching Philosophy and Sports Management. Coaching Philosophy will tackle on Developing Coaching Objectives, Coaching Style and In Pursuit of Excellence in Sports.

Sports Management, on the other hand, will have topics on Sports-Related Injuries, Prevention, First-Aid, Rehabilitation and Strength and Conditioning. Registration fee is P2,400 inclusive of the meals and materials.

"This is in preparation also for our incoming Regional SCUAA Games set on October 26-29 in Tagum City," said PASUC regional sports coordinator Dr. Jose Alther Rivera.

The Regional SCUAA Games will be hosted by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Region XI headed by its chair Dr. Irvin Generalao.

"We are inviting the coaches and sports officials from all the different schools, colleges and universities," said Rivera, also sports director of the University of Southeastern Philippines. Expected to join are from USEP, Davao del Norte State College (DNSC), University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao, Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine Aquatic School of Technology (SPABMAST), Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology (DOSCST) and Compostela Valley State College (CVSC). (Lito delos Reyes/PNA)



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