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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) have arrested four people and seized more than PhP300,000 worth of illegal drugs in separate buy-bust operations in the region, an official reported Saturday.

PDEA Regional Director Lyndon Aspacio identified the arrested suspects as Frangie Franca, 36; Michael Jumuad, 35; Earl Jones Ricafort, 31; and, Omar Jalali, 31.

Aspacio said Franca was arrested at around 2 p.m. Friday at the corner of Estaka and Echavez Streets, Barangay Estaka, Dipolog City.

Franca was arrested after he sold to an undercover PDEA agent a sachet of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride locally known as shabu in exchange for PhP1,000.

Confiscated from the suspect were more or less 50 grams of shabu packed in one big and five medium-sized plastic sachets worth PhP300,000 and PhP1,000 marked money.

Aspacio said Jumuad was arrested around 9 a.m. Friday in Barangay Banonong, Dapitan City.

Confiscated from Jumuad's possession were .05-gram of suspected shabu worth PhP500 and PhP500 marked money.

Ricafort, who is included in the drug watch list of the PDEA, was arrested at around 5:10 p.m. Friday at Purok Orchids, Barangay Poblacion, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Seized from his possession were 0.4-gram of suspected shabu worth PhP1,200 and PhP200 marked money.

Aspacio said Jalali was arrested around at 4 p.m. Friday along Lustre Street, Barangay Sta. Barbara, Zamboanga City.

Recovered from Jalali's possession five grams of suspected shabu worth PhP18,500, illegal drugs paraphernalia, and PhP500 marked money.

Aspacio said charges for violation of Article II of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against the arrested suspects.

Aspacio said that policemen assisted them in the conduct of the buy-bust operations except for the one they conducted in Zamboanga City. (PNA)



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TACLOBAN CITY -- Drawing lessons from super typhoon Yolanda, the city government here said they are more prepared to respond to emergencies with better security plans and food provisions.

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Ildebrando Bernadas said the city is 80 to 90 percent prepared everyday for any extreme weather condition.

The local government laid out a comprehensive disaster risk reduction management plan for ‎2016-2022, giving specific tasks to every city government offices.

Under the plan, the police are no longer involved in evacuation and rescue operations since they are tasked to maintain peace and order such as preventing massive looting.

"One of the things that really crippled Tacloban was the massive looting. We don't like it to happen again. All police and military will focus on securing the facilities especially the business facilities," Bernadas said on Friday.

Bernadas added that price control monitoring will be intensified after a disaster because some businessman will take advantage of the situation.

"There is a memorandum of agreement with businessmen in Tacloban that they will supply the basic needs of survivors," he said.

With the help of non-government organizations, evacuation centers have been constructed in strategic areas. Some private schools and churches have been identified as temporary shelters in case of disasters.

"Villages in Tacloban City are fully prepared now than before since super typhoon Yolanda really taught us very important lessons and that is to be prepared in any forms of calamities," Bernadas added.

Village chiefs are also better prepared to handle disasters with the training provided by the city government.

"It (super typhoon) was a blessing in disguise since now we are more educated, more active, and more prepared," said Youngfield village chief Marciana Talbo.

"We are very grateful for the disaster preparedness training conducted in our villages by the city government, NGOs, and Department of Social Welfare and Development. Because of these training, people in our village are fully aware of what to do during emergencies," she added.
Talbo has been asking for more disaster response equipment so they would be less dependent on the city government.

Village officials also distributed bags where families can place their post-disaster immediate needs.

In the city's V&G subdivision, village chief Elizabeth Lesiguez said there is a hotline number provided to all residents to easily contact local authorities in case of emergencies."

"Our village watchmen have been securing areas that are very prone to flooding during bad weather," she added

The village is a recipient of a covered court project from the city government convertible into an evacuation center.

"The villages must be resilient themselves because they are the front liners in the city disaster not the city government," he said.

Last year, the city government launched the community climate guide and response system. The program uses a text blast scheme to inform local residents of emergency advisory in times of calamities and disaster.

It allows residents to report their conditions during an emergency and in critical situation. The aim is to achieve zero-casualty.

The system is a 24/7 emergency service which tap city emergency service response provider such as the police, rescue unit, fire department, and its city disaster risk reduction management council chaired by Mayor Cristina Romualdez to respond in times of disaster. (With reports from Ali Krause Gamana & Christine Quimbo, OJT/PNA)



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PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- Two Palawan mayors recently stripped of their police powers by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) in their respective municipalities both denied Friday that they are "drug protectors."

Mayor Abbraham Ibba of Bataraza, in a phone interview with PNA, said his inclusion in the list is hurting not only him and his family, but also his supporters.

"Ang masasabi ko lang dyan, pagdating sa drugs, nauna pa akong sumunod sa nais ni Pangulong Duterte na labanan ang drugs dito sa Bataraza. Marami na akong napahuli, napakulong dahil sa drugs. Masakit ito sa atin (What I can say is that when it's about drugs, I was probably ahead of everyone in heeding President Duterte's call to fight drugs here in Bataraza. I have sent many to prison because of drugs)," said Ibba.

El Nido's lady chief executive, Mayor Nieves Cabunalda-Rosento, in an interview by local radio station Bandera also on Friday, vehemently denied being a narco-politician after learning about her inclusion in the Napolcom list.

"Una, wala pa po tayong na-receive na opisyal na papel bagama't kahapon ay nakita na natin ito sa ilang mga news. Noong una, tayo po syempre ay nagulat po ano. Hindi po naman natin inaasahan ang mga pangyayari pong ito. Wala naman po tayong mga kinalaman sa mga bagay na ito, and alam naman po ng mga kababayan natin yan, that we are innocent with this accusation (First, we have not received any official document although yesterday we already saw this in the news. At first, of course, I was surprised. I did not expect this. I don't have anything to do with it, and my constituents know that, that we are innocent)," Rosento said.

Ibba is blaming his "political enemies" for his inclusion in the list of supposed narco-politicians. However, he did not mention names.

"Wala naman ibang gagawa nito kung hindi ang mga kalaban sa pulitika. Masakit talaga ito. May konti akong ari-arian, 'yon lang naman. Tapos drug protector daw ako? (There is no one who will do this except for my political enemies. It really hurts. I have a small business, and it's just that. Now, I am a drug protector?)," Ibba, who owns a foreign exchange business, said.

The Bataraza mayor, who said he used to join drug raids in his town, cannot believe the news about the resolution that was signed by Napolcom vice chairman and executive officer Rogelio Casurao; Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Director General Ronald dela Rosa; and three other commissioners.

"May pagkakataon naman kami sumagot kasi parang subpoena ang dadating sa amin baka mga next week. Sasagutin ko talaga sa parang counter-affidavit. Ni hindi ako nakakatikim niyang drugs. Masakit talaga ito at nakakahiya (We have a chance to explain ourselves because what will probably be sent to us is in the form of a subpoena. I will answer and clear myself in my counter-affidavit. I have not tried drugs. This really hurts and is embarrassing)," the Bataraza mayor said.

On the other hand, Rosento said that since she is already in the list, she will wait for the official order from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to be able to reply.

Both said that if they will be told to go to Napolcom to explain their sides, they will do so as their inclusion in the list was just an "allegation."

On Thursday, the Napolcom announced that Zamboanga del Sur Governor Antonio Cerilles and 18 mayors will be stripped of their police powers due to either abuse of authority or involvement in illegal drugs.

The announcement came after Napolcom chairman and acting DILG chief Catalino Cuy signed the resolution on October 30. (PNA)



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TACLOBAN CITY -- Boosted by the high demand for goods and services, new businesses continue to flourish four years after super typhoon Yolanda pummeled this city.

Mayor Cristina Romualdez said hotel business has grown significantly after the super typhoon. From 43 hotels during the pre-"Yolanda" months, the number has now climbed to 75.

The growth is driven by influx of humanitarian workers and tourists to the city after the disaster, according to the official. "Our economy is back and it's more vibrant now than before Yolanda, which means more jobs for everybody."

The city government reported that from January to October 2017, there are already 1,000 new businesses in the city

Marine Labide, 26, manager of convenient store Metro Mart on Real St. said that seeing people in the city awake until wee hours has encouraged them last year to set up the store that operates 24 hours.

"Gone are the days when most people in Tacloban go to bed early. They want to stay awake and buy something at night," said Labide. The store owner used to run a restaurant business before the monster typhoon inside the Leyte Park Hotel complex.

Cocaine Go, 38, converted their family's car wash shop on Gomez St. into a 40-seater restaurant named Chew Love, a European inspired cuisine.

Customers are attracted to the Chew Love's ambiance, shows happiness and looks like a restaurant in Paris perfect for dates and relaxation.

The young entrepreneur, who belongs to a family that runs a chain of businesses in the city, managed a pharmacy that was ruined by storm surges. Go and husband, Colai abandoned the drugstore and opened up a restaurant in 2014.

"So far business is doing well. People come regularly, especially students, couples and families."

She opened up a business because according to her, after Yolanda everybody loves to eat. "We may not spend time in fashion, people tend to spend much on food," she observed.

Jenny Lind Chu, 42, manager of Ambassador's Hotel said the demand for more accommodation facilities in the city prompted her mother-in-law to convert the house into a hotel.

"So far, our earning from this business is very encouraging even if many humanitarian workers left the city. Our rooms are meant for families and big groups unlike other hotels that targets executives and conference participants," Chu told PNA.

The 23-room hotel, which opened late 2015, is located along the city's major thoroughfare.

The big house was used as an evacuation center for more than a year by 30 families from badly-hit coastal communities of Magallanes district. (With reports from Ali Krause Gamana & Mikaela Angelica Ramirez, OJT/PNA)



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TACLOBAN CITY -- At least 15 people were downed by shellfish poisoning within the first week of November in Samar province, raising concern over negligence of vulnerable communities on red tide warnings.

Of the 15 people hospitalized, four of them are from Catbalogan City, seven from Tarangnan, three from Daram, and one from Sta. Rita town. All victims recovered days after eating green mussels, according to report released by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Friday.

The incident came on the heels of shellfish poisoning cases that killed a boy while 45 others fell ill in Samar province on the last week of September.

In a mobile phone interview, BFAR assistant regional director Justerie Granali said the new cases implies that people don't heed existing shellfish ban.

"Village officials should do their part in helping us warn the people that eating shellfish gathered from waters with red tide is life threatening," Granali said.

BFAR in coordination with the maritime police, Philippine Ports Authority, Police Public Safety Battalion and Philippine Fisheries Development Authority set up an intensified fisheries checkpoint in the region.

Six bays in Eastern Visayas are still positive of red tide toxins, prompting the BFAR to again raise a stern warning against shellfish consumption.

These red tide-infested areas are Irong-irong Bay, Maqueda Bay, Villareal Bay, and Daram waters in Samar province; Carigara Bay in Leyte; and Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar.

Based on samples collected by the fisheries bureau, red tide toxins are still present in both seawater and shellfish meat - above the regulatory limit. (PNA)



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CAMP VICENTE LIM, Calamba City - Tropical Storm (TS) "Salome" has left 1,152 people stranded in Calabarzon ports as of 6 a.m. Friday, as all sea travels in the region have been cancelled starting 4 p.m. Thursday.

 

The "no sail policy" stands indefinitely until further advice from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

 

The Calabarzon Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) reported on the cancellation of the sea trips, following the advisory of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) on Thursday that sea travel is risky over areas under storm Warning Signal #1 due to moderate to rough seas.

 

OCD-RDRRMC Regional Director Olivia Luces said that PCG Southern Tagalog has been on standby alert and implemented the "no sail policy" in all Calabarzon provinces comprising Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon.

 

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in Batangas is also closely coordinating with other agencies in Calabarzon for updates regarding the storm.

 

Luces said the cancelled trips resulted in some 219 rolling cargoes, 20 vessels, and 20 motorized bancas stalled at the ports as of 6 a.m. Friday.

 

At the Port of Batangas, some 978 passengers, 192 rolling cargoes, four vessels, and one motorized banca were stranded, while five other sea vessels sought shelter at safer harbors.

 

At Nasugbu port, three motorized bancas were stranded and three others also took shelter due to choppy waters.

 

In Mabini port, two vessels were also stranded, while nine more sought shelter at the port.

 

Sea travels of five vessels in Balayan port were suspended.

 

In Quezon province, 46 passengers, 9 rolling cargoes, and seven motorized bancas were stranded in Atimonan port, while at the Lucena City port, around 86 passengers were stranded and 14 rolling cargoes and four vessels were also advised not to sail.

 

At Mogpog port, eight of 12 passengers who were stranded on Thursday afternoon opted to go back home by 6 a.m. Friday, while 12 rolling cargoes and five vessels were held at bay due to the risky sea trips.

 

Around 38 passengers in Real and 20 passengers and 3 bancas in Infanta got stalled at the ports, while sea travels were halted for three motorized bancas also in Real, one in Patnanungan port; and four in Infanta. (PNA)



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BAGUIO CITY — After more than 10 years of waiting for the government to legitimize her family's ownership of the land they till, Rosalina Barwelo, 58, was all smiles after the title was finally handed to her.

"Masaya po ako dahil 'yung inaantay namin ng mahigit 10 years, nakamit na namin ngayon (I am happy because we have been waiting for more than 10 years and finally, we have received it [land title])," she said.

Barwelo, a rice farmer from Busilac in Alfonso Lista town in Ifugao, received the Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) from Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Undersecretary for Field Operations Karlo Bello, Regional Director Marjorie Ayson, and other department officials, Wednesday.

"Nagpapasalamat po kami kay President Duterte dahil naibigay na yung inaasam-asam namin, yung titulo na gusto naming mahawakan (We are thankful to President Rodrigo Duterte because he released what we have been clamoring for, the title we have wanted to get hold of)."

She said that with the title, the fear that the land they are farming would be taken away from them has vanished and her name being in the title assures her ownership over the land.

The DAR released a total of 1,819 CLOAs covering an area of 937 hectares in the Cordillera region to 1,652 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs). Some of the CLOAs were collective and distributed to farmers' organizations.

There were 387 ARBs from Mountain Province who received their individual CLOAs; 379 in Kalinga; 376 in Ifugao; 351 in Ifugao; 120 in Apayao; and 39 in Abra.

Bello said the President issued a clear policy instruction to give the individual titles (CLOA) to the agrarian reform beneficiaries and not collective CLOAs, like in the past, and for the department to perform its mandate with urgency and to regularly submit a good accomplishment.

The official said the activity is very important because it formalizes the recognition of the legitimacy of the ownership of the farmers over the land they till.

He said that the CLOA distribution is being done nationwide and many more similar activities will follow in the coming months.

Bello relayed the President's instruction to fast-track the distribution and to see to it that the ARBs will not wait for many more years to have their land titles.

Some of those who received their CLOAs have been waiting for at least 20 years to get hold of the only document that would show their ownership of the land.

Ayson said that still being processed are almost 4,000 hectares for new lands while about 15,000 are classified under re-documentation.

Re-documentation means the ARBs already submitted documents in the past but those were either lost, misplaced or were nowhere to be found, hence the need to start the documentation process all over again.

Of the 1,819 CLOAs released here, 1,125 of them underwent re-documentation.

Bello said DAR has projected to release 45,000 to 47,000 CLOAs a year.

Aside from CLOA distribution, DAR also turned over two support projects to ARB organizations and cooperatives on Wednesday.

These projects include the Community-Managed Potable Water Sanitation and Hygiene (CPWASH) worth PHP240,000, and the Village-Level Processing Center Enhancement Project (VLPCEP) worth PHP900,000.

The CPWASH will cover three ARB communities consisting of 38 households who are members of three ARB organizations and cooperatives in Benguet.

Part of the CPWASH project are six units of water tanks that will provide safe drinking water to the ARBs in the area.

The VLPCEP project, on the other hand, will benefit two ARB communities and two ARB organizations in the areas of Atok, Sablan and Tuba in Benguet. Among the recipients of VLPCEP projects are the Arabica Coffee Growers Marketing and the Agrarian Reform Community Multi-Purpose Cooperatives in the area.

DAR will deliver more projects to the ARBs in Cordillera, particularly the distribution of coffee seedlings and other machinery to further develop their lands as part of the support for the improvement of the condition of the farmers and residents in rural areas. (PNA)



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CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Day-care children in Pampanga province showcased their talents and creativity as the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and the Provincial Council for the Protection of Children (PCPC) conducted Thursday the Children's Congress in celebration of Children's Month this November.

PSWD officer Elizabeth Baybayan said the conduct of the Children's Congress aims to promote and protect the rights of minors.

Baybayan said the provincial government headed by Governor Lilia Pineda has always been supportive of the welfare of children.

She said the ratification of the Provincial Children's Code in 2012 leading to the creation of the Child Abuse and Prevention Network (CAPIN) and the establishment of the Child Protection Units in the 11 district and provincial hospitals in Pampanga ensured the protection of children's rights.

Earlier, Pampanga was recognized as one of the top child-friendly provinces in the country for its programs and services for the welfare of children. (PNA)



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LEGAZPI CITY --- Cargo vessel MV Kitty ran aground on Thursday at the shorelines of Poblacion Sur in Barcelona town in Sorsogon, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol said today.

Claudio Yucot, OCD regional director, said Tropical Storm "Salome", packing 30 to 60-kilometer per hour winds, swept ashore MV Kitty, to the coastal village of Poblacion Sur in Barcelona town.

MV Kitty, with 21 crew members, is reportedly owned by Sherwin Shipping Corp. No one among the crewmen was hurt in the incident.

Barcelona police report said on Friday that a tugboat has been dispatched by the company to pull the cargo vessel back to sea.

Yucot said strong winds spawned by TS Salome swept the vessel, causing damage to a large strip of coral reefs in the area.

OCD report said some 1,000 passengers had been stranded in various ports in Bicol while 20 passenger vessels were not allowed to sail in the port of Matnog.

In Camarines Sur, a fisherman was reported missing while two motorized boats capsized off the waters in Lagonoy, Camarines Sur. (PNA)



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LEGAZPI CITY -- Classes resumed in Albay on Friday after the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) lifted the class suspension order in the province due to the onslaught of tropical storm "Salome".

Advisory from the state weather bureau said the weather condition has improved, prompting the lifting of the suspension of classes by Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara.

Authorities, however, encouraged everyone to keep themselves up to date on the province's weather condition.

Meanwhile, Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Bicol Regional Director Claudio Yucot, in a text message, told the PNA they are consolidating all damage assessment reports on the effects of Salome in the region. (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Philippine Navy (PN) and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) are holding a 21-day joint maritime exercises as the two countries strengthened defense cooperation to address threats by global terrorism.

The PN-RAN Maritime Security Engagement kicked off on Friday and ends on December 1. It will be held along the area of responsibility (AOR) of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM).

The kickoff ceremony was highlighted by the arrival of Australia's HMAS Larrakia (ACPB-84) and HMAS Maitland (ACPB-88), both Armidale Class Patrol Boats of RAN, in this city.

Rear Adm. Rene Medina, NFWM commander, disclosed the joint maritime exercises will be held in high risk areas within the AOR of his command.

Medina said the high risk areas are the Pearl Bank in Tawi-Tawi; waters of Pangutaran, Sulu; the sea lane from Basilan up to the Moro Gulf; and the waters in Sibuco, Sirawai, Siocon and Baliguian in Zamboanga del Norte.

"This is likewise in support to the anti-terrorism and piracy campaign of the government," Medina said.

Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely said the joint maritime security operation is a part of the enhanced Philippines-Australia defense cooperation, which was recently agreed by Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana and Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne.

"Australia and the Philippines have a shared responsibility in combating the threats post by global terrorism," Gorely said.

Medina said four vessels of the NFWM's Naval Task Force 61 will join the maritime exercises. These are the following: BRP-Davao del Sur (LD-602); BRP-Dioscoro Papa (PC-381); BRP-General Mariano Alvarez (PS-28); and, BRP-Emilio Liwanag (PC-118).

HMAS Larrakia and HMAS Maitland, skippered by Commander Mitchell Edwards and Lieutenant Jonathon Little, respectively, are the vessels from RAN that will join the join exercises.

Medina said the 21-day activity is a follow-up to the successfully held Passing Exercises (PASSEX) and Communications and Electronics Exercise (COMMELEX) from September 22 to 25 in the Sulu Sea.

The BRP-Ramon Alcaraz, one of PN's frigates, participated in the two events, with HMAS Parramatta as the counterpart from the RAN.

"This upholds the strong relationship of the PN and RAN when it comes to maritime patrol and security," Medina said. (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Philippine Navy (PN) and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) are holding a 21-day joint maritime exercises as the two countries strengthened defense cooperation to address threats by global terrorism.

The PN-RAN Maritime Security Engagement kicked off on Friday and ends on December 1. It will be held along the area of responsibility (AOR) of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM).

The kickoff ceremony was highlighted by the arrival of Australia's HMAS Larrakia (ACPB-84) and HMAS Maitland (ACPB-88), both Armidale Class Patrol Boats of RAN, in this city.

Rear Adm. Rene Medina, NFWM commander, disclosed the joint maritime exercises will be held in high risk areas within the AOR of his command.

Medina said the high risk areas are the Pearl Bank in Tawi-Tawi; waters of Pangutaran, Sulu; the sea lane from Basilan up to the Moro Gulf; and the waters in Sibuco, Sirawai, Siocon and Baliguian in Zamboanga del Norte.

"This is likewise in support to the anti-terrorism and piracy campaign of the government," Medina said.

Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely said the joint maritime security operation is a part of the enhanced Philippines-Australia defense cooperation, which was recently agreed by Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana and Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne.

"Australia and the Philippines have a shared responsibility in combating the threats post by global terrorism," Gorely said.

Medina said four vessels of the NFWM's Naval Task Force 61 will join the maritime exercises. These are the following: BRP-Davao del Sur (LD-602); BRP-Dioscoro Papa (PC-381); BRP-General Mariano Alvarez (PS-28); and, BRP-Emilio Liwanag (PC-118).

HMAS Larrakia and HMAS Maitland, skippered by Commander Mitchell Edwards and Lieutenant Jonathon Little, respectively, are the vessels from RAN that will join the join exercises.

Medina said the 21-day activity is a follow-up to the successfully held Passing Exercises (PASSEX) and Communications and Electronics Exercise (COMMELEX) from September 22 to 25 in the Sulu Sea.

The BRP-Ramon Alcaraz, one of PN's frigates, participated in the two events, with HMAS Parramatta as the counterpart from the RAN.

"This upholds the strong relationship of the PN and RAN when it comes to maritime patrol and security," Medina said. (PNA)



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COTABATO CITY -- Police are in pursuit of suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels who killed two people, including a four-month-old baby, and critically wounded a town police chief and two others in an ambush Thursday in Barangay Pigkalaan, Talakag, Bukidnon.

Sr. Insp. Jemar delos Santos, spokesperson for the Philippine National Police–Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PNP-ARMM), identified the target of the ambush as Insp. Joven Acuesta, police chief of Amai Manabilang (formerly Bombaran), Lanao del Sur, who remains in critical condition at a hospital.

Delos Santos said Acuesta's group was onboard a police car and on their way home from Marawi City when ambushed at around 5:30 p.m. along the highway in Talakag.

Amai Manablang, a third-class municipality situated at the boundary of Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon provinces, has a "high presence" of NPA rebels, according to military data.

Delos Santos said Acuesta was injured in the initial burst of gunfire, while a trailing civilian Fortuner vehicle also hit by the barrage of bullets.

"A baby died while two other female passengers of the civilian car were wounded," he said.

Police probers are still trying to determine the identity of the slain non-uniformed personnel who served as driver of the police car and the whereabouts of three PNP personnel who were with Acuesta at the time of the incident.

Delos Santos identified the missing policemen as SPO3 Arniel Carillo, SPO1 Pacifico Gabudoy, and PO1 Nathaniel Ibal, all of the Amai Manabilang police station.

"We are still looking for our missing colleagues up to now," he said. (PNA)



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KIDAPAWAN CITY -- Eighteen former New People's Army (NPA) guerillas received on Thursday a total of PHP1.1 million worth of cash assistance for livelihood projects in exchange for firearms turned over to the government.

North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza said the amount was released to the beneficiaries during a Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting here.

The rebels decided to surrender after the communist movement failed to fulfill its promise of better life in the mountains.

Through the efforts of Army's 39th Infantry Battalion, led by its commander Lt. Colonel Harold Argamoza, the rebels surrendered in batches the past three months.

The socio-economic intervention is part of the mainstreaming program of the Duterte administration aimed at helping former combatants reclaim their normal lives. Each rebel returnee with guns received Php20, 000 livelihood assistance. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY -- Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III on Thursday ordered the roundup of Badjaos in the metropolis to have them shipped back to their place of origin.

In an interview on Friday, he said that he already ordered Jeck Conlu, head of the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office, to gather the Badjaos who are almost everywhere in the city begging.

The mayor also pointed out their practice of just throwing garbage anywhere that could pose as risk to the health of Ilonggos.

"The plan is to round them up and return them to where they came from," he said.

The mayor would also like to know if there is a group that brought them here and getting a share from the money earned by the Badjaos through begging.

He said the city will be strict in the implementation of the anti-mendicancy ordinance to address what he called as a recurring problem."

He also said that Badjaos, being Filipinos, have legal rights to travel but the local government unit can make arrangements if they are already a nuisance to others.

Espinosa was informed that arrangements have been made with the City Social Welfare Office (CSWDO) for their transportation. (PNA)



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BACOLOD CITY -- Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III urged employers in Negros Occidental to comply with occupational safety and health standards set by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Bello issued the call in his keynote address at the 12th Safety Summit on Thursday at Business Inn Hotel here.

The two-day event, which ended Friday, was organized by the Safety Organization of Negros Occidental (SONO) in collaboration with the DOLE Occupational Safety and Health Center with the theme, "Sustaining Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment Practices for Decent Work."

Bello underscored the Labor department's issuances pertaining to health and safety of the workers. These include the recently issued "no high heels," and those on prolonged standing and sitting orders believed to trigger illnesses among employees.

Bello said the DOLE is creating a technical working group that will work on ensuring occupational safety and health standard inspections in the country.

"This is to strengthen our standards," he said, citing that bus accidents, in particular, are indications of problems in the workplace.

Aside from defects on the vehicle, drivers possibly lack proper training or being subjected to more than 12-hour work, resulting to accidents, which can be prevented through implementation of safety and health standard practices.

Meanwhile, Bello said that while contractualization is not totally prohibited, the DOLE is "trying to eliminate the illegal form of contractualization."

He noted that the appeal of protesters in Bacolod to absolutely stop "endo" or end of contract scheme.

Bello said there are contract schemes allowed by law, including those for security guards and janitorial services as well as project-based and seasonal employees such as sales ladies by big commercial establishments during peak season, particularly every December.

For instance in Negros Occidental, he said the sugar industry requires farm workers only during planting and harvest seasons. (PNA)



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CEBU CITY -- Two suspects in the Talisay City Jail strafing sustained gunshot wounds following a shootout with Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel early Friday morning.

The encounter occurred after the two motorcycle-riding men strafed the gate of the Talisay City Jail at 2 a.m. prompting the jailguards to fire back.

Talisay City Police Station chief, Supt. Jason Villamater, said this is the fourth time the suspects have strafed the jail this year.

The injured suspects, identified as Troy Briones and Arjan,Ababao, were brought to the Cebu City Medical Center for treatment.

Briones and Ababao reportedly have three other companions who served as lookouts during the strafing incident.

Villamater said several firearms, including a KG9 submachine pistol, and live ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

He said they will look deeper behind the strafing to determine their motive or who is behind this criminal act.

Meanwhile, Police Regional Office-7 chief Jose Mario Espino ordered all police stations in Central Visayas to intensify their campaign against motorcycle-riding criminals.

Espino said he will not hesitate to relieve police chiefs and directors should they fail to curb this kind of incidents in their respective areas. (With reports from Michelle Bugtai/PNA)



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CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga -- Vice Governor Dennis Pineda on Friday urged 5,568 college scholars of the provincial government to stay away from illegal drugs and encourage other youths in schools and communities to do the same.

The vice governor made the call before the distribution of checks worth PHP3,000 to each of the scholars.

Governor Lilia Pineda and the provincial board, headed by the governor, approved the amount of PHP16.7 million for the Expanded Educational Financial Assistance Program (EEFAP) to 5,568 students for School Year ‎2017-2018.

"You should not be hooked on vices especially on illegal drugs. You won't achieve your goals. Tell your friends, classmates and relatives about the ill effects of drugs. This is the only request the Governor and I are asking from you," Pineda said, addressing the scholars gathered at the Bren Z. Guiao Grandstand here.

"Focus on your studies. Prepare your future," the vice governor added.

The students encashed the checks from Land Bank of the Philippines personnel deployed at the grandstand here.

The vice governor's office facilitated the processing of scholarship of 2,048 students.

Another 593 scholars are enrolled at the Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University. At least 330 are children of Nanay Community Volunteers; 57 are of day care workers; 135 of solo parents; while 85 are persons with disabilities.

Provincial Board members endorsed 2,310 scholars from four districts of the province. They were screened based on grades and family income.  

The PHP3,000 can only be used to buy books, uniforms, school supplies or part of tuition. (PNA)



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DUMAGUETE CITY – For the first time ever, this capital of Negros Oriental is hosting the Philippine Youth Games – Batang Pinoy, also known simply as Batang Pinoy, with some 18 events scheduled from November 10 to 16.

Batang Pinoy 2017 reeled off Friday afternoon with a parade around the city streets participated in by about 3,000 athletes, coaches, and tournament officials from 50 provinces, cities and municipalities in the Visayas Region.

The athletes, aged 15 years old and below, will be taking part in the different events over the next six days at different playing venues that include the Lamberto Macias Sports Center, Aqua Center, the convention center, Rizal Boulevard and Foundation University, among others.

Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Celia Kiram will declare the games open following the parade late Friday afternoon at the sports complex here.

The yearly Batang Pinoy aims to provide a venue for the young to train and excel in their chosen sports so they can compete in international events.

Senator Miguel Zubiri will be arriving on Saturday while PSC Chairman William I. Ramirez is coming on Monday for the Batang Pinoy, said City Information Officer Dems Rey Demecillo.

Events include archery, boxing, judo, swimming, triathlon, arnis, chess, karatedo, table tennis, volleyball, athletics, cycling, sepaktakraw, taekwondo, badminton, dancesport, softball, tennis, weightlifting, and beach volleyball. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY -- A Chinese investor wants to turn Iloilo City into port hub for direct cargo shipment from mainland China.

Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III on Friday welcomed the new investment, citing the city's potential.
He said the investor probably saw the volume of business in this city and how it is becoming a "business hub of the country".
On Tuesday, executives of the SITC Container Lines Philippines Inc., and the Cebu Chinese consulate met with the mayor to discuss the proposed investment.
SITC Container Lines Philippines is the representative of SITC Container Lines Co. based in Shanghai China and is engaged in the operation of its own and chartered vessels carrying container cargoes within major ports in Asia, according to the city government's public information office (PIO).
Espinosa said that according to some brokers, the investment will result in the reduction in prices of goods sold in this city "by a big percentage".
The mayor cited that most of the equipment in the city, even the most basic needs, are mostly made in China.
The cost of freight paid by businessmen and direct importers will be reduced, he said.
Currently, goods from China are downloaded to other major ports and shipped to Iloilo via local cargo vessels, incurring a pass-on cost.
The company has already appointed a manager to oversee their operations and hopefully they could start first quarter of 2018, he said.
Espinosa added that Iloilo City's infrastructure could accommodate them. The company has already checked available facilities at the Iloilo International Container Port and has coordinated with the Bureau of Customs if it is capable of checking containerized cargoes.
He expressed hope that the Chinese consulate would put up an office in this city.
"We'll make a way to provide them an office," said Espinosa. (PNA)



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FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija  -- The number of soldiers hurt in the encounter with members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya on Thursday has risen to 11 as a hot pursuit operation continued as of press time, the military said.

First Lt. Catherine Hapin, information officer of the Philippine Army's 7th Infantry Division, said the wounded soldiers, who belong to the 84th Infantry Battalion, were brought to a hospital in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.

No one was killed from the government troopers' side but the NPA lost one member, she said.

Soldiers recovered from the slain rebel one hand grenade, an M16 Armalite rifle, medical kits, and subversive documents, Hapin said.

The soldiers encountered an undetermined number of NPAs as they were responding to information given by "the people in the community", who reportedly complained about the presence and activities of the rebel group. (PNA)



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CEBU CITY -- Government officials and some members of civil society signified their all-out support for the full implementation of the Reproductive Health (RH) Law on Thursday in the  2nd National Family Planning Conference at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino here.

The signing of the pledge of commitment was spearheaded by Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Herminigildo Valle, who said that there is really a need for this program.

According to Valle, policymakers and the people must admit that there is urgent need to moderate our population growth.

"We have to act on it as it is also one of the President's priority advocacies," Valle said.

The Health Department is just waiting for the advice from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which contraceptives are considered non-abortifacient before they can fully implement the RH Law, said Valle.

The FDA, which has the primary jurisdiction in determining the non-abortifacient character of contraceptives, is expected to come out with a resolution soon after making the certification and re-certification of product registration.

Once this is done, Valle said they will afford free Reproductive Health and Family Planning services and supplies to the marginalized sector. (PNA)



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TANAUAN, Leyte -- This coastal town has unveiled an image of a French saint as new "Yolanda" memorial.

The project in partnership with the local government and Philippine National Police (PNP), had set up the icon of St. Medard of Noyon, a sixth-century bishop in France, the patron saint for protection from bad weather.

Two personnel from the PNP Eastern Visayas regional office made the life-size image as a reminder to people to learn from the lessons of natural calamities.

"St. Medard can be our vessel for our prayers to God when we ask protection is times of calamities and disaster. This includes the storm or problems that we experience on our personal lives," said PNP Regional Director, Chief Supt. Gilbert Cruz, during the unveiling late Wednesday afternoon.

Leyte Vice Governor Carlo Loreto, who was involved in the project planning, said the image will help people strengthen their faith in God.

"St. Medard can also be a vessel of our belief that vas Christians there are saints who can help us link our prayers to God," Loreto said.

The icon will also serve as reminder to people to protect the environment from the effects of climate change, he said. "St. Medard is our vessel for our aspiration for a better and more sustainable environment."

Loreto said the image at the junction of this town's San Roque village is just one of the several icons planned to be installed in areas in Leyte hit by the super typhoon.

The image was placed in San Roque since it is the largest village in this town. About 300 villagers perished when big waves whipped by "Yolanda's" powerful winds hit the town. Official tally placed the number of deaths at 1,836 in the entire town.

Meanwhile in Palo town, thousands of residents flocked to mass grave sites to remember the victims of the 2013 monster typhoon.

Survivors offered flowers and lighted candles in specific places where people perished on Nov. 8, 2013.

Mayor RemediosPetilla said that after four years, survivors have already moved on from the catastrophe.

"Based on a survey, we found out that almost all of the residents of Palo who went to other places after 'Yolanda' are already back to their hometown and have been rebuilding their lives," Petilla said.

The coastal town located between Tanauan town and Tacloban City also remembered the victims through songs, poetry, and dances. (PNA)



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CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga -- A total of 3,792 workers in Central Luzon received some PHP47 million monetary claims this year through the Single Entry Approach, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said.

The SEnA is an inexpensive developmental mediation program of the DOLE that aims to speed-up resolution of labor disputes between workers and employers.

DOLE Regional Director Ana Dione said Wednesday the total monetary claims accounted for a 93-percent rate in settling 1,715 of 1,852 requests for assistance (RFAs) handled by the regional and field offices as of October this year.

"Our settlement rate represents the largest chunk of 1,852 RFAs received as well as those disposed by this regional office, along with its seven field offices, which means, we achieved a 100 percent overall disposition rate for the year 2017," Dione said.

She said that it only took an average of six days to settle the said monetary claims, way ahead of the standard 30 days prescribed under the SEnA program.

The regional and field offices, she added, are continuously improving the process cycle time in the settlement of RFAs, with some less than a week or even within the day/hour.

"As we continuously find ways to improve the way we do things, evidenced in our retention as an ISO 9001:2015 certified government agency, we remain committed to find win-win solutions for both parties and prevent their issues from escalating into full blown labor cases," she added.

By province, Dione noted that Pampanga recorded the highest settlement amounting to some PHP21.38 million covering 1,845 workers, of which, some PHP15.54 million covering 930 workers were from the Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ).

"The existence of the DOLE Clark Satellite Office has made it easier, convenient, and economical for workers or employers to file a request for assistance there than suffering the inconvenience of travelling through traffic and distance just to reach our regional office or the Pampanga Field Office," she added.

Other provinces' settlements facilitated by the satellite office are the following: Bulacan (PHP8,908,118.85 – 546 workers); Tarlac (PHP5,351,216.41 – 394); Zambales (PHP5,183,432.04 – 313); Bataan (PHP4,631,458.30 – 568); Nueva Ecija (PHP1,528,160.70 – 111); and Aurora (PHP125,524.44 – 11).

The DOLE regional office, for its part, was able to settle monetary claims amounting to PHP98,000 which benefited four workers.

Dione noted that the latest update on the settlement of money claims through the SEnA significantly dropped from last year's report.

"Our task to settle small money claims, through the SEnA, significantly decreased from last year's report of more than PHP219 million, which clearly means that, through our joint assessment visits, our efforts in urging firms in Central Luzon to voluntarily comply with labor laws and occupational safety and health standards have paid off," she added. (PNA)



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JORDAN, Guimaras -- Guimaras is strengthening support facilities to improve the province's agriculture and tourism industries as the local government aims to become the "agri-eco-tourism" capital of Western Visayas.

Governor Samuel Gumarin, who delivered his State of the Province Address (SOPA) during the special session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on Wednesday, underscored the province's priorities to improve transportation and water supply systems and services on health, education and employment.

In an interview, he said the province in the next five years is assured of some PHP5.5 billion funds for road improvement projects, among others, that are expected to boost these target industries.

The agriculture industry of the province continues to grow. It is 112 percent rice sufficient and has increased production of corn, seaweeds, vegetables and cashews.

Its tourism sector also continues to rake in big receipts. Tourist arrivals almost doubled in 2016 when compared to 2015. During the first seven months of this year, they have already documented 82,962 tourist arrivals from their 108,000 target.

Overall, Gumarin said the province of Guimaras has "improved."

"Our economic picture is seen to have sustained its upward direction giving importance to our major economic drivers: agriculture, fishery and tourism," he said.

The province has improved from the 52nd spot in 2016 to 27th rank this year, according to the National Competitiveness Council.

He cited that registered businesses in the province grew by 4.5 percent last year from 2015. The total capital investments of 2, 605 registered businesses reached PHP775.3 million.

He added that electricity rate in the province for common households dropped to PHP11 per kilowatt-hour (kwh) from an almost PHP14/kwh.

Guimaras also recorded its highest employment rate of 95 percent in January 2016.

Another significant indicator is the continuing decrease in poverty incidence. He cited that 12 in every 100 poor families were lifted out of poverty in 2016. From a 16.9 percent poverty incidence in 2012, it dropped to 4.8 percent in 2015.

He added that 95 percent of the town's population was provided with livelihood programs.

"These show our collective efforts and partnerships in implementing poverty alleviation programs," he said.

Gumarin also talked about the increased agriculture production, improved health conditions and million pesos worth of projects implemented in the province.

He added that municipalities through their rural health units have started rehabilitation sessions for mild and moderate cases of drug addiction in their areas. Crime volume was 20 percent lower compared to that in 2015.

The governor also cited the accomplishments of his administration in terms of environmental protection governance management.

"I think we will continue to work with other sectors, with our mayors in reaching the vision and mission of the province to become an agri-eco-tourism capital (of Western Visayas)," he added. (PNA)



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DAGUPAN CITY – The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) has included the Pangasinan-Zambales road as among the priority projects to be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) from 2017 to 2022.

Pangasinan Second District Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil lauded the move to include his pet project when he attended the Economic Zone Summit for Pangasinan and La Union sponsored by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) on Wednesday at CSI Stadia in Dagupan City.

In the summit initiated by PEZA Director General Charito Plaza, the NEDA regional office listed the projects lined up for Pangasinan and La Union including the Pangasinan-Zambales road earlier proposed by Bataoil to the DPWH.  The proposed road will cut across vast tracts of idle lands between the two provinces.

Bataoil personally calls the 54-kilometer Pangasinan-Zambales highway as "Kalikasan Road" because it will open up areas for eco-tourism development and could be the location of another economic zone for Pangasinan where eco-tourism industries can be put up.

Hundreds of hectares in this area on the Pangasinan side can be tapped as economic zones, said Bataoil.

Budgeted by NEDA at PHP1.2 billion, the proposed Kalikasan Road was a former logging area which potentials for eco-tourism can be maximized in bid to bring more tourists to southwestern Pangasinan, starting from Mangatarem.

Bataoil said of the 54-kilometer Kalikasan Road, about half is within Pangasinan and the rest is in Zambales.

He said with the Pangasinan-Zambales road, travel time between the two provinces would be reduced to just one-and-a-half hours, he said.

Bataoil hopes the project could start before ending his third and final term in 2019 as congressman of the second district of Pangasinan. (PNA)



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CAMP VICENTE LIM, Calamba City -- Some 1,042 cops have been assigned to the Police Regional Office (PRO 4-A)-Calabarzon contingent that will augment security and assistance to the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in Metro Manila on Nov. 13 to 15.

Of the 1,042 Calabarzon police deployed for the ASEAN Summit, some 1,030 are from the Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) while the remaining 12 personnel are from the Regional Health Service 4-A.

"We have been providing augmentation to our government forces in activities such as this ASEAN Summit and I am very confident that our deployed personnel shall exercise all their duties and responsibilities with the greatest respect of human life and dignity," said PRO4A-Calabarzon Regional Director, Chief Superintendent Ma. O R Aplasca, on Thursday.

Aplasca said the CDM contingent would provide security in cases of violent demonstrations and protests.

The Calabarzon police contingent was fully briefed during their send-off on their vital operations on security matters and police assistance to the Summit delegates from the 10 ASEAN-member countries and dialogue partners.

Superintendent Chitadel Carandang Gaoiran, chief of the PRO 4-A Public Information Office, said the entire Philippine National Police (PNP) is placed under full alert status during the event. (PNA)



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CEBU CITY -- More than PHP2 million worth of marijuana plants were uprooted by the police Wednesday afternoon in a mountain barangay of Danao City, 47.3 km north of Cebu City.

Danao City police uprooted a total of 9,000 marijuana plants and seized some 3,000 leaves valued at PHP2.1 million from a plantation in Barangay Sibacan.

However, no one was arrested during the operation as the plantation was deserted and the vicinity was uninhabited.

Danao police are still investigating who owns the property and who is responsible for the planting of marijuana in the area.

Chief Inspector Gerard Pelare, acting chief of Danao City Police, said on Thursday that a team led by PO3 Bill Restauro patrolled the said barangay around 3 p.m. Wednesday and spotted the marijuana plantation.

The uprooted marijuana plants are now at the Danao Police Station and are set for incineration sometime this weekend. (With reports from Michelle Bugtai/PNA)



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DUMAGUETE CITY -- Members of the Dumaguete council have expressed disgust over what they considered as a disrespectful act of Senior Superintendent Edwin Portento, acting police provincial director, in relieving Superintendent Jovito Atanacio as Dumaguete City police chief.

They said the relief was effected despite the resolution of the City Council for the extension of Atanacio's stint in Dumaguete because of several activities lined up until December this year and a letter of request submitted to the mayor.

The Dumaguete City Council has recommended the withholding of assistance to the police in the 2018 regular budget of the city until such time that the PNP provincial office shall have convinced them that their decision to replace Atanacio has not been influenced by anybody else.

Councilor Manny Arbon said the unceremonious way of replacing the former chief of police doesn't speak well of the PNP as an organization.

He said if the PNP considers the local government unit as partner, they should extend mutual respect to the local government.

Arbon, along with Councilors Michael Bandal, Lilani Ramon, and Estanislao Alviola said they felt offended by the way Atanacio was pulled out because they were among those who supported a resolution that commended the former chief of police for a job well done in the city.

He said since budget review is forthcoming, the proposed PHP5-million aid to law enforcement units and not just the PNP would be withheld pending an explanation from the provincial police director.

Arbon noted the relief order was issued when Atanacio was on leave and while the mayor was out of town.

They were surprised on Monday morning that the OIC chief of police, Superintendent Jonathan Pineda, had already reported as a replacement of Atanacio, as if it was planned ahead to take the parties off guard.

Arbon said this is not how partners operate, noting that when the PNP needs logistical support, the City Council is more than willing to look for funds because that is also part of the city's program on peace and order.

Critics may consider this as a very small issue, but "a lot of ships sink because they don't mind the small leakage under the hull," Arbon said.

He added that this kind of relationship needs to be nurtured, and it is not enough to say the police is merely following the policies on the assignments of police officers.

The City Council had approved Atanacio's retention for a few weeks to effect an orderly transition while Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo also wrote the police command requesting for the same but what happened was they were "hit behind their backs". (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Members of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education (CHTE) on Thursday evaluated the Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College (ZCSPC) in preparation for its conversion into a university.

CHTE, chaired by Zamboanga Sibugay second district Rep. Anne Hofer, has conducted site and facility inspection, documentary analysis, interview with key officials, informants and other documentary tasks to determine whether ZCSPC is ready to become a university.

Zamboanga City first district Rep. Celso Lobregat, who authored House Bill 3929, joined the Hofer-led committee when they conducted the site inspection and evaluation.

H.B. 3929 seeks to convert the ZCSPC into a state university to be known as Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University (ZPPSU).

Lobregat said H.B. 3929 would be forwarded to the plenary for approval into a law once the ZCSPC passes the evaluation.

He said the conversion of ZCSPC into a state university status would enhance its prime mission to provide effective and efficient services through advanced technological studies and researches for the tertiary students in Zamboanga City and the region. (PNA)



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BACOLOD CITY -- The Negros Occidental provincial government on Thursday released PHP360,000 worth of checks to beneficiaries of the Barangay Insurance Program for barangay tanods, officials, and employees.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. advised the beneficiaries not to lose hope in life despite losing their loved ones.

The governor led the distribution of checks to the family members of the insured councilmen and tanods in the presence of their authorized barangays officials in rites held at the Provincial Capitol here.

The recipients were from the cities of San Carlos, Sagay and Kabankalan, and municipalities of Salvador Benedicto, Calatrava, Isabela, and Ilog.

"Make good use of the insurance claims and spend it only for your needs," he urged the beneficiaries.

For accidental death of a barangay tanod or official, the beneficiaries will receive PHP100,000 while for natural death, PHP50,000.

The Barangay Insurance Program is being implemented under the Special Programs and Concerns Division of the Provincial Administrator's Office headed by Ian de Ramos, who also witnessed the turn-over of checks.

Last June, the provincial government also released PHP700,000 worth of insurance claims to beneficiaries from various towns and cities while in March, a total of PHP850,001 were also turned over to another set of family-beneficiaries.

In January, insurance benefits worth PHP373,332 were also released to the families of insured individuals. (PNA)



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BACOLOD CITY -- The Negros Occidental provincial government on Thursday released PHP360,000 worth of checks to beneficiaries of the Barangay Insurance Program for barangay tanods, officials, and employees.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. advised the beneficiaries not to lose hope in life despite losing their loved ones.

The governor led the distribution of checks to the family members of the insured councilmen and tanods in the presence of their authorized barangays officials in rites held at the Provincial Capitol here.

The recipients were from the cities of San Carlos, Sagay and Kabankalan, and municipalities of Salvador Benedicto, Calatrava, Isabela, and Ilog.

"Make good use of the insurance claims and spend it only for your needs," he urged the beneficiaries.

For accidental death of a barangay tanod or official, the beneficiaries will receive PHP100,000 while for natural death, PHP50,000.

The Barangay Insurance Program is being implemented under the Special Programs and Concerns Division of the Provincial Administrator's Office headed by Ian de Ramos, who also witnessed the turn-over of checks.

Last June, the provincial government also released PHP700,000 worth of insurance claims to beneficiaries from various towns and cities while in March, a total of PHP850,001 were also turned over to another set of family-beneficiaries.

In January, insurance benefits worth PHP373,332 were also released to the families of insured individuals. (PNA)



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BACOLOD CITY -- A third biomass plant in Negros Occidental under major investor, ThomasLloyd Group, will soon rise in the northern town of Manapla.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Mayor Lourdes Escalante joined Michael Sieg, chairman of Thomas Lloyd Group; and Juan Xavier Zabaleta, chairman of North Negros Biopower Inc., in the groundbreaking rites Wednesday for the 25-megawatt power plant project in Hacienda Bariw, Barangay Santa Teresa.

Developed through local firm North Negros BioPower Inc., The project is part of a package of three sister plants in the province, including the 25-MW South Negros BioPower in La Carlota City and 20-MW San Carlos BioPower in San Carlos City.

In a statement, the North Negros Biopower Inc. said its latest biomass project in the province is expected to be completed in 2018.

Once operational, it will generate 185 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity in a year using biofuels such as sugarcane trash and woody energy plants and will supply electricity to some 265,000 people.

The project, situated on a 300,000-square meter area, is also expected to create 675 new jobs at the power plant aside from the 2,500 in the agriculture sector.

The first two plants are nearing completion and scheduled to operate next year.

Major investor ThomasLloyd is a leading global investment banking and investment management group, solely dedicated to the renewable energy sector in Asia. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY – The province of Iloilo will be receiving for the third consecutive year the "Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG)," an award given by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Iloilo will receive the award together with the provinces of Aklan and Negros Occidental.

As a three-time awardee, the province is now a grand slam winner, according to Governor Arthur Defensor in an interview on Thursday.

Iloilo received the similar award in 2015 and 2016.

A local government unit can qualify for the SGLG if it has good financial housekeeping, programs for disaster preparedness and social protection.

Aside from the provincial government, the local government units of Anilao, Barotac Nuevo, Bingawan, Carles, Dingle, Duenas, Dumangas, Estancia, Mina, New Lucena, Oton, Pavia, Tubungan and Zarraga and the component city of Passi are also awardees.

"There are a lot of benefits that the province will receive by winning the seal of good local governance," Defensor said.

He specifically said that the province, as well as the recipient towns and city, would again be entitled to avail of projects for the improvement of roads through the Conditional Matching Grant to Provinces for Road Repair, Rehabilitation and Improvement (CMGP) and Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) program of DILG.

The awarding ceremony is scheduled on November 27 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Metro Manila. (PNA)



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FORT MAGSAYSAY, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija -- A suspected member of the New People's Army (NPA) was killed while nine government troopers were wounded in an encounter in Barangay Sanguit, Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya on Thursday.

The identities of the soldiers and the dead rebel have yet to be disclosed.

Sketchy reports from the Army's 7th Infantry Division here showed that the troops from 841 Infantry Batallion under Lt. Col. George Bergonia encountered an undetermined number of NPA members in the area.

The soldiers were in the area in response to information provided  by "the people in the community" on the presence and activities of the rebel group. (PNA)



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DUMAGUETE CITY -- The local government of Dumaguete City, through the City Agriculturist's Office, is currently in the process of implementing the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC)-funded Integrated Community Food Production (ICFP) program.

The project, which has a funding of PHP2 million from NAPC, targets to benefit 200 households in eight barangays of Dumaguete, the capital of Negros Oriental province, namely Tinago, Bagacay, Junob, Talay, Cadawinona, Candau-ay, Batinguel, and Camanjac, City Agriculturist William Ablong said Thursday.

According to Ablong, these barangays were identified to have a "high incidence in hunger and malnutrition among their constituents".

ICFP, he explained, "aims to eliminate hunger among poor families, reduce the incidence of malnutrition, and increase family income".

"It empowers the people to produce their food requirements within their own homes through fruit, vegetable, and root crop gardening, small poultry and livestock-raising," Ablong said.

A kick-off activity, the ICFP Orientation and Training, reeled off Wednesday, held at the Provincial Agriculturist's Conference Hall.

This was followed by Vegetable, Fruit and Crop Production training on Thursday and Organic Fertilizer Production, Livestock and Poultry Production on Friday.

The training aims to empower the beneficiaries-participants in acquiring the necessary skills to improve their living conditions through animal/livestock-raising and food production to increase their food security as well as help them earn additional income, the City Agriculturist said. (PNA)



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DAGUPAN CITY -- The province of Pangasinan and the city of Dagupan will observe a special public holiday on Monday, Nov. 13, to commemorate the birthday of one of its foremost sons, the late Speaker Eugenio Perez, erstwhile representative of the old second district of Pangasinan.

Republic Act No. 6721, signed into law by then president Corazon Aquino in 1989, set Nov. 13 every year as Pangasinan Day in honor of Perez, known in politics simply as "Manong Enyong".

Born on Nov. 13, 1896 in Sitio Obong in the once barrio of Basista in the town of San Carlos, Perez first became a councilor of San Carlos before he ran for Congress and won.

Basista is now a town in Pangasinan, carved out from San Carlos, which then became a city.

Perez, who was House speaker from 1946 to 1953, is remembered in Dagupan as the author of the law that converted the former town of Dagupan into a city. This law was signed by then president Manuel Roxas on June 20, 1947.

Perez was also one of the co-founders of the Liberal Party.

As speaker, he supported all the economic programs of then president Elpidio Quirino, among them the legislation that gave birth to the National Power Corp. (NPC), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and the Development Bank of the Philippines.

Married to Consuelo Salazar, a music soprano with whom he had three children, Perez died on Aug. 4,1957. (PNA)



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MALASIQUI, Pangasinan -- The most wanted person in Malasiqui town was arrested by the police on Wednesday in his hiding place in La Trinidad, Benguet, the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO) reported  on Thursday.

Arrested by joint elements of the Malasiqui Police and the Regional Public Safety Battalion 1 was Rodel Soriano, 41, of Nalsian Sur in Malasiqui.

He was arrested while in hiding in Km. 5, Pico, La Trinidad by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Regional Trial Court Presiding Judge Emma Torio.

Soriano is facing a murder case with no bailbond recommended for his provisional liberty, and another for theft requiring him to post PHP26,000 bail bond.

The suspect was first brought to court that issued the warrants of arrest before he was placed under the custody of the Malasiqui police. (PNA)



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CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan -- The provincial government of Bulacan has awarded 86 Bulakenyo centenarians with certificates of appreciation and cash incentives in recognition of their valuable contributions to the province.

The awarding of the certificates of appreciation and cash incentives amounting to PHP10,000 each for the 30 newly identified centenarians and PHP3,000 each for the previously recognized centenarians was held Wednesday during the "Pagkilala at Pagpapahalaga sa mga Sentenaryong Bulakenyo at Pagdiriwang ng Linggong Katandaang Pilipino" at The Pavilion Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center in this city .

Gemma Gabuya, regional director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region III, served as the guest of honor.

Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said that the provincial government reserved that special day for the centenarians to impart to them that they are valuable parts of the community.

Alvarado told the centenarians that they serve as the "lights and pillars of the home", inspiration to others and a great source of valuable lessons due to their colourful experiences.

The governor also encouraged the Office of the Senior Citizen's Affairs to think and create more worthy projects that could help more the senior citizens and even their office.

Prior to this, 45 Bulakenyo centenarians already received PHP100,000 cash gift from the national government and additional cash incentives and certificates of appreciation from the provincial government last May wherein PHP10,000 was given to each newly identified centenarian while PHP3,000 was given to previously recognized ones.

Gabriela Ileto, a centenarian from Barangay PulongTamo, San Ildefonso, expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the additional blessings that she received including a new wheelchair, diaper, blanket, alcohol and food like oatmeal and biscuits.

Meanwhile, the new set of officers of "Kaagapay ng mga may Kapansanan (KASAMA KA) saBulacanparasamgaBulakenyo", an organization of persons with disability in the province headed by their president, Ariel Manalad, took their oath of office.

According to Provincial Social Welfare and Development officer Rowena Tiongson, the giving of recognition to the centenarians is on its fourth year and is being conducted yearly in accordance with the Republic Act No. 10868 or the "Centenarians Act of 2016." (PNA)



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DASMARIÑAS CITY, Cavite -- More than 1,500 college students across the country are slated to convene for their 3rd Junior Financial Executives (JFINEX) Summit at the Ugnayang La Salle at the De La Salle University (DLSU)-Damariñas campus here on Nov. 17.

The event, hosted by the DLSU-D JFINEX, aims to train coeds on financial independence, reflecting on the summit theme "Financial Fitness: Your Fitness Plan, Redefined."

Four speakers will share their expertise on financial management.

Keeping attuned to the millennial approach, the financial speakers will present their comprehensive presentations through the summit's four so-called routines: "Stretch, Train, Twist, and Chill."

Organizers said the objective is to provide participants with a healthy mix of abilities and understanding to help them attain financial independence.

The "stretch" portion will be managed by former comedienne and now corporate trainer Chinky Tan, who will speak on financial freedom and success.

The Summit host said Tan is expected to motivate participants "to live holistic and purposeful life."

Financial literacy advocate Salve Duplito will give the participants the "twist," with Ed Martinez tapped for the "train" part, while Edmund Lee presents the "chill."

DLSU-D JFINEX intends this year's junior summit to be a financial planning event for the attendees. (PNA)



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DUMAGUETE CITY - The provincial government of Negros Oriental is mourning the death of one of its best legislators, Atty. Arturo Umbac, who met his untimely death while on an official trip to Aklan on Thursday.

Umbac was with Acting Gov. Edward Mark Macias and some board members to learn from the experience of Aklan in its ISO (international standards organization) accreditation.

Macias confirmed that the 84-year-old board member collapsed while they were touring the mangroves site of Aklan, which is one the best in the country.

Efforts to resuscitate Umbac failed and he was rushed to the Panay hospital where he was pronounced dead by the attending physician. 

Board Member Nilo Sayson said Umbac was a great loss on their part, both in politics and as a private person.

Umbac was well versed and very effective in lawmaking but was also a very good general manager of the Negros Oriental II Electric Cooperative (NORECO 2) who was responsible to energize the whole province back in the 1990s.

Sayson said he could attest to the character of Umbac as general manager of the cooperative, being  the head of the education and training department with no record of corruption.

Umbac was retired by the board at age 60 despite the national policy retirement age set at 65.

He was a board member from 2004 to 2007, ran but lost for mayor of Dumaguete and staged a comeback in 2016 as a board member.

One of his very notable accomplishments as provincial legislator is the ordinance establishing the Barangay Agricultural Development Center (BADC), which was adjudged as a "Galing Pook" awardee nationwide.

Another is the walking blood donors' ordinance that requires all the 557 barangays of the province to keep a list of walking blood donors to be used during emergency situations, among other ordinances.

Umbac was also brigade commander of the ready reserve battalion of the province and a member of the national board of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.

Sayson said Umbac had a good sense of humor, was a good writer that made him a very effective legislator. (PNA)



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The provincial government of South Cotabato has released an additional P1.175 million in livelihood loan grants to four women's groups under its flagship Self-Employment Assistance Kaunlaran (SEA-K) program.

Romel Salanio, provincial SEA-K coordinator, said the grants were released Wednesday to three new program beneficiaries and two existing groups that already reached the initiative's second level or cycle.

He said a beneficiary-group reaches the second level after completing the repayment of their startup grant and was able sustain its venture.

The three new loan recipients are the Pag-ibig SEA-K Association of Barangay Zone III in Koronadal City that received P260,000; and, MCF-RICLA SEA-K Association of Silway 8, Small Business Women SEA-K Association in Polomolok town, which got P250,000 each.

The Survivor Savings SEA-K Association of Barangays Lumakil and Glamang in Polomolok town received P415,000 for the program's second cycle.

Salanio said the release of the loan grants is part of the continuing expansion of the program, which has already institutionalized by the local government.

"We're currently processing a number of grants and some of these were already approved and ready for release," he said.

Next week, he said five more groups under the first and second levels will receive their newly-approved loan grants.

The first level beneficiaries are the Daisy SEA-K Association of Brgy. Magsaysay, Polomolok (P350,000); Small-scale Tilapia Operators SEA-K Association of Poblacion, Lake Sebu (P260, 000); and, Muslim Women SEA-K Association of Koronadal Proper, Polomolok (P150, 000).

Those under the second level are the Golden Lady SEA-K Association of Brgy. Mambucal, Koronadal City (370, 000) and Tupi Fruit Park SEA-K Association (P375, 000).

The SEA-K program, which is supported by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, mainly aims to enhance the socio-economic status of poor families in marginalized communities in partnership with local government units.

The initiative involves organizing prospective beneficiaries into community-based associations and the training of their members on various entrepreneurial skills.

Under the program, members of SEA-K associations may borrow up to a maximum P15,000 to finance their small business ventures.

The loans are payable in monthly installments or repayments within a two-year period at zero interest.

Salanio added that continuing expansion of the program is the result of the good records generated by the current beneficiaries in terms of the sustenance of their ventures and repayment of the loan grants.(FKA/PNA)



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TACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat -- Former PBA star Kenneth Duremdes on Wednesday donated solar panels to former members of the communist New People's Army at an Indigenous Peoples (IPs) community in Senator Ninoy Aquino (SNA) town of the province.

In partnership with the local government, Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc and Duremdes, more known in the PBA as "Captain Marvel," trekked the mountain village of Kuden to distribute solar panels that will light the former guerillas' homes.

Cabunoc told the former rebels to live normally and work hard for their families.

Aside from rice, the group also distributed new clothes to the IP community.

"Sa gabi, maliwanag na ang kanilang mga bahay dahil sa solar panel (At night their homes will be lighted by the solar panel)," Cabunoc said.

At least 60 communist rebels under Guerilla Front 73 operating in the mountains of SNA and nearby Bagumbayan, also in Sultan Kudarat have surrendered to military authorities since May this year.

Earlier, Cabunoc presented six former rebels to Sultan Kudarat Governor Pax Mangudadatu who has been supportive of the Army's campaign to save IP members who were duped by NPA leaders.

Cabunoc said the rebels will be extended livelihood assistance through the Comprehensive Local Integration Program. (PNA)



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FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija -- Rescuers finally reached the location of the ill-fated Cessna plane that crash-landed in a forested portion of Sierra Madre mountains in the boundary of Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija and Maria Aurora, Aurora province around 1:35 p.m. on Wednesday. 

1Lt. Catherine Hapin, information officer of the Philippine Army's 7th Infantry Division, said rescuers safely found flight instructor Captain Albert Galban and student trainee Alexis Trinidad. 

Hapin said rescuers immediately gave Trinidad first aid for his unspecified injury. 

Citing reports from the ground, Hapin said the crash site was hard to reach and with poor telephone signal. 

Combined police and military personnel were dispatched for rescue operation at about 2 p.m. Tuesday after the trainer plane crash-landed at around 12:30 pm. on the same day. 

The ill-fated Cessna 152 type trainer aircraft was owned by Fly Fast Aviation. 

The instructor and the student pilot were on a cross-country flight that departed the Lingayen airstrip in Pangasinan en route to Baler, Aurora when the incident happened. (PNA)



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CALAMBA CITY, Laguna -- Capped by a three-minute fireworks display, a  60-feet Christmas tree was lighted at the Imall-Canlubang here on Tuesday night to kick-off the city's Yuletide season celebration.

The mall's Christmas tree is one of eight giant Christmas trees festooned with "parols" that are lit up beginning this week until January 3 in various public plazas, recreational parks and malls in the city.

The other giant Christmas trees can be found at the city hall's Rizal Plaza, Mercado de Calamba, Palisam Welcome Arch, Barangay Pansol, Waltermart Makiling, SM City Calamba atrium; Calamba Upper Barangays Association (CUBA) and the 77-feet Christmas tree centerpiece in the old Plaza at the "Kalan-Banga" landmark.

City Mayor Justin Marc SB. Chipeco and Laguna 2nd District Rep. Joaquin M. Chipeco led the mammoth crowd in the Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, where city folks were dazzled with the synchronized lighting of the Yuletide decors and the fireworks display.

Mayor Chipeco expressed the message of "Happy ang Pasko sa Calamba" (it's a Happy Christmas in Calamba" with the season's theme "Mensahe mula sa Puso Para sa Bawat Calambeño: Pag-ibig, Kagalakan at Kapayapaan Ngayong Pasko" (a message from the heart for every Calambeño: Love, Joy and Peace this Christmas).

He urged Calambeños, visitors and tourists to enjoy the Christmas spirit, nightly yuletide extravaganzas and festivities in thanksgiving to God for the city's bountiful blessings and achievements.

The city mayor, with wife Laverne;  Representative Chipeco, Jr and wife Nini; Vice Mayor Roseller Rizal; and City Councilors also led the opening of the "Calambuhayan Trade Fair," nightly Christmas Bazaar and carnival at the Rizal Plaza adjacent grounds.

The "Calambuhayan Trade Fair 2017" features the livelihood products, crafts, food market and home industries of cooperatives, people's and non-government organizations (POs/NGOs) here.

Chipeco recalled that the city's Yuletide Season celebration started in 2004 with only a Christmas tree then lit up for the occasion until 13 years later when several Christmas trees have "grown" and now bedeck public plazas and mall facades.

The Laguna congressman said the trees also symbolize not only the love, merriment and peace on Christmastide but also a testament to the city's strides into becoming the ninth richest city in the Philippines.

The Calambeño solon, however,  told the crowd "not forget to help and pray for the Marawi City victims and survivors in the spirit of compassion, caring and sharing" amid the Christmas occasion "to give the Marawi victims hope during these trying times as they rebuild their lives and their city." (PNA)

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GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Seventy-five small-scale mine tunnels in T'boli town in South Cotabato are facing closure after being found to have been operating outside a declared mining area.

Agnes Castanares, environment management specialist of the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO), said Wednesday the mine tunnels have been operating illegally as they are situated outside the 21-hectare people's small-scale mining area or Minahang Bayan in Barangay Kematu, T'boli.

She said the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) issued a cease and desist order last Oct. 26 to the owners of the concerned mine tunnels.

The order was signed by PMRB co-chairpersons South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-Region 12 acting regional director Efren Carido.

"The order will be served to them (tunnel owners) anytime from now by the deputized enforcers of the PMRB," Castanares said.

She said they are currently determining how many of the affected small-scale mining operators have active permits issued by the PEMO.

Those with active permits would be allowed to operate until the expiry dates but their tunnels would still be subjected to closure, she said.

MGB-12 records showed that T'boli town's gold rush area hosts a total of 159 small-scale mine tunnels.

Some 100 tunnels are situated in Barangay Kematu and 49 in the neighboring Barangay Desawo.

The agency noted that 34 tunnels are operating within the Minahang Bayan with active permits, 47 have no permits and three had been abandoned by their owners or operators.

It said 75 tunnels are located outside the Minahang Bayan area and could be subjected to Application for Product Sharing Agreement (APSA).

APSA is an "application for an agreement between a company and the government, under which the government grants to the company the exclusive right to conduct mining operations, such as smaller-scale exploration, development and utilization of mineral resources within the contract area, but title is reserved to the government."

The Minahang Bayan was declared by the South Cotabato Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) in 1995 based on provisions of Republic Act 7076 or the People's Small-Scale Mining Act.

But the area has a pending dispute with mining firm Tribal Mining Corporation (TMC) as it is located within the latter's 84.98-hectare Mineral Production Sharing Agreement issued by MGB in November 1997.

TMC purchased and acquired late last year the rights over small-scale mine tunnels in portions of the gold rush area following an agreement with holders Maguan Clan Small-Scale Mining Association and the T'boli Minahang Bayan Multi-Purpose Cooperative.(PNA)



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The provincial government of South Cotabato has launched a 120-day supplemental feeding program for children in communities with high prevalence of malnutrition.

Ma. Ana Uy, acting head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), said the special feeding program formally started this week in two sitios in Barangay Poblacion of Lake Sebu.

She said the initiative will eventually be rolled out in 28 other sitios and puroks in eight municipalities in the province.

These are located in the municipalities of Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Polomolok, Sto. Nino, Suralah, Tantangan and Tupi.

"The community-beneficiaries are mostly far-flung areas that were assessed to have high incidence of malnurition," she said.

Uy said the program will mainly cater to around 1,600 pre-school children but noted that they will also serve some elderly or senior citizens and breastfeeding mothers.

The official said they have tied up anew with the Hapag-Asa Integrated Nutrition Program for the implementation of the four-month supplemental feeding.

Hapag-asa, a partner of the local government in the implementation of the Good Nutrition Program, will provide for the food packs that would be served to the beneficiaries, she said.

She specifically cited the "manna packs," which are packed meal formulas developed by food science and nutritionists to supplement nutritional needs and reduce problems on malnutrition among children.

The official said manna packs are "excellent sources of protein, carbohydrates and other important nutrients that are culturally acceptable worldwide."

Under the program, Uy said they will initially provide the recipients with food packs for the first 60 days.

"We have installed a monitoring system to ensure the goods would not be wasted," she said

In cooperation with the Barangay Affairs Unit (BAU), a special unit under the governor's office, she said the beneficiaries would be monitored by assigned community organizers.

Jerry Gamo, BAU chief, said the system also aims to ensure that the targeted impact of the program would eventually be achieved.

"Our office is focused on the properly delivery of these services. This is to ensure that government presence is felt by our residents even at the farthest part of our province," he said.(PNA)



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ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat -- The governor here directed the police provincial office and all police enforcers to intensify drive against loose firearms in support to President Duterte's campaign to rid communities of unlicensed guns.

Sultan Kudarat Gov. Pax Mangudadatu issued the directive Wednesday to Sr. Supt. Raul Supiter, provincial police director, after the latter presented to the provincial executive some 60 assorted guns, explosives and ammunition seized in the province since October.

"The President needs our support, he cannot do it alone. To all police officers, make sure your area of jurisdiction is cleared of loose guns," Mangudadatu said.

The latest haul of unlicensed guns was taken in Sen. Ninoy Aquino town where a former soldier and nine others were arrested and more than 25 high-powered guns were recovered.

Rodolfo Ecija, retired Army sergeant and father of Sen. Ninoy Aquino town Mayor Randy Ecija, was arrested and is facing charges for violation of RA 10591 or possession of unlicensed guns.

Mangudadatu specifically directed Supiter to work on unlicensed guns recovery program for Palimbang, Lutayan, Kalamansig, Lebak, Esperanza, Isulan and Tacurong City where loose guns allegedly proliferate.

For the recovery of more than 60 guns, including one .30-caliber machinegun, Mangudadatu lauded the police and its force multiplier.

When asked whether the police in successful operations would receive citations from the provincial government, Mangudadatu said he is even mulling to give them monetary rewards.

"This is how our government supports the police and military in making our place a peaceful one," he said.

Supiter said more anti-gun campaign operations are on the pipeline within the coming days. He did not name the towns where police actions are to take place. (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has initiated a program to ensure coins are regularly re-circulated.

Hermogenes Buenaflor Jr., BSP-Zamboanga branch bank officer, told the Philippine News Agency that part of the program is the collection and conversion of the coins.

Buenaflor said they have so far collected 500,000 pieces of coins amounting to PhP30,000 from a school and a church.

Buenaflor said the collected coins, which included 25, 10, and five centavos as well as one centavo coin, were changed into the New Generation Currency paper bills.

He said they will re-circulate the coins to those who need it like supermarkets and pharmacies.

He said the BSP will be spending more money to produce new coins to be distributed if the coins that were already released to the public are not enough.

He said the cost of coin production are as follows: one centavo, P0.9434; five centavos, P0.4798; 10 centavos, P0.4782; 25 centavos, P0.7419; PhP1, PhP1.1825; PhP5, PhP3.4663; and, PhP10, PHP4.4128.

"The coins have been released, the problem is how it circulate(s). It's time to re-circulate the coins so the government will not waste money in producing it," he added. (PNA)



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DAVAO CITY -- The Police Regional Office (PRO 11) is intensifying its operation against motorcycle-riding criminals in the region as part of the Philippine National Police (PNP) anti-terrorism clearing operation.

Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan, director of PRO 1I, said the police are advocating a culture of disciple on the roads thru consistent enforcement of traffic rules and regulations.

"On law enforcement, we are going after motorcycle-riding suspects and pursuing investigation of all drug-related homicide cases which are still pending in the region," Gaerlan said.

For now, he said there is no particular group identified who are behind the motorcycle-riding suspects.

"Most of these are random suspects in murder and homicide who just use motorcycles because of the swift get away to evade patrols, checkpoints and dragnet operations," he said.

In a separate interview, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Sr. Supt. Alexander Tagum said that a regional coordinating conference was held Monday at the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) office, together with all the tactical operation officers of security forces in the region for the conduct of region-wide anti- terrorism clearing operations.

The Oplan Bulabog or Joint Anti-Criminality and terrorism operations is being conducted weekly to ensure that there are no unidentified or threat individuals residing in the city.

Oplan Bulabog started after President Rodrigo Duterte declared Martial Law in Mindanao to preempt the possible spill-over of the Marawi incident.

In an operation last October 20, DCPO together with the Regional Public Safety Battalion, Task Force Davao and other security forces conducted a joint anti-criminality operation in the different areas in the city.

The simultaneous operation resulted in the profiling of 1,891 individuals, wherein there were three most wanted persons with warrant or arrest were arrested by the authorities. (Rhoda Grace Saron/PNA)



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COTABATO CITY -- A total of 8,895 families or 44,475 individuals have so far returned home to nine villages declared safe and secured by military authorities in Marawi City.

An update from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao – Humanitarian Emergency Assistance Response Team (ARMM-HEART) as of Monday indicated the breakdown of returning evacuees per barangay as follows: Basak Malutlut (1,312 families), Matampay (1,252 families), Panggao Saduc (1,581 families), and Datu Saber (1,390 families). In addition, evacuees also returned to the villages of Tampilong (900 families), East Basak (688 families), Marawi Poblacion (815 families), Luksadatu (530 families), and Barrio Green (427 families).

"The Marawi social welfare office is currently assisting the returning evacuees," Myrna Jocelyn Henry, ARMM-HEART media coordinator, said.

She said it is expected that more Marawi residents are eager to return home now that the five-month battle by government forces to retake the city from the hands of ISIS-inspired terrorists has ended.

The city of Marawi has some 210,000 residents, according to data provided by ARMM-HEART. (PNA)



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LEGAZPI CITY -- Local government units in Albay are now on alert for the possible impact of tropical depression 'Salome'.

This after state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal (TCWS) No. 1 in the province.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) of Albay is closely monitoring the situation and the direction of the tropical depression.

With this, Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara has ordered the suspension of classes and class activities in all levels in the entire province.

He also ordered Albayanos not to go on fishing, sailing and crossing of rivers to ensure their safety.

The PDRRMC advisory issued at 8:00 a.m. Thursday directed the Philippine Coast Guard (PSG) to carry out the "no sailing" policy in various ports in Albay.

The "no sailing" policy prohibits all types of seacrafts to sail due to the bad weather.

Bichara also ordered the early decampment of the on-going Provincial Jamborette held in barangay Lidong, Sto Domingo town.

The advisory warned villagers living in river channels and steep slopes to be on high alert for possible flooding and landslide.

Villagers were advised to be prepared for evacuation once the bad weather worsens.

Bichara directed all local disaster council in the 15 towns and three cities of the province to be on heightened alert status. (PNA)



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DUMAGUETE CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Oriental on Wednesday said the price freeze that it had enforced earlier in Dumaguete City is still in effect.

DTI provincial head Javier Fortunato, Jr. explained that until such time there is a revocation of the order issued by the DTI in Region 7, the price freeze is still in effect in this city.

The clarification comes as people ask about a possible hike in the prices of commodities especially that the Christmas season fast approaching.

Fortunato said the bigger establishments like shopping malls, department stores and the market area are covered by the price freeze which includes commodities that are found in the list provided by the department.

The DTI here is conducting regular price monitoring to ensure that the order is strictly followed, he said.

The DTI had earlier announced a prize freeze on certain commodities after Dumaguete was placed under a state of calamity due to massive flooding wrought by typhoon Pablo last Oct. 18, leaving a trail of destruction behind although the city had reported of zero casualties.

The city council, in an emergency session the next day, approved the declaration of a state of calamity so that the city can utilize its calamity fund for the repair of damaged infrastructure and provide assistance to hundreds of families affected by the flooding.

The DTI is asking the people to help monitor the prices of commodities in Dumaguete City and report possible violations. (PNA)



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PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- The provincial government of Palawan's livelihood management unit (LMU) is set to distribute seaweed seedlings to residents of a coastal community this month in the northern municipality of Taytay.

LMU head Myrna Lacanilao said 40 beneficiaries residing at Sitio Amogues, Barangay Calawag in Taytay would get the seedlings on November 28. 

"One of the benchmarks we are looking for before the distribution of seaweeds to beneficiaries is that they need to be living next to a clean marine environment," Lacanilao said.

Over four tons of seaweed propagules would be distributed and each beneficiary would receive around 100 kilos from the livelihood project that is being assisted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Palawan, she said.

The recipients are all members of the Seaweeds Industry Development Program (SIDP) of the provincial government.

"Ang programang ito ay bilang tulong sa mga mangingisda na mabigyan ng alternatibong pangkabuhayan ang kanilang pamilya sa pamamagitan ng pagtatanim ng seaweeds (This seaweed dispersal program is aimed at giving alternative livelihood project to our fishermen so, they have extra income for their families)," Lacanilao added.

All the seedlings were grown in seaweed nurseries that can be found in the municipalities of El Nido, Dumaran, Araceli, and Taytay. Lacanilao expects that in the following months, more seaweed nurseries can be set up in other municipalities.

Regular monitoring of the seaweed nurseries are being conducted by the LMU to ensure that propagules are up to standards before distribution to beneficiaries, she said. (PNA)



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DAGUPAN CITY -- The proceeds of the sale by the city government of the former MC Adore Hotel in 2012 in the amount of PHP119 million was earmarked by the city council to fund the initial phase of the new government center or city hall to be built soon in Barangay Pantal here.

Councilor Jeslito Seen, chairman on the committee on appropriations, said Thursday that the amount formed part of the PHP126 million savings/surplus appropriated by the city council to fund a supplemental budget proposed by Mayor Belen T. Fernandez.

Appropriated by the city council from part of the PHP126 million savings were PHP60 million to cover the cost of the initial  construction of the planned government center; another PHP25 million to cover the cost for the procurement of Consulting Services for the preparation of detailed architectural and engineering design and plan for the proposed construction of a new government center; and another PHP21 million to cover the cost for the road and site development of the government center.

But since the amount is still  inadequate to complete the four-storey government center, it is likely that the city government will obtain a loan of PHP500 to PHP600 million. 

Mayor Fernandez explained on Wednesday that the proceeds of the sale of MC Adore was put into a trust fund when she started her first term of office in 2013.

She said MC Adore was bought by the city government in mid 2005 at a bargain price of PHP50 million from the Assets Privatization Office purposely to build the city hall.

But the past city administration of then Mayor Benjamin Lim sold it in 2012 for PHP119 million. 

Claiming that the price for MC Adore was a bit too low as compared to the prevailing prices of real estate in Dagupan's downtown area at that time,  Fernandez, who beat Lim in the 2013 election, decided to put the PHP119 million in a trust fund.

As an aftermath of the sale, the buyer of MC Adore and the city government filed charges against each other.

Councilor Seen believes the city government and the buyer of MC Adore have ironed out their problems, that is why the office of Mayor Fernandez allowed the use of PHP119 million proceeds of the sale to fund the newly approved supplemental budget.

Mayor Fernandez said MC Adore was bought by the city purposely to be made into a new Dagupan City hall but this was not realized when the city government sold this in 2012.

 

"It is only right that we should use the amount initially to construct a new government center to an area outside Dagupan's business district," Fernandez said.

The new city hall will replace the old Dagupan City hall that was built sometime in 1925, considered as the oldest city hall still being used today in the Philippines. (PNA)



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SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique --The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Antique provincial office has started Wednesday to intensify its monitoring of major stores here selling Christmas products.

Glen Fernando, Trade and Industry Development Specialist of the DTI Antique and leader of the monitoring team, in an interview on Thursday said that they are now monitoring major stores in the capital selling Christmas lights and other electrical supplies for the Yuletide season.

The monitoring is being conducted to ensure the safety of the products through valid Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certificates and Stickers.

"We visited seven stores yesterday to find out if they are compliant," he said.

Initially visited were Gaisano, Handyman at Robinson's, City Square, Unitop, and Mini Kuryente.

"So far the malls and stores we have visited were selling items with valid ICC certificates and stickers," he said.

The five Chinese and Korean stores in San Jose de Buenavista will also be visited by the monitoring team.

Starting next week, DTI team will also conduct monitoring in the towns of Pandan, Culasi, Bugasong, Patnongon, Sibalom, Tobias Fornier, and Anini-y, all considered as the major trading centers for the northern, central and southern parts of the province. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY -- The Philippine Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) in Estancia, Iloilo rescued eight students whose motorboat capsized Wednesday afternoon due to strong winds and big waves.

Lt. Ramil Palabrica, Philippine Coast Guard-Iloilo commander, on Thursday identified the students as: Arriane Boromeo, 14; Justine Vegare, 15; Rodel Gonzales, 16; Charmaine Joy Hiasa, 16; Blessed Lyn Mianne, 16; Rozel de la Cruz, 17; Aira Barres, 17; and Izzume P. Villanueva,18.

Palabrica said the Coast Guard in Estancia received a call from Leo Logronio, a concerned citizen who saw the accident from the mainland. The call, received at around 4 p.m Wednesday, informed them that a boat has capsized in the vicinity of Bulobadiang Islet in the said town.

Palabrica said the students were found clinging on the upended motorized banca when reached by the PCG Deployable Response Team (DRT).

They were immediately brought to the Don Colmenares District Hospital in Balasan, Iloilo for medical treatment.

He said that five of those rescued were confined for further treatment while the three others were sent home. (PNA)



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COTABATO CITY -- The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the rest of Central Mindanao have remained solid behind President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's political and education plans for the country as a whole.

For one, the MILF even approved of the government's strategy to use part of the Philippine Airlines (PAL) debt settlement for free education of students in public and state run colleges and universities, as it was also greeted with jubilation by some poor but deserving students in Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces.

"We trust so much President Duterte as we could see and feel his persistence and determination to uplift the lives of the Bangsamoro people through the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) into law," Ghazali Jaafar, MILF vice chair for political affairs, said.

The BBL, which would be tackled by Congress after the culmination of their recess later this month, intends to replace and expand the coverage area of the old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) set up.

The MILF is targeting to gather some 500,000 to one million people for the Bangsamoro Assembly on Nov. 26 – 27 at the old capitol grounds in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, with President Duterte as special guest of honor.

"This is to show how solid we are behind him right now," Jaafar stressed.

Meanwhile, in a separate interview, Anwar Upahm, director of the ARMM's Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance and Synergy, sees nothing wrong with the reported decrease in the latest President's popularity rating survey conducted last September as he remains loved much by Mindanaons.

"Do not mind the surveys Mr. President because you always get the job done," Upahm remarked.

More so, he lauded the President's care for the poor students who, due to poverty, opted to cease schooling and end up jobless.

ARMM-HELPS is the banner program of the regional government for more coordinated and focused interventions at the local level to achieve maximum impact of services. One of its objectives is to increase access to quality education in the region, particularly through scholarship programs.

For Sultan Kudarat Governor Pax Mangudadatu, utilizing the PAL tax debt payment for free education is a "very much welcome development" for everybody.

"This free education is a clear indication that President Duterte is pro-poor because he thinks immediately the benefits of poor students when funds are available," Mangudadatu said in an interview.

"That is why I support 100 percent President Duterte's programs that will benefit my constituents. Who will not support such program? Who will not when the beneficiaries are the poor who will become our future leaders?" he said.

For Arlene Estonete, first year student of Sultan Kudarat State University, the news was a timely development.

"I have been waiting for this," she said in an interview. "Poverty prevents us from pursuing college education, we could hardly afford even for school uniform but with this news, I have something to look up to."

Incoming first year college Angelyn Sunio, 16, of Tacurong City, said the government's plan opened a window of opportunity for her to become an Accountant.

"Timing po ang news and plano ng gobyerno (The government's plan to use PAL funds is just in time as I enter college)," she added.

Abdullah Kasim, second year student of Mindanao State University (MSU) in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, was elated with the news.

"Pursuing my dream to become a registered forester is now clear, at least with the news," Kasim, a College of Forestry student, said.

For elementary school teacher Edilberto Sanchez in Tacurong City, the free education program of President Duterte is an indication of this government's value to education as a means to attain personal and community development.

Sanchez plans to pursue other course aside from education for him to be equipped with additional knowledge with the advent of technology in teaching.

"Answered prayers," this was how Estanislao Sarita, a farmer, said of the good news. "Surely, when this plan is implemented my daughter is one of the beneficiaries," Sarita said of his girl who will finish senior high next year and enter college in June. (PNA)



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CEBU CITY -- A South Korean national and his girlfriend were arrested by authorities inside a hotel in Barangay Kamputhaw here Wednesday afternoon for possession of illegal and regulated drugs.

Combined elements from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7) and Cebu Police Station 2 collared Wei-Rak Son, 39, and his 24-year-old Cebuana girlfriend, Crisel Claire Ferolino, around 5:30 pm Wednesday after hotel management reported that various kinds of drugs were seen scattered inside the couple's room by housekeeping personnel.

Recovered from the Korean's room were a packet of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or "shabu" and assorted of regulated drugs, including 36 Zolpidem tablets, 15 Diazepam pills, and 68 other tablets.

Zolpidem and Diazepam are controlled substance drugs used to treat insomnia and anxiety disorders, respectively.

PDEA-7 information officer Leia Albiar on Thursday said the Korean said the drugs are his medication as he is suffering from depression, but failed to produce a doctor's prescription for the regulated medicines.

Albiar added that girlfriend Ferolino had been previously arrested for illegal possession of shabu.

In another operation, PDEA-7 also arrested a 33-year-old Japanese-Filipino two hours earlier in the same barangay.

Albiar identified the suspect as Shin Bacarisas Torii, who yielded three packs of shabu with a total weight of 0.19 grams and worth PHP1,100 aside from several drug paraphernalia.

The PDEA-7 spokesperson said Torii has been under surveillance for a week before conducting the raid on the suspect's residence.

The three suspects are now detained at the PDEA-7 detention cell and will be charged with violation of Republic Act. No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (PNA)



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COTABATO CITY -- In an exceptional feat, 19 municipalities and a city in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are awardees of the prestigious Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) this year.

A list posted by the Department of Interior and Local Government – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DILG-ARMM) in a social media account included the towns of Buldon, Barira, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Paglas, General Salipada K. Pendatun, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Parang, Rajah Buayan, Sultan Mastura, Sultan Kudarat and Upi, all in Maguindanao as several of the SLGL awardees.

In other parts of the region, Lamitan City in Basilan was listed as the lone urban center as recipient of the coveted award.

Other SGLG awardees in Basilan are the towns of Maluso and Sumisip. Also SGLG awardees are the towns of Calanogas, Piagapo, Kapatagan in Lanao Del Sur; and Jolo and Talipao in Sulu.

Last year, the ARMM has only six SGLG awardees.

Lawyer Kirby Abdullah, DILG-ARMM secretary, described the remarkable performance of Local Government Units (LGUs) in the region as "unprecedented" in the past two years, considering that in 2015, the ARMM had zero passers for the prestigious award.

The SGLG is among the tools used by the national Department of the Interior and Local Government in assessing local government units in terms of their integrity and performance, especially in four core areas. These areas of criteria included financial administration, disaster preparedness, social protection, and peace and order.

The conferment of the seal is guided by the provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991, the General Appropriations Act of 2017, and Administrative Order No. 267 of 1992.

Meanwhile in Region 12, also accorded the SGLG award are Kidapawan City and the towns Kabacan, M'lang and Pigcawayan in North Cotabato province; Kiamba and Maitum in Sarangani; Surralah and Tupi in South Cotabato; Tacurong City and towns of Bagumbayan and Columbio in Sultan Kudarat; and Cotabato City. All qualified LGUs will be conferred with a 2017 SGLG marker, a national recognition, and cash. (PNA)



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DAVAO CITY – With good results in tracking down wanted persons, the Davao City Police Office's (DCPO) anti-criminality campaign, dubbed as "Oplan Bulabog", will be replicated in provinces comprising Davao Region, according to city police spokesperson Sr. Insp. Maria Teresita Gaspan.

Oplan Bulabog is an anti-criminality and anti-terroism campaign of DCPO where operatives conduct profiling of residents in the barangays, especially those tagged as crime hotbeds.

Gaspan said the DCPO presented the campaign to the different police offices in the region on Tuesday morning during the Regional Coordinating Conference at the Public Safety and Security and Command Center.

"I-pattern nila ang atong Oplan Bulabog (They will pattern their campaign from us)," she said.

Gaspan said that all of the provincial police offices in the region would be observing the conduct of the operation in the city.

She said this campaign would help the provinces to implement their security plans as it has been seen to prevent criminality by profiling the constituents of their barangays.

"This aims to prevent any criminals to infiltrate their barangays," Gaspan said.

On Wednesday, the police provincial offices in the region observed the conduct of Oplan Bulabog along with Regional Public Safety Battalion 11(RPSB 11), Philippine Coast Guard 11(PCG 11), Regional Intelligence Unit 11 (RIU 11), National Bureau of Investigation 11 (NBI 11), CIDG 11 and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency 11 (NICA 11).

The Deputy Provincial Directors for Operations of Davao del Norte Police Provincial Office (DNPPO), Compostela Valley PPO , Davao Oriental PPO, Davao del Sur PPO and Davao Occidental PPO and their respective operations officers and selective chiefs observed the conduct of operation in different areas of the city.

Oplan Bulabog was conducted in Lower Madapo, Barangay 8-A, Arroyo Compound in Matina Crossing, KM 12, Sasa in Bolinao Site), Muslim Village in Barangay Ilang, Alegre, Manggahan, Toril), and Deca Homes, Tacunan.

The series of operations resulted to the arrest of three wanted persons identified as Renato Zamoras Cabariana Jr., for Violation of Comelec Resolution Nr 10015, Joel Ragmac Jamora for Less Serious Physical Injury, and Jenelyn Arevalo Quibol for Simple Slander.

There were 974 people rounded up during the Oplan Bulabog. Gaspan said 809 of them have IDs while 165 have without identification. (Armando Fenequito Jr/PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Office of the City Agriculture has requested the city government to allocate PhP18 million to provide assistance to farmers and fisherfolk affected by the recent storm surge and flashflood that hit many parts of this city.

City Agriculturist Diosdao Palacat on Wednesday said the funds, once allocated, will be used to purchase seeds for rice, corn, vegetable, fertilizer, bangus and prawn fries to be distributed to the affected farmers.

Data from Palacat's office showed that 2,499 farmers and fisherfolk were affected in the storm surge and flashflood that hit this city last month.

So far, 1,183.4 hectares of crops and 1,700.7 hectares of fishponds and seaweeds worth PhP155.6 million have been destroyed.

But Palacat said the farmers and fishfolk will have to rehabilitate first their farmlands before they will be granted assistance. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY -- Some 300 children-at-risk (CAR) in Iloilo City have been identified as initial recipients of free whistles under the "Pito Para sa Bata" of the Iloilo City Council for the Protection of Children (ICCPC).

Social welfare officer Merlyn Gizon and focal person on child and youth welfare program said in an interview on Thursday that they have decided to "mainstream" in their advocacy program the provision of protection whistles.

It is a campaign to ensure children's safety against illegal drugs, abuse and exploitation, calamities and disasters, under the "Comprehensive Program for Children At-risk in the Street."

Together with a free whistle they will also be provided with PVC bag tags with emergency hotline numbers that they can call, Gizon said.

The initial recipients are beneficiaries of the task force on street children because they are "more vulnerable."

She assured that they hope to expand the project next year to probably include children in day-care center, and elementary and secondary students.

The whistles will be released on December 11 to mark the culmination of the National Children's Month in the city. It will be held simultaneous with the awarding of the 2017 Most Child-Friendly Barangay in Iloilo City. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY -- The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) here has strengthened the implementation of a system that would ensure that the release of relief assistance complies with Commission on Audit (COA) rules.

This was revealed by newly-installed CSWDO head Gene Garingalao in an interview following the confirmation of her appointment by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) here Tuesday.

"We have some policies on the release of goods and supporting documents, as required by COA," she said. This means that a requisition slip and case findings by social workers have to be submitted first before the relief assistance is released.

To recall, several employees of the CSWDO were investigated for alleged illegal release of goods from its warehouse. This, after a white CSWDO vehicle was pictured allegedly delivering sacks of government rice to stores in the city. Garingalao said the issue is now with the City Legal Office.

She assured that they have already addressed the concern on the warehouse and stockpiling of goods since she took over as officer-in-charge four months ago.

Meanwhile, she added that one of her priorities as new head of the CSWDO is to ensure the "efficient and effective implementation of basic social services in the barangays (villages)".

They are also working closely with the Women and Children's Protection Desk (WCPD) of the Iloilo City Police in reaching out to violators of the city's curfew for minors.

They are likewise considering to enter into an agreement with hospitals in the city to accommodate individuals in crisis situations, especially when there is no government office. The city government will shoulder the expenses. (PNA)



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TACLOBAN CITY -- Tacloban City is the most successful model in the Yolanda Permanent Housing Program implemented during the Duterte administration, having the most number of resettlement houses occupied at 10,703 units from a total housing target of 14,433 houses.
 


A report from the National Housing Authority (NHA) released on October 30 show that it has 1,873 units currently under construction while another 1,721 units are already undergoing land development. 



In a letter to President Rodrigo Duterte, Tacloban City Mayor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez personally thanked the president for fasttracking the construction of the housing units. 



Romualdez also thanked the President for tasking Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino to assist in the relocation of the beneficiaries in a manner most convenient to them.



Initially, the beneficiaries declined to be relocated to other sites of resettlement areas due to lack of power, water facilities, and transportation.



Through the Department of Energy and Leyte Electric Cooperative, the resettlement areas were provided with power. Stop gap measures were put in place while permanent water pipelines have yet to be installed.



A Memorandum of Understanding among NHA, Local Water Utilities Administration, Leyte Metropolitan Water District, Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Tacloban LGU was signed for the medium-and long-term water supply for the resettlement sites in Tacloban.




Also, Dino secured six units of Ceres buses that were lent to Tacloban City to provide free transportation to beneficiaries who initially were reluctant to be relocated away from their source of livelihood and schools. 




Vallacar Corporation, the owner of Ceres buses, will donate the buses to Tacloban City.

A ceremonial turn over of the buses will be made today, November 8, on the fourth anniversary of supertyphoon "Yolanda".
 (PR)



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CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela -- At least 120 policemen from the Isabela Police Provincial Office (IPPO) have been chosen to be part of the security contingent for the 31st ASEAN Summit on November 10-14.

Supt. Ronald Laggui, IPPO Community Relations Officer, said the policemen are from the province's police stations and were recommended by their police station chiefs.

Laggui said the IPPO security contingent will be reporting to the Cagayan Valley Police before going to Metro Manila to secure ASEAN leaders attending the summit. The IPPO did not say though when the chosen Isabela policemen will leave for Manila.

He said the security contingent of the IPPO will be under the supervision and control of the National Capital Region and will be assigned in various venues of the ASEAN summit activities.

The security contingents will ensure the safety of delegates from the neighboring Southeast Asian countries. Leaders of the ASEAN bloc and partner trade countries will attend the summit.

The ASEAN Summit this year is hosted by the Philippine government and various activities have already been conducted in the past few months. (PNA)



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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Bureau of Customs in Northern Mindanao (BOC-10) is now closer to achieving its collection target as taxes and duties earnings have picked up in the past few months.

From January to October, BOC-10 was able to collect more than P10 billion, said BOC-10 Collector Jamail Marohomsalic.

He said the agency's original target was P12 billion, but Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña ordered the adjustment on BOC-10's collection goal for this year.

Despite the additional P1 billion, Marohomsalic said they can still reach the target "as long as our stakeholders (importers and exporters) declare their shipment properly and pay the right taxes."

The earnings of the BOC-10 will form part of the overall income of the bureau, which has reached more than P42 billion in October, according to BoC. That was "the highest monthly collection in the agency's history," Lapeña said on the agency's website.

"Although the month of October was marked with lesser number of working days and volume of imports, growth was still achieved because of increase in the value of imports brought by the higher exchange rate, oil price, and improved valuation and classification," Lapeña said.

Aside from its traditional collection efforts, the BOC-10 has also earned extra income through auction of good seized due to failure of importers to comply with the Customs requirements.

Marvin Mison, Deputy Collector for Assessment and Auction Committee vice chair, said they were able to generate about P2.5 million from the auctioned items. The auction was held last Nov. 2.

Mison said another round of auction will be conducted on Nov. 24 and he expects more bidders will participate.

Alvin Enciso, chief of the BOC-10's Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), said there about 100 container vans that were confiscated by the agency awaiting inventory.

Once the goods inside these containers are accounted for, they can now be auctioned off, Enciso said.

Meanwile, fuel companies, power producers and food processing facilities were among the entities given recognition by BOC-10 for helping the agency in its collection of taxes and duties over the years.

Marohomsalic said they have cited the top 10 exporters and importers who have transactions in the region's various seaports.

The top 10 importers are Nestlé Philippines Inc., Jetti Petroleum Inc., Minergy Coal Corp., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Phoenix Petroleum Phils Inc., Cagayan Corn Products Corp., Seaoil Philippines Inc., Steelasia Manufacturing Corp., FDC Misamis Power Corp., and Steag State Power Inc.

Recognized as the top 10 exporters are Pilipinas Kao Inc., Del Monte Philippines Inc., Axelum Resources Corp., Newtech Pulp Inc., Phil. Sinter Corp., Granexport Manufacturing Corp., Wilmar Edible Oils Philippines Inc., Jacobi Carbons Philippines Inc., Cargill Oil Mills Philippines, Inc., and Donau Carbon Philippines Corp. (PNA/Jigger J. Jerusalem)



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DAVAO CITY -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Davao Region will burn some P2 million worth of illegal drugs as one of the highlights of the National Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week this month.

PDEA 11 officer-in-charge Naravy Duquiatan said the burning of the confiscated and surrendered illegal drugs will take place on the third week of November.

"These confiscated and surrendered illegal drugs that will be burned already have court orders," Duquiatan said.

These are the methamphetamine hydrochloride known as shabu and dried marijuana which were used as pieces of evidence in court and already been decided by all drug courts in the region to be disposed.

She said the burning will also include the expired medicines surrendered to their office by pharmacies.

"So far, we don't have the exact date yet, but we will try our best to burn these within this month," he said.

Duquiatan said there will be two simultaneous burning activities in the region, one in Davao City and the other in Panabo City, Davao del Norte.

Aside from the burning activity, other activities are the poster making contests for grade school and high school, outreach program, trainers training, series of lectures about the effects of illegal drugs and drug test in the whole region.

This year's theme for the National Drug Abuse Prevention and Control week is "Makinig Muna. Ang pakikinig sa mga kabataan ay daan upang tulungan silang lumaki ng malusog at ligtas (Listen First. Listening to our young generation is a way to help them grow safe and healthy)." (Armando Fenequito Jr/PNA)



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ILOILO CITY -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte continues to enjoy the confidence of Guimarasnons amid the drop in his net satisfaction and net trust rating in the September 2017 survey conducted by the Social Weather Station (SWS).

Governor Samuel Gumarin on Wednesday said he is "sure" that the more or less 200,000 residents of Guimaras are backing the President. He added that leaders of the province from its lone district representative, governor, vice-governor and mayors are throwing support to the president.

He added that Duterte's rating as regard his anti-drug campaign remains high.

"I'm sure the confidence of Guimarasnons to President Duterte has increased," he added.

He recalled that Duterte was only able to muster only around 10 percent of the votes casted in Guimaras during the election.

However, Guimarasnons felt the impact of the President's anti-drug war, which also has a big effect on the economy of the province and its drive as an agri-eco-tourism destination.

San Lorenzo councilor Lino Galea said that his town mates are supportive of Duterte's programs, especially on peace and order.

"The people used to be resistant but now our people are all out in supporting him," he said.

Galea said that they are just waiting for the schedule of their proposed oath-taking with the Presidents political party.

Cupido Ferrer, Punong Barangay of Barangay Daragan in Buenavista town, said the President is "okay."

"Look at his anti-drug program. He has been doing his best to address the problems of the country," he said in the vernacular.

Ferrer, now 70 years old, also lauded the President's programs for senior citizens and indigent Filipinos. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY -- Three members of the New People's Army were killed in a clash with troops of the Philippine Army's 61st Infantry Battalion (61 IB) Tuesday afternoon at the mountain village of Puti-an, Cuartero, Capiz.

Lt. Col. Sisenando Magbalot, 61st IB commanding officer, said that a body of a rebel was recovered right after the encounter while two other corpses were recovered early morning of Wednesday when they continued their clearing operations.

The NPA members have yet to be identified, Magbalot said.

The slain NPA members are still wearing their battle gears when they were recovered, Magbalot said. The firefight with more than 20 NPA members lasted for about an hour.

Aside from the bodies, the soldiers also recovered two high-powered firearms and one AK-47 rifle. These firearms are already in the custody of operating troops.

Magbalot assured that none from Army troops was wounded or killed during the encounter.

Magbalot said that they sent small troops to Barangay Puti-an this week to verify residents' reports there are NPA members doing extortion activities in the area.

"There is an ongoing harvest in the area. They (NPA members) obtained sacks of rice from residents and sell them. There are even envelopes recovered with names on it," Magbalot added.

To further secure the safety and security of the residents and protect them against further extortion activities of NPA members, Magbalot assured to constantly provide community support program to the communities.

He mentioned that the Capiz Public Safety Company is also active in inspecting the community.

Residents are urged to report to authorities if they are being harmed by armed groups or victimized by extortion activities. (Cindy Ferrer/PNA)



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TACLOBAN CITY-- Four years after super typhoon "Yolanda" struck, the city government here lauded President Rodrigo Duterte for accelerating the post-disaster rehabilitation.

Tacloban Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez said President Duterte's order to triple recovery efforts has yielded positive results in this city.

Romualdez shared that from less than 3,000 completed houses in the northern resettlement sites from 2014 to 2016, the number has increased to 10,677 at present with 9,538 ready for occupancy.

The National Housing Authority (NHA) targets to build 14,433 units in this city alone. About 8,000 houses have been awarded to beneficiaries.

The mayor noted that the rehabilitation efforts has significantly improved after President Duterte expressed disappointment over slow pace of resettlement projects.

"The four years into the road of the government rehabilitation efforts has been punctuated by the national government renewed thrust to accelerate rehabilitation," Romualdez said.

"Since last year we have seen a great improvement in the transfer of displaced families upon instruction of President Duterte, concerned government agencies have been mobilized to fast track the overdue rehabilitation projects."

During his visit on November 8, 2016, the President was upset that only 1,564 families were transferred to permanent houses.

The Chief Executive directed Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino to closely monitor housing projects and to ensure that electricity and water supply would be provided.

Early this year, Duterte returned to this city and threatened to crucify concerned government officials if they would fail to address the basic needs of resettled families.

Dino has deployed buses from Ceres Bus Company to help in transporting students and workers from Tacloban north to the city proper. This is a stop-gap solution until new public vehicles be established in the relocation sites.

Late last year, Malacañang also appointed Presidential Assistant Wendel Avisado to oversee the ongoing implementation of post-"Yolanda" recovery projects.

The President's directive compelled the Leyte II Electric Cooperative to connect power to houses, even without the required application and supporting documents. The city government then facilitated the processing of requirements.

As a short term solution to the water scarcity, the government acquired six water tankers that deliver 130 tons of water to resettlement sites daily since 2014.

The Department of Public Works and Highways has contracted a private provider of water to other sites.

"We are also working on ways to install pipelines to the relocation sites as a permanent solution to the water supply," Romualdez added.

On November 8, 2013, super typhoon "Yolanda" unleashed its wrath in central Philippines, killing around 6,300 people and leaving more than 4.4 million people displaced and homeless.

The city, the regional hub of Eastern Visayas region, was considered as "Yolanda's" ground zero. (with reports from Christine Quimbo, OJT/PNA)



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LEGAZPI CITY -- Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda has welcomed the recent Malacañang announcement of an additional PHP6-billion fund for the celebrated Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, from a recent debt settlement by the Philippine Airlines (PAL) with the government.

Republic Act 10931, the free tuition law signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, was principally authored in the lower house by Salceda. Doubts on whether the government can fund the program were doused after Congress realigned and allotted some PHP41 billion from the 2018 budget, a month after the new law was enacted.

Malacañang has announced that the PHP6-billion settlement by PAL will be used to fund the education of students in local and state universities and colleges (SUCs) under RA 10931.

"This shows us that the Duterte administration sincerely wants Universal Access to QualityTertiary Education Act to start off on the right foot next year," said Salceda, adding that RA 10931 will usher in the Duterte administration's "next wave social revolution in building a more egalitarian society" and "a most vital social legislation, second only to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion bill in terms of significance and permanence."

Free tuitions and miscellaneous fees in government-run colleges and accredited technical vocational schools is no longer a dream, he said. 

Salceda is senior vice chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, which ironed out the 2018 budget for the new law.

RA 10931 provides for free tuition and miscellaneous expenses in state universities and colleges, local governments' community colleges, techvoc schools under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and LGU-run Technical Vocational Education and Trainings or TVET.

At the state-run Bicol University in Albay's Second District, which Salceda represents, some 28,000 students stand to benefit from the measure with a subsidy of about PHP480 million per year.

There are 114 SUCs and 16 local universities and colleges (LUCs) accredited by the Commission on Higher Education and 122 technical vocational institutions accredited by TESDA in the country.

Salceda said he filed his version of the universal access to education bill, HB 2771 in July last year "to solve the continuing paradox that while college education helps us to escape poverty, Filipinos have to be rich to afford one." The measure was merged with the bills filed by party list Representatives Antonio Tinio (ACT) and Sarah Jane Elago (KABATAAN).

The components of the breakthrough legislation include: Free Higher Education in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs); Free Technical-Vocational Education and Training in Post-Secondary Technical-Vocational Institutions; Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) for Filipino Students, and; Student Loan Program (SLP) for Tertiary Education.

Salceda said the program also provides for some PHP1.3 billion in student loans for those who belong to the lowest 30 percent who may need additional financial resources in pursuing their college studies.

Aside from its mechanisms that provide all Filipinos equal opportunities to quality education in private and public educational institutions, RA 10931 also aims to prioritize academically able but poor students, ensure optimized utilization of government resources in education and recognize the complementary roles of public and private institutions in the tertiary educational system.

The new law drew much of its provisions from the Albay model on Universal Access to College Education program that Salceda pioneered when he was governor of Albay for nine years. The program had assisted some 88,888 students in completing their studies. Together with his other creative program initiatives, it has helped reduce Albay's poverty incidence from 41 percent in 2007 to 15 percent today. (Johnny C. Nuñez/PNA)



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CALAMBA CITY, Laguna – Around 200 persons with disability (PWDs), especially among the deaf and blind students, were special filmgoers to the free screening of the Disney fantasy adventure film "Oz, The Great and Powerful" at the SM City Calamba City cinema on Tuesday.

Karen Christine H. Tiqui, SM public relations officer, said  the movie experience left all PWDs glad especially the students through the special facilities installed at the SM cinema here.

Tiqui said the special screening of the Disney film, which was released commercially in March 2013, had captivated the blind through the special "audio description" feature while the deaf enjoyed watching the movie like any other movie-goer through the "closed captioning" or sub-titles.

She said that the PWD students came from the Special Education Program (SPED) city schools and Field of Little Hands School Inc. through the Department of Education (DepEd) city SPED schools that ensure inclusive education even to learners with special needs.

The SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of SM Supermalls in partnership with the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and the SM Cinemas has embarked on its advocacy to promote and uplift the rights and privileges of the PWDs.

The CSR advocacy on their free film screenings and other projects has since reached out and benefited PWD non-government organizations such as the Deaf Blind Support Philippines Inc. and CALL Foundation of the Blind aside from the DepEd schools' SPED (PNA)

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DAVAO CITY -- The city has been nominated anew for the Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities (PACFMC).

"This is an affirmation of our efforts to stop child abuse and promote the rights of children at all time," said City Social Services and Development Office Chief Maria Luisa Bermudo .

She said the city government was always conscious in the keeping the welfare of children at the center of its agenda.

The city won the award in 1998, 1999, 2013, 2014, 2015.

This year, the city is faced with equally formidable contenders for the Most Child-Friendly Award -- Iloilo, Baguio, and Paranaque.

"Davao has always been at the forefront when it comes to establishing programs for children," Bermudo said . 

Among the programs established by the city government was the Kean Gabriel Hotline, a brainchild of Mayor Sara Duterte. The Kean Gabriel Hotline ‎‎09088184444, a child abuse reporting number, has rescued 483 abused children since it was established.

Aside from the hotline, the city government has also put up the Quick Response Team for Children's Concern (QRTCC), which was designed to rescue, investigate and document cases of sexual, exploitation, and atrocities committed against children.

Bermudo said if the city won anew, "we will be elevated to the Hall of Fame."

The consistent standing of the city when it comes to being child-friendly is proof of the success of the various programs and projects that are being implemented in the city for the protection of the rights and welfare of the children, the city hall said. 

Since July last year, the city has allocated P50 million for the establishment, operation and maintenance and the upgrading and standardization of residential facilities to satisfactorily meet the accreditation requirements of the DSWD Standards Bureau.

The Crisis Intervention Center (CIC) Balay Dangupan, a shelter care institution for physically and abused children, was accredited First Level Standards last year. On the other hand, the Davao City Children's Village or Bahay Pag-asa, continues to serve as a temporary shelter for Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL), whose cases had been filed in court and awaiting disposition. 

The city also continues to maintain the Paginhawaan Drop-In Center for street children who need temporary shelter and protection and the Lingap Center for Mentally-Challenged Children. The city government also continues to provide day care services for the children of city employees under five years of age at the Child Minding Center.  (PNA)



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TACLOBAN CITY -- The national government is eyeing to complete post-"Yolanda" permanent housing projects within two years amid issues of substandard houses hounding the resettlement efforts.

Presidential Assistant for Special Concerns Wendel Avisado said that most projects have been bid out by the National Housing Authority (NHA), raising optimism that construction would go full blast next year.

The NHA reported that 95 percent of the 205,128 housing units needed for "Yolanda"-hit central Philippines have already been bid out to contractors as of end of October.

"We're doing our best to build the remaining houses and make sure that construction materials are in good quality," Avisado said in his speech during the 4th "Yolanda" commemoration here Wednesday.

The official assured of filing charges against contractors who built substandard houses, particularly in Balangiga, Eastern Samar.

NHA Eastern Visayas Regional Manager RizaldeMediavillo said accelerating housing projects implementation is more attainable two years after the super typhoon.

"We are over with those years of birth pain due to land acquisition issues delayed fund allocations," Mediavillo said.

For Eastern Visayas alone, about 11,000 out of 56,000 target permanent houses for typhoon survivors have been completed as of October. Most of these housing units are in this city.

The NHA targets to build 14,433 units in this city alone. About 8,000 houses have been awarded to beneficiaries.

"Our concern is not just building houses since there are sites where we will build basketball courts and community centers if there are still available spaces," Mediavillo added.

On November 8, 2013, super typhoon "Yolanda" unleashed its wrath in central Philippines, killing around 6,300 people and leaving more than 4.4 million people displaced and homeless.

The city, the regional hub of Eastern Visayas region, was considered as "Yolanda's" ground zero. (with reports from Mikaela Angelica Ramirez & Christine Quimbo, OJTs/PNA)



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CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga -- The Police Regional Office 3 (PRO-3) on Tuesday gave a hero's welcome to fallen Marawi City police officer Inspector Edwin Placido, one of the two Kapampangan officers killed during the initial clash between government troops and the Maute terrorist group.

"Nakakalungkot isipin na isa sa ating mga kasama at kapatid sa serbisyo ay nasawi ngunit alam naman nating lahat na ang buhay nating mga pulis ay lagging nasa panganib. (It is sad to think that one of our brothers in the service was killed. Although we all know that our lives as policemen is always in danger. And, still, we continuously perform our mandated tasks, even finding ways and means to go beyond our call of duty," PRO3 director Chief Superintendent Amador V. Corpus said during the ceremony.

Placido hailed from the City of San Fernando, Pampanga and was detailed at the PRO3 before he was deployed to Marawi City. 

The PRO3 chief hailed Placido's bravery and sacrifice that served in the best tradition of the Philippine National Police.

"To the family of the late Police Inspector Placido, the entire Police Regional Office 3 can never be prouder of him who chose to die fighting to liberate Marawi City and to spare our country from possible multiple terror attack," he said.

On May 25, Placido and another Kapampangan 1st Lt. Frederick Savellano were among the first to sacrifice their lives in defending Marawi City from local terrorists.

However, Placido's body was not immediately found as it was in the middle of the clash site.

After several unsuccessful attempts, government security forces led by Placido's brother, Supt. Anthony Placido, found skeletal remains in a police uniform with Edwin's nameplate last September 14 .

A DNA forensic examination eventually confirmed it to be Placido's remains.

As an expression of respect for the bravery and heroism of Placido, the Philippine flag in the camp was hoisted at half-mast. (PNA)



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CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga -- Beepo, an Australian business process outsourcing (BPO) firm located in this Freeport, was recognized as one of the top 500 taxpayers by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Region No. 4 Pampanga under the medium taxpayers program of 2017.

The recognition covers tax contributions for the period of January to September 2017.

Beepo, which more than 200 employees, has contributed over PHP8.3 million in interim taxes from January 2017 to June 2017.

Since the company's establishment in 2014, Beepo, Inc. has contributed over PHP259 million in withholding taxes, corporate taxes, payroll and share benefits.

"The Philippines has been a great launching point for our business and we've seen tremendous growth in the short time we've been here. To be able to contribute and give back to the Philippine economy in this way, in addition to making sure our employees succeed and grow are part of our core values and principles," Aimee Engelmann, CEO of Beepo, said in a statement.

Engelmann also said that they are on track in meeting their expansion plans of 5,000 staff in the next five years.

"We continue to grow at a swift and steady pace and we are seeing a significant increase in interest from Australian companies who want to grow a team with Philippines-based staff. Beepo is opening up more and more job opportunities for a large variety of positions, including administration experts, software developers, marketers, accountants and customer support," she said.

As one of the fastest growing companies in the Clark economic zone, the recent surge in job openings and applications in Beepo has made it a preferred employer by many job seekers.

She noted that in their 2017 employee satisfaction survey, the company received a total employee satisfaction percentage of 96.67 percent.

"Based on our most recent employee survey, we are very pleased to find out that an overwhelming majority of our employees are excited to come to work and would gladly recommend Beepo to their friends and family for future employment opportunities. This shows us that we are on the right track in terms of creating a fantastic work environment for the team," Engelmann said.

"Beepo continues to be an employer of choice in the Clark economic zone, and is growing its reputation throughout the region. It is our goal to continue assisting the local and Philippine economy by providing high quality day shift jobs that not only offer great benefits and compensation, but also unique opportunities to grow their skills and professional standing," she added. (PNA)



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ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) have arrested three drug suspects, including a couple, in separate anti-drug operations in this city, a top PDEA official said Wednesday.

The arrest came after the PDEA stepped up its campaign against illegal drugs in line with the war against drugs of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Lyndon Aspacio, PDEA regional director, identified the arrested suspects as Donie Muksan, 46, and his wife, Carmen Saji, 36, and Benhar Asta, 36.

Aspacio said the couple were arrested at around 5:45 p.m. Tuesday along Cabatangan Road in Barangay Sta. Maria, this city.

Aspacio said they yielded more or less 5.3 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated market value of PhP6,500 and PhP500 marked money.

Aspacio said cases of violation of Sections 26 (Attempt or Conspiracy) in relation to Section 5 (Selling of Illegal Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Illegal Drugs) of Article II of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against the couple.

He said Asta was arrested at around 4 p.m. on the same day along Gov. Ramos Avenue, Barangay Sta. Maria, this city.

He said confiscated from Asta's possession were a gram of suspected shabu packed in two plastic sachets worth PhP3,000 and PhP500 marked money.

He said Asta will be charged with violations of Section 5 (Selling of Illegal Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Illegal Drugs) of Article II of R. A. 9165.

He said the suspects are now detained at the headquarters of the PDEA regional office in this city. (PNA)



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KIDAPAWAN CITY -- Police authorities in North Cotabato have launched a manhunt against two men who gunned down Monday the municipal agriculture officer of Arakan, North Cotabato.

"Our police are still digging deeper into the case," Chief Insp. Aldrin Gonzales, speaking for the Police Regional Office (PRO-12) based in Gen. Santos City, said of the killing of Edgar Araña, Arakan town agriculture chief, at around 8 a.m. Monday

The 57-year-old Araña was driving his motorbike from his residence in Sitio Napanlahan, Barangay Poblacion, heading to the town proper when killed.

Investigation showed two men riding on separate motorbikes were tailing him and opened fire, killing the official on the spot.

As the municipal official slumped on the roadside, the gunmen sped away. Motive of the attack and identities of the suspects remain unknown as of this time.

Arakan, an upland town in North Cotabato, has been the center of atrocities committed by communist rebels over the past two months.

Last month, three off-duty militiamen were killed in Arakan that Maj. Silver Belvis, Army's 39th Infantry Battalion spokesperson, has blamed on the communist New People's Army. (PNA)



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BORACAY Island --This resort island will again host the Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) meeting this November 14-17.

Rowen Aguirre, executive director of the Joint Task Force: Boracay (JTF), on Wednesday said security procedures had been discussed and task force members are now on red alert to ensure the safety of the arrival of both the organizers and ASEAN delegates in this resort island.

Members of the task force include the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and Philippine Coast Guard, among others.


"We are ready for deployment since we will be following what we have done during the ASEAN meeting held in this resort island February of this year," Aguirre said.


"The information as of this time is sketchy but we were told by the ASEAN organizers that Boracay will be holding the meeting on the ASEAN Intellectual Property Office," he said in an interview.

The venue will be held at the Hennan Resort in this island. (JNAguirre/PNA)



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A TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR) Director, Chief Superintendent Elmo Francis Sarona, on Wednesday led the send-off ceremony for 309 personnel who will join the peace and security contingent for the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

Most of the 309 personnel came from the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) led by Superintendent Greg Ammiyao.

Sarona, during the send-off ceremony, enjoined the Cordillera contingent to follow orders from their commanding officers, and observe the rule that all movements should be covered by orders from the authorized officer.

He also reminded the policemen to observe cleanliness, and to apply maximum tolerance in case there would be rallyists who jeer at them.

He, however, said if they would be harmed, it is also their duty to protect themselves as he does not like anybody from the group to be hurt. He mentioned of the PROCOR's battle cry — discipline, commitment, and teamwork — in the performance of their function as maintainers of peace and order during the summit.

Sarona assured the public that despite the deployment, PROCOR would continue to monitor "threat groups" and would be ready to respond to any emergency as the Philippine National Police would be in full alert status nationwide. (PNA)



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LEGAZPI CITY -- The Department of Social and Welfare Development (DSWD) will have a new home here with the groundbreaking Tuesday afternoon for a PHP120-million building.

DSWD Undersecretary Camilo Gudmalin, who was guest of honor representing OIC Secretary Emmanuel Leyco, said, "We are proud to be part of this momentous event and this initiative is being done to provide safe, suitable and secure facilities."

Arnel Garcia, DSWD regional director, said he is grateful for the progress they are experiencing with the start of their headquarter's construction. "This is a longtime dream which has come into fruition," he said.

Garcia said that the new DSWD building near the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and in front of Bureau of Treasury would be closer to the public because of its strategic location.

"This is a milestone for the DSWD because we can now have a conducive office space for our manpower and especially for our clients: those people seeking for financial assistance, local government units (LGUs), civil society organizations (CSOs) and other groups who wish to avail of our programs and services," Garcia said.

The existing DSWD building at Buraguis, Legazpi City was constructed 35 years ago and can only accommodate 65 persons. It will remain as an extension office of DSWD once the new building is completed.

The actual number of DSWD employees who report at the said office is more or less 300 based on the Human Resource and Development Unit (HRDU) data.

"The DSWD Regional Office has grown with a total of 2,800 personnel and 10 percent report to the regional office," Garcia added.

The construction of the two-storey building worth PHP120 million will be completed in three years, on the 3,000-square meter lot which was granted to DSWD through the efforts of the Regional Development Council (RDC).

However, an initial cost of PHP18 million was downloaded for the sub-soil exploration and construction of fencing and the ground floor of the main building grid one to seven.

"The remaining amount was already requested from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to complete the building in three years' time but we will lobby to facilitate that this will be done in a shorter period," Gudmalin said.

Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara, for his part, said, "We are very lucky to witness this historic event because after 35 years, we will have a DSWD Regional Headquarters."

The governor also offered lots in Ligao City for the DSWD's Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY), and a space for the DSWD warehouse in Legazpi City. (PNA)



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VILLASIS, Pangasinan -- A tiny insect called Rice Black Bug (RBB) has wrought havoc in many rice farms here, reducing harvest of farmers by some 70 percent and threatening to relegate Pangasinan's position as one of the top rice producers in the country.

A report by the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of Villasis stated that some 50 hectares of rice land being tilled by about 100 farmers were already totally destroyed by the bugs in the town.

Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Nestor Batalla admitted the upsurge of the rice black bugs here, Urdaneta and Binalonan as well as some towns in Tarlac.

Fortunately, he said, the pest emerged when most farmers had already harvested their rice crops.

Batalla said the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) had called a meeting with leaders of farmers' associations from affected towns so they can devise effective and efficient control measures against the bug.

A report said that because of the bugs, many of the Pangasinan farmers are worried as the pest is difficult to control as the bugs had the capacity to transfer fast from one plant to another and can easily bury themselves in the soil.

Farmers recalled that the pests first attacked their farms sometime in September while their rice plants were already forming their pinnacles.

Batalla said that bugs usually come out in droves during full moon but assured this can be wiped out with the combined efforts of farmers and technicians now going around in the affected lands.

Farmers admitted their harvest dwindled to just 30 cavans per hectare or 70 cavans lower than their usual harvest of 100 cavans per hectare.

The farmers said that the bugs multiply rapidly and cannot just be exterminated through the application of ordinary biological control agents initially recommended by government technicians.

They said the RBB seemed to make the rice plants their main food, first attacking their roots, stems and leaves.

A report said because of these, farmers in this town are now thinking of foregoing with the planting of rice during the third cropping season which starts in December or immediately after this year's harvest season.

A report said that four barangays (villages) of Villasis were already confirmed to be infested by the bugs. These are Unzad, Labit, Tombod and Barraca, where up to to 50 hectares of rice lands were reported to have already been destroyed.

Batalla said the provincial government could help the affected rice farmers by giving them certified rice seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY -- A big hall at the seventh floor of the Iloilo City Hall will be named Graciano Lopez Jaena Hall in honor of the Ilonggo hero.

The hall is situated adjacent to the city mayor's office and was once used as holding area for residents asking for various assistance from the city government.

"The place is underutilized because it is too big," Mayor Jose Espinosa III said Monday.

The mayor added that he pitied Lopez Jaena for two reasons. First, he is the only national hero whose celebration is just done in Iloilo City and second, he was not included in the list of heroes to be displayed in public places.

"In our way of honoring him, we will name it as Graciano Lopez Jaena Hall," he said.

The hall will then serve as venue for meetings and other functions of the city mayor.

Lopez Jaena was the first editor of "La Solidaridad", the newspaper that fought for Philippine representation in Spain.

In March this year, the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) passed an ordinance declaring February 15 as "Mass Media Day" in Iloilo City to commemorate the establishment of the paper in Spain on February 15, 1889.

Currently, the only landmark that reminds Ilonggos of the Filipino hero is the statue of Lopez Jaena at the center of the Jaro Plaza.

Republic Act No 6155 also declares every 18th of December as official public holiday in the province and city of Iloilo to allow Ilonggos to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lopez Jaena. (PNA)



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PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- The Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) here is due to strengthen its plans and programs for Palaweños who are physically and mentally challenged.

Annie Paez, focal person of the PDAO, said Tuesday that plans are underway to guarantee organizations assisting persons with disability (PWD) all over Palawan the provision of vital support as well as their active participation in local community activities and events.

PDAO is under the Palawan Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).

"Marami pong mga plano at programa ang pamahalaan para sa mga Palaweñong may kapansanan (The provincial government has a lot of plans and programs to help Palaweños with disabilities)," Paez said.

Presently, PDAO is working on the PWD identification cards, which they can use to receive financial assistance, seminars and training for family members, and also for medical help.

"Persons with disabilities still face a lot of problems; they're being mocked and our society remains indifferent towards them. This is where we want to focus on, in removing this, so they can actively participate in community activities," she said.

Paez, who is a PWD herself because of cerebral palsy, said although there are a number of local programs, these need to be well-disseminated and should focus on what are really essential. (Grace Ann Belostrino/PNA)



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PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- The Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) here is due to strengthen its plans and programs for Palaweños who are physically and mentally challenged.

Annie Paez, focal person of the PDAO, said Tuesday that plans are underway to guarantee organizations assisting persons with disability (PWD) all over Palawan the provision of vital support as well as their active participation in local community activities and events.

PDAO is under the Palawan Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).

"Marami pong mga plano at programa ang pamahalaan para sa mga Palaweñong may kapansanan (The provincial government has a lot of plans and programs to help Palaweños with disabilities)," Paez said.

Presently, PDAO is working on the PWD identification cards, which they can use to receive financial assistance, seminars and training for family members, and also for medical help.

"Persons with disabilities still face a lot of problems; they're being mocked and our society remains indifferent towards them. This is where we want to focus on, in removing this, so they can actively participate in community activities," she said.

Paez, who is a PWD herself because of cerebral palsy, said although there are a number of local programs, these need to be well-disseminated and should focus on what are really essential. (Grace Ann Belostrino/PNA)



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SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- Field verification testing of the carrageenan plant as a growth promoter technology is now ongoing in Region 1 through the collaborative efforts of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Flordeliza Alida, Project Assistant 1 of DOST, said the 18-month project is titled, "Field Verification Testing of Carrageenan Plant Growth Promoter for Enhanced Growth and Induced Pests and Disease Resistant in Rice and Corn".

She said it started this year in the region but the first focus is on rice.

The project aims to determine the efficacy of carrageenan as plant food supplement for the growth and yield of rice, as well as its resistance to pests and plant diseases.

The technology was developed by DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) and the National Crop Protection Center (NCPC) of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) through DOST's Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD).

This plant food supplement (PFS) for rice and corn is an indigestible polysaccharide (carbohydrates) extracted from edible seaweeds, Alida said, adding that previous tests showed that the PFS increases the yield of rice by 15 to 30 percent. 

The carrageenan field verification testing project is a nationwide project of the DOST-PCAARRD, DA, DOST-PNRI, UPLB-NCPC, and DOST regional offices for promotion and adaptation in farming communities. 

Alida said at present, DOST and DA are working for the implementation plan and would identify the 5,000 hectares testing areas this month of November.

She said of this area, at least 2,500 hectares would be tested for the dry cropping season and another 2,500 hectares for wet cropping season. (PNA)



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CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela -- The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has announced a 12-hour power cut on Thursday as the transmission facility would be undergoing maintenance.

Lilibeth Gaydowen, North Luzon Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Officer, said the power interruption would start at 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Thursday.

Gaydowen said the whole franchise area of Isabela Electric Cooperative (ISELCO-I), except the Reina Mercedes substation service area, would experience the power outage.

She said the NGCP maintenance crew would conduct replacement of transformer oil, testing and commissioning of new substation equipment.

She said power interruption would likewise affect the Ifugao Electric Cooperative (IFELCO) Alfonso Lista substation service area and the entire franchise area of Quirino Electric Cooperative (QUIRELCO).

The NGCP official said normal operations would resume after work completion. (PNA)



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ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat -- Two more communist rebels have surrendered to military authorities, raising the number of surrenderees to 62 in Sultan Kudarat, the Army said Tuesday.

Lt. Colonel Harold Cabunoc, Army's 33rd Infantry Battalion commanding officer, said exhaustion and extreme hunger forced the two New Peoples' Army (NPA) siblings to lay down arms and rejoin the mainstream society.

Jonathan Kasa, 21, and his brother Jerry, 19, joined their father Zip, in fighting government forces as NPA rebels since May 2015.

The Kasas belong to the Dulangan Manobo tribe in the hinterland village of Kabulanan here. They were members of Platoon Cloud Phone of NPA Guerilla Front 73 operating in Sultan Kudarat province, particularly in the hinterlands of Sen. Ninoy Aquino and Bagumbayan towns.

Cabunoc said the Kasas joined the rebel movement as they were fighting for their rights over a vast expanse of forested area that they claimed as their ancestral land.

"The communist movement promised to return our traditional hunting grounds. We were excited to fight for our land when they handed over high powered weapons to us," Jonathan told Army officials during the surrender rites Monday.

After two years of evading the government forces, the siblings realized their struggle was going nowhere.

"I found out that we have become wanted persons. The NPA recruiters had also failed to deliver their promises to our community," Jerry said in vernacular.

Learning about the government's offer of livelihood opportunities and other social benefits, they decided to escape with their issued M-16 rifles.

Cabunoc presented the brother-surrenderees to Bagumbayan Mayor Jonalette De Pedro who vowed to assist the "lumad" communities in resolving their problems.

"I have always supported the indigenous people by delivering social services to their communities," De Pedro said.

Since May this year, a total of 62 communist rebels belonging to IP communities have surrendered. Some of them have been given livelihood projects under the Comprehensive Local Integration Program of Sultan Kudarat. (PNA)



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GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- It's all system go for the trial run here of the Department of Science and Technology's (DOST) innovative "40-meter train-like bus" dubbed Hybrid Electric Road Train (HERT).

City Councilor Dominador Lagare Jr., chair of the city council's committee on transportation, said Tuesday they expect the road train to finally start its test run in major roads here "within the week."

"Everything is all set, especially the route and the trial system, and we're only waiting for the go-signal from the DOST," he said in an interview over Brigada News TV.

He said the road train, which arrived here late last month following a six-month test run in Cebu City, would cover a total of 17 stops along the national highway from Barangay Tinagacan to the city fishport complex in Barangay Tambler.

It would take off at 4 a.m. in front of the Tinagacan Elementary School and would mainly cater to teachers, fishport and tuna canning workers, he said.

Lagare said the road train would operate four round trips daily, with two in the morning and two in the afternoon.

The road train was designed to only carry 240 passengers at one time but he said they estimated that around 1,800 passengers would be accommodated for every trip in the entire route.

Since the HERT is still on trial run, he said the passengers were pre-selected by the DOST and the local government.

The official said they had conducted the pre-registration of passengers in barangays covered by the route.

"The entire test run is subsidized by the DOST so the rides would be free for all passengers," he said.

Citing the local government agreement with the DOST, Lagare said the road train's trial period would initially run until Dec. 31.

But he said the agency has already sought the release of additional budget to extend the test run to another six months.

The city government and the DOST had signed a contract of commodatum for the use of the HERT.

Commodatum is a "gratuitous contract" that allows a certain party to loan specific chattels for use, with the obligation to return them after an agreed period.

The HERT, which was developed by DOST's Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC), is a "40-meter long train-like bus" that can run at a maximum speed of 50 kilometers per hour and is mainly powered by hybrid diesel fuel and electric-powered battery.

The train consists of five interlinked air-conditioned coaches that can hold up to 240 passengers per trip.

It is powered by a generator set and a series of batteries, with each coach driven by an electric drive motor.

The deployment of the road train is expected to help ease the city's traffic problems, especially during the peak hours in the morning and late afternoon.

City officials pushed for the deployment of the HERT in the city as it continues to study various alternatives to ease the area's traffic problems.(PNA



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DAVAO CITY – The eight members of the Police Regional Office (PRO 11) Explosive Ordnance Division were awarded with Medalya ng Kagalingan on Monday for their support during the government's campaign against the Maute terrorists in Marawi City.

Chief Insp. Andrea Dela Cerna, spokesperson for PRO 11, identified the awardees as SPO3 Yolindo Singson, SPO3 Joel Pardillo Mancia, SPO3 Delson Jun Carillo Pajota, SPO1 Kevin Indino King, and Walter Lee Dumayas Melodias, PO3 Jeffrey Olivar Magdirila, PO2 Jhonmer Saavedra Aclo, and PO2 Jose Asupra Raut.

Dela Cerna said the eight personnel assisted the operating troops in Marawi by means of clearing the area from unexploded explosive ordnance and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

She said their deployment lasted for one month and 22 days in the main battle area in Marawi city.

Medalya ng Kagalingan is awarded to a member of the Philippine National Police for a single act of heroism or a series of heroic acts in a duty responsibility.

"Their exceptional dedication to duty and self-sacrifice greatly contributed to the PNP organization," dela Cerna said.

Meanwhile, a total of 64 highly-skilled police officers completed the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) advance course who graduated Monday.

Dela Cerna said the SWAT officers would serve as tactical support component with their skills in dealing with threats and handle the situation that are beyond the capability of conventional police personnel.

The highlight of the event featured an exhibition and operational readiness to counter terrorism, criminality, and other security threats to public safety.

The graduates started training last August 10 to further improve their skills and competence to address security challenges. (Rhoda Grace Saron/PNA)



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ILOILO CITY -- The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution urging the Committee on Legislative Franchises of the House of Representatives to hold its public hearing on the renewal of franchise by the Panay Electric Company (PECO) in this city.

PECO is the sole distributor of electricity in Iloilo City. Its franchise will expire in 2019.

The council cited that "for convenience and protection of consumers' interests" as reason for asking that the consultation be held in this city.

During the regular session of the SP, the council was furnished a letter of Rep. Franz E. Alvarez, chair of the Committee on Legislative Franchises in Congress, asking for a legal opinion/position paper regarding PECO's application.

Pending before the committee of Alvarez is House Bill No. 6023, or an "Act Renewing the Franchise of the Panay Electric Company, Inc, granted under Republic Act 5360 and extended by the National Electrification Commission to establish, operate and maintain a distribution system for the conveyance of electric power to end users in the City of Iloilo."

Councilor Joshua Alim said that the public consultation would be an opportunity for consumers of this city "to air their grievances against the abuses and arrogance of PECO on overbilling, billing without reading, inefficient services, unannounced power outages to name a few."

Alim added that he was in possession of voluminous documents containing complaints of consumers that he would submit before the committee.

Councilor Leone R. Gerochi added that he did not expect that the "application for franchise would be filed this early."

"I agree that there will be a hearing here," Gerochi said adding that they have to "collaborate their efforts so they have one voice."

The council also asked Alvarez to furnish them a copy of the PECO application to study the document. (PNA)



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ILOILO CITY -- Iloilo province reaped various awards and availed of million-peso projects under the administration of Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr.

This was presented by Defensor before members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, employees and visitors when he delivered his State of the Province Address (SOPA) during the council's regular session Tuesday afternoon at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol here.

He cited the province won an incentive from the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) after it was consistently cited as Best Performing Province in the Excellence in Local Governance (EXCELL) Awards of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) since 2014.

The province is now DILG's Hall of Fame awardee.

This recognition did not only give the province the PCF that was used to improve roads but likewise provided performance-based programs like the "Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig sa Lahat Program" (SALINTUBIG) and the Bottoms-up Budgeting, he said.

He revealed that this year, the province is again a recipient of the Seal of Good Local Governance, making Iloilo a Grand Slam winner of the prestigious award. Automatically, the province is now out of the competition.

The governor also cited the accomplishments of individual departments in areas of treasury and assessment, environment, agriculture, social welfare, youth development, and employment generation.

The province's Public Employment Service Office (PESO) was awarded for the second time as the Most Outstanding PESO in the country while it is already a grand slam winner in the region.

Moreover, the province was a national winner of the 2017 ApolinarioMabini Award for the Local Government given by the Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled Inc., for its services to the citizens with disabilities within its jurisdiction in the last two years.

The provincial social welfare and development office (PSWDO) won three awards from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) namely, the "Gawad sa Makabayang Teknolohiyang Panlipunan for Persons with Disabilities (PWD)" and the " GAPAS Award" as an LGU Model for the implementation of " Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)."

The province was also conferred the 2017 GAWAD EMB by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in recognition of its effective management and implementation of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

Secretary Roy Cimatu conferred the province with an Environmental Champion award.

The lloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat has earned praises internationally for its relentless campaign against illegal fishing. It received commendations from the Institute of Governance and Sustainable Development based in Washington DC, and the United Nations Environment Programme in Bangkok, Thailand.

"This is our contribution to environmental conservation as we give special attention to the Visayan Sea and renew our commitment with the Governors of Cebu, Negros Occidental and Masbate to protect and restore this body of water that used to be the "Center of Marine Biodiversity."

Other environmental programs of the province are the reforestation of 100 hectares of mangrove areas in the province; the Action for Regreening and Transformation for Climate Change Adaptation (ART for CCA) program that has planted 1.7 million indigenous trees all over the province; and the massive planting of Cacao and Coffee; among others.

Iloilo was also a recipient of millions worth of projects under the KALSADA Program of DILG, the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) of the Department of Agriculture, and the Bottom-Up Budgeting ( BUB) of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

In terms of health, the provincial government upgraded 12 hospitals in the province towards making these become "real hospitals for the poor."

Other projects were funded by international partners like the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United States Assistance for International Development (USAID).

The provincial government in support to peace and order campaign has provided funds and equipment to the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO). The IPPO played a role in the neutralization of Richard Prevendido, the top drug personality in Western Visayas.

The governor also lauded members of the SP led by Vice governor Christine Garin for the passage of provincial legislations that will help sustain the gains of the province like the Revised Revenue Code of Iloilo, the Code of General Ordinances and the Code of Parental Responsibility.

Meantime, Defensor assured the completion of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol Complex Redevelopment Project before the end of his term in 2019. The provincial government has allotted Php400 million for the project that will make major developments from the Capitol grounds to the Metro Iloilo Water District Compound.

"We have come so far because we have traveled down the road hand- in-hand together. The road stretches far ahead of us into where we could not see. But we will always get to where we want to be if we simply set our hearts on it," he added. (PNA)



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BALER, Aurora -- A Cessna 152 type trainer aircraft crash-landed in the mountains between Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija and Maria Aurora, this province on Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Edwin M. Paredes, Philippine Army's 56th Infantry "Tatag" Battalion chief, said search and rescue operations are still ongoing for flight instructor, Captain Albert Galban, and student trainee Alexis Trinidad, who were both safe but suffered injuries.

"Our government troops were able to talk with the two and advised them to reserve their cellphone that can be used in the rescue operation," Paredes said in an interview.

Galban sustained bruises while Trinidad suffered a fracture on his feet, he noted.

Paredes also said that two teams from the Tatag Battalion were dispatched past 3 p.m. to search for and rescue the two victims.

According to a report, the instructor and student pilot were on a cross-country flight that departed the Lingayen airstrip in Pangasinan at 10:02 a.m. (PNA)



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TAGBILARAN CITY -- Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade arrived in Bohol on Tuesday aboard a plane that test landed at the New Bohol Airport which is under construction in the island town of Panglao.



Tugade was joined by National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Ernesto Pernia and Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco, Jr.



The DOTr secretary fulfilled his earlier promise to return and do a test landing and inspect the progress of the new airport.



The national government officials were met at the Operations Center by Governor Edgar Chatto, Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell Yap, and Japanese project managers Tadashi Aoi and Aisuke Ando.



Tugade told reporters the airport is on track to open for commercial operations by August 2018. 

The airport will be finished by June 2018.

Due to regulatory requirements, the opening for the commercial operations will be two months after.



Tugade said the expansion of the airport had been taken into consideration. Once the expansion is implemented, the airport would be capable of catering to trans-Pacific flights and not just regional flights.



The runway is scheduled to be completed by end of the year, while the terminal building is scheduled to open by February 2018.



Tugade was in Bohol back in September when the DOTr hosted the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting on maritime safety in Panglao. (Dave Albarado/PNA



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SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- Field verification testing of the carrageenan plant as a growth promoter technology is now ongoing in Region 1 through the collaborative efforts of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Flordeliza Alida, Project Assistant 1 of DOST, said the 18-month project is titled, "Field Verification Testing of Carrageenan Plant Growth Promoter for Enhanced Growth and Induced Pests and Disease Resistant in Rice and Corn".

She said it started this year in the region but the first focus is on rice.

The project aims to determine the efficacy of carrageenan as plant food supplement for the growth and yield of rice, as well as its resistance to pests and plant diseases.

The technology was developed by DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) and the National Crop Protection Center (NCPC) of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) through DOST's Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD).

This plant food supplement (PFS) for rice and corn is an indigestible polysaccharide (carbohydrates) extracted from edible seaweeds, Alida said, adding that previous tests showed that the PFS increases the yield of rice by 15 to 30 percent. 

The carrageenan field verification testing project is a nationwide project of the DOST-PCAARRD, DA, DOST-PNRI, UPLB-NCPC, and DOST regional offices for promotion and adaptation in farming communities. 

Alida said at present, DOST and DA are working for the implementation plan and would identify the 5,000 hectares testing areas this month of November.

She said of this area, at least 2,500 hectares would be tested for the dry cropping season and another 2,500 hectares for wet cropping season. (PNA)



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SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- Field verification testing of the carrageenan plant as a growth promoter technology is now ongoing in Region 1 through the collaborative efforts of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Flordeliza Alida, Project Assistant 1 of DOST, said the 18-month project is titled, "Field Verification Testing of Carrageenan Plant Growth Promoter for Enhanced Growth and Induced Pests and Disease Resistant in Rice and Corn".

She said it started this year in the region but the first focus is on rice.

The project aims to determine the efficacy of carrageenan as plant food supplement for the growth and yield of rice, as well as its resistance to pests and plant diseases.

The technology was developed by DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) and the National Crop Protection Center (NCPC) of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) through DOST's Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD).

This plant food supplement (PFS) for rice and corn is an indigestible polysaccharide (carbohydrates) extracted from edible seaweeds, Alida said, adding that previous tests showed that the PFS increases the yield of rice by 15 to 30 percent. 

The carrageenan field verification testing project is a nationwide project of the DOST-PCAARRD, DA, DOST-PNRI, UPLB-NCPC, and DOST regional offices for promotion and adaptation in farming communities. 

Alida said at present, DOST and DA are working for the implementation plan and would identify the 5,000 hectares testing areas this month of November.

She said of this area, at least 2,500 hectares would be tested for the dry cropping season and another 2,500 hectares for wet cropping season. (PNA)



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SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- Field verification testing of the carrageenan plant as a growth promoter technology is now ongoing in Region 1 through the collaborative efforts of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Flordeliza Alida, Project Assistant 1 of DOST, said the 18-month project is titled, "Field Verification Testing of Carrageenan Plant Growth Promoter for Enhanced Growth and Induced Pests and Disease Resistant in Rice and Corn".

She said it started this year in the region but the first focus is on rice.

The project aims to determine the efficacy of carrageenan as plant food supplement for the growth and yield of rice, as well as its resistance to pests and plant diseases.

The technology was developed by DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) and the National Crop Protection Center (NCPC) of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) through DOST's Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD).

This plant food supplement (PFS) for rice and corn is an indigestible polysaccharide (carbohydrates) extracted from edible seaweeds, Alida said, adding that previous tests showed that the PFS increases the yield of rice by 15 to 30 percent. 

The carrageenan field verification testing project is a nationwide project of the DOST-PCAARRD, DA, DOST-PNRI, UPLB-NCPC, and DOST regional offices for promotion and adaptation in farming communities. 

Alida said at present, DOST and DA are working for the implementation plan and would identify the 5,000 hectares testing areas this month of November.

She said of this area, at least 2,500 hectares would be tested for the dry cropping season and another 2,500 hectares for wet cropping season. (PNA)



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SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- Field verification testing of the carrageenan plant as a growth promoter technology is now ongoing in Region 1 through the collaborative efforts of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Flordeliza Alida, Project Assistant 1 of DOST, said the 18-month project is titled, "Field Verification Testing of Carrageenan Plant Growth Promoter for Enhanced Growth and Induced Pests and Disease Resistant in Rice and Corn".

She said it started this year in the region but the first focus is on rice.

The project aims to determine the efficacy of carrageenan as plant food supplement for the growth and yield of rice, as well as its resistance to pests and plant diseases.

The technology was developed by DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) and the National Crop Protection Center (NCPC) of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) through DOST's Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD).

This plant food supplement (PFS) for rice and corn is an indigestible polysaccharide (carbohydrates) extracted from edible seaweeds, Alida said, adding that previous tests showed that the PFS increases the yield of rice by 15 to 30 percent. 

The carrageenan field verification testing project is a nationwide project of the DOST-PCAARRD, DA, DOST-PNRI, UPLB-NCPC, and DOST regional offices for promotion and adaptation in farming communities. 

Alida said at present, DOST and DA are working for the implementation plan and would identify the 5,000 hectares testing areas this month of November.

She said of this area, at least 2,500 hectares would be tested for the dry cropping season and another 2,500 hectares for wet cropping season. (PNA)



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SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- Field verification testing of the carrageenan plant as a growth promoter technology is now ongoing in Region 1 through the collaborative efforts of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Flordeliza Alida, Project Assistant 1 of DOST, said the 18-month project is titled, "Field Verification Testing of Carrageenan Plant Growth Promoter for Enhanced Growth and Induced Pests and Disease Resistant in Rice and Corn".

She said it started this year in the region but the first focus is on rice.

The project aims to determine the efficacy of carrageenan as plant food supplement for the growth and yield of rice, as well as its resistance to pests and plant diseases.

The technology was developed by DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) and the National Crop Protection Center (NCPC) of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) through DOST's Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD).

This plant food supplement (PFS) for rice and corn is an indigestible polysaccharide (carbohydrates) extracted from edible seaweeds, Alida said, adding that previous tests showed that the PFS increases the yield of rice by 15 to 30 percent. 

The carrageenan field verification testing project is a nationwide project of the DOST-PCAARRD, DA, DOST-PNRI, UPLB-NCPC, and DOST regional offices for promotion and adaptation in farming communities. 

Alida said at present, DOST and DA are working for the implementation plan and would identify the 5,000 hectares testing areas this month of November.

She said of this area, at least 2,500 hectares would be tested for the dry cropping season and another 2,500 hectares for wet cropping season. (PNA)



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