By Mar Serrano
LEGAZPI CITY -- Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents seized PHP510,000 worth of suspected “shabu” from four suspected drug pushers in two separate drug operations in Iriga City on Friday.
Francis Manuel de Lima, alias “Bong”, 39, of Barangay San Agustin, Iriga City was caught selling suspected shabu to an undercover agent in a room at Sam’s Apartelle at around 5:10 p.m., said Christian Frivaldo, acting director of PDEA 5 (Bicol).
De Lima is a high-value target on the PDEA’s drug watch list, Frivaldo said in a phone interview.
The suspect was caught in possession of 25 grams of suspected shabu in seven plastic sachets worth PHP170,000.
In an earlier drug buy-bust at 2:45 p.m. in a room at the Lendes Hotel in Barangay San Isidro, PDEA operatives arrested Ariel Regaspi, 40, of Barangay San Vicente, Bato; Joan Sabanal, 28, of Barangay San Isidro; and Alicia Mae Dice, 19 of Barangay San Francisco.
The operation yielded 50 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP340,000. PDEA agents also recovered a digital weighing scale, cell phone, and a marked PHP1,000 bill.
All suspects did not resist arrest and were brought to the PDEA detention facility in Naga City.
The suspects arrested at the Lendez Hotel were reportedly drug couriers who get their supply from de Lima, Frivaldo said. (PNA)
Saturday, September 29, 2018
32 ejected families in Iloilo City relocated
By Perla Lena
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| ORDERED TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES. Iloilo City Urban Poor Affairs Office head Atty. Edmundo Buensuceso on Friday (September 28, 2018) meets with 32 families ordered ejected from Barangay Jereos La Paz. (Photo by Perla Lena) |
ILOILO CITY -- The city government came to the aid of 32 families who were ordered ejected from a private-owned lot in Barangay Jereos, La Paz district.
Lawyer Edmundo Buensuceso, head of the Iloilo City Urban Poor Affairs Office, said Friday the families were alarmed by the release of a demolition order following an ejectment case filed against them.
Buensuceso said the families will be accommodated on a six-hectare government-procured lot in Barangay Lanit in Jaro district. They will only be allowed to establish a temporary shelter because the site has yet to be developed before permanent structures are built.
“At least, they have a lot where they could not be ejected anytime,” he said.
The families received from the city government materials they need for sanitation, such as water drums, pipes and pumps. They are expected to start moving to the new site anytime next week.
“No actual demolition will take place because they will be having this relocation site,” he added.
Mayor Jose Espinosa III said the provision of the relocation site to affected individuals and groups will continue as part of the city government’s “Pag-ulikid” (care) program.
The 32 families are the first batch to be accommodated at the Lanit relocation site since Espinosa assumed as mayor in October last year.
He added that aside from the relocation site, the city government, through “Pag-ulikid”, has turned over two of 11 committed patrol cars to the Iloilo City Police Office.
They are expecting additional vehicles to be given to the Philippine Coast Guard and other departments of the city to boost the delivery of services. (PNA)
5 governors adopt framework to save Visayan Sea
By Cindy Ferrer
ILOILO CITY - The governors of Iloilo, Capiz, Negros Occidental, Masbate, and Cebu on Friday signed a covenant of commitment to adopt a framework for the conservation, protection and restoration of the Visayan Sea fisheries management area.
The signing of the commitment highlighted the 10th Visayas Sea Governors Summit held at the Sheridan Boutique Resort in Oton, Iloilo.
The covenant was signed by governors Arthur Defensor Sr. of Iloilo, Antonio del Rosario of Capiz, and Alfredo Marañon of Negros Occidental. Governors Hilario Davide III of Cebu and Antonio Kho of Masbate were represented by their respective provincial environment and natural resources officers.
The framework, dubbed “Ecosystems Approach to Fisheries Management”, was drafted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 6 (Western Visayas).
In a media interview, BFAR-6 Director Remia Aparri said the adoption of the framework signals the full commitment of the governors to support their efforts to manage the Visayan Sea.
“We have very good governance to support all implementation towards sustainability for the social well-being of all the stakeholders who are dependent on the Visayan Sea,” she said.
During the summit Aparri presented the three priority goals of the framework, as follows: to restore the fishery resources and rehabilitate habitats of the Visayan Sea; sustain livelihoods, both fishery- and non-fishery-related, through enhanced capacities and equitable access to available resources; and establish efficient and effective governance structure with improved fishery law compliance and enforcement that addresses socioeconomic security and ecological integrity.
Del Rosario said joining the summit for the first time would greatly help them in protecting their fishery resources.
Capiz, known to be the “seafood capital of the Philippines”, produces volumes of fish and seafood yearly that are exported to other parts of the world. It is beset by illegal fishing activities.
“That is why our fish is depleting because of the illegal fishing boats coming to our area,” he said, adding that he is looking forward to the sharing of initiatives with other governors to protect the marine resources of the Visayan Sea.
Iloilo’s Defensor earlier said the summit is their continuing effort to save the Visayan sea and restore its rich fishing grounds that have been lost, by boosting their efforts against illegal fishing.
Meanwhile, the summit has also become a venue to recognize 22 individuals considered as environmental champions through the “Pasasalamat sa Katauhan” awarding ceremony.
Among them were Iloilo provincial administrator Raul Banias for marine conservation, coastal governance and marine enforcement; Maria Aimee Sobrevega for marine conservation; architect Alfredo and Mrs. Vida Sy for the Bikeable City Movement in Iloilo City; and Emma Caballero for environment education.
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| PROTECTING VISAYAN SEA. Governors of provinces covering Visayan Sea sign a covenant adopting a framework for the conservation, protection and restoration of the Visayan Sea on Friday (September 28, 2018) (Photo by Jezza Nepomuceno) |
The signing of the commitment highlighted the 10th Visayas Sea Governors Summit held at the Sheridan Boutique Resort in Oton, Iloilo.
The covenant was signed by governors Arthur Defensor Sr. of Iloilo, Antonio del Rosario of Capiz, and Alfredo Marañon of Negros Occidental. Governors Hilario Davide III of Cebu and Antonio Kho of Masbate were represented by their respective provincial environment and natural resources officers.
The framework, dubbed “Ecosystems Approach to Fisheries Management”, was drafted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 6 (Western Visayas).
In a media interview, BFAR-6 Director Remia Aparri said the adoption of the framework signals the full commitment of the governors to support their efforts to manage the Visayan Sea.
“We have very good governance to support all implementation towards sustainability for the social well-being of all the stakeholders who are dependent on the Visayan Sea,” she said.
During the summit Aparri presented the three priority goals of the framework, as follows: to restore the fishery resources and rehabilitate habitats of the Visayan Sea; sustain livelihoods, both fishery- and non-fishery-related, through enhanced capacities and equitable access to available resources; and establish efficient and effective governance structure with improved fishery law compliance and enforcement that addresses socioeconomic security and ecological integrity.
Del Rosario said joining the summit for the first time would greatly help them in protecting their fishery resources.
Capiz, known to be the “seafood capital of the Philippines”, produces volumes of fish and seafood yearly that are exported to other parts of the world. It is beset by illegal fishing activities.
“That is why our fish is depleting because of the illegal fishing boats coming to our area,” he said, adding that he is looking forward to the sharing of initiatives with other governors to protect the marine resources of the Visayan Sea.
Iloilo’s Defensor earlier said the summit is their continuing effort to save the Visayan sea and restore its rich fishing grounds that have been lost, by boosting their efforts against illegal fishing.
Meanwhile, the summit has also become a venue to recognize 22 individuals considered as environmental champions through the “Pasasalamat sa Katauhan” awarding ceremony.
Among them were Iloilo provincial administrator Raul Banias for marine conservation, coastal governance and marine enforcement; Maria Aimee Sobrevega for marine conservation; architect Alfredo and Mrs. Vida Sy for the Bikeable City Movement in Iloilo City; and Emma Caballero for environment education.
Batangas City mulls riverside recreational esplanade, tourism landmark
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| ESPLANADE. An artist sketch of the proposed Batangas City Esplanade Project. The Batangas City legislative council endorsed the project during a hearing on Sept. 25, 2018. (Photo courtesy of Batangas CIO) |
BATANGAS CITY – The City Council has approved a resolution endorsing the construction of a public recreational esplanade beside Calumpang River to boost tourism in the city.
Architect Gerry Palas of the City Engineer’s Office presented the project design and specifications of the proposed City Esplanade tourism project before the City Council committee hearing on Sept. 24, and obtained the subsequent endorsement on Sept. 25.
The proposed Batangas City Esplanade project, which is expected to boost tourism, will be transmitted to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for funding allocation.
“Ito ay isang esplanade kung saan pwedeng mamasyal at mag relax ang mga tao ang pinaplanong itayo sa tabi ng Calumpang River, sa Sitio Ferry Kumintang Ibaba, isang proyekto na inaasahang magpapalago sa turismo ng Batangas City (This is an esplanade where the public may tour around and relax in a tourism park beside the Calumpang River, Sitio Ferry Kumintang Ibaba. The project is expected to boost tourism in Batangas City),” Palas said in an interview Thursday .
He said the fund is the city’s share under the Local Government Support Fund Assistance to the Cities(LGSF-AC) in the FY 2018 General Appropriations Act or R.A. No. 10964 for the Development of City’s Open Spaces. The support fund is released only to provinces, cities, and municipalities which have passed the DILG’s Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH).
The City Council, in a resolution, said the project would be a beautiful recreational avenue for the constituents, tourists, visitors and the public that aims to maximize the ‘open spaces,’ transform the area from an ‘eyesore’ into more useful and productive zone for the people.
Palas said data revealed that there are around 20,000 residents from 10 villages near the area who will benefit from the project. This does not include yet the additional 10,000 people from the nearby villages who pass by the area daily.
He said the design includes ripraps with murals, extended balcony, seating areas with overlooking river view, paved two-way jogging lane, planting strip, two-way bicycle lane, proposed amphitheater, paved open spaces, and spaces for commercial stalls.
Meanwhile, City Planning and Development officer Januario Godoy assured that residents, among them informal settlers in the Sitio Ferry, would not be affected because the Esplanade project is several meters away from the residential area.
Godoy said that under the plan, access ramps would be put up to addresses concerns of the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and bicycle parking spaces.
He also explained to the committee the city government’s rehabilitation program for the Calumpang River where solid wastes and trashes coming from nearby towns are dumped.
Councilor Serge Atienza, acting chairman of the council’s Committee on Laws, Rules and Regulations, also got assurance from city planners on the availability of commercial spaces for business establishments and entrepreneurs.
“Dapat nating masiguro na mayroong espasyo para sa mga commercial establishments. Isa ito sa mag-ge-generate ng malaking income at negosyo sa ating mga kababayan (We have to ensure spaces for commercial establishment. This is one way of generating income and business opportunity for our constituents),” Atienza said. (Maroe T. Genosa/PNA)
More dev’t programs pushed in Quezon province
CATANAUAN, Quezon -- The government will help build necessary facilities for the Quezon Coconut Research and Extension Center, which aims to address the challenges facing the coconut industry here, Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go said Thursday.
“Mayroong nilagay na Quezon Coconut Research and Extension Center para mas mapalago ang industriya ng pagniniyog sa lalawigan (The Quezon Coconut Research and Extension Center was established to expand the coconut industry in the province),” Go said during the groundbreaking ceremony of the new full campus of the Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) and the Quezon Coconut Research and Extension Center in this province.
The building of facilities is a joint effort of the provincial government of Quezon and the Philippine Coconut Authority.
‘Build Build Build’
Meanwhile, the presidential aide said the government is actively implementing its “Build, Build, Build” program in Quezon province.
“Sa ngayon, agresibo ang ating gobyerno sa mga ‘Build, Build, Build’ program. Mayroon tayong Quezon-Bicol Expressway na kakasimula pa lang, and ‘yung Kaliwa Dam, at ‘yung South Luzon Expressway extension (Our government is aggressively pushing the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program. We have the Quezon-Bicol Expressway which started recently, the Kaliwa Dam, and the South Luzon Expressway extension),” Go added.
He also mentioned the government’s plan to establish an improved railway system to make it more convenient for people to travel goods to and from Southern Luzon.
Go added that he will communicate with Quezon Province Governor David Suarez regarding the establishment of infrastructure and the improvement of facilities in SLSU and in the province.
“Dito sa Research Center, mag-uusap kami ni Governor [sa kung saan man kami makakatulong]. Dito sa eskwelahan, sabi ko po, kung ano po ang maitutulong namin dito sa buildings, facilities po, ay tutulong ang national government (For the research center, I will talk to the governor regarding the help we can provide. For the school, the government will help put up buildings and other facilities),” Go said.
The Southern Luzon State University is the premier higher education institution in Quezon Province. It has nine campuses in the province, with its main campus located in Lucban.
“Education is one of the top priorities of President Rodrigo Duterte. He knows that it is only by providing training and education to Filipinos that we can develop to our full potential as a nation,” Go said in his speech.
On March 15, 2018, President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act that covers the tuition and fees of students enrolled in state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs), and all technical-vocation education and training (TVET) programs that are under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Malasakit Center
Meanwhile, Go said he plans to put up a Malasakit Center in the province.
“Ngayong taon na po ito, titignan po natin kung ano ‘yung pwedeng hospital na may kumpletong pasilidad at accessible sa mga kababayan dito sa Quezon. Prayoridad nito ang senior citizens at persons with disabilities (It will be put up this year [Malasakit Center]. We will check which hospital has the complete facilities and which is accessible to the citizens of Quezon. Senior citizens and PWDs will be prioritized),” Go said.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop program of Duterte to hasten the delivery of medical services and give poor patients access to free medicine.
Under the program, patients are assisted in availing themselves of the services and financial assistance provided by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the Philippine Amusement and Games Corporation (PAGCOR), Department of Health (DoH), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Pooled together, the assistance can push the patient's medical bill, including medicines, to the lowest possible amount. (OSAP PR)
“Mayroong nilagay na Quezon Coconut Research and Extension Center para mas mapalago ang industriya ng pagniniyog sa lalawigan (The Quezon Coconut Research and Extension Center was established to expand the coconut industry in the province),” Go said during the groundbreaking ceremony of the new full campus of the Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) and the Quezon Coconut Research and Extension Center in this province.
The building of facilities is a joint effort of the provincial government of Quezon and the Philippine Coconut Authority.
‘Build Build Build’
Meanwhile, the presidential aide said the government is actively implementing its “Build, Build, Build” program in Quezon province.
“Sa ngayon, agresibo ang ating gobyerno sa mga ‘Build, Build, Build’ program. Mayroon tayong Quezon-Bicol Expressway na kakasimula pa lang, and ‘yung Kaliwa Dam, at ‘yung South Luzon Expressway extension (Our government is aggressively pushing the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program. We have the Quezon-Bicol Expressway which started recently, the Kaliwa Dam, and the South Luzon Expressway extension),” Go added.
He also mentioned the government’s plan to establish an improved railway system to make it more convenient for people to travel goods to and from Southern Luzon.
Go added that he will communicate with Quezon Province Governor David Suarez regarding the establishment of infrastructure and the improvement of facilities in SLSU and in the province.
“Dito sa Research Center, mag-uusap kami ni Governor [sa kung saan man kami makakatulong]. Dito sa eskwelahan, sabi ko po, kung ano po ang maitutulong namin dito sa buildings, facilities po, ay tutulong ang national government (For the research center, I will talk to the governor regarding the help we can provide. For the school, the government will help put up buildings and other facilities),” Go said.
The Southern Luzon State University is the premier higher education institution in Quezon Province. It has nine campuses in the province, with its main campus located in Lucban.
“Education is one of the top priorities of President Rodrigo Duterte. He knows that it is only by providing training and education to Filipinos that we can develop to our full potential as a nation,” Go said in his speech.
On March 15, 2018, President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act that covers the tuition and fees of students enrolled in state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs), and all technical-vocation education and training (TVET) programs that are under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Malasakit Center
Meanwhile, Go said he plans to put up a Malasakit Center in the province.
“Ngayong taon na po ito, titignan po natin kung ano ‘yung pwedeng hospital na may kumpletong pasilidad at accessible sa mga kababayan dito sa Quezon. Prayoridad nito ang senior citizens at persons with disabilities (It will be put up this year [Malasakit Center]. We will check which hospital has the complete facilities and which is accessible to the citizens of Quezon. Senior citizens and PWDs will be prioritized),” Go said.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop program of Duterte to hasten the delivery of medical services and give poor patients access to free medicine.
Under the program, patients are assisted in availing themselves of the services and financial assistance provided by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the Philippine Amusement and Games Corporation (PAGCOR), Department of Health (DoH), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Pooled together, the assistance can push the patient's medical bill, including medicines, to the lowest possible amount. (OSAP PR)
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