Philippine News

BACOLOD CITY -- A total of 25 persons were arrested and more than PHP800,000 in suspected shabu was seized in eight operations in the cities of Bacolod and Silay, Negros Occidental in the past three days, police records showed.In Bacolod, a 16-year-old boy, who sold PHP500 worth of shabu, was arrested by personnel of Police Station 3 in Purok Tahong, Barangay 2 early Thursday.During the operation at 2:30 a.m., the minor yielded four sachets more with an estimated value of PHP225,000.
Earlier at 1:53 a.m., personnel of Police Station 4 apprehended Guinever Agsam, a street-level target, in Purok Mainawaon, Barangay 19.Operatives recovered from Agsam, 22, seven sachets of shabu valued at PHP69,000 after he sold a sachet for PHP500 to a police poseur-buyer.Luis Capalihan, a high-value target, was arrested by operatives of Police Station 1 in Purok Mapinalang-gaon, Barangay 35 at about 1 a.m. Thursday.Capalihan, 47, who sold PHP300 of shabu to an undercover policeman, also yielded eight sa…

MANILA -- Aside from giving the Philippine Navy’s (PN) first dedicated anti-subsurface platforms, the two newly-acquired AgustaWestland (now Leonardo) AW-159 "Wildcat" anti-submarine helicopters will also extend the capabilities of the two Jose Rizal-class missile frigates being constructed by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).Navy spokesperson Capt. Jonathan Zata, quoting Offshore Combat Force head Commodore Caesar Bernard Valencia, said Friday that the two AW-159s, once fully integrated into the missile frigates, will extend the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) range of the ships, aside from providing over-the-horizon (OTH) targeting and surveillance capabilities of the ships."(Once the AW-159s are fully integrated into the BRP Jose Rizal frigates), the AW-159s exponentially increase the ASW range of the frigates and (provide) OTH targeting and surveillance," Zata said in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).Besides these capabilities, …

ILOILO CITY -- The General Services Office (GSO) of this city has begun the inventory of properties, equipment, vehicles, and other machinery of the City Hall for a smooth transition of power.The city is preparing the needed information to be handed to Iloilo City mayor-elect Jerry Treñas once he assumes office on June 30, City GSO head, Joren Sartonrio, said Thursday.“The GSO is preparing its reports, inventories of vehicles and real estate because the mayor-elect has many proposed projects that he eyes to pursue during his term,” Sartorio said in an interview.He said the GSO will provide Treñas with inventory including the acknowledgment receipts “for his basis.”“The inventory report will provide the new mayor-elect a rundown of the total assets of the city and help him plan out how he can utilize the properties effectively,” Sartorio said.Outgoing Mayor Jose Espinosa III issued last March 13 Executive Order 22-A, which establishes the city’s transition team.The transition team will…

URDANETA CITY, Pangasinan, May 31 (PIA) -- The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)-Regional Office I, in partnership with CB Mall in this city, will hold the “Aldaw ti Propesyonal” on Saturday, June 1 to bring its services closer to Pangasinenses. 

Juanita Domogen, regional coordinator for PRC-Region I, said “Aldaw ti Propesyonal” is a mobile outreach service that intends to deliver PRC’s services closer to clients for their comfort and convenience, saving them from cost of travel and other related expenses.

It will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the second floor of CB Mall here.  

Domogen said services to be offered during the event include renewal of professional ID cards; request for duplicate professional ID cards; registration of license of examination passers; application for licensure examinations; issuance of certificates of passing, ratings and good standing; authentication of PRC ID cards and certificate of registration; and release of available professional ID c…

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, May 30 (PIA) -- A total of 1,741 have passed the 2018 Alternative Learning System Accreditation & Equivalency (ALS A&E) Test from the Department of Education's (DepEd's) Surigao del Sur Division.Based on the report, a total of 333 or 84.3% have passed out of 395 takers for the elementary level, while for secondary level, 1,408 individuals or 90.8% passed out of 1,550 takers.The passers of the A&E Test were given a certificate/diploma, bearing the DepEd seal and the signature of the Secretary, certifying their competencies as comparable graduates of the formal school system.The passers are qualified to enroll in secondary and post-secondary schools, it was learned.The ALS A&E Test, formerly known as the Non-formal Education A&E Test, is a paper and pencil test designed to measure the competencies of those who have either attended nor finished elementary or secondary education in the formal school system. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Ne…

PROVINCE OF CAVITE, May 31 (PIA) – The Provincial Government of Cavite recently started its Operation Tuli program, one of the basic public healthcare services, facilitated by trained volunteers from the Provincial Health Office and the Office of Provincial Governor–Extension Office for hundreds of youth in the province. 

The Operation Tuli  which commenced last May 16, 2019 in Barangay Alapan II-A, Imus City was availed by 48 young boys from poor families in the barangay. Volunteers who participated in this worthwhile endeavor were members of the Order of Demolay-Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Chapter and barangay health workers.

“I am thankful to be part of the continuing endeavors of promoting the hygienic importance of circumcision," said Barangay Chairman Marc Albert Barzaga of Imus City.

Another successful Operation Tuli was conducted on May 17, 2019 at the Binakayan Elementary School in the municipality of Kawit. An estimated seventy young males were circumcised for free by volunte…

BACOOR CITY, Cavite, May 31 (PIA) – The construction of the LRT1 Cavite extension recently commenced after its initial groundbreaking ceremonies two years ago.

The event was attended by Congressman Strike Revilla and then-Parañaquecity mayoral candidate Edwin L. Olivarez and officers of the Department of Transportation.

The project was awarded to the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) five years ago with estimated cost of P64.9-billion and is projected to be completed and operational on October 2021.

It will attach eight more stations from Baclaran to Bacoor, Cavite: Redemptorist, MIA, Asia World, Ninoy Aquino, Dr. Santos, Las Piñas, Zapote and Niog and would lessentravel time from Cavite to Baclaran and vice versa to less than 30 minutes. 

The said project is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and is part of President Duterte’s Build, Build, Build program and would help solve traffic congestion in Aguinaldo Highway from Coastal road and other affected thoroughfares in the south.

It…

MANILA -- After the departure of Canadian wastes from the port of Subic on Friday morning, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has withdrawn his order for the recall of the Filipino ambassador and consuls to Canada."To our recalled posts, get your flights back. Thanks and sorry for the trouble you went through to drive home a point," Locsin said on his official Twitter account.From 2013 to 2014, a Canadian company, Chronic Inc., exported containers labeled as recyclable plastics to two importers in the Philippines. It was later found out that these contained non-recyclable plastics, household wastes and used adult diapers.Late in April, President Rodrigo R. Duterte gave Ottawa an ultimatum to take back its trash.On May 16, letters for the recall of ranking Filipino envoys in Canada were issued after Ottawa missed the supposed deadline set by the government in pulling out their waste.On Friday morning, the containers of garbage stored at the Subic Bay Freeport for se…

TACLOBAN CITY -- A member of the communist terrorist New People’s Army (NPA) was killed when government troops overran an NPA lair in Borongan City, Eastern Samar on Thursday.In a report, the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Brigade said at least one armed rebel died during an encounter with the military and 50 members of the terrorist group in upland Pinanag-an village around 7:30 a.m. on Thursday.Soldiers of the 14th Infantry Battalion have been patrolling the heavily-forested area following reports of villagers on the establishment of an NPA lair there. The gun battle lasted for nearly two hours. No one from the government side was hurt.After the clash, troops recovered the body of the slain rebel, firearms, improvised explosive device, magazines, rifle grenades, ammunition, backpacks, assorted medicines, blasting caps, mobile phones, bomb switch, and subversive documents with high intelligence value.Major Gen. Raul M. Farnacio, commander of 8th Infantry Division said in a statement …

MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Thursday advised the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to let go of the services of Smartmatic in the country's automated elections."I would like to advise Comelec now --- hindi ko na lang hintayin (I'll just not wait for it) --- dispose of that Smartmatic and look for a new one that is free of fraud," Duterte said in his speech during his meeting with the Filipino community in Tokyo, Japan.Duterte said allegations of cheating have been rampant from both sides of the political parties."Kasi ang Liberal (Party) sabi nila nadaya sila. Ako sabi nila nadaya rin (The Liberal Party said they were cheated. People also say I was cheated)," he said.The President said the poll body has enough time to look for a new service provider since it has three years to prepare for the next automated elections."You know it’s creating an environment of hostile attitude against that Smartmatic. You have three years. Kakatapos lang ng…

MANILA -- The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army's (CPP-NPA) unprovoked anti-personnel mine attack against a convoy carrying troops, local volunteers and foreign observers at Sitio Nasandigan, Barangay Kalabugao, Impasug-ong town, Bukidnon Thursday will further alienate them from the masses.This was bared by Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana when sought for comment by reporters on the incident.Also, the anti-personnel mine attack seems to indicate that the rebels, weakened by the surrender of thousands of fighters and supporters for the past months, have gone berserk."The CPP/NPA cadres have gone berserk. This latest act will further alienate them from the masses," Lorenzana said in a message to reporters Thursday night.Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo earlier denounced the attack as it was carried out by the rebels without apparent concern on the visiting foreign obser…

LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Mayo 31 (PIA)- Lumagda sa isang Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) ang pamahalaang lungsod at ang First Gen Power Corporation sa paglulunsad ng E-Vehicle Initiative kamakailan.

Ang naturang proyekto ay inisyatibo ng First Gen Renewables Inc., sister company ng First Gas Power Corporation at inaasahang magsisimula ng electric tricycle industry na posibleng isulong na programa ng lokal na pamahalaan para magkaroon ng energy efficient at environment-friendly na mga sasakyan.

Ayon kay Engr. Januario Godoy, pinuno ng City Planning and Development Office, ito  ay suporta sa renewable energy program  at local climate action plan upang mabawasan  ang air  pollution at carbon emission ng mga sasakyan. “Bukod sa mas maliit ang maintenance cost ng e-trike  at mas mahaba ang life span kumpara sa mga conventional na tricycle, mas marami ring pasahero ang pwedeng isakay dito. May kaparehong programa din ang Department of Energy (DOE) na maaaring pag-aralan kung pwedeng isama sa …

MANILA -- Most parts of the archipelago will continue to experience isolated rain showers, the weather bureau said on Friday.In its 4 a.m. weather forecast, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the frontal system affecting northern Luzon will bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Group of Islands.
The same weather condition will prevail over eastern Visayas, Palawan and Mindoro due to the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers caused by localized thunderstorms.Meanwhile, light to moderate winds will blow over the whole country with slight to moderate seas, PAGASA said. (PNA)
News Feed:

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1071153
Latest News | Philippine News Agency

LUNGSOD NG TANAUAN, Batangas, Mayo 31 (PIA)- Sumailalim at nagtapos sa kursong Slaughtering Operations (NC II) ang may 50 Tanaueno butchers (magkakarne) sa City Auction Market, Brgy. Poblacion IV sa lungsod na ito kamakailan.

Ang naturang pagsasanay ay pinangunahan ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) katuwang ang pamahalaang lungsod ng Tanauan at Van Technological and Skills Academy Inc.

Ayon kay City Veterinarian Dr. Aries Garcia, layon nito na mabigyan ng libreng pagsasanay ang mga naging benepisaryo upang mapataas at mapaunlad ang kanilang kakayahan.

“Sa pamamagitan ng pagsasanay na ito, maaaring madagdagan pa ang kaalaman ng ating mga butchers at maaari ding magbigay daan ito sa pagbubukas ng oportunidad na makapagtrabaho sa “AAA” Slaughterhouse ng lungsod gayundin sa mga bansang tulad ng Canada, Australia at New Zealand kung saan in-demand ang ganitong trabaho,” ani Garcia.

Ang mga butcher ay nagsanay sa loob ng 35 araw at may kabuuang 280 oras upang m…

LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Mayo 31 (PIA)- Sumailalim ang may 30 empleyado ng pamahalaang lungsod sa limang araw na Construction Occupational Safety and Health training na ginanap sa Teachers Conference Center sa lungsod na ito noong Mayo 6 hanggang 10.

Ang pagsasanay ay kinakailangang daluhan ng mga safety officers, safety representatives ng mga construction companies, technical employees kabilang ang mga nasa hanay ng electrical planning, maintenance at architect.

Tinalakay dito ang konsepto ng Occupational Safety Health maging ang mga pamantayan at kasanayan na maaaring magamit upang mas maging maayos ang kanilang trabaho.

Pinangunahan ng Trainovate, isang pribadong kumpanya na accredited ng Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), ang naturang pagsasanay  na layong magkaroon ng dagdag kaalaman ang mga concerned government employees ukol sa safety at health upang lalo pa maitaas ang pagseserbisyo publiko lalo na sa pagsasaayos ng mga proyektong pang-imprastraktura.

Kabilang sa mga tinal…

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Mayo 30 (PIA) -- Handa na ang Department of Education Agusan del  Norte sa pagbubukas ng klase sa Hunyo 3.Ito ang pagtitiyak ni schools division superintendent Arsenio Cornites, Jr. kasama ang iba’t ibang stakeholders sa ginanap na convergence meeting para sa Oplan Balik Eskwela.Ayon kay Cornites, ang classrooms at mga guro ay handa na para sa pasukan habang ang mga aklat ng mga mag-aaral ay ipapamahagi na rin sa linggong ito.Isang “excellent opening” ang kanilang inaasahan para sa  mahigit 75,000 mag-aaral sa 10 munisipyo ng probinsya ng Agusan del Norte.Ang Agusan del Norte division ay binubuo ng 19 na school district offices, may 179 na elementary schools, 55 secondary schools, at may mahigit 2,900 mga guro. Sa ginanap na convergence meeting, inihayag ng mga iba’t ibang stakeholders, partner-agencies ang kanilang mga plano upang mas maging handa sa darating na pasukan kagaya ng pagsasa-ayos ng trapiko, pagtuturo ng tamang pagtapon ng mga basura, pagsiguro na ang …

INQUIRER – DU30 approves sale of Marcos jewelsPHILIPPINE STAR – May the best man win: Rody meets ‘speakers’MANILA BULLETIN – Isko courts Japanese investorsDAILY TRIBUNE – OFW clamor: ‘Sara!’MANILA TIMES – Canada takes trash backMANILA STANDARD – Trash returning to senderMALAYA – Proposed term-sharing on speakership scuttledBUSINESS MIRROR – Seipi: CIT shift means 80% operating cost hike
News Feed:

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1071149
Latest News | Philippine News Agency

BAGUIO CITY -- An additional PHP9 million has been released by the city government for the rehabilitation works to upgrade and develop two facilities within the Baguio Athletic Bowl.The amount will be added to the PHP34-million fund to complete the rehabilitation of the 15-year old swimming pool, bringing the total rehabilitation cost of the sports facility to PHP56 million, said Paul Rillorta of the city sports office.

“We can see now the completion of rehab works that will include the replacement of the dilapidated roofing, installation of solar panels for the heater of the two pools, the installation of touch pads at both end of the pool, electronic score boards and diving boards,” Rillorta said.Rehabilitation works included adding depth to the pool, which was originally at one meter, to accommodate diving events in the future.Rillorta said that the tiles have been replaced and the Olympic-size pool ready to have its touch pad installed to comply with international standards once w…

MANILA — The Centro Escolar University Scorpions let go of seven members of its men's basketball team due to game-fixing allegations.No less than head coach and general manager Derrick Pumaren confirmed the development on Thursday night."'Yung seven players, na-involve sa game-fixing (The seven players were involved in game-fixing) and we have strong evidences and they admitted it and they're out of the team. We cannot tolerate it," Pumaren said.The game-fixing allegations stemmed from another preseason game the Scorpions are playing, particularly the summer league of the Universities and Colleges Basketball League.Pumaren then rued on what happened, saying, "'Yung game na mahal natin, parang nababoy at parang hindi tama 'yun. Masyadong unfair sa mga gustong maglaro (The game that we love has been disrespected and that's not right. It's unfair to those who wanted to play)."With that said, CEU only had to play with seven players in its PB…

DAGUPAN CITY -- The public schools in this city, under the Department of Education (DepEd) Dagupan Schools Division, will welcome some 33,718 school children on the opening of classes on June 3. Dr. Venus Maria Estonilo, officer-in-charge of curriculum implementation of DepEd Dagupan, said that of the total, 19,671 are elementary pupils, while 11,136 are junior high school students and 2,911 senior high school students. “This is just a tentative number as we expect more enrollees until July,” she said during the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters sa Pilipinas Pangasinan chapter forum on Thursday. Last year’s total enrollees in the division reached 37,000 learners. Estonilo assured there are enough classrooms for the population of learners in the city, as there are already new buildings which were prepared during the week-long Brigada Eskwela with the help of all the stakeholders. A help desk, she said, will be set up in the division office that will cater to the queries and possible complaints o…

ANDA, Pangasinan -- Hundreds of young people joined the May 27-29 leadership youth camp that focused on anti-illegal drugs, anti-terrorism, and leadership training, which as hosted by the Anda Police Station - in coordination with the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) here. Capt. Santiago Baloco III, chief of police of Anda, underscored the need to develop the youth who would become the future leaders of the town. “According to our national hero, the youths are the future of our country, and so we wanted to train them and prepare them for their future,” he said in an interview Thursday,  Baloco said they lectured the campers on the effects of illegal drugs to the individual and the community. “We focused on the preventive measures since the town is already declared drug-free,” he said. The police also urged the young people to scrutinize wisely the organizations they are joining, as part of the anti-terrorism lecture, he added. Aside from lectures, team-building activities were conducted aimed at t…

MANILA – Saying most movements pushing for the country's development are tainted with greed for power, Mark Ivan Genosa urged the Filipino youth to be more discerning in joining organizations.Genosa, a 22-year-old fresh graduate of the Philippine Military Academy who opted to join the Philippine Army, said the youth should select groups which show their concern and devotion for the country and the Filipino people."I am discouraging the youth from joining such groups because this is the only peaceful means of ending insurgency,” said Genosa from Taguig in an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA).“Tackling this problem from its grassroots, which is recruitment, will be a win-win situation for the Filipino people," he added.Genosa stressed there are many ways through which the youth, and every Filipino, could do to show patriotism like paying the right taxes, sharing and helping each other, disposing garbage properly, and teaching the uneducated.He said staging ra…

MANILA – The World Health Organization (WHO) has named Iloilo City as one of the recipients of the 2019 World No Tobacco Day Awards for its outstanding work in tobacco control.In a statement on Thursday, the WHO Western Pacific region recognized Iloilo, a highly-urbanized city of Western Visayas region, for providing cessation services and protecting minors from the harmful effects of tobacco use.The Iloilo City government, according to WHO, "ran an intensive campaign encouraging smokers" to quit with the help of the city’s Quitline and cessation services located inside its health centers."The government prohibits the sale of tobacco products to minors as well as near schools and other places frequented by minors. It has also enacted bans on vaping and shisha and on establishing designated smoking areas," it added.The international health body also lauded the local government's implementation of a Non-Smoker Preferential Policy in terms of the hiring of city go…

MANILA – The Freedom of Information (FOI) which President Rodrigo Duterte imposed through an executive order to boost his fight against corruption right at the start of his administration in 2016 was among the major topics discussed at a forum during the World Press Freedom Day celebration on May 26.According to the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) which organized the event at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, the Philippine government has become more transparent in its transactions through the approval of the FOI.“Dismissing disinformation by sharing accurate information empowers citizens and keeps the government in check,” an AmCham statement read, adding that FOI “strengthens public participation in governance”.Young professionals and media representatives attended the forum where they also discussed the Philippine government’s campaign against fake news or disinformation.“In the Philippines, more than half of the population is active in social media. That is why, it is imp…

MANILA -- Local share prices rose for the third straight day on Thursday aided by month-end window dressing activities, while the peso strengthened against the US dollar.The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) increased 38.80 points or 0.50 percent to 7,836.55.“It was a combination of early window dressing, and investor seeking refuge from regional markets today in the Philippines,” Regina Capital Managing Director Luis Limlingan said.Limlingan said local share prices edged higher even as trade tensions between the US and China weighed on stocks outside the country.At home, trading sentiment was mixed with financials, industrial, and services closed in positive territory.Property, mining and oil, and holding firms slightly declined.Total volume of transactions reached 694.77 million shares valued at PHP6.57 billion.Advancers outpaced decliners, 97 to 80, while 53 issues were unchanged.Meanwhile, the peso ended the day higher at 52.19 from previous day’s 52.35.The local un…

TACLOBAN CITY, May 30 (PIA) – A five-storey building that will serve as the regional office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Region 8 is expected to rise in July next year, about 15 months from now or 450 calendar days.The groundbreaking ceremony for the office building was held on May 29  at Barangay Diit, Tacloban City, the previous site of the office building was heavily damaged by super typhoon Yolanda in November 2013. In his message, BFAR Regional Director Juan Albaladejo said, “With five years in the making, our dream of having a climate resilient and environment-friendly office building has finally become a reality. With our Typhoon Yolanda experience, we designed our building to become storm surge-proof, safe and with state-of-the-art design.”“We want to get back to Barangay Diit because this is our original home and we want to build our dreams and hopes here, aside from being close to the sea,” he said.He added that the five-storey building has a fl…

MAASIN CITY, May 30 (PIA) - The local government unit of Southern Leyte will receive the 2019 Rice Achievers Award - Regional Level on Friday, May 31 at the Summit Hotel, Tacloban City. Myrna Bacala, provincial agriculturist, said the evaluation team had noticed how the province achieved notable accomplishments particularly on the implementation of rice road maps, seed utilization and rice production including  interventions, good practices, and innovations which resulted to economic development and upliftment of the lives of the people.She disclosed though that the province has not reached the required hectares of ricefields to qualify for the national award.Seven agricultural extension workers will also be awarded during the 2019 Regional Saka and Rice Achievers Award.They are Christian Ferdinand Borneo, Nerio Lanugan, Ray Zialcita, Martha Sescon, Engr. Feliciano Malaki Jr., Fe Alin Dalangin, and Bacala herself.The awarding ceremony will coincide with the nationwide celebration of F…

CAMP GEN. ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan -- Twelve drug suspects were nabbed in the province as the Bulacan police continued with its relentless war against illegal drugs.Col. Chito Bersaluna, provincial director of Bulacan Police Provincial Office, said the apprehension of the drug suspects resulted from the operations conducted Wednesday and Thursday in the towns of Pandi, Marilao, Baliwag, Bocaue, and San Miguel, and Meycauayan City.He said that six of the 12 drug suspects are included on the drug watchlist in their respective areas.He identified them as Leo Cruz and Gabriel Santos, both in the drug watch list of Meycauayan City Police Station; Unmar Cudias, included in the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council drug watch list of Pandi Municipal Police Station; April Lontoc, included on the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council drug watch list of Baliwag Municipal Police Station; Ryan Principe and Dante Vicente, both on the drug watch list of Bocaue Municipal Police Station.Other arrested suspects we…

CEBU CITY -- The top presidential aide for the Visayas on Thursday said he welcomes the proposal of a Davao-based firm to construct a monorail system, instead of a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system, for Metro Cebu.Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino, chief of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV), said that monorail “is the right track in solving the traffic gridlock that we have been suffering for years now.”“Monorail is faster to build, consumes less footprint and it has the carrying capacity for Cebu’s needs,” Dino said in a statement sent to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).Last Tuesday, Udenna Infrastructure Corp. announced that it is considering a monorail system for Metro Cebu.Manuel Jamonir, assistant vice president for operations and business development manager of Udenna Infrastructure, was quoted in a newspaper report as saying that using the monorail technology, the project cost will be brought down to about PHP80 billion, half of the estimated cost of an …

LEGAZPI CITY -- Anti-narcotics operatives on Thursday seized 60 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP408,000 from four alleged drug pushers during an operation in a coastal village in this city, according to a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) report. Arrested were Jing Balaguer, 52; her brother Levis, 27; Dennis Nunez, 26; and Nixon Aguilar, 47, all residents of Barangay San Roque this city, said Cotton Talento, PDEA Bicol spokesperson.The suspects earlier agreed to sell shabu to an undercover PDEA agent at 10:45 a.m. in the said village.Seized during the drug buy-bust operation was a plastic bag containing 50 grams of crystalline substance believed to be shabu and a medium heat-sealed plastic sachet containing another 10 grams, also suspected shabu.PDEA considers Barangay San Roque as an illegal drug hotspot village. (PNA)
News Feed:

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1071142
Latest News | Philippine News Agency

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT -- The ship contracted by the Canadian government to haul back tons of garbage arrived at the Port of Subic here Thursday and is expected to leave Friday.The MV Bavaria arrived at the New Container Terminal (NCT) in Subic Bay around 1:30 p.m. to load all the 69 containers of garbage, which were illegally shipped to the Philippines in 2013.The ship, a Liberian-flag carrier having a gross tonnage of 39,941 and a length of 260 meters, left the Port of Manila on Thursday at 7:52 a.m.The containers were part of the 103 container vans of garbage brought to Manila and Subic between 2013 and 2014 and were labeled as recyclable materials but later turned out to be trash.Last week, the remaining 69 container vans were all gathered at the Subic’s NCT where they were subjected to fumigation, a process in which poisonous gas is applied in the closed containers in order to disinfect or destroy any pests, insects, or bacteria that reside inside.The “repatriation” of the garbage is…

MANILA -- The Philippines has lifted a seven-year-old ban on the importation of several fish species from Fukushima Prefecture as a gesture of goodwill during the visit of President Rodrigo Duterte and his Cabinet members to Japan this week. On his Facebook page, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel "Manny" Piñol said the order lifting the importation ban, which he signed on May 27, will be officially presented to Japanese Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Yoshikawa Takamori. The lifting of the ban covering species such as Cherry Salmon, Sand Lance, Japanese Dace, and Ayu from Fukushima ended a seven-year issue that strained the agriculture and fisheries trade between Philippines and Japan, he noted. On January 16, 2012, then Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) director Asis Perez issued Memorandum Order No. 001-A, banning the importation of these fish species from the Prefecture of Fukushima due to the nuclear crisis in Japan at that time. "I consider the ban, issu…

MANILA – The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is leaving the door open for reconciliation with disgruntled individuals “for the sake of unity in sports and welfare of the athletes”.The call for unity is also expected to boost the country’s chances in the coming 30th Southeast Asian Games scheduled from Nov. 30-Dec. 11 in Manila.“POC president Ricky Vargas is now reaching out to his fellow sports leaders. We know we have to set aside our differences and work together to achieve our common goal in the SEA Games,” said POC communications director Ed Picson, who represented Vargas during the 24th “Usapang Sports” by the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) at the National Press Club (NPC) in Intramuros, Manila.“Even after the sweeping changes he initiated in the POC, Mr. Vargas assured everybody that there is nothing personal in his decision,” said Picson in the weekly forum sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission , NPC, PAGCOR, Community Basketball Association, and H…

MALAYBALAY CITY  – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) of Bukidnon has recognized the celebration of SunggodTeKamanga, an annual festival in the municipality of Quezon, which located south of the province.

During its regular session Tuesday, the provincial lawmakers unanimously approved a resolution that seeks to support, preserve, recognize and promote SunggodTeKamanga--a thanksgiving festival of the tribes living in Quezon town.

“The two-day SunggodTeKamanga is being held every 3rd Monday and Tuesday of February annually,” said Provincial Board Member Benito Baguio, the resolution's principal author.

“SunggodTeKamanga is a traditional ethnic celebration showcasing their simple and primitive way of life focusing mainly on pre- and post-farming activities and survival skills of the dominant ethnic groups such as Manobo-Pulangihon who live near Pulangi river, and Manobo-Matigsalug that inhabit the highland areas,” Baguio explained.

Baguio said the festival is celebrated…

BONIFACIO, Misamis Occidental, May 9 -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) provided temporary employment to displaced/disadvantaged workers with an allocated budget of P2.6 million in Bonifacio town, Misamis Occidental.Misamis Occidental Provincial Field Office of DOLE Region 10 conducted an orientation seminar for the beneficiaries on the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program, a basic requirement to the program, held at the Working Congressman Gymnasium in Bonifacio.“TUPAD is a component of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) that commits to generate community employment by means of social, economic and agro-forestry projects, providing the displaced workers with an immediate source of income,” DOLE-Misamis Occidental PFO Chief Leonardo G. Rodrigo said.DOLE PFO conducted an orientation on the rules and regulations of TUPAD for 371 target beneficiaries such as the underemployed, laid-off or termin…

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Mayor Oscar Moreno called for improved coordination Wednesday among all agencies and contractors involved in the PHP5.5-billion flood risk management project for Cagayan de Oro River.

During a meeting with project managers, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and contractors at his office, Moreno voiced his concerns over the absence of representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Moreno questioned whether the design and works for the project's third component involving the construction of a dike and embankment at the Nazareth-Macasandig site is being coordinated with the DPWH.

He also called on the project management committee to coordinate with City Hall's Housing Department for the relocation of the settlers to be affected by the multi-billion peso flood control project.

“The coastal road project in the village of Gusa here took 20 years to complete. I call for better coordination and collaboration so we can ex…

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The provincial government of South Cotabato has started preparations for the full implementation later this year of Republic Act 11223 or the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act.

Dr. Alah Baby Vingno, assistant provincial health officer, said Thursday South Cotabato was among the 33 provinces in the country that were selected as pilot areas for the rollout of the UHC law.

Vingno said the Department of Health (DOH) has scheduled the launching of the UHC in the province in September.

“The initial step for us is to submit a draft resolution that signifies the commitment of the provincial government for the implementation of the program,” Vingno said in a media forum in Koronadal City.

The official said the DOH has chosen the province as “advance sites” to implement the UHC due to the “likelihood of success” and willingness of local government leaders to adopt and promote it.

She pointed out that an integral part of the law is the referral system and the province has al…

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Local police separately arrested eight people and seized some PHP2,059,000 worth of suspected shabu, as law enforcers vow to intensify the anti-illegal drug campaign in this southern port city.

Brig. Gen. Froilan Quidilla, newly-installed acting Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) director, identified the arrested suspects as follows: Rohel Samla, 31, an online dealer; Merhana Almirante, 21, student; Mayvin Hatang, 32; Arshid Sali, 22; Sahipa Jimlah, 60, transport operator; Marlon Castro, 29; Abdusaboor Sangogot, 40, and, Allim Nur Omar, 24.

Quidilla said Samla and Almirante were arrested in a buy-bust operation around 4 p.m. Wednesday on Massachusetts Drive, Barangay San Jose Gusu.

Quidilla said Samla and Almirante yielded some PHP1.7 million worth of suspected shabu packed in eight heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets, two bundles of boodle money topped with two genuine PHP1,000 bills as marked money, and other illegal drug paraphernalia.

Quidilla said Jimlah was c…

DAVAO CITY – Two persons suspected to be members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were arrested by personnel of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and the Police Regional Intelligence Unit in a joint special operation here on Wednesday evening.

Colonel Alexander Tagum, DCPO director, identified the two suspected ASG members as Haider Arasani Anjawang, 31, a resident of Patikol Sulu; and Al Fasal Abubakar Hassan, 40, a resident of Zamboanga City.

Tagum said Anjawang and Hassan, who are both wanted for various crimes, were arrested in Purok 4, Barangay Ilang.

Police said Anjawang has a standing warrant of arrest for frustrated murder and illegal possession of explosives issued by Judge Ambrosio de Luna, Presiding Judge of Regional Trial Court of Palawan Branch 51, Puerto Princesa City.

Police operatives recovered from Anjawang’s possession a .45 caliber pistol, ammunition, and a fragmentation grenade.

Tagum said Hassan was arrested for possession of a fragmentation grenade.

Brig. Gen. Mar…

ILIGAN CITY-- A woman suffering from a recent stroke died while two others were injured when a conflagration erupted in a village here Wednesday afternoon.

Authorities said the fire in Purok Matinabangon, Barangay Ubaldo Laya, burned down 73 houses, partly damaging five, and left 150 families homeless.

Grace Saquilabon, head of City Social Welfare and Development, identified the lone casualty as 58-year old Lydia Palarca, who was left in the house when her children panicked and forgot to bring her along.

The two other victims were injured as they ran for their safety, Saquilabon said.

The Bureau of Fire Protection said it is still investigating the cause of the fire.

Saquilabon said at least 142 families consisting of 690 individuals are temporarily staying in a covered court in the area.

"Our staff has continued profiling the victims," said Saquilabon in an interview, adding the local government has already extended emergency food packs and sleeping kits to the victims. (PN…