SAFE, SUFFICIENT WATER FOR CEBU URGED
Metro Cebu’s water supply will only last until 2030, claims the report of the Dutch-funded Central Cebu Water Resources Management through Integrated Development (Water REMIND) Project.
Majority of the Metro Cebu’s 658,000 households are dirt-poor—so, access to sufficient and potable water for a better quality of life becomes a life-and-death struggle for the poor. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) show that the required water consumption per person is 2-4 liters a day; and each needs 2,000 to 5,000 liters of water to produce daily food. Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) points out that like Metro Manila, Metro Cebu is densely populated and 24 of every 100 households are earning below P7,000. Such vicious grip of poverty has prompted PBSP to carry out a five-year poverty reduction program reaching out to Cebu’s 15,684 households in 5 cities and 4 municipalities covering 105 barangays. Now on its third year, the program focuses on livelihood and enterprise; education; health; environment; and organizational system. Part of this includes the installment of 2 potable water systems benefiting 200 households. With this, PBSP is pursuing the rehabilitation, protection, and conservation of the Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL). Moreover, PBSP makes sure that the coastal areas and marine waters in and surrounding Mactan and Olango islands are still able to support the livelihood of the fisherfolk and the local tourism industry in Cebu.
TWO AIDES DIE, VILLAGE CHIEF HURT IN AMBUSH
SAN MIGUEL, Bulacan: A village chief was wounded, while two of his bodyguards were killed after two unidentified armed motorcycle tandem riders shot them in barangay San Juan on Monday. John Bong Alvarez, 39, Santa Ines village chief was having facial massage inside a spa when the suspects, armed with a baby M16 and a .45 pistol opened fire, hitting him on the right arm. He was brought to a nearby hospital for treatment and is now in stable condition, police said. Two of his bodyguards, Josefino Alvarez, 37, of barangay Santa Ines and Roel Vidal, 52, of barangay Tibagan, died from multiple gunshot wounds. Alvarez said that he saw his bodyguards, who were standing outside the spa, fell during the initial volley of gunfire. He said the suspects even approached the fallen victims and shot them on the head. He said that upon hearing the series of gunshots, he immediately told the two attendants to lock the door and instructed them and other customers to run at the back of the establishment and lay on the floor facing down. Alvarez said he got hit on his arm after the suspects fired on the ground direction thinking that he was laying down on the floor. Supt. Julius Domingo, town police chief, said they are looking into several angles as possible motive on the ambush. He said as of this time, they are not ruling out politics as a possible motive. A police team is now tracking down the suspects.
Raadee S. Sausa
TANDEM RIDERS GUN DOWN POLICE OFFICIAL
A group of motorcycle-riding armed men Monday night shot dead a deputy police chief of a town in Batangas province in an encounter. Killed about 7:30 p.m. along a road in San Miguel village was Inspector Reynaldo Valencia, the deputy chief of Santo Tomas town in Batangas. A police report said Valencia and his men were conducting surveillance operations in the area when they chanced upon the suspects, triggering a firefight. When Valencia got down from his vehicle to accost the suspects, the armed men fired at him. He was brought to the St. Cabrini Hospital in Sto. Tomas where he died while being treated for gunshot wounds. Police took custody of four suspects: Allan Cornejo, Nelson Cornejo (wounded), Crisanto Lawas (wounded) and Carlito Cornejo (dead on arrival in hospital). Authorities recovered from the suspects one Armscor .38, revolver with five spent shells in the cylinder; four spent shells from 9MM; one .45 slug; a motorcycle; and two bolos.
Neil A. Alcober
BENGUET TOWN TO REGULATE MEDICAL MISSIONS
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet: The town of Kibungan may soon require individuals or groups intending to conduct medical missions in the area to secure permit from the municipal government to ensure proper monitoring and for their safety and protection. Town officials passed Ordinance No. 26 series 2011 requiring individuals, groups and organizations, whether local or foreign, to secure a permit from the municipal government before conducting medical missions. The measure strengthens the joint Administrative Order No. 2009-0030 of the Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government and the Professional Regulations Commission, which provides policies and guidelines to integrate the effort of the various agencies overseeing the conduct of Foreign Surgical and Medical Missions (FSMM). The AO also facilitates the issuance of Special Temporary Permit to Practice for missioners and ensure proper supervision and monitoring of FSMM in the country. Those applying for a medical mission shall submit a letter of intent to the local chief executive through the Municipal Health Officer (MHO) at least one month prior to the proposed medical mission.
Gaby B. Keith
HOT AIR BALLOONS TO SOAR OVER CLARK
CLARK FREEPORT Zone, Pampanga: The 17th Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta features 25 of such soaring over on February 9 to 12 at the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) ADAC Hangar here. Some ten specially shaped balloons from other countries will also be featured in the event, according to the organizers. Clark Development Corporation President Felipe Antonio B.Remollo said this year’s event would be bigger and better as more American balloonists have confirmed attendance. Joy Roa, president of the Hot Air Balloon in the Philippines said that kiwi-shaped and orange fruit balloon, birthday cake and ‘flying bubbles’ would be among the attractions in this year’s festivities. Roa, in a meeting with the CDC hot air balloon committee, said the balloonists will come from United States, Finland, New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, Amsterdam, Germany, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Poland, The Netherlands, Austria, the Philippines, among others. Joining the colorful and uniquely-designed dirigibles that will brighten the skies in Pampanga are transport and trainer planes, ultra light and helicopters, and this year’s main attraction aside from the balloons will be the demonstration flight of F-16 from the US AirForce. The event is expected to attract more foreign and local tourists this year as more than 100,000 tourists are expected to flock during the hot air festival.
Froilan E. Magtoto
BAGUIO DORMS, BOARDING HOUSES UP FOR INSPECTION
BAGUIO CITY: Mayor Mauricio Domogan has issued an administrative order reconstituting and reactivating the city special inspection committee (CSIC) tasked to inspect the compliance of boarding houses, dormitories and pension houses here of their business, sanitary and fire safety permits. He said these establishments should operate in accordance with existing laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and policies of the city government concerning health, sanitation and safety. The CSIC will monitor other safety measures being implemented by these establishments to protect the interests of tenants and students who are staying in these buildings.
Gaby B. Keith
16 HOUSES GUTTED, 6-YEAR-OLD BOY HURT IN FIRE
BACOOR, Cavite: A 6-year-old boy was injured in a 2-hour fire that razed 16 houses in Dulong Habay, Barangay Habay 2, Bacoor, Cavite. Bacoor Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP ) Sgt. Pablito de Castro said casualty Jerwin Hataga, 6, sustained 3rd degree burns on his face and was rushed to Philippine General Hospital in Manila. The boy was sleeping at about 10:30 p.m. when an unattended lighted candle fell beside him that caused the fire that spread to neighboring houses. De Castro said that the fire razed to ashes about P800,000 worth of properties.
Rogelio Limpin
