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Belmonte calls for reforms in BFP-QCFD
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday called on the Bureau of Fire Protection to undertake reforms in the BFP - Quezon City Fire District (QCFD). Belmonte made the call as results of the probe conducted by the city government and the Quezon City Council revealed lax inspection, backlog in the examination of businesses, and other lapses in the performance of the BFP-QCFD. "The BFP should look into how the BFP-QCFD fulfilled its mandate in the light of tragic loss of lives and properties due to recent fires in the city. Were the BFP-QCFD leadership remiss in their duties? They should hold their personnel accountable if proven guilty of inefficiency," she said. Belmonte earlier sought the relief of two officials from the BFP-QCFD following a review of the performance of the agency prompted by the tragic loss of lives caused by the fire last 31 August in Tandang Sora. An evaluation conducted by the city government of each fire incident that occurred this year showed on average, more damage, injury, and death compared to the previous year. “The capability and effectiveness of the BFP-QCFD in responding to these fires have lessened significantly. The city government recognizes that each fire has its own distinct volatile circumstances. Nonetheless, the severity of this year's incidents necessitates a call for a change in the leadership of the agency. A change is needed for the welfare of our citizens. We look forward to a better performance from the BFP," Belmonte said. The two officials were identified as BFP-QCFD fire marshall, Fire Senior Superintendent Aristotle Bañaga, and the chief of the QCFD Fire Prevention Branch, Fire Chief Inspector Dominic Salvacion. Data from the BFP revealed that from January to August 2023, there were 153 fires recorded in the city, while there were only 219 fires from January to December 2022. With a third of the year left, there have already been eight firefighters and 63 civilians injured compared to only two firefighters and 60 civilians for the entirety of last year. Moreover, there were already 24 deaths in the first eight months of this year while there were 30 from January to December 2022. There were 8,362 individuals or 2,380 families affected by the fires up to August this year, higher than the whole of last year’s record of 7,295 individuals or 2,005 families. “For this reason and to protect the people of Quezon City, I am calling upon the national leadership of the Bureau of Fire Protection to assign to us a new fire marshall for the QCFD and a new inspection head,” Belmonte added. Belmonte also called on the BFP to be more transparent in their own investigation of the Tandang Sora fire. “The BFP has failed to reciprocate the city government’s efforts to exercise transparency. They resisted our calls to be apprised of the progress of their own probe, or to our requests for coordination. We therefore ask the BFP to cooperate fully with the city government as mandated by law, to ensure full transparency and clarity in these investigations. Our people demand more, and the victims and their families deserve nothing less,” Belmonte said. Belmonte earlier ordered the City Legal Department to form a Special Panel of Investigators to probe the incident and if warranted by evidence, to file the appropriate case(s) against pertinent and surviving officers of the business establishment involved in the deadly fire in Tandang Sora. Local government personnel found to be liable after the conduct of the investigation will likewise face administrative and criminal charges. “The city government continues to thoroughly investigate the devastating fire of August 31. It has coordinated with and interviewed its departments, the barangay, the homeowners association, the relatives of the victims, and the survivors, to ascertain the circumstances that brought about this tragedy. We will leave no stone unturned, and we will not spare even our own officials and personnel,” the mayor added. The mayor assured the residents that the city government will continue to beef up the city’s fire prevention measures and efforts. On 14 September, Mayor Belmonte extended financial assistance to the families of the fire victims. Earlier, the city government helped arrange for the cremation of the remains of the victims, among others. The post Belmonte calls for reforms in BFP-QCFD appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sulu gov defends arrest try on ex-vice mayor
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Sulu Governor Abdusakur M. Tan yesterday defended the serving of an arrest warrant for murder on former Maimbung Vice Mayor Pando Mudjasan that sparked a gunfight between police and suspected armed civilians, killing one officer and wounding 14 others, on 24 June. The police operation is legitimate and Mudjasan's defiance has no legal or moral basis to stand on, Tan said. Government security forces failed to arrest Mudjasan after he was alerted by gunfire near his residence. “Mudjasan is now considered a fugitive from the law,” the governor said. The shootout lasted for about 10 hours, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturday resulting in casualties on both sides. The government suffered 14 wounded and one fatality. “To act with impunity and to challenge the enforcers from exercising their mandates, resulting in the displacements of innocent civilians and the loss of lives and others, is the height of defiance against authority and the power of the state,” according to Tan. “The affected community is not the right forum for him to defend himself against the charges filed against him. The court is,” he said. "His audacity to drag the Moro National Liberation Front to his side for his crime, that is his alone, smells of a veiled threat to escalate the situation," Tan added. Meanwhile, the Sulu Provincial Peace and Order Council conducted a meeting on the incident at the Capitol Site, Barangay Bangkal in Patikul, Sulu on Tuesday. The PPOC meeting was attended by Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Director Police Brig. Gen. Allan C. Nobleza, 1102nd Army Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Giovanni T. Franza and its members. PPOC adopted a resolution that would beef up and enhance the operational capability of the PNP Special Action Force in combating criminality, insurgency and terrorism in the province. Tan chairs the PPOC. The post Sulu gov defends arrest try on ex-vice mayor appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
We should all be on the right side of history
Some of our senators who are still doubtful about the decision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to allow new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites should realize that now, more than ever, we need to strengthen our ties with the United States to beef up our capability in addressing existing and potential security threats to our nation and people, both traditional and non-traditional, such as cyber and climate change......»»
PNP to beef up disaster response capability
Lt. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, PNP deputy chief for administration (File photo) MANILA – After the destruction caused by Typhoon Ulysses in large parts of Luzon early this month, a ranking police official said they will be giving more focus on their humanitarian assistance disaster relief trainings and equipment. Lt. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, the […].....»»
Rice imports as of mid-March 886,963 MT
The country’s rice imports as of mid-March have surpassed the total volume recorded in the entire first quarter of last year by a double-digit rate, to over 880,000 metric tons, government data showed......»»
Police beef up security in Davao region for Holy Week
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 25 March) – Around 3,000 police personnel have been deployed to secure various areas in the Davao region for the Holy Week observance, an official of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao said on Monday. Police Major Catherine Dela Rey, PRO-Davao spokesperson, said the deployment of more security personnel was intended to ensure that […].....»»
Remove the chaff from the grains
Other than the questioned selling of the buffer stock of rice to traders, what’s happening at the National Food Authority (NFA)? With 132 of around 2,000 NFA officials and employees all around the country suspended for six months without pay, this agency attached to the Department of Agriculture (DA) is struggling to stay relevant in the over-all schemes of the government on food security......»»
P4-M smuggled cigs seized, 2 arrested
THE Bureau of Customs-Davao Region (BOC-Davao) confiscated smuggled cigarettes worth P4 million in Barangay Lacson, Calinan District, Davao City on March 22, 2024......»»
Bills vs online piracy to be prioritized with public hearing
Two legislative measures granting additional capability to the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) in curbing online content piracy will be tackled during the recess of the Senate sessions......»»
Recipe: Bringhe, the yellow rice dish of Pampanga
Bringhe is a yellow rice dish of Pampanga often referred to as the local version of the Spanish paella......»»
March inflation may pick up amid high food prices
Inflation likely accelerated for the second straight month in March, mainly driven by high rice prices, prompting the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to keep borrowing costs unchanged at its next policy review in April, analysts said......»»
Research for next-gen rice varieties to push through
AN OFFICIAL from the Department of Agriculture-Davao Region (DA-Davao) said that research for next-generation rice varieties or new rice varieties that are being bred by the Institution of Breeders will push through......»»
Recipe: Chef Sau del Rosario s delicious duck dish
Chef Sau del Rosario showed attendees how to prepare California Raisins Wild Rice with Duck Confit......»»
Razon unit strengthens exposure in water infrastructure
The Razon Group’s joint venture with a privately owned Australian construction company plans to beef up its presence in the water infrastructure space to support its growth in the coming years......»»
House probe sought on country’s forest fire fighting capabilities
A lawmaker is calling on the House of Representatives to probe the government’s capability in combatting forest fires following the series of forest fires in Benguet province and elsewhere......»»
Philippines cybersecurity capability upgraded
The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) is upgrading its cybersecurity defense and investigative capabilities......»»
MPIC to pursue buyout of Ayala stake in LRT-1
Metro Pacific Investments Corp. plans to buy out the 35 percent stake of the Ayalas in the operator of Light Rail Transit Line 1 to beef up MPIC’s portfolio for its eventual bid for other railways......»»
Grievance system in 4Ps needs improvement – PIDS
The government needs to enhance the capability of staff in handling complaints and concerns of beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, as well as improve data management for better implementation of the conditional cash transfer program, according to the Philippine Institute for Development Studies......»»
BPI eyes return to debt markets in 1st half
Bank of the Philippine Islands is looking to tap the local and foreign debt markets within the first half of the year to raise funds to refinance its maturing obligations and beef up its lending portfolio......»»
PNP to beef up security at House amid bomb threats
The Philippine National Police will strengthen its security measures at the House of Representatives after the chamber reported receiving bomb threats......»»