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Grand Lotto pot to hit P166 million tonight
The Grand Lotto 6/55 jackpot is estimated to reach P166 million by tonight’s draw, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said yesterday......»»
Abegail Rait donates Francis M photo memorabilia to Boss Toyo
After a few months of silence since revealing in the same online show that she has a child with the late Francis M, Abegail Rait has returned to Boss Toyo to give him six photos allegedly taken from her and Francis M's past trips. .....»»
Rep. Duterte donates motorcycle equipment to boost brgy police
First District Representative Paolo Pulong Duterte has donated motorcycle equipment to boost the barangay police in the first district. The equipment, which includes a police siren with a PA system and mic, front blinker, beacon light, front crash guard stainless, and pole stand stainless, was turned over to barangay captains for use by their barangay police. The turnover ceremony took place at the Office of the First Congressional District in Davao City. This initiative is part of Rep. Duterte's ongoing efforts to support the barangays in his district, which have included providing ambulances, multi-purpose buildings, fire stations, and evacuation centers. The donation complements the Davao City Government's provision of 55 motorcycle units to the Davao City police. The use of motorcycles will enable the barangay police to patrol their areas of responsibility more effectively and enhance general security. Rigo Duterte, the son of Rep. Duterte, expressed gratitude to the barangay police for their dedication and emphasized that the new equipment will strengthen their ability to prevent and respond to street crimes......»»
BFP augments Undas personnel
The Bureau of Fire Protection has deployed around 1,000 personnel to augment emergency responses and medical assistance in 66 identified cemeteries in Metro Manila during the observance of this year’s Undas. BFP-NCR assistant regional director, Senior Supt. Rodrigo Reyes said these personnel will compose the bureau’s first aid service team “equipped with the necessary background and training to respond to medical needs” amid the influx of people. “The are registered nurses that have undergone training while emergency medical technicians, paramedics — those inside the ambulances, are also highly-trained,” Reyes said in the vernacular during a media forum on Saturday in Quezon City. Reyes meanwhile said the BFP continues to conduct regular year-round safety awareness programs, including information dissemination within communities and campaigning through social media platforms. “We have Oplan Ligtas Pamayanan, we have Firetruck on the Road, roaming around communities, schools, and other public places like markets,” he added. Reyes said Oplan Ligtas Pamayanan seeks for public’s participation in minimizing the number of fire incidents in the country. Those who will lit candles during Undas — to pay respect to their departed loved ones — are advised to place candles in a secured area outside, instead of leaving them indoors, such as at the altar. The post BFP augments Undas personnel appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘I couldn’t breathe’: Seoul crowd crush survivor writes to heal
Kim Cho-long escaped death by chance last October -- pulled from packed streets in South Korea's capital by a friend, as those around her were swept into an alley where 159 people later died in a crowd crush. Kim, 33, told AFP she'd been going to Halloween parties in Seoul's Itaewon district for years, but there were more people at the 2022 event -- the first post-pandemic celebration -- than she'd ever seen before. The crowd was so dense that she was quickly swept off her feet by the pressure, trapped and unable to breathe until her friend saw her and somehow managed to drag her into a nearby bar. "I was completely stuck in the crowd as I was pushed back and forth," said Kim, who has written a book about her Itaewon experience called "Am I a Disaster Survivor?" "The pressure first started from behind, and then pressure came from the front so hard that my feet were lifted off from the ground and I couldn't breathe." By chance, she was swept to the side of the street, and when her back hit a wall, she was able to catch her breath, before her friend saw her and pulled her out of the melee. With no police or official crowd control measures in sight -- an official investigation would later slam "massive failings" of preparation and response -- Kim said the confusion and chaos continued for hours, as she sheltered in a nearby bar with her friend. She had no idea what was happening or how close she had been to death. "I went out to the streets of Itaewon and saw people lying on the street receiving CPR. Ambulances were parked disorderly on the road and people were being taken away, but even then I didn't think that all those people were dead," she said. Writing to heal Kim walked for hours to get home, in a state of shock. "I couldn't sleep for two days. As if obsessed with something, I couldn't turn off the news on TV. I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, I only drank water and kept watching the news." Kim, a writer, struggled with feelings of survivor's guilt, and eventually, her therapist suggested that writing about her feelings might allow her to process what had happened. At first, she shared her writing only in private forums online, where she received overwhelmingly positive feedback, including from others who said it had helped them with their own Itaewon-linked trauma. After one of her posts went viral, local newspapers asked her to write for them, which she eventually agreed to -- but the reaction from the general public was overwhelmingly negative. "When it was released to the public, I did not receive comfort from the reactions I received. Personally, it was good as a way to release my feelings and it was helpful in relieving my depression," she said. Critics showered her with personal insults and told her she was spoiled and shouldn't have been out partying. But despite the onslaught of online attacks -- which are also aimed at families of victims campaigning for an independent inquiry into the disaster -- Kim remains positive. 'All survivors' "I believe that all citizens living in South Korea are survivors of the Itaewon disaster," she said. The police probe did not find any senior officials were to blame for the disaster, and none of the lower-level officials who are being prosecuted have yet been convicted or jailed. "Looking at this disaster from a survivor's point of view for a year, I don't think anything has been resolved and the truth has not been revealed legally, socially, or at any government level," Kim said. But her near-death experience has totally changed her view of society, for the better. "In the past, I never once imagined how bereaved families would live on. I thought it had nothing to do with me and it was none of my business," she said. "But now I realize it could have happened to me, and their pain could be mine someday. So I started to sympathize with them and took more interest in their lives." Kim, who hopes to have her book translated into English, said she plans to continue writing about what happened at Itaewon, to keep the memories of all the victims alive. "I will keep thinking hard about what I can do so that they are remembered for a long time." The post ‘I couldn’t breathe’: Seoul crowd crush survivor writes to heal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Netanyahu says Israel ‘preparing’ Gaza ground war
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel is readying a ground war in Gaza, pressing ahead with plans that have troubled allies and threaten to worsen an already cascading humanitarian crisis. Facing ever-louder international calls to temper Israel's ferocious 19-day bombing campaign in the Hamas-controlled territory, Netanyahu delivered a nationally televised address. He told fellow Israelis still grieving and angry after Hamas's bloody attacks: "We are in the midst of a campaign for our existence," while insisting Israel will decide how the war is prosecuted. On 7 October, throngs of Hamas gunmen poured from Gaza into Israel, killing 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping 222 more, according to official tallies. US President Joe Biden is among the foreign leaders stepping up public calls for Israel to "protect innocent civilians" and to follow the "laws of war" as it pursues Hamas targets. Thousands of Gazans are already believed to have died in Israel's aerial assault, with the toll expected to rise substantially if tens of thousands of Israeli troops massed around Gaza move in. Biden on Wednesday said he had privately suggested Israel should get hostages out if possible before any ground invasion. "It's their decision, but I did not demand it", Biden said, as he called on Congress to allocate more money for Israeli defense. Speaking in Cairo, French President Emmanuel Macron warned: "A massive intervention that would put civilian lives at risk would be an error." But boasting of "raining down hellfire on Hamas" and killing "thousands of terrorists", Netanyahu said his war cabinet and the military would determine the timing of a "ground offensive" to "eliminate Hamas" and "bring our captives home." "I will not detail when, how, or how many," he said. 'It's a massacre' Gaza's Hamas-controlled health ministry puts the number of Palestinian deaths at 6,500, including many children and 700 people killed in a single 24-hour window this week. AFP could not independently verify the ministry's claims, and US President Biden has stated he has "no confidence" in the Hamas ministry figures. While the exact toll from the war in Gaza is unclear, the depth of the suffering is not in question. Entire neighborhoods have been razed, overflowing hospitals carry out procedures without anesthetic, and residents have been forced to use ice cream trucks as makeshift morgues. "They're not waging war on Hamas, they're waging war on children," raged Abu Ali Zaarab, after his family home was bombed in the southern town of Rafah. "It's a massacre." About 1.4 million people -- more than half the population -- have been displaced, according to the United Nations. The UN says 12 of the territory's 35 hospitals have closed due to damage or insufficient fuel, and a key UN aid agency serving almost 600,000 Palestinians "began to significantly reduce its operations." Israel has cut off Gaza's normal supply corridors for water, food, and other necessities, and fewer than 70 relief trucks have entered the impoverished territory since the war began. None contained fuel, which Israel fears Hamas will use for rockets and explosives. Aid agencies have warned that more people will die if medical equipment, water desalination plants, and ambulances stop operating because of a lack of fuel. Once the generators stop, hospitals will "turn into morgues", the Red Cross has warned. Hospitals are also struggling with a shortage of medicines and equipment. "There's not enough anesthetic," said Ahmad Abdul Hadi, an orthopedic surgeon working at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. "The wounded are in severe pain but we can't wait for the procedure, so we're forced to do the operation. We performed a number of surgeries without anesthetic. It's tough and painful, but with the lack of resources, what can we do?" A regional 'explosion' The war has sparked fears of a regional conflagration if it draws in more of Israel's enemies. Since October 7, Israel has launched thousands of reprisal strikes in Gaza, but it has also hit targets in Lebanon and Syria. Late Wednesday, Lebanon-based Hezbollah fired what Israel said was a surface-to-air missile at an Israeli drone. Israel's military said it had intercepted the missile and "struck the source of the launch" in retaliation. Hamas, Hezbollah, and Syria's government are backed by Iran, which denies Israel's right to exist. Tehran's top diplomat on Wednesday accused Israel of carrying out "genocide" in Gaza. Jordan's King Abdullah became the latest leader to warn that ongoing violence could "lead to an explosion" in the region. His wife Queen Rania accused Western leaders of a "glaring double standard" for not condemning Israel's killing of Palestinian civilians in its bombardment of Gaza. Violence has also risen sharply in the occupied West Bank, where health officials said more than 100 Palestinians had been killed, mostly in raids by Israeli troops or in clashes with Israeli settlers. The post Netanyahu says Israel ‘preparing’ Gaza ground war appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
No number coding next week
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority announced yesterday that it will be suspending the expanded number coding scheme for three days next week. The suspension will take effect on 30 October (Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections), 1 November (All Saints’ Day), and 2 November (All Souls’ Day). “The implementation of the expanded number coding scheme is suspended on the following days that are declared as special non-working days,” the MMDA said. The number coding scheme is in effect during rush hours from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Vehicles with plate numbers ending in 1 and 2 will not be allowed to use public roads on Mondays, 3 and 4 on Tuesdays, 5 and 6 on Wednesdays, 7 and 8 on Thursdays, and 9 and 0 on Fridays during the mentioned hours. Exempted from the said number coding scheme are public utility vehicles, transport network vehicle services, motorcycles, garbage trucks, fuel trucks, marked government vehicles, trucks, ambulances, marked media vehicles, and vehicles carrying essential and perishable goods. The post No number coding next week appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Two dead in Bangkok mall shooting, 14-year-old boy arrested
A 14-year-old boy was arrested Tuesday after a shooting at a packed Bangkok mall that left two people dead and five wounded, and sent hundreds of panicked shoppers running in terror into the streets. Witnesses told AFP of chaotic scenes as shots rang out at the upmarket Siam Paragon mall in the heart of the Thai capital around 4:30 pm (0930 GMT). The shooting comes just days before the first anniversary of the deadliest massacre in modern Thai history, when an ex-policeman armed with a gun and knife attacked a nursery in the country's north, murdering 24 children and 12 adults. National Police Chief Torsak Sukwimol told reporters that two women -- one Chinese, one from Myanmar -- were killed in the mall shooting, and five other people wounded. He said the 14-year-old suspect was in custody but was too confused to undergo questioning. "He is a mental patient at Rajavithi hospital and he has not been taking his medication," Torsak said. "He said it felt like someone told him to 'go shoot people'. It's like there's another him. This is what we got from the initial talk with him." Video footage showed a long-haired boy wearing a black shirt, glasses and a cap with a US flag motif being taken into custody by police. Yuthana Srettanan, director of the Erawan Emergency Centre, told reporters that all but one of those who were shot were women. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited the scene of the shooting as well as calling on the wounded in hospital. Srettha posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he had spoken to the Chinese ambassador and offered condolences. "From now on, the Thai government will implement the highest safety measures for the safety of all tourists," Srettha wrote. Thailand is keen to attract more Chinese visitors as it rebuilds its tourism industry after the pandemic, but numbers are lower than hoped, partly because of safety fears. A private school called The Essence, just metres from Siam Paragon, confirmed the suspect was one of their students and offered condolences to the victims' families. "We will collaborate with the authorities and investigators for the benefit of those involved," Wiwat Catithammanit, director of the $4,000-a-term school said in a statement. 'Multiple gunshots' Witnesses described scenes of panic as the attack unfolded at Siam Paragon, one of Bangkok's top shopping destinations, hugely popular with tourists and Thais alike. "At around 4:30 pm, I heard loud gun noises, continuously, about 10 times," Thanpawasit Singthongkham, 31, who works at a Japanese restaurant in the mall, told AFP. "Then the department store announced that there was a shooting. The emergency sign was turned on and everyone ran to get out." In footage shared with AFP, he recorded a scrum of terrified shoppers scrabbling under metal security gates blocking shop entrances, before they fled down emergency stairwells as sirens blared. In another video, shared on Facebook and verified by AFP, scores of people can be seen in the mall's basement car park being directed by loudspeakers. Dozens of police vehicles and a number of ambulances could be seen outside one of the shopping centre's main entrances in the wake of the shooting. "I heard multiple gunshots -- about three times -- and saw people running around towards the exits," Nattanon Dungsunenarn, who was shopping in a branch of Boots pharmacy, told AFP. "It was very chaotic and seemed like many people didn't know what exactly was going on." 'Terrified' "We didn't know what was happening, then staff from a shop asked us to go inside and said there was a shooter," Chinese tourist Xiong Ying, 41, told AFP. "Everyone was trying to find a place to hide. So many people were terrified, just like a scene in the zombie movies. "I now feel quite scared. It happened just like two minutes after we left by crossing the bridge. We even took photos there." Almost a year on from the October 6 nursery massacre, the mall shooting will raise fresh questions about gun control in Thailand, which has one of the highest rates of firearm ownership in the region. In 2020, a former army officer went on a rampage in a shopping mall in Korat, murdering 29 people and wounding scores more. The post Two dead in Bangkok mall shooting, 14-year-old boy arrested appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
100 die in wedding party inferno
A newly-wed couple were among at least 100 people killed when their Christian wedding party venue caught fire on Tuesday night in the northern Iraqi town of Hamdaniyah. Health authorities in Nineveh province, where the town is located, said more than 150 attendees to the wedding were also badly injured when flames quickly engulfed the reception hall after fireworks were launched as the bride and groom were slow-dancing. Victims were being taken by ambulances to the main hospital in Hamdaniyah, a predominantly Christian town east of Mosul. “The majority of the injured suffer from burns and asphyxiation,” health ministry spokesperson Saif Al-Badr said, adding that there had also been crowd crushes at the scene. In a statement, civil defense authorities blamed the fire to “highly flammable” and low-cost ceiling panels that also released toxic gases while burning. The prefabricated panels inside the wedding party hall also contravened safety standards, according to the statement. Wedding attendee Rania Waad, who sustained a burn to her hand, said that as the bride and groom “were slow dancing, the fireworks started to climb to the ceiling, the whole hall went up in flames.” “We couldn’t see anything,” the 17-year-old said, choking back sobs. “We were suffocating, we didn’t know how to get out.” The ministry of health announced that “medical aid trucks” had been dispatched to the area from Baghdad and other provinces, adding that its teams in Nineveh had been mobilized to care for the injured. The post 100 die in wedding party inferno appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Morocco medics face flow of quake victims with limited resources
The hospital in Amizmiz caring for Moroccans injured in the earthquake is now a tent pitched on asphalt under a blazing sun, and it has only around a dozen beds. When one bed becomes free, it is immediately filled again as the flow of victims from the disaster keeps on coming from villages at the foot of the Atlas mountains. Three days after Friday night's quake, the strongest ever to hit the North African country, relief workers are battling to cope in the aftermath. Patients are now being cared for under the large grey tent because of fears that the hospital building itself may be vulnerable to aftershocks. An ambulance brings the latest victim, 81-year-old Lhoucein Barouj whose leg is fractured. The old man has a haggard look, his mouth open. Relatives said he was seen by a traditional osteopath, but this will be the first hospital treatment he has received in three days. He has not had any pain relief either. "We had to carry him out of the house ourselves in a blanket and carry him for kilometers (miles)," said his daughter Habiba. Then "we waited in a field" for helpers, who came eventually to their village, Ait Mbarek. As in other mountainside villages hit by the 6.8-magnitude quake, landslides have blocked access, and a shutdown in communications has also delayed treatment for many of those affected. Basic care The quake struck southwest of the tourist center of Marrakesh, killing more than 2,800 people and injuring a similar number, according to the latest official figures. Most of the victims were in Al-Haouz province, where the epicenter was. On Monday, some arrivals seeking medical help looked exhausted and disoriented, among them a little girl in a Bugs Bunny T-shirt, her head bandaged as she lay cradled in her father's arms. The hospital at Amizmiz is local, and can handle basic medical care. But "we can't treat everything here", said ophthalmologist Doha Hamidallah. "We handle primary treatment such as sutures and fractures. But more serious cases are sent to Marrakesh University Hospital" some 50 kilometers (30 miles) away, she said. Hamidallah, who is in her 30s, arrived from Casablanca on Sunday to help along with "dozens of other doctors of all kinds from all over the kingdom". They take it in turns to triage patients. Tired and overwhelmed nurses deal with the flow of new patients arriving in private, public or military ambulances amid the clatter of helicopters above. Others distribute medicine to those who need it, mostly people with diabetes. "We also have to treat patients who were not injured directly by the quake, but who've been unable to get their medicine," said Christophe, a carer with the Moroccan Red Crescent. The first hours after the quake were difficult in the small hospital. "In terms of coordination, we could only go with the flow," said Dr Hamidallah. Mobile teams A voice is raised behind her, adding to the hubbub. "We need someone local who knows the area. Anybody?" A team is being formed at short notice to head out to houses in Anougal which have been cut off. "We send out mobile teams with doctors to the isolated villages," explained Christophe. Soldiers have also set up a field hospital nearby, and some 35 kilometres further east the authorities are putting up a temporary clinic with prefabricated buildings. This is at the entrance to Ouirgane, parts of which have been badly affected. Another military hospital was deployed on Monday morning in Asni village. More than 300 patients have already been admitted, military doctor Colonel Youssef Qamouss told AFP. Organising care has been complicated, but vital to manage stocks of the medical equipment available. John Johnson of the French group Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), awaiting a green light from the authorities to help, said the Moroccans are coping well. "They have everything they need for primary care, but some things are lacking for trauma patients" such as anti-tetanus shots and painkillers, he said. There will also be a need for mental care in the days and months to come, he added. A few streets away, life has come to a standstill. One man stands with his arms crossed, staring at what used to be his home. The post Morocco medics face flow of quake victims with limited resources appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go provides aid to Siniloan indigents
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has personally reached out to assist hundreds of struggling residents in Siniloan, Laguna, on Friday, 25 August. As a legislator and public servant, Go has been consistent with his efforts to help ensure grassroots communities get the services they need from the government. “Kahit saang sulok kayo ng Pilipinas, tutulong ako sa abot ng aking makakaya. Iyan po ang aking ipinangako sa Pilipino. Hindi ko po matiis na nakaupo lang po sa opisina habang ang mga kababayan natin dito ay nangangailangan po ng tulong,” he said. “Tayo po na nasa gobyerno, sikapin nating ilapit ang serbisyo sa mga tao. Tayo na mismo ang maghatid sa kanila ng tulong na kanilang kinakailangan upang makaahon sa hirap. Siguraduhin nating walang maiiwan sa ating muling pagbangon,” he added. An adopted son of CALABARZON, Go took the opportunity to praise the local officials for their unwavering efforts to ensure the well-being of their constituents. He expressed his admiration and gratitude to those in attendance, including Vice Governor Karen Agapay, Mayor Patrick Go, and Vice Mayor Carla Valderrama, among others. During the event held at Siniloan Plaza covered court, Go's team distributed food packs, masks, vitamins, snacks, and shirts to 500 indigent residents. In addition, select individuals received pairs of shoes, watches, cellphones, and balls for basketball and volleyball. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) complemented these efforts by providing financial assistance under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program to qualified beneficiaries. Aside from the 500 beneficiaries that day, Go’s team will continue to aid other indigents in Siniloan in the coming days. Advocating for improved access to quality healthcare services, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, encouraged residents to utilize the services of the Malasakit Centers in the province, located at Laguna Medical Center in Sta. Cruz and San Pablo City General Hospital in San Pablo City. The Malasakit Center, an initiative instituted through Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored, consolidates the medical assistance programs of various government agencies including DSWD, Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). To date, more than seven million poor and indigent patients have benefited from the 158 established Malasakit Centers, as reported by DOH. On the same day, Go also inspected some of the projects he supported in the town as vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, including the isolation facility at the Infirmary Hospital and the Siniloan Sports Complex which were both initiated during the Duterte administration through Go’s efforts. Understanding the importance of sports in fostering community well-being, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, emphasized the need for modern and accessible facilities to promote grassroots sports development. “Bahagi ng ating layunin bilang Chair ng Senate Committee on Sports na mapalaganap ang grassroots sports development, at mailayo ang iba pang kabataan sa masamang bisyo gaya ng iligal ng droga. Kaya ang payo ko palagi sa lahat lalo na sa mga kabataan, get into sports and stay away from drugs,” Go said. In Siniloan, Go also supported the construction of a multipurpose building. Throughout the province, Go was instrumental in the construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of various roads, bridges, and farm-to-market roads in Famy, Luisiana, Nagcarlan, Paete, and Majayjay. Additionally, the acquisition of ambulances in Liliw, Magdalena, and Nagcarlan, and a garbage truck in Bay, has enhanced transportation and sanitation services. Environmental protection has also been a priority of the senator as he earlier pushed for the funding of flood control projects and lakeshore protection in Bay, drainage canals in Biñan City and Cabuyao City, and river protection structures in Biñan City. Community development is also advocated by Go through the support of the construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of various multi-purpose buildings, covered courts, public markets, and slaughterhouses in Cavinti, Famy, Kalayaan, Liliw, Lumban, Mabitac, Magdalena, Majayjay, Pagsanjan, Pakil, Pangil, Pila, Rizal, San Pablo City, San Pedro City, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa City, Siniloan, and Victoria. Through his efforts, urban development has also been enhanced in the province through the installation of LED streetlights in Biñan City, street lighting in Lumban and Magdalena, and the modernization and upgrading of the public market in Nagcarlan. During the Duterte administration, special attention has also been given to specific projects such as the construction of a pathway and a multi-purpose hall in Bay, the construction of the Department of Public Works and Highways Region IV-A Office, and a satellite evacuation center/isolation facility in Calamba City, and the construction of a two-story Calumpang Public Market in Liliw. "Mga kababayan ko, tandaan n’yo po, mahal na mahal ko po kayo. Maraming salamat. Minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito, kung anuman pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede natin gawin sa ating kapwa ay gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” he said. “Ako ay patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat dahil ako po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos,” concluded Go. The post Bong Go provides aid to Siniloan indigents appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Missiles hit Ukraine city, 7 die
At least seven people died when two Russian missiles hit buildings in Pokrovsk, eastern Ukraine on Monday. Rescue workers resumed searching for survivors in the rubble of damaged residential buildings, a hotel, catering establishments, shops and administrative buildings on Tuesday. President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday shared a video on social media of civilians helping wounded people and rescuers clearing rubble from a building that had lost its top floor. Agence France-Presse correspondents on the ground saw rescuers evacuating survivors from the rubble of a five-story building, and carrying the wounded into ambulances. Some 67 other people were wounded, including two children, according to Igor Klymenko, Ukraine’s minister of internal affairs. Among the fatalities was a high-ranking emergency official of Donetsk region, Klymenko added. Pavlo Kyrylenko, head of the Donetsk region’s military administration, said the two missiles struck 40 minutes apart. Meanwhile, Russia’s military said it had recently advanced three kilometres towards Kupiansk in northeastern Ukraine around 150 kilometers north of Pokrovsk and a few dozen kilometers from the Russian border. Kupiansk and its surroundings in the Kharkiv region were retaken by Ukrainian forces in September, but Moscow has renewed its assault on the area. WITH AFP The post Missiles hit Ukraine city, 7 die appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Suicide bomber attacks political gathering, kills 44
A suspected suicide bomber attacked a political rally in northwesst Pakistan on Sunday killing at least 44 people and injuring more than 100 others. “There was utter confusion, with human flesh, limbs, and body parts scattered throughout the area, alongside lifeless bodies,” witness Abdullah Khan said after the attack on 400 supporters of the the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F party in the town of Khar, near the Afghan border. “I found myself lying next to someone who had lost their limbs. The air was filled with the smell of human flesh,” Sabeeh Ullah, a 24-year-old party supporter who had his arm fractured by the blast, said. Images from the blast site circulating on social media showed bodies strewn around, and volunteers helping blood-soaked victims to ambulances. Riaz Anwar, the health minister for Khyber Pakht unkhwa province — told Agence France-Presse late Sunday that the bomber detonated himself in close proximity to the stage. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the blast Sunday on social media, offering condolences to the victims and vowing to punish those responsible. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but police said Monday their initial investigation suggested that the local chapter of the Islamic State was behind the bombing, according to Geo News. District Police Officer Nazir Khan said three suspects had been arrested, Geo News reported. The JUI-F is a major ally of the coalition government of Sharif, which is preparing for the November national elections. Last year, IS said it was behind violent attacks against religious scholars affiliated with the party, which has a huge network of mosques and madrassas in the north and west of the country. The jihadist group accuses JUI-F of hypocrisy for being an Islamic group while supporting hostile governments and the military. WITH AFP The post Suicide bomber attacks political gathering, kills 44 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go provides support to flood victims in Davao City
In an effort to bolster the country's disaster preparedness and response capabilities, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has been advocating for two crucial bills in the Senate that he earlier filed: Senate Bill No. (SBN) 188, which seeks to establish the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR), and SBN 193, mandating the establishment of mandatory evacuation centers nationwide. On Saturday, July 29, Go led two relief operations for thousands of flood victims in Barangays Lasang and Bunawan in Davao City. In his speech, Go said that the government should remain proactive in its approach in dealing with disaster-related situations, considering that the country is highly vulnerable to natural calamities. SBN 188 proposes the creation of the DDR, an independent government agency dedicated to strengthening the nation's resilience against the impacts of natural and human-induced disasters. The DDR aims to consolidate disaster-related functions and resources from different agencies under a single, unified body. By streamlining disaster response efforts, the department can facilitate quicker and more efficient aid delivery to affected communities during times of crisis. “Importante po ito sa akin. Unang-una, halimbawa dito po sa Barangay Lasang, binaha sila. Di ba ang barangay po ang nakikipag-coordinate kaagad with the LGUs. Ito pong barangay level na pagbaha, how about ‘yung mga national level, o municipal level o city level, o province-wide na pagbaha… maayos na koordinasyon ang kailangan,” he said. “Bago dumating ang bagyo, balita pa lang sa PAGASA, coordination kaagad ng Department of Disaster Resilience, kung mayroon tayong isang departamentong nakatutok para sa mga disaster related… bago dumating ang bagyo, coordination with LGUs. Ilikas ang mga kababayan natin sa ligtas na lugar, dalahin sa mga evacuation center. Preposition of goods by the DSWD,” Go added. “Kailangan koordinasyon kaagad ng departamento na i-involve kaagad ang mga ibang departamento na kasamahan niya. DSWD preposition of goods, mga Coast Guard, Navy para ilikas agad ang mga kababayan natin sa ligtas na lugar at maayos na evacuation center, sa Department of Health para malinis ang evacuation center, sanitation para ligtas ang mga kababayan natin. At pag-alis ng bagyo, hindi lang puro task force, dapat isang departamento na pwedeng mag-coordinate hanggang makabalik sa normal na pamumuhay ang lugar na tinamaan ng bagyo. Restoration of normalcy kaagad at rehabilitation effort,” he said. The Office of Civil Defense has recently voiced its support for the establishment of the DDR, emphasizing the importance of such institution in improving operations in managing and responding to future crises. "Things can be better if there will be an independent authority or department, but it’s not that simple – tanggap po namin iyon… We leave it to Congress and we leave it to the Palace, to Malacañang. Meanwhile, kami naman, we are doing our best given the limitations, makakaasa po kayo," OCD Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno said in a past interview. Alongside the establishment of DDR, Go champions SBN 193, which calls for the creation of mandatory evacuation centers across the Philippines. These evacuation centers are designed to be equipped with necessary facilities to provide temporary shelter and essential services to evacuees during disasters. The senator noted that these evacuation centers will be strategically placed in areas less prone to hazards, ensuring the safety and well-being of evacuees during disasters. Furthermore, the centers will be equipped with essential amenities such as food, clean water, medical services, sanitation facilities, and temporary sleeping quarters. Go cited that the Philippines, located in the Pacific Ring of Fire and the typhoon belt, is no stranger to the destructive forces of nature. “Yearly, the country faces the threat of typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and other hazards. These disasters not only result in loss of lives and livelihoods but also impede economic progress and development,” shared Go. To minimize the devastating impact of disasters, Go underscored that comprehensive disaster resilience measures are imperative. The senator is confident that by supporting these priority bills, the Senate and the Filipino people can collectively work towards a safer, more resilient nation, where communities can recover swiftly and thrive even in the face of adversity. “Ang lugar natin nasa Pacific Ring of Fire tayo. Prone tayo sa mga bagyo, prone tayo sa pagputok ng bulkan, prone tayo sa sunog, ‘di ba? So dapat po ay magkaroon na tayo ng isang maayos na departamento, Department of Disaster Resilience at Mandatory Evacuation Center sa mga syudad, munisipyo, at probinsya para hindi magamit ang mga eskwelahan tuwing may mga sunog, baha. Nagagamit po ang eskwelahan, naantala ang pag-aaral ng mga bata dahil ginagamit po as evacuation center,” he said. Together with Councilors Dante Apostol, Marissa Abella, Diosdado Mahipus, and Al Ryan Alejandre, Go provided grocery packs, masks, vitamins, and snacks to 4,399 flood victims. The senator also extended shoes, mobile phones, bicycles, watches, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select recipients. Meanwhile, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, urged those who have health issues to seek assistance from the Malasakit Center at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City. The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored, brings together various government agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DHOH), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC), and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), under one roof to provide a convenient process for availing medical assistance particularly for poor and indigent patients in public hospitals. There are now 158 Malasakit Centers nationwide which have assisted more than seven million Filipinos, according to DOH data. In SPMC alone, the Malasakit Center there has assisted more than 200,000 patients. On the same day, Go attended the ribbon-cutting of the multipurpose building in Brgy. Lasang and road concretion with drainage canal construction in Brgy. Bunawan, two infrastructure projects he supported the funding of as vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance. He likewise supported the acquisition of multi-purpose vehicles for the community, construction of various multipurpose buildings and local roads, rehabilitation of water systems, drainage systems and flood control structures in different barangays throughout the city, the construction of a 300-bed capacity infectious diseases building for SPMC and the acquisition of ambulances, among others. ### The post Bong Go provides support to flood victims in Davao City appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marikina to deploy health, safety officers
Over 1,000 health and safety protocol officers will be deployed by the local government of Marikina City to safeguard the health and safety of Palarong Pambansa delegates, Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro said. “We will be deploying more than 1,000 health and safety protocol officers to all playing venues and billeting schools,” Teodoro said. “Our primordial concern is the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, other delegates, and the general public,” the local chief executive added. There are 29 playing venues and 31 billeting schools during the Palaro 2023. Teodoro said each team is composed of doctors, nurses, and first aiders who have the medical expertise and are highly trained to address emergency medical issues. “They will be manning properly equipped medical stations situated at the playing venues and billeting schools. Ambulances are readily available on-site for emergencies requiring hospital attention,” he said. “We want to ensure an efficient conduct of Palaro here in Marikina,” the mayor added. Teodoro also said that they will strictly implement the minimum public health standards to protect student-athletes and delegates from the threats of Covid-19. “We have an existing temporary treatment and monitoring facility located in Bagong Sibol, Nangka. It can accommodate 100 patients with confirmed asymptomatic to mild cases of Covid-19,” he said. “This facility seeks to immediately isolate delegates who will test positive in order for them to quickly get the much-needed medical attention and treatment,” the mayor added. Also, the city has swabbing facility, and molecular and diagnostic laboratory wherein student-athletes and delegates can get Covid-19 tests quickly. “The swabbing facility can administer immediate antigen tests and RT-PCR tests,” Teodoro said. The city government is also conducting daily and regular fumigation and sanitation activities at the billeting schools and playing venues. “All billeting quarters have potable water while foods are prepared according to strict health and sanitation standards to avoid food and water contamination,” the mayor assured. The post Marikina to deploy health, safety officers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go provides relief aid to Davao fire victims
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go provided assistance to fire victims in Davao City on Friday, 14 July. The relief activity took place at Barangay 23-C gymnasium, where his team led the distribution of relief goods to 109 affected families. Together with Barangay Captain Alimodin Usman, Go’s team extended grocery packs, masks, shirts, and snacks to all households. They also gave away bicycles, cellular phones, shoes, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select recipients. Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave financial assistance to help with the damages. “Mga kababayan, gusto kong pasalamatan ang mga kasamahan ko sa gobyerno. Mayroon lang akong sasabihin sa inyo. Palagi kasi akong nakakarinig ng pagpapasalamat. ‘Salamat (dating) presidente (Rodrigo) Duterte, salamat Senador Bong Go' sa mga programa na makakatulong sa mga mahihirap," Go said in a video conference call. “Huwag kayong magpasalamat sa amin. Sa totoo lang kami ang dapat na magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan n’yo kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo sa inyo. Maraming salamat sa inyo. Sanay ako sa trabaho,” he continued. Go also cited that he primarily authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11589, otherwise known as the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021. Under the law, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) undergoes a ten-year modernization program to help improve the capabilities of the agency. The program includes recruiting more firefighters, acquiring new fire equipment, and developing specialized training, among others. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go likewise urged those with health concerns to visit the Malasakit Center at the Southern Philippines Medical Center in the city, where they can seek assistance for their medical-related expenses. Designed to assist poor and indigent Filipinos, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop, where all relevant agencies are brought together under one roof to ensure the accessibility of medical assistance programs. The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, principally sponsored and authored by Go, has successfully assisted more than three million Filipinos with 158 operational centers nationwide. In addition to the Malasakit Centers, Senator Go maintained that the construction of 11 Super Health Centers across Davao City is underway, in coordination with the Department of Health. Super Health Centers will be strategically built in rural communities to ensure basic health services are accessible to more Filipinos. The centers offer database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation center; and telemedicine, which makes remote diagnosis and treatment of patients possible. “Higit 600 na Super Health Center ang itatayo sa buong Pilipinas sa tulong ng aking mga kasamahan sa Kongreso at sa DOH. Iyan ang Super Health Center. ‘Yung mga buntis pwede nang manganak diyan, hindi na kailangan (lumayo) pa (at) pumunta ng ospital,” the senator explained further. “Sa pamamagitan nito, mailalapit natin ang pangunahing serbisyo medikal mula sa gobyerno sa mga taong nangangailangan nito lalo na sa mga nasa malalayong lugar,” he added. As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also supported several initiatives in Davao City, including the construction of various multipurpose buildings and local roads, rehabilitation of water systems, drainage systems, and flood control structures in different barangays throughout the city, the construction of a 300-bed capacity infectious diseases building for SPMC and the acquisition of ambulances. “Lahat ng tao sa mundo ay may bisyo. Ang bisyo ng social worker tulungan ang mga mahihirap. Ang bisyo ng mga pulis hulihin ang mga kriminal. Ang bisyo ng doctor gamutin ang mga pasyente. Ako may bisyo rin. Ang aking bisyo ay magserbisyo sa inyong lahat,” Go reiterated. “Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito. Ako po ang inyong Senador kuya Bong Go, patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat. Dahil ako’y naniniwala na ang serbisyo po sa tao ay serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” he concluded. On the same day, Go personally provided additional support while the National Housing Authority extended emergency housing assistance for recovering fire victims from various barangays in Davao City. The post Bong Go provides relief aid to Davao fire victims appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go leads NHA housing turnover to Davao fire victims
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go reiterated his ongoing commitment to improving housing conditions for Filipinos, particularly those displaced by natural and man-made disasters, during the emergency housing assistance turnover conducted by the National Housing Authority (NHA) to fire victims in his hometown Davao City, on Friday, 14 July. Go first underscored the significance of the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) run by the NHA, which provides support to families who have lost their homes. The program extends financial assistance for building materials to expedite their rebuilding and recovery process. “Nitong July 14, nagbigay tayo ng dagdag na tulong sa mga biktima ng sunog noon mula sa iba’t ibang barangay. Personal nating sinaksihan ang ipinamahaging emergency housing assistance ng National Housing Authority sa mga benepisyaryo, sa pakikipagtulungan kasama ang tanggapan nina Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte at NHA Regional Manager ng Davao Region na si Engr. Clemente Dayot,” Go shared. “Itong programang EHAP, (nasimulan) panahon pa ni dating Presidente Duterte. Isa ako sa nagsulong nito noon. Ngayon, ito ay aking pinapondohan para maipagpatuloy, para may maibili ng housing materials ang mga nasunugan,” he explained further. Aside from the assistance provided by NHA to the beneficiaries during the relief activity at Rizal Park, Go and his team also distributed grocery packs, masks, and snacks to 1,272 recovering fire victims. Shoes, bicycles, and cellular phones were also given to several recipients. “Mula sa iba't ibang barangay ito na inikot ng aming opisina noon at kayo ‘yung napili ngayon na bibigyan ng assistance mula sa EHAP program. ‘Yung matatanggap ninyo ngayon, ibili ninyo ng housing materials o ano pa man na makakatulong sa pagbangon ninyo,” he said. Recounting his experiences with fire and disaster victims across the country, Go expressed his commitment to helping address the housing needs of affected households to promote resilience and rebuild communities in the face of adversity. “Sa pag-iikot ko ng bansa, nakita ko po kung gaano kahirap sa ating mga kababayang nasunugan o tinamaan ng bagyo o kaya naman pagputok ng bulkan ang makakuha ulit ng matitirhan,” said Go “Napakaimportante na magkaroon sila ng maayos at ligtas na tirahan upang tuluyang makabangon muli,” he added. As a legislator, Go is actively advocating for the passage of Senate Bill No. 192, which aims to establish the Rental Housing Subsidy Program as a means of institutionalizing housing and social protection initiatives. This program intends to provide disaster victims with improved and affordable access to the formal housing market by offering rental subsidies. Go also cited that the enactment of Republic Act No. 11589 or the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act, has enabled the agency to enhance its capabilities in addressing fire-related emergencies. RA 11589, which Go principally authored and co-sponsored in the Senate, mandates a ten-year modernization program for the Bureau of Fire Protection, which includes the acquisition of modern fire equipment, recruitment of more firefighters, and provision of specialized training, among others. “Huwag kayong mag-alala, ang importante buhay tayo at walang nasaktan. Iyan ang importante. Ang gamit mabibili natin ‘yan, ang pera kikitain natin ‘yan. Pero ang pera na ating kikitain ay hindi mabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Ang importante buhay tayo. Kaya pag-ingatan natin ang buhay na ibinigay sa atin ng Panginoon,” Go said. Meanwhile, the senator, chair of the Senate Committee on Health, urged those who have health issues to seek assistance from the Malasakit Center at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City. The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored, brings together various government agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, under one roof to provide a convenient process for availing medical assistance, particularly for poor and indigent patients in public hospitals. According to the DOH, there are currently 158 Malasakit Centers across the country that have benefited over seven million Filipinos so far. Go also continues to support the construction of more Super Health Centers nationwide. DOH has identified 11 strategic locations in Davao City for the centers, which will offer database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation center; and telemedicine, which makes remote diagnosis and treatment of patients possible. Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, enough funds have been allocated for the DOH to build 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. The DOH, which is the lead agency in implementing the program, identifies the strategic locations for the construction of these centers. To help improve the quality of public service delivered to his fellow Davaoeños, Go, vice chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, likewise supported the construction of various multipurpose buildings and local roads, rehabilitation of water systems, drainage systems, and flood control structures in different barangays throughout the city, the construction of a 300-bed capacity infectious diseases building for SPMC and the acquisition of ambulances. Go then recognized the leadership and service of fellow Davaoeño officials, particularly Vice President Sara Duterte, Congressman Paolo Duterte, and Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte, as well as city councilors and barangay leaders, present during the activity. He expressed his support for their efforts in bringing government services closer to the people and promoting development in the region. “Huwag po kayong magpasalamat sa amin dahil sa totoo lang, kami po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan niyo po kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo sa inyo. Mahal na mahal ko po kayong lahat. Salamat po,” he said. On the same day, Go conducted a separate relief activity for 109 fire victims in Barangay 23-C, Davao City. The post Bong Go leads NHA housing turnover to Davao fire victims appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go extends assistance to Davao City PWDs
On Wednesday, 12 July, the office of Senator Christopher "Bong" Go provided assistance to persons with disabilities in Barangay Cabantian, Davao City, as part of his ongoing commitment to serving and supporting Filipinos, particularly those belonging to vulnerable sectors such as the PWD community. In his message, Go emphasized the importance of inclusivity, stating that no one should be left behind in the journey toward progress. He asserted the need for all citizens, including PWDs, to have equitable access to government services. “Huwag po kayong magpasalamat sa amin dahil sa totoo lang, kami po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan niyo po kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo sa inyo. Mahal na mahal ko po kayong lahat,” he said. The senator’s outreach team conducted the relief activity at Brgy. Cabantian covered the court, where they handed out vitamins, masks, shirts, snacks, caps, and balls for basketball and volleyball to 75 beneficiaries. The assistance is in line with Go's broader initiative aimed at enhancing the quality of life of Filipinos, including PWDs. In the 19th Congress, he championed proposed measures to bolster the public health system and expand access to healthcare services. These include Senate Bill No. 198, which aims to provide free annual medical check-ups to all Filipinos, and SBN 190, designed to provide a comprehensive dialysis benefit package for all Philippine Health Insurance Corporation members. Further evidencing his commitment to inclusive education, Go co-authored Republic Act No. 11650 during the 18th Congress. The law seeks to augment the quality of education in the formal learning sector by providing free support services and programs that are specially tailored to the needs of learners with disabilities. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go also advised those with health issues to get assistance from the Malasakit Center at Southern Philippines Medical Center in the city. Principally authored and sponsored by Go, the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 provides for the establishment of one-stop shops where indigent patients may conveniently avail medical assistance from various agencies including DSWD, the Department of Health, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. There are now 158 Malasakit Centers that have assisted over seven million Filipinos, according to the DOH. Go also continues to support the construction of additional Super Health Centers nationwide. Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, enough funds have been allocated for the DOH's Health Facilities Enhancement Program to build 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. The DOH, which is the lead agency in implementing the program, identifies the strategic locations for the construction of these centers. To help improve the quality of public service delivered to his fellow Davaoeños, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, likewise supported the construction of various multipurpose buildings and local roads, rehabilitation of water systems, drainage systems, and flood control structures in different barangays throughout the city, the construction of a 300-bed capacity infectious diseases building for the SPMC and the acquisition of ambulances. “Mga kapwa kong Davaoeños, andirito lang po ako para makapagserbisyo sa inyong lahat sa abot nang aking makakaya. Andirito lang po ang inyong Kuya Bong Go na handa pong tumulong sa inyo,” Go reaffirmed. The post Bong Go extends assistance to Davao City PWDs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kyiv suicide bomber wounds 2 cops
A man attending a hearing at a court in Kyiv, Ukraine blew himself up in an apparent suicide bombing on Wednesday. The blast wounded two police officers who responded to the initial blast at the Shevchenkivskyi district court, Interior Minister Igor Klymenko said on social media. “Their lives were saved by their shields,” he said. The suspect was identified as Igor Gumenyuk. He was detained in 2015 in connection with the deaths of four national guardsmen. Kyiv City Military Administration said an explosion occurred at 17:20 p.m. local time while a defendant was being escorted by law enforcement to the courtroom. The General Prosecutor’s Office said that a man who had been taken to a court hearing had detonated an explosive device as he attempted to “escape from custody” when he was in a restroom. The court was cordoned off and there were a number of ambulances outside, an Agence France-Presse reporter at the scene said. Two ambulances were seen leaving the court building. Around 20 armed policemen in helmets were seen entering the premises. WITH AFP The post Kyiv suicide bomber wounds 2 cops appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fire razes Taguig warehouse
Authorities reported on Wednesday that a blaze gutted a warehouse of a manufacturing company making molded foam products in Taguig City on Tuesday night. The Taguig City Fire Station said the fire hit the warehouse of Mega Packaging Corp. at about 11:33 p.m. located on Arturo Drive in Barangay Bagumbayan. The first alarm was raised at 11:45 p.m. and went up to the second alarm at 12:03 a.m. It was put under control at 1:44 a.m. before it was put out at 2:15 a.m. Arson probers said the fire originated from the back portion of the building and damaged P12 million worth of properties. “In our initial investigation, the warehouseman said he saw the back of the warehouse light up. So that may be where the fire started,” said an official from the Bureau of Fire Protection-Taguig. “It was very challenging for us because what was being engulfed were styro products which emit fumes and thick smoke. We could not immediately penetrate the area and go to where the fire started,” the official added. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined. Some 30 fire trucks including 10 from the BFP and two ambulances responded to the scene. No one was hurt in the fire. The post Fire razes Taguig warehouse appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»