Labella orders fixing of bridges damaged by rains in barangays Guba, Pulangbato
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The torrential rains in the past two days caused the collapse of portions of two bridges in the mountain barangays here. Mayor Edgardo Labella inspected the Patag Bridge in Barangay Guba and the Candarong Bridge in Pulangbato on October 6, 2020, with the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) to […] The post Labella orders fixing of bridges damaged by rains in barangays Guba, Pulangbato appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Bayani Fernando, a true public servant (1)
On 22 September 2023, in a freak and unfortunate accident, the country lost a man who spent much of his life in dedicated public service. Bayani Fernando, a popular, beloved three-term mayor, a two-term Congressman of Marikina, a few months Secretary of Public Works, and an eight-year Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, passed away at age 77, creating a vacuum in the kind of leadership exercised by, unfortunately, a few public servants. In a toxic atmosphere of politics, his entry into public service was a refreshing gust of wind. Putting aside his business interests (he founded the BF Group of Companies, engaged in construction, steel, manufacturing, and real estate), he plunged head-on to an unfamiliar terrain. He lost in his first try and emerged victorious in his second. Thereafter, he carved a name for himself as a strict, disciplinarian and creative Mayor of Marikina for three consecutive terms. He has become a legend in local administration. He transformed Marikina from a 4th class municipality to a model city of cleanliness and orderliness, receiving citation after citation in different fields of endeavor. As Mayor, he launched a crusade against all forms of transgressions of law. He stopped illegal vending and destroyed the confiscated food and merchandise to show he meant business. He instilled discipline among the employees. He made the dirty and odorous public toilets in City Hall look and smell like hotel restrooms. He re-settled the informal settlers, not by transferring them to other cities but by providing them with lands and shelter inside the city. Bayan as he is called by his pretty and equally dedicated public servant wife, Marides Carlos- Fernando, dredged the Marikina River of filth and garbage, developed the banks into flood control outlets, and converted both sides of the river as a park. He commenced massive repairs and cementing of roads. He built an efficient drainage system and created sidewalks all over Marikina. He established health centers in the barangays. He enforced the law on everyone, exempting no one. He removed illegally parked vehicles and enforced traffic rules strictly. He made the public market clean and stalls orderly and sectionalized. Garbage was regularly collected. Public service became efficient and prompt. Employees were courteous and sported smiles as they rendered service to Marikeños. Under his watch, the economy of Marikina grew. His other half, a UP product, from whom he derived his inspiration to serve faithfully Marikina, continued the caring Fernando kind of governance. He brought his creative and authoritative leadership as Chairman of the Metropolitan Development Authority to Metro Manila. He brought back the sidewalks to the pedestrians, which were invaded by vendors selling their wares. He forcibly evicted squatters along the railroad tracks, esteros, and those living under the bridge. He made innovative projects that dramatically lessened the chaos that used to vex Metro Manilas. He improved on the nightmarish traffic congestion. He introduced the U-turn slots and constructed food bridges that made crossing the streets convenient and safe. He was a hands-on government worker, ensuring the projects he initiated ran smoothly, and those implementing them were on their toes. He didn’t back down from pressures and resistance coming from powerful politicians and businessmen. He didn’t leave anything to chance or rely on the people he tasked to do a particular job. He had to be there inspecting, correcting, and innovating on anything he put his mind to. Tragically, this admirable character trait brought him to his demise. (To be continued) The post Bayani Fernando, a true public servant (1) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Public office is a public trust,’ Bong Go reminds BSKE candidates
In an interview on Friday, 15 September, after attending the launch of the 159th Malasakit Center in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go discussed the forthcoming 2023 Philippine Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, underscoring the crucial role of public trust to those who are elected to office. "Public office is a public trust. Kung kayo po ay iluklok dyan, wag nyo pong sayangin ang tiwalang ibinigay sa inyo ng taumbayan," Go said. He stressed that elected officials at the barangay level are the direct point of contact of the public and should not squander the trust given to them. "Unahin po natin ang interes ng tao, unahin po natin ang interes ng bayan. Unahin po natin tulungan ang mga kababayan nating mahihirap, ang mga pobre,” added Go. The 2023 Philippine barangay and SK elections are scheduled to be held on 30 October this year. Among those to be elected in the election are the Punong Barangay, seven members of the Sangguniang Barangay, and the SK chairperson in barangays all throughout the country. Go has previously filed Senate Bill No. 197 or the Magna Carta for Barangays, recognizing the critical role of barangay officials in delivering services from the government. "Meron akong nai-refile na SB 197 or the Magna Carta for Barangays," he said. The senator said he understands the challenges faced by barangay officials, having worked closely with former president Rodrigo Duterte when he was still a mayor. "Mahalaga at kritikal ang papel ng mga barangay officials natin sa paghahatid ng mga serbisyo mula sa pamahalaan," he added. The bill proposes that barangay officials, including the Punong Barangay, members of the Sangguniang Barangay, the Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson, the barangay secretary, and the barangay treasurer, receive similar treatment as regular government employees. This means they would be eligible for salaries, benefits, and allowances, among other perks. "Dapat awtomatikong ibinibigay na sa kanila ang kanilang parte sa mga pambansang buwis," Go stated, emphasizing that the barangay should automatically receive their share of national taxes. This includes funds for the maintenance of barangay roads and bridges, as well as an increased share from real property tax and other collections. Earlier, Go has co-authored and co-sponsored a Senate bill pushing for the postponement of the December 2022 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections. In his co-sponsorship speech, he emphasized that officials at barangay and SK levels need adequate time and continuity to implement and uphold the plans they have devised for their respective jurisdictions. The post ‘Public office is a public trust,’ Bong Go reminds BSKE candidates appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Habagat’ onslaught leaves 2 dead
The Office of Civil Defense on Sunday disclosed that two individuals reportedly died due to the effects of the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat which was enhanced by typhoons “Goring” and “Hanna.” According to OCD spokesperson Edgar Posadas, the fatalities — which were still being validated — came each from the Cordillera Administrative Region and Western Visayas, adding that the inclement weather has also affected more than 418,000 people all over the country. “More than 418,000 people have been affected by the combined effects of ‘Goring,’ ‘Hanna,’ and habagat. This translates to more than 114,000 families in 1,469 barangays,” said Posadas in a radio interview. He added that at least 21,700 people or 5,100 families have also remained at 272 evacuation centers, while 30,000 people or 7,400 families were staying in other places, based on the latest situational report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. “Our data for damaged houses has increased a bit — it’s at 501 now. Ninety-six houses were totally damaged, while 405 were partially damaged in CAR, Regions 1, 2, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Region 6,” Posadas said. The OCD spokesperson also revealed that damage and losses to agriculture stood at P421,195,721. The damage to infrastructure amounted to P130,251,200 and two localities in the Western Visayas also declared a state of calamity because of the recent typhoons and habagat. Meantime, a total of 98 seaports were affected in the Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Western Visayas, resulting in canceled trips. Classes in 298 cities and municipalities were also suspended. Twenty-five roads and nine bridges were also not passable, according to the NDRRMC. In other developments, three Luzon dams continued to release water on Sunday morning after heavy rains from the habagat. Ipo Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan had one gate open at 0.15 meter at 6 a.m. as the reservoir water level of Ipo Dam was at 101.07 meters at 6 a.m., which is over the 101-meter normal high water level. Meantime, the Ambuklao Dam in Benguet had five gates open on Sunday morning at 2.5 meters as the the dam’s RWL was at 751.53 meters, nearing the NHWL of 752 meters. Binga Dam in Benguet, on the other hand, six gates remained open on Sunday, same as on Saturday. The gate opening, however, was slightly bigger on Sunday at 3.3 meters. Binga Dam’s RHWL was at 573.23 meters on Sunday, just a few meters away from the NHWL of 575 meters. The post ‘Habagat’ onslaught leaves 2 dead appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Hanna’ intensifies; typhoon-enhanced ‘habagat’ brings heavy rains
Typhoon "Hanna" slightly intensifies as it accelerates west-northwestward towards the sea east of Taiwan while enhanced southwest monsoon or "habagat" will bring heavy rains over the western portion of Luzon in the next three days, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Saturday. PAGASA said the southwest monsoon currently enhanced by “Hanna” and two other typhoons, "Saola" (formerly "Goring") and Severe Tropical Storm “Kirogi”, will cause gusty conditions over the following areas not under any Wind Signal, especially in coastal and upland/mountainous areas exposed to winds in Batanes, Ilocos Region, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Aurora, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and the northern portion of Eastern Visayas until Saturday. Typhoon "Hanna" has already affected 112,384 families or 408,053 individuals residing in 1,445 barangays within the Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Central Luzon, and Cordillera Administrative Region. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported more than P421.19 million worth of damages in the agricultural sector, affecting some 10,196 farmers and fisherfolk operating in 18,470.25 hectares of crop areas. The estimated cost of damage to infrastructure amounting to P130,251,200 was reported in Region 2, MIMAROPA, Region 6, and CAR. The NDRRMC accounted for a total of 502 damaged houses in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, and CAR with 25 roads and nine bridges remained not passable. Two areas in CALABARZON and Western Visayas are still experiencing water supply. There were 89 seaports that have canceled operations in Cagayan Valley, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and Western Visayas amid the continuing inclement weather. Some 234 passengers have been stranded in CALABARZON and Western Visayas. The six domestic flights that have been affected have now resumed operations. NDRRMC said two municipalities have already declared under a state of calamity due to the cyclones and intensified southwest monsoon. The government said it has already provided a total of P17.68 million worth of assistance, which came in the form of family food packs, family kits, financial aid, and many more. Meanwhile, PAGASA said "Hanna" is forecast to move west-northwestward or westward while intensifying until it makes landfall along the east coast of southern Taiwan on late Sunday. "Hanna" is considerably weakening is expected as a result of crossing the rugged landmass of Taiwan. PAGASA said "Hanna" will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility and emerge over the Taiwan Strait around Monday morning or afternoon. Outside the PAR region, the weather disturbance is forecast to move erratically and may even become slow-moving or almost stationary over the Taiwan Strait while continuously weakening due to land interaction and an increasingly unfavorable environment. PAGASA forecast ‘Hanna’ will have weakened into a tropical depression by Wednesday or Thursday. It was last tracked over 455-kilometer east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph while moving west-northwestward at 15 kph. The post ‘Hanna’ intensifies; typhoon-enhanced ‘habagat’ brings heavy rains appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NDRRMC: No casualties but 1 missing due to ‘Goring’
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Wednesday said no deaths or injuries have been recorded due to the onslaught of Super Typhoon “Goring”, but it was verifying a report on a missing individual. The latest data from NDRRMC showed that “Goring” has already battered a total of 56,410 families equivalent to 196,926 individuals and displaced 48,997 individuals from 832 barangays in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas and the Cordillera Administrative Region. Of the number, 9,608 families equivalent to 35,095 persons are now being sheltered in 376 activated evacuation centers while another 3,407 families, or 13,902 persons, are being aided outside. The NDRRMC recorded a total of P41,175,000 worth of damage to infrastructures as of Wednesday. But it has yet to report on the cost of agricultural damages. Some 28 roads and 19 bridges remained impassable, with six areas experiencing power interruption in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, CAR and Mimaropa, while two areas in Calabarzon and Western Visayas have no water supply. The agency said six flights were canceled in Cagayan Valley while a total of 67 seaports were affected in Cagayan Valley, Calabazon, Mimaropa and Western Visayas. The government said it has already provided a total of P7,844,038 worth of assistance to typhoon-affected families. The post NDRRMC: No casualties but 1 missing due to ‘Goring’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Super Typhoon Goring affects nearly ‘200k’ people, infra damage reaches P41-M
Supertyphoon Goring has already battered some 56,410 families equivalent to 196,926 individuals with a total of P41,175,000 worth of damage to infrastructures as of Wednesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said. The latest data from NDRRMC showed that the inclement weather has displaced 48,997 individuals from 832 barangays in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas and the Cordillera Administrative Region. Of the number, 9,608 families equivalent to 35,095 persons are now being sheltered in 376 activated evacuation centers while another 3,407 families, or 13,902 persons are being aided outside. No casualties were reported but the NDRRMC said it was verifying a report on a missing individual. Also, it has yet to report on the cost of agricultural damage due to Goring. Some 28 roads and 19 bridges remained not passable with six areas experiencing power interruption in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, CAR, and Mimaropa. While two areas in Calabarzon and Western Visayas have no water supply. NDRRMC said six flights were canceled in Cagayan Valley while a total of 67 seaports were affected in Cagayan Valley, Calabazon, Mimaropa, and Western Visayas. The government said it has already provided a total of P7,844,038 worth of assistance to the typhoon-affected families. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said Super Typhoon “Goring” continues to maintain strength as it approaches the northwestern boundary of the Philippine Area of Responsibility. PAGASA said “Goring” is forecast to follow a mainly west-northwestward path across the Luzon Strait from today until it exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) tonight or tomorrow morning. Outside the PAR region, the “Goring” will continue its west-northwestward movement for the remainder of tomorrow before turning more westward on Friday while slowing down, then west-southwestward on Saturday. “Goring” is likely to remain as a super typhoon until Friday. “Increasingly unfavorable conditions over the waters off the coast of Guangdong will trigger a weakening trend and by Monday, Goring will have weakened into a severe tropical storm,” PAGASA said in its advisory. Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is still hoisted over the Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Apayao (Luna, Santa Marcela, Calanasan), and the northwestern portion of Cagayan (Pamplona, Claveria, Ballesteros, Abulug, Sanchez-Mira, Santa Praxedes). PAGASA warned there is a moderate to high risk of storm surge which may cause flooding in the low-lying and exposed coastal areas of Batanes and the northern and western portions of Babuyan Islands. The southwest monsoon enhanced by “Goring” may bring a significant amount of rains over the Zambales, Bataasn, and Northern portion of Palawan, including Calamian, Cuyo Islands, and Occidental Mindoro and Pangasinan over the next three days. Super Typhoon “Goring” was last tracked at 1185 km West of Itbayat, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 240 kph while moving west-northwestward at 15 kph. The post Super Typhoon Goring affects nearly ‘200k’ people, infra damage reaches P41-M appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Labella orders fixing of bridges damaged by rains in barangays Guba, Pulangbato
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The torrential rains in the past two days caused the collapse of portions of two bridges in the mountain barangays here. Mayor Edgardo Labella inspected the Patag Bridge in Barangay Guba and the Candarong Bridge in Pulangbato on October 6, 2020, with the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) to […] The post Labella orders fixing of bridges damaged by rains in barangays Guba, Pulangbato appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Cebu City declares state of calamity in 28 mountain barangays due to el Niño
CEBU CITY, Philippines – In response to the escalating effects of the ongoing El Niño phenomenon, Cebu City has declared a “state of calamity” in 28 mountain barangays. This decision comes after a resolution was passed with reports of dwindling water sources and agricultural distress, prompting urgent measures to assist affected communities in the city. .....»»
CHR alarmed by war vs drugs in Davao City
THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is alarmed by Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte’s “war against drugs”, as seven drug users were killed from different barangays in the city over the weekend, just a few hours after his declaration......»»
DOH orders 5 million measles vaccine doses
The Department of Health has procured five million doses of measles vaccine as part of its renewed and intensified campaign against increasing cases of measles in the country......»»
Mayor orders probe on alleged consumption of confiscated fish by CLO Enforcement Team
Mayor orders probe on alleged consumption of confiscated fish by CLO Enforcement Team.....»»
Philippines resupply boat heavily damaged
Again, using water cannons and executing dangerous maneuvers, the Chinese coast guard made another attempt yesterday to block Filipino vessels from resupplying a military outpost on the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, causing “major damage” and triggering condemnation from the US, the European Union and Japan......»»
US condemns China’s latest aggression in WPS
The Philippines reported on Saturday that the Chinese Coast Guard blocked and damaged a Filipino supply boat with water cannons while it was on its way to Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal), causing injuries to personnel onboard......»»
Philippines resupply boatheavily damaged
Again, using water cannons and executing dangerous maneuvers, the Chinese coast guard made another attempt yesterday to block Filipino vessels from resupplying a military outpost on the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, causing “major damage” and triggering condemnation from the US, the European Union and Japan......»»
DA chief orders transfer of suspended NFA supervisors’ authority
The transfer of authority of suspended warehouse supervisors of the National Food Authority has been ordered by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. yesterday as NFA facilities remain closed amid the suspension order of the Office of the Ombudsman......»»
27 Moro cooperatives get agri inputs from BARMM
Up to 27 large cooperatives of marginalized farmers in Bangsamoro barangays in Cotabato province, mostly former Moro secessionist guerillas, had received P11.9 million worth of farming supplies and livestock feeds from the regional autonomous government......»»
Samar I continues to build road connectivity in Calbayog City
A 350-meter Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP) with a width of five (5) meters is built in the said area to replace the footh path that residents would trudge in order to reach said barangays......»»
NEWS BRIEFS | 11 March 2024
Three news barangays created in Marawi City Voters in Marawi City ratified the creation of three new barangays during a plebiscite held last Saturday there, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said. In a statement, the Comelec said that 2,121 out of 2,265 voters approved the creation of the three barangays. The voters came from the three barangays […].....»»
NEWS BRIEFS | 09 March 2024
Marawi votes on 3 additional barangays CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 09 March) – Voters in Marawi City on Saturday went to polling precincts to vote on the proposal to create three more barangays. The Commission on Elections held a security command conference Friday morning in Marawi for the March 9 plebiscite. Comelec chair George […].....»»
Marawi has 3 new barangays
Barangay officials may be appointed in Marawi following a successful plebiscite that ratified the creation of three new villages in the city......»»