Sorsogon, Masbate bays still positive for red tide
LEGAZPI CITY, January 15 (PIA) - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Bicol reiterated that the coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate and Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon are still posit.....»»
Cows in Texas and Kansas test positive for highly pathogenic bird flu
In a concerning development, wild migratory birds are suspected to have spread a deadly strain of bird flu to dairy cows in Texas and Kansas......»»
PDEA: 7 drivers yield positive results in drug testing
PDEA: 7 drivers yield positive results in drug testing.....»»
'India, Russia have taken extra care to look after each other s interests': EAM Jaishankar
Singapore, March 25 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday stressed that Russia is a country with which India has always had a positive relationship. While addressing the members of the Indian Community in Singapore, Jaishankar said that both countries have taken extra care to look after each other's interests. "I will ask myself...Has Russia helped us or harmed us?...Are there gains to be made from Russ.....»»
'India, Russia have taken extra care to look after each other s interests': EAM Jaishankar
Singapore, March 25 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday stressed that Russia is a country with which India has always had a positive relationship. While addressing the members of the Indian Community in Singapore, Jaishankar said that both countries have taken extra care to look after each other's interests. "I will ask myself...Has Russia helped us or harmed us?...Are there gains to be made from Russ.....»»
Killua’s owner sues ‘killer’ of golden retriever
PAWS tells Rappler that Killua tested positive for rabies, but it warns it 'may not be accurate due to the fact that the body had already been buried for five days prior to testing and may have been contaminated'.....»»
SC affirms ruling granting bail to ex-Masbate lawmaker, Napoles
The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed a ruling of the Sandiganbayan that allowed businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles and former Masbate congresswoman Rizalina Seachone-Laneta to post bail in the plunder charges filed against them in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork scam......»»
SC upholds decision granting Napoles bail in one PDAF case
Pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles and former Masbate Rep. Rizalina Seachon-Lanete have been allowed to post bail after the Supreme Court dismissed a case related to the Priority Development Assistance Fund......»»
Red tide invades Samar bays anew
TACLOBAN CITY — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources on Friday revealed that the red tide phenomenon has recurred in three bays in Samar and Eastern Samar provinces, raising warning not to consume shellfish products in these areas. In a statement, the BFAR identified the bays as Irong-Irong Bay in Catbalogan City, Samar, coastal waters of Calbayog City, Samar; and Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar province. The bloom of this toxic organism returned in Matarinao after three weeks of red tide absence and in Irong-Irong Bay after nine months. The coastal water of Calbayog City was included in the red tide watch in early 2022. Matarinao covers the coastal waters of General MacArthur, Hernani, Quinapondan and Salcedo in Eastern Samar province. The BFAR attributed the change in weather patterns as the cause of the red tide blooms in the region. “To safeguard human lives, we are issuing this warning as a precautionary advice to the public to refrain from gathering, selling, and eating all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. locally known as alamang or hipon from these bays,” BFAR said in its local shellfish bulletin. Water and shellfish meat samples will be sent to their main office for confirmatory testing. Fish, squid, crab and shrimp gathered from these areas are safe to eat provided that all entrails are removed and the marine products are washed thoroughly with running water before cooking. Although the shellfish ban has been lifted in some areas in the region, the monitoring will continue to check the possible recurrence. The regular water sample checks cover the coastal waters of Daram, Zumarraga, Cambatutay, Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Samar; coastal waters of Guiuan; San Pedro Bay in Samar; coastal waters of Leyte, Calubian, Ormoc, Sogod, Carigara Bay, and Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte; and coastal waters of Biliran Island. The post Red tide invades Samar bays anew appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ejercito to MMDA: Lower fines for motorcyclists seeking shelter under road infras
A senator on Friday urged the Metro Manila Development Authority to lower its penalty for motorcycle riders who seek shelter from the rains under flyovers, overpasses, footbridges, and train stations. Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito, a motorbike fan himself, claimed that the P1,000 fine for motorcycle riders who disobey the newly implemented rule is "a little bit too much." “Maybe it is too hefty. That P1,000 could be the earnings of these delivery riders from days of working. We know for a fact that the courier riders are the ones who help during the pandemic — when we were on lockdown. They survived our economy,” Ejercito told reporters in a virtual interview. “Although sometimes other motorcycle riders are wrong when they are blocking the entire overpass, that is something I cannot condone,” he added. He noted that as a motorcycle rider himself, he sympathizes with his fellow motorcycle riders, however, he said he understood the rationale behind the new order. “Perhaps riders should be educated. If there are fines, it should not be as high as P1,000, it is not reasonable,” he said. “I understood the rationale of the MMDA. Aside from obstruction, it is really dangerous.” “I think both sides have a valid point. We just need to have a middle ground. Maybe the fines should be lowered and riders should wear their raincoats in advance in anticipation of the rains,” he added. The lawmaker suggested that the fine for the violators should be lowered as a consideration. “The fines are too stiff. Maybe if we will have a fine, it should only be around P100 or P200, which are also heavy for them,” he said. “It is too heavy for a courier rider who earns very little. That money could have been used to feed his family,” he added. Ejercito also suggested to the MMDA the construction of emergency bays in an effort to address the obstacle brought on by motorcycle riders seeking cover from the torrential downpours under overpasses or footbridges. “Maybe the MMDA can bring back emergency bays where delivery riders can stay to wear their raincoats,” he said. The post Ejercito to MMDA: Lower fines for motorcyclists seeking shelter under road infras appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Puerto Princesa coastal dwellers relocation set
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — The local government here launched the “Save the Puerto Princesa Bays” project last Saturday which sets in motion a long-term objective of relocating around 5,500 families residing along the coast. According to Mayor Lucilo Bayron, the Barangay Mandaragat coastal-dwelling families bear significant responsibility for the degradation of the aquatic ecosystem in the area, and the situation was worsened by the untreated wastewater from 17 outfalls that directly discharge into the sea. Approximately 25,000 residents in Puerto Princesa Bay — accounting for average family sizes — contribute to daily pollution through improper waste disposal, including waste and urine excretion. Their activities, such as raising pigs, chickens, and dogs, also adversely affect the environment. “It’s critical to understand because human waste from these activities contains dangerous compounds that pollute the water. This pollution depletes oxygen levels and destroys the delicate ecological balance required for marine life to thrive in the bay,” Bayron said. In his address to the residents and barangay officials of Mandaragat during the early hours of the program’s launch on 15 July, Bayron stressed the importance of coastal dwellers refraining from polluting the Puerto Princesa Bay, the primary focus of the major conservation initiative, while they await their relocation. “The city government has already acquired two land properties in Irawan and San Jose barangays for their eventual move. These sizable land plots will be utilized for the construction of affordable and comfortable housing units,” Bayron said. He added that the program is in collaboration with the Pambansang Pabahay Program under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. The expansive Irawan property, covering 21 hectares, will feature residential or apartment buildings capable of accommodating 7,680 families. Additionally, the two-hectare San Jose property will also provide housing for 2,496 families currently residing in informal settlements. “We need two solutions — we need to relocate coastal dwelling families in the bay area and we need to properly address the flow of wastewater towards our ocean,” said Bayron, acknowledging that this will be a lengthy journey that cannot be accomplished within a span of two to three years. “What I see as a way to save that, the long-term solution is to relocate the coastal dwellers. Why? Because they are living in a danger zone. It’s not just a danger zone—it is an area that cannot truly belong to them because it is a salvage zone,” he added. The post Puerto Princesa coastal dwellers relocation set appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
San Pedro Bay fishing ban lifted
TACLOBAN CITY — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources on Monday announced that the San Pedro Bay in Samar province has been cleared of red tide after more than three months of infestation. The agency said that negative results for the toxin causing paralytic shellfish poisoning were obtained from three consecutive weeks of sampling in the seawaters of Basey and Marabut towns in Samar province. “The public is hereby informed that shellfish samples harvested from San Pedro Bay in Samar are now safe for human consumption. Likewise, gathering or harvesting and marketing of shellfish from the above-mentioned area are now permitted,” said BFAR Eastern Visayas regional director Hannibal Chavez. Under Shellfish Bulletin 16, all bays in Eastern Visayas are now red tide-free based on the latest confirmed laboratory sampling of the BFAR main office. However, a local red tide advisory issued by BFAR regional office here warned against harvesting, trading and consumption of shellfish from Matarinao Bay to prevent the incidence of PSP, which can occur minutes after ingesting bivalve shellfish — such as mussels, oysters and clams — that contain red tide toxins. Matarinao Bay covers the coastal waters of the towns of General MacArthur, Hernani, Quinapondan and Salcedo in Eastern Samar. “To safeguard human lives, a local red tide warning is issued in this area as a precautionary advice to the public to refrain from gathering, selling, and eating all types of shellfishes and Acetes sp. locally known as alamang or hipon from the said bay,” Chavez said. The BFAR field office here is still waiting for confirmation from BFAR central office laboratory. Although the shellfish ban has been lifted in almost all areas in the region, the BFAR regularly monitors all coastal waters to check possible recurrence. Included in regular water sample checks are the coastal waters of Daram, and Zumarraga, Cambatutay, Irong-irong, Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Samar; coastal waters of Guiuan in Eastern Samar; coastal waters of Leyte, Calubian, Ormoc, Sogod, Carigara Bay, and Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte; and coastal waters of Biliran Island. These areas had a history of red tide recurrence in the past years. The post San Pedro Bay fishing ban lifted appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Budget airline but with better services
Passengers of AirAsia Philippines can expect better services from low-cost air carrier sets to add more routes, increase the frequency and utilize wide-body aircraft following its recent transfer to a bigger terminal. AirAsia Philippines started welcoming passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 last week. It will operate all its domestic flights to and from the Centennial terminal — offering guests bigger space, better amenities, and a more comfortable travel experience. “We keep saying that this is a winning move for our guests because they deserve only the best from us. Moving to Terminal 2 will allow us to add more routes, increase the frequency and utilize wide-body aircraft soon to improve connectivity and enhance customer experience,” AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla said. Isla also pointed out that AirAsia Philippines’ On-Time Performance, or OTP the past months reached an average of around 80 to 85 percent. 100% on some days “We even reach a high of 100 percent on some days when there are no factors causing disruptions such as weather or lightning red alerts, air traffic congestion, and non-scheduled maintenance,” he added. For Civil Aeronautics Board executive director Carmelo Arcilla, “industry stakeholders and government to continue to engage to ensure that passengers ultimately win.” “We shall work closely with the industry towards full and strict adherence to the Air Passenger Bill of Rights as we endeavor to go above and beyond in the service of the Filipino people,” Arcilla said. AirAsia Philippines has been allocated 20 check-in counters for guests entering the south wing of the terminal. At Terminal 2, AirAsia Philippines passengers can utilize the seven operational aero bridges in the south wing and four remote parking bays during high traffic or peak hours. AirAsia operates more than 100 domestic flights daily and aims to increase routes and frequency during winter to provide guests with affordable flights. The post Budget airline but with better services appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New Candaba Viaduct to make travel faster, safer
Motorists can expect a much faster and safer journey to Central and Northern Luzon once the third Candaba Viaduct is completed. The third viaduct will be constructed by NLEX Corp., a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. or MPTC, the tollways unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. The first 5-kilometer Candaba Viaduct connects Bulacan and Pampanga along the North Luzon Expressway. It has been an important bridge for motorists traveling from Metro Manila to Central and Northern Luzon for over 50 years. The viaduct has withstood natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes. The current project was recently inaugurated in a groundbreaking ceremony led by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales, Toll Regulatory Board Executive Director Alvin Carullo, Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda, Department of Public Works and Highways Region 3 Director Roseller Tolentino, MPTC president Rogelio L. Singson, and NLEX president and general manager Jose Luigi L. Bautista. Targeted for completion in November 2024, the P7.89-billion third viaduct requires the construction of a new bridge between the two existing viaducts. Once completed, the road capacity of the new viaduct will increase from three lanes without shoulders to three lanes with inner and outer shoulders in each direction. These lanes and shoulders will be wide, boosting safety and convenience for travelers. According to MPTC president and CEO Singson, who is a former Public Works and Highways secretary, “This project will not only increase the capacity of the 5-km Candaba Viaduct but will ultimately improve safety and convenience of the motorists and will aid in the acceleration and growth of trade and commerce in Central Luzon.” Speaker Romualdez emphasized the importance of the new bridge which is expected to decongest traffic and reduce travel time for motorists. “This project will not only enhance the efficiency of our transportation network but also contribute to the overall socioeconomic development of the region. It will create jobs, attract investments, and stimulate economic growth,” Romualdez said. The third Candaba Viaduct will be built using green and sustainable engineering practices and comply with the country’s latest bridge design requirements. It will have piers every 20 meters, with each pier supported by two columns and two bored piles, strengthening the structure amid the swampy condition of the natural ground beneath it. NLEX president and general manager Bautista assured motorists the construction of the new bridge would not affect the operation and traffic flow on the two existing viaducts. Based on the studies, constructing the third viaduct is necessary because the existing structures are aging and operating at a lower capacity. Competent engineers and management teams will manage the construction site to ensure efficiency and safety. “This new mobility project will offer easy journeys and make travel safer for the public traveling between Metro Manila and Central and Northern Luzon as there will be a new structure to augment the existing ones and that will safely allow the speed limit to be increased to 60 to 80 kilometers per hour from the current 40 to 60 kilometers per hour,” said Bautista, adding that upon completion, Class 3 vehicles or large trucks will be directed to the new bridge so that the old structures will be relieved of heavy loads. Since 2005, MPTC has been upgrading the viaduct. Among the upgrades were pavement resurfacing, bridge link slab, girder, and deck replacement; girder and column strengthening; and construction of lay-bys or emergency bays in the northbound and southbound directions of the bridge. Since 2020, stricter anti-overloading policies, such as the 33-ton gross vehicle weight limit for the southbound viaduct, were implemented to ensure the safety and stability of the bridge. With projects like the third Candaba Viaduct underway, motorists can expect even more improvements in the quality of the road infrastructure and service along the NLEX. These projects aim to ensure the utmost comfort and safety of motorists traveling to Central and Northern Luzon through the expressway. With the BBM administration’s vision of taking the country into the golden age of infrastructure, this project will certainly add to the many programs in the pipeline that in the end will benefit millions of Filipinos. The post New Candaba Viaduct to make travel faster, safer appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Isuzu PH to expand market in Valenzuela City
Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), the country's leading truck manufacturer and distributor will soon be opening its doors at the highly urbanized City of Valenzuela in Metro Manila. In a 2,000 sqm land along Mac Arthur Highway Corner Bartolome Street in Valenzuela City, Isuzu plans to build its 49th dealership to be operated by long-time dealer principal, Industrial & Transport Equipment, Inc. (INTECO), the same dealer group handling Isuzu dealerships in Quezon Avenue, EDSA, Pampanga, Pangasinan, and Baguio. “As part of our ‘Road to 50’ program we continue to expand our reach to more cities in the provinces and now in the Metro. Valenzuela is a heavily populated city that also houses multiple manufacturing and logistics companies, so we would like to as much as possible bring our products closer to the market and cater to the businesses in the area by bringing a bigger service facility for them. With the excellent customer service of INTECO, we are confident that our customers in the area will be in good hands as soon as we open,” IPC President Tetsuya Fujita. Isuzu Valenzuela will support the new Isuzu Outlet Standard (IOS) design, highlighting a modern and conducive ambiance for customer journey with a spacious showroom and service shop to receive more customers. The dealership can accommodate 4-unit display including trucks, a customer lounge, service reception with a parts & accessories display area. While the service shop is designed to cater from light to heavy-duty vehicles, with 4 light commercial vehicle bays, 4 light-duty truck bays and 1 heavy-duty truck bay with provisions for further expansions in the future. “This new dealership solidifies INTECO’s dedication and commitment to continue to provide business and transport solutions to a bigger market in the Metro. Without any major issues, we expect the construction to be completed by 4th quarter, just in time for buying season,” said INTECO President Raymond Jarina. To know more about Isuzu Philippines’ world-class roster of commercial vehicles and latest news, log on to IPC website at www.isuzuphil.com. The post Isuzu PH to expand market in Valenzuela City appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Navy urged: Prioritize ships for disaster response
Senator Francis Escudero has urged the Philippine Navy to prioritize acquiring locally-made ships that can be used during disasters and set aside purchasing submarines, stressing that buying floating hospitals and rescue boats can be utilized in Philippine Navy’s humanitarian response efforts, especially in assisting typhoon-hit areas. “I am for stronger a Navy. I am great fan of our sailors. But the reality is we cannot realize our submarine dreams if what we have is a salbabida budget,” Escudero said. While he supports the modernization program of the Navy, the lawmaker stressed that the government should increase its inventory of boats that can be used for disaster response and relief assistance. “Perhaps when our finances improve, then we can give the Navy the ships it deserves. As they say: A rising tide raises all ships. With economic buoyancy comes the ability to buy more Navy ships,” Escudero said. According to Escudero, the Philippine Navy is planning to buy two diesel-electric attack submarines. On Monday, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said President Ferdiand Marcos Jr. was “warm to the idea” of purchasing with an estimated cost of P70 billion. “I think this should be shelved at the moment. One good suggestion is to commission the building of multipurpose vessels which can serve as floating hospitals, barracks of rescue workers, cargo bays for rescue equipment, emergency power plant, and food pantry,” Zubiri said. The senator said such equipment can be rapidly deployed in critical areas during disasters while responders can also have their own space when conducting rescue operations. “These boats can be built and outfitted by local shipbuilders, “thus helping the economy by creating jobs. No outflow of dollars,” Zubiri said. The post Navy urged: Prioritize ships for disaster response appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Red tide sa ilang lugar, ibinabala ng BFAR
Positibo sa paralytic shellfish poison ang mga lamang dagat sa Honda at Puerto Princesa Bays sa Puerto Princesa City. Ayon sa Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, dapat na mag-ingat ang mga residente sa pagkain ng mga lamang dagat. Positibo rin sa paralytic shellfish poison ang mga baybaying dagat sa Inner Malampaya Sound, Taytay sa […] The post Red tide sa ilang lugar, ibinabala ng BFAR appeared first on Bandera......»»
Sorsogon, Masbate bays still positive for red tide
LEGAZPI CITY, January 15 (PIA) - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Bicol reiterated that the coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate and Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon are still posit.....»»
BFAR-7 warns red tide toxins in Tambobo and Bais bays
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Central Visayas (BFAR-7) is warning against of consuming gleaning shellfish or “kinhason” from Tambobo Bay and Bais Bay in Negros Oriental following the detection of red tide toxins there. BFAR’s recent laboratory results from Manila confirmed that the samples taken from these areas […] The post BFAR-7 warns red tide toxins in Tambobo and Bais bays appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»