Geohazard mapping of coastal areas set

THE Environment department through the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) eyes the coastal areas of the country as the next target for geohazard mapping.

The MGB has recently completed the conduct of geohazard mapping on landslide and flood–prone areas in the country.

2 killed, 7 hurt in Metro Skyway mishap

MANILA (Updated 5:26 p.m.) – Two persons were killed and seven others were injured when a bus rammed into a concrete column of the Metro Manila Skyway of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) in Bicutan, Taguig City on Maundy Thursday morning, police said.

Catholics urged to visit patients, prisoners on Good Friday

DAGUPAN CITY – Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas on Thursday told parishioners of the St. John the Evangelist Metropolitan Cathedral to visit patients and prisoners aside from churches on Good Friday.

Villegas said that members of the Roman Catholic community usually visit seven churches to commemorate the traditional seven Stations of the Cross.

Top military official’s relief ordered

MANILA – A top military official was ordered relieved from his post pending investigation on the alleged irregularity in the management of petroleum oil and lubricants in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The relief order for AFP deputy chief of staff for logistics Commodore Teddy Pan was issued on Thursday.

Town council members charged in court

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The Benguet Prosecutor’s Office recommended members of the Municipal Council to be indicted in connection to a case filed by a local journalist.

Journalist Jimmy Laking filed a case against Vice Mayor Romeo Salda and Councilors Jim Botiwey, Henry Kipas, Arthur Shontogan, Roderic Awingan, Horacio Ramos Jr., Estrella Adeban, Von Ryan Tauli and Robert Namoro.

Disaster officials warned of worst-case scenario

QUOTING a prediction from experts saying Baguio could be one of the hard hit areas in case of a big catastrophe, City Administrator Carlos Canilao said people on top of disaster mitigation and management council and the public must be on their toes always.

In a three-day summit scheduled on April 27 to 29, Canilao, who is also City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council(CDRRMC) action officer, said the conference will determine the CDRRMC’s weaknesses, available manpower, evaluation of training, available equipment and determination of danger zones.

Barangays to help prevent fires

FIREFIGHTERS are urging barangays to form their own volunteer firefighting teams to augment manpower and immediately respond during fires.

Baguio City Fire Marshall Senior Superintendent Richard Villanueva said this is one of the strategies they have to use to market their services to the community.

Tabloid reporter arrested over assault

A TABLOID reporter is detained at the city jail after he was arrested for disrespecting and assaulting a police official.

Senior Police Officer 2 Benjamin Nakigo saw Paparazzi reporter Raymund Manzano smoking Saturday afternoon at an overpass connecting a market and the Malcolm Square.

Town readies for summer visitors

LA TRINIDAD is preparing for the influx of tourists this summer, said chairman for tourism Councilor Roderick Awingan.

Tourists may visit the strawberry farm and pick strawberries, while they may also get strawberry-inspired souvenirs, Awingan said.

Farm family congress held

RURAL-Based Organizations (RBOs) conducted a three-day Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Farm Family Congress at the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Benguet State University, La Trinidad Benguet last April 17-19.

The Regional Farm Family Congress gathered officers and coordinators of the 4H Clubs, Rural Improvement Clubs, and P4MP Organizations together to discuss problems or concerns, acquire knowledge and skills and enjoy socialization activities.

Skyway bus crash kills 2, injures 5

MANILA – A bus rammed into a concrete column of the Metro Manila Skyway in Bicutan, Taguig Thursday killing two people and injuring five others, a radio report said.

Skyway operations head Ed Nepomuceno in a radio interview said the fatalities were the driver and conductor of the Manila-bound Lucena Bus Lines.

Archbishop Palma sees more disasters ahead if people don’t curb their greed

1. Have you had enough time to appreciate and adjust to the workings of the Cebu Archdiocese from your meetings with bishops and priests? How have you found Cebu as a new workplace and residence?

Considering the vastness of the province, with over four million people, around 60 days of holding office, visiting parishes and communities, as well as various associations and movements, I need more time to get a realistic and integral picture of the Archdiocese of Cebu.

Flyover opens after shooting

THE Mambaling Flyover opened yesterday with a bang. Almost literally.

Less than an hour before the flyover was officially opened to motorists, blood was spattered on the northern approach of the overpass when a snatching suspect fired at two pursuers on a motorcycle.

Judge upholds Capitol’s clout in MCWD board

TWO directors of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) will appeal the decision of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) granting the Provincial Government the authority to appoint its board members.

Man, 50, kills kin of lover, 19

A MAN, believed to be in his 50s, allegedly shot and killed two relatives of his 19-year-old girlfriend in Sitio Candabong, Barangay Binlod in the southern Cebu town of Argao last Tuesday night.

The police said Arman del Rosario also wounded his girlfriend’s 14-year-old sister.

Co-counsel ‘to leave’ Bella case

CITING “differences” in their lawyering strategies, one of the defense counsels in the kidnapping with homicide charge against Bella Ruby Santos and British national Ian Charles Griffiths wants to get out of the case.

44 towns fill Capitol’s coffers with P81.6M in tax collections

THE Cebu Provincial Government earned a total of P81.6 million from real property taxes (RPT) collected last year, with Consolacion town as its biggest contributor.

Aside from having the biggest RPT collected, the Municipality of Consolacion also has the second highest collection efficiency ratings among Cebu’s towns.

Close shop for holidays, Rama urges biz owners

AS the police presented their security measures for Holy Week, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama discouraged businesses from opening during the long holiday and urged residents to secure their homes.

Rama said businesses that could attract robbers include 24-hour convenience stores, cellphone outlets, money changers, gasoline stations and pawnshops.

Informal settlers get 1 more month to leave property

THE Regional Trial Court (RTC) has given residents of a contested lot in Apas, Cebu City one more month before the writ of demolition issued against them is enforced and their houses are destroyed.

Judge Olegario Sar-miento Jr., acting on his own accord, extended again the deadline for residents to leave the lot, even if this is to the “prejudice of the owner in the exercise of the attributes of his ownership.”

2 men shoot spa worker dead, rob colleague

A SPA worker was shot dead after two men on a motorcycle robbed him and a female companion in Barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City around 11 p.m. last Tuesday.

Four hours later in Talisay City, a 25-year-old man believed to be one of the suspects in the robbery in Mactan was arrested after he reportedly engaged in a brief shootout with policemen in Barangay Lawaan 1.

Cat, dog birth control sought

THE Cebu City Government entered into a partnership with a local university to help control the population of dogs and cats in the city through spay and neuter.

Mayor Michael Rama signed yesterday a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Southwestern University (SWU) for the expansion of the City’s animal birth control program.

Time, routes up for discussion

THE Philippine Coast Guard will initiate a dialogue with the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) and two shipping lines to prevent direct competition that may inconvenience the passengers.

Capt. Rolando Punza-lan Jr., Cebu Coast Guard Chief, was reacting to the complaint of Palacio Shipping Lines that their vessel, mv Don Martin Sr. 8, failed to dock in the Larena port in Siquijor due to lack of space because a vessel from Lite Shipping Lines made an extra trip.

2 Cebu bus drivers test positive for drugs

CEBU -- To ensure the safety of passengers, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Central Visayas conducted a random drug test for bus drivers of the South Bus Terminal Wednesday.

LTO Central Visayas assistant director Arnel Tancinco told radio dyLA that the test found two drivers—both driving buses that ply the Carcar-Cebu City route—who were positive of drug use.

Davao's development guru dies

DAVAO -- Lawyer Jesus V. Ayala, highly regarded as the guru in regional development, agri-industrialist and political kingmaker, passed away at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday due to multiple organ failure.

Weather bureau warns of hot days, rainy nights

THE unusually hot temperature in the morning and sudden rainfall in the evening is what the city will be expecting throughout the Holy Week.

Paz Rosas, weather observer from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in Davao Region, said this unusual temperature and heavy rainfall will continue until the end of the week.

4 men face charges for robbing Indian

FOUR stand accused of robbing an Indian national in Budbud, Bunawan, Davao City on Tuesday morning.

Senior Inspector Ranulfo A. Cabañog, head of Intelligence and Detection Management Branch (IDMB) of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), identified the suspects as: Joel Salva Capilitan alias Joy, 29; Nelvin Roma Pelpinosas, 21, both residents of Purok 3 San Vicente, Bunawan, this city; Mark Mesa Calupez alias Mac-mac, 19; and Randy Iñigo Corpuz, 21, both residents of Purok 17, Sto. Niño, Bunawan of this city.

Drug suspect slain in Talomo

A 25-YEAR-OLD man was shot dead by an unidentified suspect while playing billiards in Talomo, Davao City on Tuesday evening.

Security tightened at Davao sea port

THE Davao sea port has been placed on tight security due to possible attack by al-Queda-linked Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) during the Holy Week celebration, an official of Davao Port said Wednesday.

Health office: 59% of target children get measles shots

THE City Health officer (CHO) said that they have already immunized more than 50 percent of the target number of children in the door-to-door Measles Rubella (MR) supplemental campaign embarked on nearly two weeks ago in Davao city.

Airlines, hotels urged to offer promo packages

DAVAO City Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre on Monday urged airline companies and hotels to offer promos and tour packages that will help attract visitors in Davao City during holiday seasons.