Smoke-belchers face P1,000 fine

FROM now on, motor vehicles plying within the territorial jurisdiction of the city have to conform to the emission standards or face penalties.

This after Mayor Sara Duterte inked the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Anti-Smoke Belching Ordinance of Davao City.

5,136 crime incidents in Davao Region in Q1

THE Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 has recorded a total of 5,136 crime incidents in Davao Region during the first quarter of 2013.

The figure includes crime incidents reported 1,162 barangays in the entire region.

Man shot dead

A 22-year-old man was shot dead by an unidentified gunman outside his house at Roseville Subdivision, Lanang around 2:35 p.m., Thursday.

Buhangin police identified the victim as Jose Almer Denaga Barao, 22, single, unemployed and a resident of the same place.

2 more drug pushers nabbed

TWO suspected drug pushers were arrested in two separate buy-bust operations conducted by police authorities in Davao City Thursday.

The most recent operation was launched by Sta. Ana police led by station commander Superintendent Caezar Cabuhat at corner Juan Luna and Jacinto St. around 11:30 p.m. which resulted to the arrest of one Ramil Sema Ramos, a 34-year-old pedicab driver and a resident of Barangay 22-C Poblacion.

Woman stabbed over jealousy by lover

A 24-YEAR-OLD staff of a cosmetic firm was stabbed and critically wounded by his live-in partner due to jealousy, the police said Friday.

The incident happened shortly after 12 noon Friday, according to the report of the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO).

Cop, murder suspect arrested

THE police have arrested to wanted persons, including a policeman, in a west coast village in Zamboanga city, a top police official reported Friday.

Zamboanga City police officer-in-charge Diomarie Albarico said the police separately arrested Police Officer 3 Allan Duque and Nabil Darris.

Public warned vs scam group

AN OFFICIAL of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has warned the public against the proliferation of systematized scam in Zamboanga area concerning right-of-way claims.

The warning was issued Friday by NGCP spokesperson laywer Cynthia Alabanza after they received reports that an organized group is contacting land owners who live or have properties along or under the transmission company’s lines and facilities.

Folks assert ‘no mining’ policy in Kibungan

KIBUNGAN folks continue to shun mining activities in the highland town.  

Locals are now batting for the exception of the entire area from large scale mining operations claiming the entirety of the town is part of an ancestral domain.

Itogon asks for Philex to open

ITOGON, Benguet -- Several residents here are appealing to President Benigno Aquino III to permanently lift the suspension of Philex Mining Corporation (PMC).

The town’s officials, in their resolution, expressed the sentiments of the people asking for the president to lift the suspension of the mining firm as it affects not only the working citizens but also the whole province.

Domogan bats for early passage of env’t code

AN ALL-ENCOMPASSING ordinance to protect Baguio’s vulnerable environment is being pushed by the city mayor to advance his green governance platform raised during his re-election bid.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan told reporters that he hopes the Environment Code will be passed before the new set of officials take over the City Council on June 30.

Tuba to ERC: Deny permit for city on Asin hydro

THE LEGISLATIVE arm of Tuba urged the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) not to issue a certificate of compliance and provisional authority to the city government of Baguio for the operations of the Asin hydroelectric power plants because of several unresolved issues.

The council submitted Resolution 48, series of 2013 to the Provincial Board of Benguet which expresses its plea to ERC.

PMA grad featured in drama series

THE life story of the Cordillera’s representative in the search for Ten Outstanding Students in the Philippines from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) will be featured tonight in GMA Network’s weekly drama Magpakailanman.

Second Lieutenant Prolen Bonacua, who placed third in this year’s PMA Pudang Kalis Class of 2013 and one of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines-CAR, gets another turn in the limelight this time in television for his struggles while inside the academy and his battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

PMA class 2017 incorporation today

FORT Del Pilar, Baguio City -- Philippine Military Academy (PMA) is welcoming 257 members of class 2017 into the fold.  

Incorporation rites are set today, Saturday May 25, for the over 200 who survived summer training and are now ready to be welcomed into the cadet corps by General Emmanuel Bautista AFP, Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines.  

P35M-fund for Pamana projects released

SAGADA, Mountain Province -- Funds don’t just land in the coffers of a local government unit. It takes identification, proposals and follow-up to make funds come through.  

Preparations for schools opening ongoing

THE Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) has prepared and put in place security measures for the expected influx of students for the June 3 opening of classes in elementary and secondary public schools.

City Police Director Jesus Cambay assured the public that his men are ready, willing, and able to provide security for the thousands of students going back to schools next month.

Inferno's description on Manila fictional: Palace

MALACANANG urged Friday the public to believe more on the testimonials of real people on the beauty of the Philippines than on the fictional character of an American novelist describing Manila as "gates of hell."

"We trust that ordinary readers will give more weight to the testimonials of real people who have enjoyed their stay here in our beautiful country over the experiences of a fictional character whose narrative is written for maximum effect," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

Carp beneficiaries get medical aid

AT LEAST 1,000 family-beneficiaries of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (Carp) in Tabuan village of Bayawan City, Negros Oriental availed of the free medical and dental mission on Wednesday.

Gherelene Mae Rafols, provincial information officer of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Negros Oriental, told Sun.Star that aside from the Carp beneficiaries in Tabuan village, residents coming from neighboring barangays were also served by the medical team composed of 13 doctors, five surgeons, 10 registered nurses, three medical technologists, four registered social workers, and volunteers from “Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko.”

Dumaguete among new wave cities

THE City Government of Dumaguete was recognized as one of the top 10 new “Next Wave Cities” for outsourcing locations in the Philippines.

The recognition was given by the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Office and the Information Technology and Business Process Association (ITBPA) of the Philippines for being one of the Top 10 Next Wave Cities for the year 2012, according to Syril Repe of the city government of Dumaguete.

Aetas get housing units

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Some 148 families from the indigenous communities in Floridablanca town will receive housing units from the National Housing Authority (NHA), an official said.

NHA Project Manager Ines Gonzales recently said that some P14 million has been allocated for the Aetas, which for long time had not been getting fair benefits from government programs.

Guv happy on Pampanga as investors’ choice

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Re-elected Governor Lilia Pineda on Friday expressed happiness over the continuous choice of local and foreign businessmen to invest in Pampanga.

After leading the opening of UNIQLO, Japan’s biggest fashion brand retailer, at SM City Pampanga, the governor vowed the usual full support to such big ventures.

Hundreds join 2nd livelihood run

CLARK FREEPORT -- More than 350 runners and fitness enthusiasts on Thursday joined the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole)’s 2nd “Pulayan para Queng Cabiayan” (livelihood run) held at the parade grounds of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC).

The fun run anchored on the theme “Manggagawang Pilipino: Handa sa Hamon ng Makabagong Panahon,” aimed to raise funds for the Industrial Peace Council.

Folks cry over plans to shelve Ibon-Ebon fest

CANDABA -- Local folks here were surprised with the recent pronouncement of incoming Mayor Rene Maglanque about his plan to abolish the celebration of Ibon Ebon Festival.

They said that the celebration may probably not able to help boost the local economy but it was able to send the message of cooperation and unity among the participating groups from all villages in town.

Solar power plant to rise in Ormoc

KOREAN project developer Young J. Soon, chief operations officer of the Phil Solar Farm-Leyte, Inc., revealed his intention to put up 30-megawatt solar power plant in Ormoc City.

The proposed site is in Barangay Dolores with an investment of $72 million (P2,997,360,000).

Yaokasin vows harmony with local officials

VICE Mayor Jerry Yaokasin assured the Taclobanon that he would create “bridges” to make sure that the executive and legislative branches would have a good working relationship.   Yaokasin, a former councilor, was proclaimed in May 2013 polls as the vice mayor of the city.

Gun ban continues until June 12

THE gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections will continue to be in effect until June 12, said the Philippine National Police (PNP) regional headquarters based in Palo, Leyte.

Police Inspector Romuel Nacar, information officer of PNP-Eastern Visayas, said the gun ban is still in effect until its eventual lifting in June 12, but the police will not end its aggressive campaign against loose firearms.

Brigada Eskwela promotes recycling

THE Department of Education (DepEd) banked on recycling of plastic waste and school environmental cleanup in compliance to Brigada Eskwela’s focus this year which is on environmental cleanup, solid waste management, among others.

Rebecca Ragrag, assistant regional director of DepEd-Eastern Visayas, said they continued on their project in filling up of empty plastic containers with cellophane and plastic wrappers which will be used as interior decors, school landscaping, and gardening by making cellophane-filled plastic containers a substitute for hollow blocks in garden plots.

CA stops field trials of genetically-modified eggplant

GOVERNMENT agencies have been stopped by the Court of Appeals from cultivating genetically-modified eggplant because of its threats to human health and biodiversity.

The CA Special 13th Division issued a writ of kalikasan on May 17, which stopped respondents such as the Department of Agriculture from further conducting field trials of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) eggplant and tasked them to protect and rehabilitate areas affected by the experiment.

De Lima: Cybercrime law to stand legal scrutiny

MANILA -- Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said her department is readying changes to the controversial Cybercrime Prevention Act, which will be presented to lawmakers in the incoming 16th Congress.

De Lima refused to specify the "improvements" on Thursday but certainly the Department of Justice took cue from the consolidated petitions against Republic Act 10175, whose implementation has been blocked by the Supreme Court since October last year.

Public schools reminded of no-collection policy

THE Department of Education (DepEd) reminded Friday all public schools nationwide to strictly adhere on the policy of no collection of fees during enrollment when school year 2013-2014 opens on June 3.

Based on DepEd Order 41 series of 2012, "Revised guidelines on the opening of classes," Education Secretary Armin Luistro has directed all school officials that no fees shall be collected from school children in kindergarten up to Grade 4 anytime during school year 2013-2014. 

Army supports probe on 2 erring Palace guards

THE Philippine Army said it won't tolerate the wrongdoing of two of its personnel, assigned with the Presidential Security Group, who were arrested by the police on alleged robbery in Novaliches, Quezon City on Thursday.

Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, Army spokesman, said the Army leadership is supporting the ongoing investigation against Corporal Bobby Cepe Ates and Sergeant Marvin Gamba Gaton.