Gabriela chair lauds Aquino's RH stance

SUPPORTERS of the proposed Reproductive Health Bill here lauded the steadfast support of the Aquino administration for the bill's passage.

Following the second dialogue between the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and the Palace, Gabriela Davao chair emeritus Lyda Canson said the Aquino administration showed determination in having the bill passed in Congress.

Lawmaker calls for probe into 'send-off' gift exposé

SENATOR Francisco "Chiz" Escudero urged the investigation of all former chiefs of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) following the exposé of a retired colonel on the alleged P50-million "send-off" gift to former military chiefs.

Lieutenant Colonel George Rabusa, during a senate hearing, exposed the alleged send-off money given to former military chief Angelo Reyes.

Aquino names new Pagasa officials

MALACAÑANG announced Saturday new officials who will run the state weather bureau, five months after President Benigno Aquino III sacked its leader for allegedly giving way off-the-mark typhoon forecasts.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Dr. Nathaniel Servando will now serve as the acting administrator of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Palace supports probe over send-off money issue

A PALACE official nixed possibilities of confusion with regard to separate investigations that will soon be conducted by two government agencies in connection to the send-off money given to retiring military generals.

"Si Secretary (Leila) De Lima at ang DOJ (Department of Justice) will be investigating yung claims ni (retired Lieutenant Colonel George) Rabusa. At yung sa DND (Department of National Defense) po kasi ang specific po sa kanila ay yung sa pabaon," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte told radio station dzRB.

Pangilinan: Senate plays role of truth body

THE Supreme Court may have junked the Truth Commission formed to investigate alleged corruption in the past administration, but Senator Francis Pangilinan said Saturday the Senate could fill that role.

He said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, with Senator Teofisto Guingona III as chairman, has already started looking into corruption in the military when Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was the country's President.

'Poor' enforcement of labor standards hit

A MILITANT group said Thursday's accident involving 10 window installers in a suspended condominium project in Makati City could be traced to the government's lax implementation of labor and safety standards.

Santiago files bill vs political dynasties

UNDER a bill filed by Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, only one member of each family may run in elections in each province as her measure seeks to enforce a Constitutional provision that prohibits political dynasties.

"To give force and effect to this provision, the playing field of the political arena should be leveled and opened to persons who are equally qualified to aspire on even terms with those from ruling politically dominant families," said Santiago.

City, smoke centers clear discrepancies

THE discrepancy in results of smoke tests by private emission testing centers (PETC) and the City Environment and Parks Management Office (Cepmo) is resolved.

It turned out many vehicles passed the tests administered by PETCs because of the four testing centers monitored by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), only one has a fully functional tacometer, the instrument used to measure the amount of smoke emitted by motor vehicles.

Review of medical technology law pushed

AN ILONGGO lawmaker proposed the review of the 42-year-old law that regulates the practice of medical technologists to make it attune to new developments in research, teaching, and special fields.

Iloilo Representative Janette Garin said majority of the sections of the "Medical Technology Act" (Republic Act 5527) no longer apply to present conditions since it was originally created to regulate the practice of laboratory professionals in the clinical laboratory settings.

Closure orders readied for erring establishments

NOT even half of the establishments found to be violating fire safety standards complied with warnings set by the Baguio Fire Department, an agency official said.

Baguio Fire Marshall Richard Villanueva revealed that of the 60 establishments they warned of temporary closure due to numerous violations of the Fire Code (RA 9514), only 17 complied.

Public works agency serious about another flyover

ANOTHER flyover is on the drawing board of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), intended to decongest traffic at the intersection of Buhagan (Bokawkan) and Naguilian Road.

Lion's Head vendors to be transferred

OWNERS of souvenir stalls at the Kennon Road Lion's Head should spend for the repair of their stalls if they insist on staying in their old vending areas, Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan said.

Itogon relocation to cost P5M

ITOGON, Benguet - Mayor Oscar Camantiles is exploring all options for those rendered homeless by Typhoon Pepeng in 2009.

Dominican Hill property remains with City

THE Baguio City Government retains its claim on the Dominican Hill property, Mayor Mauricio Domogan said.

50 Baguio cops assigned to tourist sites

FIFTY city policemen graduated Wednesday afternoon from the Tourist Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (Top-Cop) training simultaneously conducted in many tourist destinations in the country.

Mayor orders regulated parking on city streets

MAYOR Mauricio Domogan on Monday expressed his concern over traffic woes that might arise for the upcoming crowd-drawing activities in the city.

Hospital posts lowest occupancy last month

THE Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) posted the lowest occupancy in December for 2010, with only 86.30 percent, or 2,347 admissions.

Coding suspended anew

MAYOR Mauricio Domogan this week approved the suspension of the number coding ordinance following the expected arrival of foreign and local tourists for the Panagbenga Flower Festival celebrations here.

Government coordinating efforts in war vs terror

EXECUTIVE Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. assured Thursday that the government is doing everything to keep the public safe, as he urged the people to do their share by staying vigilant.

"While we are seriously concerned about the bombing, which definitely by design or not is terrifying, the Philippine National Police together with other agencies concerned... are already on top of the situation as they have been in the past," Ochoa said.

Pampanga town implements ID system for farmers

CANDABA -- The Municipal Government recently started the initial implementation of an "identification (ID) system" for farmers designed to facilitate a speedy transactions with concerned government agencies.

Mayor Jerry Pelayo said the ID system will also eliminate any form of corruption, particularly during calamity, whenever the National Government is providing assistance to farmers in the form of free seedlings, pesticides, fertilizers and other agricultural needs.

Capitol 'countryside caravan' starts in Candaba

CANDABA -- The Provincial Government has started its "caravan" for the countryside development on Friday after Governor Lilia Pineda and other Capitol officials looked after the immediate needs of thousands of residents in a village here.

The governor was joined by Dr. Augusto Baluyut (provincial veterinarian) Mamerto Gatus (Provincial Cooperative and Entrepreneurial Development Office head), Crispin Guinto (provincial agriculturist), Luningning Vergara (Public Employment Service Office head), Engineer Rene Guttierez (provincial engineer), and 10 district hospital chiefs.

Ebdane invest in skill development for provincial workers

THE Provincial Government of Zambales will be investing in its employees to further boost its chances to compete with nearby provinces.

Contingency measures for Pinoys in Egypt readied

MANILA (Updated 2:04 p.m.) -- President Benigno Aquino III on Saturday ordered concerned agencies to draft contingency measures, including the possible repatriation of 6,569 Filipinos in Egypt, amid the escalating political turmoil in the oil-rich nation.

In a statement aired over government-run Radyo ng Bayan, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the President is constantly monitoring the situation in Egypt.

Task force formed to probe fireworks warehouse blast

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Updated 10:10 a.m.) -- A special task force was formed Saturday to investigate the fireworks storage explosion in this southern port city.

Ex-Senator lauds Capitol's health program

FORMER Senator Mar Roxas said Friday that the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Care Program (NOCHP) is a very laudable project and can be the model health care program that President Benigno Aquino III can replicate nationwide.

Roxas, Aquino's running mate in the previous election, was briefed by the NPCHP technical working group on the salient features of the health care program at Nature's Village Hotel and Restaurant in Talisay City in the province.

Governors' League opposes tax on income-generating ventures

GOVERNORS all over the country unanimously opposed the move of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to tax the provincial governments' income-generating activities and economic enterprises.

This was revealed by Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. after he attended the Governor's League conference in Manila Friday morning.

Sotto urges youth to 'Say No to Drugs'

SENATOR Vicente Sotto III on Friday graced the launching of "Barkada Kontra sa Droga" held at the Sanctuario de La Salle in Bacolod City, which was organized by the City Government of Bacolod through Councilor Carl Lopez.

Sotto told the students who attended the "Training of Trainors on Life Skills Enhancement in Drug Abuse Prevention" and who participated in the launch to be firm in saying "No to Drugs".

Aquino, Roxas may come for Azkals game

THE Noynoy Aquino-Mar Roxas tandem for the May 2010 national election might re-unite in Bacolod City on Feb. 9 to witness the match between the Philippine Team Azkals and Mongolia at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Mansilingan, Bacolod City.

Feb. 11 is special non-working day in Talisay City

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has declared a special non-working day in Talisay City in line with its 13th Charter anniversary on February 11, 2011.

In Proclamation 104, Aquino said, "It is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of Talisay be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies."

Early enrolment for kinder, grade 1 and 1st yr high school today

THE Department of Education is encouraging parents and guardians in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental to pre-enroll their children in today's early registration for incoming kindergarten, grade 1 and first year high school students in public schools.

The pre-enrolment activity for school year 2011-2012, to be conducted simultaneously in all regions nationwide this last Saturday of January, is based on Department Order 2 and targets five year-olds to be enrolled in kindergarten and all six year-olds in grade 1.