Palay production in Northern Mindanao up in 4th quarter

A REMARKABLE increase in rice production was noted during the last quarter of 2010, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) in Northern Mindanao.

Philippine Airlines prepares vs workers strike

MANILA -- Ground workers of the Philippine Airlines (PAL) said Friday that they are prepared to hold a nationwide strike anytime next week, as airline management set up plans to cushion the labor strike's effects to its passengers.

Group slams ID system proposal

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- A group of concerned citizens has expressed opposition to the ID system proposal recently filed before the Provincial Board (PB), saying it threatens the rights to privacy and security of Kapampangans.

In a statement, Kapampangan Kontra ID (K2ID) said the information involving private persons, including their properties and relations, are going to be generated, inventoried, stored and centralized at the barangay, town and provincial levels in the name of "curbing criminality."

Angeles rids Abacan River of shanties

ANGELES CITY -- Authorities led Friday the demolition of shanties along the Abacan River in Barangay Malabanias here, which has become a dwelling place of hundreds of Badjao families.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan ordered the clearing of the river, which is considered a high-risk area in terms of flooding and disaster.

Prepaid electric system launched

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The San Fernando Electric Light and Power Company Inc. (Sfelapco) launched Friday the first and unique Prepaid Electric System Pilot Run at the power provider's headquarters in this city.

"Sfelapco has been chosen as the first private power firm in the country for the pilot project. The concept of the prepaid electric system comes from the cellular phone and thus becomes another mode of selling power and an alternative for consumers providing affordability and accessibility," said Irwin Nucum, Sfelapco corporate communications officer.

2,000 families need to be resettled

MABALACAT -- Some 2,000 families in this urbanized town need to be resettled in low-cost housing projects of the National Housing Authority (NHA), said Mayor Marino Morales.

Board member lauds police for swift action

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Fourth district Board Member Nestor Tolentino lauded the provincial police led by Senior Superintendent Edgardo Tinio for their swift action that led to the arrest of a suspect in the Apalit double rape-murder case.

On Thursday, Samuel Tomboc Jr., 23, of Southern Leyte -- the suspect in the brutal killing of Gemma Manalansan, 19, and Princess Danan, 20, both natives of Lubao town -- was presented to Governor Lilia Pineda after surrendering to the police over the weekend.

City shares governance system to foreign group

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The City Government has shared its award-winning Performance Governance System (PGS) to some representatives of an anti-corruption commission from Thailand and Indonesia on Thursday.

The foreign group was welcomed by Mayor Oscar Rodriguez at the Heroes Hall. The mayor later showed them how the city applied the PGS.

Official: NBI clearance an added protection

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Requiring transients residing or working in Pampanga to acquire clearances from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will be an added protection in the proposed Barangay Information and Registry System.

"It will not only be added protection in the registration of transients and prevention of crime but is actually the best way to grant the succeeding barangay clearance," said first district Board Member Tarcicio "Tars" DC Halili, who proposed a similar ordinance in 2006.

Legal opinion on junking of village ordinances sought

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Balibago village chief Rodelio "Tony" Mamac sought Thursday the opinion of legal experts here regarding the disapproval of two barangay ordinances by the Angeles City Council.

In an interview with Sun.Star Pampanga, Mamac said the move came as a looming legal case that may be seen as possible challenge against the actions of the council.

More jobs, protection for women sought

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- More jobs and protection for young women are needed to uplift the status of women and become productive sectors of society.

Women's Month Executive Committee chairman Dr. Leticia Yap aired this during Thursday's culminating activity of Women's Month at the Heroes Hall dubbed "Gabi ng Awit at Sayaw: Handog sa Kababaihan."

Ex-lawmaker explains silence on nuclear power

LINGAYEN -- Former lawmaker Mark Cojuanco appeared before the Provincial Board (PB) on Friday, several days after he announced a self-imposed moratorium on the promotion of nuclear power plant as the cheapest source of energy in the Philippines.

Cabbies slam slow action on fare hike petition

SOME 200 taxi drivers participated in a march to the regional office of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) in Cordillera Thursday to protest the agencies slow action on their petition for fare increase.

The protesters were met by Baguio City Vice Mayor Daniel Fariñas early morning Thursday outside City Hall and assured them that the City Council will look into their petition on the P40 fare increase.

Transport group renews call vs oil deregulation law

A MILITANT transport group in Baguio City reiterated its long-time call to junk the Oil Deregulation Law.

Following the protest rally done by taxi operators and drivers in Baguio City, the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston) also staged their protest rally against uncontrolled oil price hikes and the 12-percent Value Added Tax on oil products, which they claim further burdens not just commuters but also the drivers.

Mayor keeps ban on chicken dung trade

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Mayor Greg Abalos said his stance has not wavered in banning of the chicken dung business here saying, “For as long as that is the law, we will abide by it.”

Early on his first days as chief executive, Abalos issued an administrative order banning the trade in Tublay town.

Mayor intensifies drive vs jueteng

BAGUIO City Mayor Mauricio Domogan issued Thursday a memorandum to City Police Director David Lacdan and Public Order and Safety Division Fernando Moyaen to curb the operation of illegal numbers game, jueteng.

Former Panagbenga hymn returns in 2012

THE executive committee might use the former Panagbenga hymn in its 2012 staging after receiving negative feedbacks from viewers regarding the remixed version of the hymn.

In a post assessment meeting with the committee, Mayor Mauricio Domogan, chairperson of the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI), said they have decided the succeeding staging of the flower festival would use the original theme song, composed by Macario Fronda.

Education agency opens summer kinder classes

EDUCATION officials opened summer classes to pre-schoolers to prepare them for the opening of regular classes in June.

To universalize quality assured kindergarten education and to ensure Grade 1 entrants have developed the necessary learning experiences to prepare them for academic work, the Department of Education (DepEd) will implement an eight-week Kindergarten Summer Program (KSP) in Baguio division schools.

Mayor to conduct info campaign on garbage problem

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Mayor Greg Abalos is set to address the garbage problem by leading an information campaign.

“Segregation and garden composting is going to be advocated,” he said.

37 towns to benefit from agri projects in Cordillera

CORDILLERA Highland Agriculture Resource Management (Charm), on its second phase, will cover 37 towns in six provinces in the region to reduce poverty and improve quality of life for rural indigenous peoples’ communities.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Executive Director Lucrecio Alviar said the project would take seven years to complete with an estimated total cost of US$66.4 million.

Pacquiao considers buying property in Baguio

SARANGANI Representative and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao revealed Wednesday night he and his wife’s intent to acquire a lot in Baguio City to build a vacation house.

The eight-division world boxing titlist, although suffering from colds, was happy when interviewed as he was about to wind-up this weekend his high altitude training in preparation for his title defense in the world super welterweight division on May 7.

City high reoffers open school for adults

ADULTS can now apply in the Open High School Program (OHSP) of Baguio City National High School (BCNHS) starting school year 2011-2012.

Taking a more liberal approach to the distance learning curriculum, BCNHS will extend the OHSP not only to students aged 12 to 16 years but also to those older.

Domogan: Don’t fall prey to drug syndicates

MAYOR Mauricio Domogan called on his constituents in the Cordillera Administrative Region not to "fall to the trap of drug syndicates, especially with those who have plans to go or return to their jobs abroad."

The mayor made the appeal as he offered his condolences to the bereaved families of three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were executed in China Wednesday after they were convicted of drug trafficking.

Synchronized anti-malaria border spraying set April 11

BONTOC, Mt. Province - In efforts to eliminate malaria in the area, a synchronized border spraying in the provinces of Kalinga, Isabela and Ifugao will be conducted on April 11.

Mt. Province Provincial Health Officer Claudio Pancho said the team will conduct the inter border malaria operations for the province.

Environment agency prohibits tree cutting, harvesting

BONTOC, Mt. Province - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said tree cutting or harvesting in community-managed forests and even private plantations are prohibited under Executive Order No. 23.

President Benigno Aquino III issued the order declaring a moratorium on cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests and creating the anti-illegal task force.

Palace, Ombud at loggerheads anew over official's dismissal

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III and Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez are at another impasse, this time over the dismissal of one of her deputies.

Malacañang announced Friday that Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzales III has been ordered dismissed for "gross neglect of duty and gross misconduct" in failing to act on an appeal filed by Rolando Mendoza, a former police inspector ordered dismissed from police service.

60-year retirement age for flight attendants affirmed

THE Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) on Friday affirmed its earlier decision against Philippine Airlines (PAL), saying the 40-year-old retirement age it set for its flight attendants "constitutes a clear discrimination of their right to equal work opportunity."

The department's December 23 decision stands and should be implemented, Dole Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said, referring to her ruling that was later appealed by the Lucio Tan-led airline.

Pinoy drug mule's recruiter now on watchlist

MANILA -- The recruiter of one of three Filipino drug mules who was executed in China has been barred from leaving the country, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said.

AG&P may hire Filipino workers displaced by Libyan conflict

ATLANTIC Gulf & Pacific Co. of Manila (AG&P) is considering hiring Filipino engineers displaced by the current unrest in Libya, a day after President Benigno Aquino III paid a visit to its facilities in Batangas.

Poll body orders retrieval of ballot boxes in Taguig

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered the retrieval of the almost 400 contested ballot boxes in Taguig City, in connection with the election protest filed by mayoralty candidate Dante Tinga against incumbent Mayor Laarni Cayetano.

In its order dated March 30, 2011, the poll body's Second Division directed lawyer Teopisto Elnas of their Election and Barangay Affairs Department (Ebad), to gather the contested ballot boxes and deliver them to the Comelec Philpost Warehouse in Manila.