Youth commission launches Tayo awards

THE National Youth Commission (NYC) in the region calls on interested organizations to join the 10th search for the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (Tayo).

Jun Angeles, NYC area officer for Northern Luzon, said since it started in 2002, the Tayo awards Foundation Inc. has successfully established itself as the country’s only award giving body that recognizes and supports the outstanding contributions of youth organizations to the country through the annual search.

Agri office tries herbs as pesticides

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) will engage in the production of natural pesticides using different herbs and plants to boost organic agriculture.

“We are encouraging farmers to adopt the use of organically prepared pesticides as a good agricultural practice and as an alternative to pesticides which are chemically or commercially prepared,” OPAG head Lolita Bentres said.

Agencies link to promote IP rights

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) chairperson Brigida Zenaida Pawid called on concerned agencies to open their doors and link with the NCIP in promoting, preserving and protecting Indigenous Peoples’ (IP) rights.

Pawid said that while the NCIP is the lead agency in pushing IP rights she stressed this is not the sole responsibility of the office. This as Pawid asked concerned agencies to involve NCIP in their plans and programs especially those requiring consent of communities within ancestral domain areas.

K-12 graduates can be employed easier: DepEd official

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- An official of the Department of Education (DepEd) said students who will graduate under the K-12 program can easily obtain employment or they can put up their own business because they will acquire technical and vocational skills.

DepEd Assistant Regional Director Sebastian Tayaban said with the added two years in secondary school, students will polish their abilities in arts and technical vocational and entrepreneurship.

Bacolod marks 75th year

BACOLOD will mark today, June 18, her 75th year as a chartered city since the law was signed by former Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon on June 18, 1938.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia and the city officials will brave the opposition on the change of date from October 19 of every year, which is duly covered by a national law to June 18, as evidenced by a photograph showing Quezon signing the law with his witnesses.

Puentevella, Marañon vow to work for greater good

BACOLOD City Mayor-elect Monico Puentevella paid a courtesy visit to Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. in his office at Capitol on Monday to share notes on what they can do together to bring greater good for Bacolod and the province of Negros Occidental.

Puentevella said he foresees cooperation between the two local government units and aimed to work hand-in-hand with the re-elected governor, being his previous colleague in the House of Representatives for three years and also a former colleague of the governor's son outgoing Rep. Thirdy Marañon (second district) for six years.

Puentevella inauguration set July 2

BACOLOD City Mayor elect Monico Puentevella will have his inauguration on July 2, 2013.

The ceremonies will start with a mass at 3:30 p.m. and he is inviting everyone in Bacolod which will be concelebrated by Bacolod Catholic Bishop Vicente Navarra and other clergies.

100 lose jobs as Philex closes in Sipalay

SIPALAY City Mayor Oscar Montilla confirmed on Monday that about a hundred people of the city will lose jobs due to the temporary closure of Philex Mining Corporation.

The people of Sipalay City are wary about the closure of the company because thousands are expected to be employed by the company once it is through with the exploration stage and go full swing on its operation.

Leonardia asks for authority to digitize SP ordinances, resolutions

BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia asked the City Council to authorize him to sign the compromise agreement entered into by the City Government with CD Technologies Asia Inc. for the company to digitize, harmonize and codify the ordinances of the City Government from 1938 to 2011.

Based on the compromise agreement, the total cost of the project is P2,319,452 to be payable upon completion of phases 1, 2 and 3. Phase 1 will cost P1,275.698.60; phase 2 – P579,863 and phase 3 – P463,890.

Traffic enforcers to undergo training

BACOLOD City will also give a try to it under the administration of mayor-elect Monico O. Puentevella, as traffic enforcers will now undergo the needed traffic management training.

Puentevella met with Bacolod City Police Director PSSupt. Edgardo Ordaniel on Monday and discussed a better management of traffic in Bacolod City.

Army: NDF should pursue peace pact with gov’t

COLONEL Jon Aying, Commander of the 303rd Brigade in Negros, said that the National Democratic Front (NDF) should pursue peace negotiation with the government because they will never win the armed struggle.

Aying made the statement after Luis Jalandoni, lead negotiator of the NDF, confirmed in a video statement on their website that they would no longer continue talking peace with the government under the Aquino administration.

Man nabbed for firing gun

A MAN, who allegedly fired a gun around 11:30 p.m. last June 16 at Purok Sto. Niño, Phase 6B, Barangay Handumanan, Bacolod City, was arrested by elements of Bacolod City Police Station 10.

The suspect, who was identified as Rene M. Ostan reportedly created alarm and scandal and fired a gun in front of Kriemhild A. Elijay and Yorapyl E. Brennan’s house.

71 dengue cases noted in Angeles

ANGELES CITY –- The City Health Office (CHO) has recorded 71 confirmed cases of dengue in the city, even as it warned the public on the rising cases of dengue fever with the onset of the rainy season.

City Health Officer Lenario Santos said the wet season is also the time that dengue cases increase, as the dengue carrier mosquitoes live in wet places.

Biz groups unite to donate school building

ARAYAT, Pampanga –- Two business groups have combined their resources to donate a four-classroom school building that will benefit more than 500 kids residing in Barangay Cupang here.

The school building’s construction by the San Fernando Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (SFFCCII), was made expediently possible at the behest of Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PamCham) Chairman Emeritus Levy P. Laus.

Locals assail works on Arnedo Dike

CANDABA, Pampanga -- Locals are criticizing the engineering design being employed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in rehabilitating a portion of the Arnedo Dike in Barangay Mandasig here.

Construction workers on the site, they noted, have started building another wall made of boulders, covered with a metal net adjacent to the original dike part of which already collapsed.

Oca: Growth should be 'inclusive'

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Third District Congressman-elect and outgoing City of San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez said recently that "growth must be made inclusive by the government for it to be really felt by Filipinos, especially the marginalized majority."

Rodriguez emphasized that making growth inclusive and not extractive is the challenge of the times, particularly after the country posted a 7.8 percent growth lately, which he noted as the highest in Asia.

Private sector urged to support public schools

MAGALANG, Pampangs -- Sectors of the community and the private sector have been urged by a youth leader to help in improving the facilities and services of a public school here, in line with the Department of Education’s (DepEd) call for community support for public schools.

Sangguaniang Kabataan chairman Christian Umber Ramos, who led the distribution of school supplies to various indigent students of San Jose Elementary School, said education of the young is not just the responsibility of the government, but of the entire community. 

Poe to administer Maglanque’s oath-taking

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Senator-elect Grace Poe-Llamanzares is set to administer the oath-taking of Candaba Mayor-elect Rene Maglanque on June 30 around 4 p.m. here, according to sources.

Maglanque said he already talked with the senator about the plan of having as the guest of honor during the oath-taking of newly elected local officials here.

Police nab couple for illegal drugs

CAMP OLIVAS -- A couple suspected to be involved in an illegal drug operation was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Sto. Niño, Sto. Tomas town over the weekend.

In a belated report, Senior Superintendent Oscar Albayalde, acting provincial police director of Pampanga, identified the arrested couple as Renato Tulana, 41, and wife Marieta, 35, both of Barangay San Vicente, Sto. Tomas town.

Korean firm signs P20-B tourism project in Subic

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT -- The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) said Monday that it signed a contract with a Korean company for the development of a P20-billion world-class tourism complex here.

In a simple ceremony held at the Freeport, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto Garcia and Resom Chairman Sang So Shin signed lease development agreements that would pave the way for the construction of this landmark tourism project.

Bataan police welcomes new head

CAMP OLIVAS -- Senior Superintendent Audie Atienza was installed as the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Bataan Police Provincial Office over the weekend.

Atienza is former chief of the Regional Police Community Relations Office (RPCRO3) and member of Philippine National Police Academy Class ’85 before being designated as OIC.

Boy, 9, killed in hit and run

TARLAC CITY –- A 9-year-old boy died after a hit and run incident in Barangay San Roque here over the weekend, according to reports.

Based on a report to Tarlac Police Provincial Office Director Senior Superintendent Alfred Corpus, the victim was identified only as Andro, Grade 4 pupil of Tarlac West Elementary School, of Block 3, Barangay San Vicente.

11 GROs rescued from Tarlac bar

TARLAC -- Eleven guest relations officers or GROs were rescued by the Tarlac Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, while two suspects were arrested in an entrapment operation at Cristy’s Beer Garden in Barangay Apulig, Paniqui, Tarlac over the weekend.

Based on the information obtained by Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit 3 regional chief Senior Superintendent Victor Valencia Jr., there were “questionable transactions” occurring at Cristy’s Beer Garden which led to the operation.

Davao del Norte flood displaces 167 families

DAVAO CITY -- A total of 167 families were displaced after a flood hit Barangay Tanglaw in Braulio Dujali, Davao del Norte, Sunday afternoon.

Davao del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) action officer Sonio Sanchez said heavy downpour caused the flooding.

Shrine Hills now a protected zone

ENVIRONMENTALISTS participating in the revisions of Davao City's Comprehensive Land Use Plan (Clup) welcomed the City Council's decision to protect Shrine Hills from further urbanization by designating it as a protected zone.

Idis policy advocacy specialist Chinkie Pelino lauded the move as a "strong exercise of political will" as the City Council in a special session last Thursday moved to declare Shrine Hills as an Urban Ecological Enhancement Sub-zone.

University of Southern Mindanao exec shot

MATALAM, North Cotabato -- A top official of the state-owned University of Southern Mindanao (USM) was wounded when one of unidentified gunmen shot her while she was about to enter her house on Uyanguren St. around 6:15 p.m. Sunday, a police officer said.

Senior Inspector Elias Dandan, chief of Matalam police, identified the victim as Dr. Cynthia Alpas, head of USM's human resource management office.

Bizmen want BIR policy on unused ORs modified

THE business community called on the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to re-study the implementation of the new revenue collection regulation that invalidates unused receipts after June 30.

In a letter addressed to BIR Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares last April 30, the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) also asked the national office to extend the deadline on the validity of unused receipts to December 30.

Villages must include programs to resolve child labor: NGO

EACH barangay council should also include the issue on resolving child labor as one of its priority programs, a non-government organization (NGO) said on Monday.

Speaking during the Kapehan sa SM Davao, Florie May B. Tacang, executive director of Kaugmaon Center for Children's Concerns Foundation Inc., said the barangay council should keep an eye on the number of child laborers among their constituents.

DCPO installs 3 new police station chiefs

DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) installed new station commanders on three police stations in the city effective Monday, June 17.

Chief Inspector Ariel B. Acala, former head of the Operations Division of DCPO, is now the new station commander for Tugbok police, replacing Senior Inspector Antonio Villacarlos Jr.

PDEA: Dagupan supplies illegal drugs to Ilocos, Cordillera

DAGUPAN -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Ilocos Region confirmed that Barangay Bonuan Binloc in Dagupan City is the source of illegal drugs filtering into other parts of Pangasinan, La Union and Baguio City as affirmed by most arrested drug pushers and dealers in those areas.