P163.4-M to mitigate floods in Ecija, Bulacan underway

CABIAO, Nueva Ecija – A P163.4-million all-weather concrete bridge designed to mitigate flooding in portions of the provinces of Bulacan and Nueva Ecija is nearing completion in this southernmost town.

          Mayor Gloria Crespo-Congco said the Cabiao Viaduct, a project of the regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways, started construction on May 28,2013.

          The 400-linear meter bridge, under construction at the municipal floodway, is a joint venture of  R2 Roncal Construction and Trading and the Advanced Foundation Construction System Corp.

Congco said the project was requested by former fourth district congressman Rodolfo Antonino and the municipal government owing to the perennial flooding problem hounding residents of Barangay Concepcion and San Vicente and the municipality of San Miguel in Bulacan.

          “Definitely, this will be a big relief not only to 7,000 residents of Concepcion and San Vicente in our town but also motorists from other places who negotiate our thoroughfares,” she said.

          She recalled that in previous years, there was a noticeable slowdown in business in the area because of the floods.

          Antonio Molano, DPWH regional director for Central Luzon, said his office allocated an initial P180 million for the project which was originally set to be completed in 360 calendar days or this coming May 22.

However, its design was revised by the Bureau of Designs which explains for a longer construction period. “Hopefully, we can have it completed and inaugurated before the end of this year,” he said. (Manny Galvez)

Ex-Customs exec not running for Ecija gov, says solon-wife

ALIAGA, Nueva Ecija – Neophyte first district Rep. Estrellita Suansing has  denied reports her husband is running for governor in the 2016 elections.

    

      Speaking to reporters, Suansing said former Customs deputy commissioner Horacio Suansing harbors no political ambitions and has no plan to enter the gubernatorial race in the coming polls.

          "Truth to tell, my husband has no political ambitions in Nueva Ecija. Even supposing he has ambitions, he will run somewhere else, not in Nueva Ecija. Never," Suansing said.

          Suansing, a close ally of outgoing three-term Gov. Aurelio Umali,  said she and her husband are no political threats to  Umali and his wife, outgoing third district Rep. Czarina and that his planned political foray is pure speculation.

          The first-term congresswoman, who ended the Josons' 15-year dominance of the first district with a landslide victory last year, was reacting to reports that Horacio is bent on entering politics in the province.

          Earlier, Umali declared that Czarina is running for governor in 2016.

          Also being reported to be eyeing the governorship are former three-term fourth district congressman Rodolfo Antonino, Cabanatuan Mayor Julius Cesar Vergara's wife Rosanna, and outgoing second district Rep. Joseph Gilbert Violago.

          Vice Gov. Jose Gay Padiernos, who was twice Umali's running mate in the past two elections, is also being mentioned as a potential gubernatorial candidate.

Padiernos said he has not disclosed his political plans yet even as reports continue to circulate that he has been eyeing the post of either governor, congressman or even mayor of Gapan City.

          Suansing, a member of Umali's Unang Sigaw Partido ng Pagbabago, has been reported in the social media as planning to bolt the governor's camp to join the camp of Antonino, Violago and Vergara.

          Suansing denied this, saying he was never aware of any political alliance involving the three. "How can I possibly jump ship and join their camp when I don't even know of an alliance involving them?" she said, adding she is a friend to all three.      

          She said she is concerned with helping her district. "More than choosing to join them, I am focused on attending to the needs of my constituents," she said. (Manny Galvez)

Legarda Stresses Need to Address Air Pollution in PHL Cities

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today expressed concern over reports citing pollution findings in Philippine cities and renewed her call for the government’s strengthened effort to address the causes of air pollution especially in urban areas.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, noted that the World Health Organization’s Ambient Air Pollution Study for 2014, which they based in the 2010 Clean Air Initiative Study, showed that the air quality in Baguio City, Manila and Cebu City are the most polluted in the country.

“Air quality is not an abstract environmental statistic but involves the welfare of the people. Increased levels of these pollutants in the air can cause respiratory ailments,” she said.

According to the WHO study, Baguio, a favorite vacation spot, had the highest presence of Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) at 49 micrograms per cubic meter, while Manila and Cebu City both recorded PM 2.5 concentration of 22 micrograms per cubic meter. The WHO guideline values for particulate matter is 10 micrograms per cubic meter of PM 2.5.

“The report was based on the 2010 Clean Air Initiative Study and whether the air quality in these areas have improved or worsened, we must continue to promote programs that would improve the air quality in the country, especially in congested urban areas and business districts where industrial emissions and motor vehicle exhaust are high,” said Legarda.

The Senator proposed that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) partner with telecommunications companies to spread information from the agency’s monitoring stations that measure the air pollution level.

“We encourage our telecommunications companies to help in our information and education campaign as part of their corporate social responsibility. In partnership with the DENR, our telcos can help text blast information on air quality per city so that not only local governments but also our citizens can keep track of the air pollution level in their communities and support programs to improve air quality,” Legarda said.

“This issue further calls for strengthened initiatives towards environment protection, including growing trees, maintaining forest parks, protecting watersheds, using of clean and alternative fuel, and using environment-friendly modes of transportation such as walking and cycling whenever possible. Most important of all, the Clean Air Act must be fully and faithfully implemented,” Legarda concluded.

PRO3 CAPTURES REGION 6’s NR 1 MOST WANTED

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA- The fugitive and Number 1 most wanted person in Region 6 (Western Visayas) was arrested in Zambales yesterday as PRO3’s Regional Director, PCSUPT RAUL D PETRASANTA’s directives to conduct an obstinate, efficient campaign and advocacy by implementing a wide-ranging pro-active approach/strategy on the campaign against Wanted Persons is continuously being carried out.

 

In the afternoon of May 15, 2014, personnel of Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Intelligence Branch in coordination with Zambales Police Provincial Office conducted manhunt operation at Brgy Palanginan, Iba, Zambales which resulted to the arrest of Noel AYALIN y Oro @Kalbo.

 

AYALIN was arrested by virtue of Warrants of Arrest for the Crime of Direct Assault with Murder under Sections 148 and 248 in relation to Article 48 of the Revised Penal Code with Criminal Case Numbers 8211-69, 2011-35, 8213-69, 2011-37 and 8214-59, 2011-38 issued by Hon Judge Felipe G Banzon, Regional Trial Court, 6^th Judicial Region, Silay City, Negros Occidental.

            AYALIN, who was the former barangay captain of Brgy Kapitan Ramon, Silay City was the lone suspect in the massacre of four barangay officials thereat.

It can be recalled that on March 6, 2011, AYALIN ran amuck and started a shooting spree inside the barangay session hall which claimed the lives of four barangay officials, including a chairwoman of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, and caused injuries to three other officials, among them, the then incumbent barangay captain. It can also be recalled that it was no less than the late SILG Jesse Robredo who personally ordered the manhunt of the suspect and followed up by the incumbent SILG MAR ROXAS who is also from Region 6.

 

PCSUPT PETRASANTA commended the operating troops for another accomplishment and remarked that Police Regional Office 3 will carry on its mandated tasks to enforce the law and place lawless elements behind bars. 

Tarlac to celebrate 141st founding anniversary

TARLAC CITY-Tarlac is set to celebrate its 141^st founding anniversary next week by showcasing the very best of its people and natural and man-made wonders.

 

“The festivity will commence with the conduct of mobile passporting by Department of Foreign Affairs at My Metro Town Mall on May 24,” Governor Victor Yap said.

 

Other activities lined up include 3rd Motocross Competition  (May 25 at Binauganan Dirt Bike Track, Tarlac City); thanksgiving mass (May 26 at Bulwagan ng mga Gobernador); Tarlac Food Festival (May 26 at Rotary Lane); Urban Landscaping (May 26 at Rotary Lane); sports fest (May 26); Asenso sa Negosyo Tarlac (May 26); cycling tour of Tarlac (May 26); and Mutya ng Lalawigan- Queen of Festivals 2014 coronation night (May 26 at Maria Cristina Park).

 

There will also be a fun run (May 27); off-road mountain bike competition (May 27); Zumba fest (May 27); observance of National Flag Day (May 28); book launching of autobiography of former Governor Jose “Aping” Yap (May 28); bingo social (May 31 at SM City Tarlac); and fancy pigeon showcase and competition (May 31). (Lorie Gene C. Cruz)