Legarda Echoes DOH Call to Clear Trash in Disaster-Hit Areas; Reiterates Call for Waste Management Law Implementation

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today echoed the call of the Department of Health (DOH) to immediately finish the clean-up of garbage and other debris in Yolanda-affected areas to prevent diseases.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, noted the DOH’s warning that the uncollected garbage in areas hit by typhoon Yolanda may attract bacteria-carrying organisms that could bring diseases.

“This is yet another challenge in our post-disaster management strategies. We cannot place lives at risk again due to the health hazards posed by piles of garbage lying on the streets of areas affected by the super typhoon. Solid waste management should always be central in our recovery and rehabilitation plans,” said Legarda as she also reiterated her call for strict implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (R.A. 9003), which she authored.

The Senator said that implementing an effective solid waste management plan in typhoon-hit areas could be less challenging if LGUs have already been faithfully implementing the law.

“It would be easier to manage waste materials after disasters if we already practice waste segregation, recycling, composting, processing, and treatment. Solid waste management should be part of every household’s daily routine and every community’s development plan,” Legarda stressed.

“Our citizens must demand that their local government implement a genuine solid waste management system in accordance with the law. This is within their right since LGUs are primarily responsible for implementing RA 9003. Segregation and collection of solid waste shall be conducted at the barangay level for biodegradable, compostable and reusable waste and the municipality or city is responsible for collecting non-recyclable materials and special waste,” she added.

“We also have to learn personal responsibility for our own garbage and choose the right items that can be recycled. When solid waste management has become a part of our life, we lessen the factors that contribute to aggravating disasters and the management of post-disaster waste would likewise be less difficult,” Legarda concluded.

OWWA holds Financial Literacy Seminar for OFW and their families in Central Luzon

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) concluded 2013 with a financial literacy seminar for 278 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families in Central Luzon.

 

“The two-day undertaking, which coincided with the observance of OFW Family Day, is part of our on-going commitment to help our OFWs and their families learn about the financial issues that affect their day-to-day lives,” OWWA Regional Director Maria Lourdes Reyes said.

 

“Our aim is to help dependents learn how to measure and manage the money their OFW relatives make and develop an appreciation and value to what they work hard for. It also intends to teach the OFW family the need and options of saving, holding and making additional money and help them plan, create a personal mission and set a time-line for their accomplishment,” Reyes added.

 

Apart from financial literacy, OWWA has also conducted last year trainings on entrepreneurial development, values re-orientation and organizational development in partnership with Family Welfare Offices and OFW Family Circles. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

Bataan Industrial Peace Council holds first general assembly

BALANGA CITY, Bataan-Around 90 management and labor representatives in the hotel and restaurant, construction and education sectors recently attended the first general assembly of the Bataan Industrial Peace Council (BIPC).

 

BIPC is regarded as the mother council of the provincial tripartite councils of the mentioned sectors.

 

During the occasion, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Assistant Regional Director Geraldine Panlilio gave an overview of Department Order 115-11 otherwise known as the “Guidelines on the Implementation of the Incentivizing Compliance Program (ICP)” with emphasis on the Tripartite Certificate of Compliance to Labor Standards.

 

“Gone are the days when firms perceive us like police officers going after those with violations on labor standards. We are (now) here introducing a developmental approach, through the ICP, which will benefit both management and labor in terms of productivity and competitiveness,” Panlilio said. 

 

The Labor agency official noted that the ICP gives due recognition to companies which strongly promote the culture of voluntary compliance to core labor standards and occupational safety and health standards.

 

Moreover, DOLE Provincial Director Leilani Reynoso and other staff from the Bataan Field Office gave lectures on Productivity, Republic Act 9231 otherwise known as Child Labor Law, and Workers Rights and Benefits.

 

The activity culminated with the election of officers for period 2014-2016 where Reynoso was voted Chairman along with Mia Edith Gabriel of Abelline Manpower Services as Vice Chair for Management, Joven Gadiano of Universal Weavers as Vice Chair for Labor, Ethel Grace Ramos of Bataan Christian School as Secretary (Management), Nida Valderama of Mitsumi as Secretary (Labor), Doriz Dichoso of Dong-In as Treasurer (Management), Rosario Gaza of Dunlop as Treasurer (Labor), Jhune Lopez of Seashore Restaurant as Auditor (Management), Bernard Cuenco of Asia Pro Cooperative as Auditor (Labor), Jovy Cuberos of Anvaya Cove Beach and Nature Club as Public Relations Officer (Management), and Eduardo Meneses of BFG as Public Relations Officer (Labor).

 

Chosen as members of the Board of Directors were Slyvia Tolentino of Jollibee and Jerome Bantog of Crown Royale Hotel representing the Hotel and Restaurant Tripartite Council, Victor Quezon of Polymervic Construction representing the Construction Industrial Tripartite Council, and Antonina Abella of KIDS Garden Learning Center and Eden Caribo of the Orani United Methodist Ecumenical School representing the Education Industrial Tripartite Council. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

TPLEX management to begin collecting fees on January 6

TARLAC CITY Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corporation (SMC), through its subsidiary and toll road concessionaire Private Infra Development Corporation, Inc. (PIDC), will begin to collect fees in the Tarlac City-Gerona-Paniqui stretch of the 88.85-kilometer Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) on Monday, January 6.

 

In a statement, PIDC said “tariff in Tarlac City to Victoria part (8.66km) are P30 for Class 1, P76 for Class 2 and P91 for Class 3 vehicles,”

 

“Moreover, fees from Victoria to Gerona (8.017km) are P28 for Class 1, P70 for Class 2 and P84 for Class 3. Rates for Tarlac City to Gerona (16.777km), on the other hand, are P58 for Class 1, P145 for Class 2 and P175 for Class 3,” it added.

 

President Benigno Aquino III formally opened TPLEX last December 23 via an inaugural drive-trough in its Paniqui exit in Tarlac.

 

That portion brings to 23 kilometers the total length of the TPLEX that is operational following the opening of the 17-kilometer Phase 1A from Tarlac City to Victoria, Pura, then Gerona initially for free to the public.

 

At present, PIDC is working on the 27-kilometer stretch from Paniqui to Moncada in Tarlac then Carmen in Pangasinan including the construction of the 950-meter Agno viaduct.

 

PIDC eyes an April 2014 completion of this section, ahead of its December 2014 estimate.

 

By then, the two-hour travel time from Tarlac to Carmen will be cut to only 30 minutes.

 

Moreover, the remaining 25.83-kilometer part from Urdaneta, Pangasinan to Rosario, La Union will be completed by 2015.

 

From end-to-end, TPLEX will traverse 17 towns and two cities in the provinces of Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union and Nueva Ecija.

 

It connects the Northern and Central provinces of Luzon to Metro Manila via the North Luzon and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressways.

 

Originally designed as a two-lane road, SMC decided to upgrade the infrastructure to four lanes to ensure road safety and in anticipation of future traffic growth.

 

Once completed, it will cut travel time from Tarlac to La Union to only an hour from the present three and a half hours. (Shane F. Velasco)

Retired Full Pledge Colonel, Held for Indiscriminate Firing in Aurora

BALER, Aurora-Elements of Baler Municipal Police Station responded to the reported indiscriminate firing at Purok 6, Barangay Buhangin in this town at around 10:20 PM, Saturday, December 28, 2013, and arrested retired colonel Adolfo Dela Torre, a former member of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

The suspect was responsible for indiscriminately firing of a gun into the air three times which caused panic among his neighbors, who in turn reported the incident to the authorities.

Confiscated from him was a one (1) cal. 45 with markings Federal IL, USA, 1911 A-1 with Serial Number 500719, one (1) magazine with five (5) ammunitions and during the crime scene search the team recovered one (1) empty cartridge.

The Recovered pieces of evidence were brought to Aurora Crime Laboratory Office for examinations while suspect is now under the custody of Baler Police Station for proper disposition.

Dela Torres’ case of Violation of PD 1866 as Amended by RA 8294 and Unlawful Discharge of Firearms charges were already filed in court this afternoon against him. (Jason de Asis)

CLMA-Aurora Chapter New Prexy Calls for Unity and Prayer

BALER, Aurora-DZJO “Spirit” FM 101.7 mhz Admin Officer/Newscaster Rey Fernando, in his capacity as the new president of the Central Luzon Media Association (CLMA)-Aurora Chapter, called on his colleagues for a deeper spirituality based on the bible and for unity prayer against corruption.

In a cellphone interview, Fernando said that corruption in business and in politics must be eradicated if not minimize, urging the CLMA members to be united through prayer, discernment and concerted action to renew the social and political fabric of the people in Aurora, media and the country.

“Many of them and/or perhaps the majority of the corrupt people in politics and in business are notorious to violence, lack of proper discernment and the likes,” he explained.

In his speech in a broad day light at Pedervera Beach Resort, following his election as the new prexy of the CLMA, Fernando expressed his heartfelt thanks to all of his colleagues who voted him.

“This is really an overwhelming sign of trust and confidence,” he said, promising that he will continue what the organization has started in the province and in Central Luzon.

“I will also work for the organization and with you in the year 2014 and want to win your confidence too.  I know the great responsibility of the President. This makes me humble. I want to lead the CLMA-Aurora Chapter according to my motto: Prayer and Unity in Diversity. It would mean that I will do my very best efforts to balance all the different best interests of the organization,” Fernando pointed-out.

“In every activity that we would like to implement, I want to listen and to enter into an on-going dialogue with all of you. You should know that my door, my ears, and my heart are always open for you,” he said.

With 100% votes, Fernando will Chair the CLMA-Aurora Chapter next year after the oath taking of the chapter officers of all media personalities from their respective provinces in Central Luzon at Philrice in Nueva Ecija on January 10, 2014.

Fernandos’ triumph marked a landslide victory in the CLMA election. The new officers are Ferdinand Pascual-Vice President for Print (BWBW FM Radyo TV Baler), Ronaldo Ramos-Vice President for Broadcast (DZJO FM), Nestor Molina-Secretary (DWBW FM Radyo TV Baler), Richard Baoy-Treasurer (DWBW Radyo TV Baler), George Balbero-Auditor (DZJO FM), Wilma Villareal-Business Manager (DWBW FM Radyo TV Baler) and Frederick Paulo-Marshall (DWBW FM Radyo TV Baler). The Board of Director are Jason de Asis (CMN/Bagong Aurora Website ng Bayan), Ronald Leander (GMA7), Amador Ramos (DZJO FM), Norberto Cruz (Bagong Aurora), Larry Marco (Radyo Natin FM), Richard Serquena (DWBW FM Radyo TV Baler) and Leonilo Beltran (TV5). The CLMA members present are Jonathan Querijero (DZJO FM), Arnel Turzar (DZJO FM), Sheryll Santa Maria (DZJO FM), Rodrigo Javar (DZJO FM), Eddie Rebueno (DZJO FM/KABALIKAT CIVICOM), Ernie Rebueno (DZJO FM) and Joseph Molina (DZJO FM).

The election period started from 1:30 to 2:30 in the afternoon. The conduct of election was facilitated by CLMA Regional President Ronald Madrid Leander. (Jason de Asis)

PNP-PRO3 raids illegal firecracker factory

CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga- Through the continuous efforts of the Philippine National Police to enforce laws that will help reduce the casualty figures due to firecrackers as well as confiscate illegal fireworks and pyrotechnics, Police Regional Office 3 under the leadership of PCSupt Raul D Petrasanta, PRO3, is currently conducting series of inspections/raids among firecracker manufacturers/warehouses and stores within the region especially in Bulacan.

 

The joint elements of Bulacan PPO Intelligence Brach, Bocaue Municipal Police Station and Provincial Public Safety Company raided an illegal firecracker/pyrotechnics manufacturer located at  Sitio Daang Riles, Brgy Bundukan, Bocaue, Bulacan which resulted in the seizure of large quantities of chemicals and finished and unfinished pyrotechnics and firecrackers yesterday at 10 o'clock in the morning.

 

Nine (9) persons were arrested and brought to Bulacan Provincial Police Office for filing of appropriate charges for Violation of Republic Act 7183 “An Act regulating the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.”

 

Petrasanta reiterated his reminder to the public to refrain from using prohibited firecrackers to avoid any untoward incident during the celebration of New Year.

Ecija vice mayor held up; loses P50K to robbers

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija–A municipal vice mayor in Nueva Ecija lost P50,000 to two unidentified hold-up men who took away his cash he just withdrew from an ATM (automated teller machine) here the day before Christmas Day, police reported. 

         

            Police Senior Superintendent Crizaldo Nieves, provincial police director, identified the victim as Vice Mayor Emmanuel Manuel of Gen. Natividad, Nueva Ecija.

          

         The unidentified holdup men pulled off the heist at around 8:45 am last December 24 along the Maharlika Highway, Barangay Dicarma here.

          

         Manuel told police that he just withdrew cash at the ATM booth of the Philippine National Bank in Barangay Sangitan then drove his Toyota Tamaraw FX bearing license plate TRT-378 on his way home when it encountered engine trouble.

 As he was about to step out of his car, the suspects suddenly appeared and declared the hold-up at gunpoint.

They then carted away his bag containing P50,000 worth of cash and fled towards the north direction aboard a black motorcycle. (Manny Galvez) 

Maranan forms “Task Force Pablo,” earmarks P500 M for rehab works in 4 regions

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija-Administrator Claro V.  Maranan of the National Irrigation Administration has formed “Task Force Pablo” (TFP) and earmarked P500 million to fast-track rehabilitation works in four regions of Mindanao.

In a memorandum, Maranan named Felix Razo, NIA senior deputy administrator, as head of the  task force which flew yesterday to Region 11 in Davao City for a four-day inspection of Pablo-related irrigation projects.

          Razo’s team is also composed of Florentino R. David, internal audit services department manager; internal control officers Teresita G. Pantalla and Mary Jean P. Estefanio and systems management division senior engineer Maria Gracia A. Ramos.

          Maranan directed the task force to conduct audit on the implementation of restoration and rehabilitation works of all projects funded under the Typhoon Pablo Fund. The audit will cover procurement up to contract administration.

          For the restoration works, an initial amount of P500 million has been released for damaged irrigation facilities in Regions 10 to 13.

          As part of the administrative reforms being instituted at NIA, Maranan said four irrigation management officers will be reshuffled.

On December 29, Maranan will meet with farmers for their feedback on issues involving irrigation and the agency.

          The creation of the task force was in line with the seven-point development agenda of Maranan outlining the agency’s course of action on

various aspects of organizational and operational performance.

          This is aimed at achieving the following: 1) provide creative and speedy solutions to the urgent problems confronting NIA; 2) rally support of employees and officers in carrying out the reform agenda and 3) document the program for future reference as a learning organization committed to continuing improvement. 

          Maranan explained that his program is consistent with President Aquino’s vision to turn the country into a nation of transformational leaders, a government dedicated to honing and mobilizing people’s skills and energies as well as the responsible harnessing of natural resources, and the value for excellence and integrity. (Manny Galvez)

P70 thousand Lost in Oasis Resort Christmas Robbery Incident

BALER, Aurora-Some P70,000 worth of valuables were lost before Christmas eve in a reported robbery incident in Oasis Resort located at Sitio Bukodtangi, Barangay Sabang, Baler, Aurora.

The incident happened at the said place around 7:30 p.m. inside the apartment occupied by the family of Ramiel Buenavista y Valenzuela, 37 years old and a salesman.

The police said that last December 25, 2013 at about 1:00 a.m. the elements of Baler Police Station received a report from Ramiel informing that a robbery incident transpired at the said place.

Robbers took one (1) unit of Cellphone Galaxy Packet color blue, one (1) wrist watch, fossil brand color combination of gold and silver, one (1) angle grinder and one (1) rooter machine including their native live chicken at the backyard with approximate amount of more or less Seventy Thousand pesos (P70,000.00 php). 

Police said the robbers gained entry by destroying the back wall of the apartment made of coconut lumber and used it as ingress and egress.

The police investigation is still on going to identify the perpetrators. (Jason de Asis)

Merry Christmas to all!

BALER, Aurora-To our dear readers, the Yuletide season offers a meaningful occasion to reflect upon the blessings we received, the lessons that have made us wiser, and the trials that have made us stronger in different aspects.

There are countless definitions of what Christmas is; normally the answer depends on the psycho-sociological and economic status of a person. The Bible is the best source of definition. There is a common adage which runs “it is better to give than to receive;” however for those who belong to the grass root, it is the opposite, it is better to receive because they don’t have anything to give.

The real essence is “Christmas” is giving. One can give without loving while others could love without giving. For Christians who encounter problems, problems are considered challenges and ones these challenges are hurdled, they become better persons. In forgiving, it is no longer an issue as who is right or who is wrong.

It is a question of who loves most and gives the most.

In giving, it is not the value of what you give, it is the sacrifice you shared in giving.

A widow gave her offering of 3 coins eventhough the money would cost her daily sustenance; there is sacrifice on her part. The Pharisees offered almost riches for the poor. But it was not acceptable to God because there is no sacrifice, what more, there is no love; and their offerings came from the tax payers’ blood.

Therefore, there is no greater gift which God gave us in John 3:16, For God so love the world that he gave his only begotten son so that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but shall have eternal life.

May we all have a blessed and meaningful Christmas.

KAUGNAY Troops Attends Commission on Human Rights Consultative Meeting

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – Selected soldiers of 7^th Infantry (KAUGNAY) Division of Philippine Army attended a day of lectures and Focused Group Discussion (FGD) spearheaded by Commission of Human Rights (CHR) with regard to Security Sector Reform Institutional Framework, held at Hunters Valley Resort, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija on December 18, 2013.

            The Officer and Enlisted Personnel from 7^th Civil-Military Operation (G.W.A.P.O.) Battalion, 3^rd Infantry Battalion, and 7^th Infantry Division Human Right Office participated in a one day consultative meeting together with Philippine National Police Region III. 

            The objective of the meeting is to strengthen the Security Sector Reform project that shall initially be aimed at strengthening core security sector’s capacity, organization and institutions to conform to the human rights standards and norms, towards ending impunity, preventing systematic and grave human rights violations, enabling civil oversight. Among the topics discussed were; Behavior of soldiers during combat operations, security threat, International Humanitarian Law (IHL), Rule of Engagement (ROE), reasons to established military detachment, respect of ancestral domain.

            The discussion was facilitated by Atty. Glenda Titong, Security Sector Reform consultant, CHR under supervision of Atty. Tifanie Gerona, Executive Assistant, CHR.

            The leadership of “Kaugnay” Division of Philippine Army has been aggressively promoting and strictly implementing its policy on absolute respect of human rights, International Humanitarian Law (IHL), Rules of Engagement (ROE) in the performance of its mandate in its area of responsibility.

            The Armed Forces of the Philippines Center for Human Rights Dialogue was established beside the Aquino – Diokno Shrine to cater and serves a venue for dialogues on symposia for human rights issues. It was inaugurated by his Excellency President Benigno S Aquino III last September 21, 2012.    

            The activity is just one of the many activities in connection with Human Rights Consciousness Week  with the theme, Wakasan ang Kawalang Pananagutan, Tiyakin ang Tapat na Pamamahala”.

7ID Welcomes CGPA’s Visit to Fort Magsaysay

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – The 7^th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division under the leadership of Maj Gen Hernando DCA Iriberri warmly welcome the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, Lt Gen Noel A Coballes Armed Forces of the Philippines last December 18, 2013.

The Philippine Army Chief, Lt Gen Coballes, is the Guest of Honor and Presiding Officer (GOHAPO) of the Change of Command Ceremony of Commander, Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) (SFR(A)) and Assumption of Command Ceremony of Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Philippine Army.

A change of Command Ceremony is a military tradition that present a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit from one commanding officer to another. The passing of colors, standard and insignias from an outgoing commander to an incoming one ensures that the unit and its soldiers is never without official leadership, a continuation of trust, and also signifies an allegiance to the unit’s commander.

“First of all would like to greet the Officers, Enlisted Personnel, and the Civilian Employees of the 7^th infantry Division, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year to all.  The 7ID had been known to its commitment and dedication in its mandate in serving the people in its area of responsibility.  The troops of 7ID had been very cooperative in giving their utmost service in helping the victims of typhoon Santi and typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban City.” Lt. Gen. Coballes said.

            “Foundations have been laid for the Army Transformation Roadmap (ATR); the AFP’s Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan” is now strongly felt by the Filipino people as we have established and is continually establishing partnership with international, national and local leaders and various stakeholders.  In line with the ATR, the Philippine Army will make a directive requiring every soldier to have their own Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK). This will help our troops especially to those assigned in field units to have an immediate response in the absence of Medical Team. Also, the issuance of new Combat Boots called “Field boots” is expected to be given to each soldier this coming 1^st Quarter of the coming year.” Lt. Gen Coballes added.

            “This Yuletide Season may we show sympathy to the victims of calamities by making our Christmas Party Celebration simple and meaningful. Let us try to extend help for our people who are need in deeply. Since Christmas is about giving, let’s try to help them not only thru giving material gifts but also including them in our prayers that they may easily build their communities again.”  The Army Chief ended in his remarks.

Legarda: Filipino Communities Must Learn, Share Lessons from Yolanda

MANILA-Amid the ongoing recovery efforts in areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda, Senator Loren Legarda today urged the survivors to learn from the lessons brought by the disaster and share the same to others to be able to build back better communities and ensure resilient recovery.

In her recent meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Legarda, UN Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, stressed that communities anticipated and prepared for Yolanda, but the strength of the typhoon and the devastation it caused showed that much more needs to be done.

“Filipinos are a resilient people. Communities, headed by the local government heads, had taken precautionary measures to avert a disaster, but Yolanda showed more of the underlying risks in our communities. Some local government units have early warning systems, but what we must ensure is that all LGUs must put in place such system,” she explained.

The Senator said that the Philippines is ahead of other countries in terms of being DRR-literate especially with the help of two landmark laws—the Philippine Climate Change Act and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act—both recognized as among the best in the world. These policies, however, still need to be fully operational.

“Some local government units are making good use of these laws. A good example is Former Mayor Al Arquillano of San Franciso, Camotes Island, a UN Sasakawa Awardee. He evacuated residents of a highly vulnerable island ahead of time before Yolanda made landfall, resulting in zero casualties. Other LGUs should be likewise proactive. We cannot achieve full resiliency with piecemeal efforts, with only few communities working towards resilience,” she pointed out.

“We are greatly thankful for the support of the international community, led by the UN. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed solidarity with the Filipino people and has called on donor nations to keep their commitment and strengthen their support to the rehabilitation efforts in the affected areas. As a sign of our deep gratitude, it is fitting and is to our best interest that we work hard towards preventing disasters and strengthening resilience,” said Legarda.

“Let us make good use of the lessons we have learned from Yolanda and share this experience with other nations as we hope for a fruitful outcome of two important global events--the UN Climate Summit in 2014 and the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in 2015,” she concluded.

PNoy leads formal opening of TPLEX today

TARLAC CITY-President Benigno Aquino III will lead today the formal opening of the 88.85-kilometer Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) via an inaugural drive-trough in its Paniqui exit in Tarlac.

 

That portion brings to 23 kilometers the total length of the TPLEX that is operational following the opening of the 17-kilometer Phase 1A from Tarlac City to Victoria, Pura, then Gerona initially for free to the public.

 

At present, diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corporation (SMC) through its subsidiary and TPLEX concessionaire- Private Infra Dev Corporation, Inc. (PIDC) is working on the 27-kilometer stretch from Paniqui to Moncada in Tarlac then Carmen in Pangasinan including the construction of the 950-meter Agno viaduct.

 

PIDC eyes an April 2014 completion of this section, ahead of its December 2014 estimate.

 

By then, the two-hour travel time from Tarlac to Carmen will be cut to only 30 minutes.

 

Moreover, the remaining 25.83-kilometer part from Urdaneta, Pangasinan to Rosario, La Union will be completed by 2015.

 

From end-to-end, TPLEX will traverse 17 towns and two cities in the provinces of Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union and Nueva Ecija.

 

It connects the Northern and Central provinces of Luzon to Metro Manila via the North Luzon and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressways.

 

Originally designed as a two-lane road, SMC decided to upgrade the infrastructure to four lanes to ensure road safety and in anticipation of future traffic growth.

 

Once completed, it will cut travel time from Tarlac to La Union to only an hour. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

JINGGOY PUSHES ANEW FIXED SALARIES, BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS FOR BUS DRIVERS

MANILA-Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada bats for the institutionalization of fixed monthly salaries and better working conditions for the public utility bus drivers, in an effort to promote road safety, improve traffic flow and prevent deadly highway accidents.

 

Sen. Estrada’s proposal is contained in Senate Bill 1372 or the “Bus Drivers and Conductors Compensation Program.”

 

Jinggoy, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, says that under the current boundary and commission-based compensation, bus drivers outdo and compete with each other and with limited working hours in drawing commuting passengers to ensure a decent daily take home pay for the family.

 

Jinggoy believes this compensation setup breeds a number of inconvenient and unsafe travel conditions for road users like clogged road lanes due to indiscriminate loading of passengers, buses beating speed limits, drivers stretching the work hours for ‘bonus’ pay, among others.

 

Under Senate Bill 1372, salaries of bus drivers should not be less than the prevailing minimum wage rate and must include benefits and incentives.

 

“A simple computation will show that drivers currently earning P900 a day and working more than 12 hours a day for three days a week will receive almost the same income based on the minimum wage for working eight hours a day for six days a week. The difference is that under the proposed act, drivers will get enough rest while operators will spend almost the same amount for salaries,” Jinggoy says in the bill’s explanatory note.

 

The bill also requires the operators of public utility bus service to observe an eight-hour daily work scheme (including at least 1 hour rest period) and two-shift system.

 

Violators of the law shall be meted out a fine of 100,000 to 200,000 pesos, and suspension of the franchise to operate.

 

In a separate proposal also authored by Sen. Estrada, Senate Bill 1378 or the proposed “Comprehensive Assistance Program for Public Utility Vehicle Drivers Act” provides that all public utility bus drivers be covered by the Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance System (Philhealth), Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG), and Employees Compensation Commission (ECC).

 

Senate Bill 1378 also seeks to implement a livelihood and credit assistance under Land Transportation Office and in coordination with the Cooperative Development Authority “to improve their socio-economic condition.”

 

Moreover, the bill asks the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in coordination with the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) to undertake a Continuous Education and Skills Development Training Program for public utility vehicle drivers “to enhance their basic and advanced driving competencies, and knowledge on maintenance procedures, driving preparation and post-driving procedure, road safety rules and accident response procedure.”

PRO3 DRUG BUST TAIWANESE NATIONAL

 

CAMP OLIVAS, CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA- After the successful buy bust operation of PNP personnel which resulted to the seizure of 182 million pesos worth of Shabu from a Chinese National last month, Police Regional Office 3 under the stint of PCSUPT RAUL D PETRASANTA, RD, PRO3 once again proved that PRO3 is stern in its campaign against illegal drugs as a Taiwanese National was arrested in a buy bust operation and his illegal drug laboratory was discovered.

 

On December 20, 2013, at around 12:30 in the afternoon, joint elements of Bulacan PPO Intelligence Branch, Regional Intelligence Division of PRO3, RAIDSOTF3 and PDEA Region 3 conducted buy-bust operation at Nr 35 Catleya Street, Sta Rita Village, Barangay Sta Rita, Guiguinto, Bulacan which resulted in the apprehension of Liu-Zhihua alias Peter Tan Lee, Taiwanese National and a resident said place.

 

Prior to the apprehension of ZHIUHUA, one of the PDEA Agent acted as poseur buyer and bought 100 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) in exchanged for Php 200,000.00 marked money. While the transaction was on –going a few meters away from his rented house, he noticed the presence of other operatives which prompted him to run towards the house. After a brief chase, suspect was cornered inside his rented house and his illegal drug (shabu) laboratory was discovered.

 

Recovered inside the laboratory were different chemicals used in the manufacture of shabu to include the following: a) red phosphorous; b) potassium hydroxide; c) acetic acid; and, d) sodium carbonate. Also, other equipment were seized such as: suction flask and weighing scales. Based on the assessment of the PDEA Agents, the shabu laboratory has a capacity to produce 10 kilograms of shabu within 6 to 8 hours.

 

It was found out that a certain Johny TAN rented said house since September of this year.

 

ZHIUHUA and the seized items are presently under the custody of PDEA Region 3 for proper disposition.

 

            PCSUPT PETRASANTA was once again lauded the operating troops for their successful anti- illegal drug operations and said that series of operations on drug- supply reduction strategy will be carried out in the coming days to maximize efforts to eradicate the proliferation of illegal drugs in the region.