This initiative aims to help address climate change issues and mitigate climate-induced disaster risks, underscoring the central role of youth in driving climate action within their community.

ChildFund Philippines gathered its partners from ReINa Federations of Parents Associations, Inc. and community members of Infanta, Quezon for a tree growing activity in one of the Project Greenlight areas.

Project GREENLIGHT, in partnership with the municipal government of Infanta and ReINa Federations of Parents Associations, Inc., integrates Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA) and Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) into the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) program of Infanta, Quezon.

Project GREENLIGHT represents a comprehensive approach to climate action, acknowledging that climate change is a complex and interconnected issue. “It integrates education, community engagement, and sustainable livelihood development to help the next generation of local eco-leaders combat climate change, especially since the Philippines is prone to various climate hazards and risks due to its geographical location and human activities,” said Erwin Peter Galido, Program Specialist - Disaster Risk Management of ChildFund Philippines. “Our ultimate goal for this project is to eventually make this a national program and support more Filipino youth taking action to mitigate climate change impacts,” he added.

The initiative employs a classroom-to-forest approach to support the youth in taking an active role in environmental protection and conservation, efficient energy consumption, waste management, awareness raising, local policy advocacy, and climate action. It involves taking students out of traditional classroom settings and into natural environments, such as forests, wetlands, or parks, to learn about environmental concepts, ecological systems, and conservation practices firsthand.

"We believe in the power of these young individuals to make a meaningful difference in their communities and beyond. With Project GREENLIGHT, we aim to work hand-in-hand with them to actively contribute as catalysts for climate action, particularly in communities vulnerable to the impacts of disasters, and for a more sustainable and eco-friendly world,” said Anand Vishwakarma, CEO & Country Director of ChildFund Philippines.

Youth leaders and advocates in the program, called Eco-scouts, highlight the importance of youth engagement in creating sustainable solutions to address climate change.

Project GREENLIGHT Eco-scouts Lu By Ron Broto and Ramiline Resplanador stressed the importance of youth participation in climate action during their training on production of quality planting materials and nursery establishment in Infanta, Quezon.

“This immersive approach gives us a better understanding of why we need to combat climate change now more than ever,” said Ramiline Resplanador, one of the Eco-scouts. “Throughout the implementation, we are learning the impacts of deforestation and degradation on our community, and so we encourage other children to become better stewards of our planet,” she added.

Lu By Ron Broto, another Eco-Scout, shared, “I apply what I learn from the project by encouraging my family to switch to more sustainable ways of living, including waste segregation, plant growing, and efficient energy consumption.” He added that the project also enhanced his leadership skills to educate more members of the community about climate change, helping them make conscious choices that have a positive impact on the environment.

The project’s approaches and tools will enable individuals and communities to adapt to the challenges of climate change while simultaneously promoting sustainable development. This includes the promotion of climate-smart agricultural practices, green jobs and livelihoods (e.g., zero waste stores), and renewable energy, among others.

ReINa Federation and the government of Infanta, Quezon have been integral partners in the pilot implementation of the program, demonstrating a commitment to building climate resilience in Infanta, Quezon which is prone to natural disasters because of its diverse landscape.

The government of Infanta emphasizes that climate awareness should lead to action. "It is imperative to get commitments on the ground and to act with more urgency. By thinking globally and acting locally to adapt to our community’s needs, we can effectively utilize our resources to mitigate climate change impacts,” said Ron Pallugna Crisostomo, Municipal Government Department Head I - Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer of Infanta, Quezon.

ChildFund Philippines encourages more multi-sectoral collaborations with corporate institutions, non-government organizations, and other stakeholders to expand Project GREENLIGHT's implementation to other communities across other parts of the country.

For more information on how to get involved, visit //childfund.org.ph/get-involved/. (PR)

“This advocacy came to fruition as I reflected on what impacted me the most,” said Manojo.

What came to mind was her experiences when she was a child that has affected her social development, and having a hard time connecting with others.

“Childhood loss is a pressing issue because this affects children's social development. When their formative years are destroyed, it will damage how they adjust to the world as an adult,” she said.

Healing and acknowledging are the two main outcomes of Kidult.

“Not healing from your past experiences will hinder a person from growing exponentially. Not acknowledging that those experiences hurt them will continue to cause harm than good,” she said.

University, or college life, is the largest mixing bowl of various individuals, she said. People from different backgrounds and experiences are mixed.

The target audience of Kidult is college/university students of Bacolod City. Kidult started last March 2024 and will end in April 2024.

Kidult has started its activities since the first week of April and will continue until the end of the month.

Using available resources such as Zoom and online messaging, the project proponent has connected deeply with the advocacy’s participants.

The last major activity will be held in the jolliest and happiest place known, Jollibee, on April 20. This will also be the first time all Kidult participants will see each other. (PR)

Atty. Randolph Pensoy, regional director of Dole-Davao, said this during the Kapehan sa Dabaw, on Monday, April 22, 2024, at SM Ecoland.

“The arrangement is for the employer is highly encouraged; we are not giving the mandate or obligation, but we are highly encouraging every employer to facilitate and to address this kind of phenomenon. Masyadong mataas ang heat index natin sa [the heat index is very high here in] Davao Region,” he said.

Pensoy added that employers in the private and public sectors should adopt a WFH, especially for employees who are exposed to heat for long periods of time. He said the WFH setup would help decongest workplaces exposed to extreme temperatures.

He said that the department is monitoring not only the labor standard but also the occupational safety and health of each establishment, particularly the labor force in the region. He expressed that their inspectors are monitoring the health conditions of the work environment, such as ventilation, rest areas, breastfeeding rooms for lactating mothers, prayer rooms so workers can still practice their religion, and comfort rooms for all genders.

However, the director said they have not received any complaints from employees that they are put to work despite the high heat index.

“The office and the department have given prerogative as well as encouragement to all establishments to see to it that this El Nino phenomenon in our region must be properly addressed by the establishment,” he said.  

Pensoy said that for workers in the field who are working directly under the sun, their employers must facilitate advanced employment without jeopardizing productivity and labor benefits. He stressed that it is also the employer's prerogative to change their employees' work schedule if the previous schedule causes heat stress, and it must not have any diminution of the worker's benefits. RGP

Data from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) on Wednesday showed the province has two ZOD-declared LGUs, including La Carlota City and Municipality of San Enrique, while at least 114 villages are already practicing ZOD as of the first quarter of 2024.

During the ceremonial turnover of cash incentives led by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Provincial Capitol on Tuesday, representatives of the two LGUs received PHP100,000 each.

Each of the 40 ZOD-declared barangays from 12 cities and municipalities were given PHP20,000 each, or a total of PHP800,000.

A particular city, municipality, or barangay is ZOD-declared when all its households have access to sanitary toilet facilities and have stopped the practice of open defecation.

Provincial Sanitary Inspector Marilyn Ostan said in an interview on Wednesday that to encourage the declaration of ZOD, they give awards to sanitary inspectors and provide incentives in the villages as well.

“We hope more barangays will be ZOD-declared this year,” she added.  

The granting of incentives to LGUs and the barangays is part of the continued campaign of the PHO  to promote ZOD in all of the province’s 601 barangays in line with the Department of Health’s aim to achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation. (PNA)

“The heat exacerbated by the phenomenon provides an advantage for breeders, as the relatively high water temperatures stimulate milkfish metabolism, leading to spawning and ample egg and larvae production,” Dan Baliao, chief of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center/Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD), said in a press statement on Wednesday.

During the cold months between November and February, they have to invest in industrial water heaters to keep the breeders active at a water temperature between 29°C and 30°C and ensure a continuous supply of eggs for hatcheries, he added.

Further, the lack of rain also encourages better pond preparation for the growth of natural food sources, such as “lab-lab,” a naturally occurring mat of benthic algae that thrives in brackish water fishponds but dissipates when exposed to rain.

“Fishpond operators can save on supplemental feeding if they take advantage of good ‘lab-lab’ growth during dry spells because ‘lab-lab’ itself is a robust source of fish nutrition,” he added.

The SEAFDEC/AQD, however, has recommended good water management during the tidal cycle and maintaining desirable pond water levels and stocking densities because extreme heat followed by a sudden rainfall can cause fish kills.

“Farmers ought to stock only the recommended density of 2,500 to 3,000 milkfish fingerlings per hectare. Stocking beyond what is recommended would necessitate additional investment in artificial feeds and life support systems,” he added.

He also urged farmers to prepare their ponds, including applying organic fertilizers and liming for the rainy season.

Meanwhile, the SEAFDEC has in its facility in Tigbauan 17 juvenile wild mackerel tuna, also known as “kawakawa” or “tulingan,” taken from a fish trap in the municipality of Barbaza in Antique last month.

“The kawakawa juveniles will be kept in our hatchery where we hope they reach maturity and lay eggs. It will be another breakthrough for us if the eggs hatch into the first captive-bred tuna in the Philippines,” Baliao said.

The research center has been studying their reproductive biology since 2020 as part of a project funded by the Japanese government. (PNA)

In the first quarter of 2024 alone, the company blacklisted 36,549 SIMs from other networks, a 62 percent spike compared to the 22,455 competitor SIMs blocked during the same period last year.

The drastic year-on-year increase underscores Globe's intensified campaign to identify and take down errant SIMs involved in SMS spam blasts, online fraud schemes, and other illicit activities.

Globe also deactivated 841 SIMs from its network in Q1 2024 after they were identified as potential sources of spam or scam SMS, or misuse. This figure marks a 30 percent year-on-year increase from the 647 Globe SIMs deactivated in Q1 2023.

“We have zero tolerance for abusive SIMs that undermine network security and compromise customer experience. Our accelerated deactivation efforts demonstrate our unwavering resolve to fight these cybersecurity threats head-on,” said Anton Bonifacio, Globe’s Chief Information Security officer.

SIM abuse cases are detected through Globe’s monitoring systems and customer reports via its Stop Spam portal. The company promptly deactivates those SIMs to safeguard its customers and service quality.

Given the risk these SIMs pose to personal and financial information, Globe urges customers to remain alert. This includes steering clear of unfamiliar links, disregarding requests for personal details or one-time PINs, and promptly reporting any dubious messages via the Stop Spam portal.

The company's offensive against compromised SIMs is part of its cybersecurity measures to detect and neutralize malicious SMS traffic more effectively. Globe has also partnered with other industry players including telcos, banks, online retail platforms, and concerned government agencies in threat intelligence sharing.

“Cybersecurity demands continuous effort and investment to stay ahead of emerging threats. Our intensified deactivation of rogue SIMs reaffirms our commitment to delivering a secure and anxiety-free experience for Globe customers,” said Bonifacio.

With a multi-pronged strategy of technological upgrades, industry collaboration, and customer education, Globe seeks to fortify its cybersecurity posture and maintain leadership in protecting consumers from spam, scams, and other cyber threats.

Globe works closely with stakeholders to battle fraud. It has partnered with government agencies, including the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG), to jointly clamp down on fraudsters.

Collaboration with law enforcers has led to successful operations against cybercriminals.

Globe customers may support the campaign against fraud by exercising vigilance and reporting cases via Globe’s Stop Spam portal or the PNP ACG via 0968 867 4302.

Globe also called on mobile phone users to be wary of emerging fraud tactics occurring outside telco networks, such as scam messages sent via over-the-top messaging apps and spoofing. There have been rising cases of scams sent via chat apps and spoofing, costing victims their hard-earned money.

To learn more about Globe, visit //www.globe.com.ph/. (PR/SunStar Cebu)

However, for many travelers in the region, safety and costs are key considerations. Milieu Insight, a leading survey software company in Southeast Asia has published its latest report on summer travel plans for Southeast Asians.

The quantitative study conducted by Milieu Insight’s proprietary survey community polls 1,966 individuals from Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. According to the report, over 6 in 10 respondents prioritise safety and cost when choosing domestic travel destinations and 55% are willing to travel domestically this year.

“Our report highlights the summer travel plans of many Southeast Asians. As people seek to explore their own countries, affordability and safety are key factors driving their choice,” said Gerald Ang, Founder and CEO of Milieu Insight. "At the same time, many travelers in Asia are increasingly budget-driven, and they are embracing family-oriented experiences, by finding value in land transportation and road trips.”

Effects of inflation

With inflation driving prices high and international travel being costly, domestic leisure travel is expected to remain strong among Southeast Asians. Travellers across Southeast Asia are becoming increasingly budget-conscious, prioritising financial considerations in their vacation planning.

While cost remains a top consideration for 62% of travelers in Southeast Asia, safety takes precedence, with 63% prioritising secure destinations and scenic spots. This trend highlights the importance for marketers to promote local destinations known for their safety.

Embracing road trips

Land transport emerges as the preferred choice for domestic vacations, with a significant 74% of travelers opting for this mode of transportation.

About 88% of Thai and 76% of Indonesian travelers prefer travelling by land when exploring domestic destinations.

Family-focused trave

About 79% of travelers in Southeast Asia are planning to embark on their adventures with their families in tow. Families are prioritizing quality time together, seeking to create cherished memories while exploring local hidden gems.

Another compelling aspect of travel emerges for families: culinary exploration and immersive touring experiences. More than half surveyed are keen in making their domestic travels about food and immersive touring experiences where they get the opportunity to taste local flavors and visit landmarks.

Preference for accommodations

Hotels emerge as the preferred choice, capturing 78% of preferences across all surveyed countries. Despite this preference for traditional lodging, unique alternatives are gaining momentum.

In Malaysia, 44% of travelers opt for personalized experiences offered by Airbnb, while in Thailand, 47% are drawn to the luxury and exclusivity of pool villas.

As Southeast Asia gears up for summer travel, there is an increased willingness for most travelers to escape to domestic destinations due to proximity and costs. This shift underscores a pragmatic mindset amidt evolving global circumstances like flight prices and inflation, with safety and cost considerations taking precedence in travel planning.

The study, conducted via Milieu Insight's proprietary survey community, offers a comprehensive understanding of Southeast Asian summer travel plans, highlighting key insights and travel trends. Representative of the online adult population aged 16 and above, the fieldwork was carried out from 7th to 31st March 2024. (PR)

The festival witnessed a notable decline in the sales of the pavilion--from P958,994.50 in 2023 to P515,853 this year.

This contrast raised concerns among festival organizers and local authorities, a press release from the Cadiz City government said.

Supervising Development Cooperative Specialist Shen Villena attributed the sales decline to various factors.

Villena, who served as the Cadiz Trade Fair coordinator during Panaad Festival, pointed out that the high heat index and inflationary pressures

contributed to the subdued consumer spending observed during the festival.*

To help ease the burden of kids undergoing peritoneal dialysis

sixteen Kawasaki Barako motorcycles with sidecars were given to the families of these children by Jasamazingjourney founder Jazmin Egan. ;

The turnover took place at Nature's Village Resort in Talisay City, Negros Occidental on April 23.

The beneficiaries of the motorcycles were the families of children who were the recipients of the concert-for-a-cause held on February 24. The concert featured performances by famous band Ben&Ben and local bands Doughbaby, Mondae Cleaners, and several renowned DJs. 

The turnover event was attended by the children and their families, who expressed gratitude for the support they have received. 

Egan was thankful that the Jasamazingjourney has been able to help children suffering from kidney disease and their families, who bear the burden of daily medical needs.

She asked the beneficiaries to use motorcycles to earn a living and sustain the needs of their children who are facing this kind of medical condition. 

She also expressed gratitude to everyone who supported her journey with the kids and other sectors who were recipients of her undertakings.

Jasamazingjourneycontinue to look for ways to help more children suffering from kidney diseases, and the founder is grateful that all of these positive things happen for a reason. 

Many children are currently taking their medication at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, and the organization hopes to ease their burden.

She also urged the family beneficiaries to pay it forward when they can.*

Councilor Al-Ryan Alejandre, chairperson of the committee on tourism and beautification, said during his privilege speech, on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at the Sangguniang Panlungsod, that they want to invite the acting area manager of CAAP-Davao, Rex Obcena, to the next regular session so that some of the issues concerning the DIA would be “threshed out.” 

Alejandre added that he had collated some of the passengers' complaints. These are some of the senior citizens who were not prioritized by airline companies, discrimination towards transgender women, wherein they are forced to use the men’s comfort room, lack of water in comfort rooms and foul smell, lack of pushcarts and waiting seats for the passengers, lack of air conditioning units, and the management of the airport’s facilities. 

“In fact, I have been a witness of this. During the last time I welcomed a visitor in our city, I went to the men’s CR in the parking area… It is untidy and kung sa Bisaya pa pakauwaw sa mga bisita [an embarrassment to our guests],” he said. 

Alejandre said that as chairman of tourism, he cannot think of why this is happening and that it is very ironic that the city is promoting “Life if Here” but the first thing that welcomes tourists is the poor facilities of DIA. 

The councilor also raised concerns about the taxi drivers who overcharge tourists at the airport; have no “meters” and would ask for a fixed rate; and load two passengers at a time. Also, he pointed out the absence of security guards in the area to monitor the taxi drivers. 

“As a Dabawenyo and the chair of the committee on tourism, these words ‘what is happening to Davao?’ really pains me. As I have mentioned before, we have been very active in promoting Davao City as an investment and tourism hub, yet, there are those who would discredit our efforts in the local government,” he said.

Not yet turned over?

Republic Act Number 11457, also known as the “Charter of the Davao International Airport Authority” which was signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte on August 30, 2019, states that all existing assets of the airport would be transferred to the designated authorities; however, as of this time, this has not yet been done.

Alejandre expressed that it's been five years since the law was passed, but the airport's control has still not been transferred. He stressed, “this makes me question why? Is it because of politics or lack of political will from the national government? I do not know.”

“It is also worthy to note that on the part of the local government, we had been very supportive of the CAAP and augmented whatever needs that they have – from security personnel up to the provisions of pushcarts. But, we believe that without the CAAP’s action, nothing would change,” he said. 

To recall, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte said in a statement that the concerns of Dabawenyos had been raised with CAAP so they could immediately act on it. The local government unit and the private sector even assisted, but there was no significant improvement to the facilities and services of the airport. RGP

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This was what Daluz and LWUA-suspended general manager Edgar Donoso said following the statement of Joselito Thomas Baena that he planned to meet with the officials suspended by the LWUA, referring to the camp of Daluz and Donoso.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Government reported that Baena, who was appointed OIC GM last Monday, April 22, 2024, had already visited 11 barangays and found them dissatisfied over the local water district’s handling of the effects of the El Niño phenomenon amid its failure to address their woes.

“As a person, maybe yes, but if he will claim to be a GM, under what authority?” said Donoso in an interview on “Beyond the Headlines,” SunStar Cebu’s online news and commentary program, on Wednesday, April 24.

In the same interview, Daluz said he wanted to hear Baena’s proposal to address the water problem amid the El Niño.

Daluz said should a meeting be held, it should be outside the MCWD building to avoid any confusion among the people.

“Second, we want to hear his proposal for El Niño, because that’s the immediate problem, but we will not talk about other things,” said Daluz in a mix of Cebuano and English.

The LWUA suspended Daluz and fellow board members Miguelito Pato and Jodelyn May Seno for six months last March 15 to make way for a probe into MCWD’s high non-revenue water (NRW), as well as their alleged failure to follow procurement laws, while Donoso was suspended for 90 days by the LWUA-installed interim board last April 12 for defying its request to turn over documents on the MCWD’s transactions.

The LWUA-installed interim board at the MCWD appointed Baena to serve as OIC GM during Donoso’s suspension.

However, Donoso and the Daluz-led MCWD board of directors do not recognize the LWUA’s authority to suspend them.

Low to no supply

According to the Cebu City Public Information Office (PIO) Wednesday, Baena had already visited Barangays Sambag 1, Sambag 2, Sta. Cruz, San Antonio, Tinago, Barrio Luz, Kamputhaw, San Nicolas Proper, Suba, Duljo Fatima and Pasil, where consumers were now “restless” as the MCWD had failed to explain the current situation to them.

Baena said most of the mentioned barangays have had no water for the past three days, while Pasil has had “zero” water supply for more than a month already.

In Barrio Luz, consumers complained that the MCWD prohibited them from getting water from the fire hydrant, according to the PIO report.

Aside from intermittent to no water supply experienced in these barangays, Baena also found that some consumers had a hefty water bill despite the unstable water supply.

Update needed

In a phone interview on Wednesday, MCWD information officer Minerva Gerodias confirmed that the 11 barangays mentioned by Baena were additional barangays that had been affected by the continuing deficit of water supply.

Gerodias said they would update the list of barangays to which the MCWD had provided water rations with the use of water tankers to include these 11 barangays.

As of April 17, the MCWD had listed only 12 barangays in three cities in its franchise area as having been “severely affected” by water shortages. These are Barangays Umapad, Opao, Alang-alang, Looc and Subangdaku in Mandaue City; Lorega San Miguel, Binaliw, San Jose, Talamban and Pit-os in Cebu City; and Cansojong and San Roque in Talisay City.

Gerodias added that they were managing their water supply well in order to distribute the water fairly.

Regarding the fire hydrants, Gerodias said they were regulating the number of fire hydrants from which people could extract water.

She said only fire hydrants equipped with meters would be accessible to the public, allowing the monitoring of the amount of water extracted.

“We will give them the areas where they can get water because if we allow them to draw water from just any hydrant, that will further increase our NRW,” Gerodias said in Cebuano.

NRW refers to the water produced and lost before reaching consumers. It can occur through leaks and damaged pipes and includes free water that the MCWD provides for firefighting purposes.

Last April 15, LWUA Administrator Jose Moises Salonga said MCWD’s NRW had been rising from 25.26 percent in 2020, to 29.04 percent in 2021, and then to 32.67 percent in 2022.

Gerodias said from the hydrants equipped with meters, water would be accounted for, but unbilled, which means this water would not be considered as NRW.

“Ang amo ra jud purpose is amo i-account ang tubig nga na-extract sa mga barangays,” Gerodias said.

(Our only purpose is to account for the water extracted by the barangays.)

She said this is the reason they encourage barangay officials to coordinate with the MCWD so that they can provide which hydrant is available for them.

Second OIC

Baena replaced John Dx Lapid, MCWD’s customer care division head, who was first appointed by the LWUA interim board as OIC GM last April 12. Lapid resigned from the post last April 16 after a series of events that included his being barred from entering the MCWD main office on April 15, his entry into the building later that night with 70 City Hall personnel, some of whom broke into Donoso’s office, and the halting of frontline customer services such as bills payment and reconnection requests on April 16 after the suspended MCWD officials claimed that the “invasion” of its main office had scared and confused their employees.

On Tuesday, his first day of work as OIC GM, Baena opted not to report physically to the MCWD main office building in downtown Cebu City to avoid causing another disruption of operations in the water district, after MCWD declared, on the day of his appointment, that it would maintain the status quo and prevent unauthorized access by non-MCWD personnel.

Upon learning this, Baena said, the LWUA instructed him to focus on the barangays and get a “first-person, on-the-ground assessment.”

Baena’s priorities, according to his interview on “Beyond the Headlines” on Tuesday, April 23, included meeting the officials suspended by the LWUA to resolve the issue on the regulator’s authority over them, as well as initiating a dialogue with the stakeholders, including the employees and the consumers, to identify problems in the local water district and how to resolve them.

With the behavior shown by Baena, Donoso thanked him for showing a “sign of respect and professionalism in handling this kind of crisis.”

“Basin di pud siguro na sya interesado pud. Medyo napugos lang pud guro siya. Nevertheless, pasalamaton ko niya sa mga lihok nga iyang gipakita pud (Maybe he’s also not interested in the role. Maybe he was pressured into it only. Nevertheless, I thank him for the actions he has shown),” said Donoso.

But Donoso said only the board of directors can appoint the GM and no one else.

Challenge

Baena said the ongoing crisis at the MCWD management would be a challenge for him, with some issues he needs to face as OIC GM being to prevent a leadership vacuum at the MCWD and to ensure that consumers’ access to water supply remains unaffected.

“There is a lot of balancing act to do. How to accomplish the objectives of LWUA that is to look into the anomalies, to enforce the directive sa suspension ni Joey and Mr. (Edgar) Donoso but at the same time, to ensure nga wala’y disruptions,” the PIO report quoted Baena as saying.

According to the report, Baena has sought the help of MCWD’s retired employees and officials to help address the technical aspects of the LWUA’s probe.

Baena said MCWD continues to bar the LWUA-appointed interim board from entering the main office. / JJL / AML

Si Manolito Gabunada, 36, taga Upper Lucimba, Ba­ra­ngay Poblacion Pardo, dakba­yan sa Sugbo gipadakop niadtong Sabado alas 3 sa hapon, Abril 20, 2024, sa ilang panimalay.

Matod ni Gabunada, kinsa nahinabi sa Superbalita Cebu, nga gihimo-himoan lang siya’g sala sa iyang bayaw nga si “Karla” (dili tinuod ngan).

Matod niya nga gikontrahan siya ni Karla ug bisan unsa na lang ang pasangil niini batok kaniya.

Siya nipasangil nga kaduha na kahigayon siya gipapriso ni Karla tungod sa samang aku­sasyon ug nabilanggo sa Cebu City Jail sulod sa siyam ka bulan sa milabay’ng tuig.

Matod niya nga nagsugod ang dili maayong relasyon nila human wala siya nisakay sa gusto niini.

“Naa pay daghan gwapo diha, nganong ako man gyud?,” matod ni Manolito.

Gusto sa iyang bayaw nga makig-close niya og maayo kaniya pero naglikay siya kay asawa kini sa iyang igsuon.

“Natingala ko kay natulog ko naabot akong manghod uban sa bayaw ug tanod,” asoy niya. “Gipatiran ko sa walay igong rason, gikulata.”

SUWAY OG SUNOG

Nagpakurasyon siya sa Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) sa iyang mga bun-og, apan pag-uli niya sa ilang balay, alas 3 sa hapon sa na­asoy nga adlaw, gipadakop siya sa reklamo’ng pagsuway og sunog sa balay.

Gipasabot niya nga kon gisu­nog pa niya, mismo’ng mga silingan modakop kaniya.

Si FO2 Mary Grace Ambayan, sa Parian Fire Station Arson Investigation Unit nga nahinabi sa Superbalita Cebu, niingon nga Lunes sa buntag, Abril 22, ilang napasakaan og kasong arson ang suspek.

Wala nila makuha ang lighter nga giingong giduslit sa bongbong nga amakan sa ilang balay.

Ang suspek, dihang ilang giimbestigar, matod ni Amba­yan, nihimakak sa akusasyon.

Apan naa silay video ug picture sa bongbong nga nasunog kay giingong iyang giduslitan.

Ang lawak sa second floor nga nasunog dunay gidak-on nga usa ka metro kwadrado.

‘Naghagishagis daw ni sa ila­ha, sumala sa igsuon. Unya nagsige’g dokdok sa bongbong, giduslitan niya’g lighter,” matod ni Ambayan.

Wala nakadako ang kayo kay nadali’g tabang sa mga igsuon.

Matod pa, ikaduha na ki­ning higayon nga gisunog sa suspek ilang panimalay.

Sumala sa pamilya ngadto sa kapulisan, una niadtong 2022 diin giingong sama sa lango o high sa illegal drugs ang suspek. / GPL

Ang suspek giila nga si Antonio Jabonbillo Apechi, alyas Yang, 50, ulitawo, taga Seaside Baliwasan, Zamboanga City apan temporaryong nagpuyo sa Sityo Suba, Poblacion, Dalaguete. Siya gipasakaan og kasong Usurpation of Authori­ty or Official Functions (Rural Health Physician).

Ang suspek usa ka licensed professional teacher.

Sa imbestigasyon sa kapuli­san sa Dalaguete nga gipangulohan sa ilang hepe nga si P/Maj. Clemente Ceralde Jr., nahibaw-an sa Superbalita Cebu nga ang suspek nadakpan alas 4:45 sa hapon, Miyerkules, Abril 24, 2024, sa Dalaguete Rural Health Unit (RHU) sa dihang nabuking sa mga personnel sa Human Resource Department sa LGU nga gipangulohan ni Noel Taclob, HR officer uban sa kapulisan sa Dalaguete.

Ang suspek nipaila nga doktor ug ni-apply gamit ang lisensiya sa usa ka physician pinaagi sa falsification of public documents.

Nadawat siya isip rural health physician sa lungsod apan sa validation, nasuta nga di diay kini siya tinuoray nga doktor hinungdan nga gidakop. / DVG

Si Warlito Baar, alyas Opaw, hamtong, lumolupyo sa naasoy nga dapit, gidakop sa mga sakop sa Carbon Police Station nga armado og search warrant nga giluwatan ni Branch 17 Presiding Judge Anacleto Debalucos sa Regional Trial (RTC) Court sa dakbayan sa Sugbo.

Nakuha gikan kang Baar ang usa ka kalibre .38 nga revolver ug tulo ka mga bala niini.

Sa imbestigasyon sa kapulisan, nasuta nga si Baar nalambigit sa kaso sa pagpamusil niadtong Marso 23, 2024 sa Sitio Pig Vendor, Barangay Ermita diin ang biktima giila nga si Dennis Barangan, nagpuyo ra usab sa maong dapit.

Gawas niini, gireklamo usab siya sa mga residente sa dapit nga kanunay magpasalba sa iyang armas kon mahubog.

Si Baar pasakaan sa kapulisan og kasong kalapasan sa Republic Act 10591 kun illegal possession of firearm. / AYB

Ang biktima giila nga si Raymond Ruiz, usa ka pintor, lumolupyo ra usab sa maong lugar.

Ang gitudlo nga nipusil kaniya mao usab ang iyang kaila nga si Roy-Roy Mojada, nga wa pa madakpi sa Mabolo Police Station atol ning pagsuwat.

Sigon sa saksi, ang biktima ug suspek nag-estoryahanay pa apan pipila ka gutlo, nabati ang duha ka buto sa armas.

Samad sa tiyan ang naangkon ni Ruiz gamit ang wala pa matino nga kalibre sa armas dayon gidala sa usa ka tambalanan.

DUMOT

Sa imbestigasyon sa Mabolo Police Station nasuta nga nasuko, matod pa, ang suspek sa biktima sanglit niadtong mga bata pa sila, nadakpan sila ug nasulod sa Operation Second Chance (OSC) sa Siyudad sa Sugbo.

Matod pa, bisan naa sila sa sulod sa OSC, permi na sila nga mag away.

Giingong nibahad ang suspek sa biktima nga kon magkita sila pag-usab, dunay mahitabo niini.

Tuod man, nag-abot sila sa usa ka lugar sa Carreta diin didto nahitabo ang pagpamusil.

Ang biktima dunay kasong pagpangawat niadto hinungdan nga nadala sa OSC, samtang ang suspek nalambigit sa illegal nga drugas ug lain pang krimen dihang sila mga menor pa. / AYB

Si Direktor Lilia Estillore sa Department of Labor and Employment Central Visayas (Dole 7) nibutyag sa SunStar Cebu nga ang pagbayad sa mga kawani bisan nag-heat break usa usab ka matang sa pagpuhonan sa kompaniya.

Samtang, giawhag niya ang mga agalon nga sundon ang gipatuman nga occupational safety ug health protocols, nga giingon nga kini nabutang sa balaod alang sa kaluwasan sa mga trabahante.

Ang mga eksperto sa panglawas ug panahon pareho’ng nagpasidaan sa mga tawo nga kinahanglan nga likayan ang pagpabilin sa gawas sa sulod sa alas 9:00 sa buntag ngadto sa alas 4:00 sa hapon.

Kinahanglan nga dili magpabilin sa direkta nga pagbuwad sa adlaw sulod sa sobra sa 20 minutos kay dili na kini maayo sa panglawas labina sa dunay gihambin nga balatian.

HEAT INDEX

Usa ka eksperto sa Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) niingon nga ang Sugbo nitala og record-high heat index nga 39 degrees Celsius sulod sa tulo ka sunodsunod nga adlaw sugod niadtong Lunes, Abril 22, hangtod sa Miyerkules, Abril 24, nisaka sa 39 degrees Celsius sa alas 2:00 sa hapon.

Ang weather specialist nga si Jhomer Eclarino gikan sa Visayas Pagasa Regional Services Division nipasabot sa numero isip extreme caution, nga nagpakita sa posibleng heat cramps, exhaustion, ug bisan heatstroke gikan sa dugay nga mga kalihukan sa gawas.

Gipaabot ni Eclarino ang dugang pagsaka sa heat index ug surface temperature sa pagsingabot sa Mayo, nga maoy tradisyonal nga pinakainit nga buwan sa Sugbo. / KJF

The local government unit (LGU) of Argao announced that following a public consultation in Barangay Taloot on April 17, most of the residents and the town’s councilors approved the new route that Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI), which operates the Ceres Bus Liner, had applied for before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, which is the Cebu City to Anajao via Taloot route and vice versa.

The charge would be P154 for the trip from Cebu City to Barangay Anajao and vice versa.

The trip to Barangay Taloot from Anajao, and vice versa, would cost only P44.

Four buses would ply the new route.

The 12 barangays covered by the new route are Anajao, Apo, Tulang, Mompeller, Lengigon, Colawin, Gutlang, Langub, Mandilikit, Sumaguan, Capio-and Taloot.

Roldan Calba, president of the association of habal-habal drivers in the area, was quoted by the LGU as saying that the habal-habal drivers initially opposed the idea but realized that they could not do anything about it, so they just gave in.

“Una, supak unta mi pero niadtong bulan sa Pebrero, kadaghanan namong mga habal-habal driver, misurrender na lang, mao ni karon mo-uyon na lang mi. Hinaot lang pud nga di mi talikdan sa konseho” Calba said.

He asked the town council not to turn its back on them.

In response, the council requested VTI to prioritize the habal-habal drivers when it begins to hire workers for the new route.

Marlo Bulandres, VTI operations manager, said VTI would need 50 drivers, conductors and mechanics, whom the company would pay P468 per day, plus allowances.

The LGU said the trips may begin in the coming weeks.

Without saying whether the trips had begun, the LGU announced on Wednesday, April 24, the following as the initial schedule for the Anajao to Cebu City trips via Taloot: Anajao to Cebu City, 4 a.m., 5 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Cebu City to Anajao, 5 a.m., 7 a.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

It, however, warned that the schedule may change depending on the requests of the commuters. / CTL

City Councilor Nestor Archival expressed concerns about unregulated groundwater extraction by private contractors, especially considering the drought gripping Cebu due to the El Niño phenomenon.

Archival, in a phone interview on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, emphasized that the NWRB is the institution with the authority to regulate such activities of private contractors.

“Whether they follow the requirements is up to the NWRB. That’s why we urge NWRB, but urging doesn’t guarantee monitoring as they are based in Manila, not Cebu,” Archival said in a mix of Cebuano and English.

Archival proposed the need for an integrated technical committee in each city or municipality involved, but confirmed that such a committee currently does not exist.

Executive session

Before the interview with SunStar Cebu, Archival participated in a City Council executive session Wednesday.

Archival, through a resolution, had invited the NWRB, Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD), and the University of San Carlos Water Resource Center to participate in the session.

The session aimed to inform the council about the groundwater volume status and water permit petitions in the city amid prevailing drought caused by the

El Niño phenomenon.

However, only representatives from MCWD attended the executive session.

Critical state

Lemuel Canastra, MCWD’s environment and water resources department head, highlighted the critical state of groundwater due to the lack of regulation on extraction activities.

Canastra said there is a tripartite agreement among the cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Cebu to protect groundwater resources.

He said MCWD, as NWRB’s deputized agent, receives notices of groundwater extraction applications within its jurisdiction. MCWD then assesses these applications for approval or opposition. The water distributor’s franchise area covers the cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Talisay, as well as the municipalities of Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela and Cordova.

Canastra estimated Metro Cebu’s groundwater potential at about 450,000 cubic meters per day.

He noted MCWD’s current extraction at 170,000 cubic meters per day, sourced from bulk water suppliers and in-house wells. During the rainy season, production rises to around 280,000 cubic meters per day, dropping to 260,000 cubic meters during the dry season.

Metro Cebu requires 500,000 cubic meters of water daily. Cebu City alone needs approximately 96,940 cubic meters per day, with the remaining supply at 72,000 cubic meters from groundwater and an additional 34,000 cubic meters from bulk supplies, subject to reduction due to non-revenue water, estimated at 33 percent.

Fires

Pelarca, from MCWD’s public information division, attributed water depletion to fire-related incidents, particularly grass fires that necessitate significant water usage by fire brigades.

He further said that increased public water consumption due to rising temperatures contributes to the strain on water resources.

Pelarca said a household in the MCWD franchise area now consumes at least 150 liters per day. / AML

Dole 7 Director Lilia Estillore told SunStar Cebu that paying attention to the well-being of employees is also a responsibility of the company.

She also urged employers to follow the implemented occupational safety and health protocols, which are in place for the safety of workers.

Health and weather experts have advised people to avoid staying outdoors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., saying it’s necessary not to stay under direct sunlight for more than 20 minutes as it can be harmful to health, especially for those with preexisting conditions.

Heat index

A weather expert at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Cebu recorded a high heat index for three consecutive days from Monday, April 22, to Wednesday, April 24, peaking at 39 degrees Celsius at 2 p.m.

Weather specialist Jhomer Eclarino from Visayas Pagasa Regional Services Division explained that this number indicates extreme caution, warning of possible heat cramps, exhaustion and even heatstroke from prolonged outdoor activities.

Eclarino anticipates further increases in the heat index and surface temperature in May, traditionally the hottest month in Cebu. / KJF

To achieve this target, which is higher than the 9,000 participants in 2023, organizers from the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (Rafi) are planning to give free tickets to residents, workers and students of their partner local government units.

“We wanted more participants to attend. We came up a solution: to give free tickets,” said Marie Sol Gonzalvo, event director of GSK 2024, and executive director of Rafi’s social well-being cluster.

This year’s theme is “Beloved Bisaya,” which comes from 17th century Jesuit missionary Fr. Francisco Ignacio Alcina’s statement, “my beloved Bisaya.”

GSK will visit heritage sites and museums in four cities -- Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Talisay.

Aside from learning local culture and history, participants can also enjoy cultural performances, visit food markets and join contests and children’s activities.

Opening festivities will be held at Plaza Sugbo near Cebu City Hall at 4:30 p.m.

The tour will start at 6 p.m. and end midnight of May 11. GSK will be using 30 buses and 35 tartanillas.

Tickets are available for P300, offering priority entry, unlimited bus rides, a tartanilla ride, access to special activities and a GSK map.

The tickets are sold in selected participating sites. They also have extended GSK kiosks in Ayala Central Bloc and Ayala Central Cebu.

GSK 2024 is supported by the Department of Tourism in Central Visayas, Ayala Central Bloc, Ayala Center Cebu, Cebu IT Park and Islands Souvenir.

According to GSK organizers, the participating sites are the Spanish era Fort San Pedro and the 1730 Jesuit House (Museo Parian sa Sugbo), Cebu City Museum, the Sugbu Chinese Heritage Museum, and the University of San Carlos Museum, Archdiocesan Museum of Cebu, Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño Museum, BPI Museum, Casa Gorordo Museum, Cebu Normal University Museum, Palm Grass the Cebu Heritage Hotel and Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Temple in Cebu City.

The other participating sites in Cebu City are National Museum of the Philippines - Cebu, St. Theresa’s College - Sister Ma. Delia Coronel Folklife Museum, The Kabilin Center, University of San Carlos Museum, University of San Jose - Recoletos Museum, University of the Southern Philippines Foundation - Jose Rizal Museum and University of the Philippines - Cebu.

Participating sites outside the city are Mandaue City Presidencia, Museo de Talisay, and Liberty Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City. / CAV

Sa usa ka pamahayag, ang PCO niingon nga si Marcos wala gyud mag-isyu sa maong direktiba.

“The audio deepfake attempts to make it appear as if the President has directed our Armed Forces of the Philippines to act against a particular foreign country. No such directive exists nor has been made. Deepfakes are an advanced form of digital content manipulation through the use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI),” matod niini.

Giinsister sa PCO nga aktibo kini nga naghimo og mga lakang aron mapugngan ang fake news, sayop nga impormasyon, ug disinformation.

Giingon niini nga nakigtambayayong sila sa Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), National Security Council (NSC), National Cybersecurity Inter-Agency Committee (NCIAC), ug mga hingtungdan nga mga stakeholder sa pribadong sektor aron aktibong matubag ang pagdagsang ug malisyuso nga paggamit sa video ug audio deepfakes ug uban pang generative AI content.

“We ask everyone to be proactive in exposing and fighting against misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation. Let us remain and be more mindful and responsible of the content we choose to share in our shared digital spaces,” matod sa PCO.

Sa miaging tuig, ang GSK nidapit og kapin sa 9,000 ka mga tawo ug dunay 21 ka mga museum, samtang madugang ning tuiga mao ang BPI Museum duol sa Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.

Ang tema sa GSK 2024: “Beloved Bisaya,” gidasig sa kawsa sa paghigugma sa Kabisay-an ug mga sinuwat ni Jesuit missionary Fr. Francisco Ignacio Alcina.

Niadtong 2007, ang Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (Rafi) maoy nagsugod sa GSK sa pagpatunhay sa bili sa bahandi sa kabilin nga gitipigan sa mga museum nga moabli hangtod sa tungang gabii su’d sa maong adlaw.

Labaw sa tanan, ang piyesta sa matag museum tumong sa pag-ani sa bag-ong henerasyon o kabatan-unan nga mobisita sa dapit sa kabilin.

“We wanted more participants to attend, we came up a solution to give free tickets, we are expecting big crowd for this year,” matod ni Marie Sol Gonzalvo, Event Director, GSK 2024, Executive Director, RAFI Social Well- being Cluster atol sa press conference sa Miyerkues, Abril 24, 2024.

Ang premium ticket balor og P300 nga naglakip sa one- time, priority entry sa tanang official participating museums ug heritage sites, unlimited bus rides, usa ka ride Tartanilla, makaapil sa GSK special activities, ug GSK map.

Ang tickets mapalit sa participating sites, GSK kiosks sa Ayala Central Bloc ug Ayala Central Cebu.

Participating sites:

Cebu City - Archdiocesan Museum of Cebu, Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino Museum, BPI Museum, Casa Gorordo Museum

Cebu City Museum, Cebu Normal Univeristy, Palm Grass the Cebu Heritage Hotel, Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Temple, Fort San Pedro Museo Parian - 1730 Jesuit House, National Museum of the Philippines Cebu, St. Theresa’s College - Sr. Ma. Delia Coronel Folklife Museum, Sugbu Chinese Heritage Museum, The Kabilin Center, University of San Carlos Museum.

University of San Jose-Recoletos, University of the Southern Philippines Foundation-Jose Rizal Museum, ug University of the Philippines-Cebu Mandaue City: Mandaue City Presidencia Talisay City: Museo de Talisay, ug Lapu-Lapu City Liberty Shrine. / CAV / RRM

Sa pakighinabi sa telepono sa Lunes, Abril 22, 2024, si Cebu City Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr., niingon nga wala siyay gahom nga ehekutibo sa pagpagaan sa kahimtang sa mga mag-uuma tungod sa grabeng kainit dala sa El Niño.

“Wala koy executive power, mao bitaw I strongly demand, demand nani akoa, dili nani friendly advice, nga mawala nana si Joey Baclayon,” matod ni Alcover.

Si Alcover niingon nga si CAD head Joelito Baclayon wala pa gyud makabisita sa mga bukirang barangay nga miresulta sa walay igong pagpangandam batok sa hulaw.

Si Alcover niingon nga daghang mga mag-uuma ang mangutana bahin sa tabang sa Siyudad alang kanila, apan dili siya makatubag, nipasabot nga kinahanglang si Baclayon ang motubag kanila.

Si Alcover niingon nga ang labing gamay niyang mahimo, isip konsehal, mao ang paghangyo kang Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama nga hatagan og pagkaon ang mga mag-uuma sa ilang mga lamesa, ilabi na ang rice allocation.

Gihatagan usab niya og gibug-aton nga ang alokasyon sa bugas dili kinahanglan nga pilion; hinuon, ang matag mag-uuma nga apektado sa gideklarar nga state of calamity kinahanglang makadawat niini.

“Nganong pilion man ang hatagan? Mahimo jud ta og tag P25 kilos nga bugas para at least mo survive sila until May,” matod ni Alcover.

Sa dihang gipangutana kon makasulbad ba sa problema ang iyang gipangayo, si Alcover niingon nga ang tawo sa posisyon ni Baclayon kinahanglang adunay kasingkasing alang sa mga mag-uuma.

“Ang ako diha nga butangan og tawo nga dunay kasingkasing kay akong kuyogan, kanang kuyog og hustong pag-atiman,” matod ni Alcover.

Matod niya nga dugay na niyang giimbitar si Baclayon nga mouban niya sa mga bukirang barangay aron bisitahon ang mga mag-uuma, apan wala gyud manumbaling ang naulahi sa iyang imbitasyon.

Dugang pa niya nga wala gyud nitambong si Baclayon sa mga miting nga iyang gipatawag.

Dihang gipangutana kon nakig-alayon na ba si Baclayon kaniya nunot sa iyang tawag, si Alcover niingon nga samtang duna pay tuyo, alang kaniya, ulahi na ang tanan.

“Wala na awahi na kaayo, he has to resign kay wa na jud siya,” matod niya.

Matod ni Alcover, wala siya nagkuwang sa pagpahinumdom kang Baclayon ingon man sa habig sa Konseho nga nihatag sila og P85 milyunes nga budget alang sa mga mag-uuma, apan P21 milyunes lang ang gigasto ni Baclayon.

Matod niya nga ang konseho nigahin usab og pundo alang sa mga kagamitan sa agrikultura niadtong 2023, apan gibalik lang sa panudlanan.

Nangayo og komento sa Miyerkules, Abril 24, 2024, si Baclayon miingon nga dili siya mohatag og bisan unsang komento. / AML

Ang nadakpan pinasikad sa upat ka mga warrant of arrest sa kasong murder, frustrated murder, lakip na ang bag-o lang migawas nga warrant nga murder, giila nga si Arnold Sunit, 23, nagpuyo sa Barangay Pahina Central, dakbayan sa Sugbo.

Siya ang gitudlo nga nipusil-patay kang Joseph Ybañez, 32, taga lungsod sa Dalaguete apan nag-abang og balay sa Barangay Sto. Niño, dakbayan sa Sugbo.

Matod ni Police Lieutenant Colonel Janette Rafter, deputy city director for operations sa Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), nadakpan si Sunit subay sa gilusad nga pag serve sa mga warrant of arrest sa miaging semana.

Ang kasong murder nga giatubang ni Sunit mao ang pagpamusil sa Mayo 4 ug Oktubre 12, 2023 ug ang frustrated murder niadtong Hulyo 22, 2023.

“His arrest was by virtue of this three warrants of arrest, katong uban pa niyang mga shooting especially the latest one like last March 6, wala pa to nigawas ang warrant of arrest, napasakaan ni siya og kaso in line sa Kalubihan,” matod ni Rafter.

Una na nga nilusad og manhunt ang kapulisan batok kang Sunit human siya ang gitudlo sa mga saksi nga nipusil kang Ybañez sa dalan Pelaez apan napakyas sa pagdakop kaniya.

Atol sa rambol, niabot ang suspek nga sakay og motorsiklo ug dayon nipusil sa biktima nga niresulta sa iyang hinanali nga kamatayon.

Nagtuo si Rafter nga dunay kaila si Sunit niadtong nakaaway ni Ybañez hinungdan nga siya ang nipalit sa away.

“Naa gyud siguro kaila ani niya ba kay nganong kalit ra man to siya og abot then unfortunately namusil siya. So, maybe isa pud na sa atong lantawon, tan-awon unsay kalambigitan atong tawhana, nganong niabot siya atong tungura nga wala man siya’y labot sa away,” dugang ni Rafter.

Wala na moluwat og pamahayag sa mga sakop sa media si Sunit sa dihang gisuwayan sa paghinabi sulod sa custodial facility sa CCPO. / AYB

Gipahigayon sa Martes, Abril 23, 2024, ang assumption of office sa CPPO sa pagpangulo sa hepe sa kapulisan sa probinsya, Police Colonel Percival Zorilla ug iyang mga staff, nga silang Police Lt. Col. Catherine Ramos, Deputy Provincial Director for Administration; Police Lt. Col. Randy Caballes, Deputy Provincial Director Operations; Police Lt. Col. Rosemarie Acupinpin, Chief Provincial Administrative and Resource Management Unit; ug Police Major Windell Abellana, Public Information Officer ug kasamtangan nga Budget and Fiscal Section Chief.

Ang mga police station nga gihulipan ang mga hepe niini mao ang Balamban Police Station, Talisay City Police Station, 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company ug ang Plans and Programs Unit.

Ang kanhi hepe sa Talisay nga si Police Lieutenant Colonel Wayne Magbanua mao na karon ang pangulo sa Plans and Programs Unit; si Police Lieutenant Colonel Joey Bicoy ang kanhi hepe sa Balamban gibalhin sa 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company; si Lieutenant Colonel Epraem Paguyod mao na karon ang hepe sa kapulisan sa Talisay; samtang si Police Lieutenant Colonel Julius Garcia nihulip kang Bicoy sa Balamban.

Gimando ni Percival sa mga bag-ong hepe sa duha ka dagkong police stations ug special unit nga ipatuman lang ang mga programa sa PNP nga mao ang pagpatunhay sa kahusay ug kalinaw sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka huresdiksyon lakip na ang tinud-anay nga pagserbisyo sa katawhan. / AYB

Gipahibalo sa local government unit (LGU) sa Argao nga subay sa public consultation sa Barangay Taloot niadtong Abril 17, kadaghanan sa mga residente ug mga konsehal sa lungsod aprubado sa bag-ong rota nga gi-apply sa Vallacar Transit Inc., nga nag-operate sa Ceres Bus Liner.

Ang aplikasyon gisumiter sa Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) nga mao ang Cebu City ngadto sa Anajao via Taloot route ug vice versa.

Ang bayranan mobalor og P154 alang sa biyahe gikan sa Cebu City paingon sa Barangay Anajao ug vice versa.

Ang biyahe paingon sa Barangay Taloot gikan sa Anajao, ug vice versa, nagkantidad lang og P44.

Upat ka mga bus ang mobiyahe sa bag-ong rota.

Ang 12 ka barangay nga sakop sa bag-ong rota mao ang Anajao, Apo, Tulang, Mompeller, Lengigon, Colawin, Gutlang, Langub, Mandilikit, Sumaguan, Capio-ug Taloot.

Si Roldan Calba, presidente sa asosasyon sa mga habal-habal driver sa maong dapit, gikutlo sa LGU nga nitug-an nga ang mga drayber sa habalhabal unang ningsupak sa maong ideya, apan nasuta nila nga wala silay mahimo hinungdan nga nisugot na lang sila.

“Una, supak unta mi pero niadtong bulan sa Pebrero, kadaghanan namong mga habal-habal driver, ni-surrender na lang, mao ni karon mo-uyon na lang mi. Hinaot lang pud nga di mi talikdan sa Konseho,” matod ni Calba.

Iyang gihangyo ang konseho sa lungsod nga dili sila motalikod kanila.

Agi’g tubag, gihangyo sa Konseho ang VTI nga unahon ang mga drayber sa habal-habal kon magsugod na kini sa pag-hire og mga trabahante alang sa bag-ong rota.

Si Marlo Bulandres, VTI operations manager, niingon nga ang VTI magkinahanglan og 50 ka mga drayber, konduktor ug mekaniko, kinsa bayran sa kompaniya og P468 matag adlaw ug dugang allowances.

Ang LGU niingon nga ang mga biyahe mahimo’ng magsugod sa umaabot nga mga semana.

Sa way pagtino kon nagsugod na ba ang mga biyahe, ang LGU nipahibalo sa Miyerkules, Abril 24, sa mosunod isip inisyal nga eskedyul sa biyahe sa Anajao paingon sa Cebu City agi sa Taloot: Anajao paingon sa Cebu City, alas 4 sa buntag, alas 5 sa buntag, alas 11 sa buntag ug ala 1 sa hapon; Cebu City paingon sa Anajao, alas 5 sa buntag, alas 7 sa buntag, alas 4 sa hapon ug alas 6 sa gabii.

Gipasidan-an hinuon niini nga posibleng mausab ang schedule depende sa hangyo sa mga sumasakay. / CTL

Itago lang ko sa ngan nga Nina. Secretary ko sa usa ka company diri sa Cebu. Ang akong boss bayot. Known ni siya sa iyang family, friends ug company nga bayot kay sa sinultihan ug linihukan mailhan. Open sab siya sa iyang nature apan matod niya gipugngan niya ang iyang self sa pagpakigrelasyon og lalaki kay gawas nga nahadlok siya sa Ginoo, mahadlok siyang pasakitan ra.

Unya ang wa nako gi-expect nga hitabo nahitabo gyud kay usahay iya kong dad-on sa mga laag ug ihatod ko niya sa akong giabangan nga apartment. One night iya kong gihatod na pud but medyo hubog ming duha. Sa kalit lang, ni French kiss siya sa akong lips ug ambot sab nibawos ko. Pagkaugma, kon way magtan-aw iyang kuptan ang akong kamot.

Since ato, mag night out na ming duha ug duna nay nahitabo namo. So, we talked seriously and nisulti siya nako nga naka feel siya og something special nako. Bisan ako, Noy Kulas, naganahan ko niya bisan bayot siya manulti ug lihok. Nisulti siya nako if okay nako, if we find nga compatible ming duha, i- public namo ang among relationship ug magminyo mi. Ako ni nga gi-entertain apan duna koy mga what if. Ikaw, Noy Kulas, unsay imong take ani?

NINA

Nin,

Wa may problema kon mo-try mong duha sa pagsulod og seryusong relasyon tungod kay single man mong duha. Tinuod bayot siya, or specifically bisexual siya, apan wa na nagpasabot nga di siya bation og gugma sa opposite sex. Naa may some cases nga ang mga bayot nahigugma og babaye. Naa lay problema ang uban, sama sa mga bayot nga nag based na sa abroad ang asawa. Kon wa si Misis sa Pilipinas, mga lalaki ang gikabuangan. Apan some cases lang ni kay duna say mga bayot nga loyal sa ilang gikauban o giminyoan nga babaye. So, depende na sa matag tawo.

Makapaabot ka nga dunay mga kilay nga maisa. Apan never mind those kay ang importante, ang inyong pagbating duha. Sa atong kinabuhi, what we feel is what matters kay in the end, ang atoang kaugalingon ra ang mag-antos kon maminaw ug maghuna-huna ta unsay gusto sa uban diri nato. Love our self first.

Go for it. Paminawa lang sab ninyo ang dagan sa inyong feeling. If mo-develop og maayo, ayaw mo paglangay, just do it.

NOY KULAS

rojval69@yahoo.com

Sa kasaysayan, ang patik gilambigit sa pagka manggugubat sa wa pa nangabot ang mga Espanyol dinhi sa Sugbo. Di lang hinuon ang patik makita sa karaan nga mga tawo ug kultura dinhi kay gihimo usab kini sa ubang mga suok sa Pilipinas ug ubang kanasuran.

Apan sa karong kabag-uhan o modernong panahon, kinabag-an sa katilingban lahi og pagtan-aw sa patik. Ang uban naglambigit niini sa mga kriminal. Sa mga babaye nga dunay patik, dunay mga tawo nga lahi og tan-aw kanila.

Ang pagpatik usa ka matang sa pagpadayag kon unsa ug kinsa ka. Dunay uban nga iyang gipadayag ang iyang dako nga gugma ngadto sa usa ka tawo pinaagi sa pagpa tattoo sa ngan sa iyang gimahal. Duna say naggamit og simbolo sa iyang pagpa tattoo.

Apan duna say organisadong mga kriminal nga naggamit sa tattoo isip simbolo sa ilang pagkasakop niini. Daghan sab nga mga piniriso nga nagpa tattoo. Mao nang di malikayan nga dunay mga sektor sa katilingban nga mangyam-id.

Busa, ang PNP nipagawas og memorandum alang sa pagpatangtang sa mga tattoo sa ilang mga ginsakpan nga di matabunan sa uniporme. Apan usa ka magbabalaud nihulagway niini nga unconstitutional ug usa ka pagpinig kun diskriminasyon sa mga tawo nga dunay tattoo.

Ang pagpatik, bisan di dautan, apan sa konteksto sa panahon kini tan-awon. Kon kaniadto usa kini ka paagi sa pagpadayag, pagpakita sa iyang papel sa hut-ong sa usa ka komunidad o katilingban, karon nga panahon gigamit usab kini sa mga kriminal ug komon sa mga nangapriso.

Busa, angay sabton ug dawaton ug gani, suportahan usab ang lakang sa PNP sa pagdili sa makita nga mga tattoo. Tigpatuman sila sa balaod busa, ang polisiya haom sab kanila.

Si FEO-PIO Chief Major Lady Lou Gondales nagkanayon nga ang rekomendasyon gisumite ngadto kang PNP Chief General Rommel Marbil alang sa pagtugot.

Si Marbil niingon nga ang rekomendasyon kasamtangang gisusi.

“They are checking the legal provisions. I have it reviewed before I sign it,” matod niya.

Sa sayo pa, si Senador Risa Hontiveros nihimo sa panawagan alang sa PNP nga hunongon ang pag-isyu sa mga pagpangatarungan ug bawion ang LTOPF ni Quiboloy, nitataw nga ang pastor nag-operate og “private army.”

“Sa dami at bigat ng pending cases ni Quiboloy, siguro naman pwede nang bawiin ang mga armas niya. Sa kasong human trafficking pa lang, non-bailable at lifetime imprisonment na ang parusa, kaya ano pa hinihintay ng PNP? Nakapagtataka ang bagal,” siya niingon.

“I am again calling on the PNP chief, PGen. Rommel Marbil, to lead better. Quiboloy is a high profile fugitive who must be apprehended. Baka kaya ang lakas ng loob magtago ni Quiboloy dahil sa mga armas at baril na pumoprotekta sa kanya. Trabahuin na ng PNP ang pagkansela ng mga armas niya. Bilis-bilisan na,” siya niingon.

Si Quiboloy adunay tulo ka standing arrest warrants alang sa child and sexual abuse nga giisyu sa Davao City Regional Trial Court ug human trafficking nga giisyu sa Pasig City Court.

Way piyansa nga girekomendar sa kaso sa human trafficking.

Una nang gipasaligan ni PNP chief Public Information Office (PIO) Colonel Jean Fajardo si Hontiveros nga ang mga paningkamot sa PNP, ingon man sa National Bureau of Investigation sa pagdakop kang Quiboloy, nagpabiling walay hunong.

Iyang namatikdan nga ang manhunt operations batok kang Quiboloy gipalapdan na sa ubang lugar sa nasod ug dili lang sa iyang bailiwick, Davao City.

“As to the statement with respect sa failure of intelligence again katulad ng sinasabi natin magmula noong inilabas ng Davao RTC ‘yung WOA against kay Pastor Quiboloy at iba pa pong accused ay hindi na tumigil ang PNP at other law enforcement agencies particularly ang NBI sa paghahanap,” matod ni Fajardo.

Gikan sa Marso 25 hangtod Abril 22, si PNP-HPG director Brigadier General Alan Nazarro, niingon nga adunay kinatibuk-ang 1,707 ka mga illegal vehicle accessories, lakip ang 957 ka led lamps, 300 ka blinkers, 179 ka fog lights, 134 ka modified mufflers, 78 ka horns, 48 ka strobe lights ug 11 ka siren nga naila nga “wang-wang” nasakmit atol sa nagkalainlaing operasyon sa tibuok nasod.

Sa sayo pa, nipagawas si Marcos og Administrative Order (AO) 18, nga nagdili sa dili husto ug ilegal nga paggamit sa mga siren, blinker ug susamang mga gamit gawas sa mga sakyanan sa PNP ug Armed Forces of the Philippine, fire trucks ug uban pang emergency vehicles sama sa ambulansya.

Iyang namatikdan ang pagdaghan sa maong accessories sa sakyanan, hinungdan sa pagkabalda sa trapiko ug dili luwas nga dalan ug traffic environment.

Ang AO 18 susama sa Presidential Decree 96, nga gi-issue ni kanhi Presidente Ferdinand Marcos niadtong 1973.

Ubos sa PD 96, ang mga first-time offender dili mag-atubang og bisan unsang silot apan kinahanglang mobayad og multa nga mokabat sa P600, samtang ang blinker o siren nga gitaod sa ilang mga sakyanan kuhaon.

Ang mga makalapas pasakaan og kaso’ng kalapasan sa PD 96 atol lamang sa ikaduhang kalapasan, nga mahimo’ng moresulta sa pagkapriso nila nga dili molapas sa unom ka buwan.

Adunay salampating nagtangag
Og kahangturan nga nagbatog
Sa usa ka sanga nga sumala pas dibuho
Sa usa ka salamangkerong bunguton,
Kahoy nga may gisablay nga nalanay
Nga orasan nga ang buot ipasabot
Niini sa lawanit nga paghubad,
Nga mamahimong mahitabo ang
Wala pa mahitabo diin ang wala pa
Mahitabo mahimong mahinumdoman
Isip usa ka panumdoman --

Sama pananglit niadtong usa ka
Panagtagbo diin imo kong gihatagan
Og habol nga matod mo pa tigsanta
Sa kabugnaw sa akong lapalapa.

Gihatagan ko usab ikaw og regalo,
Usa ka puting rosas ug dunot
Nga retrato natong duha diin ang imong
Gisul-ob mao ang bestida nga binurdahan
Og gumamela ug ang a
kong gisul-ob
Mao ang akong uniporme
sa pagkasundalo
Diin ang tuo kong kamot naggunit sa armas
Nga may bayoneta.

Sa higayon nga wala pa mahitabo
O sa panghitabo nga
hagbay ra nga
Gikalimtan sa tago,
tipigi ang atong hulagway
Sama sa akong pagtipig
niini,

Ug tali kanatong duha
Kalimti ako sa dayon.

SA PAGBALIK nako sa Pinas, naka-desisyon ko nga dili na ko mag-OFW. Ako na ipadayon ang akong pangandoy na mahimong abogado. Nagkuyog mi sa akong espisyal nga amiga paingon sa Lapu-Lapu City aron mag-inquire kon unsay pamaagi sa pagpa-enroll sa kursong abugasya sa sikat nga Law School sa Lapu-Lapu. Sa tunga-tunga sa among biyahe mibundak ang uwan. Dali-dali mi nga mipasilong sa usa ka ‘convenience store.’ Mipalit kog mainom para namong duha. Sa akong pag-linya, naglalis ang duha ka guwapa nga dalaga bahin sa ilang mga pares. Igo ra ko nagpahipi sa ilang likod samtang naglinya sa ‘counter.’

Miingon ang kyut, gamayon ug pution nga dalaga, “Kon mamili man gani kag lalaki, Day, dapat naay trabaho ug kwartahan para pud naay mogasto sa inyong deyt. Dili ikaw ang mogasto. Lalaki dapat mogasto, dili ang babaye.”

Mitubag ang seksi, taason, ug chinita nga babaye, “Kalain anang ang lalaki pirme maoy pagastuon, uy! Abi pa lang di ta ‘independent woman.’ Wa koy problema kon estudyante akong uyab, basta importante kugihan ug naay pangandoy sa kinabuhi.”

“Day, hapit na ta mag-trayenta. Dapat mamili kag lalaki nga ‘stable’ kay aron inigtukod og pamilya di na maglisod,” matod sa kyut nga babaye.

Miisa ang kilay sa chinita daw wa kauyon sa gisulti sa iyang higala. “So, gusto ka og built nga lalaki? Kanang successful ug kwartahan bisan wa ka na in love niya?” daling mitubag ang iyang higala.

“Oo, uy! Sa panahon karon dapat mag-praktikal ta. Di ta mabusog anang puro gugma lang,” sulti sa kyut nga babaye.

“So, kon mao man gani na imong gusto, unsa man sad imong ika-offer isip baylo sa iyang pagka achiever? Imong beauty ug lawas? Samtang siya nag-ani sa bunga sa iyang paningkamot, unya ikaw nakigsalo sa iyang hinaguan! Di ba unfair kaayo sa iyang bahin?”

Mingisi ko sa likod sa chinita ug nakauyon ko sa iyang tubag, apan naghuwat ko kon unsay tubag sa iyang higala. Miduko ko sa akong ulo samtang nagkupot sa selpon ug kunohay adunay ka-chat bisan gilangaw ang akong ‘Messenger.’

“Dili man na unfair, Day. Kay kon mag-minyo mi, ako man sad mo-atiman sa among pamilya ug dili intawon lalim magpadako sa mga bata ug mo-serbisyo sa bana,” matod sa kyut nga babaye.

Nahimong thrilling ang ilang panagtabi hinungdan nga miabante kog gamay paingon kanila aron makasusi og maayo. Miundang og kadali sa pag-chat ang chinita ug mitubag,

“Day, para nako mas maayo kamong duha sa imong pares maoy maningkamot ug magtinabangay para sa inyong relasyon. Dili magsalig sa kwarta ug na-achieve sa lalaki, kay basin kon ma-dependent ka sa lalaki, mabuyboyan unya ka. Mas maayo naa sad kay imong own earnings.” Miyango ko sa buot ipasabot chinita.

“Day, nindot man nang mo-serbisyo sa pamilya pero sa akong nakat-unan sa akong relasyon, mas ganahan usab ang lalaki nga mahatagan sila og peace of mind sa relasyon. Kon mahatag na nimo, panggaon ug higugmaon gyud ka sa imong lalaki,” matod sa chinita.

Gusto pa unta ko maminaw sa ilang panagtabi apan ni-chat na akong espisyal nga amiga. Giuhaw na kuno siya. Busa miingon ko sa duha ka babaye, “Miss, kamo na sunod.”

Milingi nako ang duha ka babaye ug gitutokan kog maayo. Dihang mobayad na ko sa cashier, mihinayhinay og padaplin ang mga guwapang dalaga ug nagpamaak ang kyut nga dalaga sa iyang ngabil.

“Day, parehas silag nawong ni JM de Guzman,” sulti sa chinita.

Tungod sa akong kaulaw, dali-dali kong gihipos ang akong pitaka ug gisulod dayon sa ‘eco bag’ ang akong gipamalit.

“JM... JM de Guzman, ikaw ba yan?” paagpas sa kyut nga dalaga.

Igo ra kong milingi nilang duha ug nagpa-kyut nga mipahiyom, dayong gawas paingon sa akong amiga.

The resolution, proposed by Sangguniang Kabataan Federation (SK) President and Councilor Kristine Mercado, states that "the people of Davao implore the national government to continue to exhaust available formal and informal mechanisms for the enforcement of our rights and reiterate that war is renounced as an instrument of National Policy." 

This comes after the territorial claims of China over the West Philippine Sea and their encroachment on the Exclusive Economic Zones of the Philippines. 

The resolution further said that the Philippines must have a firm stance and must call for the observance of the rules of the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS). 

The United States of America (USA) and other countries in Asia have expressed support for the Philippines' claims and acknowledged the arbitral tribunal's ruling on the matter. However, the resolution stressed that asserting the Philippines' rights should not be through “armed confrontation” and “should not lead to war.” 

“Any armed confrontation raises the probability of conflict escalation leading to war, and the people of Davao hope and pray for PEACE to reign in our country and the entire region,” the resolution states.

“We, the people, the youth of the City of Davao, say No to War,” Mercado stated in the resolution. 

The City Council then urged national policymakers to pursue a policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, collaboration, and amity with other nations in line with the country’s ideals and state policies.  

As per Section 2, Article 2 of the 1987 Constitution, “The Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy, adopts the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land and adheres to the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all nations.”

In line with the resolution, several councilors wore shirts saying "No to War" and "Protect the Philippines" and carried banners with the same message of support. RGP

Related stories:

The University's College of Pharmacy is known for its strong academic foundation, which was demonstrated by its impressive performance.

The results, released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on Tuesday, showed that Nick David Martinez Corcino placed third with a score of 92.47 percent. 

Jemekka Jazmin Gladys Calizo Miaral followed closely at fourth place with a score of 91.47 percent, while Darylin Niña Tiania Melgarejo secured the sixth spot with a score of 91.10 percent.

According to the PRC, 1,185 out of 2,147 applicants passed the Pharmacists Licensure Examination in April 2024.

Among the 147 examinees, 120 passed, and the percentage of passes (81.63 percent) put the University of San Agustin in fourth place. (Leo Solinap/SunStar Philippines)

Around 500 modern public utility vehicle (MPUV) drivers are reportedly afraid that they will be displaced once the first package of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project is completed in July.

Are they referring to the same package that only covers a distance of 2.38 kilometers from the Cebu South Bus Terminal along N. Bacalso Ave. to the front of the Capitol building along Osmeña Blvd.?

Do you know how short that distance is? That’s less than what I walked and jogged back when the Cebu City Sports Center was still open to the public.

And do they seriously think the first package will be finished in three months?

Anyway, I doubt the project’s proponent will deploy buses to operate on the route because I don’t see it becoming financially feasible and viable as it is.

So what are the MPUV drivers so worried about? It’s not as if their routes are confined to the first package’s route.

Let’s talk some common sense here.

Granted there are several schools in the area, but these are all just a stone’s throw from the CSBT.

It’ll be a waste of money to hop on a bus or any PUV for a less-than-a-minute joyride – okay maybe five minutes if there’s traffic, which is more often the case. Let’s face it, it’ll be quicker to just walk.

It’ll be the same when visiting one of the many banks in the vicinity.

To reiterate, the distance of the first package can easily be covered on foot.

We all know that the uptown area is teeming with establishments and whatnot.

Several hospitals are located there. So are the headquarters of the Police Regional Office 7 and the Department of Health 7. It is also home to a department store, groceries, hotels and pension houses, etc., etc., etc.

Not long ago, the uptown area was the epicenter of the city until the advent of the malls. But it’s not dead. Far from it. In fact, many businesses have managed to cling on, and most of them are familiar because they’ve occupied the same spot for more than three decades.

There will still be plenty of passengers. MPUV drivers needn’t feel insecure.

According to Ellen Maghanoy, chairperson of the Federation of Cebu Transport Cooperatives, “MPUV units from the Lahug Apas Transport Cooperative, Kalunasan Operators and Drivers Transport Cooperative, Banawa Transport Cooperative and Mabolo Transport Cooperative are the first ones to be affected once the CBRT Package 1 becomes operational.”

She told SunStar Cebu she anticipates a significant decline in income with the CBRT’s operation, “as passenger traffic could be diverted.”

Hmmm. Anticipates. Could be. Not very definitive of her because she really has no idea what’s going to happen.

But this we all know. There will always be commuters who need to go to Lahug, Kalunasan, Banawa, Mabolo, etc., etc., etc. How will a route diversion affect their ridership?

Of course, it will be a different story once the entire CBRT line is completed since it might stretch all the way from Talisay in the south to Talamban in Cebu City in the north. That should give MPUVs a run for their money.

But that won’t be happening anytime soon. Not even in the near future. Transport coops can rest assured that they have ample to time to pay off their loans to purchase their units.

After all, we are in the Philippines where a local government unit takes almost one year to rehabilitate 400 meters of an oval track.

But with the ongoing spat, so to speak, between the Dutertes and First Lady Liza Marcos and despite the efforts of President BBM to cool down the issue, the vice president, who is a member of the Marcos cabinet as secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), is now like a square peg in a hole, in a manner of speaking.

In fact, there have been calls for VP Sara Dutere to resign from the Cabinet after she kept mum on China’s encroachment on the West Philippine Sea. President BBM, however, said there is no basis to remove the vice president from his Cabinet. Meaning, VP Sara stays as DepEd secretary come what may.

In an interview, First Lady Liza expressed her dismay at the Dutertes spewing bad words against her husband, particularly past President Digong who called BBM “bangag,” which is the local term for high on drugs. The President said he understood the First Lady’s sentiment being a wife and apolitical.

The present situation between the Marcoses and the Dutertes could be a prelude to the presidential polls in May 2028. Vice President Duterte is the next probable bet for president. It may be recalled that Digong wanted Sara to run for president in the last polls.

There have been wild talks that House Speaker Martin Romualdez, BBM’s cousin, is honing up for the presidential race in 2028. There are suspicions that the issues thrown at the vice president came from their camp, which, of course, they denied.

Wikipedia and www.philippine-history.org refreshed my memory that the late President Fidel Ramos, who was elected in 1992, and his then-Vice President Joseph Estrada did not belong to the same political party. The same was true when Estrada won the presidential race with Gloria Arroyo as his vice president.

Even if Ramos and Estrada did not belong to the same political party, they did well together. In fact, Ramos appointed Estrada as the anti-crime czar, and the latter succeeded in his task with the help of a task force.

When Estrada was deposed during the 2001 “People Power” after he was elected in 1998, Arroyo became president to finish his last three years in office. Sen. Teofisto Guingona as Senate president took oath as the vice president. Arroyo and Guingona didn’t belong to the same party.

After winning the presidential race in 2004 despite an earlier speech in Baguio City that she would not seek the country’s highest elective office, Arroyo’s vice president was Noli de Castro, a TV host and a newscaster. He ran as an independent. It may be recalled that the pair had a smooth working relationship.

In the 2010 polls, the late Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III was elected and his vice president was Jejomar Binay, who won over Mar Roxas, the running mate of Aquino. I didn’t hear of any trouble between Aquino and Binay.

When Digong was elected president in 2016, his vice president was Robredo, who was not his party mate. Even if Robredo was not given a Cabinet position she still worked in accordance with the mandate of her office.

The current political state between BBM and VP Sara only shows that being in the same political party does not guarantee a smooth and unruffled administration, especially when personal interests and ambitions are over and above public service.

On the other hand, pharmaceuticals play a crucial role in modern medicine, improving life expectancy and quality of life for many patients.

However, there are still instances when people cannot easily purchase these medicines. Filipinos have a long tradition of using plants and common household items to soothe everyday ailments. From tummy troubles to bug bites, your backyard might be hiding a treasure trove of natural healing power.

Let’s explore the world of home remedies and discover how to tap into this age-old Filipino wisdom:

Guava Leaves

Guava leaves have been a staple of traditional medicine for centuries.

- Research indicates that guava leaves may aid in controlling blood sugar levels and enhancing insulin sensitivity, leading to better management of blood sugar after eating.

- Guava leaves have antibacterial properties that can support gut health and potentially alleviate diarrhea.

- With their high content of vitamin C and antioxidants, guava leaves can fortify the immune system and assist in combating illnesses.

Sambong (Gabon)

The plant is referred to as sambong in Tagalog, bukadkad or gabon in Visayas, and subusob, subsub, or sobsob in Ilocos.

- It has demonstrated effectiveness in decreasing sensations of nausea and vomiting.

- It possesses the ability to improve appetite and impede weight loss in individuals afflicted with serious illnesses.

- Its extracts have exhibited potential in providing relief from pain and reducing muscle stiffness.

Guyabano (Soursop)

Guyabano has been used for its beneficial effects.

- Studies indicate that guyabano could have positive effects in combating and preventing cancer, diminishing the size of tumors and eliminating cancerous cells.

- Guyabano, being abundant in antioxidants, possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate inflammation caused by oxidative stress. Its extracts may also be effective against various bacteria, including those causing cavities and gum disease.

- Potassium, a beneficial nutrient that aids in the regulation of blood pressure, is found in abundance.

These herbal remedies are often readily available in backyards or local markets, making them a more affordable option compared to conventional medicine, especially in remote areas.

Traditional herbal remedies offer a window into the history of medicine and cultural practices. While they may not be a one-size-fits-all solution, some can be valuable additions to a holistic approach to well-being.

More importantly, it’s always best to consult a healthcare provider or professional before using any herbal remedy, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications. (Marites An C. Quimbo, CTU-TC Intern / Writer)

The Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) said the potential victims were rescued around 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, at the port of Bongao, the capital town of Tawi-Tawi.

The PRO-BAR said the potential victims were rescued after a concerned citizen informed the authorities that a group of unidentified persons were traveling from Zamboanga City to Tawi-Tawi aboard a commercial ferry.

“They intend to take the ‘backdoor’ to get to Sabah, Malaysia,” the PRO-BAR said in a statement on Wednesday, April 24.

“They were to travel to Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia but failed to present any legal papers,” the PRO-BAR added.

The rescued potential victims were taken to the Municipal Inter-Agency Committee Against Trafficking for counseling, assistance and stress debriefing, organized by the Ministry of Social Welfare and Development.

The Tawi-Tawi Police Provincial Office and other concerned government agencies are working out for the safe return of the rescued potential victims to their respective families.

The rescue of the seven on Tuesday, April 23, came four days after 13 potential victims of trafficking in persons were rescued at the port of Bongao in Tawi-Tawi.

The 13 potential victims of trafficking in persons were rescued on Friday, April 19, while they were traveling to Sabah, Malaysia via Bongao. 

Like the seven potential victims, the 134 victims were rescued after authorities received information that a group of persons was traveling to Sabah, Malaysia via Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. (SunStar Zamboanga)

Major General Alex Rillera, 6ID commander, led the awarding of medals on Tuesday, April 23, at Camp Siongco Station Hospital in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

The recipients of the wounded personnel medal were Second Lieutenant Knigle Bastian, Sergeant Oliver Lanestosa, Private First Class (PFC) Gerald Alawin, PFC Michael Composo, Private Jay-R Alocada, all members of the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion; PFC Jereco Watil of the 92nd Infantry Battalion, and Staff Sergeant Rold Romualdo of the 99th Infantry Battalion.

Rillera also provided cash assistance, groceries, and a basket of fruits to the wounded soldiers. He was assisted by Lieutenant Colonel Erwin Felongco, the 6ID personnel officer.

The seven soldiers were wounded in an encounter with 15 members of the BIFF, which resulted in the death of Mohiden Animbang alias Karialan, the leader of the BIFF-Karialan faction and 11 others in Kitango village, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur on Monday, April 22.

One of the 11 slain followers was Animbang’s brother, Saga, the operations chief of the BIFF-Karialan faction.

Meanwhile, Rillera expressed hopes that the death of Animbang will result in the cessation of violence in Central Mindanao.

The death of Animbang has brought down two BIFF factions that are operating in the Central Mindanao area. These are the BIFF-Bungos and Toraife factions. (SunStar Zamboanga)