CCTV cameras to be placed in 2 biggest public cemeteries
in Cebu City for All Saints/Souls Day as part of security measure
By Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, October 27 (PIA) – Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will be placed in two of the biggest public cemeteries in Cebu City as part of the security measure being adopted by the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) to ensure a peaceful observance during the All Saints and All Souls Day.
“We have already coordinated with Smart Communications and as agreed, each CCTV camera will be placed in the biggest public cemeteries in the city which are Carreta and Calamba,” disclosed P/Supt. Glenn Ares of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).
Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to flock to the cemeteries of Carreta and Calamba starting Monday as the Squatters Prevention Elimination and Encroachment Division (SPEED) under the Cebu City local government started clearing out ambulant vendors just outside the said cemeteries’ premises last Tuesday for more area to accommodate the throng of crowd, this is said.
Ares said the camera will be placed at the entrance of both cemeteries to visually record and document all incoming visitors to the cemeteries. In case of any untoward incidents, the police can access the video file for those responsible of committing any offenses, this is learned.
Around 1,250 police personnel will be deployed in 23 areas including the different public and private cemeteries as well as the terminals and seaports, the city official claimed.
According to Ares, the police will also be assisted by barangay tanods and other civic groups to guarantee a solemn and peaceful celebration on November 1 and 2.
Ares urged the public not to bring a lot of cash or wear jewelries when they go to the cemeteries because they could be vulnerable to would-be criminals who might be hanging out in the cemeteries waiting to pounce on their victims. (PIA-Cebu)
===========
Deployment of police at Cebu South Bus Terminal starts tomorrow
By Fayette C. Riñen
‘as upsurge of passengers expected in bus, port terminals for long holidays’
CEBU CITY, October 27 (PIA) – Staring tomorrow, police personnel of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) will be deployed at the Cebu South Bus Terminal with the expected upsurge of passengers going back to their hometown provinces.
CPPO Director S/Supt. Patrocinio Commendador said apart from deploying some of his men to the terminal to ensure the safety of the riding public, some policemen will also be assigned in some strategic major thoroughfares for road security.
“On October 30 and 31, there will be a skeletal deployment of policemen to the different cemeteries throughout the province while a full force of deployment will be done on November 1 and 2,” according to Commendador.
Commendador also said they will assign police personnel in roll-on-roll-off (RORO) terminals not covered by the Philippine Maritime Police especially those located in far-flung towns.
In Mandaue City, as early as October 30, policemen will already be deployed to the eight cemeteries within the city as well as in one pier and the Cebu North Bus Terminal to secure the people when they go home.
“We will be deploying 300 policemen and 200 force multipliers consisting of barangay tanods, officials and other groups that will assist us in making sure that peace and order will prevail,” S/Supt. Noel Gillamac, the city police chief said.
In neighboring Lapulapu City, 150 police personnel augmented by personnel of the Philippine Air Force and other force multipliers will be deployed to secure the four cemeteries and places frequented by tourists such as the beach resorts mostly located within the city.
The Police Regional Highway Patrol Unit (PRHPU) of Central Visayas has also conducted dialogues with bus terminal operators to address the problem of overloading due to the influx of passengers wanting to go home for the long holidays.
“We have talked with the bus terminal operators to address the problem of overloading because we do not want accidents to happen,” P/C Inspector Eduardo Mara of the PRHPU-7 said.
Mara said they have also coordinated with the regional offices of the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to find out whether special permits for additional trips have been issued.
“Two mobile patrol cars and motorcycles will be patrolling the major thoroughfares to ensure that zero accidents occur,” Mara added.
Twenty-five personnel from the PRHPU-7 will be deployed in strategic areas to check on overspeeding buses and V-hire vans, Mara further said. (PIA-Cebu)
==========
PNP-7 to deploy over 3,500 police to ensure peace and order for All Souls/Saints Day
By Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, October 27 (PIA) -- Over 3,500 police personnel throughout Central Visayas will be assigned in the fields to secure vital areas including the 367 cemeteries in the region to ensure that peace and order will prevail during the annual observance of All Souls Day and All Saints Day on November 1 and 2.
S/Supt. Louie Oppus, deputy regional director for operations of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 during the recent monthly “Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis” Forum said that “there are 17 cities, 161 municipalities and 3,003 barangays in the region with 3,556 police personnel” tasked to make certain that all vital areas are secured including the 367 cemeteries during the four-day holiday break.
“Police personnel will be supported by 872 force multipliers that will assist the police in making sure of the public’s safety when they go out to visit their dead relatives during the holidays,” according to Oppus.
Oppus said that as instructed, he has directed down to the municipal police station level that there should be a supervisor that will be on top of making sure the security measures are being implemented.
“We still give priority to the three0tiered defense system in cooperation with the military and the Philippine Coast Guard,” Oppus declared. The three-tiered defense system is a pro-active strategic measure that involves intelligence, target hardening and incident management usually to thwart off terror attacks.
According to the police official, in convergence areas like the piers and seaports where there will be a mammoth crowd of travelers, the police have coordinated with concerned government agencies such as the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, port police and Philippine Maritime Police.
“There are six major ports in Central Visayas and we want the police to be in place in the seaports for the safety of travelers,” Oppus added.
Oppus also said there will be police assistance desks at the Mactan Cebu International Airport and the different seaports to cater to public concerns.
Only a handful of police personnel will be at the regional headquarters to man the tactical operations center during the long weekend ahead, Oppus ended. (PIA-Cebu)
==========
NGCP to strengthen power grid services through transmission assets
by Amor Saludar
CEBU CITY October 26 (PIA) -- The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is planning to acquire power facilities that have been classified as transmission assets in order to better manage and uphold the security and integrity of the nationwide power grid, power transmission service provider and grid operator.
The said move is line with the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) Resolution No. 16 which implements revised rules on the definition and boundaries of connection assets for the customers of NGCP.
Cynthia Y. Manrique, head of NGCP’s Revenue and Regulatory Affairs Department said that “the ERC’s resolution provided clarification on what is considered a transmission asset. This gave NGCP cause to assess the existing assets on the grid, and determine whether all the essential and crucial assets performing vital transmission functions were within in its operational control and maintenance.”
“Acquisition by NGCP of the transmission assets currently under the control of other entities will revert the operation and maintenance of the same to NGCP, enabling it to better discharge its mandate under EPIRA and its franchise of managing and upholding the security and integrity of the nationwide power grid,” Manrique explained.
As stated under Section 21 of the EPIRA (RA 9136), NGCP as TransCo’s concessionaire, be solely responsible for the improvement, expansion, operation, and/or maintenance of the nation’s transmission assets. It is the only entity which possesses the required technical expertise to maintain and operate the nationwide power grid.
In the Visayas, NGCP with the support of ERC has already filed an application seeking approval for the acquisition of the capital expenditure of these transmission assets run maintained by the Cebu Energy Development Corporation (CEDC) and Visayan Electric Company (VECO).
Manrique clarified the matter that “once NGCP has acquired the assets, the capital expenditure recovery cost of the assets will be carved out from PEDC’s rate and then included in NGCP’s rate.”
She further explained that there will be a total lower tariff for all grid users in the country because the cost that will be collected by NGCP will be shared by the entire grid, not just of the powers users in the particular region.
“It’s not an issue of asset acquisition for its sake. NGCP merely wants to faithfully discharge its mandate under the EPIRA. And we cannot do that unless all assets performing transmission functions are under our operational control and maintenance. We are only complying with the dictates of the EPIRA and ERC Resolution No. 16. Besides, all this will fall under the strict scrutiny of the ERC,” Manrique added.
NGCP and ERC also filed the same application for the acquisition of the transmission assets under Panay Energy Development Corporation’s (PEDC) and MERALCO.
At present, the NGCP continues evaluating the other assets in the entire country controlled by other individuals for the purpose of transmission, and whether there is a need to be transferred to NCGP.
Stated in the Concession Agreement with TransCo and PSALM, at the end of the concession period the government has the right to take charge of these transmission assets acquired by NGCP during the concession period, since it will be turned over to the government. (FCR/AS/PIA-CEBU)
==========
Lapul-lapu city celebrates 1st year anniversary of
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program implementation
by Amor Saludar
CEBU CITY October 26 (PIA) -- The 1,559 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in the 19 identified barangays of Lapu-lapu City, Cebu joined the different activities initiated by the city government to celebrate the first year of implementation of the conditional cash transfer program.
The program beneficiaries took part in the simultaneous activities that included tree planting, clean-up drives in streets and coastal areas, as well as rehearsing for their dance and drama presentations during the actual big day celebration.
“To some this may just be an ordinary celebration but to most of them, this is a first-time experience,” City Mayor Paz Radaza said during an inspirational message.
Radaza reiterated the regular responsibilities of the 4Ps beneficiaries which included the monthly health check-ups, immunization for children, pre-natal and post natal care for pregnant women and twice a year de-worming.
The mayor also instructed Ermelita Degamo, the city social welfare officer to reiterate the obligations or conditions that have to be adhered to by the Pantawid Pamilya recipients such as the 85 percent compliance in school attendance of children beneficiaries for the educational component of the program.
Under the program, children of 4Ps beneficiaries who are under 14 years of age get a monthly educational subsidy of P300 each up to a maximum of three children per family while the family gets P500/month for health assistance or a total of P1,400 per household.
Radaza stressed the value of the program especially to needy families which is the reason for her all-out-support in terms of program implementation.
“All of these are important in our success which is why I am fully supporting this,” Radaza said as hundreds of thank you letters were handed to her by the beneficiaries, an emblem of their combined voice of appreciation and thankfulness.
The Signing of Commitment on stage by all stakeholders led by Radaza followed by Vice Mayor Ycong, all board members, barangay captains, health workers, teachers, Degamo, DSWD Regional Office through its representative SWO III Luz Fegarido and the beneficiaries themselves, highlight the occasion as the city leaders assured the beneficiaries of their help in the fight against poverty.
The occasion that marked a moment in the history of the realization of the Pantawid Pamilya Program in Lapulapu City is not just a simple commemoration of the 4 Ps program in the city but also marked a year of empowerment, solidarity and security of the people to have education and health accessibility, this is said.
Since the program was implemented, Lapulapu City witnessed the increased enrollment of students and school attendance from day-care classes until high-school as well as a growing number of clients accessing various health care services. (FCR/AS/PIA-CEBU)
===========
Over 40 brgy workers tested positive for illegal drugs
during surprise drug tests in Cebu City since February
by Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, October 26 (PIA) -- The surprise drug testings conducted by the Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (Cosap) in the city’s 10 barangays in separate occasions since February, this year have yielded 42 persons being tested positive with illegal drugs. Cebu Cityhas 80 barangays.
Just this week, nine workers of Barangay Punta Princesa tested positive for methamphetamine hydrochloride otherwise known as shabu and marijuana during a surprise drug test. Out of the nine employees, two were women, this is reported.
Around 82 workers were subjected to the surprise drug test by Cosap which included barangay officials, tanods and utility workers. The subjects were required to submit urine samples to determine whether they are using illegal drugs.
Cosap Chairman Joey Herrera bared this is the first time that women tested positive with shabu and “the first time that yielded the most number of positive results at one time.”
Although the results have yet to be confirmed by the PNP Crime Laboratory, Herrera however said that based on experience, the initial screening usually confirm the same findings.
The latest surprise drug test was done per request of Punta Princesa Barangay Captain Jose Navarro to verify reports that some barangay personnel were using illegal drugs.
Navarro on the other hand, said he will advise those employees found to be positive with illegal drug use to voluntarily resign.
The drug screenings conducted by Cosap were done through the requests of the respective barangay captains while Herrera said more barangay chiefs are asking his office to conduct surprise drug test in their areas to verify reports of illegal drug use.
Among the barangays the Cosap had done drug screenings were Pasil, Sambag 2, Apas, Pahina San Nicolas, Tejero, Zapatera, Luz and Bacayan, (PIA-Cebu)
==========
PNP-7 chief orders police commanders to
strictly implement security measures for Nov. 1, 2
By Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, OCTOBER 26 (PIA) – Central Visayas Police Chief Gen. Marcelo Garbo told all police commanders in the region to make sure that the security measures being put in place for the coming All Souls Day and All Saints Day observance will be strictly implemented.
“I do not want all talk that everything is in place with regards to the security preparations for the coming holidays. I want action and that we will see to it that all police offices are working down to the lowest units,” Garbo stressed.
Garbo said it is already a regular task for the police to be working during this period even days prior to the actual observance of Nov. 1 and 2 to ensure the safety of the public when they visit their dead relatives in the cemeteries.
The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 chief said he has imposed the strict implementation of the security measures drafted by the different city and provincial police offices throughout the region.
“There are some policemen who can talk very well but lack action in terms of firm implementation of their own security plans. I do not want this because what I want is action based on a realistic approach,” Garbo sternly said.
Garbo bared he will be dispatching inspection teams to determine whether the police in the area are really working.
The PRO-7 chief also said that not only in the cemeteries will the police be deployed but all areas that need to be secured including tourist spots and places frequented by tourists.
“At the end of the week, I expect an upsurge of tourists, especially domestic ones, who will take advantage of the long holidays to travel to Central Visayas particularly in Cebu and Bohol,” according to Garbo.
Garbo said with increased passenger traffic in bus terminals, seaports and airport, the police will see to it that all passengers are safe and have coordinated with concerned government agencies to ensure that peace and order will prevail. (PIA-Cebu)
===========
Pantawid Pamilya marks its first year in Lapulapu City
By: Hazel Gloria and Aileen Lariba
CEBU CITY, October 26 (PIA) --- The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) marks its first year of implementation in Lapulapu City, Cebu.
In preparation of the program’s first year anniversary, the 1,559 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in the 19 identified barangays of the city in coordination with the local government unit conducted simultaneous activities consisting of tree planting and clean-up drives in both their streets and in coastal areas.
This anniversary celebrates empowerment, change and most of all commitment. To some this may just be an ordinary celebration but to most of them, this is a first time experience.
In her inspirational message, City Mayor Paz Radaza reiterated the reminders of CSWDO Ermelita Degamo on the consistent compliance of the program’s set conditions on monthly health check-ups, immunization for children, pre-natal and post natal care for pregnant women and twice a year de-worming.
For the educational component, 85% attendance in school is a must to continually receive the P500/month for health and P300/month/child for education but a maximum of three children only, she continued.
All these she said “…importante sa pagpalambo natong tanan, mau nga ako gyud ning gi-suportahan…” (…is important in our success which is why I am supporting this…)
There were hundreds of thank you letters from the beneficiaries handed to her, as their symbol of their collective voice of gratitude.
The highlight of the occasion was the Signing of Commitment on stage by all stakeholders starting with Mayor Paz Radaza followed by Vice Mayor Ycong, all board members, barangay captains, health workers, teachers, CSWDO Degamo, DSWD Regional Office through its representative SWO III Luz Fegarido and the beneficiaries themselves marking a moment in the history of Pantawid Pamilya implementation in Lapulapu City.
This simple action of affixing one’s signature from their elected leaders, gives the beneficiaries an assurance that they are not alone in their fight for poverty.
The occasion is not simply to commemorate the implementation of the program but to mark a year of empowerment, camaraderie and most of all an assurance on the supply side of education and health accessibility from Lapulapu City.
The Signing of Commitment initiated by the LGU of Lapulapu has indeed strengthened the call of “convergence.” (PIA-7/HFG/DSWD-7)
==============
DSWD-7 to hire more licensed social workers
By: Hazel Gloria and JB Binghay
CEBU CITY, October 26 (PIA) --- As the number of rescued victims on human trafficking cases increased after 68 raids conducted by the law enforcement agencies in 2004, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas expanded its allies as UNICEF-Philippines forged pact with DSWD to hire more licensed social workers who will focus on its de-institutionalization project.
DSWD-7 record shows that there are almost 1,000 victims of human trafficking (247 minors and 751 adults) who were rescued and referred to this welfare agency.
The de-institutionalization project hired 6 social workers who focus on Family tracing and re-unification of the rescued victims.
The project aims to link the children back to their families and communities, provide capability building activities to the social workers both in the national and local settings on mobility mapping, work out at least 50% of the children to be re-integrated to their families, strategize a shift from institutional care to community –based approached, establish comprehensive programs and services geared towards family empowerment and improving access to basic services for children.
DSWD-7 Regional Director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre said this team approach believes in the saying that “there is no place like home” so innovative interventions were developed by the Field Office-7 for the best interest of both the children from the Haven and Home for Girls (HFG) institutions and their families.
Since 2007, the Home for Girls (HFG) had already served 637 children (below 18 years old) who were physically maltreated, emotionally abused and sexually exploited, maltreated, neglected and abandoned including those children who are in conflict with the law and victims of trafficking.
Close coordination, effective partnership and support are the expected outcomes of this unique intervention as more families will be traced, assessed, processed and more victims re-integrated and mainstreamed back to where they came from.
Social Workers who are especially tasked to do the tracing are expected to expedite the conduct of home visits, case conferences, coordination meetings and continuous monitoring.
Meanwhile, families back in the communities will be given support services by the local government and partner agencies in terms of giving sessions and seminars on Responsible Parenthood Service, Parent Effectiveness Seminar.
They are also given access to basic services, awareness of laws protecting women, children and families, livelihood skills training, job placement, educational services, medical assistance and other psycho social interventions.(PIA-7/HFG/DSWD-7)
============
Nearly 200 children in Cebu join the 4th Prov’l Children’s Summit
By: Minerva BC Newman
CEBU, Oct 26 (PIA) – Nearly 200 children representatives from the towns and cities of Cebu Province attended the 4th Provincial Children’s Summit on October 24-25 at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City initiated by the Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children (PCWC) in celebration of the Children’s Month.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (PSWDO) Marivic Garces said these children ages 12-17 were selected by their respective city and municipal social worker five each from the following children’s sectors – in-school; out-of-school; working children; differently-abled and NGO-sponsored children.
Garces stated that at the end of the 2-day summit, the various sectoral groups of children will formulate their respective action plans.
“These action plans consist of specific activities to be undertaken that would address issues and concerns affecting the children sector with its five sub-sector groups,” Garces said.
Included in the 4th Provincial Children’s Summit was the election of the new set of officers for 2011-2012 to represent the children’s respective sub-sector groups.
The PCWC hopes that the summit will give the children the necessary tools for them to appreciate and internalize the significance of the UN-Convention on the Rights of Children (CRC) and the Children’s Code of Cebu relative to their rights and responsibilities.
During the various workshops, the children’s sub-sector groups identified their respective issues and concerns including solutions to these issues.
Common issues among the sub-sectors are early pregnancy; child trafficking, child labor and cyber pornography; quality of education and increasing criminality among the teens and juvenile delinquency.
Some of the solutions the children raised included free education in college and or scholarships; strict implementation of laws relative to children such as RA 9775, RA-9208, RA-9262 & RA-9231 and the review of the juvenile justice specifically for children in conflict with the law.
Day two of the provincial summit tackled topics on children’s rights that was given by Bebiana Horvath of DSWD-7; Child Labor Laws by Engr. Vicente Abordo of DOLE; and the Children’s Code of Cebu by Atty. Chad Estella. (PIA-7 & PCWC)