BFP-7 assures public of genuine service
By Amorganda A. Saludar
CEBU CITY February 29 (PIA) -- The Fire Protection Bureau (FPB) in Central Visayas will carry out its mandate despite agency problems on fire prevention.
This was the statement made by FPB-7Assistant Regional Director for Operations Supt. Ismael C. Codilla during the recent Kapihan sa PIA Forum in preparation for Crime Prevention Month in March.
Some of these problems include inadequacy of fire fighting equipment and the number of serviceable fire trucks available for the entire regions.
“Although we have inadequacy of fire fighting equipment, this will not cripple the Bureau in responding to fire cases. Bisan og nay kakuwangon dili makuwangan ang among serbisyo ngadto sa mga katawhan (Even if we lack in equipment, we still thrive to provide adequate service to the public)," Codilla stressed.
FPB-7 has a total of 132 serviceable fire trucks for the entire region, which will be divided by the four provinces.
Cebu is given the biggest share with 72 fire trucks, followed by Bohol with 34, Negros Oriental with 22 and Siquijor with four.
Codilla added that they believe in the so-called "band aid solution" wherein damaged fire trucks will automatically be fixed and readied for use.
In Cebu province alone, there are about 11 fire fighting units and nine fire substations from Cebu City, seven substations in Lapu-lapu City, including those in Olanggo Island and currently Mandaue City which added another one substation. (rmn/AS/PIA-CEBU)
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DTI 7 conducts seminar to hasten processing of business registration, reduce red tape
By Fayette C. Ri�en
CEBU CITY, February 29 (PIA) -- In order to hasten the processing of business registration and reduce red tape within the bureaucracy in Central Visayas, a one day seminar-workshop on the Philippine Business Registry System (PBRS) was recently conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7.
PBRS is an online system aimed at streamlining business registrations for a faster business registration process, thus, cutting on red tape and opportunities for corruption in the bureaucracy.
Through the PBRS, business permits and business licenses applications will be facilitated by a centralized data entry program that will automatically connect to various national units and government agencies.
Moreover, the said integrates all government agencies involved in business registration such as the DTI, Securities and Exchange Commission, Cooperative Development Authority, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Social Security System (SSS), Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), local government units and among others.
Most of the participants to the seminar came from partner agencies of the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) in Cebu.
Created through Republic Act 7470, the NERBAC aims to fast-track investment inflows and strengthen the country’s business and investment climate.
In Central Vsayas, the NERBAC consists of national government agencies such as Board of Investments, DTI, PhilHealth, BIR, Pag-IBIG Fund and the SSS.
News investors are now mandated to go to these various national government agencies before they can secure a mayor’s permit to start their business operations. (PIA-Cebu)
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Geologists call for constant monitoring of landslide prone area
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, February 29 (PIA) -- A team of geologists from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Region 7 as recommended continuous monitoring of f a barangay in Naga City, Cebu which has been identified as areas highly susceptible to landslide.
On Feb. 24, the MGB team composed of Al Emil G. Berador and Josephine T. Aleta recommended the relocation of a house located at the lower section of the slope in Sitio Sagrada, Barangay Alpaco, after a vertical displacement of less than one meter ground cracks was seen in the said barangay.
MGB-7 recommended the provision of a cross drain from the spring towards the creek down slope, and to coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the proper engineering design of drainage and road repair.
To caution the communities of the danger of the affected area, it also recommended that an early warning or a signage be put up in the area. The experts said that the creek should be cleared constantly to prevent water ponding, scouring, and saturation of its bank.
MGB-7 Regional Director Loreto B. Alburo said mass movements such as landslides on slopes are usually aided by water, weathering or erosional debris cover on slopes, and the character and structure of rocks.
The assessment revealed that the length of ground cracks were approximately 30 meters in mostly earth or fine and clayey materials. (rmn/PIA-7/hfg/DENR-7)
To caution the communities of the danger of the affected area, it also recommended that an early warning or a signage be put up in the area. The experts said that the creek should be cleared constantly to prevent water ponding, scouring, and saturation of its bank.
MGB-7 Regional Director Loreto B. Alburo said mass movements such as landslides on slopes are usually aided by water, weathering or erosional debris cover on slopes, and the character and structure of rocks.
The assessment revealed that the length of ground cracks were approximately 30 meters in mostly earth or fine and clayey materials. (rmn/PIA-7/hfg/DENR-7)