Palace pushing for sanctions of Compostela Valley officials over deadly landslide
Local Compostela Valley officials who were negligent in ensuring the safety of their constituents in mining areas will be held accountable for the this week’s deadly tragedy to avoid the repeat of similar incidents, Malacanang said on Saturday.
During a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan Saturday, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said local officials should be punished for allowing the landslide victims to stay in the danger zones.
“Kailangan ho talaga dahil hindi pwedeng paulit-ulit na nangyayari ang mga ganitong bagay. Hindi biro ang mga ganitong landslide at nakita naman natin na hanggang ngayon patuloy ang search and rescue operations,” Valte said referring to the accountability of local officials.
The law must be strictly implemented this time so that no residents will stay in danger areas, she said, adding that allowing the people to go back to their dangerous dwelling places would be unacceptable.
“Kailangan naman talaga ay higpitan na natin, hindi na pwede yung… ‘kasi balik ho sila nang balik’ hindi na pwede yung ganoon,” she said.
“Kailangan na lang talagang hanapan ng relocation at hindi pupuwedeng isang beses sasabihan na ‘Bawal kayo dito.’ Kailangan yan babantayan. Hindi puwedeng ngayon sasabihan n’yo silang ‘hindi ho kayo puwede dito’ tapos bukas kakalimutan na.”
Valte also said she’s sure that Interior and Local Government Secretary Jessie Robredo has made his initial report to the President after doing an assessment in the area this week, as instructed by the President.
Local Compostela Valley officials who were negligent in ensuring the safety of their constituents in mining areas will be held accountable for the this week’s deadly tragedy to avoid the repeat of similar incidents, Malacanang said on Saturday.
During a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan Saturday, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said local officials should be punished for allowing the landslide victims to stay in the danger zones.
“Kailangan ho talaga dahil hindi pwedeng paulit-ulit na nangyayari ang mga ganitong bagay. Hindi biro ang mga ganitong landslide at nakita naman natin na hanggang ngayon patuloy ang search and rescue operations,” Valte said referring to the accountability of local officials.
The law must be strictly implemented this time so that no residents will stay in danger areas, she said, adding that allowing the people to go back to their dangerous dwelling places would be unacceptable.
“Kailangan naman talaga ay higpitan na natin, hindi na pwede yung… ‘kasi balik ho sila nang balik’ hindi na pwede yung ganoon,” she said.
“Kailangan na lang talagang hanapan ng relocation at hindi pupuwedeng isang beses sasabihan na ‘Bawal kayo dito.’ Kailangan yan babantayan. Hindi puwedeng ngayon sasabihan n’yo silang ‘hindi ho kayo puwede dito’ tapos bukas kakalimutan na.”
Valte also said she’s sure that Interior and Local Government Secretary Jessie Robredo has made his initial report to the President after doing an assessment in the area this week, as instructed by the President.
She added that Robredo already ordered forced evacuation of the residents in danger spots mandating local officials to strictly guard the place so that no residents will go back to their houses.
Also this week, Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is looking into the lapses that resulted to the deadly incident which killed scores of people.
Military officials said some 100 individuals are still missing due to the landslide, which happened Thursday at around 3 a.m. following incessant rains. (PCOO)
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Aquino declares January 10 a special non-working day for Koronadal City, South Cotabato
President Benigno S Aquino III has declared January 10, 2012 as a special non-working day in the city of Koronadal, South Cotabato in celebration of its 72nd Foundation Day and the 12th Hinugyaw Festival.
By virtue of Proclamation No. 304 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on January 2, 2012, the President declared Jan. 10 which falls on Tuesday as a special non-working day in the city to give the people the opportunity to celebrate the occassion..
Koronadal City, popularly known to locals as Marbel, is the capital of the province of South Cotabato, Philippines.
The area that became the present City of Koronadal was once a populated by members of the B’laan and Maguindanao tribes.
Before World War II, people from Luzon and the Visayas settled in the place under the auspices of the National Land Settlement Administration (NLSA).
Municipal Council Resolution No. 32, Series of 1948 mandated and proclaimed January 10 of each year as the Municipal Town Fiesta commemorating the foundation of Marbel Settlement District of the National Land Settlement.
It became a component city of South Cotabato by virtue of Republic Act 8803 on October 8, 2000.
Koronadal City’s Hinugyaw Festival is celebrated every year to pay homage to the first settlers who came to the city before the Japanese invasion of the Philippines.
With the theme, "Building People, Building Character, Building Progress, the week-long Hinugyaw Festival 2012 celebration will be highligted by events such as the Settler's Night/ Handurawan to be held at the South Cotabato Gymnasium, Tree Growing, Wreath Laying at the 17 Martyr's Shrine, Hinugyaw Pyesta Korona, and the much anticipated Lakambini ng Koronadal 2012 among others. (PCOO)
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Palace appeals for orderly and peaceful celebration of the feast of the Black Nazarene on Monday
Malacanang reiterated an appeal by local and police officials to the devotees of the Black Nazarene to take necessary precautions and refrain from bringing along with them their children and valuables to ensure an orderly and peaceful celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9, a Palace official said on Saturday.
During an interview aired over government-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte reiterated an earlier appeal by the Manila City officials, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Philippine National Police (PNP) to the public against bringing children and valuables.
"Doon po sa ating mga debotong medyo may edad na, let’s take the necessary precautions dahil alam naman po natin ‘yong mga nagiging pangyayari tuwing nagkakaroon ng Pista ng Poong Nazareno. Maraming tao diyan, baka mainit, baka umulan, please let us take the necessary precautions para hindi naman magkaroon ng mga masasaktan. Minsan kasi diyan talagang tulakan," Valte said.
Valte also warned the public against criminal elements such as pickpockets and snatchers. "Let us not put ourselves in a less secure situation. At maging alerto po tayo," she said.
Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim said the procession’s route has been cleared of obstructions, potholes, hanging wires and even broken bottles and the like to ensure the safety of the devotees who will be joining the procession barefooted.
For so many years, thousands of devotees flock to the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila. Oftentimes, many were injured and some died from the stampede during the procession.
The Black Nazarene is the patron saint of Quiapo. The life size image of the Black Nazarene shows a “black” Jesus Christ carrying a cross. The statue has been housed at the Saint John de Baptist Church in Quiapo, Manila also known as the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene since 1787. The image of the Black Nazarene is brought out in procession on its feast day and on Good Friday.
The statue was brought to Manila by a Spanish priest in 1607. It was aboard a ship that caught fire, the image was burned, and it came to be known as the “Black Nazarene” which the people has since decided to preserve and honor. (PCOO)
