PGMA inspects two barangay infra projects in Lubao, Pampanga
LUBAO, Pampanga – Proposed infrastructure projects for two barangays here were inspected today by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as part of the administration’s effort to modernize roads and the education system in every barangay nationwide.
Upon her arrival at Sitio Dampalit in Barangay Sta. Lucia, the President inspected the dilapidated three-classroom building which used to house Grades 2, 3, and 4 pupils.
She said the proposed rehabilitation of the old school building would be a big help, especially for the students so that they can pursue and concentrate on their studies.
From Barangay Sta. Lucia, the President motored to Barangay San Juan where she inspected the proposed barangay road project. Lubao municipal engineer Francisco Waje briefed the President on the planned road improvement in the area.
Lubao Mayor Dennis Pineda accompanied the President in her visit to the barangay.
Signal No. 3 up in 4 areas as Ramil drifts to northern
MANILA, Oct. 21 -- Weather conditions has started to deteriorate in extreme northern Luzon, prompting the state weather bureau to raise signal No. 3 in the region as Ramil comes nearer in the target of its landfall, Cagayan province, this Friday.
"Signal No. 3 is now raised over Northern Cagayan,
Ramil slightly slowed down Wednesday morning due to its interaction with high pressure area between
Because of this, Ramil's landfall will be on Friday morning, a day later than earlier forecast of Thursday.
As of 10 a.m., typhoon "Ramil" continues to move closer to
It continues to carry forceful winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph.
Ramil is moving west southwest at 15 kph.
It is seen to reach 190 km Northeast of Aparri, Cagayan or at 290 km East Northeast of Laoag City by Thursday morning; 80 km Northeast of Laoag City by Friday morning; and 120 km West Northwest of Laoag City by Saturday morning.
More provinces were placed under storm warning signals as Ramil nears. Signal No. 2 is raised over Ilocos Norte, Apayao, rest of Cagayan and Abra, while signal No. 1 is hoisted over Ilocos Sur, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Benguet, La Union, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, Northern Quezon and Polillo Islands.
The Pagasa has issued Gale warning advisory, particularly along coasts of northern and eastern
"We also warn the public against possible storm surge, flashfloods and landslides," Cruz said.
Visayas and
DOT urges Filipinos to vote for Peñaflorida as CNN hero
Out of 9,000 nominees across the world, Peñaflorida made it to the elite list of top 10 finalists for this year’s CNN Hero.
His Kariton Klasrum (pushcart classroom) has been bringing education to the impoverished children of the streets for the past 12 years.
Tourism Secretary Joseph 'Ace' Durano said, “The time to celebrate Philippine heroism has been long overdue. This is our chance to share to the world the Filipino sense of selflessness, and to honor the little acts of kindness that we, his kababayans, can very well take inspiration from."
Together with his team of volunteers of the Dynamic Teen Company, Peñaflorida turns everyday places into meaningful learning spaces for children who would otherwise be loitering around the streets and joining urban gangs.
Meanwhile, DOT Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque Jr. said, “Just as how Efren is bringing hope to the children of slum areas, let us also bring inspiration to people within and beyond our geographical borders by supporting one of our real-life heroes.”
Peñaflorida joins other three top 10 nominees under the ‘Championing Children’ category of the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year.
A Blue Ribbon Panel selected the individuals for the Top 10 CNN Heroes of 2009. The Top 10 CNN Heroes who will get the most online votes will be named “CNN Heroes of the Year” and shall be recognized during the “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute,” at Thanksgiving in November.
Voters can join the poll until Nov. 18, 2009 through the web link http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/index.htm.
CNN Heroes is a search for “people driven to exceptional achievement in service to others.”
This year’s search has six categories, namely: Championing Children, Community Crusader, Defending the Planet, Medical Marvel, Protecting the Powerless, and Young Marvel.
Source updates on Fr. Sinnot’s abduction from CMC, Gov. Cerilles appeals
Zamboanga
In a press conference, Gov. Cerilles pointed out one report stating that Pagadian Bishop Msgr. Emmanuel Cabajar is said to be the negotiator to the abductors. “Msgr. Cabajar is only to facilitate delivery of medicines s of Fr. Sinnott,” she corrected.
“We don’t want to confuse the people. Everything must come from the Crisis Management Committee,” the governor said. She added that CMC convenes every other day to discuss updates on the situation.
CMC member Major General Romeo Lustestica, commanding general of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, also admitted to have received reports and updates on the situation from various agencies. “It is very difficult to take action on unverified and unconfirmed reports. We must be sure about the information because the life of Fr. Sinnott is at stake,” he said.
The governor confessed that, “this is one case that’s difficult to solve”. Governor Cerilles added that the Crisis Management Committee has no contact with the abductors of the kidnapped Irish priest.
Cerilles strongly appeals to the abductors of Fr. Sinnott to allow delivery of his medicines.
The provincial government has distributed 10,000 flyers in the province, and in the coastal areas of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur purposely to establish contact with the abductors and pave the way for the timely delivery of medicines to Fr. Sinnott, who has undergone a quadruple heart by-pass operation.
The governor offered her personal mobile number as hotline for the delivery of Fr. Sinnott’s medicines, which is the immediate concern of the Crisis Management Committee.
PGMA appoints Ricketts as OMB chair; Golez as Press Undersecretary
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appointed actor-producer Ronald Naldo Ricketts, popularly known as Ronnie Ricketts as the new chairman of the Optical Media Board (OMB) which was vacated by Edu Manzano.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita announced this during his weekly media briefing at the
Ermita also said President Arroyo also appointed former National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) spokesman and Deputy Presidential Spokesman Anthony Rolando Golez Jr. as new Press Undersecretary.
Also appointed by the President were Gina Lynn Graellos-Angeles and Arturo Clemente Medina as senior state solicitor of the Office of the Solicitor-General; Masli Quilaman as executive director of the national Commission on Indigenous Peoples; Renato Velasco as member of the board of directors of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Ernesto Punzalan as board member of the Philippine Reclamation Authority.
7 DENR personnel abducted in
Seven field personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) were abducted early Wednesday morning by seven unidentified armed men at Barangay Anticala,
A report reaching the Northeastern Mindanao Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) at Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez here identified the victims as forester Gabriel Arlan, team leader Rito Espenido, Teofredo Pujadas, Emilliano Gatillo, Jr., Efren Sabuero, Eduardo Abogatal and Rudy Clar, all members of “Task Force Taguibo” Team-B based in Barangay Anticala.
The report said the abducted personnel of the Butuan Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) were enforcing forestry and mining laws when seized by the still unidentified group from their monitoring station at Barangay Anticala at 4:30 a.m.
The abductors used the DENR Toyota pick up and brought with them the said personnel of Task Force Taguibo Team-B to an unknown direction.
Chief Supt. Lino D. Calingasan, regional director of PRO 13 immediately directed the regional and provincial mobile force commanders as well as the Butuan City Police Office to conduct search and rescue operation for the abducted DENR-CENRO personnel.
“As of this time, we cannot still give the exact situation as our troops are still in the area. However, we are trying our best to address the problem,” said Chief Calingasan.
Meanwhile, DENR Northeastern Mindanao Regional Executive Director Edilberto S. Buiser is holding an emergency meeting with his staff along with Agusan del Norte and Butuan City Environment and Natural Resources Officers- PENR Officer Rosendo A. Asunto and CENR Officer Jaime Acebu about the kidnapping incident.
The DENR officials did issue any statement so as not to jeopardize the ongoing operation by the PRO 13.
Immediate family members of the victims appealed to local police authorities to immediately solve the crisis.
