Gov't mulling options for rice surplus
OFWs' mandatory membership to Pag-Ibig hit
'Very low prospects' for Pinoy nurses in Europe - POEA
8 more PAL flights cancelled due to pilots' exodus
2 PAL international flights delayed amid labor dispute with pilots
PAL to pilots: Return to work in 7 days
Aquino steps into airline row
Aquino: Pilots who violated PAL contracts can be charged in court
SC upholds dismissal of Maribago Resort cashier
The Supreme Court has reversed the Court of Appeals ruling that ordered Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort in Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City to pay the back wages and other benefits of one of its cashiers who was dismissed for dishonesty in 2005.
Chief Justice Renato Corona, who presided over the high tribunal's first division, ruled that the appellate court erred in its decision that found the resort management guilty of illegally dismissing Nito Dual.
SC denies plea to nullify cityhood laws
Meca, Gullas complete slate for councilors league polls
Danao City Councilor Remedios Durano-Meca and Talisay City Councilor Eduardo Gullas III yesterday announced their complete lineup for the upcoming provincial elections of the Philippine Councilors League.
Meca and Gullas announced that Balamban Councilor Dave Karamihan will run for Secretary General, Sogod Councilor Gamaliel Lumapas for Treasurer, Boljoon Councilor Alfredo Awe for Auditor, and Consolacion Councilor Julius Alegado for Press Relations Officer.
Meanwhile, Councilors Emmarie Lolipop Ouano-Dizon of Mandaue City, Mercury Fernandez of Pilar, Rodolfo Cabigas of Talisay City, Emmanuel Jo of Balamban, Alfonso Pestolante of San Remigio, Robert Selma of Minglanilla, Samuel Moralde of Daanbantayan and Napoleon Teves of Santander will run for Board of Directors.
Ombudsman starts probe on SRP launch spending
The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has already started its investigation on the complaint filed against former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña for spending more than P1 million to launch the South Road Properties (SRP).
CCMC credit officer summoned for preliminary investigation
The committee investigating the lost of 28 Philhealth checks issued to the Cebu City Medical Center has summoned credit officer Lourdes Archua to a preliminary conference on Wednesday.
20 Cebu City Hall executives to get new cars
THE Cebu City Government acquired new vehicles for 20 of its department heads, a P27-million purchase that officials prepared for when they worked last year on the city's budget, said Councilor Joey Daluz.
But Daluz said he will also recommend an auction of all vehicles in the City Government that were bought five years ago or earlier, as one way to bring down fuel consumption and maintenance costs.
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The General Services Office (GSO) has asked for P30 million to be included in Supplemental Budget (SB) 4 for fuel, oil and lubricants for the City Government's 1,273 vehicles, from October to December.
Daluz found the amount too much and asked the GSO for an inventory of City Hall's vehicles. He said the city might save some money if it disposes of vehicles five years old or older.
The councilor chairs the committee on budget and finance in the city council. He told the GSO to submit a report to his office and to Mayor Michael Rama within this month.
GSO started the inventory last week, following the councilor's request.
Meanwhile, the mayor personally distributed the new vehicles to the department heads and asked them to meet his expectations.
The mayor is using a new maroon Montero Sport these days, but he clarified it is only a service unit Mitsubishi lent him while the company repairs his vehicle.
He said he hopes the new vehicles will boost the department heads' pride and confidence in performing their duties efficiently.
"They should be sensitive now that they are having that mobility, mo-enhance gyud ilang serbisyo (their services will be enhanced). Nganong dili man ta mag-expect ana (Why shouldn't we expect that)?" Rama said.
Rama earlier asked the department heads for a list of activities they intend to execute in his first 10 days.
The activities were identified in focus group discussions.
Department heads who fail to deliver on their commitment will be questioned, he said.
House committee to probe illegal fishing in Cebu
The House Committee on Aqua and Fisheries will investigate the reported rampant illegal fishing in the northern part of Cebu and other areas in the Visayan Sea.
Pollution worsens in Butuanon River
POLLUTION in the Butuanon River worsened last year, according to a report by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas that was released recently.
The annual report by DENR 7's Environmental Management Bureau said the biological oxygen demand (BOD) exceeded the target value of 15 milligrams per liter (mg/L) for Class D bodies of water.
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Butuanon River is Class D, meaning water from the upstream area can still be used for drinking and washing, but the middle and downstream portions are for industrial purposes or used as a drainage canal.
The DENR 7 report states the agency considers monitoring the water quality of the 23-kilometer Butuanon River one of its major concerns.
The tests measure BOD concentrations and oxygen levels.
The BOD is a measure of the oxygen used by microorganisms to decompose waste. A high BOD value means a large quantity of organic waste is present in the water supply, which requires a lot of bacteria to decompose the waste.
Butuanon's BOD levels increased in April and June, with values pegged at 172.9 mg/L or 11 times higher than the standard. This was mainly due to the summer or dry season, the report said.
There were improvements in water quality between July and September, but the average value taken during monthly tests from January to December 2009 was 51.8 mg/L.
This is three times higher than the standard compared to levels recorded in 2008.
"There is an increase in the pollution of the Butuanon River compared to 2008 data," the report said.
Highest
Compared with the 2007 BOD average result of 48.2 mg/L or just three times higher than standard, the latest figures are the highest in three years.
The environment agency, in its report, said monitoring activities are part of efforts for stakeholders to improve water quality, in response to complaints from the public.
The agency has nine sampling stations: Cambaga-ong bridge, Butuanon bridge, Tingub bridge, Greenhills outfall, Pilit Treasure Island, Old Pilit (HJR outfall), Canduman bridge, Bacayan bridge and Sta. Lucia bridge.
A large portion of the pollution, DENR 7 said, comes from industrial effluents. The highest average BOD level was taken from the Cambaga-ong station (168.6 mg/L), the most polluted portion of the river.
"On the other hand, the most upstream (portion of the river) has the lowest BOD of 2.07 mg/L since lesser pollutant sources are located in that station. This confirms that the most polluted part is the downstream portion of the Butuanon River. This shows that the river is still far from rehabilitation," the report stated.
Guadalupe Latonio, Citizens' League for Ecological Awareness and Responsibility (Clear) head, told Sun.Star Cebu there has been minimal or no change in the quality of water in the Butuanon River for years.
"There are no more easement zones, the people are going right into the river," she
added.
The environment group regularly conducts riverbank protection activities such as tree planting and river clean-up drives.
Latonio made a presentation before lawyers at the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) session last Saturday.
"Results (of tests conducted on the river) are not very good in the Mandaue City side. But in the upstream portion of the river, particularly at Binaliw-Pulang Bato area,
the water is still good," she said.
Latonio also noted that the Butuanon River Watershed Management Board was dormant for 10 years, but was recently revived by Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes. But there are still questions raised on where to source funds and personnel for the board.
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