MULTIMODAL EXPRESS UP IN PASIG RIVER, LAGUNA DE BAY

TO help solve the traffic problem in Metro Manila, the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) and the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) agreed to put up a multimodal express that will traverse Pasig River all the way to Laguna de Bay. The plan is part of the modernization program of the Duterte administration of the country’s entire public transportation system that will benefit millions working in Metro Manila. PRRC Executive Director Jose Antonio Goitia said the multimodal express “would give the Filipino people a vision of a colossal project that would transform the Pasig River into a viable means of transport, aims to provide reliable and efficient modes of water and light rail transportation to over 15 million commuters of Metro Manila and the Province of Laguna.” Aside from modern transportation in the Pasig River and Laguna de Bay, “the project would restore the water quality of the Pasig River to Class C level that supports and sustains aquatic life and resources – conducive for transport, recreation and tourism,” Goitia added. The Laguna de Bay ferry service would allow the riding public to circumnavigate the trading centers and tourist spots near the lake.

WEAK BARN OWL RESCUED AT NAIA

A HUNGRY barn owl was captured while looking for food near the aircraft movement area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). The unexpected visitor was too weak to fly when caught by grass-cutting personnel near the grassy portion of airport’s runway 06/24. The barn owl has a heart-shaped facial disc, formed by stiff feathers which serve to amplify and locate the source of sounds when hunting, and the open airport grass provides good hunting for mice and other prey. Airport Ground Operations Safety Division safety officer Roummel Cruz said “the captured barn owl eventually averted a potential bird strike in the area near the runway.” Its natural diet comprises small mammals, mainly field voles, common shrews and wood mice, and in NAIA, they usually feed on small rodents. The owl was turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-National Capital Region Wildlife Traffic Monitoring Unit at NAIA.

BIR EMPLOYEE NABBED FOR EXTORTION

BACOLOD CITY: The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested Revenue Officer 1 Julie Hernaez of the Bureau of Internal Revenue District Office No.77 here in an entrapment for allegedly extorting money from a trading firm in exchange for reduced tax payments. NBI Bacolod agent-in-charge Renoir Baldovino said the entrapment was based on a complaint of Genevieve Buenaflor, operations manager of JP Ramos Trading Corp., who said Hernaez demanded P500,00 that was later reduced to P250,000 for the reduction of their tax due payments. The amount Hernaez demanded was allegedly for the form to be shown to the bank that will certify that the firm will only pay P125,000. During the entrapment inside the BIR office, NBI special investigator William de Arca gave Hernaez a check worth P100,000 and P25,000 cash. Hernaez faces charges for violation of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) IV and RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees).