C- 5 ROAD RESUMES NORMAL OPERATIONS AFTER CRANE FALLS
A CRANE that fell off along C-5 road that caused heavy traffic on Tuesday afternoon is an “isolated” case and the road is now back to normal operations, according to Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. (CIC), a concessionaire of the C5-Southlink Expressway. According to CIC, a bored piling machine of contractor FF Cruz fell off the lane and damaged cable lines and also affected a powerline in the area. “We are fortunate that this incident did not result in any casualties. But many motorists were inconvenienced, and for that we apologize,” CIC president Luigi Bautista said in a statement. The lanes resumed normal operations by 2 a.m. after the contractor deployed manpower and equipment to clear the site.
MAKATI ISSUES CERTIFIED COPY OF DOCUMENTS FOR FREE
AS part of the Civil Registration Month observance this February, Makati City is offering free certified copies of civil documents to its citizens from February 26 to 28. Under the “Rehistradong Pamilya, May Libreng Isang Kopya” program, Mayor Abigail Binay said the City Civil Registration Office will be issuing for free one certified true copy each of civil registry certificates of birth, marriage, death, as well as certificate of no record on file to residents and other qualified beneficiaries. Last year, the City Council passed an ordinance suspending the collection of local fees imposed for the processing and issuance of certified true copies of the documents while a regular fee will apply for succeeding copies. The documents will be released after three working days from filing of application. “Since last year, we have allotted three working days for the initiative since we want to accommodate more people as far as practicable, especially those who have less in life. This will help them get the necessary records that they can use for employment, enrolment in school, and for other purposes, free of charge,” the mayor said. Makati residents and clients pay P104 for a civil document to be issued after three working days, or P154 for rushed release, which is issued an hour upon application.
ANOTHER NPA REBEL NABBED IN KALINGA
THE Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police arrested on Wednesday another communist New People’s Army (NPA) member in Lubuagan, Kalinga. Sabas Balcanao, alias “Solo” was arrested during the raid in Sitio (sub-village) Dugong in Barangay Lower Uma by the Army’s 50th Infantry Battalion (50IB) of the 5th Infantry (Star) Division (5ID) and Lubuagan town police. Lt. Col. Isagani Nato, Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) public information officer, said Balcanal was listed in the 4th Quarter of 2017 under Abraham Bannawagan Command, Komiting Larangang Gerilya Baggas by virtue of a warrant of arrest for attempted murder issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 25 in Tabuk City, Kalinga. Balcanao was turned over to the Kalinga provincial police office for custody.
ILOCOS NORTE GOVT SHARES ‘GREEN FEES’ WITH HOST TOWN
LAOAG CITY: Effective next month, the “green fees” collected by the provincial government from tourists visiting the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation and Cape Bojeador lighthouse in Burgos, Ilocos Norte will be shared to the host municipality. Vice Gov. Eugenio Angelo Marcos Barba confirmed on Tuesday following the approval of an ordinance granting the sharing of green fee collections between the provincial government of Ilocos Norte to get 70 percent and the local government of Burgos will have 30 percent. Ranging from P10 to P20 per visitor, the green fee being collected at the main entrance of the different tourist destinations in the province is meant for the maintenance of its surroundings and other facilities. The provincial government initiated the improvement of the Burgos Rock Formation and Cape Bojeador which are now one of the top tourist destinations in Ilocos Norte while Burgos government takes charge of the provision and maintenance of water supply in the areas.
JUNKSHOP OWNER SUES CITY OFFICIALS IN NEGROS
BACOLOD CITY: A junkshop owner filed a case against officials of Silay City government in Negros Occidental claiming that they won the bidding for the junk vehicles, waste materials and other items from by the city but the contract was awarded to another bidder. Court records show that Franklyn Junkshop has sought an injunction and damages against Silay City Mayor Mark Andrew Golez; members of the Disposal Committee – Ryan Montoro, Ramon Dumancas, Salvador Melgar, Elsie Jimenea, DeLa Ledesma and Kent Torres; and Raul Belleza, representative of Errol Mariah Enterprises. Lawyer Archie Baribar, counsel for the complainants, said couple Franklin and Analyn Posa of Franklyn Junkshop, filed a civil case before the Regional Trial Court, claiming they won the highest bid at more than P3.7 million for the contract on October 27, 2017. But despite the clear proof that Franklyn Junkshop was a competent and winning bidder, the award was given to Errol Mariah Enterprises whose bid was only P3.043 million. Baribar added they will also filed criminal and administrative charges against the city officials before the Office of the Ombudsman for violation of the anti-graft law. Golez and the other respondents could not be reached for comment as of this writing.