Iloilo City News January 2019

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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

8 Iloilo universities throw support to ‘Blood Olympics’

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- Eight universities in Iloilo province accepted the challenge to donate blood as part of the second “Dinagyang Blood Olympics” organized by the Iloilo chapter of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).

PRC-Iloilo service representative Joji Marmolejo, in an interview Friday, said December and January are crucial months because only few donate blood but the demand is huge.

“To fill in the gap, we opted that even in January, we will encourage our youth to donate so that in case of emergency, we can still cater to their needs,” Marmolejo said.

She expressed hope that they could raise 100 bags from each of the participating schools -- St. Therese-MTC, University of San Agustin, Central Philippine University, John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University - Molo and Arevalo campuses, University of Iloilo, Iloilo Science and Technology University, and West Visayas State University.

“There will be eight universities helping Red Cross to bridge the gap,” she said, adding that there will be a separate schedule for each school.

Last year’s “Blood Olympics” generated about 300 bags for PRC. Marmolejo said that they are trying to increase the collection as she urged other schools to also join the bloodletting.

Apart from the “Blood Olympics”, PRC has also institutionalized its medical mission and food aid program for public elementary schools in the city, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Metro Iloilo and the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc.

“On the ninth year of our Dinagyang food aid program, our goal is to reach all public schools. We choose them based on the recommendation of the Department of Education, as well as the Dinagyang Foundation,” she said.

This year, seven schools were chosen as recipients, including the elementary schools of Don Esteban – Calumpang, I. Arroyo, Bo. Obrero, MV Hechanova, Bito-on, and Balabago.

For the medical mission, they chose San Isidro in La Paz and San Isidro, Jaro.

“These are areas where Ilonggos are not well-privileged to have access to the medical services of the government,” she said.

Japanese tourists to show Ilonggos how to manage wastes

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- Locals and other spectators will be on the lookout as to how the Japanese manage their wastes, as 400 tourists on board the crew ship M/V Pacific Venus of Japan will arrive in this city in time for the highlights of the 2019 Dinagyang Festival on January 26.

Neil Ravena of the city government’s General Services Office, who is in charge of the festival’s sanitation, said Friday the Japanese have shown the world how disciplined they were during the FIFA World Cup held in Russia.

Japanese fans, despite the defeat of their national football team, stayed behind to tidy the stadium.

“They will be staying at the grandstand, so we will see and compare with other stages what would be the outcome,” Ravena said during a press conference.

Nonetheless, he appealed to the spectators to help ensure the cleanliness of Iloilo City throughout the festival, whose highlights will run from January 25 to 27.

Ravena said they will deploy 90 street sweepers to the five judging areas, along with 10 supervisors and inspectors who will do the monitoring. Personnel carrying black bags are tasked to collect the garbage in every judging area.

There will also be portable toilets (portalets) to be positioned in every judging area.

He said that on January 28, a day after the highlights, they expect the wastes to be triple or even more than the regular garbage collected on regular days.

“We have prepared 220 sweepers to clean up the city in the morning. We will try that by 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., the city would be clean,” Ravena said, calling for the dismantling of kiosks as early as 3 a.m. of January 28 so that the areas could be cleaned.

Last year, they collected 40 tons to 50 tons of garbage, or the equivalent of 25 trucks, during the first round of collection. Most of those wastes were biodegradable materials.

Meanwhile, Ravena said they have been encouraging Ilonggos to observe “Zero Waste Month” this January.

He said their enforcement team has been doing focus group discussions since last month for waste management down to the barangay level.

“Since December (2018), we have conducted a series of meetings with our barangay captains so we can cascade the zero waste management down to the barangay,” he said.

However, they are expecting that not all of the guests could properly manage their wastes during this Dinagyang season.

Construction of additional lanes underway to widen Iloilo-Antique road

By Carlson B. Alelis (LTP/DPWH/CBA/PIA6)

ILOILO CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) - Iloilo First District Engineering Office is currently widening some sections in the Iloilo-Antique road by turning two-lane sections to four lanes.

Based on the agency’s press release, a budget of P87.045 million was earmarked which will be used for the road widening with a total length of 2.549 kilometers.

The intermittent sections in the towns of Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal, Miagao and San Joaquin will be covered by the project.

Specifically, these areas are in Brgy. Trapiche in Oton, Brgy. Tupan in Tigbauan, Brgy. Nanga in Guimbal, Brgy. Kirayan in Miagao and Brgy. Tapikan in San Joaquin.

According to district engineer Nonie Viyar, travel time will be reduced significantly by about 30 minutes.

Further, she said products and commodities will be transported easier and faster from Iloilo City to Antique province and vice versa.

In addition, the project involves earthworks to include clearing and grubbing, removal of trees in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Also part of the project is the removal of obstruction/illegal structures, excavation, embankment and subgrade preparation; concreting of two more lanes (one lane at both sides of the existing two-lane, two-way road) with Portland Concrete Cement Pavement (PCCP); construction of drainage and slope protection.

Japanese cruise ship to visit Iloilo City for Dinagyang Festival

By Leonard T. Pineda, I (JBG/LTP/DOT6/PIA-Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY (PIA) -- Japanese cruise ship “MV Pacific Venus” will arrive in Iloilo City on January 26, 2019, in time for the world-renowned Dinagyang Festival.

In a media release, Department of Tourism (DOT)-6 Regional Director Helen Catalbas said that the agency and the local government unit here is 100 percent ready for the arrival of the Japanese cruise ship which will carry a total of 720 passengers including 180 crew members.

“The Department of Tourism Region 6 assures that the facilities and front liners are now ready for the arrival of this Japanese cruise ship,” she said.

MV Pacific Venus with 183 meters in length will dock at the Iloilo International Port, Loboc, Lapuz, Iloilo City in the morning of January 26 and will leave in the afternoon of the following day.

An estimated 400 Japanese passengers will witness the highlights of the Dinagyang Festival including the Kasadyahan Cultural Competition and the Dagyang Tribes Competition.

Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. recently announced that 400 seats are reserved in the newly constructed Iloilo City Dinagyang Grandstand for the visitors.

They will also have a tour in Iloilo City which includes a visit to Jaro Church and plaza, Molo Church and Mansion, Casa Mariquit and a running tour of the Jaro district here.

According to Catalbas, Iloilo City and Roxas City are now ready for the cruise tourism, as per assessment of the local cruise composite inspection team.

“We are continuously coordinating with other government agencies especially the Philippine Ports Authority to ensure the security and smooth arrival of the Japanese cruise ship, memorable Dinagyang Festival experience and Iloilo City tour of visitors up to the time they leave,” she said.

Arrangements for the arrival of the Japanese cruise ship MV Pacific Venus in Iloilo City started in January last year, when ship executives conducted an ocular inspection of Iloilo City.

The second ocular inspection was conducted on December 11 to 12, 2018.

Catalbas said the arrival of the Japanese cruise ship is a big break for the tourism industry of Iloilo City.

“Japan is known for its high standards, and Iloilo City being one of the destinations of MV Pacific Venus means a lot," she added.

City government gives livelihood aid to PWDs

(PR)

THE Iloilo City Government gave P5,000 livelihood assistance each to six persons with disabilities (PWDs) during the flag ceremony January 14.

“This is Iloilo City Government’s way of supporting PWDs. We hope it helps in some ways for their daily expenses,” Mayor Jose Espinosa III said.

The beneficiaries were Catherine Baloloy from Barangay Calumpang, Molo; Mary Grace Garche from Rizal Pala-pala, City Proper; Danilo Rodinas Jr., from Barangay Sinikway, Lapuz; Evelyn Sarsowa from Barangay Caingin, La Paz; and Rufina Tagudinay from Mandurriao district.

City Social Welfare and Development Office head Gene Garingalao said they monitor the livelihood of recipients to ensure that they properly use the assistance given to them.

“They can either use the assistance for charcoal vending, selling of food delicacies, fish vending or putting a sari-sari store,” Garingalao said.

DTI6 mulls ‘Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay’ in Iloilo

By Leonard T. Pineda, I (JBG/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-6 is planning to conduct its “Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay” project in Iloilo this year to boost and encourage more barangay-based business ventures.

DTI-6 Regional Director Rebecca Rascon said the initiative aims to intensify the promotion and dissemination of the agency’s programs and services to help start-ups and micro enterprises in the barangays.

“We can invite other government agencies for this activity,” she said.

Rascon said the agency targets to conduct this project in selected barangays in the highly-urbanized city of Iloilo.

She added that this initiative will not just be a “one-day activity” but the agency will ensure to do follow-ups for these small ventures to provide assistance and possibly to refer them to small business corporations.

Meanwhile, DTI-6 reported that a total of 108 Negosyo Centers (NCs) have been established in Western Visayas, as November 30 last year.

Rascon said that NCs have been established in all local government units (LGUs) of Aklan, Antique and Capiz.

She said that 70 percent of LGUs in Iloilo already have NCs, including the two that were recently launched in Tigbauan and Tubungan.

P45-M grandstand ready for Dinagyang fest

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- The new freedom grandstand will be completed before the highlight of the Dinagyang Festival slated from January 25 to 27 this year.

This was the assurance made by Engineer Roberto Divinagracia on Monday, noting the PHP45-million structure is now 95 percent finished.

He said the façade will be completed by January 11 in time for the festival’s opening salvo. Currently, they are working on its finishing touches and variation orders.

“The grandstand will host the opening salvo,” he said.

The old freedom grandstand was once situated along J.M. Basa Street fronting Mapa Street. It was demolished to give way to the restoration of the Sunburst Park that was situated in between the old grandstand and the Bureau of Customs (BoC) building.

The new grandstand, a smaller version of Manila's Quirino Grandstand, is now located at the Muelle Loney area fronting the Iloilo River.

The new structure, he said, is bigger than the old one. It can accommodate 1,960 seats from the previous 1,000. It also has a bigger lounge for guests and wider comfort rooms.

Meanwhile, the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) will implement a rerouting for the staging of the opening salvo.

PSTMO head Jeck Conlu said routes affected by the opening salvo will be closed to traffic starting 1 p.m.

Eight tribes joining the Dagyang Tribes Dance Competition will perform in carousel type in all five designated stages during the opening salvo.

Starting from the grandstand/Muelle Loney, the tribes will have to turn left to Aduana Street, turn right to J.M. Basa towards F. Caram Avenue/Arroyo Fountain, leading to Stage 2 at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.

They will then proceed to Stage 3 situated at Quezon-Ledesma Streets by turning left to Gen. Luna Street, and turn left again to Delgado Street.

From Stage 3, the tribe will turn left to Ledesma Street, turn right to Iznart Street, and turn left to Aldeguer Street where Stage 4 is located.

The tribe will next proceed to Stage 5 by turning right to JM Basa Street towards Dela Rama/ Huervas St.

PSA enumerators undergo training, survey starts Jan. 9

By Lilibeth A. French (JBG/PSA/laf/PIA-Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 8 (PIA) -- Twenty-five statistical researchers and two team supervisors hired by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) – Guimaras gathered for a six-day training in line with the conduct of the 2018 Family Income and Expenditure Survey second visit (FIES V2) in the province starting January 9, 2019.

PSA-Guimaras provincial statistics officer Nelida Losare said the six-day 3rd level training which started on January 3 aims to equip the enumerators of the official concepts and definition of terms used in the survey questionnaires.

The 2018 FIES V2 intends to generate the income and expenditure data for the period July to December to complete the information for the year 2018. It was in July 2018 when the first visit data collection was conducted to cover the period of January to June 2018.

FIES is a nationwide survey of households undertaken every three years. It serves as the main source of data on family income and expenditures, to include the levels of consumption by item of expenditure as well as the sources of income in cash and in kind.

Losare said the information gathered will show the standards of living and disparities in income of families, spending patterns; supply standard information to update the weights used in the estimation of the Consumer Price Index (CPl); and will also give inputs in the estimation of the province’s poverty threshold and incidence.

“It is one of the most important surveys conducted by the PSA due to its uses,” said Losare.

FIES provide the basic source of information used in the estimation of the household account in the system of national accounts and balances; used in the measurement of the Human Development Index; supplies information for assessing the impact on living standards and existing or proposed social and economic programs of the government; used for formulating welfare-oriented policies; and generates data needed for statistical demand analysis leading to the estimation of income, price and cross elasticity of demand, among other things.

Enumerators will visit and interview the same sample households during the FIES visit 1 in 13 barangays of Buenavista, 8 barangays in Jordan, 11 in Nueva Valencia, 6 in San Lorenzo and 7 barangays in Sibunag.

Losare is encouraging sample households to support and be patient in giving truthful information to their trained enumerators for the successful conduct of 2018 FIES V2. Also, to ensure the provision of reliable data to stakeholders and policy makers.

DA 6 eyes improved personnel capability, facilities

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Western Visayas is eyeing the improvement of the capability of its personnel and is investing on additional equipment as mandated in its five-year corporate plan starting this year.

DA 6 Regional Executive Director Remelyn Recoter, in a phone interview Monday, said the corporate plan that was launched December 17 last year was more on “internal”, as she cited the need to “develop the capability of our people and facilities”.

“Our facility also has to cope with the new trend such as improved laboratory, building, and other resources,” she said.

DA 6 has four existing laboratories to include the soils laboratory, seeds laboratory, animal diagnostics laboratory, and crop protection center.

Recoter said they would like to add more tests, particularly on the fertility of individual farms. Currently, the soil laboratory can only test nitrogen phosphorous potassium (NPK).

“We will add more equipment so our tests will not just be on basics but we will go into micro nutrient determination,” she said.

Moreover, since their new office building is expected to be completed by end of this year, the DA is also looking forward to seek an ISO accreditation to “improve management and procedure”.

The DA in Western Visayas will also kick off this year by cascading their corporate plan down to their subordinates.

“The corporate plan was prepared by the upper management so we need to trickle it down to our other personnel so they would know our plan for the next five years,” the regional executive director said.

In addition, there will be trainings to prepare, especially those who are next in line, in anticipation of the retirement of personnel this year.

“Our next in line has to go undergo training, more on technical discipline, so we also have something to offer to our clients,” she added.

Along with the corporate plan, DA also launched its new logo design and official hymn. The design was conceptualized by Faye Ann Gasapo of the DA-Philippine Rural Development Project Visayas, while the hymn titled “Kadalag-an sang Agrikultura” was composed by Dante Beriong from San Jose, Antique.

Both reflect the agriculture department’s vision of “Service excellence to ensure food security for all”, and mission that speaks of the commitment of DA of “providing innovative support services with its state-of–the-art facilities for sustainable, competitive and resilient agricultural industries”.

A copy of the corporate plan during the launching was delivered to Recoter using a drone to mark the technological advancement of DA in Region 6.

The regional office made use of drones for the conduct of geo-mapping and damage assessment.

2019 Iloilo Dinagyang run set on Jan. 20

By Adrian Stewart Co (/PN)

RUNNING enthusiasts from Iloilo City and nearly areas are encouraged to participate in the 2019 Iloilo Dinagyang Run slated on Jan. 20 at SM City South Point in Iloilo City.

Moises Salomon of Iloilo City Sports and Youth Development Office said that the race is divided into two categories – the 21k half marathon and 5k run, which is for the benefit of city’s cervical cancer free program.

The registration for the run is already ongoing at the Sports Office of Iloilo City Hall and FAFORMA Mary Mart mall. There will also be registration at SM City Iloilo starting next week. The registration fee is pegged at P750.

“We are inviting the Ilonggo running enthusiasts as well as runners from other parts of Region 6 and nearby regions to participate in this yearly run,” Salomon said. “They still have until January 19 to register.”

The one-day running event was one of the sporting events prepared by the Iloilo City government as part of the annual Dinagyang Festival, which is celebrated every third week of January.

For inquiries regarding the event, running enthusiasts can call 333-1111 loc. 503 or text or call at 09267244403.

DOLE to hire over a thousand students through SPES

By Lilibeth A. French (JBG/DOLE/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY (PIA) - - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Iloilo Field Office targets to employ 1,091 students for the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) this year.

Some P7.2 million fund was allocated by DOLE –Iloilo for the implementation of the 2019 SPES which is an employment bridging program implemented during Summer or Christmas Vacation.

SPES aims to augment the family’s income of poor but deserving students, out-of-school youths (OSY) or dependents of displaced workers who intend to finish their education.

DOLE partners with employers, intermediaries and Local Government Units (LGUs) for pledges on their counterpart for the payment of the salaries of the beneficiaries under the program.

In a press report, DOLE 6 reported that a total of 70 partners from LGUs, schools and private companies participated in the 2019 SPES Pledging Session for Iloilo Province on November 16, 2018 at the Penthouse of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol building.

The active partners are the Iloilo City Public Employment Service Office (PESO), Iloilo Provincial Government; New Panay Agri-Ventures, Bancon, local government units of Miag-ao, Passi City, Oton, Leganes, Cabatuan, Maasin, Pavia, Concepcion, Barotac Viejo, and Batad,; and schools such as John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University, Central Philippine University, University of San Agustin, West Visayas State University, Iloilo Science and Technology University and the University of Iloilo PHINMA.

The amount of pledges submitted by the DOLE’s partners reached P13.98M during the activity, which represents 60 percent of the salary of the SPES beneficiaries.

On the part of DOLE, the budget of P7.2 million will be allocated to these partners proportionately, and will fund the remaining 40 percent of the salary the beneficiaries.

DAR distributes trucks to Iloilo ARB organizations

By Lilibeth A. French

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 4 (PIA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) – Iloilo Provincial Office distributed recently three units of six-wheeler trucks to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in the province of Iloilo.

Recipients ARBOs are Southern Iloilo Area Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SIAMPC) in Oton, KAMTA Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative (KAMTA) in Janiuay and KASSAPI Agrarian Reform Cooperative in Passi City.

The distribution is part of the agency’s various support intervention being provided to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) to improve their quality of life.

On the other hand, DAR-Iloilo has also successfully installed 27 ARBs in Barangay Pasig, Sara, Iloilo on December 19, 2018.

The ARBs are now in possession of the property formerly owned by Ma. Elena Yusay with an area of more or less 66 hectares through a Writ of Installation issued on December 14, 2018 by Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) II Lucrecia S. Taberna.

Corazon Pama, one of the ARBs, said they are very thankful to DAR for the land they had dreamt of were already given to them.

DTI launches ‘FabLab’ in ISAT-U

By Leonard T. Pineda, I (JBG/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 3 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-6 recently launched the Iloilo Center for Design, Prototyping and Modeling or Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab) at the Research Hub of the Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U) Main Campus in La Paz district here.

DTI-6 Regional Director Rebecca M. Rascon and ISAT-U President Dr. Raul F. Muyong signed the Memorandum of Agreement and Usufruct Agreement between DTI-6 and ISAT-U during the turnover of the FabLab, which is one of the agency’s shared services facility (SSF) projects in the region.

“The purpose of the FabLab is to provide a facility that will enhance product design,” Rascon said.

Rascon said that DTI-6 provided the machineries and equipment for the FabLab which include laser cutter, plasma cutter, wood router, embroidery machine, thermal former, large scale tarpaulin printer and laptop.

She said that the total amount spent for the equipment and facility was P7 million.

Rascon also said that ISAT-U was selected as co-operator and partner institution due to its accessibility; the relevance of offered courses to the facility; and the support given by the management team led by Dr. Muyong.

“The FabLab will serve as workshop for students,” she said.

She said that the expected clients would be 70 percent from the academe and 30 percent from micro, small and medium enterprises.

She added that the establishment of FabLab is part of the agency’s digitalization project and a response to the growing start-up community here.

Iloilo City bags Nat’l ADAC Performance Award

(PR)

ILOILO City is a recipient of the National Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) Performance Award by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) following the 2017 ADAC Performance Audit-National Calibration.

“This is a manifestation that Iloilo City’s ADAC (Icadac) is functioning well and that we at the council are doing our best in order to sustain our drive against illegal drugs campaign in support to the campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte. Rest assured that our efforts in sustaining this drive will not stop after we are considered as one of the awardees, instead, this will continue as long as there is someone in our city who is engaged in illegal drug activities,” Mayor Jose Espinosa III, ICADAC chairperson, said.

Awarding ceremony was held on December 28 in Metro Manila.

Espinosa said the City Government is not letting-up in the campaign against illegal drugs.

As directed by the Icadac, all 180 barangays here or 100 percent already have duly constituted Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Badac).

The City Police work in securing the people and ensuring maintenance of peace and order generated positive results through enhanced mobility with more vehicles and logistics, ably supported and funded by the City Government’s Peace and Order Fund.

A Treatment and Rehabilitation Program or the Crossroads: Community Change Center was also established by the City Government for those who use illegal drugs. It has produced a total of 705 graduates wherein 199 graduated from the first batch, 201 in second batch, 175 in the third batch, and 130 in the fourth batch.

Espinosa stressed the City is giving full support and cooperation to other anti-drug programs and advocacies of various national government agencies.

On September 14 of this year, the DILG issued the Memorandum Order 2018-159 for the implementation of the nationwide 2017 ADAC Performance Audit.

The audit criteria include:

1. the organization of local ADAC that consists of creation or reorganization and composition of members pursuant to DILG MC 98-227 and 2012-94;

2. conduct of quarterly meetings; allocation of funds for the implementation of anti-drug activities as indicated in the Peace and Order and Public Safety (POPS) plan;

3. implementation for ADAC plans and programs which include the actual utilization of budget vs. its target, actual physical accomplishment versus the target, drug-cleared barangays within the province, city or municipality, timeliness of implementation, and establishment of Special Drug Education Center or its equivalent facility (for provinces only);

4. support to the ADACs in component LGUs including formulation of community support, aftercare and reintegration (CSAR) Plan (for cities and municipalities); and innovation.

The Phase 1 of the Performance Audit, which includes Data Gathering Phase, started on September to October 2018. Phase II or Verification Phase was held on October 25 to November 28. Phase 3, which was the Finalization and Calibration Phase, was held from November 29 to December 11. Phase 4 or Presentation of Results of the list of 2018 High Functioning ADACs based on the validation of the National Audit Team was held on December 12.

The last phase which was posting the approved list was also held in December.

New Year revelry in W. Visayas 'peaceful'

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY – Western Visayas remained peaceful amid incidents of alleged stray bullet and indiscriminate firing that were recorded as the region welcomed the New Year, a Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) official said Tuesday.

PRO6 spokesperson Supt. Joem Malong said the coverage of the New Year celebration was “very successful” as they only recorded 40 firecracker-related injuries (FWRIs) from Dec. 16, 2018 until Jan. 1, 2019.

“Guimaras and Antique have no reported firecracker-related injuries or casualties,” she cited.

Malong said the highest number at 18 of FWRIs came from Capiz.

She reported that Iloilo province has nine; Bacolod City, seven; Iloilo City, three; Negros Occidental, two; and Aklan with one incident.

On the other hand, the alleged stray bullet incidents were recorded in the towns of Maasin and Janiuay in Iloilo.

The first victim was identified as 59-year-old Magdalena Dulce from Aquino Nobleza West, Janiuay who was hit on her head while she was watching a fireworks display at around 12:40 a.m.

In Maasin, the victim was identified as 15-year-old Julius Julie Engada, who suffered wounds on his nape and the back of his body. The incident happened at Barangay Subog, Maasin at around 11:50 p.m. of Dec. 31, 2018.

“As of now, the alleged stray bullet incidents are still under investigation. We have no suspects yet,” Malong said.

Both victims were brought to nearest hospital while a deformed slug of unknown caliber was recovered at the place of the incident in Janiuay.

Meanwhile, the local police arrested 37-year-old Stewart Mirasol of Barangay Hibao-an Norte in Mandurriao district at 12:30 a.m. of January 1 for illegal discharge of firearm. The responding team recovered a 9-mm pistol from the suspect.

Malong said the suspect will face charges for alarm and scandal and illegal possession of firearm if he had no license.

PRO6 operatives also confiscated some PHP154,775 worth of illegal firecrackers.

“The successful security coverage is attributed to focused law enforcement operations, the implementation of the Oplan Ligtas Paskuhan 2018 and the support and cooperation of the community and other stakeholders,” she added.

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