SEVEN FIRMS in various industries are expected to inject P1.597 billion worth of investments into the economy starting this quarter, the Board of Investments yesterday said.

The projects -- which range from mass housing to shipping and manufacturing -- have qualified for tax perks, the board said.

Among these are two Filipino-owned real estate developers that will be spending P996.44 million to build houses in Cavite.

Property Company of Friends, Inc. will be putting out P720 million to build 520 units for developments in Carmona and Imus, Cavite dubbed Carmona Estate Phase 8 and 7 and Chesapeake Village Phase 2. Household Development Corp. will be constructing the 507-unit Lessandra Bacoor 2 in Bacoor, Cavite to the tune of P276.55 million.
Both projects will start operations in December.

In that month, shipping firm Sun Marine Corp. is also expected to start its oil transport operations worth P477.06 million.

Sun Marine will be running a second-hand double-hulled tanker purchased from Korea to shuttle petroleum products around the country.

The total figure also includes P123.944 million worth of agriculture and manufacturing investments, some of which have already started running this month.

Llanera Grains Complex is putting up a P68.765-million rice mill in Nueva Ecija while Freshmax Corp. is spending P15 million to grow bananas in Compostella Valley for export to Korea.

A P40-million investment, meanwhile, is expected from Macondray Plastics, Inc. which plans to make packaging for bananas.

Mt. Makiling International Oil, Inc. rounds out the list with a P180,000 project to process coconut oil into cooking oil and soap.
The projects are projected to generate 877 jobs.

THE HIGH-end property unit controlled by the Sys more than doubled its January to September profits as demand for houses at its flagship Tagaytay Highlands remains brisk.

Based on its financial statements, the net income of Belle Corp. stood at P143 million from July to September, up from the P48 million in the same period last year. This brought nine-month profits to P301 million, or an increase of 148%.

Revenues during the nine-month period went up by more than a tenth to P1.04 billion.

Belle attributed the higher revenues to the sale of lots in the Verandas at Saratoga Hills and the Lakeside Fairways Phase 6 (Cotswold) and Phase 7 (Katsura). The company said revenues in the near future will continue to come from both projects.

Fairfield, a project adjacent to the Verandas that will be launched in the last quarter this year, will also be a major source of profits, Belle said. The new project will become a seven-hectare development with 100 to 120 lots.

The lots, averaging at 400 square meters (sq. m.) each, will sold for P7,000 per sq.m. The “contemporary suburban American style” project is expected to be turned over to buyers in 2011.

Among the company’s current projects are the first four phases of Lakeside Fairways (Kew Gardens, Terrazas de Alava, Lakeside Enclave and Tivoli Place) which are now 92% complete and more than 86% sold.

Cotswold, launched last year, is already 45% complete with more than half already sold, while the Japanese-inspired Katsura is already 39% complete and 76% sold.
Meanwhile, Belle said its investment in associated companies also helped lift profits. Equity contribution from associates Pacific Online Systems Corp. and Highlands Prime, Inc. rose by 60% to P121.9 million
Pacific Online leases online equipment to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office for lottery operations in the Visayas and Mindanao and is 35% owned by the company. Belle holds another 36% stake in Highlands Prime, a listed real estate company, which is also engaged in the development of Tagaytay Highlands.

The company is also involved in the development of the ambitious Pagcor City. It recently acquired a stake in one of the companies that will help establish the entertainment complex along Manila Bay.

LISTED OIL refiner Petron Corp. warned it could incur up to P1.5 billion in losses in the fourth quarter due to the price control order issued by Malacañang.

In a disclosure, Petron said it would comply with Executive Order (EO) No. 839 issued on Oct. 23. The order directs oil industry players to maintain retail prices of petroleum products at a price level before tropical storm Pepeng in Luzon on Oct. 15. The government can issue a price freeze order on basic commodities in times of calamity.

“With this price control, Petron is estimated to incur a net loss of P1.5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2009 alone as it begins to ‘digest’ higher-priced crude oil inventory in November and December,” it said.
The firm said it has rolled back the per liter prices of its premium gasoline by P 1.25, P0.85 for regular gasoline, P2.00 for diesel and P1.50 for kerosene effective 6 a.m. on Oct. 27.

“These price decreases were done despite the rising costs of crude oil and finished petroleum products in the world market,” Petron said, reiterating that the price freeze could lead to a shortage of fuel products as companies stop selling to avoid losses.

“It would be impossible for Petron to supply this shortfall,” it said.
The company is seeking for a supplement to the EO that would clarify how long the price controls will take effect, the areas considered affected, and the list of products covered. It also called on the government to lower tariffs on oil to compensate for the losses.

Chevron (Caltex) Philippines, Inc. agreed with Petron’s statement calling for further clarification of the EO, but declined to comment on other matters raised by the refiner.

Petron said actual pump prices of fuel products in almost the whole of Luzon are well below suggested retail prices (SRP) due to an ongoing price war among competitors.
“In Metro Manila, for instance, diesel prices are P5.00/liter lower than the SRP. This market condition can also be seen in other parts of Luzon,” it said.
It further warned that the order could have a negative impact on future investments in the capital-intensive oil industry.

Petron pointed out that it already suffered record loss of P3.9 billion in 2008 and has only started to recover from the losses. It added that it had invested $400 million over the past five years in its Bataan refinery to ensure that local production complies with the Clean Air Act.

Share prices in Petron went up by P0.10 yesterday to P5.20.
In a separate interview, Fernando L. Martinez, chairman of the Independent Philippine Petroleum Companies Association, said members of his group have yet to count losses, but many are already taking hits as a result of the Palace order.

“It’s hard to quantify, but a lot of dealers have taken a hit because they bought products at a higher price,” he said.

Mr. Martinez also agreed with Petron’s call on the government to share the industry’s burden.

“For example last year, starting February and up to June, tariffs were eliminated progressively due to high fuel prices. If the government is calling for sacrifice it must also explain why should the private sector take the burden alone,” he said.

Mr. Martinez also warned that the public will ultimately suffer from the price freeze.

“When the government freezes prices, whatever losses have to be compensated. In the absence of a compensating mechanism the public will ultimately shoulder this because once this is lifted we would have to get back the losses,” he said.

MABALACAT -- A former president of the Mabalacat Liga ng mga Barangay has bared plans to run for councilor in this first-class municipality.

Amauri "Bok" Tiglao, former Liga president and Poblacion village chief, said he will be running under the slate of Mayor Marino "Boking" Morales.

Tiglao served as Liga president here for 13 years before his term as barangay head ended in 2007.

He is now the town's Community and External Affairs (CEA) officer.

Tiglao became the chairman of Barangay Poblacion in 1989 after being elected as first councilor in the barangay collegial voting system.

Programs on education, environmental protection, health, livelihood, waste management needs to be implemented for the people of Mabalacat, according to him.

"We will work on these programs which includes the delivery of basic services to our constituents," Tiglao said.

Tiglao was one of the officials who volunteered for the clearing of Clark after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, which devastated Pampanga and other parts of Central Luzon.

He was instrumental in the construction of covered courts in several villages including Santa Ines, San Francisco, Duquit, Mawaque, and others, which were funded by then Pampanga Governor Mark Lapid.

If given a chance to serve, Tiglao said he will support Morales programs for the people of Mabalacat including the promotion of tourism to further spur development in the town.

Tiglao thanked Morales for selecting him to be part of his ticket.

ANGELES CITY -- The alleged leader of a robbery syndicate operating in Central Luzon was apprehended by the city police Tuesday after he was suspected of handling methamphetamine (shabu).

Senior Superintendent Danilo Bautista, newly installed city police officer-in-charge, said Allan Roque Sotelo, alleged leader of the Sotelo Gang, was arrested in Barangay Sapang Bato by personnel of the Police Station 5.

Bautista said that Sotelo has been included in the list of most wanted persons in the city.

He said Sotelo allegedly heads the notorious Sotelo Gang and Aries Group, which are responsible for a series of Akyat-Bahay and hold-up incidents in Pampanga and Tarlac provinces.

Sotelo's group reportedly encountered some months ago elements of the Tarlac provincial police unit.

At least eight members of the gang were killed during the shootout with policemen.

Meanwhile, one Michael Mayo Lusung, 29, a tricycle driver, and a resident of Purok 5 Ponciano Street, Fatima Subdivision, Santa Cruz, Porac, Pampanga was arrested by the city police.

Bautista said Lusung is wanted for physical injuries under criminal case Number 09-4330.

Sotelo and Lusung are now detained at the Angeles City District Jail.

"We intensified police operations to arrest wanted persons. We would like to assure the people that criminals are brought behind bars for justice and held accountable for the crimes they committed," Bautista said.

BASES Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) directed the Joint Venture of the 93.7-kilometer toll road interim service provider to start gearing up for the traditional All Saints' Day exodus.

Learning from past years' experience about unusually long vehicle queues in three SCTEX interchanges -- Mabalacat, Clark, and Subic, the BCDA officials advised Tollways Management Corp. (TMC) to draw up additional measures to make travel at the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) during the holiday "more comfortable and enjoyable this time around."

"We can very well handle the expected upsurge of vehicles on All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day (November 1-2) more effectively given the emergency measures in our disposal at any given time," TMC official Charlie Española said.

Anticipating huge traffic volumes arising from the yearly "Undas" observance when people pay their respects to departed loved ones, Española said TMC field personnel would be beefed up to help ensure smoother flow of traffic.

"We are taking a pro-active stance to make sure that movement of vehicles at the usual choke points remains manageable," Española said.

The contingency measures include rerouting of traffic in the Mabalacat Concepcion-Clark area during peak hours, and deployment of additional hand-held ticket readers to assist the booth tellers in toll fee collection.

More temporary entry or exit lanes would be made available as the need arises, Española said.

He pointed out, however, that the motorists themselves can contribute to averting traffic jams at the interchanges by preparing the exact amount for toll fees, saying the process of breaking large bills into smaller amounts lengthens the motorists' stay at the toll plazas.

But more important is to avoid traveling during the rush hours when the gridlocks normally occur, the TMC official said.

He pointed out that the queues at the toll plazas usually get longer from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the entry lanes and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the exit lanes.

"For your own convenience, try to avoid these particular hours," Española advised motorists.

He said the travelers might also find it handy to bring along a road map, or study their routes before embarking on their trip.

"Getting lost along the way certainly takes the fun out of traveling," he said.

TO ENSURE a crime-free All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day commemoration some 10,000 policemen will be deployed across Metro Manila as authorities expected an influx of people to cemeteries and transport terminals.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Roberto Rosales said the policemen will be augmented by “force multipliers,” consisting of private security guards, civilian volunteers from crime watch organizations, and personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) who will help the police in securing cemeteries and responding to any emergency call.

“We wanted to ensure that the twin commemoration will be crime and incident-free,” Rosales said of the police deployment, adding that the contingent will be fully deployed on November 1 and 2.

Seventy-four police assistance centers manned by some 2,943 uniformed policemen will be put up around the 84 public and private cemeteries in Metro Manila, including more than a hundred to secure the Manila North Cemetery, the largest in the metropolis.

The metro police commander said they have started flushing out criminal elements from the cemeteries.

“Cemeteries are usual havens or hiding places of street level criminal elements, particularly petty thieves that’s why I have ordered our police district and stations commanders to flushed them out,” Rosales said.

Aside from securing cemeteries, police will also be conducting regular security checks in transport terminals, particularly in bus stations and ferry terminals.

A total of 500 men from the elite Regional Mobile Group (RMG) will be deployed to secure transport terminals.

At the same time, he warned those who are going to the cemeteries of the regulation about bringing in prohibited such as bladed weapons, wine and other alcoholic drinks, loudspeakers, and gaming cards.

Beginning Wednesday, the 15,000-strong NCRPO will be placed on heightened alert while the full alert status will be raised on Friday.

Earlier, Rosales said they have beefed-up the surveillance systems using close circuit television cameras situated in strategic areas of the metropolis to deter crime elements.

The current CCTV system can access 2,000 areas and the video footage are sent to the NCRPO tactical command operations center for processing and dispatch of personnel.

Likewise, the management of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) assured the riding public of the safety measures it had taken to ensure security during the November 1 and 2 commemorations.

LRTA Administrator Melquiades Robles said security around the stations and train coaches will remain tight as security personnel will continue to implement the “no inspection, no entry” policy.

“We have already tightened our security preparations in coordination with the Philippine National Police to ensure the safety of our passengers,” Robles said.

“Passengers found to be under the influence of liquor shall not be allowed to enter the stations to prevent possible trouble and misunderstandings,” he added.

The LRTA management said the Philippine National Police (PNP) has assured them of the deployment of additional rail policemen at Abad Santos, R. Papa and Blumentritt Stations, where passenger influx is expected to be heavy.

Medical and public relations personnel were also directed to establish a Medical and Public Assistance Desk at R. Papa Station, which is the over-all center of operations for the said activities.

The LRTA chief requested all passengers not to take forbidden items inside the stations and on board the trains, including deadly weapons, sharp and pointed objects, paint, gasoline, and large bags that exceed the 2 ft. x 2 ft. limit, to ensure public safety.

ENERGY Secretary Angelo Reyes is facing contempt proceedings after he failed to heed the summons of a Manila court for him to appear and testify on the unabated oil price increases by the country’s three biggest oil firms.

At the hearing Tuesday, Judge Silvino Pampilo Jr. of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 26 directed Reyes to explain in writing why he should not be cited for indirect contempt of court.

This, for failure to appear in the hearing of the case filed by the Social Justice Society (SJS) to stop oil price increases on a weekly basis.

Pampilo set the next hearing on November 10 and would decide on that day whether Reyes should be cited in contempt or not.

Once found contemptuous, Reyes could be fined with P30,000 or imprisoned for six months or both.

The court is also expected to rule on the pending motion of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to quash the subpoena on Reyes, and the motion to withdraw (the motion to set hearing and request for issuance of subpoena) filed by Petron Corporation.

The OSG sought to quash the subpoena on Reyes because of the issuance of Executive Order 839, which effectively directs oil companies to freeze the prices of their petroleum products at their October 15 levels when Typhoon Pepeng made its last landfall in Luzon.

State Solicitor II Bernadette Esguerra argued that the presidential edict in effect rendered the SJS petition against the oil companies moot and academic.

Esguerra further said that Reyes need not testify because there is already an order from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to regulate oil prices.

But SJS lawyer Vladimir Cabigao opposed the motions filed by OSG and Petron, saying state lawyers made a wrong interpretation of EO 839, and that their petition and the intent of the EO are different.

Cabigao said the EO has no effect in the SJS’s petition because the former refers to the freezing of petroleum prices because there is a state of calamity and covers only Luzon.

On the other hand, the SJS petition is for the issuance of a temporary restraining order against the increase of oil prices.

“There is an overpricing of petroleum products. The scope here is nationwide, not just Luzon,” said Cabigao.

“Reyes volunteered to be a witness to testify for the oil companies. But now I think Secretary Reyes is scared to testify. My message to Secretary Reyes is for him to resign. He has done nothing here. Malacanang has already issued an order to stop the increase, which means the government has the power to stop the oil price increase, contrary to what Sec. Reyes said earlier that they cannot do anything about it. The government can regulate the prices,” Cabigao added.

PILIPINAS Shell will comply with a directive to keep oil prices at October 15 levels but is not ruling out moves to bring the matter to court, said the company’s vice president for communications Roberto Kanapi.

Shell will also ask the energy department to clarify some issues concerning Executive Order 839, such as the fuel products included, its period of effectivity, whether it refers to the suggested retail price or actual retail price, and the directive’s coverage since not all Luzon areas were affected by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.

“While the intent of the order is to prevent unreasonable increases in prices of petroleum products during a state of calamity, the consequences of the (EO 839) would be supply disruptions and a negative impact on the investment climate in our country. We will continue to discuss these issues with the Department of Energy-Department of Justice (DOE-DOJ) Task Force and other relevant government agencies,” Kanapi said.

Kanapi said Shell expects the demand for petroleum products to go up since several players have indicated they may stop selling. Also, he added, commercial and industrial users of fuel, which are not covered by the EO, may opt to buy from Shell retail stations to take advantage of the low prices.

In a statement, Shell in fact said it expects a “significant” shift in the fuel sourcing of commercial and industrial accounts from oil companies to retail sites.

Hence, in compliance with the EO and so that victims of calamities would be the ones to benefit from subsidized oil prices, Kanapi said Shell will ration the sale of petroleum products to retail stations, basing the volume on their average sales in recent months.

“We will not accommodate those big volume off-takers that would come to our stations with containers and trucks, unless they are regular customers. These lower rates at retail stations are meant for victims of calamities,” added Kanapi.

Another oil company, Unioil Petroleum Philippines Inc., vowed to comply with the directive.

“We would like to assure the public that Unioil has enough supply of petroleum products in our inventory to comply with the President's directive. There will be no problem in the normal flow of petroleum products in all our retail stations,” Unioil general manager Chito Medina-Cue said.

He said they can bring in fuel products from foreign suppliers within three days if there is a shortage of supply in the local market.

“There is nothing to be afraid of as there is no shortage of supply in the international market for finished petroleum products. To bring in the products, we will just need three days at the most as long as the appropriate government agencies will expedite the processing of documents for the release of the imported fuels,” Medina-Cue said.

Medina-Cue said the energy department should monitor retail stations of Unioil's competitors to make sure they are complying with the order.

Other oil firms have started to roll back prices by P2 per liter for diesel, P1.25 per liter for unleaded premium gasoline, P0.85 per liter for regular gasoline, and P1.50 per liter for kerosene in Luzon.

A CATHOLIC prelate urged oil companies to focus on social welfare instead of earning more money during times of crisis.

“Our oil companies… they should think of the welfare of the people now and they should look on how to help and not add burden,” said Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Public Affairs head Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez.

The appeal came after the government asked oil firms to freeze the prices of petroleum as the country particularly the people is still recuperating from the devastation brought about by the recent typhoons.

On Monday, oil companies warned that fuel shortage might be experienced in the country if the government insists on implementing Executive Order 839.

Malacañang issued last week the EO directing oil firms to maintain the prices of petroleum products at the October 15 level while the state of emergency over Luzon is still in effect.

In a related development, Iniguez said the issue on repealing the Oil Deregulation Law, which is being pushed by militant groups, should be carefully studied.

“There are so many levels that should be studied… whether it is right to review Oil Deregulation Law although there are other sectors saying such should be scrapped,” the Caloocan bishop said.

He also appealed to the oil firms to exercise their corporate social responsibility and balance between profiteering and being sensitive to the needs of the public.

Last week, major and small oil players have increased the prices of petroleum products P2 on gasoline and P1 on diesel.

MALACANANG will be firm in implementing Executive Order (EO) 839 despite oil firms warning of possible oil shortage.

Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello said Tuesday that the government will not repeal the President’s order directing oil companies to bring down prices to their October 15 level before typhoons devastated several areas in Metro Manila and Northern Luzon.

Bello said before President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued an EO on oil, economic advisers thoroughly studied its implication to the economy and finance.

“We will not make an EO which is not subjected to careful analysis and study,” Bello said in the vernacular.

He added that it is not the time for oil companies to increase pump prices since the country is still recovering from the massive destruction brought by typhoons Ondoy, Pepeng, and Ramil.

With the issuance of EO 839, oil companies are prohibited to raise petroleum products while Luzon is placed under the state of calamity.

Oil firms said they are willing to obey the EO but gave a warning about the serious implication of the oil price freeze in oil supply and investment in the country.

But Bello said it is unlikely that the President would revoke the EO. “Sa tingin ko po ay malayo pong iatras iyong EO na iyan. (I think it is unlikely possible that the EO will be repealed).”

Presidential spokesman for economic affairs Gary Olivar explained that the EO is purely “short-term” response of the government to the state of calamity and not meant for exploitation as supposed by some economists.

“The EO is fully consistent with presidential powers and the oil deregulation act. Nothing about it however can be construed as a retreat by government from its long standing commitments to market liberalization, policy stability and a favorable climate for foreign investments,” he said.

“If there are ideologues out there now trying to exploit this EO for their own agenda, they don’t speak for the government,” he added.

Bello said that if the state of calamity is lifted, the EO 839 will also be void.

“We are monitoring the condition of the country especially the areas badly affected. So there is very close monitoring of the situation and the basis of the President of declaring state of calamity is also being deliberated,” he said.

The government would depend on the studies and evaluations of the National Disaster Coordinating Council and other concerned agencies on how long will the state of calamity be maintained.

President Arroyo meanwhile will decide when to lift it based on the recommendation of the agencies.

Oil firms will comply

Malacanang, on the other hand, lauded Unioil Petroleum Philippines and Flying V, which heeded the EO and roll back their prices Monday.

The two independent oil players slashed their prices to as much as P2 per liter.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said in a press briefing that the government is confident other oil companies will also reduce their prices.

He said they are not alarmed over the oil shortage warning, yet they are even “shocked at the political will and determination of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to exercise the powers vested on her by the law.”

Remonde appealed to oil companies’ sense of corporate social responsibility and take into consideration the welfare of people.

The government earlier said they are firm in filing charges against those companies refused to heed the EO.

THE USC Varsity whipped up a furious offensive storm in the final half to blow away 3L Caterers 2004, 106-79, in the continuing action of the 2009 University of San Carlos Boys High Alumni Basketball Association (USCBHABA) Atan Guardo Barkadahan Cup Second Conference at the USC-North Campus gym.

USC Varsity led by only three at halftime, 41-38, but suddenly turned red-hot and unleashed a fluid 35-17 splurge in the third period to rip the game apart.

The varsity held a commanding 21-point advantage, 76-55, going into the final 10 minutes of the contest

The Carolinians sustained their momentum in the windup to come up with a 27-point blowout.

In the other game, Skyblue ‘91 overcame a spirited resistance by Igot Trucking 2003 to scrape through a hard-earned 68-64 victory.

Skyblue closed the first half with a 36-29 edge but couldn’t pull away as Igot Trucking stayed within striking distance the rest of the way.

THE Provincial Government, through the office of Gov. Isidro Zayco and Board Member Adolfo Mangao Sr. of the 6th District, donated one motorcycle unit each with helmet to barangays 1, 8, 9, Carol-an, Camansi, Magballo, Tagukon, Oringao, Talubangi and Pinaguinpinan recently.

Prior to this, 10 motorcycles were also given each to Barangays Bantayan, Tagoc, Tabugon (2 units), Tampalon, Salong (2 units), Carol-an, Camingawan and Brgy. 6.

These motorcycles will be used by the barangay for errands related to barangay activities.

Present during the turn-over at Board Member Mangao’s residence were Gov. Zayco, Mayor Zayco and barangay captains of the recipient barangays.

THE City of Talisay, Negros Occidental was conferred the most coveted Nutrition Honor Award by the National Nutrition Council for excellent performance and unwavering commitment in nutrition program implementation for its people.

Mayor Eric M. Saratan, M.D., received the award from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the 34th National Nutrition awarding ceremony last October 15, 2009 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City. The City received a plaque and a cash prize of P250,000.

The award is given to Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) awardees that have consistently shown outstanding efforts in nutrition improvement as monitored by a regional nutrition evaluation team from 2003-2005 and by a national evaluation team from 2006-2008.

The awarding ceremony was also attended by councilors Daniel Tribaco and Felix Hiballes, chair of the City Council committee on finance, budget and appropriation with Talisay City Nutrition Council and Barangay Nutrition Scholars of the 27 barangays.

Delivery of nutrition and related services to more people, a sustained increase in funding for basic services and participative implementation and management of the local nutrition program in the city made winning the National Honor Award a sure hit for Talisay.

SIX persons arrested by the Negros Occidental PNP's Special Operations Group two years ago in Bacolod City pleaded guilty for the sale of pornographic video compact discs (VCDs) and DVDs.

Noppo spokesperson Chief Inspector Rico Santotome Jr. said suspects Rutchelle Arroyo, Maychelle Leduna, Irish Resmundo, Jasmin Rios and sisters Gremabelle and Glaiza Diola all pleaded guilty for violating Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code for the sale of smut materials.

The suspects, together with five others, were arrested by SOG operatives then led by Santotome inside one of the shopping malls in Bacolod City in 2007. Earlier, two pleaded guilty and were assessed a P6,000 fine while three others jumped bail.

Judge Anita Chua of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 51-Bacolod City meted a six-month imprisonment as penalty against the six who were represented by Atty. Henry Tanoso as their counsel.

Meanwhile, a homemade caliber .38 revolver was turned over by a local resident to the Hinigaran Police Station Monday afternoon.

Senior Inspector Sonny Boy Bernus, local police chief, identified the surenderee as 45-year old Roberto Cena of Barangay Gargato in said town.

Cena endorsed said firearm to Bernus in support of the PNPs ‘Balik Baril’ program and Noppo's campaign against the proliferation of loose firearms in the province.

Noppo is aggressively campaigning against loose firearms in line with Letter of Instructions 39/09 ‘Kontra Boga’ and ‘Bilang Boga’ in relation to Executive Order (EO) 817 of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Negros Occidental PNP provincial director Senior Superintendent Manuel Felix directed all chiefs of police in Negros Occidental to encourage Negrenses to avail of the Final Firearms Amnesty Program that will run until the end of the month.

NEGRENSES have been warned against reckless driving especially by tricycle drivers in southern Negros Occidental where most of the road mishaps often occur.

“Ignoring traffic signs or rules by the drivers would sometimes result to road accidents and that people from all walks of life should be awakened by taking precautionary measures and being aware of the possible road mishaps,” said Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (Noppo) Director Manuel Felix.

Last year, more than 2,231 road mishaps transpired in the province with 494 deaths and more than 500 injured victims, Noppo said.

From January to October this year, 71 vehicular accidents were recorded, a drastic drop from last year's figure, which Felix noted, was a result of the PNP’s strong campaign against erring motorists.

Chief Inspector Rico Santotome Jr., Noppo spokesperson, said in the first 10 months of this year, 263 injuries and 54 deaths were recorded. Thirty-nine suspects voluntarily surrendered to the PNP.

The relatively-lowered incidence and fatalities due to road accidents in the province can be attributed to Noppo's intensified campaign on road safety and management in line with the Team Negros action plan in coordination with the provincial government led by Gov. Isidro Zayco, said Felix in Tuesday’s presentation of the road safety situation in the province.

Also present at the steering committee meeting held at the Governor’s Office were Provincial Board Board Member Renato Gustilo, chair of the committee on peace and order, Land Transportation Office, Project Cares and Noppo personnel.

Likewise, the conduct of seminars and symposia on road safety management resulted in a lowered number of fatalities and injuries, Santotome said.

“The problem is the people’s attitude. They only care if their family member becomes a victim of road accident…people become conscious when one member of the family is victimized in a road mishap,” Felix lamented.

He cited that students are a bigger population that is vulnerable to road accidents, the “highly probable victims”.

Gustilo, on the other hand, cited the lack of manpower to educate people as one factor that contributes to the occurrence of road accidents.

Felix appealed to Negrenses to be law-abiding responsible citizens as it will help the advocacy achieve its mission of reducing incidence of deaths and injuries due to road crash.

Meanwhile, a road safety memorial and tree park will soon be constructed at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon and Park in Bacolod City.

The park will serve as a reminder of lives lost and a focal point for remembrance and other gatherings or actions.

“This is a global initiative project proposed to governments worldwide to give further opportunity for highlighting the consequences of road dangers, with a special focus on prevention,” said May Altrajeros-Cueva, who chairs the Community Activities Reaching to Everyone thru Services (Cares).

The park where a monument will be erected is in line with PB Resolution 0922-2006, which adopts the declaration of the United Nations celebrating every third Sunday of November as World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims and Their Families.

Said resolution, authored by former Board Member Francis Gerard Tuvilla, recognizes the need to have a major advocacy day for road and traffic injury prevention as means to ensure safer roads in the province.

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Immigration opened yesterday two more satellite offices in Metro Manila as part of the agency’s decentralization and regionalization programs.

Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim led the inauguration of the new BI offices at Sta. Cruz and Binondo.

The Sta. Cruz office, located at One Masangkay Place building, will be headed by Director Jerome Gabionza. It covers the cities of Manila, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela.

On the other hand, the BI-Binondo satellite office, headed by Jose Carlitos Licas, covers Binondo, Sta. Cruz and Quiapo areas. Libanan said the new offices would serve mostly the Filipino-Chinese community, noting that Chinese nationals account for majority of foreigners who use the BI’s services, followed by Indians and Americans.

Patch Arbas, overall NCR immigration area director, said the bureau will establish two more new immigration offices in Quezon City and Pasig City.

Aside from establishing immigration area offices in all 13 regions, the BI operates satellite offices in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; Dasmariñas, Cavite; Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Taytay, Rizal; Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas-Valenzuela (Camanava) in Metro Manila; and the SM Mall of Asia.

MANILA, Philippines - Construction workers got the shock of their lives when they dug up seven tombs at the construction site of a three-story apartment in Pasay City yesterday morning.

Zenaida Anacta, who owns the lot along 16 de Agosto street in Barangay M. Dela Paz, said they have been seeing a “white lady” at her house, which is beside the construction site. She said she bought the lot from a certain Mr. White.

“I was not the only one who sees the white lady. Even my neighbors can vouch for the existence of the white lady, who waves her hands at us every time we see her,” Anacta said.

Anacta said since last June, three groups of construction workers broke off their contract to construct the apartment because they either got sick or figured in accidents while working at the construction site.

She said the group that dug up the seven tombs is the fourth group that undertook the contract.

Some tombs were dated 1910, while one carried the name “Boy Pacing,” who died on Dec. 5, 1940.

Several senior citizens residing in the area said the construction site used to be a cemetery during the Spanish period and the appearance of the ghost is a normal occurrence.

“We have been offering prayers, foods and we also light candles at the said construction site whenever some of our neighbors got sick,” the old residents said.

The contents of the seven tombs will be turned over to the Pasay City government for proper disposal.

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo gave the go-signal yesterday for the construction of a new water spillway in Metro Manila connecting Laguna de Bay and Manila Bay to prevent massive flooding in the nation’s capital.

During the joint Cabinet-National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) meeting in Pampanga province, Mrs. Arroyo also ordered the placement of sandbags and pontoons or floating bridges in flooded or flood-prone areas in Metro Manila as one of the immediate measures recommended by noted architect and urban planner Felino Palafox during the discussions.

Palafox said the Arroyo administration should not take the blame for the disaster that hit Metro Manila as previous governments and local officials have not fully implemented World Bank-funded plan for the region in the 1970s that could have prevented not only massive flooding but congestion.

He said the flooding patterns in Metro Manila when tropical storm “Ondoy” hit was the same in the 1970s.

Palafox was commissioned by the World Bank in the 1970s to draw up a plan for Metro Manila that includes preventing it from being congested and flooded. Only the Manggahan Floodway in Marikina City was implemented in the plan to control flooding, he said.

“It’s like having a toilet without a flush,” Palafox told the Cabinet.

For the immediate term, Palafox suggested sandbagging in still-flooded parts of the capital and let pumps drain out the water. He also pushed for the placement of pontoons or floating bridges as alternative walkways now that sidewalks are underwater.

For the medium term, he pushed for the construction of the Parañaque spillway, the plans for which were drawn up in the early 1970s, putting up flood alarm systems, and reviewing and amending some provisions of the Building Code.

“There’s a big disconnect between the regulatory regime and the real estate developers,” Palafox said.

“In the meantime, we have what we can do between now and the end of the year, in the immediate, the sandbagging is a very, very good and practical,” the President said. “And we should already ask the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to work on the spillway.”

Long, winding spillway?

Mrs. Arroyo cited a proposal that in order to minimize the cost of right-of-way and minimize displacement of residents and commercial establishments, the flood spillway should be built in government lands such as that along the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Mrs. Arroyo said the proposal calls for the use of the entire length of the runway along the fence towards the Parañaque River, on the end of the runway along C-5 Road or Taguig City.

“The spillway can pass to the Food Terminal (in Taguig City) then on towards the Laguna de Bay. That will use government lots and less relocation of homes,” she said.

Palafox, however, said the proposal would make the floodway too long compared to the original Parañaque spillway of only eight kilometers.

“We will have to look at the cost effectiveness (of the project), but it’s an option, in other words it has to be the cheapest way to do it,” Mrs. Arroyo said.

Palafox said not only cost but speed should be the consideration in undertaking the project as Metro Manila is hit by floods several times a year.

Among the flood-prone areas in National Capital Region and nearby provinces, he said, are west of the North Luzon Expressway, Marikina, Pasig and other parts in eastern Metro Manila, and western shores of the Laguna lake.

With the Parañaque spillway, in the worst-case scenario of flooding, the floods would only remain in Metro Manila for 20 days. Without it, the floods could stay over 65 days, he said, citing data from the DPWH.

He said compounding the situation was the heavy siltation of the Pasig River caused “not only by the urban poor but also the urban rich.”

Mrs. Arroyo said the Palace has already begun removing structures in the Malacañang complex that encroach on the Pasig River.

Palafox said the spillway could be considered expensive but the destruction and loss of lives caused by flooding in the past decades are much more costly.

The President also directed Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando to publish the earthquake maps and fault lines in the region.

Palafox told the Cabinet that officials of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology told him that they were prevented from publishing such maps as it would reduce real estate values in the capital.

Among the other proposals of Palafox that got the nod of the Cabinet were the permanent relocation of residents in high-risk areas, establishing a 100-year flood history, construction of elevated walkways above floodlines, having residential and commercial communities gather rainwater that could be used for other purposes, and clearing the Pasig River.

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