Western Visayas needs P3.4B to build 17 sanitary landfills
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 (Western Visayas) is proposing the construction of 17 sanitary landfills, one each for every congressional district, costing a total of P3.4 billion to address the region’s growing garbage woes.
The proposal excluded Iloilo City which already has its own sanitary landfill in Calajunan, Mandurriao District.
“I’ve already written a letter proposing for the construction of sanitary landfill facilities in Western Visayas. One for each congressional district,” DENR Regional 6 Director Jim Sampulna told the BusinessMirror in an interview.
“Recognizing the needs for the LGUs to construct Sanitary Landfill Facilities in compliance with RA 9003, this Region would like to submit a proposal for the construction of such facilities,” Sampulna said in his letter dated April 6, 2018, addressed to the director of the DENR’s Policy and Planning Service. Jonathan L. Mayuga
Special voters’ registration in ARMM for January plebiscite
DAVAO CITY—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) would hold satellite voters registration in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) from September 11 to 13 as part of its preparation for the scheduled plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law on January 21 next year.
The Comelec said special satellite registrations would be held in the central Mindanao provinces of Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato and Maguindanao and in the southwestern island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi.
Similar registrations would be conducted in the cities of Cotabato and Isabela in Basilan. Manuel T. Cayon
Comelec tackles request to reset dates of COC filing
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to tackle today (Wednesday) the request of Congress for it to reset the period of filing of the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for the May 2019 polls.
Lawmakers on Monday urged the poll body to move the date for the COC filing from October 1 to 5 to October 11 to 17 so they could focus on finalizing the government’s 2019 budget, as well as other priority legislation.
Comelec Commissioner Rowena V. Guanzon said the request will be discussed by the Comelec en banc on September 12.
Among the main considerations the Comelec executives will consider in deciding on the issue is its possible impact to their preparations for the 2019 polls.
“We have an election calendar that will be affected if we move the date. If it is possible without delaying our preparations for May 2019, why not?” Guanzon said. Samuel P. Medenilla
Pasig River vies for Asia Riverprize award
The Pasig River has been selected as a finalist in the first-ever Asia Riverprize by the prestigious International River Foundation (IRF) which recognizes and rewards organizations who are making a difference through effective river basin restoration and management.
Coming from a successful campaign in the 2017 Thiess International Riverprize competition, with the Pasig River was hailed as runner-up to the winner, San Antonio River of Texas, USA, the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) is hopeful of bagging this year’s prestigious IRF Asia Riverprize award.
In a news statement, PRRC Executive Director Jose Antonio E. Goitia said that “the consecutive entries of the Pasig River as a finalist in the 2017 and 2018 Thiess International and Asia Riverprize, respectively, is a testament that the world recognizes the efforts of the Philippine government to restore the Pasig River and its environs since PRRC was established in 1999.” Jonathan L. Mayuga
Mayor Sara Duterte flies to Hawaii to seal sisterhood ties
DAVAO CITY—This city’s Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Monday arrived in Hawaii to reciprocate a visit of its mayor and to seal the sisterhood agreement made last year.
The city information office here disclosed that Duterte arrived in Kauai County to sign the Friendship Certificate “and show her commitment to the partnership.”
“This visit is an affirmation of the City Government of Davao of our mutual cooperation on matters of tourism and culture, agriculture, and trade and commerce,” Mayor Duterte said in her address in Kauai.
Duterte said the sisterhood agreement “underlined the deepening sisterhood relationship with Kauai because of shared similarities that transcends boundaries, diversity of population and stand on development vis-à-vis the preservation of the gifts of nature.” Manuel T. Cayon