Speaker GMA to create House Committee on Disaster Management

In line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s call to create a Disaster Management Department, former President and now Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is set to create a new committee in the House of Representatives to tackle disaster preparedness and resiliency of every district in the country.

Speaker Arroyo made the announcement on Monday as she conducted a meeting with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to discuss initial assessments on the identified districts hit by recent successive typhoons.

“In as much as the President is prioritizing the disaster management bill and usually there is a mirror committee in the House for all the departments being created, I have asked my colleagues in the majority, including these two ladies if they would agree to organizing a new committee for disaster management,” Speaker Arroyo said at the start of the meeting.

She also said she will constitute the Reps. present during the meeting as members of the new Committee on Disaster Management. They were Reps. Geraldine Roman (1st District, Bataan), Jose Enrique Garcia III (2nd District, Bataan), Cheryl Deloso-Montalla (2nd District, Zambales), Leopoldo Bataoil (2nd District, Pangasinan), Estrellita Suansing (1st District Nueva Ecija), and Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado (1st District, Bulacan).

Also present during the meeting were officials from the Departments of Social Welfare and Development, Public Works and Highways and Health, National Housing Authority, National Food Authority and the Office of the Civil Defense

During the meeting, which Speaker Arroyo called for the NDRRMC to give them updates and interventions regarding the previous typhoons that hit the country, she shared that she has identified ten districts that were gravely affected. Among which were from the provinces of Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, and Bulacan.

She said the meeting will help the House come up with a comprehensive plan to help the ten most affected districts.

Defense Undersecretary and NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad briefed the lawmakers on the severe effects of typhoons Henry, Inday, and Josie which hit the country this year. He cited there were about 454,000 families affected by the typhoons.

Jalad also said 13 individuals died, one person went missing, while two individuals were reported injured.

Meanwhile, damages on infrastructure and agriculture reached P3.6-billion, according to him.

After the briefing, Reps. Roman, Garcia III, Deloso-Montalla, Bataoil, Suansing and Sy-Alvarado as well as Governors Lilia Pineda of Pampanga and Albert Garcia of Bataan were given the opportunity to present the particular issues being encountered by their own provinces.

Roman talked about their problems with infrastructure. She appealed to the DPWH to look into the roads and drainage systems to lessen the extreme flooding in Bataan.

“Most of the problems [encountered] could have been prevented, if there was a more adequate and proper design of infrastructure that had been carried out,” Roman said.

Deloso-Montalla urged the panel to attend to the necessities of fisherfolks and farmers affected by the successive storms. She appealed to the Department of Agriculture (DA) to provide assistance to those who suffered from the flooded rice fields. Moreover, Deloso-Montalla urged the DPWH to ensure that all roads will be passable in their province.

In Nueva Ecija, Suansing said about P500-million worth of crops were damaged due to the flooding. In putting up flood control systems, Suansing said concerned agencies should always consider neighboring provinces that may be affected.

Sy-Alvarado requested the DPWH to look into the Manila North Road, as this has caused difficulties on the vehicles using the road, especially trucks and commuters.

Bataoil said there were around 167 barangays affected in Pangasinan. He talked about the importance of providing immediate response for the victims of the calamities.

The House Committees on Government Reorganization and National Defense and Security of the House of Representatives have already jointly approved the substitute bill creating the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR).

Last Friday, Arroyo conducted relief operations for victims of typhoons in Sasmuan, Pampanga and Dinalupihan, Bataan. | Monel Gonzales

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Chop-chop lady case update

Spot Rept Re- Discovery of alleged Part of Human Body

DATE : June 31, 2018

1. Reference: Police Blotter entry Nos.

2. In connection with the above reference, At around 11:00 A.M. of July 31, 2018, Central 911 called up this station informing that a color black garbage bag with unusual odor was found at the shoulder of the road of Buhangin Fly Over, particularly near Northpoint Camella Homes entrance gate, Buhangin, Davao City. Upon receipt of the report mobile patrol #92 manned by PO1 Bautista was dispatched to verify the veracity of the report, and upon confirming that it was as part human body PCINSP JACK LEON TILCAG together with duty investigator PO3 Jocris Sarenas and SPO4 Samuel Gilay, SESPO onboard mobile patrol #26 then immediately proceeded at place to conduct ocular investigation.

3. Initial investigation disclosed that at around 10:05 A.M. to date, one JULIE EPONG TAGURAN, 43 years old, married, Chef of White House Restaurant, Camella Homes, Northpoint, and a resident of Buhangin, Davao City discovered a color black garbage bag with unusual odor placed at the shoulder of the road of Buhangin Fly Over, particularly the entrance gate of Northpoint, Camella Homes, Buhangin, Davao City. Upon verification of the investigator on case and was found out that it was a middle part of a human body wearing black short pants.

4. Further investigation disclosed that the above described human body was believed to be the missing part of human body which was discovered at Cabantian Road, Davao City, particularly fronting Pag-Asa Pawnshop at about 5:45 AM. of July 29, 2018.

5. This station continuously conducting follow up / investigation, coordination with PNP Crime Laboratory XI for scientific investigation to be undertaken for possible identification of the victim as well as the perpetrator/s.

For info

Staff of SAP Go commits suicide inside office

A trusted staff of Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go allegedly tried to commit suicide inside their office in Obrero, Davao City Tuesday.

The staff is identified as Leo Angelo Apara, a long-time employee of the Davao City Mayor’s Office and is now under OSAP since the assumption of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Sec. Go said Apara is now comatose. He did not give further details.

Unconfirmed reports reaching Davao Breaking News showed that Apara just came from a staff meeting when he went inside their office’s comfort room.

A shot then rang inside. Apara was discovered inside the comfort room bathed in blood. He was readily rushed to the hospital.

Go said, Apara is one of his most trusted staff in-charged of facilitating the delivery of basic hospital services to indigent Filipinos.

Authorities are still investigating the incident as of this writing.

STATEMENT OF SAP BONG GO ON THE OSAP DAVAO INCIDENT:

We are saddened with the recent events that happened involving Mr. Leo Apara, who is one of our staff members at the Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP) in Davao City.

We would like to refrain from making any further comments about this while the police investigation is on-going. As a sign of respect to his family, we would also like to request the members of the media and the public in general to avoid making any speculations about what happened. Thank you.

POLICE BLOTTER

Spot Report: Suicide Incident

DATE : July 31, 2018

1. Please be informed that on or about 11:00 A.M. to date, a suicide incident transpired at the Office of Special Assistant to the President located at Veloso St., Brgy. 20-B Bo. Obrero, Davao City which resulted into the injury of one LEO ANGELO ARANAS APARA, 38 years old, male, single, OSAP Staff, and a resident of Matina Gravahan, Davao City.

2. According to the testimony of Lourdes Avenido Gonzales, 43 years old, female, married, OSAP Staff, and a resident of 31-A Bandera Mintal, Davao City, that the victim went inside the Stock Room of their office. That after few minutes, they heard a lone gun burst prompted them to verify. Allegedly, they found the victim sat on the boxes while clad with blood prompted them to seek assistance. Immediately, they transported the victim to San Pedro Hospital for immediate medical intervention. Meanwhile, other staff as well as his live-in partner averred that they haven’t noticed that the victim had a problem nor a conflict with anybody;

3. SOCO Team led by PCI Armando F. Galigo conducted parallel investigation wherein at the place of incident, the following items were recovered to wit: 1. One unit .38 caliber revolver bearing serial # ZL99769 loaded with four live ammos and one spent cartridge, and 2. One fired Bullet. Initial investigation revealed that the victim sustained lone gunshot wound at his head. Victim is now at the Emergency Room of San Pedro Hospital for proper medical attention.

4. Investigator-On-Case, PO1 Balbin.

5. For information.

UPDATE:

Apara passed away Thursday.

PRRD Leads the Destruction of Smuggled Luxury Vehicles and Motorcycles in Sta. Ana, Cagayan

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A contraband Lamborghini luxury car is turned into a pile of wreckage after it was subjected to condemnation and public destruction at Port Irene in Sta. Ana, Cagayan on July 30, 2018. A total of 68 contraband luxury vehicles worth over P277 million and eight contraband luxury motorbikes worth over P19 million were destroyed as part of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s campaign against smuggling and corruption in the government. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Zambo, Jolo fire victims get help from DU30, SAP Go and their supporters

After attending the 69th Araw ng Ipil at the Ipil Municipal Plaza in Zamboanga Sibugay Province, President Rodrigo Duterte, together with Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go, proceeded to Barangay Labuan to provide cash assistance to around 400 families who were left homeless after the fire. Pres. Duterte pledged to provide housing for the affected families.

The initial cash assistance to be distributed was P5,000 from Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), P1,500 each from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). However, the Chief Executive asked SAP Go to release an additional P7,000 per family.

Aside from getting help from the government, the victims of the Zamboanga fire were also beneficiaries of private sector assistance, courtesy of the Friends of Bong Go (FOBG), a group that supports the advocacy of SAP Bong Go of providing aid to those in need, particularly the less fortunate and victims of calamities.

Led by Mariam Celia Hahalul-Hataman, the group donated forty pairs of brand new shoes, school supplies, and provided aid and comfort to the victims of the fire.

According to Ms. Hataman, funds used for the purchase of the donated items where sourced from private individuals who shared their common cause. She also appealed to her friends, relatives and community leaders to distribute shoes to the affected families, to show their support for President Duterte and SAP Go.

Meanwhile, in Jolo, Sulu, there was also another fire that started in a house in Barangay Walled City, and spread to the several houses in Barangay Busbus. The houses were built of light materials and the barangays were heavily populated. The massive fire resulted in a displacement of 3,183 families or 13,296 individuals.

Inspired by the “Sapatos ni SAP, Tsinelas Ka-Swap” advocacy, supporters and friends of SAP Go decided conduct relief operations in Lamnayong Elementary School. The school serves as one of the five evacuation centers for affected families last 24 July 2018.

Just like in Zamboanga supporters of Tatay Digong and Kuya Bong composed of local youth leaders, volunteers and the Kapatut Bangsa Sug Inc. (KBS) from the province of Sulu and nearby municipality of Tawi-Tawi came to help the victims.

Several private individuals also joined the event and vowed to give more assistance in the coming days. This is their own manifestation of support to SAP Go by replicating his good deeds, especially helping calamity victims.

A total of 180 pairs of shoes were donated to different families. Alnasir Alih, 16 years old, was one of the recipients of the shoes distribution. He is the eldest child among 8 siblings, and shared that his father is jobless, and his mother has no stable job. Alnasir Alih was filled with happiness as he received the shoes from the friends of SAP Go, which he said he would be useful for school and for playing basketball.