News Briefs
CLEANER CEBU CITY COASTS
NEWLY appointed Bantay Dagat Commission Project Director Ranulfo Sebusa said he wants to ensure with the help of the city’s Coastal Resource Management Board that Cebu City’s coasts are clean enough to nurture marine life.
Sebusa said he would also coordinate with other Bantay Dagat units in the province to prevent the sale of dynamited and other illegally caught fish.
“Dynamited fish are hazardous to health. The use of explosives also endanger the corals,” Sebusa, a retire police coronel, said in a press briefing in the City Hall.
Sebusa, who assumed office on Monday, said he would seek three more law enforcers to augment the Bantay Dagat’s 10 personnel—five from the city’s police and maritime police offices and another five civilians paid by the City Hall. He said he wants his personnel to be trained in rescue operations.
Sebusa said they also need a new pumpboat to after illegal fishing boats. Their two pumpboats are slow and could not withstand huge waves. Cebu City Bantay Dagat personnel patrol the waters off Cebu International Port to the lighthouse before Talisay City’s waters./CORRESPONDENT EDISON A. DELOS ANGELES AND UPV TACLOBAN INTERN JOY CHERRY S. QUITO
MINORS, NO ALCOHOL
THE Mandaue City government ordered the strict implementation of the prohibition against serving or selling alcoholic drinks to minors.
The city mandated its barangays to constantly monitor starting this month liquor stores and bars in the city to ensure that no alcoholic beverages reach minors.
Several incidents of crime and violence recorded by the city’s police are alcohol related. Some involved minors under the influence of alcohol.
“They (youngsters) have to present an ID before they can purchase a drink from us,” said Albert Cinco, liquor store owner. “We don’t want to jeopardize our business so we follow the rules.”
Mandaue City police will help check stores in the city for compliance with the directive.
Some stores already posted notices that alcohol is served only to adults 21 years old and above. Others serve alcohol to 18-year-olds provided they present an ID./CORRESPONDENT PRINCESS KATHLEENE GABUNALES
FINES FOR UNCALIBRATED CABS
THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Central Visayas (LTFRB-7) will start penalizing taxi units with uncalibrated meters.
LTFRB-7 Regional Director Ahmed Cuizon said they already calibrated a total of 4,945 taxi meters in time for the deadline last April 30.
Cuizon said after the deadline, taxi units with uncalibrated meters have to pay P5,000 penalty aside from the P125 billing fee.
The Land Transportation Office will apprehend taxi units with uncalibrated meters, he said. They will be charged with undercharging, which has a P2,500 penalty. Before the recalibration, LTFRB-7 recorded 6,050 taxi units in Cebu.
Cuizon said at least 1,000 taxi units without recalibrated meters may have questionable or expired franchises.
Among the requirements for meter recalibration are documents to assure validity of vehicle franchises and registration records./REPORTER CANDEZE R. MONGAYA
RAMA SWORN INTO RDC
CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday took his oath of office as head of the Regional Development Council (RDC) in Central Visayas before President Benigno Aquino III in Malacañang.
Rama said he took his oath of office with other Aquino appointees which include undersecretaries and assistant secretaries for national government offices and commissioners of the Commission on Elections.
Members of the Malacañang press corps also took their oaths before the President.
On Friday, Rama is scheduled to convene the RDC in the NEDA regional office in barangay Sudlon, Cebu City.
Rama also met with Sen. Manuel Villar after he took his oath of office before president Aquino.
Rama sought Villar’s help in the city’s ongoing effort to decongest the Banilad Talamban Road.
Villar owns a huge parcel of land in barangay Pit-os which is now hr site for the Golden Heaven Memorial Park./correspondent edison a. delos angeles
