CEBU CITY: Four persons died while several others were injured when a fire razed a firecracker factory in Barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City on Monday afternoon. Mayor Junard Chan confirmed the number of fatalities following the inspection and clearing operations. ‘I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of those who died in the fire incident,’ Chan said as he vowed to help the families of the victims. Those who died were Chito Berdin, owner of the firecracker factory, along with two of his factory workers and a child who were trapped when the fire hit the establishment. The flames spread quickly and destroyed several residential houses in the area due to the presence of black powder. Nagiel Bañacia, head of the Lapu-Lapu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said among those who sustained burns were children and elderly who were also trapped when the fire hit the main firecracker manufacturing area. He said the injured are now receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. Arson
investigators are still assessing the extent of the damage caused by the blaze.

Source: Philippines News Agency

CEBU CITY: Four persons died while several others were injured when a fire razed a firecracker factory in Barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City on Monday afternoon. Mayor Junard Chan confirmed the number of fatalities following the inspection and clearing operations. ‘I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of those who died in the fire incident,’ Chan said as he vowed to help the families of the victims. Those who died were Chito Berdin, owner of the firecracker factory, along with two of his factory workers and a child who were trapped when the fire hit the establishment. The flames spread quickly and destroyed several residential houses in the area due to the presence of black powder. Nagiel Bañacia, head of the Lapu-Lapu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said among those who sustained burns were children and elderly who were also trapped when the fire hit the main firecracker manufacturing area. He said the injured are now receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. Arson
investigators are still assessing the extent of the damage caused by the blaze.

Source: Philippines News Agency

CEBU CITY: Four persons died while several others were injured when a fire razed a firecracker factory in Barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City on Monday afternoon. Mayor Junard Chan confirmed the number of fatalities following the inspection and clearing operations. ‘I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of those who died in the fire incident,’ Chan said as he vowed to help the families of the victims. Those who died were Chito Berdin, owner of the firecracker factory, along with two of his factory workers and a child who were trapped when the fire hit the establishment. The flames spread quickly and destroyed several residential houses in the area due to the presence of black powder. Nagiel Bañacia, head of the Lapu-Lapu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said among those who sustained burns were children and elderly who were also trapped when the fire hit the main firecracker manufacturing area. He said the injured are now receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. Arson
investigators are still assessing the extent of the damage caused by the blaze.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: Five members of the House of Representatives have filed a bill mandating the adoption of round-the-clock operations in the priority government infrastructure projects, particularly in roads and bridges. Under House Bill (HB) No. 9666 or the Accelerated Infrastructure Development Act of 2023, Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS Party-List Rep. Erwin Tulfo acknowledged the pressing need to meet the people’s increasing demands to improve the efficiency and effective execution of the projects. Tulfo and co-authors ACT-CIS Party-list Reps. Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo seek to streamline the implementation of the government infrastructure projects through the 24/7 operations. ‘This strategic move aims to revolutionize the efficiency and pace of project completion, addressing the longstanding challenges associated with prolonged timelines in traditional project management,’ the proposed bill read. The bill applied to all government infras
tructure projects funded by the national government, local government units, and government-owned and controlled corporations, particularly those involving the construction, repair and maintenance of roads and bridges. In a recent media interview, Tulfo said the proposed measure is the sentiments of the people who wanted to fast track all the government projects. ‘Kasi ang naabala ang taong bayan (Because delayed construction affects the people),’ Tulfo said. He said the funds appropriated for the priority projects are part of the taxpayers’ money and their main concern is for the immediate completion of government projects. ‘Enough na po sa 8 a.m.-4 p.m. lang ang project tapos nakatiwangwang ng Sabado at Linggo, walang nagta-trabaho kasi day off ng manggagawa (Enough of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. operation, then construction stopped every Saturday and Sunday because workers have to take day off),’ he said, adding that workers in other countries work 24/7. The bill provides that implementing agency shall devise a
suitable shift schedule, taking into consideration the nature and scope of the project, to maximize workforce and equipment utilization. ‘This bill envisions a future where government infrastructure projects operate with unprecedented efficiency and effectiveness. By embracing round-the-clock operations, we seek to fulfill the public expectations for timely and sustainable infrastructure development,’ the bill read.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: Five members of the House of Representatives have filed a bill mandating the adoption of round-the-clock operations in the priority government infrastructure projects, particularly in roads and bridges. Under House Bill (HB) No. 9666 or the Accelerated Infrastructure Development Act of 2023, Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS Party-List Rep. Erwin Tulfo acknowledged the pressing need to meet the people’s increasing demands to improve the efficiency and effective execution of the projects. Tulfo and co-authors ACT-CIS Party-list Reps. Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo seek to streamline the implementation of the government infrastructure projects through the 24/7 operations. ‘This strategic move aims to revolutionize the efficiency and pace of project completion, addressing the longstanding challenges associated with prolonged timelines in traditional project management,’ the proposed bill read. The bill applied to all government infras
tructure projects funded by the national government, local government units, and government-owned and controlled corporations, particularly those involving the construction, repair and maintenance of roads and bridges. In a recent media interview, Tulfo said the proposed measure is the sentiments of the people who wanted to fast track all the government projects. ‘Kasi ang naabala ang taong bayan (Because delayed construction affects the people),’ Tulfo said. He said the funds appropriated for the priority projects are part of the taxpayers’ money and their main concern is for the immediate completion of government projects. ‘Enough na po sa 8 a.m.-4 p.m. lang ang project tapos nakatiwangwang ng Sabado at Linggo, walang nagta-trabaho kasi day off ng manggagawa (Enough of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. operation, then construction stopped every Saturday and Sunday because workers have to take day off),’ he said, adding that workers in other countries work 24/7. The bill provides that implementing agency shall devise a
suitable shift schedule, taking into consideration the nature and scope of the project, to maximize workforce and equipment utilization. ‘This bill envisions a future where government infrastructure projects operate with unprecedented efficiency and effectiveness. By embracing round-the-clock operations, we seek to fulfill the public expectations for timely and sustainable infrastructure development,’ the bill read.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: A total of 973 homeless individuals who are living or staying on the streets have benefitted from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) since the launching of ‘Oplan Pag-Abot’ (Reaching Out) in June. Based on the report Monday by Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs Irene Dumlao, the DSWD has helped 425 family members and 528 unattached individuals as of Dec. 7. ‘The DSWD, through our Pag-Abot Team, continues to conduct reach-out operations to encourage families and individuals in street situations to come with the team so they can be kept away from danger and provided with assistance and services from the government,’ Dumlao said in a news release. Of the total, 189 were given aid through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS). There were also 241 who returned home to their provinces through the ‘Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-Asa Program’ that provides financial and livelihood aid. The others were referred to their local government units (LGUs) for appro
priate interventions while some are temporarily sheltered in DSWD-run centers and residential care facilities, Dumlao said. The DSWD has set up a mega processing center in Quezon City in order to reach out to more families and individuals in street situations, especially during the holiday season. Dumlao likewise called on the public to extend help to families and individuals in street situations in proper platforms and venues, such as the processing centers of Oplan Pag-Abot. ‘We put up this processing center to provide a more organized and safer venue for gift-giving,’ she said. DSWD operations in Metro Manila are being done in collaboration with the Commission on Human Rights, Philippine Statistics Authority, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and LGUs.

Source: Philippines News Agency