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Iloilo City doubles garbage fee rate
Iloilo City doubles garbage fee rate 150 150 NewsExpress

Garbage fees in this city have increased by 100 percent to cover the expenditures of the local government, which has been subsidizing over 80 percent of solid waste management expenses.
Engineer Neil Ravena, head of the General Services Office (GSO), said that with the adjusted rate effective January, the city government will not bear the burden of paying for the salary of street sweepers, payment for garbage collection and operation of the landfill.
A study conducted by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on the cost-of-service analysis (COSA) showed that in 2022, the city government collected PHP55.92 million but spent over PHP365.65 million on solid waste management, showing that 84 percent of the cost was subsidized.
In 2021, the city government spent over PHP332.8 million but collected PHP55.8 million, with the local government subsidizing around 82 percent of the expenses.
“We computed the expenses of the city in the collection and disposal of garbage compared with our collection. There is a big difference so we have to adjust,” Ravena said in an interview.
The 2021 Waste Analysis and Characterization Study showed Iloilo City generated 496 tons of waste daily.
The study also indicated the city government did not adjust its garbage fee rate for 16 years prior to the recent hike. (PNA)

Iloilo ARBs bullish over DAR’s farm inputs
Iloilo ARBs bullish over DAR’s farm inputs 150 150 NewsExpress

Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in the province of Iloilo are grateful and optimistic about their yield because of the latest farm input they have received from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) – Iloilo.
Some P540 million worth of organic foliar fertilizer were recently distributed by the DAR–Iloilo to 6 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in the province benefiting 1,850 farmers. 
Recipient ARBOs are Dumangas Agrarian Reform Cooperative, Damires Farmers Marketing Cooperative, Tuburan Abaca Handicraft Association, CAGFAS Agrarian Reform Cooperative, JAGO CARP Beneficiaries Multi- Purpose Cooperative and Zarraga Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association.
Flora Insolente, President of Tuburan Abaca Handicraft Association (TAHA) from Janiuay, Iloilo shared their sentiments and experiences on their current situation in their farming activities using inorganic fertilizer.
“Our experience has been that the prices of fertilizers, such as Urea, were expensive before. A sack of Urea, for instance, used to cost around P3,000, and the seeds were similarly priced. It seemed like almost all imports had increased in prices. When the harvest season comes, the buying price for palay is low. Because of that, we, as farmers, incurred losses,” said Insolente.  
She expressed her gratitude for the support services provided to them by the government, particularly President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and DAR.
“Since DAR provided us with organic fertilizers, we hope that this will contribute ecologically and promote a healthier environment and well-being. We also anticipate that all things harmful to our environment will slowly diminish. We are hopeful that our yield will also increase in the upcoming harvests because of the organic fertilizers provided, thus reducing our losses. We would like to thank President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Secretary Conrado M. Estrella, III for these support services given to us,” added Insolente.
According to Rex Dedal, manager of Dumangas Agrarian Reform Cooperative, the farm input has a significant impact on them – farmers and members of our cooperative – because it will reduce their expenses in purchasing fertilizers for their fields.
“We hope that through the free organic fertilizers provided to us, it will contribute to the increase and improvement of our production, benefiting our community in Dumangas, Iloilo,” said Dedal.
DAR Iloilo recognized the challenges posed by climate change thus, through this initiative, aligns and contributes to the advocacy of the government to implement the practice of organic agriculture (Republic Act No. 10068) which underscores the importance of embracing organic farming as a strategic response to the evolving challenges of the changing climate.
By providing organic fertilizers to farmers, DAR-Iloilo aims not only to sustain their livelihood but also to foster a shift towards organic farming practices that will consequently enhance the soil fertility, boost agricultural yields and raise their incomes. The initiative not only serves as a lifeline for ARB’s livelihood but also as a bold step towards building a climate-resilient Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs). 
The distribution of organic fertilizers was funded through the Sustainable Livelihood Support (SLS) program under the agency’s Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support (CRFPS) Project implemented in both ARCs and non-ARCs that have been identified as susceptible to the effects of climate change. (PIA6-Iloilo)

END THE INSURGENCY
END THE INSURGENCY 1315 401 NewsExpress

3ID chief orders new battalion chiefs to finish insurgency in Panay

Major General Marion R. Sison, the Commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, has directed the newly installed commanding officers of the 82nd Infantry (Bantay Laya) and the 12th Infantry (Lick ‘Em) Battalions to finish the insurgency on Panay Island.
MGen. Sison issued this directive during separate change of command ceremonies for the two battalions which he presided.
On Monday, February 05, 2024, Lieutenant Colonel Jovert Pimentel assumed the post as new Commanding Officer of the 82IB at Camp Colonel Quintin D. Salas in Sitio Asinan, Barangay Jibolo, Janiuay town, replacing Colonel Cliford Catubigan. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Vicel Jan Garsuta took command of the 12IB at Camp General Ceferino S. Careon in Sitio Guimbunyugan, Barangay Libot, Calinog, Iloilo, succeeding Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Timbal on Tuesday, February 6.
Both ceremonies were attended by Brigadier General Michael Samson, Commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade, other key officers from the 3ID, as well as the respective local chief executives and stakeholders of the said units.
MGen. Sison commended the outgoing battalion commanders for their unwavering contributions to shaping the success of their respective battalions. He acknowledged their tireless commitment, dedication, and guidance, which resulted in commendable milestones, reflected in the numerous awards and commendations bestowed upon their units and the 3ID as a whole.
“The Change of Command Ceremony marked a milestone for the Army Officers in upholding commitment and dedication to the organization. Thus, the Army officers must maintain organizational dynamics and professional growth,” said MGen Sison.
In his speech, MGen. Sison also underscored that Panay is a sleeping dragon and the remaining bastion of the Communist Terrorists Group; hence, he instructed the 82IB to work closely with the local government units, all partners, and stakeholders to facilitate the dismantling of the remaining weakened guerilla fronts in Panay Island.
“We cannot accomplish this mission without the support and collaboration of our stakeholders and local chief executives serving as chairmen of the Local Task Force-ELCAC. It is crucial to coordinate, cooperate, and maintain open communication with our partners, as they play a vital role in helping us bring an end to insurgency in Panay. It is essential to recognize that the resolution of this problem requires not only military action but also the effective implementation of Task Force ELCAC as the best solution,” MGen. Sison emphasized.
Moreover, he ordered LTC Garsuta to dismantle the weakened Central Panay Front.
“Finish the fight! That’s my first order. Lick the enemy, totally decimate and eradicate them, in coordination with the LGUs, Civil Society Organizations, the private, religious, and the business sectors, in order to establish just and lasting peace in Panay,” MGen. Sison concluded. (3ID Spearhead Troopers)

‘SEA SPECTACLE’Paraw Regatta 2024 ready to sail off
‘SEA SPECTACLE’Paraw Regatta 2024 ready to sail off 2048 1152 NewsExpress

All is set for the Paraw Regatta Festival 2024, with highlights slated on March 1 to 3, 2024.
Now on its 51st year, Paraw Regatta Festival promises to offer exciting and fun events aside from the much sought paraw sailing competition.
According to Dr. Roberto Samosa, chairman of the Paraw Sailing Event, this year’s edition of the longest and biggest sailing competition in Southeast Asia will officially open on Feb. 25 at Tatoy’s Poolside Resort after a Holy Mass at Arevalo Parish.
Samosa said they expect participants for the Paraw Main Race on March 3 from as far as Boracay Island and nearby towns in Iloilo province and Guimaras. Last year, 48 paraw racers joined in the main sailing event.
Other Paraw events include Pinta Layag that will start on Feb. 26 at JBLFMU-Arevalo Campus; Pinta Regatta Contest on Feb. 27 at Festive Walk Mall Garden Atrium; Paraw Regatta Job Fair (TBA) and Miniature Paraw on Feb. 28; Slalom Race and Paraw Food Fest (Day 1) on Feb. 29; Paraw H.I.I.T, Paraw Duathlon, Beach Sports, Sinamba sa Regatta (Hall of the Justice to Freedom Grandstand) and Paraw Foodfest (Day 2) on March 2.
Aside from the main race, there will be Pinta Tawo, Pinta Layag Judging, Paraw Lechon Contest; Beach Sports at Villa Beach; Paraw Beach Bodies, Lighted Paraw and Fireworks, Paraw Food Fest (Day 3), Paraw Photo Contest and Awarding Ceremony on March 3.
Majority of the events particularly the main sailing race are traditionally held at Tatoy’s Beach Front.
The Paraw Regatta Festival is spearheaded by the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) in collaboration with the Iloilo City Government, Iloilo Provincial Government and the Guimaras Provincial Government.
(Iloilo City PIO)

IWAG Teen Center up in Pototan soon
IWAG Teen Center up in Pototan soon 150 150 NewsExpress

The provincial government is building a teen center in Pototan that will soon be named after the municipality’s Iwag Festival and is designed to illuminate the youth’s path for them to become responsible and productive individuals.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. led the groundbreaking ceremony of the construction of Teen Center 2.0 at Alberto Sorongon Sr. Memorial National High School on February 5, 2024. He was assisted by Mayor Rafael Enrique Lazaro, Vice Mayor Tomas Peñaflorida, School Principal Ma. Grace P. Coronado, Provincial Population Officer Atty. Ruel Von Superio, Provincial Engineer Engr. Romeo Andig, and the municipal and barangay officials, among others.
Coronado said that once completed, the facility will be called IWAG Teen Center. IWAG stands for Illuminating the Way for the Adolescent Group.
“Ini ang magahatag sang dalan sa aton kabataan. This is not just for Alberto Sorongon Sr. Memorial National High School but for the community as well,” she said.
More or less 500 students from the school and its catchment areas are expected to benefit the youth building which will guide the teenagers to become productive citizens of the locality.
Atty. Superio said the leveled-up teen centers currently being built in secondary schools serve as a symbol of the commitment of the provincial government “in nurturing the youth to become responsible individuals and eventually become a partner in development and nation building.”
Governor Defensor said the construction of school infrastructure is his “favorite project” under his brainchild Bulig Eskwela sang Probinsya or BES Probins Program.
The provincial government is also building a Youth Development Center in secondary school worth P5 million.
The governor appealed to the students to utilize the facility as it serves as an extension of their homes in school.
“Pangayuon ko lang sa inyo nga tipigan ninyo ang teen center kag usaron nga mapuslan ninyo. Panginpuslan ninyo sang maayo ang aton ginapatigayon para sa aton kabataan,” the governor said.
Mayor Lazaro also thanked the governor for giving priority to the welfare of the youth. (Capitol news)

First Lady leads groundbreaking rites for WVSU Law building
First Lady leads groundbreaking rites for WVSU Law building 1200 630 NewsExpress

First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos led the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a four-story College of Law building at the West Visayas State University (WVSU).
The First Lady is a part-time faculty member at WVSU College of Law where she teaches Criminal Law.
The WVSU, which is the first and only state university in Western Visayas that offers a legal education program in the region, recognizes the need for a separate building.
“At the height of the pandemic when most schools were closing their doors, our university took a leap of faith by opening its juris doctor program. As the only state university offering a legal education program in Western Visayas, we embark on a journey that has surpassed our initial vision,” said WVSU President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz.
During the ceremony, Villaruz took pride in announcing that the pioneer batch of the program will be taking the Bar examination in September this year.
He also extended gratitude to the First Lady and other stakeholders for “providing the university the opportunity to expand its student intake and widen its legal advocacy programs” through the construction of the state-of-the-art building.
According to DPWH Regional Director Sonny Boy O. Oropel, the College of Law (COL) building is situated within the main campus of WVSU in the La Paz district of this City and will be a green building with a total floor area of 3,456 square meters or 864 square meters per floor.
Facilities to include in the construction are six theater-type air-conditioned classrooms, an auditorium, a review room, a conference room, a legal clinic, a Wi-Fi connection, and a library.
To further enhance the capabilities of the law students, the building will also house two moot courtrooms, an arbitration or training room, and a Journal for Law Advocacy Office which will be used for the simulation of court hearings and litigation processes, among others.
For the instructors, a faculty room and offices for the college dean and associate dean will also be available upon completion of the project.
Apart from these, the COL building will also house a cafeteria, prayer room, storage or supplies room, comfort rooms with persons with disability (PWD) accessible facilities, and a parking area.
To promote the use of sustainable energy, the project also includes solar panels to supply power to the building. Elevators will also be available to allow easy access to all levels of the building for the students, faculty members, and guests.
Security features will also be incorporated including close circuit televisions or CCTV and a key card access system for the entire building.
According to the public works department, the project is targeted to be completed within 458 days after the commencement of its construction. (PIA)

Febuary 12-18 2024 Issue
Febuary 12-18 2024 Issue 1706 2560 NewsExpress

Bay Area storm: Nearly 400,000 without power as storm rolls through
Bay Area storm: Nearly 400,000 without power as storm rolls through 1046 588 NewsExpress

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Widespread rain and howling winds greeted the Bay Area as another storm rolled through Sunday after first hitting the Bay Area on Saturday, causing hundreds of thousands of PG&E customers to lose power.

Over 320,000 customers are without power throughout the Bay Area. At 4 p.m., the San Francisco division had nearly 5,500 customers out of power. That number jumped to over 20,000 in a few hours.

In the North Bay, some customers saw their power restored and their numbers dropped from around 94,000 to almost 84,000.

Comparatively, nearly 107,000 customers are without power in the South Bay and nearly 36,000 in the East Bay. That’s down from earlier numbers of 140,000 in the North Bay and 54,000 in the East Bay.

The number of PG&E customers that have lost power in the Peninsula has dropped to around 74,000, down from 81,000.

San Francisco International Airport is experiencing several cancelations and delays, where a wind gust of 45 mph was reported.

According to SFO’s airport’s duty manager, they are experiencing 146 canceled flights and nearly 350 delays.

Oakland International Airport is reporting 29 delays in departures with three cancelations, compared to 28 delays in arrivals and four cancelations.

Trees fell on homes and cars. Heavy rains produced a landslide reported on a San Francisco hill. Power outages were widespread for PG&E customers, including downed power lines that led to the closure of a section of Highway 1.

Downed trees across tracks have disrupted service to Caltrain customers in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties Sunday afternoon and evening.

The north and southbound tracks 200 feet south of the San Antonio Station in Mountain View have halted service to that station as of 3:45 p.m. due to a downed tree.

In Burlingame, a second tree fell onto the tracks at around 5:36 p.m.

SamTrans is honoring Caltrain tickets in Burlingame and The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is also honoring Caltrain tickets for anyone wishing to go north or south of the San Antonio Station.

Caltrain said at 6 p.m. that it will be several hours before the trees can be completely removed.

The City of San Jose declared a state of emergency due to the weather.

The Guadalupe and San Lorenzo rivers were experiencing flooding in the South Bay. As a result, residents along Alma Avenue are being told to prepare to evacuate.

The San Jose Police Department used loudspeakers in the area to warn residents, many of whom are experiencing homelessness, to reach higher ground.

An evacuation center had been set up. In addition, an overnight warming center has been set up at Roosevelt Community Center.

The National Weather Service forecast the Guadalupe River to reach flood stage by 6 a.m. However, local officials said that pace has somewhat slowed for now. The river was expected to crest at 10 a.m. at around 11 feet.

The flood watch for the entire Bay Area goes until 10 a.m. Monday morning. Meanwhile, a wind advisory goes until 10 p.m. Sunday. Dangerous winds are seeing widespread gusts of up to 45 to 60 mph.

PG&E’s power outage map showed that service had been disrupted in many parts of its vast coverage area. Rohnert Park, Oakland and parts of the Monterey peninsula had some of the most customers without electricity early Sunday afternoon.

San Mateo County is getting hit especially hard. Residents are being warned to stay away from the coast. On Friday, the county was added to the state of emergency list for counties impacted by the storm. You can find information on where to find sandbags, here. Caltrans also announced that Highway 1 was closed near the San Mateo and Santa Cruz County lines because of downed power lines.

In Sonoma County, there are reports of downed trees across the county. As we’ve reported, the ground is saturated by the rain, making trees susceptible to toppling with relative ease from the strong winds.

In Santa Rosa, a tree came down on a vehicle, temporarily closing northbound Highway 101 at Todd Road. Officials are advising people to avoid unnecessary travel.

The city of Pacifica has opened its Community Center for people who have lost power, North County Fire Authority said at 6:35 p.m. Sunday.

The comfort center will offer power created by a generator for charging electronic devices. There will also be water and snacks.

The center is not a place to sleep, but residents are welcome to bring blankets, pillows and warm clothes for comfort, the fire department said.

The Pacifica Community Center is located at 540 Crespi Drive in Pacifica.

A landslide and hillside collapse in San Francisco was reported in addition to flooding at Market and 18th streets. The westbound direction of Market Street is blocked by fallen trees in that area as emergency crews are responding.

An emergency crew has also responded to flooding at Haight and Buchanan Streets. City officials advise you to avoid walking near trees, especially in parks.

Elsewhere in the city, Fillmore Street is obstructed in the Western Addition after a tree came down and toppled wires. Traffic lanes are blocked between Golden Gate Avenue and Turk Street.

Strong winds led to the cancelation of San Francisco Bay Ferry service, at least until the winds died down.

The Kaiser Permanente San Francisco half, 5K, and 10K marathons were all canceled.

California Highway Patrol issued an extreme wind advisory for the westbound Bay Bridge from the center anchorage to San Francisco. CHP advised box truck drivers to especially be careful due to the risk of overturning.

Alameda Firefighters were seen rescuing a man in a sailboat who was near the rocky shoreline.

As for the forecast, the temperature highs will be mostly in the 60s in the Bay Area. Overnight lows will be in the 40s on the coast, in the 50s around the bay and in the 40s inland.

Rain tapers off to scattered showers around noon before picking back up around 5 p.m.

Wind, high wind, and surf advisories are in effect until Sunday night for most of the Bay Area. Large breaking waves of 20–25 feet are expected with the accompanying high-surf advisory along the coast.

The flood watch is set to end on Monday with rain continuing into Monday.

KTVU’s Amanda Quintana, Tom Vacar, James Torrez and wire services contributed to this report.

Gavin Newsom Nails Biggest Threat To ‘Sad And Pathetic’ MAGA Republicans
Gavin Newsom Nails Biggest Threat To ‘Sad And Pathetic’ MAGA Republicans 1200 599 NewsExpress

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) tore into Donald Trump’s MAGA allies for their increasinglyunhingedattacks on pop superstar Taylor Swift.

“What is her sin? She wants more people to vote,” he pointed out. “She wants to help people register to vote and remind them the importance of expressing their democratic rights and responsibilities.”

Swift endorsed Joe Biden in 2020. And while the president’s camp is reportedly hoping she will do so again this year, the only public position she’s taken lately is to encourage people to register to vote.

Newsom said there’s a reason Republicans find that threatening.

“That says everything you need to know about the Republican Party. They don’t want people to vote, they want to make it harder, because they can’t win if you vote,” he said. “How sad and pathetic the Republican Party have become that Taylor Swift literally is a threat to them for one reason: She wants folks to turn out and vote.”

Capehart asked Newsom if he had anything to say to Swift about handling the situation.

“I’m not telling Taylor Swift anything, I’m in awe of her resiliency,” he said. “I’m not worried about her capacity to weather these rather weak storm systems coming in from Jesse Watters and a few others.”

See the full interview below:

Chinese migrants are flocking to the southern border, and some have Chinese TikTok guides on how to enter the US: CBS
Chinese migrants are flocking to the southern border, and some have Chinese TikTok guides on how to enter the US: CBS 1023 767 NewsExpress

  • Chinese migrants hoping to get into the US are turning to an unlikely guide — the Chinese version of Tiktok.

  • Migrants told 60 Minutes they planned their journey using Douyin.

  • There has been a surge in the number of Chinese migrants crossing the US border in recent years.

Some Chinese migrants attempting to cross the US southern border are getting a little help from Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, according to a report from CBS’ “60 Minutes.”

Over four days, CBS journalists observed nearly 600 migrants, some of whom were Chinese, crossing the border through a gap at the end of a border fence near San Diego.

Chinese migrants who spoke to 60 Minutes said they learned about the gap via the video application Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.

60 Minutes said it had reviewed several Douyin posts, which gave detailed instructions on how migrants could hire smugglers to get to the border.

And the journey is no walk in the park either.

Chinese migrants hoping to start a new life in the US have to trek through multiple countries before they arrive stateside. Some have had to crisscross through Turkey, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama and then Mexico, per CNN.

There has been a surge in the number of Chinese migrants entering the US through its borders.

According to data from the US Customs and Border Protection, the number of encounters the agency has had with Chinese nationals at the Southwest land border has increased more than 50-fold, from 450 people in 2021 to 24,314 in 2023.

Chinese social media platforms have been a boon for migrants hoping to enter the US.

In April, Reuters interviewed more than two dozen Chinese migrants entering the US via southeastern Texas. All the migrants that Reuters spoke to said that social media had helped them to plan their journey.

It’s not just China. Content creators from Venezuela and India have been producing similar videos as well.

“Migration sells. My public is a public that wants a dream,” Venezuelan Manuel Monterrosa, 35, told The New York Times in a story published in December.

Representatives for the US Customs and Border Protection did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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