“Isumbong ang Pusher” campaign launched

By Analiza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, May 21 (PIA) -- A cash reward ranging from P1,000.00 to P1 million awaits any tipster who can point any drug pusher to the members of the Naga City Dangerous Drugs Board (NCDDB).

This is to lessen if not totally eliminate the drug menace that is continuously crippling the undertakings of the NCDDB towards a drug-free Naga City.

These objectives are embodied in the “Isumbong ang Pusher” campaign launched recently by NCDDB, in collaboration with the local government of Naga, Parole and Probation Office, Department of Interior and Local Government, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, National Bureau of Investigation, and other stakeholders.

NCDDB, which serves as the exclusive policy-making, monitoring, and coordinating body on the prevention and control of drug abuse in Naga City initiated the program in the hope of gaining the community’s support in deterring drug related incidents, particularly curtailing the proliferation of illegal drugs in the city.

Hon. Alex C. Nero, NCDDB Presiding Officer, said that the board will execute programs and projects for implementing short-term, long-term, and sustainable solutions to the drug abuse program of the city.

“We want to save the users, specially the youth who are usually the vulnerable prey in this drug deals and bring into the folds of law the pushers who are ruining the future of their victims,” Nero said in an interview.

The blessing and inauguration of the new NCDBB office located at the Civic Center, here in Naga City was simultaneously done during the launching of the said campaign. Nero said that they need a bigger space to accommodate their clients. This, he said, is a sign that the community is already taking an active part in deterring the drug trade in the city.

Naga City Mayor John Bongat said that Naga is the only local government unit which has initiated the institution of a dangerous drugs board. Bongat, thru City Ordinance 2001-064 created the said entity when he was still City Councilor.

NCDBB will continue to support the government’s campaign by promoting awareness on the dangers and ill-effects of drugs in the lives of its every victim. They will continue to conduct community outreach programs, and will incessantly produce and publish campaign materials to awaken the community’s great role in stopping the illegal drug trade.

Tipster may reach the NCDBB through hotline numbers: 698-3053 or through their mobile hotline, 09179992696 or 09186154262. (LSMacatangay/ PIA-Camarines Sur)


82 school buildings ready for occupancy

Roads and other infra due for repair

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, May 21 (PIA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bicol has completed 82 school buildings in time for the opening of SY 2012-2013, according to the agency’s top regional official.

“With the concerted efforts of the regional and district engineering offices in Bicol, the completion of the repairs was fast tracked and finished ahead of the school opening on June 4,” noted DPWH V regional director Danilo E. Dequito.

Dequito recalled that last year and in early part of 2012, almost all areas in the region encountered unfavorable weather conditions, heavy rains, tropical storms and typhoons, hampered the repairs. Only during the second quarter of this year did good weather condition enable the DPWH to construct or repair the school buildings.

“Of the 82 newly constructed school buildings, 16 are in Albay, eight in Camarines Norte, 26 in Camarines Sur, two in Catanduanes, 20 in Masbate, and 10 in Sorsogon,” he said.

“Allocation came from the Department of Education (DepEd) CY 2011 Infrastructure Program in the total amount of P57.138 million,” he added.

DPWH V meanwhile, according to Dequito, is also fast tracking the completion of regular maintenance work including repair of potholes and repainting of pavement markings along national roads near school sites. “This will ensure the safety of pedestrians and motorists,” the director said.

DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson earlier issued Department Order (DO) No. 29 directing all DPWH field officials to strictly enforce existing orders on the removal of obstructions and prohibited use within the road right-of-way (ROW) of national roads.

“Clearing our national roads from all obstructions will mean better quality and safer roads,” said Director Dequito.

Singson, in the same directive, required the submission of reports on the inventory of all illegal structures and obstructions including utility posts along sidewalks and shoulders on or before June 15 and status report and inventory on the removal of these structures/obstructions on or before July 3 and every end of the succeeding months.

“The Secretary is very determined to recover the road right-of-way for the safety of pedestrian and general public,” Director Dequito said.

“To those concerned entities, please consider this news as a notice for you to vacate or clear the road ROW. This is for the well being of everybody,” he added.

Identified as obstructions within the ROW were buildings, houses, shanties, stores, shops sheds, posts, canopies, billboards, signage, advertisements, fences, walls, railings, basketball courts, garbage receptacles, plants and plant boxes, driveways and ramps occupying or protruding to the sidewalk, humps, construction materials (gravel, sand, cement, lumber, steel bars, waste materials, etc.), and vehicles and equipment that are junked, parked and occupying or protruding on the sidewalk or shoulder.

Prohibited uses within the ROW include vending, repair of vehicles, disposal household/commercial/industrial wastewater and sewage, raising of animals within ROW, washing and drying of clothes, crops and other similar items, sports and related activities. (MAL-PIA 5, Albay/LVC-DPWH V)