MORE NEWS, BAGUIO CITY

GMA endorses bishops’ stand on fight vs poverty
BAGUIO CITY -- President Arroyo Wednesday endorsed the suggestions of bishops in Luzon in the fight against rural poverty, and vowed support through conditional cash transfers, agrarian reform, and mining policies that would bring benefits to rural communities.

In her speech at the Luzon North Regional Rural Congress here, Ms Arroyo said the incidence of hunger in the country "has fallen in the past six months," although she admitted that much has to be done in the fight against poverty.

Ms Arroyo said that amid record high prices of food and imported oil, the government has committed to provide subsidies on power and conditional cash transfers worth R3 billion.

The conditional cash transfers of R500 to R1,100 per month to the 300,000 poorest families in the Philippines will include families in the provinces of Abra and Apayao, she said.

Abra and Apayao are the two poorest provinces in the north and are among the Top 10 poorest provinces in the country, with poverty incidence of 57 percent and 51 percent, respectively.

Mrs. Arroyo noted that she had endorsed the extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program to finish the distribution of about 600,000 more hectares that should be covered by land reform. – Dexter A See


Baguio execs back folk’s bid to remove globe tower
By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The city council last Monday supported the bid of Upper Market Subdivision barangay officials and residents to remove the Globe Telecommunications (Globe)’s tower built in 1997 within a populated area in the barangay due to the danger the structure poses to the residents.

The body’s action came after punong barangay Ma. Teresa Caracas raised anew the barangay’s concerns over the tower’s safety during typhoons and other calamities.

Caracas said the tower looks so ominous and produces eerie sounds during typhoons that frighten residents no end.

Caracas presented to the city council their barangay resolution asking for the cancellation of business permit for the Globe tower saying its continued existence and operation in the area “are detrimental to the health, peace and tranquility” in the barangay.

The tower which sits on a private property surrounded by residential structures was built in 1997 despite resistance from the residents.

Caracas said previous barangay administrations issued barangay clearance for the structure but under her term, no such clearance was issued.

She said the ten-year year lease for its operation on said private lot had lapsed in 2007 and they have no information if said lease contract was renewed.

Councilor Richard Carino who initiated the support move said the body has to consider the residents’ predicament.

The body also invited Globe representatives to appear before body to explain their side of the issue but no reply was received from the company.


Penalties eyed for erring smoke emission test centers
By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Erring vehicle smoke emission testing centers will soon face penalties here for issuing certificates of conformity to motorists even without appearing for the test and without passing the emission testing standards.

The city council is now studying on second reading a proposed ordinance filed by Councilor Nicasio Aliping Jr. for this purpose.

In his proposal, Aliping stressed the need for the city government to pursue “a more proactive and preventive measure to penalize those who will violate the balancing of the environmental development of the city to safeguard the ecological system of the city from the injurious effects of pollution and to promote a clean and healthy environment.”

“There is a need to prevent the spread of air pollution since there are many vehicles in the city wherein issuance of Certificate of Conformity of passing the emission test standard is not properly complied with. Air pollution has an adverse impact on the environment and the health of the constituents and visitors alike,” he noted.

Aliping said the city government is mandated by Republic Act No. 8749 to share the responsibility in the management and maintenance of air quality within their territorial jurisdiction.

“Section 22 of the same law otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 provides that “Any imported new or locally-assembled new motor vehicle shall not be registered unless it complies with the emission standards set pursuant to this Act, as evidenced by a Certificate of Conformity (COC) issued by the Department” of Environment and Natural Resources. Section 23 of the same Act further provides that “Any imported second-hand motor vehicle engine shall not be introduced into commerce, sold or used unless it complies with emission standards set pursuant to this Act.”

If approved, the measure will cover vehicle emission testing centers that issue a Certificate of Conformity to motorists without passing the required emission standard test and despite the nonappearance of the motor vehicle.

Proposed penalties are: fine of P5,000 and warning for first offense; P10,000 and suspension of business for six months for second offense; and P20,000.00 and cancellation of business permit, for third offense.

The measure has been approved on second reading for publication and will be discussed preparatory to third reading by the body soon.