MetroBriefs
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:03:00 11/28/2008
Filed Under: Wages & Pensions, Health, Crime and Law and Justice, Telecommunications Services, Telecommunications Equipment, Local authorities
Free calls for Manila residents
Manila residents who have relatives in the United States and Canada may now avail of free calls being offered by the city government. According to Mayor Alfredo Lim, the free calls project is part of the city government’s Christmas gift to Manilans who wish to talk to their relatives and friends in the said countries but do not have the money to spend for such calls. The toll-free booth is located at the ground floor of City Hall and is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. It will be available until February 2009. Tina G. Santos
Free phone repair course in QC
Residents and out of school youth in Quezon City can now learn cellphone repair for free beginning today. Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. will lead city officials at the project’s launching and first lesson this afternoon to be held in Diliman. The training program is spearheaded by the Center for People’s Action for Development, a nongovernmental organization conducting livelihood projects for the city’s poor and marginalized. Lessons will be conducted four hours a day with morning and afternoon batches. Belmonte said the teachers are accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. Julie M. Aurelio
Newborn screening in Manila
A city-run hospital in Manila is offering free newborn screening to Manila residents beginning this week, the Manila government announced Wednesday. Newborn screening is a requirement under Republic Act 9288, otherwise known as the Newborn Screening Law of 2004, which stipulates that all newborn babies must undergo screening (blood test to determine susceptibility to diseases) to ensure their good health. Ospital ng Sampaloc director Dr. Janet Tan said the procedure, which costs about P500 and must be done within a week from birth, will be given free to all newborn deliveries at the hospital. Aside from free newborn screening, Tan said they are also giving free delivery for first-born babies, while referring second and subsequent births to the lying-in centers. Tina G. Santos
Christmas gift day in Malabon
Some 900 employees of the Malabon City government will receive their 13th month pay and cash bonuses today, according to Mayor Canuto Oreta. He said the early release of the 13th month pay is a reward for the “sterling performance and hard work” the employees have shown during the year. Apart from the 13th month pay, a P5,000 cash gift will also be given to the employees. A 14th month pay will also be released to the city hall employees by Dec. 15. Beverly T. Natividad
Parking space for bikes
A proposed ordinance is seeking to require all major business establishments in Quezon City to provide ample parking space for motorbikes to secure them from thieves. The Quezon City council said it is proposing the measure due to rising incidents of motorcycle theft in the city. Under the proposal by councilors Jaime Borreso and Alexis Grace Matias, businesses who fail to comply with the parking space requirement will be made to pay a P5,000 fine or their owners face a one-year prison term. The major establishments covered by the proposed measure include shopping malls, banks, restaurants, and hospitals. Julie M. Aurelio
Caught at a checkpoint
Four robbers/car thieves were arrested at a police checkpoint in Morong, Rizal, Thursday morning. But three of their companions escaped and are now the subjects of a manhunt, police said. Supt. Allan Nobleza, group director of the 419th mobile group, identified those arrested as Felipe Elep, 38, Rodel Bonso, 30, Sofronio Marabi, 30, and Jerreme Mosuela, 22. Nobleza said members of the 419th Provincial Mobile Group manning a checkpoint in Barangay Calero, in Morong flagged down a red Isuzu Crosswind with license plate ZGC-491. But instead of stopping, the said vehicle sped off towards Morong town proper. Police gave chase and finally caught up with the armed group just before they got into the town plaza. The suspects yielded two .38 caliber pistols. Beverly T. Natividad
Youth forum on HIV
The Council for the Welfare of Children-Committee on Children and HIV and AIDS will hold today the National Young People’s Planning Forum (NYPPF) at the Ateneo de Manila University. NYPPF will serve as the venue for 40 young persons (aged 15-24) to discuss how their sector can meaningfully participate in the HIV and AIDS prevention campaign. The forum is supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), Lunduyan, the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC) and other government and nongovernment organizations.
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