News Briefs: Jan. 6, 2019

900,000 students can’t go back to school

More than 900,000 students in the Bicol region remain displaced from school after the onslaught of Tropical Depression “Usman” last week.

The Department of Education (DepEd), in a Jan. 4 report, said classes remained suspended in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

At least 50 schools are still occupied by evacuees, the DepEd said.

As of Friday, 34 schools were still flooded, the report added.

The Deped said more than 118 classrooms, 1,661 computer sets, 10,427 pieces of school furniture and 94,938 learning materials were also damaged. —Jodee A. Agoncillo

P10M set aside for emergency employment

The labor department has set aside an initial P10 million for emergency employment of at least 3,000 workers displaced by Tropical Depression “Usman” in the Bicol region.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the initial amount was meant to provide displaced workers and their families with immediate short-term income support.

Beneficiaries would get emergency employment with a basic salary of P305 per day.

Bello added that the department was making an inventory of all displaced workers in areas hit by Usman. —Tina G. Santos

Bohol seaport damaged by quake reopens

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has reopened Tubigon Seaport in Bohol province on Friday, five years after the province’s primary dock was destroyed in the aftermath of a powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake.

The newly inaugurated seaport, which has tripled its vessel and passenger capacity after a nine-month rehabilitation project, was expected to revitalize shipping and commuting between the Visayan ports of Tubigon and Cebu City.

Philippine Ports Authority general manager Jay Santiago said the seaport can now accommodate up to 28 vessels and 4,000 passengers. —Krixia Subingsubing

Poll watchdog denounces exoneration of Arroyo

An election watchdog has denounced a court decision exonerating Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from the charge of electoral sabotage in connection with elections during her term as President.

The group Kontra Daya said that during Arroyo’s tenure, “election fraud was so widespread that even the statistical improbability of 12-0 in favor of administration senatorial candidates happened” in Maguindanao, controlled by the Ampatuan clan, an ally of Arroyo.

“The acquittal sends a dangerous message,” the group said. —Tina G. Santos

Church says more youth becoming Nazarene devotees

More and more youth are becoming devotees of the Black Nazarene, according to an official of Quiapo Church.

“Maybe they see their parents, who are devotees themselves, joining the activities here in the church, participating in the procession,” said Fr. Danichi Hui, parochial vicar of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, or Quiapo Church.

According to Hui, many of the young devotees were students who asked for help during exams.

“They flock during exam season and if they pass, they keep on coming back to thank the Señor,” he said, referring to the Black Nazarene. —Tina G. Santos