News Briefs

EMERGENCY HOTLINE FOR VICENTE SOTTO HOSPITAL

AN emergency hotline for Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) and district hospitals in Cebu is being considered by the Capitol in partnership with Smart Communications.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia met with representatives of Smart and VSMMC Medical Director Dr. Gerardo Aquino to discuss plans to set up a three-digit hotline for the hospital.

A hotline for mobile phones is also in the works. Prior negotiations with Digitel Mobile Philippines Inc. and Globe Telecommunication fell through.

Dr. Aquino said the recent bus accident  in Toledo City that  claimed the lives of seven passengers was  one such case.  “Even if the accident occurred in  a secluded area, victims can dial the hotline so they can immediately receive aid,” he said. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus

PATROL BOAT DONATION SET FOR BANTAYAN

A PATROL boat will be turned over to the Coastal Resource Management Council (CRMC) of Bantayan Island to aid its efforts in curbing illegal fishing in nearby Sta. Fe town.

The donation was announced during an Oct. 29 meeting  of the  Cebu Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force. A  team will be formed to oversee use of the boat.

Sta. Fe Mayor Jennifer Illustrisimo said she will look for funds to construct  a building for the CRMC office.

Rep. Benhur Salimbangon of Cebu’s 4th district pledged to allocate half a million pesos from his pork barrel.

The Capitol already gave each CRMC an initial subsidy of P500,000.

Bantayan Mayor Ian Christopher Escario and Madridejos Mayor Salvador dela Fuente will also allocate a percentage of their funds for the operations of the council. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus