News Briefs

Salvor firm bogged down by vessel recovery

THE salvor company hired to recover the capsized vessel MV Maria Angelica Grace  is trying to drag the boat to a deeper portion of the Mactan channel to enable them to re-float and set it upright.

Capt. Winiel Azcuna, Philippine Coast Guard-Cebu Station  commander, said Uni Orient Pearl Venture Inc. tried to pull the vessel near the Cabahug wharf towards the shipyard 80 meters away but the water level was too shallow.

Almost two months after MV Maria Angelica Grace capsized in Cabahug wharf has yet to be salvaged as the salvor company shifted to another alternative in refloating the vessel.

The Cabahug wharf’s operation was hampered after the vessel capsized last March 11 due to waves caused by passing fast crafts.

After the vessel is refloated, Azcuna said the cargo will be retrieved and the area cleaned. Reporter Jucell Marie P. Cuyos

Cebuanos urged to monitor cyber-porn dens

THE Provincial government is calling on Cebuanos to report cyber-pornography cases in their areas to eliminate the rising incidence of prostitution involving minors in the province.

Acting Cebu Gov. Agnes Magpale said the Provincial Women’s Commission which she chairs wants to develop a network of contacts who can report to them any cyber-pornography dens operating in their areas.

She said the Capitol could give cash rewards to tipsters who can lead authorities to these dens.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) earlier called on Asean countries to campaign for a cyber-prostitution free region.

During the opening ceremony of the 2nd ASEAN Conference in Tagbilaran City, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman said governments should help their youth overcome their poverty and achieve self-sufficiency.

She said the advances in technology also ushered in predators who exploit women and children for profit, locking them up in dens for further abuse.

“The victims of cyber pornography and cyber prostitution don’t think of freedom, but cages.  They wish for protection for their rights and an end to a cycle of poverty and abuse,” Soliman said. Correspondent Renan Alangilan

Geo-hazard maps in Cebu towns, cities

ABOUT 221 barangays in four cities and five towns in Cebu were covered in a geohazard assessment and mapping done by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR.

The geohazard maps prepared by the MGB identify which sitios in Cebu province area are critically prone to landslides and flooding.

MGB Regional Director Loreto Alburo said these maps will help local government units prepare their own evacuation and relief programs.

In Lapu-Lapu City, 30 barangays will be mapped including 42 and 27 barangays in Danao and Mandaue cities due to their rising population.

Also covered were Compostela and Liloan towns with 17 and 14 barangays, Consolacion and Cordova towns with 21 and 13 barangays, Barili town and Carcar City with 42 and 15 barangays.

Alburo said senior teams will also locate possible relocation sites in each barangay, city or town. Correspondent Renan Alangilan