NEWS BRIEFS
The Cebu City government may tap the private sector to help resolve the low water pressure problem faced by mountain barangays.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said the city cannot buy additional water tankers because the 2013 budget doesn’t include an appropriation for the purpose.
“Ipangutana na sa City Council (Why don’t you ask the City Council why?),” he said.
Rama said he intends to meet with private water suppliers and seek their help.
He said he may consider asking for a discounted water delivery rate in exchange for fuel subsidy for tankers delivering water to the mountain barangays.
Engr. Dionisio Gualiza, head of the Department of Public Services (DPS), said the “unusual” low water table by the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) has affected their distribution of water to the moutain barangays.
He said the city’s lone water taker which can carry 72,000 liters of water has been delivering water to the upland sitio Banawa in barangay Guadalupe and the mountain barangays of Sudlon II, Mabini, Talamban and Pung-ol Sibugay.
Cebu City will also receive this month a donation of 10 second hand garbage compactors and two Kaoshiung buses from Yokohama in Japan.
Ryan Echieverra, head of the city’s protocol office, said a donated firetruck is also expected from South Korea. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac
SIX MEN NABBED FOR DRUGS, GUN POSSESSION
SIX of 19 men were arrested by police for causing alarm when one of them brandished a gun in sitio Lipanto, barangay Libo in Alegria town last Thursday evening.
Police said they went to the sitio and were said to be looking for a certain Bimbo Endona. They later showed up at a billiards hall near a barangay councilman’s home. One of them brandished a gun to the billiard players.
The police were called in and six of them were arrested.
Those arrested were 23-year-old Michael Ricablanca Gramatica, 24-year-old Jojie Mejares Alforte, 22-year-old Larry Bandolon Paolo, 25-year-old Odelon Salamania Pastor, 24-year-old John Carlos Yosores Dacay and 20-year-old Talper Flores Tupas.
Confiscated from their possession were three small packets containing a substance believed to be shabu, two rolled foils, one .357 revolver and ammunition.
They are now detained at the Alegria police precinct. Correspondent Michelle Joy L. Padayhag
