Newsbriefs

Bridge cameras in need of repair

HALF of the security cameras installed in both the Mactan-Mandaue Bridge and the Marcelo Fernan bridge need repair, maintenance personnel told the Metro Cebu Bridge Management Board (MCBMB) over the weekend.

Security and maintenance personnel representative Leo Bacus said 11 out of 23 cameras in the Fernan bridge are not functional while nine out of 17 cameras in the Mandaue-Mactan bridge need repair.

Bacus said some cameras have grounded electrical wiring and damaged photo switch cell controls.

He also asked the board to provide materials like extension ladders, safety harness and electrical tools for the repairs.

MCBMB vice-chairman Pericles Dakay said Bacus should have given the cost estimates and other materials so the board can decide on its purchase.

The security cameras are located on both sides, on top of and below the bridge. Correspondent Peter L. Romanillos

Carillo seeks revival of disaster group

THE collision of two vessels off Lauis Ledge in Talisay City last Aug. 16 gave Cebu City Councilor Gerardo Carillo reason to push for the revival of the Cebu City Disaster Coordinating Council (CCDCC).

“With what happened at the Lauis ledge, it’s about time to revive CCDCC. This time with a wider selection of members,” Carillio said.

These new members will consist of the Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy, the Coast Guard and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“Our City has no helicopter, no speed boats and no water assets. With them as members, this problem will be addressed. Our response will also broaden,” he said.

Carillio said he doesn’t see any redundancy of function between the CCDCC and the Cebu City Disaster Risk Management Council (CCDRMC).

“The CCDCC is created by an ordinance and the CCDRMC is created by an executive order. What I am doing is only to harmonize both,” he said. Correspondent Edison delos Angeles

Seniors office ordinance passed on first PB reading

THE Provincial Board (PB0) passed on first reading a proposed ordinance that would create a separate office for senior citizens’ welfare last Monday.

The ordinance authored by PB member Raul Alcoseba sought the creation of a Cebu Provincial Senior Citizens Council that will implement projects for elderly people in the province and provide cash incentives to them.

“Senior citizens in the province are neglected but these people are the reason why we’re in this position. We can’t solve all their problems but at least they’ll get proper attention,” he told reporters.

“Sometimes these people are too far that they don’t know about their privileges. We will propagate awareness with this ordinance,” he added.

Under the proposed ordinance, the Provincial Senior Citizens Council will encourage senior citizens to contribute to the province’s growth and provide a comprehensive health care and rehabilitation system for disabled senior citizens.

Alcoseba said he aims to allocate P20 million for the council when the proposal gets the final nod from the PB.

“This proposed ordinance is not just looking on financial assistance but on all the concerns of the senior citizens,” he said. Correspondent Peter L. Romanillos

Filing of candidacies extended

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) extended the number of days for aspirants to file their certificate of candidacies (COCs) for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on October.

The poll agency will accept COCs from October 11 to 17. Comelec Commissioner Sixto Brillantes Jr. approved the resolution for the extension citing the “tendency of the aspirants to file COCs towards the end of the filing period.”

“There are numerous pleas from the field offices for the extension of the period for the filing of COCs as the three-day period may not be sufficient to accommodate all aspirants,” Comelec noted in the resolution approved last August 23.

A few weeks ago, registrants flocked to Comelec branches for the ten-day registration period of both SK and barangay poll voter applicants.

All Comelec offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m during the filing period. The official campaign period ended last Aug. 26 with the elections scheduled on October 28. Correspondent Peter L. Romanillos