MetroBriefs: Which Manila district is ‘dirtiest’?

Which Manila district is ‘dirtiest’?

UP TO 10 truckloads of trash are being collected daily from one area in Manila, making it the “dirtiest” among the city’s six districts, according to a local government official. Belle Borromeo, head of the city’s Department of Public Services, was referring to District 3, which is composed of 126 barangays in Binondo, Quiapo, San Nicolas and Sta. Cruz. The city as a whole generates 40 to 50 tons of garbage a day, she said. Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada ordered city hall departments to strictly enforce the city’s 1994 anti-littering ordinance, saying parallel efforts were already being done through the continuous road-clearing operations especially in market areas. Kristine Felisse Mangunay

Activist tagged in MRT vandalism released

ACTIVIST and Palanca Award-winning poet Angelo Suarez was released from detention Thursday morning after spending two nights at the Kamuning station of the Quezon City Police District, following his arrest for allegedly vandalizing a train of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT). Greeted by friends and family members who sang “Happy Birthday,” the 32-year-old Suarez stepped out of Station 10 after the chief inquest prosecutor signed his release papers. A convener of Train Riders Network (TREN), Suarez on Wednesday underwent inquest proceedings for vandalism based on accounts given by MRT guards saying he was the passenger who wrote “MRT Bulok” on one of the train doors. Suarez denied the allegation and cried harassment, saying the graffiti was already there when he boarded the train. Maricar Brizuela

P700K worth of helmets donated for cops

A MANUFACTURER of motorcycle parts and accessories based in Meycauayan, Bulacan, has donated P700,000-worth of helmets to policemen under the Manila and Eastern police districts and the National Capital Region Police Office. Henry Ang, chief executive officer of Everstrong Helmet Manufacturing Corp. turned over 200 pieces of helmets to Chief Supt. Romulo Sapitula, EPD director. The helmets, which have personalized “Pulis” markings and cost around P1,000 each, will be issued to police beat patrollers. Jodee Agoncillo