News Briefs: DepEd releases P84M for cleanup, rehab of damaged schools

The Department of Education (DepEd) has shelled out P84 million for the set up of more than a thousand temporary learning spaces and the cleanup of schools damaged by Typhoon Nina to immediately restore normalcy of classes in disaster-hit areas. In a report to Malacañang, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said that as of Jan. 8 at least 1,046 schools in Bicol, Calabarzon and Mimaropa suffered infrastructure and non-infrastructure damage. The DepEd also listed 1,548 totally destroyed classrooms and 3,797 classrooms with partial but major damage, mostly in the Bicol region. Briones said the DepEd has given P17.49 million to 1,166 affected schools (P15,000 per school) for cleanup and minor repairs. DepEd also disbursed P66.78 million for the establishment of 1,113 temporary learning spaces for 465 schools. —JOCELYN R. UY

Bello urges employers to ensure drug-free workplace

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III urged employers to implement a drug-free workplace policy to ensure the safety and health of their workers. “Drug abuse is a serious problem that pervades all levels of the society particularly the Filipino workforce. I am urging all establishments to implement this drug-free policy to ensure that workplaces are free from the detrimental effects of drug abuse,” Bello said in a statement. Under the Department of Labor and Employment’s Department Order No. 53-03, all establishments in the private sector employing 10 or more workers must develop their own drug abuse policies and programs. It also encourages establishments with less than 10 workers to participate in the said campaign. It also directs companies to have their employees submit themselves to a random drug testing through its Drug Testing Program based on the procedure set by the Department of Health. —TINA G. SANTOS

Dole revamps senior POEA officials

The Department of Labor and Employment has implemented another revamp of its senior officials in the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). In an administrative order, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III named undersecretary Dominador Say as the new POEA officer in charge (OIC) in a concurrent capacity. He will replace Aristodes Ruaro, who acted as the POEA OIC concurrently with his appointment as POEA deputy administrator for licensing and adjudication. The appointment was announced after the naming of former prosecutor Claro Arellano as Dole undersecretary. Aside from Arellano and Say, the other labor undersecretaries include Ciriaco Lagunzad III, Bernard Olalia and Joel Maglunsod. —JULIE M. AURELIO

Ex-Cagayan town mayor meets Duterte, denies drug links

TUGUEGARAO CITY—Former Mayor Licerio Antiporda of Buguey town in Cagayan province had scheduled a meeting with President Duterte in Malacañang to clear his name after he was linked to drug trafficking in Cagayan Valley, a relative said. The relative, who asked not to be named, said there was “no way [Antiporda] was involved in drugs, having waged his own war on drug trafficking when he was mayor.” Antiporda did not respond to calls or queries. His son, incumbent Buguey Mayor Lloyd Antiporda, did not want to discuss the matter. But the young Antiporda said the Buguey government had put up cash rewards for policemen who would kill drug suspects “who violently resisted arrest in legitimate operations.” At least 172 drug suspects have surrendered in Buguey since July 1, it was learned. —VILLAMOR VISAYA JR.