ILOILO CITY (PNA) — The Supreme Court, in collaboration with the Society for Judicial Excellence (SJE), has awarded the Don Antonio P. Madrigal Award for Outstanding Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) to judge Yvette Marie Dedel-Go, Presiding Judge of MTCC Branch 4 at the Chief Justice Ramon Avancena Hall of Justice. Go is the only judge from Western Visayas included in the list of this year’s judicial excellence awardees. From a caseload of almost 3,000, she was able to reduce it to less than 200 cases. “I’m honored to be a recipient of the award, said Go. “However, this doesn’t mean that I will rest on my laurels. This only means that I must strive even harder and do even better. The job of a judge calls for dedication and genuine commitment.” Judicial excellence awards are given to outstanding judges and officers of the Philippine courts as tribute to their integrity, dedication and commitment to public service and the rule of law. The SJE, through its Board of Trustees, administers the annual search for outstanding judges and clerks of court. The final selection of awardees is undertaken by the Board of Judges. Go, whose parents are from the town of Dumangas, finished her elementary and secondary education as a valedictorian at St. Michael’s College, Iligan City.

Antique projects for completion in 2009

SAN JOSE, Antique – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to complete the construction of R155-million worth of roads and bridges in Antique province before 2009 ends. Engr. Benny O. Fabila, OIC Asst. District Engineer of DPWH Antique said the fund is intended for the concreting of road sections that include the Odiong-San Remigio road, Sibalom-Pis-anan road going to Antique Airport and Bantayan-Cubay road which are vital road networks that link the nautical highway (roll-on roll-off) essential to trade and commerce. Last year, the DPWH had released the amount of R10 M for concreting of roads and bridges along the Bantayan-San Pedro-Sibalom-Bia-an Hamtic circumferential road which shall be completed this year. Concreting of roads and bridges from Ilaures, Bugasong going to Valderrama is also ongoing and expected to be completed this year. The Regional and National Project Management Office of DPWH is likewise monitoring the on-going implementation of Guinsang-an, Hamtic-Anini-y to San Joaquin Road in the south and Pandan-Libertad road in the north. In terms of road maintenance, Engr. Fabila noted that the Iloilo-Antique road was given the biggest slice of the budget because of recurring road depression/damage during heavy rains. (Mars Mosqueda)

Caregiver program launched

CEBU CITY – The Region 7 Office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has opened new training programs for tertiary students in the region willing to render personal and civil service activities in the community. Jaybee Carillo, DSWD 7 Information Officer said the student training programs (STPs) will cater to college students seeking formal and structural training using DSWD facilities. “Caregiver students that need formal training in their field as well as interested volunteers are welcome to the STPs,” she said. Carillo added that the caregiver-training program (CTP) aims to promote quality care management to its clients through the provision of capacity building capability and opportunities. “The CTP is also aimed to develop the competencies of care-giver students who are in high demand abroad,” she said.Carillo disclosed that even foreign students doing field work or on study tour in the country are also entitled to avail of the STP at a minimal fee. She explained that the payments will be used for maintenance, seminars and conferences needed for the training.(Phoebe Jen Indino)