BACOLOD CITY (PNA) – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) here warned cargo trucks operators plying northbound areas in Negros Occidental to strictly observe road load capacity. DPWH District Engineer Sanny Oropel said several cargo trucks are violating the load capacity set by their office. Loading capacity should not exceed 13.5 tons per axle. Oropel lamented that despite implementing guidelines set by the DPWH on road load limits, many of the cargo truck operators violate the order. He also said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will definitely apprehend violators.

Oropel said the DPWH also maintains weigh bridges all over the region. He said it remains an effective part of the DPWH monitoring system. The local DPWH official said this is part of the agency’s continuing road safety campaign. The DPWH is also reminding truckers to comply with road signage such as those which are reflectorized, warnings signs, railings, and other equipment installed by the agency. Northbound trucks usually carry heavy cargo loads like sugarcane. Most of these trucks are overloaded.

40 Women, minors rescued from K.T.V. bar

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu – Some 40 women and seven suspected minors were recently rescued in a raid in one of this city’s KTV bars by Regional Anti-Trafficking Task Force (RATTF) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) forces, along with the Region 7 office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the International Justice Mission (IJM). The victims were immediately turned over to the DSWD-7 facility for temporary shelter and provision of their immediate necessities, while undergoing defusing process after their rescue. Following the rescue, the IJM augmented the staff complement of the DSWD by providing additional security for the victims while inside the government facility before they will be eventually placed out for longer rehabilitation and mainstreamed back to their communities. The victims were also provided with legal assistance, defusing, crisis counseling, social services and interventions, including transportation assistance in going back to their respective hometowns.

“Social workers took turns comforting most of the girls and explaining to them their rights under Republic Act 9208, otherwise known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act with the assistance of the IJM rescue team and service providers,” said Jaybee Carillo, DSWD-7 Information Officer. (Phoebe Jen Indino)

Boarders urged to stay in places with permits

ILOILO CITY (PNA) – The Iloilo Boarding House Commission here is urging boarders, especially students, to stay in boarding houses with permits.

Marieta Geremias of the Boarding House Commission said buildings and houses with permits are safer and are officially deemed good places to stay in.

She also said boarding houses with permits have passed the Commission’s requirements and have been checked by the Bureau of Fire, City Engineers’ Office, City Health Office and the police. Geremias said boarding houses without permits could be prone to fire and other health dangers. She reminded student-boarders to check if the boarding house they plan to stay in have permits from the city authorities.