CATICLAN, Aklan, Philippines – An earthquake with magnitude 3.5 jolted Western Visayas last Tuesday afternoon, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) satellite office based in Sinait, Ilocos Sur.

Porferio De Peralta Jr., Phivolcs – Sinait Officer-in-Charge, said the tremor occurred at about 2:51 p.m. last Tuesday with its epicenter located at 53 kilometers southwest of Romblon, Romblon with a depth of 10 kilometers.

De Peralta said that intensity 3 was felt in Odiongan, Romblon; and intensity 2 in Caticlan, Aklan.

He added that the quake was tectonic in origin and no aftershock was felt after it struck. He also said that there was no reported damage in its wake.

To recall, at 6:19 a.m. also last Tuesday, a mild tectonic quake with magnitude 3.2 hit various Northern Luzon areas with its epicenter traced at 51 kilometers northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte at a depth of four kilometers.

Intensity 2 was felt in Laoag City and Pasuquin towns, both in Ilocos Norte province. (Freddie G .Lazaro)

ILOILO TOWN SETS SPEED ORDINANCE

STA. BARBARA, Iloilo, Philippines (PNA) – An electronic contraption called a Radar Gun which closely resembles a hair dryer is going to keep watch of Sta. Barbara's perimeter highways starting the first week of January 2011.

Sta. Barbara, a quiet town located about 15 kilometers from Iloilo City, is noted for its accident-prone stretch of roads leading up to the Iloilo Airport of International Standards.

In a great effort to curb road mishaps on its highways, Sta. Barbara Municipal Mayor Dennis Superficial announced Monday that the town’s law-making body, the Sangguniang Bayan has enacted an ordinance aiming to penalize motorists violating speed limits.

According to Superficial, the device can accurately tell an incoming vehicle's speed from afar. Moreover, the mayor said the new law will compel motorists to use the fast and slow lanes where vehicle speed will be strictly regulated.

The fast lane will accommodate a maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour (kph) whereas the speed limit on the slow lane is only 60 kph.

Violators will be slapped with stiff penalties ranging from P400 to P2,500, depending on the discretion of the court. Violators will also be charged with reckless driving, Superficial said.

The Sta. Barbara mayor appealed to the public to closely observe the speed ordinance, admonishing that it is one effective way by which road accidents and even unnecessary deaths may be prevented.The speed-tracking gadget is a donation from former Sta. Barbara residents now based in Florida, USA.

ALLEGED IRREGULARITIES TO BE PROBED

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Philippines (PNA) – Acting Governor Roel Degamo on Monday said he will look into unverified reports of alleged irregularities taking place in a government-owned stone crusher site in Pamplona, Negros Oriental.

He however cautioned the public against reacting falsely as these are allegations that still have to be confirmed.

According to Degamo, he has received information that a private vehicle comes to the site for fuel refilling.

Provincial Engineer Susano Ruperto Jr., however, said he himself has not heard of such irregularity, but gave assurances to investigate the allegation.

Another unconfirmed report also indicates that good quality crushed stones and rocks are delivered elsewhere instead of being used for government projects.

Degamo said that it is standard operating procedure for Capitol to look into tips and other types of information received on alleged irregularities within the provincial government.

Sometime last year, Degamo had also ordered a probe on reports of unauthorized use of provincial government-owned vehicles after office hours or even during office hours.