MANDAUE CITY, Cebu, Philippines — United States Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr. was set to deliver the keynote message during the launching of the Movement of Anti-Human Trafficking Advocates in Cebu Friday afternoon at the Cebu International Convention Center.

Thomas, who arrived in Cebu Friday morning, was invited to attend the program and covenant signing that was to be witnessed by all municipal officials, barangay captains, and Sangguniang Kabataan chairmen all over the province of Cebu. The provincial government of Cebu is one of the leading local government units in the country that gives teeth and flesh to the campaign to eradicate human trafficking in Cebu. (Mars W. Mosqueda)

Risk management

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte (PIA) — To lessen casualties during natural calamities, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) proposed the inclusion of Disaster Risk Management in the school’s curriculum of public and private high schools and colleges in Eastern Visayas.

Rey Gozon, RDRRMC chair and Office of Civil Defense regional director, explained that with the inclusion of this subject, students will know what to do during occurrences of natural calamities.

Clean drive

LARENA, Siquijor (PIA) — The municipality of Larena launched this month its integrated solid waste management program dubbed “Zero-Waste Larena” campaign that is composed of the pioneering barangays of Helen, North and South Poblacion, Bontod, Cangbagsa and Nonoc.

During the launching, Municipal Mayor Gold L. Calibo enjoined all children to actively participate in the campaign. Calibo said the project will not be realized overnight, not even in a month or a year, but if everyone helps success will surely be achieved. He said clean surroundings also minimize the ill effects of climate change and give healthy air which is vital component to a healthy body.

DOLE inspection

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte (PIA) — To ensure that establishments are complying with the labor standard relative to the minimum daily wage, the Department of Labor and Emloyment (DoLE)-Leyte has undertaken the inspection of business establishments starting with those located in Tacloban City considered as the main commercial center in the region.

With the implementation of the daily minimum wage of P253, all workers in Eastern Visayas starting Sept. 1 are entitled to receive the required amount from their employers.

Biliran buses

NAVAL, Biliran — For more than a year now some eight government-owned school buses have been kept and stored on a private lot rented by the Municipality of Naval, which appears to be owned by a father of an incumbent Naval municipal councilor. These buses that have been left unused are slowly deteriorating, residents said.

In effect, the people of Naval are paying for the destruction of these multi-million assets, which residents said could have been used to alleviate their living condition. In this connection, the Representative of the Lone District of Biliran, Rep. Rogelio J. Espina, filed a letter of complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman last Sept. 8 regarding the improper storage and mishandling of the government-owned buses. (Jack Gadaingan)