CEBU CITY, Philippines (PIA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 commended Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) for their big help in rehabilitating juvenile delinquents especially so that there are only very few rehabilitation centers for juvenile delinquents in Central Visayas, DSWD-7 child welfare and specialist Emma Patalinghug said during an interview at DYLA station.

“In Region 7 alone, only Cebu City, Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental, and Tagbilaran City in Bohol have centers for children in conflict with the law (CICL),” Patalinghug added. She pointed out that every local government unit is required to have a juvenile center.

Greening program

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte (PIA) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Provincial Office said Friday it has completed the planting of seedlings in two enrolled National Greening Program (NGP) sites in Southern Leyte. According to Rene Soria, the NGP Focal Person, Southern Leyte has enrolled 13 NGP sites so far.

Soria said high school students and members of people’s organizations planted 82,500 seedlings in the two NGP sites. He said another enrolled NGP site in Barangay Kahupi-an, Sogod which covers 85 hectares, has been planted with at least 42,500 seedlings.

Geohazard assessment

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte (PIA) — The landslide-prone barangays classified under high and very high susceptibility ratings have been identified by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region 8, through the geological survey team led by Chief Geologist James S. Leones.

The team, after completing its assessment and geological mapping of 1:10,000 scale in the 23 barangays of the municipality of Catarman in Northern Samar, identified the 11 landslide-prone barangays classified under high and very high susceptibility ratings as Cag-Abaca, Cal-igang, Dona Pulquera, Imelda, Macagtas, McKinley, New Rizal, Tinowaran, slope regions of UEP Zone I, Sitio Norsarc of UEP Zone 3 and Washington.

Cebu tunnel

CEBU CITY (PNA) — Cracks were found on the ceiling and the pavement of the P1.2-billion four-lane tunnel of the Cebu South Coastal Road. But the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) assured that the cracks are just minor defects and do not pose danger to motorists and the riding public.

Engr. Roger Quibilan of the DPWH Project Management Office (PMO) said the cracks, which can be seen on the ceiling and on the ground of the tunnel, are just superficial. “It’s not a cause for worry,” he said. Quibilan said the cracks are only normal, as he assured the public of the structural stability of the facility.

Police outposts

DUMAGUETE CITY (PNA) — Police outposts in different areas in Dumaguete City do not have regular assigned policemen due to lack of Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel, according to city police chief, Supt. Crisaleo Tolentino.

However, this is not a problem as barangay tanods (volunteer village watchmen) are assigned in the outposts and police patrol teams regularly visit these places, especially at night, the police chief explained. The city police’s four Quick Response Teams are also on call in times of emergency, he added.