ILOILO CITY, Iloilo — The City Council of Iloilo has endorsed its support to the call of judges, lawyers and court employees for a construction of a new Iloilo Hall of Justice. The City Council approved the resolution of Councilor Joshua Alim to support the manifesto of the Movement for Construction of the New Hall of Justice of Iloilo during its regular session lat August 1. Alim emphasized that the manifesto needs to be supported by the city officials to lobby for an entirely new building for the safety of lawyers, judges, court employees, and the general public. The building has tilted and has been declared structurally unsound after it was damaged by the magnitude-5 last February 6 and its aftershocks. (Tara Yap)

TRUCK BAN

CEBU CITY (PNA) — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama wants to restrict the use of the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR) and intends to implement a truck ban on certain hours of the day to prevent more accidents in the area. The City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) welcomed the mayor’s pronouncement, saying the road at the South Road Properties (SRP) is “admittedly a very accident-prone area.” Citom Executive Director Rafael Yap said accidents happen at the SRP at least once every week. “Admittedly, SRP is a very accident-prone area,” he said. Rama said he wants to limit the use of the road for the safety of the motorists.

POLICE CHIEF

ILOILO CITY (PNA) — Former Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Chief Supt. Agrimero A. Cruz Jr. assumed yesterday his new post as director of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO 6) replacing Chief Supt. Cipriano E. Querol Jr. who will also be installed as director of the elite Special Action Force (SAF) this weekend. In his assumption remarks, he announced that his “action priorities” will be attuned to the 10-point action program of PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome with emphasis on the “deployment of one policeman for each barangay, periodic performance audit, enhancement of morale and welfare projects and the policy of reward and punishment.”

RIVER SUMMIT

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL (PIA) — Inspired by the recent International River Summit in Iloilo City, Talisay City in coordination with the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC), held its own first Talisay City River Summit. With the theme, “Kasubaan Aton Amligan para sa Buasdamlag sang Aton Kabataan,” the summit was held at the Don Esteban De la Rama Hall, New Talisay City Hall. The summit is part of the celebration of the National Disaster Consciousness Month, which drew more than 200 participants from the local government led by Mayor Eric M. Saratan, M.D., other city and barangay officials.

DEDICATED SERVICE

ILOILO CITY (PNA) — Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. lauded the dedicated service of nearly 2,000 Day Care workers in the province despite the low pay they are receiving. Defensor made the statement during the Provincial Convention of Day Care Workers at the Iloilo Grand Hotel in Iloilo City on Thursday. “I come to you happy in the thought that although your services are almost free you have never wavered in performing your obligations,” Defensor told the Day Care workers.