ARGAO, Cebu  — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 has issued a cease and desist order (CDO) against Primary Homes Incorporated on its ongoing reclamation project within the 29,084-square meter lot in Sitio Suba, Poblacion in this town. Based on the initial investigation conducted by personnel of Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Argao, in close coordination with Barangay officials of Langtad, in the same town who filed the complaint, reports showed that indeed a development is ongoing consisting of dumping of filling materials which even encroached on the watercourse that resulted in the forced temporary rerouting of the water flow from the river. (Phoebe Jen Indino)

W.I.N.N.E.R.S SEARCH

MANDAUE CITY, Cebu — The Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) launched the Search for W.I.N.N.E.R.S (Women In Need, New Entrepreneurs and Role models) last Aug. 1 in its quest for model women micro-entrepreneurs from Mandaue City who are supporting their families and are struggling to rise from poverty through their business ventures.  "Their stories of perseverance and creativity will hopefully inspire other women to be empowered," said MCCI Vice President, Ms. Carmel de Pio-Salvador, who chairs the event. (Malou M. Mozo)

TEACHERS’ PAY

TALISAY CITY, Cebu — A pending House proposal filed by a Cebuano congressman aims to upgrade the present minimum salary grade level of public elementary and high school teachers from Grade 11 to 22. Cebu 1st District Rep. Eduardo Gullas said his House Bill 6404 proposed to upgrade the present minimum salary grade level of public school teachers, whom he described as among the most underpaid workers in the society. “Article XIV, Section 5 of the Constitution provides that the State shall assign the highest budgetary priority to education and ensure that teaching will attract and retain its rightful share of the best available talents through adequate compensation and other means of job satisfaction and fulfillment,” Gullas said. (Mars W. Mosqueda Jr.)

SAMAR SITUATION

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar — The peace and order situation in this province has improved in the months of January to June of this year compared to the same period last year, a police report said. Police Senior Supt. Manuel Cubillo, Eastern Samar police provincial director, told reporters in an interview at his office here that the crime volume in  first semester or  January to June of 2011 has dropped  from 646 to  358 with a  variance of  288 crime incidents or 44.58 percent decrease of the same period of this year. (Restituto A. Cayubit)

VEGETABLE PRICES

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan (PNA) — Residents and tourists in Aklan and Boracay Island are facing shortage supply of vegetable which results to higher prices, the Aklan Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) announced yesterday. Marilyn Caniete of PAO said most of the supply of vegetables in the island resort come from Luzon and following the onslaught of monsoon rain, supplies become limited. "Weather disturbances affect the supply of vegetables and because of this, we expect shortage of this supply and the price increase," Caniete said.