ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) —The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) – Roxas City conducted a surprise inspection of stall owners and vendors at the Teodoro Arcenas Trade Center (TATC) to check hazards, which may trigger fire on the city’s premier public market. BFP – Roxas City Public Information Officer FO2 Marlon Garbo said among violations found during the inspection were use of sub-standard electrical wires, tampered fuse, dangling electrical connection and absence of fire alarm bell. Some fire extinguishers at the stalls were also non-functional.

MANGROVES PROTECTION

BOHOL (PIA) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) has called anew for the continued protection and preservation of the mangrove plantations within the Getafe Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve and Wilderness Area (GMSFRWA) in Getafe, Bohol. GMSFRWA is one of the oldest mangrove areas that straddle seven island barangays of Jandayan Norte, Jandayan Sur, Handumonon, Banacon, Alumar, Mahanay, Getafe and Mahanay, Talibon with 3441.5 hectares. The mangrove area is accessed by a motorized banca some 30 to 45 minutes from Getafe port. DENR-7 Executive Director Isabelo R. Montejo said mangroves offer shelter for local and migratory wildlife and serve as their roosting and foraging grounds, thus the need for their protection.

MUSICAL SHOWCASE  

CEBU (PIA) — Children aged 8-15 from various public elementary and secondary schools in Cebu province recently showcased their talents in guitar strumming, singing, and rondalla in a showdown during this year’s sixth "Halad sa Kabataan (Gift to the Children)" at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), Mandaue City. The yearly event is mounted by the Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children (PCWC) to highlight Cebuano children’s talents in guitar duet, vocal solo and rondalla in observance of October as children’s month.

RROW INSTALLATION

CARIGARA, Leyte (PIA) — National roads under the Second Leyte Engineering District are now dotted with road-right-of-way limit (RROW) markers. District Engineer Margarita Junia said this is in line with the Department of Public Work and Highways (DPWH)’s thrust to increase public awareness on not building illegal structures. He said the installation of signs in every kilometer of roadsides will remind people not to encroach within the limit. “This is to properly identify RROW limits of national roads and to make the public aware which roads are national in classification and fall within the jurisdiction of DPWH,” Junia said.

POLLING CENTER

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte (PIA) — The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) – Maasin City Jail District will be one of the polling centers here to accommodate inmate-registered voters in the 2013 elections. The city jail will be furnished with election facilities in order to secure the registered voters among the 70 of 81 inmates in Maasin City jail who were able to register at Comelec in Maasin City recently. Meanwhile, the BJMP-Maasin City will celebrate its annual National Correctional Consciousness Week (Nacocow) this month from October 22-28, with several Nacocow activities lined-up including a motorcade which will be followed with Holy Mass and the conduct of consultative assembly with the community J/SInsp Arlene Barraca, jail wardress said.