CEBU CITY, Cebu (PNA) – The Cebu City government has purchased these new heavy equipment worth P32.9 million for public services, engineering and public works — street sweeper worth P11,400,000; skid loader worth P2,425,000 for the Department of Public Services (DPS); low bed trailer worth P2,980,00; and a vacuum sewer worth P16,150,000 for the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) for declogging canals. Mayor Michael Rama said he pushed for the purchase of new vehicles and equipment instead of refurbished ones which break down easily. The heavy equipment purchase was funded under the city’s P5.2-billion 2012 budget.

ZERO TOLERANCE

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo (PNA) – Police Regional Office 6 regional director Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz, Jr. has ordered an intensified drive against illegal drugs in line with his zero-tolerance policy against all forms of illegal activities. Cruz noted that while the value of illegal drugs seized in the past nine months this year is higher compared with the same period last year, the number of operations has declined. To boost the campaign, anti-illegal drugs personnel went through a PNP Manual on Anti-illegal drugs operations seminar to enhance their knowledge and skills in handling illegal drugs cases.

ROXAS MUSLIMS

ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) – Muslims in Roxas City gathered October 26 for the “Eidul Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)."  A carabao was slaughtered for a “salu-salo (get-together)” after an early morning prayer at at a Brgy. Tanque mosque. Some 100 Muslim families were there to partake to observe one of the most revered Islamic community festivals, said Norayda Malawi, a bona fide member of the community and planning officer of the Roxas City Division of the Department of Education (DepEd). The Muslim community here is led by its President, Gambai Palao.

I.P. SUPPORT

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PIA) – Negros Oriental Roel Degamo has asked some 60 tribal chieftains of indigenous peoples (IPs) here to support and cooperate in addressing peace and order in their communities. In a National Indigenous Month forum, Degamo said in support of the IP sector, there will be a representation in the local council for the promotion of the sector’s rights. He also asked the natives to assist the military in peacekeeping in their respective communities to make Negros Oriental insurgency-free.

BATANG PINOY

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte (PIA) – The Leyte provincial government will host the 2012 Batang Pinoy Visayas Elimination November 21-24 at the Leyte Sports Development Center. Provincial administrator Vincent Emnas met with the organizing committee and partner-agencies to discuss sports event committees, host’s responsibilities and other concerns involved in preparing for activities to be participated in by in-school and out-of-school children from Regions 6, 7 and 8. Qualifying sports will be arnis, athletics, badminton, boxing, chess, karatedo, lawn tennis, swimming, taekwondo and table tennis. The national finals for dancesports, weightlifting and softball (girls) will be held also during the Visayas Leg.