CEBU CITY, Philippines — While people are busy preparing their gifts and some are set to do rush shoppings, some 1,000 employees of a department store here are afraid that they might lose their jobs after a fire incident took place in Gaisano Capital, formerly known as Gaisano South reportedly owned by Henry Gaisano.
Data from the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) Region 7 said they received a fire alarm report at 12:42 a.m. from a security guard who was on duty when the incident took place. Initial reports said there was an explosion within the ground floor area of the establishment, which was then followed by thick smokes coming from the receiving area. (Phoebe Jen Indino)
Landslide warning
CEBU CITY (PNA) — The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 7 warned Central Visayas residents living near rivers of the possibility of landslides and floods as a result of heavier rains.
MGB 7 Regional Director Loreto B. Alburo made the appeal following the flash floods in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and some parts in Negros Oriental during the weekend, which killed over 1,000 and displaced at least 60,000 families.
The people are advised to watch out for features usually observed before a major landslide, like springs appearing on ground that is usually dry; new cracks or unusual bulges on the ground, street pavements or sidewalks; and soil moving away from foundations.
Police deployment
CEBU CITY (PNA) — The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 has beefed up the Cebu City police force with 118 field training police officers from the Regional Public Safety Battalion 7. Cebu City Police Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe asked the PRO 7 for more personnel to maintain peace and order during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
The 11 police stations in Cebu City now have at least 70 police personnel each. Two weeks ago, the Cebu City Police office (CCPO) also received 190 new personnel. “Our top priority is for the public to enjoy the Yuletide season with peace of mind, thinking that our police officers are doing their job to protect them,” Buenafe said.
’Cracker zones
ILOILO CITY (PNA) — The city government has issued Executive Order No. 73 identifying certain areas here as selling and buying zones for firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials. “We want to ensure the safety of the public, that’s why we have designated these areas to guarantee that no untoward incident will happen during the holiday season,” Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog said.
The selling and buying areas are Plaza Libertad across GSIS building; Molo plaza across Andok’s Restaurant; Mandurriao plaza fronting the police station; Jaro plaza at the right side of Jaro belfry; La Paz plaza across the Bureau of Fire only; and Arevalo district specifically Quezon Street, JV Jocson (from UMV building) to Osmeña Street, Barangay Mohon, Bonifacio Street, and Yulo Street.
River project
ILOILO CITY (PNA) — Five municipalities from the province of Iloilo including this city are expected to benefit from the potable water component of the billion-peso Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) undertaken by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). The JRMP II is a two-phased project.
Phase I covers the irrigation component that will be funded by the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Eximbank) and the national government. Phase II is composed of the power generation and the domestic water supply component that will be implemented through public-private partnership.