BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar (PIA) — Some 60 individuals attended a dialogue on “Human Rights Violations, Harassment, and Injustices” held recently at St. Isidore Church, Salcedo, Eastern Samar. Diocesan Commission on Social Action – Justice and Peace director Ian Mosquesa said the dialogue was aimed at organizing a fact-finding task force to investigate human rights violations connected to mining operations in the locality in the recent past. A reported victim of human rights violation was Francisco Canayong of Salcedo, E. Samar who was hacked to death on May, 1 on his way home.
D.R.R.M.C. DRILLS
SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) — Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils at the provincial, municipal and barangay levels in Antique province joined hands in conducting disaster drills and simulation exercises in schools, public places and communities in celebration of Disaster Prevention Month in July. The Municipal DRRMC conducted earthquake, fire drills and other disaster simulation exercises in both elementary and high schools in localities here to prepare children and school personnel on what to do during calamity or in case of emergency.
KALIBO VACCINATIONS
KALIBO, Aklan (PIA6) — Dogs in Kalibo town’s 16 barangays will be vaccinated against rabies by teams going to houses for this purpose starting Aug. 7 through November, 2012. Mayor William S. Lachica said the activity supports government’s drive against a Rabies-Free Philippines by 2015 and is asking volunteer assistance during the vaccination schedules. Kalibonhons are asked to take note of the vaccination schedules and to deworm their pets two weeks before vaccination.
Recently, preparatory activities to declare Boracay Island rabies-free was also conducted.
BOARD REPRESENTATION
DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PIA) — A group of indigenous people (IP) in Negros Oriental seeks representation in the provincial council. The group belonging to the Ata-Negritos tribe in the province has asked Gov. Roel Degamo to implement the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 or Republic Act 8371 which provides that indigenous people are entitled to mandatory representation in the local sanggunians. The IP group’s spokesperson Reynante Cabanag said the IP population in Negros Oriental is currently pegged at 260,000. Degamo has instructed the Provincial Attorney’s Office to look into the matter.
PIRATED D.V.D.S
CATARMAN, Northern Samar (PIA) — Nearly 1,000 assorted items of pirated items sold along Catarman market in violation of Rep. Act. 9236 (Act Regulating Optical Media) were seized by the Northern Samar and Catarman police in Brgys. Yakal and Narra recently. The team seizes assorted CDs and DVDs and the violators are now charged in court. The raiding team was comprised of Police Senior Inspector Joy Leanza and PS Insp Elaine Espiña with SPO1 Christopher Carpio, PO3 Leo Basarte, PO3 Carlito Dela Rosa, PO2 Reynaldo Lerio, PO1 Jan Dec Aliposa, and PO1 Rex Advincula under Northern Samar police senior Superintendent (Supt) Isaias Tonog and Catarman officer-in-charge police Supt.Bernardo Raquiza.