Philippines News Agency back issues from January 2009:
Laguna town mayor eyes P1-B loan to finance construction of a modern city hall.
Jan 01, 2009 ... SAN PEDRO, Laguna Jan. 1 (PNA) -- Municipal Mayor Calixto Cataquiz will secure a P1 billion loan from a Filipino-Chinese millionaire trader to finance the construction of a modern city hall in line with his program to turn his lakeside pueblo into a city. Cataquiz's plan came ...
MIAA gears for ISO certification for NAIA.
Jan 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 1 (PNA) --- Officials of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) have expressed optimism to obtain the most coveted ISO Certification for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the country's premier gateway to the world. "We are a few steps away ...
Black Nazarene devotees urged to go "Green".
Jan 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 1 (PNA) -- The EcoWaste Coalition appealed to the maroon-clothed "Hijos del Senor Nazareno" (Sons of the Lord Nazarene) devotees to show leadership in making the feast of the Black Nazarene peaceful and at the same time clean. The call was made as the group does not ...
Military force accomplished mission for 2008 -Yano.
Jan 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 1 (PNA) -- Armed Forces chief Gen. Alexander Yano said the officers and men of the 120,000-strong military force have accomplished its mission for the year 2008 even as he expressed hopes they would achieve a similar feat during the new year. "We accomplished our ...
PGMA commends heroic act of soldier for saving bus passengers from holduppers.
Jan 01, 2009 ... BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 1 (PNA) --- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Thursday commended a soldier's heroic act of saving passengers, mostly vacationers, on board a bus bound for Cagayan De Oro City from Butuan City, from the hands of armed robbers on Wednesday, field reports said. ...
22 injured on New Year's eve grenade explosion at GenSan City oval plaza.
Jan 01, 2009 ... By Mike U. Crismundo CAMP PANACAN, Davao City, Jan. 1 (PNA) --- At least 22 persons were injured, one of them seriously, when an unidentified man exploded a grenade during a New Year's event at Oval Plaza in General Santos City, a sketchy report reaching the command and tactical operation ...
Grocery owner dies in Vigan City blaze on New Year.
Jan 01, 2009 ... VIGAN CITY, Jan. 1 (PNA) - The owner of a grocery store here burned to death when his two-storey establishment was razed to the ground as the people were welcoming the New Year, according to the local fire station. Senior Inspector Floro Obrero, Vigan City Fire Marshal, ...
Ilocos Sur engineer to succeed as party-list solon.
Jan 01, 2009 ... CANDON CITY, Jan. 1 (PNA) -- An engineer from Ilocos Sur will succeed as a party-list congressman following the recent demise of a party-list solon belonging to his group. Engr. Jose Ping-ay, incumbent chairperson of the Sta. Cruz Credit and Development Cooperative (SACCDECO), ...
Stray bullet kills 1, injures brgy. chairwoman, 131 firecrackers-related victims in Manila.
Jan 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 1 (PNA) -- The New Year revelry was marred with the death of a 50-year-old pedicab driver hit by stray bullet in Manila. The stray bullets also wounded a barangay chairwoman while about to leave the barangay hall to check on the melee incident. This ...
Ilocos Sur barangay captain slain while welcoming New Year.
Jan 01, 2009 ... CAMP PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Ilocos Sur, Jan. 1 (PNA)--A barangay captain was gunned down near his house in Barangay Salomague, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur while joining the New Year's revelry in the street at 12:45 a.m. on Thursday. The victim, Romeo Tiabe, was shot by an unidentified armed ...
Air21, SMB collide at PBA resumption on Sunday(Sports).
Jan 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 1 (PNA) -- San Miguel Beer and Air21 Express collide in a knockout showdown for the right to clinch the remaining quarterfinals seat of the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup which resumes on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. The lone game is set at 6:00 p.m. with winner to face ...
Promoter says Pacquiao to face Hatton in Las Vegas.
Jan 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 1 (PNA) -- It looks like there is no stopping for another dream and multi-million dollar match between the world's pound-for-pound boxer Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines and Ricky Hatton of United Kingdom. Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum reportedly said Hatton is set ...
Fewer cases of firecracker injury noted; New Year celebration generally peaceful.
Jan 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 1 (PNA) -- Police authorities noted a marked decline in the number of firecracker-related injuries and incidents and deemed the 2008 Yuletide season as generally peaceful. Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Director Genreal Jesus A. Verzosa attributed the ...
Fire razes house while an occupant watches fireworks.
Jan 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 1 (PNA) -- A fire razed a bungalow when unattended lighted candle toppled over while a house occupant was watching fireworks at the height of New Year's revelry in Sta. Ana, Manila. The fire injured Vicky Torresil, of 2571-E Zobel Roxas St., Sta. Ana. She sustained ...
PNP back to normal alert status.
Jan 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 1 (PNA) -- Director General Jesus A. Verzosa, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, ordered the return to normal alert status of all PNP units, except in Mindanao regions to give way to the New Year. Verzosa said the return to normal alert status will be effective ...
Protestant pastor's acronym for P-E-A-C-E.
Jan 01, 2009 ... DAVAO CITY, Jan. 1 (PNA) --- A leading Protestant pastor here has spelled out his own acronym for PEACE to find a just and lasting peaceful solution to the long-drawn Mindanao conflict. For Rev. Mariano C. Apilado, letter "P" means "planting love and understanding in the human ...
Suspected drug pusher charged before Manila RTC.
Jan 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 1 (PNA) -- A 36-year-old man has been charged before the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) for illegal possession of shabu following his arrest in an entrapment in Tondo, Manila last month. Allan Edza, 36, jobless, informal settler of Baseco Compound, Port Area, ...
Butuan cop in alleged theft of seized firecrackers.
Jan 01, 2009 ... CAMP RAFAEL RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City, Jan. 1 (PNA) -- A Butuan policeman is now in hot water after he was caught in the act of allegedly stealing seized firecrackers inside Butuan police station here on early this morning. Belated report reaching Caraga Police Regional Office ...
PGMA back in Malacanang after her weeklong work and leisure activities.
Jan 01, 2009 ... BAGUIO CITY, Jan. 1 (PNA) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today returned to Manila to wrap up her weeklong work and leisure activities here and in three neighboring provinces. The President and her party took off from the Loakan Airport here on board the presidential ...
Stray bullet hits pregnant woman's left arm in Taguig City.
Jan 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 1 (PNA) -- A woman, pregnant of nine months, was hospitalized after being hit by a stray bullet at the height of New Year's Eve celebrations in Taguig City. Senior Supt. Raul Petrasanta, police chief, said Sally Patricia, 35, a resident of Lower Bicutan, remains ...
Bureau of Customs optimistic in meeting its 2009 target.
Jan 01, 2009 ... By Ferdinand G. Patinio MANILA, Jan. 1 (PNA) -- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is optimistic that the new measures being implemented at the bureau will help meet the bureau's P317 billion target for 2009. Commissioner Napoleon Morales said among the new measures to go full blast ...
PGMA to D.A.: Turn over Maharlika Livelihood Center to Baguio City.
Jan 01, 2009 ... BAGUIO CITY, Jan. 1 (PNA) -- The Baguio City government on Wednesday received a wished-for New Year's Eve gift from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when the Chief Executive ordered the turn-over by March 2009 to the city government of the Maharlika Livelihood Center (MLC) at the foot of ...
Malabon firecracker casualties light.
Jan 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 1 (PNA) -- The Malabon City Police Station (MCPS) reported Thursday that only 13 persons were injured by firecrackers during the New Year's Eve celebrations Wednesday night. The MCPS operations center also reported that most of the casualties were treated at the ...
WEATHER: LPA, cold front to bring rains on first day of 2009 -- Pagasa.
Jan 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 1 (PNA) --- The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) forecasted today that scattered rainshowers will affect different parts of the country as the Low Pressure Area (LPA) was spotted 500 kms East of Northern Mindanao. ...
PNRC responds to over 13 fires in Metro Manila & provinces; donates blood to firecracker blast victims.
Jan 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 1 (PNA) -- The Red Cross 143 Hotline on New Year's Eve until the early hours of New Year's Day kept the Emergency Response Units (ERUs) of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) very busy as they responded to over 13 fires in Metro Manila and the provinces nationwide. ...
DOH reports lesser New Year revelry-related injuries.
Jan 01, 2009 ... By Jelly F. Musico MANILA, Jan. 1 (PNA) -- Due to rain showers and scare tactic campaign, the Department of Health (DOH) has reported that the New Year revelry-related injuries has significantly reduced with only 346 cases as of Thursday morning. "We attributed this significant ...
43 injured in firecracker blasts in Pangasinan, 2 for gunshot wounds.
Jan 01, 2009 ... By Leonardo V. Micua DAGUPAN CITY, Jan. 1 (PNA) -- A 10-year old boy from Barangay Bangsal, Sta. Barbara town learned a bitter lesson on New Year's Day as both his hands are due for amputation and may go blind in his right eye just because of firecracker explosion. Bandaged on ...
DOT urges preservation of World Heritage Sites (Travel/Tourism).
Jan 02, 2009 ... By Lynda B. Valencia MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) has underscored the importance of protecting and preserving the country's sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. This was stated by Tourism Secretary Joseph 'Ace' Durano during the ...
SC refuses to comment on incident involving ex-IBP prexy.
Jan 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA) - The Supreme Court (SC) has refused to comment on an incident involving Jose Grapilon, former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), who allegedly poked a gun on a Quezon City barangay official and her visitors around 4 a.m. on New Year's Day. ...
2 NPA rebels surrender to Army authorities; get P120,000 for yielding firearms.
Jan 02, 2009 ... BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 2 (PNA) --- Two armed regular fighters of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) received P120,000 from the government after they yielded to authorities. Maj. Michele B. Anayron, Jr., regional Army spokesman, said the two NPA ...
Kidnappers freed another child hostage in Basilan.
Jan 02, 2009 ... ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 2 (PNA) --- Kidnappers have freed the nine-year-old girl they seized over a month ago in the province of Basilan, south of this city. The victim, Nicole Rabeche, was freed on New Year's eve after Basilan Vice Governor Alrashid Sakalahul, who heads the Crisis ...
Robbers cart away P1-M worth of milled gold from Agusan processing plant.
Jan 02, 2009 ... By Ben Serrano CAMP RAFAEL RODRGUEZ, Butuan City, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- Seven unidentified robbers armed with M-16 Armalite rifles ransacked on New Year's Eve a small-scale mining gold ore processing plant in Barangay San Isidro, Santiago, Agusan del Norte and carted away some 150 grams of ...
Overseas placement sector asks gov't to create safety nets for OFWs.
Jan 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- The overseas placement sector on Friday called on the government to create safety nets for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who may be displaced due to the world economic turmoil. Lito Soriano, a leading figure in the overseas placement industry and ...
'Mother rocket' causes fire in Vigan.
Jan 02, 2009 ... VIGAN CITY, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- Investigators of the Vigan Fire Station said the fire that gutted a two-storey grocery store here on December 31 that burned and killed its owner, was ignited by a "mother rocket" bomb. The local fire station initially placed the damages on the ...
Bicol LGUs see bright prospects in 2009.
Jan 02, 2009 ... By Jo M. Felizardo LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- Local government units (LGUs) in Bicol are expecting to reap in 2009 the fruits of the major programs they had aggressively initiated to stimulate local investments, tourism, revenue generation and agricultural production. Legazpi ...
3 killed, 40 hurt as truck falls into ravine in Ilocos Norte.
Jan 02, 2009 ... BANNA, Ilocos Norte, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- Three persons were killed and 40 others were injured when a truck they were riding fell into a deep ravine here on New Year's Day. Investigators of the Banna Police Station said the victims were going home from a New Year's party at the ...
7 Filipino welders in Qatar get their pay.
Jan 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- Seven Filipino welders in Qatar got a good news at the start of 2009 as Qatar's arbitration department sided with them in the labor dispute they filed against their employer. Vice President Noli de Castro, also Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino ...
Binay to DPWH: Speed up repair of Magallanes flyover.
Jan 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA) - Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay on Friday told the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineers working on the damaged Magallanes flyover to finish repairs before the post-holiday influx of vehicles begin. "We have to act on this immediately, ...
MMDA embarks on new projects to finish Metro Gwapo.
Jan 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA) - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will embark on new projects that will finally put the finishing touches on the Metro Gwapo project. MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando said the present situation in Metro Manila is very encouraging because ...
Breakthrough in dengue fever.
Jan 02, 2009 ... MELBOURNE, Jan. 2 (PNA/Bernama) -- Australian researchers have made a breakthrough that could curb the spread of the mosquito-borne dengue fever virus. Scientists from the University of Queensland said they had proven that they could limit the lifespan of the Aedes aegypti, ...
NBI urged to submit probe result soon on mauling case vs DAR secretary and son.
Jan 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Nestor Mantaring on Friday ordered his men to submit as soon as possible the result of the probe on the allegation that Agrarian Secretary Nasser Pangandaman and his son Masiu, Lanao del Sur Mayor Nasser Pangandaman ...
CARP a continuing project, only funding ended on Dec. 31, says Justice chief.
Jan 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- The implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) will continue even if the allocation for the program lapsed as of Dec. 31, 2008, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said. In a memorandum to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo dated December ...
RP taekwondo jins embark on early preparation for SEAG.
Jan 02, 2009 ... By Jelly F. Musico MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- The country's national taekwondo jins embark on early preparation for the 25th Southeast Asian Games as they resume rigid training on Monday. "We'll have a busy year, lots of major competitions including the SEAGames," said former ...
5,000 Davao homeowners facing foreclosure of gov't-financed housing units.
Jan 02, 2009 ... DAVAO CITY, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- About 5,000 homeowners in this city are facing foreclosure of their government-financed housing units early this year. Davao City Federation of Homeowners Association president Richy Nalagon said the Balikatan Housing Finance Corp. is set to issue the ...
Comval develops vegetable farming as eco-tourism attraction.
Jan 02, 2009 ... COMPOSTELA VALLEY, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- Local officials led by Gov. Arturo "Chiongkee" Uy initiated recently the ceremonial harvest festival of vegetables planted by a batch of trainees who graduated from a vegetable production course. Uy led the officials and training participants ...
Davao dads to prioritize setting up of 'bike lanes' in 2009.
Jan 02, 2009 ... DAVAO CITY, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- The Davao City Council is prioritizing early this year the proposed ordinance establishing bicycle lanes in the city's main thoroughfares. City Council Environment Committee chair Leonardo R. Avila III said the measure is a necessity in order to ...
SC suspends lawyer for negligence.
Jan 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA)--The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the suspension of a Cabanatuan City-based lawyer for three months and the revocation of his notarial commission after finding him guilty of negligence in performing his duties as notary public. The SC decision, penned by ...
SC orders bus firm to pay illegally-dismissed driver.
Jan 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered a bus company to compensate one of its employees who was dismissed illegally from the service while in the performance of his duties. In a resolution issued by SC Special Third Division chaired by Associate Justice ...
Annual search for 30 outstanding solons under way.
Jan 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- The nomination for the annual search for the 30 Most Outstanding Congressmen is now open to the public, it was announced by former House Deputy Speaker Alfredo Amor Abueg Jr., now a Malaca'ang presidential assistant and this year's chairman of the screening ...
Barangay chairman killed, 2 others wounded in Agusan del Sur town shooting.
Jan 02, 2009 ... By Mike U. Crismundo BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 2 (PNA) --- A barangay chairman was killed while two other persons were critically wounded Friday when motorcycle-riding men, armed with Carbine rifles, peppered the victims with bullets while playing a card game locally known as "tong-its" in a store ...
Two Nueva Ecija journalists lauded.
Jan 02, 2009 ... CABANATUAN CITY, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- Two provincial-based newspapermen were given recognition by fellow journalists in Nueva Ecija for the "great honor and inspiration" they shared after winning top places in the recently concluded 2008 Jose Burgos Jr. Awards for Biotech Journalism. ...
"National Rotary Week" in RP set in February 2009.
Jan 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- Rotarians from the Philippines will start implementing this 2009 an executive order signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo setting the last week of February annually as "National Rotary Week". The weeklong activities for the "National Rotary Week", ...
CIDG operatives nab principal suspects in slay of 2 wealthy sisters in Quezon.
Jan 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- The Philippine National Police- Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) scored anew in its flagship project "OPLAN PAGTUGIS" (arrest of wanted persons) with the apprehension of the three principal suspects in the killing of two wealthy sisters in Lucban, ...
Pimentel urges Comelec to pursue cleanup of voters' list.
Jan 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA) --- Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. on Friday urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to pursue diligently the cleanup of the list of voters this year by completing the biometric registration and identification of voters. He said the purge ...
Liberal lawmaker takes over minority seat, signals shift in power balance.
Jan 02, 2009 ... SEOUL, Jan. 2 (PNA/Yonhap) -- A liberal legislator who campaigned against President Lee Myung-bak in 2007 will head a parliamentary negotiating group this year, signaling a subtle shift in the balance of power for South Korea's National Assembly. Moon Kook-hyun, chairman of the ...
CHED to publish the names of schools with low passing rate on board exam.
Jan 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chair, Dr. Emmanuel Angeles, said that the Commission will periodically publish the names of private universities and colleges with low batting average in a given board examination administered by Professional Regulation ...
Lingayen beachgoers asked to take extra precaution.
Jan 02, 2009 ... LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- Beachgoers in Lingayen have been warned to take extra-precaution when swimming because of high waves and strong undercurrent in the Lingayen Gulf during this time of the year. The warning was aired on radio by Superintendent Harris Fama, ...
16 persons injured in Batangas road mishap.
Jan 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- Sixteen people were injured in a road accident involving a passenger bus and a cargo truck in Batangas on Friday morning, according to initial report reaching Camp Crame, Quezon City. Batangas provincial police director, Senior Supt. Jesus Gatchalian ...
Manila cops hunt 2 drivers for running over bicycle-riding man on New Year's Day.
Jan 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- Policemen are hunting the drivers of a black Hyundai Starex van and a Mitsubishi Adventure who successively hit and killed a bicycle-riding man in Pandacan, Manila on New Year's Day. Investigators identified the victim as Roberto Miranda, between 35 and ...
Nograles assures House commitment to institute economic reforms in 2009.
Jan 03, 2009 ... By Lilybeth G. Ison MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- Citing the urgent need to protect the people from the effects of the global economic turmoil, House Speaker Prospero Nograles has assured that "the House of the People is committed more than ever in instituting economic safety nets based on ...
DA strengthens national veggie program for 300 Gawad Kalinga sites.
Jan 03, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) is strengthening the implementation of its national vegetable program in 300 housing sites of Gawad Kalinga (GK) in line with government efforts to ensure food security and generate additional livelihood opportunities for ...
Dinagyang Festival needs P10-M more --IDFI.
Jan 03, 2009 ... ILOILO CITY, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- With barely a month before Dinagyang Festival 2009 hits the city streets, the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) has said it will cut the budget shares of committees tasked to organize various events if they failed to meet the Php13-million target fund. ...
House okays creation of Climate Change Commission.
Jan 03, 2009 ... By Lilybeth G. Ison MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The committees on government reorganization and appropriations of the House of Representatives have approved a proposal to create a climate change framework program and establish a Climate Change Commission for better protection of the ...
21M students back to school on Monday.
Jan 03, 2009 ... MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- Education Secretary Jesli Lapus announced on Saturday that more than 21 million students, both in public and private schools elementary and secondary levels as well as pre-schoolers nationwide, will be back to school on Monday (Jan. 5). DepEd records show ...
Two Negrense police chiefs receive awards.
Jan 03, 2009 ... BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 3 (PNA) --- Two police chiefs in Negros Occidental were awarded with medals for their outstanding accomplishments in office administrative functions and performance, according to the Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO). Police Superintendent ...