Phivolcs boosts tsunami awareness

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology–Department of Science and Technology (PHIVOLCS) joins the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) in the observance of World Tsunami Awareness Day today, Nov. 05, with the theme “effective education and evacuation drills”.

In line with the observance, the agency will conduct lectures about tsunami and exhibit tour at PHIVOLCS Building, C.P. Garcia Avenue, UP Campus.

The activities aim to promote geologic hazard awareness and preparedness among the students.

Nov. 5 was chosen in honor of a true story from Japan: “Inamura-no-hi”, which means the “burning of the rice sheaves”. During an 1854 earthquake, a farmer saw the tide receding, a sign of a looming tsunami and he set fire to his harvested rice to warn villagers, who fled to high ground.

Recently, the agency commemorated the 40th anniversary of the 1976 Moro Gulf Earthquake and Tsunami last August 17, 2016. The magnitude-8.1 earthquake hit the island of Mindanao on August 17, 1976 at 12:11 AM (PST) that caused damage and collapse of houses and buildings.

The off-shore earthquake produced a massive tsunami killing about 6000 people making it one of the most disastrous tsunami to hit the Philippines.

Tsunami waves as high as nine (9) meters struck the town of Lebak in Sultan Kudarat and it inundated almost all nearby coastal towns.

Likewise, PHIVOLCS encourages schools and the local government units to conduct activities such as Information, Education and Communication Campaigns, and Tsunami Drills that will increase the people’s awareness and preparedness.

President Duterte meets Misuari in Malacañang

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday welcomed Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding Chairman Nur Misuari in Malacañang Palace in an occasion that carries great implications in the peace process.

The MNLF chair was in Malacañang upon the invitation of President Duterte just hours after receiving a copy of a court resolution suspending the warrant of arrest issued against him by a Pasig City court for his alleged involvement in the 2013 Zamboanga siege.

“It is with great happiness that I announce to the nation that Chairman Nur Misuari, our brother, who heads the MNLF, has finally decided to just accept my invitation for him to talk to us,” the President said in a short speech.

“He has obliged and we are very grateful,” Duterte said.

The President said that the arrest warrant against Misuari was suspended upon his orders so that the MNLF chair could join the peace negotiations between government and the Moro rebel groups.

“I would like to assure Brother Nur that there was never any intention on my part to deprive you of your liberty,” Duterte told his guest. He reminisced how, when he was still vice mayor of Davao City, Misuari was accepted with open arms by Duterte and both of them having a vision that they may someday talk together about peace in Mindanao.

“Little did they know that by the grace of Allah, I became the President of the Republic. And in the twilight of our years, we would be able to talk about the problem of our country, the revolution that you have led all these years and finally understanding on a common ground with government,”

President Duterte said. In the meantime, Misuari began his response with the universal greeting of peace of the Islamic world because he said that “peace is a most vital humanitarian value to us.”

“I came here only to see the President. I came here only in answer to the invitation of the President, the man whom I respect and trust,” he said.

“For I believe, as I said during the campaign, ‘that is one single man who can provide solution to the problem of peace and order to our homeland of Mindanao’” Misuari said.

He said that he was grateful to President Duterte for restoring his freedom, albeit temporarily, and vowed to fully support the Administration’s pursuit of peace and its war against drugs.

“I am so happy to be free again owing to the initiative of the President. And now I came here. Foremost in my mind is: how can we help our President finish his job through till the end of his six-year term? Because I know for a fact that he will not abandon his pledge to the people,” Misuari said.

On the government’s war against illegal drugs, the MNLF chair said that he himself had personally seen the destructive effects of drug on the lives of young people in his hometown in Jolo.

“They are destroying our children, our youth. Who will succeed us after this when our citizens are already destroyed by these drugs? To us drugs is a restless, creeping threat to humanity. Drugs is one of the biggest source of crimes to humanity,” he pointed out as he reiterated his vow to cooperate fully with government.

“Allow me to reiterate my sense of gratitude to the President and I promise that should he need our cooperation in his campaign for peace, you can count on us Mr. President,” Misuari said.

Spooky Halloween gains popularity in Boracay

Isolated rain showers and thunderstorms failed to dampen spirits of tourists in spending their long weekend break in Boracay Island.

Halloween has become increasingly popular in the world’s best island destination over the years, according to Boracay tourism office in-charge Kristoffer Leo Velete in Bombo Radyo Kalibo interview.

The number of foreign and domestic tourists with passion for Halloween revelries ‘doubled’ from October 31 to November 1.

In the observance of Undas, spooky and fun Halloween and costume parties of restaurants and resorts with people and kids dressing up in scary costumes were certified crowd-drawers in the island. 

Many luxury beachfront hotels and bars also hosted spooktacular events, cocktail and trick-or-treat parties to celebrate the Halloween holidays with resident DJs, bands and impressive food and drinks.

Velete said, “Undas celebration in Boracay Island was successful...security plans in collaboration with the local police and force multipliers were implemented.”

To secure the Halloween party-goers and revelers, three police assistance centers in the White Beach and assistance desks of Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC) in strategic areas were manned 24/7 by uniformed cops. 

The Philippine Coast Guard, Boracay Action Group, Philippine Army-Task Force Boracay and other volunteer groups were on patrol to maintain peace and order in the island. 

Policemen and force multipliers were also deployed in cemeteries in the barangays of Balabag and Manoc-Manoc for maximum police visibility. 

Meanwhile, the celebration of All Saints’ Day and All Souls Day across the province of Aklan has been generally peaceful.

Senior Police Officer I Nida Gregas, information officer of Aklan Police Provincial Office, said no major incidents were reported as thousands flocked to cemeteries to visit their departed ones. 

The Philippine Army 12th Infantry Battalion and force multipliers also assisted the Philippine National Police to secure ports, terminals and other places of convergence in Aklan. 

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

DPWH projects in Kalibo ready by year-end

Two national government projects are targeted to benefit commuters and the public before the end of the year.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects in Kalibo, Aklan are the multi-million Kalibo-Numancia bridge 2 and the traffic lights in the intersection of Mabini Street and Roxas Avenue. 

The traffic lights costing P9.58-million is funded under the 2016 DPWH Regular Infrastructure Program of the Aklan District Engineering Office. 

The traffic lights are expected to be operational by mid-November after four months of installation by Traffic Supplies and Construction Corporation in anticipation of the influx of travelers bound to Kalibo and Boracay Island. 

The project involves installation of street light posts, pedestrian push-and-button assembly, traffic control signal cables, high-mast signal poles, local controller, arrow masks and mounting brackets, traffic signal lantern (LED-type with visor), reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markings, road signs and vehicle-presence video detector.

On the other hand, the Kalibo-Numancia bridge II and its approaches are being implemented by DPWH regional office to lessen traffic congestion in the areas and to provide access from Kalibo going to Boracay Island. 

Red tide no threat to shellfish lovers in Aklan

Talaba and shellfish farmers, vendors and consumers in Aklan have nothing to worry about. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) issued its shellfish bulletin on October 26 that the coastal waters in Aklan remained free from toxic red tides.

The latest BFAR advisory is good news for Talabahan, an instant food destination in Barangay Tambak in New Washington, Aklan. Makeshift stalls are selling oysters, fish, squids, shrimps, crabs and other shellfishes to clients along the Tambak seawall.

BFAR said all types of shellfishes are safe for human consumption gathered in Mambuquiao and Camansi in Batan, Aklan; coastal waters of Altavas, Batan and New Washington in Batan Bay, Aklan. 

Also shellfishes and alamang collected from the coastal waters of Gigantes Islands in Carles, Iloilo and Pilar, Panay, President Roxas, Roxas City in Capiz and Sapian Bay (Ivisan and Sapian) in Capiz are also free from red tide. 

However, red tide alert is up in the coastal waters of Milagros, Masbate; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; Naval in Biliran province; Irong Irong and Cambatutay Bays in Western Samar and Carigara Bay in Leyte. 

The agency said the gathering, sale and consumption of all shellfishes in these areas are prohibited were tested positive for paralytic shellfish poison beyond the regulatory limit.   

Fish, squid, shrimps, and crabs may be eaten provided they are fresh, washed thoroughly, and all internal organs are removed before cooking, according to BFAR.

It was on January 29, 2016 that BFAR lifted the shellfish ban on the coastal water of Batan, Altavas and New Washington, Aklan, a month after the provincial government of Aklan declared these three towns under the ‘state of calamity.’

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL