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City acts on indiscriminate franchise

BAGUIO CITY (Aug. 12) — Following reports that more franchises have been approved, Mayor Braulio D. Yaranon said he would look into the indiscriminate issuance of public utility vehicle (PUV) franchises in the city, and file an opposition once facts are gathered.

Legitimate PUV operators came out with an exposé of a payola involving the sum of P350,000 in exchange of a franchise.

The city council is conducting an investigation on the franchises acting on complaints from PUV operators.

Earlier this year, the city council passed Resolution # 109 series of 2005 requesting the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to suspend the issuance of new franchises for taxi units in the city and suburbs.

Only 2,000 of the 9,000 taxi cabs plying the city are reportedly legally registered. # Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

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Baguio hastens review of waste management proposals

BAGUIO CITY (Aug. 12) — Efforts to review existing proposals for the effective waste disposal system in the city is now being beefed up as more local and international companies continue to tender their proposals.

Mayor Braulio D. Yaranon is considering to do away with the conversion of the Irisan dump site into a controlled waste facility, saying it is more practical to adopt a new waste management scheme. This may be a waste-to-energy facility or a waste landfill, or both, the mayor said.

The Irisan dump site has a life span of only up to 2007, based on a the National Ecological Waste Management Act. Physically, at the rate of 300 tons daily wastes generated in the city, the dumping area is good up to four months only.

However, Engr. Nazita Bañez, acting assistant head of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) said that if solid wastes are segregated, the dump site will last for another two years. At present, there is a 65% compliance in waste segregation, according to Bañez.

The city council earlier approved the conversion of the dump site into a controlled dump facility. # Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

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CDA warns public vs. fake coops

BAGUIO CITY (Aug. 12) — The Cooperatives Development Authority (CDA) warns the public against groups of persons posing as cooperatives but turn out racketeers divesting unsuspecting individuals of their hard-earned money.

CDA Regional Director Marilyn Estrella said residents of the Cordillera should be wary with groups recruiting members and collecting savings deposits with a promise of unusually high interest returns upon maturity.

Estrella disclosed that a number of complaints has reached the CDA that prompted the issuance of a public advisory. She advised the public to check with the CDA to make sure that these groups are properly registered.

Full-fledged legitimate cooperatives require a pre-membership seminar for prospective members, the CDA official said. # Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

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Health office urges 4 o’clock habit vs. dengue

BAGUIO CITY (Aug. 12) — The city health office urges the public to continue observing the 4:00 habit which encourages residents to rid their houses and surroundings of mosquito breeding places.

Since mosquitoes lay eggs in empty bottles, cans, spare tires, flower vases and the like, the public is enjoined to maintain these as clean as possible.

The use of protective gadgets such as mosquito nets and insect repellants is also encouraged. Fogging operations are also practiced in schools and communities considered by the City health office as high-risk areas.

Meanwhile, health officials want to familiarize the public on measures to prevent dengue by informing them of the symptoms and cure to ensure treatment of the possible patients.

The signs and symptoms include fever, which lasts for 2 to 7 days, loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, body weakness, small reddish spots on chest area, arms and legs, bleeding signs such as nose and gums, bloody stools, vomiting blood and abdominal pain, restlessness, weak rapid pulse, cold clammy skin and difficulty in breathing.

The city health office advises persons showing dengue symptoms to bring down fever by increasing liquid intake, sponge bath and a dose of paracetamol, not aspirin. Aspirin is believed to cause bleeding or gastric irritation. Patients with persistent symptoms may need immediate assistance of health professionals. # Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

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More overpasses up for feasibility study

BAGUIO CITY (Aug. 12) — Three more overpasses in identified bottlenecks here are up for feasibility study as Baguio City mayor Braulio D. Yaranon endorsed city council resolution requesting the city district engineering office of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the city building and architecture office to conduct a study.
The proposed pedestrian overpasses will be built along Naguilian Road near the St. Vincent Church, along the junction of Sto. Tomas Road and Marcos Highway, and at the junction of Leonard Wood Road and Navy Base Extension. # Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

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