Hospitals on white alert status

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec. 23 (ZNS)-  The Department of Health (DOH) has placed all the three government-run hospitals in this city on code white alert in preparation for the Christmas Day and New Year's celebrations.

Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) Chief of Hospitals Dr. Romeo Ong said that under the code white alert condition all hospital personnel to include doctors, nurses and support staffs are on call status.

Also placed on code white alert are the Labuan Public Hospital in Barangay Labuan, 36 kilometers west of this city, and the Mindanao Central Sanitarium in Barangay Pasobolong, 12.80 kilometers east of this city.

Ong said they have complete hospital supplies and medicines ready to be used for would-be victims of firecracker-related accidents.

These hospital  are also ready to attend to other medical cases such as hypertension and other illness as well as emergency cases brought about by feasting and merry making.

There are seven hospital in the region, including three in this city that are under the supervision and control of DOH.

The department regularly place all public hospitals on code white alert during Christmas and New Year's celebration. (ZNS)

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Chinaman nabbed for selling firecrackers

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec. 23 (ZNS) -– The police has filled charges against a Chinese national who was caught selling firecrackers and pyrotechnic products without license and corresponding business permit in this city.

The local government has banned the same of firecrackers and other pyrotechnics in this city to spare the city reliving their trauma of the 23 day 9/9 moro rebel attack in this city last Sept 9.

Charged Monday before the City Prosecutor’s Office for violation of Republic Act 7183  regulating the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices is Lichard Che, 28, who manages the Mega Sales Store.

FESAGS head Chief Insp. Ariel Huesca said Che was arrested by policemen in an entrapment Saturday afternoon at Mega Sales Store local at the corners of Mayors Ledesma and Jaldon Streets in Barangay Zone 2, this city.

Huesca, who is also the Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer, said Che was arrested after he sold P3,000 firecrackers and pyrotechnics to an undercover policeman.

He said the arresting team has confiscated an estimated P90,000 worth of firecrackers and pyrotechnic products at Mega Sales Store managed by Che.

The Chinaman  was charged in relations to Executive Order No. BC-23-2013 issued by Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar banning the sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnics this year here in this city. (ZNS)

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Today in Philippine History

Graciano Lopez-Jaena

        On December 18, 1856, was born Graciano Lopez Jaena in Jaro (now part of Iloilo City). His parents, Placido Lopez and Maria Jacoba Jaena, were poor and pious folks.

        In 1870, at the age of 14, he entered the newly founded Seminary of San Vicente Ferrer, where he studied theology and philosophy to please his mother who wanted him to be a priest.

With the financial aid of his rich relatives, he went to Manila and sought entrance at the medical college of the University of Sto. Tomas.     

      He proved to be more of a patriot than a physician.  In the course of his medical practice in the rural areas, he saw the miserable condition of the people and the abuses committed by the Spanish friars and civil officials.  To focus the people’s attention on the misdeeds of the friars, he circulated a manuscript entitled “Fray Botod” (Fat Friar).  Immediately, news spread throughout the provinces that the Spanish authorities wanted Graciano, for he was a filibustero.  To evade arrest, he fled to Spain in 1879.  In Madrid, he became a member of Freemasonry.  Rizal, who had come to Spain in 1882, met him in Madrid.  They became good friends and co-workers in the Propaganda Movement.            

     xxxxx      

From the Book “Today in Philippine History”

By Andrew G. Navarro

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DENR list eco-tourism  protected areas in Zampen region

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec 18 (ZNS)  – The province of Zamboanga del Norte is home of five declared protected areas in the region , all ideal for ecotourism ventures, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The province is listed as having the highest number of protected areas in the region and in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with the islands of Aliguay, Selinog and Murcielagos, the Siocon Resource Reserve and the Jose Rizal Memorial Protected Landscape”

DENR Regional Public Affairs Office (RPAO) chief  Roservirico A. Tan,  said the province of Zamboanga del Sur also has two protected areas, namely, Mt. Timolan and Dumanquillas Bay.

The Buug Natural Biotic Area is the protected area in Zamboanga Sibugay while the Pasonanca Natural Park is the protected area in Zamboanga City.

On the other hand, the ARMM which is still under DENR-9’s jurisdiction has two protected areas: the Turtle Islands in Tawi-Tawi and Mt. Dajo National Park in Jolo, Sulu.

Tan said the government and tourism officials   aim to raise awareness among stakeholders on the protection and conservation of natural resources, wildlife sanctuary, natural biotic areas, protected landscape and seascapes, natural parks and monument.

 “The protection of terrestrial and marine sanctuaries will, in a way, boost the economic condition of the community living within these areas. With the natural wonders their place has to offer, more tourists will be captivated and enthralled to visit,” Tan explained.

He added that once the people are aware of the importance and benefits [of these things] in the community, they themselves will advocate their protection and preservation. (zns/fms)

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GSIS disburses P2.1-B cash gift for pensioners

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec 18 (ZNS) - A total of 238,490 pensioners of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) can now withdraw  their annual Christmas cash gift through their eCard accounts as these were deposited in their accounts Dec. 10, 2013.   

 In a press statement, GSIS President and General Manager Robert G. Vergara said “The Board of Trustees and Management of GSIS realize that our pensioners look forward to receiving their cash gift every year as part of the Christmas season,” adding “the Board wants to release it as soon as possible.”

 The P2.1 billion allocation for the cash gift, according to PGM Vergara, is 16.7 percent higher than last year’s allocation of P1.8 billion.

 GSIS Pagadian City branch head Engr. Leoncito S. Manuel said qualified to receive the cash gift are old-age/retirement and disability pensioners who have been receiving their monthly pension for at least five years as of Dec. 15, 2012. 

Meanwhile, pensioners living abroad and in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) who are on suspended status at the time of the grant of the Christmas cash gift will be ineligible to receive it, but may still qualify if they activate their status not later than April 30, 2014.

Vergara said that pensioners who will receive their cash gift for the first time will be granted an amount equivalent to a month’s pension but not to exceed P10,000. While pensioners who have been previously receiving a cash gift of more than P10,000 will get one month’s pension up to a maximum of P12,600.

In addition, pensioners who resumed their regular monthly pensions after December 2012 (or the five-year guaranteed period) will receive an amount equivalent to a month’s pension up to a maximum of P10,000. 

However, certain pensioners will be ineligible to receive the cash gift. These include survivorship and dependent pensioners, retirees who received in advance their guaranteed pensions in the form of lump sum and who will be receiving their regular monthly pensions after Dec. 31, 2013, and new retirees from 2009 to  2013 who will be entitled to the Christmas cash gift five years after their retirement date.

Pensioners who will activate their status by April 30, 2014 will receive their cash gift not later than May 31, 2014.(ZNS/FMS)

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Employees get P28,000 bonus,

Job Order’ workers  get P500 

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec 18 (ZNS) - Majority of the some 2,000 city government employees will be receiving their cash bonus of P28,000 each starting this week.

City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco Salazar clarified that not all city government workers will enjoy this bonus for lack of funds.

She said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has imposed strict rules and guidelines on the release of this cash gift.

The mayor said her office is still looking for funds to provide cash gifts to its hundreds of workers classified as “job orders” employed by the city government.

She said the some 400 “job order” workers in the city could receive about P500 only as their cash gift.

Climaco has directed the city budget officer to look for funds to pay for the cash gifts of these job order workers in the city.

The cash gift is different from the 13^th month pay that all regular government employees receive at the end ot the year. (ZNS/FMS)

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BIR eyes drive vs bets who failed to submit report on expenses

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec 18 (ZNS) – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will conduct an aggressive campaign against candidates in the last two elections who failed to submits reports on their election expenses to the bureau.

Revenue District Officer Crecencio  Agad said that only about 1 percent of candidates who participated in the May 10 national elections and the Nov 25 special barangay polls submitted reports on their expenses.

All candidates are supposed to pay a 5 percent withholding tax on their expenses or purchases relative to the elections, regardless the nature of the polls.

A total of 72 candidates ran for the 20 elective positions in this city during the May 10 elections. These positions are for Mayor, Vice mayor, two representatives one each for District 1 and II and eight councilors each for the two districts in this city.

Comelec records also showed that a total of  2,929 candidates ran for elective position in  the city’s  98 barangay in special elections held last Nov 25.

Of this number 189 ran for barangay chairmen while 2,829 ran for kagawads.

“We are decided to penalize candidates who will fail to file their statements of expenditures in the two polls held in this city, “ Agad said.

He said that the bureau did not fail in informing candidates about their duty to file reports on defenses because this is a requirement in previous polls and all the candidates, new and old ones are aware of this law.

The deadline for the submission of their reports and payments of taxes dues will be December 26 or the week after next.

He has requested the Comelec to complete a list of all the candidates who ran for elections this year.(zns/fms)

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Repair, not probe P22M defective CCTV systems

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec 16  (ZNS)  - City Mayor Maria Isabel Climaco has called for repairs, instead of a probe, into a more than P22 million Close Circuit Television Camera (CCTV) project implemented years ago but which has failed to contribute a single bit to the ciry’s drive against crime.

Over a hundred people of have shot and most of the killed in this city this year but the cameras have failed to register these crimes or the escaping gunman on motorcycles.

City Councilors said these CCTVs have either malfunctioned , are defective or below standard to do its required jobs. Councilor Roel Natividad of the council committee on Peace and Order was to start the probe on a committee level to be forwarded later to the Commission on Audit.

Mayor Climaco said it would be “better to fix these cameras,” than to conduct an investigation of a project that is already in place.

These CCTVs was a project of then city mayor and now district I Congressman Celso Lobregat, a partymate of the current mayor.

The system was supposed to include CCTVs installed within a five kilometer radius from City Hall up to the Moret –San Jose Road in the West Coast of the City and up beyond the Santa Cruz Market possibly Guiwan. These cameras are also  supposed to be installed along road intersections and in sensitive areas or vital installations in the city proper.

And since the area of recent conflict, Rio Hondo, Sta. Barbara, Sta. Catalina, Mariki is just about a kilometer from City Hall, CCTVs are also supposed to be installed there. Details on where these CCTVs were installed are not available for security reasons.

Dozens f these cameras were also installed at the city council and at city hall.

City Councilor Juan Kim Elago concluded that” these cameras or most of these are defective. He wants to find out if “what were actually bided out were those  actually installed. “

He said some of the cameras does not work, and for all these years, none of these cameras were able to solve a single crime, because these failed to record crimes in the vicinity.

Council Jawo Jimenez also said that the city did not get the worth of the money paid for the CCTV system in the city.

Cameras are supposed to record everything but police monitoring these cameras have not come up with images of gunmen shooting people in this city and crossing these intersection as they get away from the crime scene.(Felino M Santos)

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AFP warns of new MNLF attacks

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec 16 (ZNS) – The military has warned of  possible new attacks against the city by the Moro Liberation Front (MNLF) following their defeat after a 23 day siege of Zamboanga starting Sept 9 to end of that month.

“This new attack threat is consistent” said Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ) Commander Col. Andrelino Colina.

While the Sept 9 attack and occupation of the shoreline barangays of Mariki, Rio Hondo, Sta. Barbara , Sta. Catalina and Kasangayan was reportedly to march to city hall and raise the MNLF flag there to be  followed by a declaration of Independence for Mindanao, the rumored new attacks partake of a different purpose.

Col. Colina said the possibility is there that the MNLF “will try to rescue” their some266 MNLF comrades  who were captured or surrendered to the authorities in the course of their 9/9 attacks in this city  last September.

These MNLFs have already been charged in court for various crimes relating to their attack in the city resulting to the death of hundreds of civilians soldiers and policemen.

City Jail Warden Chief Inspector Julius P. Arro declined to name the date or mode of transport of these MNLF detainees from Zamboanga for security reasons although he said preparations have been made.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has initially approved the confinement of most of the MNLF rebels at the San Ramon Facility considering the fact that the city jail  of the Bureau of Management and Penology (BJMP) is already overcrowded with some 1,000 regular detainees facing trial in local courts.

Excluded from the transfer order are six female suspected members of the MNLF and 3 minors that are under the care of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Arro said the justice department has also approved last Oct 17  the transfer of these MNLF detainees in this city presently lodged at the city jail and  the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm of the Bureau of Corrections (BOCor) at barangay Talisayan some 25 kilometers west of the city proper and about 15 kilometer from the municipality of Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte.

There are packets of MNLF groups in Sibuco and other parts of the Zamboanga Peninsula.

In fact, the police arrested a uniformed MNLF rebel near Talisayan a month ago, although he was later released because he was unarmed.

The Crisis Management Committee (CMC) led by City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar and the city city council have both called for the transfer of these MNLF detainees to any detention center outside the city, preferably in Bicutan, Taguig City, where similar rebels including those of the extremists Abu Sayyaf are detained.

The penitentiary located along the shorelines is accessible by watercraft from MNLF camps in the Zamboanga peninsula, Basilan, Sulu and even Tawi-Tawi.

Last August, Col Colina downplayed reports of a possible attack against Zamboanga after MNLF chairman Nur Misuari declared the independence of Mindanao in Sulu.

At that time, Colina reasoned out that the possibility of an attack was nil because a big number of MNLF leader and their followers are already residing in Zamboanga, including Misuari himself.

On this new threat, he said the reports his command receive is consistent.

The MNLFs can only rescue or free their companions while they are still in this city and not when they are already in Taguig

Beside, the rebels have no qualms about rescuing their companions detained in government jails.

Last week, some 40 armed rebels of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) attacked the police headquarters in Marawi city to free their two detained companions there. They also took hostage the chief of police of that Marawi jail, releasing him only Friday afternoon.

On several occasions, the MNLFs have also attacked jails in Basilan to free their companions or members of the extremist Abu Sayyaf lodged in these detention facilities in the province. (Felino M Santos)

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P63 M ok for transfer of Maritme Headquarters to Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec 16 (ZNS) – The Philippine Maritime Police (PMP) has set aside the amount of P63 million for the transfer of is main headquarters at Camp Crame to Zamboanga.

PMP Regional Director PSupt. Rollen Ariño said he is only waiting for the go signal for the transfer of the headquarters to the city as the matter has already been discussed and approved among PMP officials in Manila.

The PMP has targeted a coastal  area at Bolong barangay some 39 kilomters east of the city proper for the transfer. Bolong has a good cove that could protect seacraft from strong waves and provide a good harbor for the PMP.

The barangay is also easily accessible to the Sacol Island Group and the 11 Island Group, all known to be safe halfway points for sea pirates and rebels traveling from the Sulu Archipelago towards Central Mindanao shorelines.

These island barangays are always under threats of pirates and rebels from which they could launch attacks on the city’s mainland.

PSupt  Ariño said that  as an initial step to improve the PMP availability to combat seaborne lawless elements, its regional office has transferred last month from its office at the Baliwasan shorelines west of the city proper to Rio Hondo.

The PMP used to maintain a station at Rio Hondo, in the vicinity where  where

armed Moro rebels landed dawn of Sept 9 to attack this city. That attack lasted for some 23 days before they were repulsed, driven away, killed or captured by government soldiers. (Felino M Santos)

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City exployees get P28,000 bonus,

400 ‘Job Order’ workers  get P500

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec 16 (ZNS)- Majority of the some 2,000  government employees in this City will be receiving their cash bonus of P28,000 each starting this week.

City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco Salazar clarified that not all city government workers will enjoy this bonus for lack of funds.

She said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has imposed strict rules and guidelines on the release of this cash gift.

The mayor said her office is still looking for funds to provide cash gifts to its hundreds of workers classified as “job orders” employed by the city government.

She said the some 400 “job order” workers in the city could receive about P500 only as their cash gift.

Climaco has directed the city budget officer to look for funds to pay for the cash gifts of these job order workers in the city.

The cash gift is different from the 13^th month pay that all regular government employees receive at the end ot the year. (ZNS)

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DILG ambivalent on 44 barrios With

less than required population count

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec 16 (ZNS) – The Department of Interior and Local government says nothing can be done about already established barangays that fail to meet the population requirement for such a political unit.

DILG provincial director Mohamad Taha Arakama said these barangays did not violate any law so these barangays can continue to exist as local government units regardless their population.

Arakama also said that these barangays should increase their population so the Internal Revenue Allocations or IRA can also be increased.

A total of 44 out of 98 city barangays in this city may have failed the population requirement to be such a political unit in Zamboanga according to provisions in the Local Government Code and the result of the May 1, 2010 population census released last week by the National Statistics Office or NSO.

The Local Government Code stipulates a certain population count for the creation of the country’s smallest political unit - the Barangay.

For an ordinary barangay the minimum population requirement is 2,000 residents but this requirement does not apply to barangays in cities like Zamboanga.

However, while there are populous barangays with as much as over 30,000 population, there are also barangays with less than a thousand population although these recognized political units operate complete with a set of barrio officials and are supposed to collect salaries from barangay funds.

Section 386 of the Local Government Code provides that the minimum population requirement for a barangay in a highly urbanized city, such as the City of Zamboanga, is 5,000 inhabitants staying in a contiguous territory as certified by the NSO.

Based on the official census results, 44 of the city's barangays do not comply with the 5,000 population requirement.

This implies that the city of Zamboanga has only 54 barangays with a population each of over 5,000.

In alphabetical order, here are the barangays with their respective population based on the May 1, 2010  population counts with less than the Local Government Code population requirement for  5,000 residents (for a barangay in a highly urbanized city:;

Baluno-2,315; Busay (Sacol Island)-2,931; Cacao -1,045; Calabasa-2,685; Dita-3,831; Dulian (Upper Bunguiao)-2,023; Dulian (Upper Pasonanca)- 1,363; Guisao-2,560; Lamisahan-2,995; Landang Gua-2.980; Landang Laum-4,803; Lanzones-2,743; Lapakan-1,529

Latuan (Curuan)-2,125; Limaong-3,445; Lubigan-1,149; Lumayang-1,377;  Lumbangan-3,308; Manalipa-1,922; Mangusu-4,776; Muti-3,123; Pamucutan-3,764; Pangapuyan-534;  Panubigan-982; Pasilmanta(Sacol Island)-1,480; Barangay Zone I (Poblacion)-3,405;

Barangay Zone II (Poblacion)-2,865; Barangay Zone III (Poblacion)-2,030; Barangay Zone IV (Poblacion)-3,046; Quiniput -2,647;

Salaan-3,310; Sibulao (Caruan)-2,748; Sinubung- 2,690;

Tagasilay-2,607; Taguiti-899; Talabaan-4,181; Tictapul-3,515;

Tigbalabag-1,491; Tolosa-3,157; Tumalutap-2,048; and  Tumitus-2,494.

Capisan just about 15 kilometes from city hall has a population of only 1,090 along with ; Pasobolong-3,257; Victoria-2,326;

Granting for the sake of argument that the city in not classified as a highly urbanized city, the population requirement of 2,000 residents per barangay will apply.

Still 12 barangays will  fail the requirement leaving the city with only 86 barangays and not the 98 that we have these days complete with their set of officials, barangays halls and other perks enjoyed by the highly populous barangays in town.

The city proper was recently divided into four zones, all later created as barangays. Yet the population of each of these barangays did not even reach the 4,000 mark.

City Vice Mayor Cesar Ituralde said that there is nothing that the government can do about these under populated barangays.

He said these barangays were created according to laws in their time and thus can continue to exist as such.(ZNS)

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Work  resumes on TRO-held P200M

bus terminal project in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec 14  – Work can resume anytime this month or next year on a P200 million Integrated Bus Terminal (IBT) project suspended by the courts for alleged anomalies in the bidding process.

Zamboanga is the only city in the Zamboanga Peninsula region without a bus terminal of its own. Municipalities in the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur have long constructed their own income generating bus terminals along the highways from this city to other points in the region and Mindanao.

Bidding for the project started some six years ago, but the awarding and bidding process has been subject to controversies until the Regional Trial court suspended work on the project that started sometime in October last year.

City Legal Officer Jesus Carbon said contending contractors for the project have arrived at an amicable settlement to pursue the project in a meeting at city hall Friday morning.

The bus terminal project has been an announced and promised flagship project of then Mayor Celso Lobregat since the 2007, 2010 local election.

Early on her term, City Mayor Maria Isabel Climaco has asked the city legal office to conduct a review of the city’s IBT project whose implementation was   suspended by the Regional Trial Court for alleged anomalies in the bidding process for the project.

Work has started on the P200 million project by the middle of last October 2012, but contending contractors asked the court to stop the implementation of the project last November.

Mayor Climaco said it would be to the advantage of the city if the project be completed since this was already started and money already spent for the terminal.

The terminal conceived some six years ago was to serve all public utility vehicles, particularly big busses coming from the provinces in the Zamboanga Peninsula and other parts of Mindanao.

The planned bus terminal located some eight kilometers east of the city proper was to stop the entry of big buses to the commercial and government center with its narrow roads.

Last November 23, 2012 the Regional Trial Court, 9th Judicial Region, Branch 17, Zamboanga City issued a Preliminary Injunction against the continued implementation of the project.

Work on the project was stopped Nov 26 in compliance with the injunction of the RTC.

The court order was handed down in connection with the case filed by RCDG Construction Corporation and R.U. Aquino Construction and Development Corporation, a joint venture, against then Mayor Lobregat and the city’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC).

The city government bided out the project in January 2009 and awarded the project to RCDG in April 2009.

However despite the awarding of the project, another bidder questioned the accreditation of the winning bidder.

As a result, Mayor Lobregat cancelled the award for RCDG although it had won the bidding and secured the favorable recommendation of the BAC.

Meantime, although the award for the winning was recalled by the mayor, the city government rebidded the project and work started on the project last October 2012 by another contractor not involved in the initial bidding for the project in 2009.

In view of the implementation of the project by the city government, although it was already awarded to an earlier bidder, the contractors questioned the implementation of the project.

In its writ of preliminary injunction, the Regional Trial Court ordered the mayor and the city’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) to desist from “re-advertising, re-bidding and other acts in furtherance of the re-bidding of the aforesaid Integrated Bus Terminal.”

Following the issuance of the order, Mayor Lobregat, through his lawyers, filed a motion for its reconsideration, which was denied by the court the same day.

The city legal officer who is also a retired regional trial court judge said that the amicable settlement and compromise agreement between the contractors approved last Friday will enable the city to continue with the project.

The compromise agreement will also cause the courts to dismiss the case that RCDG raised against then Mayor Lobregat, the birds and award committee and the local government.

The case in the regional trial court was initially pursued by Dimsum Construction that questioned the award of the contract to RCDG.

When Lobregat recalled the contract early issued to RCDG, RCDG joined Dimsum in filling a case against the city government.

In the meantime, the city’s BAC awarded the contract to Ben Hur Construction last year. Ben Hur started work but was stopped last November.

The city legal officer said the compromise agreement between RCDG and Ben Hur will now allow the continuation of the project.

The compromise agreement required that Ben Hur will contract RCDG for the supply of sand and gravel for the project that will cost about P3 million. (ZNS)

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