MANILA, Philippines — There is a higher percentage of leaky water pipes in households and buildings compared to pipes along roads in Metro Manila, an official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) warned even as Angat Dam’s water level continued to drop yesterday.
DENR Undersecretary Carlos David called on residents to check their water meter when nobody is using water to determi ne if there are leaks in the pipes.
“If it’s moving without anybody using it, there is a leak. Report it. That’s the responsibility of the homeowner,” he said.
David said more than 25 percent of pipes lining Metro Manila’s roads have leaks, “and the leaks in the houses and buildings will be much more than that.” He did not specify a figure.
As of 8 a.m. yesterday, the water level of Angat had dropped by 0.40 meters compared to its previous level of 185.18 meters. It was 27.22 meters be low its normal high water elevation of 212 meters.
It is only 4.78 meters above its minimum operating water level of 180 meters.
While the National Water Resources Board decided to maintain the allocation of 50 cubic meters per second for Maynilad and Manila Water until May 15, the NWRB needs to bring it down by one cms or to 49 cms beginning May 16, David said.
He assured the public that despite the impending decrease in the water allocation for Metro Manila, there woul d still be no interruptions. –
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has confiscated 8.2 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu smuggled in balikbayan boxes sent from Thailand.
In a statement yesterday, the BOC said the boxes, which arrived at the Manila International Container Port on April 7, were consigned to Philippians 419 Export and Import General Merchandise Corp., with Frejail Calugay named as the recipient.
BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said that in the past months, the bureau confiscated several million pesos’ worth of dried marijuana smuggled in balikbayan boxes.
The April 7 shipment was declared to contain household items, shoes and motor parts from Thailand. The shabu was in plastic pouches stashed inside two electric fans and five water heaters, according to the BOC.
The bureau said the consignees, senders and recipients of the balikbayan boxes face charges of violating Section 118 (prohibited importation and exportation) and Section 1400 (misdeclaration) in goods declaration in relation to Section 1113 (property subject to seizure and forfeiture) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
MANILA, Philippines — Those interested in working as caregivers in South Korea may now register with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) starting today.
In a Bagong Pilipinas briefing yesterday, Assistant Secretary Levinson Alcantara said the DMW scheduled a two-day registration online on its website from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to limit the number of applicants.
He stressed that there are only 100 available slots for caregivers, based on the guidelines provided under the agreement with the government of South Korea.
Those hired will receive an average monthly pay of P49,300, according to Alcantara.
He warned applicants to beware of scammers.
After the 100 slots have been filled, Alcantara said the applicants will undergo a computer-based language test, skills assessment and interview.
MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered a six-month preventive suspension of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and seven other city government officials in connection with the administrative cases they are facing for the alleged illegal reassignment and withholding of salaries of four city hall employees.
In a 10-page order approved by Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Tuesday, the anti-graft agency said it found sufficient grounds for the suspension of Rama and the other officials “considering that there is strong evidence showing their guilt.”
Also suspended were city administrator Collin Rosell, city assessor officer-in-charge Maria Theresa Rosell, assistant department head for administration Francis May Jacaban, assistant department head for operations Angelique Cabugao, administrative division head Jay-Ar Pescante, division head for assessment of records management Lester Joey Beniga and computer division head Nelyn Sanrojo.
The ombudsman said the preventive suspension is in order as the continued stay in office of the local officials may prejudice ongoing investigation since they have control and custody of relevant documents and other potential evidence.
The office of Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos was asked to submit proof of implementation of the suspension order.
Rama and the seven other city government officials are facing charges of grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming of a public officer, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, grave abuse of authority or oppression and violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
Tax mappers Filomena Atuel and Maria Diongzon as well as local assessment operations officers Sybil Ann Ybañez and Chito dela Cerna filed the complaints last month, saying Rama issued orders reassigning them to other departments without any reason.
The ombudsman said the complainants have not received their salaries since July 2023 and were not reinstated to their posts despite a decision of the Civil Service Commission that granted their appeal.
In an interview with reporters, Rama said he was not aware of the suspension order.
He said he has not received a copy of any complaint, adding that his lawyers ”will take care of it.”