Mindanao Daily NEWS Oro, Misor brgy execs unite in joint oath-taking web portal: www.businessweekmindanao.com
Volume II, No. 133
Tuesday
November 19, 2013
P15.00
northmin . westmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper
‘Yolanda’ damage in Dinagat hits P202m
By Cheng Ordonez Executive Editor and Gerry Lee Gorit Correspondent
By Roel N. Catoto of MindaNews
SURIGAO City––Dinagat Islands province, which was placed under storm signal number 4 when Yolanda made six landfalls in the Visayas and Palawan on Novemb er 8, suf fere d around P202 million worth of damages, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported. Rosario Roxas, action officer of PDRRMC-Dinagat, told MindaNews that while the province posted “zero
casualty” during Yolanda, it incurred damages to agriculture, infrastructure and houses. Roxas also said Yolanda displaced at least 5, 623 families or 21,698 individuals. “We were able to provide relief packs to all evacuees through the help of each municipality,” she said. Dinagat Islands province comprises seven towns — San Jose, Dinagat, CagdiOATH TAKING. Misamis Oriental second district Rep. Juliette Uy administers the anao, Basilisa, Tubajon, See YOLANDA, page A11
oath of the newly elected barangay officials of Villanueva, the biggest town in Misamis Oriental, recently. MRS
Water rate in Oro increases by 10% starting Nov. 1 By Jorie C. Valcorza of PIA-Normin
CAGAYAN de Oro City––The Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) has cautioned its concessionaires for an expected rise on water bills starting next month, following the imposition of the pending water rates adjustments which was approved by the Local Water Utilities
Administration (LWUA) in June 2011. LWUA Resolution No. 84 approved an additional 30 percent hike in water rates which will be implemented on a staggered basis, starting with 10 percent this month, until it reaches to 30 percent by middle of next year. COWD General Manager, Engr. Rachel M. Beja, said the initial increase will cover mainly
for the operations cost and inflation rate, while the remaining 20 percent will be used by COWD for major infrastructure projects like the non-revenue water reduction measures. “Our water system is really old having been there for 40 years, with no major rehabilitation except during typhoon Sendong, the fund assistance augmented the rehabilitation
inquire at MAX’S RESTAURANT. Robinsons Mall, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY Tel. No.: (088) 858-6297 • (08822) 75-6297 • Cell. No.: 0917 7061147
of our production facilities.” Beja noted. She added that the pipelines also need to be replaced, having been installed there even before COWD was created. Despite that, Beja assured that their water supply remains clean and potable. She said COWD has put in place regular monitoring and testing to continually assess the quality of their water supply.
CAGAYAN de Oro–– For the first time in the history of politics here, the newly elected and re-elected barangay officials from the Province of Misamis Oriental and the City of Cagayan de Oro gathered in a joint ceremony to take their oath of office, as a gesture of unity between the city and the province. SEE FULL STORY/p.A2
NDF OKs release of 5 ‘POWs’ By JOHN RIZLE L. SALIGUMBA of Davao Today
DAVAO City––Families of the New People’s Army (NPA)’s five captives sought for the latter’s release, as the National Democratic Front of the Philippines Southern Mindanao gave the release order Thursday. Rubi Del Mundo, who signed NDF’s statement that was sent via email to the media, however, said the release could only be accomplished if the military withdraws its troops in the 12 villages of Loreto and Laak towns, in Agusan del Sur and Compostela Valley provinces, respectively. See RELEASE, page A11
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