QC gov’t turns Payatas dumpsite into public sports, eco-facility

THE Quezon City government has opened a new bike park and trails at the Payatas controlled disposal facility designed to provide more green and open spaces for its residents.

After the closure of the Payatas dumpsite in 2010, Mayor Joy Belmonte created a technical working group in 2020 tasked with the redevelopment of the area into a public open space for recreational and environmental awareness purposes in line with her 14-point agenda to build a livable, green and sustainable city.

“The facility turned into a bike park is a living proof to the whole world that Quezon City can put up a safe and green community. This former mountain of garbage is now a recreational park,” Belmonte said.

The bike park would have four designated lanes utilizing its asphalt roads and offroad trails consisting of a 900-meter beginner route with three detours to the view deck route with a scenic view of the park.

The other two are the beginner trail and perimeter trail featuring pathways for mountain biking, gravel routes, and mild steep ascents and descents.

The city has established 167 kilometers of protected national and city bike lanes, 15 bike ramps strategically located in overpasses and underpasses.

As of April, the city has over 200 parks and open spaces.

The goal of the local government is to double the number by 2030, Belmont’s said, The former dump would have a bamboo park, a dog park, an open-air museum and a plant nursery.

The city government is conducting a geotechnical investigation and slope stability analysis of the facility being undertaken by its Engineering Department, along with Woodfields Consultants Inc., to ensure the safety of the area.

The study revealed that under normal conditions with no extensive rainfall or any seismic activity, the Old Mound and portions of the landfill can be utilized for various activities, such as biking, jogging and Zumba, but with strict limitations on the number of visitors to avoid crowding.

Rio N. Araja

PCAARRD launches 2 coconut projects

By Butch Gunio

THE Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) (PCAARRD) has launched two projects at the Visayas State University under the coconut hybridization program of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan.

Dr. Suzette Lina, said the project dubbed “Development and Evaluation of Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management Strategies For Hybrid Coconut Farming in Eastern Visayas” aimed to develop a holistic and effective fertilization program for hybrid coconut production in the country.

On the other hand, Dr. Justine Bennette Millado, leader of the project named “Evaluation and Development of Biological Biorational Control Agents” for sustainable management of Asiatic palm weevil (APW) and other pests affecting hybrid coconut in Eastern Visayas”, said the research aims to enhance the management of coconut pests using natural control agents.

Millado said the project was expected to monitor the incidence and damage of APW, develop an early warning system for coconut pests, and mass-produce effective and eco-friendly agents to control coconut pests.

The PCAARRD research division of the DOST will monitor the project implementation and financial management.

During the event, the HPG handed out 10 individual awards and six unit awards, as well as recognitions for 23 outstanding personnel.

The HPG personnel were enjoined to avoid complacency and adhere to the importance of keeping vigilant, continuously enhancing skills and knowledge, and always upholding professionalism and integrity.

This year’s celebration had the theme “Ang Inyong Patnubay at Kaagapay Tungo sa Paglunsad ng Payapa at Ligtas na Lansangan”.

The HPG was created during the tenure of the late President Ramon Magsaysay after a tragic car crash 68 years ago caused the deaths of two statesmen close to him.

Acorda also urged the 228,000 members of the PNP to sustain “collaborative efforts in nationbuilding.”

He emphasized the five key priorities of the PNP, which include aggressive and honest law enforcement operations, boosting personnel morale and welfare, enhancing public service, maintaining operational readiness, and intensifying internal cleansing efforts.

Saleslady, partner nabbed for alleged P10-m gems theft

POLICE have arrested in Naic, Cavite a saleslady and her live-in partner for alleged robbery on a jewelry store in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

The suspects were identified as Cheril Candidato, 39, and her boyfriend Jeffrel Logronio.

A team from the Manila Police Department raided Candidato’s residence in Naic and retrieved P8.5 million worth of gold jewelry believed stolen from the store where Candidato worked.

The store owner claimed however, that some P2 million worth of gold jewelry were still missing.

The suspects argued that they have not yet touched the loot, saying the store owner might have made a mistake in computation.

Somehow, the police noted alleged inconsistencies in Candidato’s statements Charges of qualified theft were being prepared against the suspects.

Admin’s housing has support of the urban poor, DHSUD says

THE Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Sunday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program has the support of the urban poor who are also willing to take part in the flagship program.

The Urban Poor Action Committee (UPAC) met with DHSUD key officials, led by Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, for a dialogue on the marginalized sector’s shelter concerns and their consequent recommendations to the 4PH.

Madeline Suarez from UPAC lauded the administration’s flagship program, citing that their proposed People’s Plan would be considered under the PambansangPabahay.

She presented the housing projects between the members of UPAC and the residents of the concerned communities, including the 96,600-square meter Parola, Manila project with 25,000 families; the 49-hectare Baseco Port Area project in Manila with 24,000 beneficiary families; the 10-hectare Camarin DHSUD property in Caloocan City to benefit 6,000 families, and the 17-hectare National Government Center project in Quezon City to benefit 30,000 families.

The government and UPAC also tackled the land dispute in Lupang Arenda.

Acuzar reassured the groups that he would push for the fast-tracking of a special order for a technical working group creation.

Rio N. Araja

PAO says private lawyers can give free legal advice

EVEN private lawyers can provide free legal services to indigent clients under the so-called Lapid Law, according to the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO).

The PAO maintained that there is no necessity to assign a PAO lawyer to represent the accused and another on behalf of the complainant in the same case since Republic Act 9999 or The Free Legal Assistance Act authored by Senator Lito Lapid, mandates incentives to private lawyers who could provide free legal aid to indigent clients.

PAO cited a Bureau of Internal Revenue regulation signed and approved by Finance

Secretary Benjamin Diokno on Sept. 8, 2022, in compliance with RA 9999 stating guidelines on the incentives a private lawyer offering free legal assistance, can obtain.

The law is clear that the actual free legal assistance would be exclusive of the minimum 60-hour mandatory legal aid services rendered to indigent litigants as required under a Supreme Court decision, it said.

“We are filing a most humble respectful request for issuance of implementing rules and regulations of RA 9999,” PAO chief Persida Acosta told the Manila Standard.

She believes Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo would reconsider their plea and review the conflict-of-interest provision of the newly SC-approved Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability.

“Along with the 2, 500 public lawyers and other PAO personnel, I appeal to the honorable Chief Justice to please heed our call to remove the ‘detrimental’ provision under the new code, wherein two public lawyers would challenge one another in one and the same criminal or civil case,” she said.

Lawyers from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the National Union of Lawyers of the Philippines can also provide free legal assistance to indigent clients, she noted.

The Lapid Law provides incentives for practicing private lawyers who offer free legal assistance of up to 10 percent deduction of their gross income derived from the actual performance of the legal profession, Acosta said.

In April, Acosta, together with the agency senior officials, filed a very respectful request to the High Court seeking a review of Section 21 of the new code allowing two PAO lawyers represent the accused and the complainant in one and the same case.

Rio N. Araja