DPWH virtually clear contractor of collapsed bridge

MALOLOS CITY—The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) virtually cleared the contractor of the bridge in Calumpit town that collapsed on Friday.

However, local officials are looking at the possibilities of filing charges that may lead the revocation of contract of the Wing-An Construction Development Corporation.

Engineer Jesse Obordo of DPWH regional office in Central Luzon said that they see no reason to file sanctions against Wing-An which is owned by a certain Engineer Shelwyn Lao based in San Juan City in Metro Manila.

“Wala namang violation, kaya walang sanction na ipapataw sa contractor,”Obordo said as he defended the contractor of the P166-Million bridge rehabilitation project.

He said that the collapse was an accident and only two workers suffered minor injuries.

Obordo said that while the project is originally expected to be completed last April 23, it remain on schedule as the implementation was suspended at least twice.

He said that first suspension on the project was first implemented when a temporary hanging bridge was constructed last year.

Angat Dam to hit critical level today

Angat Dam file photo by Dino Balabo

MALOLOS CITY-- Water elevation at the giant Angat Dam continue to drop and it is expected to hit critical 180 meters above sea level today, May 11, 2014.

This came as water elevation at the dam further drop to 180.12 masl as of 6AM today based on monitoring of the state weather bureau.

It dropped by .35 meters since yesterday when the state weather bureau recorded 180.47 meters.

Engineer Rodolfo German, general manager of the Angat River Hydroelectric Power Plant (Arhepp) based in Hilltop, Norzagaray earlier said that they will cut allocation for farmers irrigation when level at the dam hit critical 180 masl.

Here's record for water elevation at the Angat Dam in the past seven days. All are recorded by Pagasa at 6AM.

May 5--182.20 masl
May 6--181.92 masl
May 7--181.65 mals
May 8--181.31 masl
May 9--180.85 masl
May 10--180.47 masl
May 11--180.12 masl

CL on alert for rice black bug

Rice black bug.  Photo by Bulacan PAO

MALOLOS CITY—Ever heard of herding ducks in the rice field soon after crop gets established?

Well, that’s one of the solutions offered by the experts in further controlling possible rice black bug infestation in Central Luzon where ricelands are also being threatened by irrigation shortage due to possible long dry spell.

Aside from the above, experts also suggested intensive implementation of integrated pest management  (IPM), spraying of pathogenic microorganism called metarhizium, and raising water level on ricelands.

Based on records from the Central Luzon office of the Department of Agriculture (DA), rice black bug (Scotinophara coarctata) infestation has affected  2,820 hectares of farmlands in the region.

They said it remains under control but local agriculturist in Bulacan are not taking it easy noting that hot temperatures leads rice black bug to further burrow itself on rice stems.

Citing experts’ explanation,Gloria Carillo, head of the Bulacan Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) said that the bug used to suck sap on the rice stem and lay eggs on it.

“It’s an invasive pest species that attacks all growth stages of the rice plant,” she said in describing the bug.

At present, Carillo said that there have been sightings of the bug in the towns of Bulakan, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, San Rafael and Baliwag, all in the province of Bulacan.

Other provinces in Central Luzon showed greater impacts of infestation caused by the bug.

Records from the DA-III office showed that a total of 570 hectares of ricelands in the province of  Aurora were affected by the bug.

Also in Nueva Ecija (550 has), Pampanga (220 has), and Tarlac with 1,500 hectares.

Records also showed impacts on rice yields in affected areas ranged from 3-5 percent in Nueva Ecija, 10-20 percent in Tarlac, 20 percent in Aurora, and 20 to 40 percent in Pampanga.

Felicito Espiritu, head of the DA-III information office said that while affected areas in the region climbed over 2,000 hectares, the infestation remained under control.

Trapping rice black bug in Bulakan town. Photo by Bulacan PAO

He said that local farmers has been trained to conduct regular monitoring through surveillance using light trapping equipment.

He explained that light trapping equipment which utilizes bright lights attracts black bugs.

Records showed that rice black bug infestation in the country is not new.

It is first monitored in 1979 in Southern Palawan where an outbreak was recorded in 1982 covering 4,500 hectares.

In the years that followed, incidents were recorded in 1996 in Zamboanga City damaging about 2,000 hectares; in 1995 it became a serious pest in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM); and in 1996, it moved to the provinces of Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat.

In 1998, rice black bug infestations were recorded in Davao Del Sur and Negros Occidental; then in Siquijor and Bohol provinces the following year.

From the year 2000 onwards, infestations were further recorded northwards.

Records showed that in 2000, infestation was recorded in Caraga Region, followed by Leyte in 2001; Samar in 2003; Sorsogon in 2005;  and Catanduanes, Albay and Camarines Sur provinces in the Bicol region in 2006.

By 2007, first infestation was recorded in the province of Aurora, then in Isabela and Laguna the following year; and in other parts of Luzon in 2010.   Dino Balabo

Cloud seeding over Angat Dam eyed in May

 

Angat Dam

MALOLOS CITY—Planned cloud seeding operations over Angat Dam is likely to be implemented on the first week of May to avert possible water shortage in Metro Manila, the National Power Corporation (Napocor) said..

This came as water elevation at the Angat Dam dropped to 183.97 meters above sea level (masl) at 6AM on Saturday, April 26.

The said water elevation is less than four meters before it drop to crit5ical 180 masl.

Gladys Cruz-Sta. Rita, president of the Napocor said that they are now finalizing memorandum of agreements (MOA) and contracts now.

While she did not disclose who are the parties involved in the MOA and contract, Engineer Rodolfo German, the general manager of the Angat River Hydroelectric Power Plant (Arhepp) said the Napocor is now coordinating with the Department of Agriculture (DA).

 

Engineer German

DA is the mother agency of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) that usually takes the lead in cloud seeding operations over Angat Dam that supplies 97 percent of Metro Manila’s potable water requirement.

Cloud seeding operations is usually conducted when water elevation at the Angat Dam nears the critical 180 masl and when rainy season is still far.

It is mean to secure water requirement for about 13-Million population of the metropolis.

Earlier, German told PromdiNews that since January, rain hardly fall over the 53,000 hectares Angat watershed.  Dino Balabo

Bulacan remains red tide free

HAGONOY, Bulacan—All types of shellfish in Bulacan remain free from paralytic shellfish poison or red tide toxins, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said.

This came as similar marine products in the nearby province of Bataan and in Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga Del Sur; and the coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate are still positive for red tide.

Citing recent report issued by Director Asis Perez of BFAR, Felix Terrado, said local consumer in the province have nothing to worry.

He said all types of shell fish caught on Manila Bay from Metro Manila to Bulacan are safe.

This includes fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs.

However, like BFAR advisory, consumer must thoroughly wash the products remove internal organs like gills and intestines before cooking.

 “There is no red tide in Bulacan and there is no white spot disease in Central Luzon,” said Terrado, the head of the BFAR research facility for brackishwater based at Barangay San Pedro here.

Terrado explained that water flowing from the Angat River keeps waters on the bay of Bulacan clean. 

Angat River is the lone major river system in the province that is still “alive” based on report of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) about 10 years ago.

The same report noted that Marilao-Meycuayan River, along with the downstream of Bocaue, Balagtas and Guiguinto rivers are biologically dead.

6 devotees crucified in Bulacan

PAOMBONG, Bulacan—An epileptic mute faith healer led five others that includes two women in the reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ here, while hundreds others flagellate themselves in observance of the Holy Week.

This came as the Catholic Church discourage such acts, while some groups are looking forward to promoting it as a tourism attraction.

Crisanto Bautista, a 54-year old mute faith healer who suffers from episodes of epilepsy was the first to do the reenactment of Christ’s crucifixion on the morning of Maundy Thursday at the Sto. Cristo Chapel yard at Barangay Kapitangan here.

A resident of Barangay Mercado in the coastal town of Hagonoy, Bautista came with his family and friends who interpreted his message during the interview.

During the interview, PromdiNews learned that Bautista loss his ability to speak 16 years ago.

He even tried to write his answer on the wall by writing with his fingers.

Aileen, the younger sister of Bautista said that her brother suffered from episodes of epilepsy and was even comatose for three days when he was younger.

“Tatlong araw siyang patay, nung magising ay hindi na siya makapagsalita,” Aileen said and added that it was also then when his brother started as faith healer.

Despite his fragile physical condition, Bautista was nailed on the cross under scorching heat. It was his 16^th year in a row.

Rowena Enriquez, 34, a friend and assistant, said Bautista’s physical appearance did not deter him from reenacting crucifixion twice a year.

She said that Bautista used to reenact crucifixion at the old Santisima Trinidad Church in Malolos City and in other places in the province.

This year, Bautista performed the reenactment at Barangay Kapitangan here on Maundy Thursday and in Malolos City on Good Friday.

He was followed by a still unidentified devotee who was also crucified on Maundy Thursday at Barangay Sto. Rosario here.

On Good Friday, Precy Valencia and Michael Katigbak performed the reenactment once again along with Evangeline Mendoza and Junjun Tanael.

All four are resident of this town and some claims, are following the footsteps of Amparo Santos, a faith healer from Guiguinto town who used to do the reenactment of crucifixion here in the late 80s and early 90s.

In other parts of the province, hundreds of devotees who are either carried a cross or flagellate their bloddied backs filled the streets of Bulacan on Good Friday.

The flagellants then braved the murky waters of local rivers in the belief that saline water on the rivers will heal their wounds faster.

Some like Nestor Celso and his nephew Joel Martin swam on the Hagonoy river after flagellating themselves.

The above acts were discouraged by the Church and even by the Department of Health, but Celso said they have been doing it for about three decades.

As this developed, the Bulacan Tourism Convention and Visitors Board (BTCVB) in coordination with the Tourism Committee of the Paombong Municipal Council is preparing a tourism master plan for Paombong.

The plan sources said is designed to improve tourism management in here noting that it is the only place in the province that draws about 100,000 visitors every year without a promotional plan.  Dino Balabo

Half million vehicles to use MPTC managed expressways this Holy Week

MALOLOS CITY—Infrastructure giant Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) is bracing for surge of traffic along three expressways they operate this Holy Week. 

Estimates showed that at least 500,000 vehicles will be using the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and the Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) during the lenten weekend from April 15 to 21. 

Rodrigo Franco, president and chief Operating officer of the MNTC said that additional manpower will be deployed at major interchanges along the NLEX especially in Balintawak, Bocaue, Mindanao Avenue, Dau and Mabalacat.

At SCTEX, they will deploy additional personnel at Tarlac and Tipo exits.

Franco said they expect traffic to surge by 30 percent  or about 60,000 from the daily average of 170,000 vehicles .

He said that traffic surge is expected starting Holy Wednesday until  late Maundy Thursday for north bound vehicle along the NLEX.

At SCTEX, he said that the daily average of 24,000 vehicles is also expected to climb by 30 percent.

For his part, Ramoncito Fernandez, President and Chief Executive Officer of the MPTC said that Cavitex daily average traffic volume of 101,000 might drop.

He explained that volume is for daily motorists going back and forth to Metro Manila.

“We expected that it will replaced by holiday motorist by the holy week.

Franco added that by Easter Sunday until the next they expect southbound traffic along the NLEX and SCTEX to surge as people return to manila.

He also noted that sponsors for this year’s SMSK program along the expressways are offering services like free wifi, motorist camps and sampling of products.

Some of the products that available at motorist camps are from Maynilad Water,Regent Belgian Wafles, Mochi Gelatin rice cakes, Yasai potao chips, and Rebisco Dowee donuts.

Others includes BeloSun product sampling at selected motorist camps.

Major sponsors for the 2014 SMSK are ShellPhilippines, Smart communications and Philippine Long Distance telephone Company.

Minor sponsors are Philippine Star and Belo  Sun Expert.  Dino Balabo