DAILY STAR: Negros Oriental

Three more self-confessed members of New People’s Army local intelligence unit gave themselves up to the 11th Infantry Battalion in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.

Lt. Col. Ramil Bitong, 11th IB commander, yesterday said the surrender of Felipe Holnanero, alias Ka Orango; Rosalinda Merafuentes, alias Ka Celine; and Rose, and Isabelo Gutang,alias Ka Billy, brought to 17 the number of rebels who surrendered to them this year.

Bitong said Merafuentes confessed to be a chairperson of the Youth organization, members of the “lambat paniktik (local intelligence unit)” and medical group, while Holnanero and Gutang admitted to be also members of lambat paniktik and yunit militia group in Brgys. Tacpao and Hinakpan, all in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.

SP junks P4.5-million
supplemental budget
BY JUANCHO GALLARDE

The controversial appropriation that has caused divisiveness in the provincial board is expected to be re-filed minus the objectionable portion, provincial administrator Arnel Francisco said.

Majority of the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan had objected to the passage of Supplemental Budget No. 8 during a lengthy debate that allegedly caused animosities between members of the provincial legislative body.

The governor’s request for a P4.5 million appropriation was junked after much delay because of what oppositors say are questionable provisions such as the hiring of masons and skilled workers when what is required under the memorandum circular issued by Sec. Jesse Robredo of the Department of Interior and Local Government are for engineers and technical personnel in the mandatory inspection of public buildings, whether they can withstand seismic loadings, rigidity, among others.

Magnitude 3.4 quake
rocks Dumaguete City
BY JUDY F. PARTLOW

A magnitude 3.4 earthquake hit Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros Oriental, around 5:34 p.m. Saturday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology based in the neighboring town of Sibulan.

The tremor was of tectonic origin and had a depth of focus of 67 kilometers, according to Jose Agustin Molas, PHIVOLCS Science Research Analyst.

The tremblor was felt at Intensity 2 in most parts of Dumaguete, but nearby towns like Valencia, Sibulan, Amlan and Dauin did not feel it, based on initial PHIVOLCS survey, Molas said.

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