Deployment ban to Kuwait 'stays permanently' - DUTERTE

DAVAO CITY - President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday made clear his stance that Kuwait deployment ban stays permanently in the wake of a diplomatic spat between the Philippines and the Gulf state.

Solons, mayor hurt as wooden footbridge collapses in Zamboanga City

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Two lawmakers and a local executive fell into a creek after the collapse of a wooden footbridge leading to housing on stilts at Barangay Rio Hondo in Zamboanga City on Thursday.

LTO launches online appointment system

MANILA (26 Apr 2018) - The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Thursday launched its Online Personal Appointment and Scheduling System (PASS) which allows drivers to apply for licenses and renew vehicle registration online.

The PASS system will reduce the long queues in the offices of the LTO.

The LTO designated four (4) district offices in Marikina, Pasig, Novaliches, and Muntinlupa Extension Office as pilot sites that will accept online scheduling and is also available through its website www.LTO.gov.ph starting last Monday (April 23).

"With the LTO Online PASS, LTO clients can select their preferred LTO site, date, and a slot for Driver's License or Motor Vehicle renewal.  The LTO has assigned dedicated lanes that will process appointments and evaluate applications, allowing for more efficient handling of transactions in their offices," the LTO said in a statement Thursday.


Walk-in applicants will still undergo regular processing of their applications by the agency.

"This is a big step towards enhancing our services by utilizing this online platform to bring more convenience to the public in line with President Duterte's directive to bring more convenience to the public," LTO chief Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante said.

Last January, the agency has introduced the LTO Kiosk, an interactive self-service kiosk which aims to inform its clients about transactions, requirements and other LTO-related matters.  This is also used to inform the public on the latest projects of the LTO.

The LTO has also added the Motor Vehicle (MV) Renewal feature on the kiosk this month wherein the public may have their vehicles assessed and evaluated instead of queuing at LTO Evaluator windows.

To avail of the service, applicants should submit complete MV Renewal requirements such as OR/CR (official receipt/certificate of registration), emission test, third part party liability insurance, and motor vehicle inspection report.


The LTO Kiosk-MV Renewal was piloted at its district office in Diliman last April 24 and will be rolled out at other LTO sites nationwide by the end of the year.

The public can also access LTO TEXT, an SMS based service to verify non-personal but pertinent motor vehicle or drivers' license record.

To use, text: LTO Vehicle <PlateNumber> and LTO License <DL Number> send to 2600 within seconds and they will receive a reply that would verify details regarding the vehicle or license record. [Aerol John Patena, PNA]

PNP eyes new strategy vs riding-in-tandem criminals

MANILA - The Philippine National Police (PNP) is set to implement a plan to crack down on motorcycle-riding criminals after the May 14 village polls.

Gardenia's 1st Mindanao bread plant to open at Phividec

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - GARDENIA BAKERIES Philippines, Inc.'s first bread factory in Mindanao will be operational by the third quarter this year, the company announced on Tuesday.

Gardenia President Simplicio P. Umali, Jr., in a statement, said the plant, located at the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate in Misamis Oriental, would ensure a more stable supply, as well as allow the the firm to expand its market in the southern island.


Gardenia bread are currently shipped to Mindanao from the Cebu plant.  

"The construction of our bread plant in Mindanao is well underway and now almost halfway to completion," Mr. Umali said.

The P1-billion facility will be under the management of Nutrimax Fresh-Baked Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Gardenia International, Pte. Ltd. Singapore, Gardenia's parent company.  [BusinessWorld]

PNP senior officer slain in Iligan City

ILIGAN CITY (19 Apr 2018) - A senior police officer, while doing his early morning jog, was shot dead in Zone 4, Barangay Del Carmen, this city, Thursday, 19 Apr 2018, by still unidentified riding-in-tandem assassins. 

Senior Police Officer 4 Jonas Balbutin

The victim, Senior Police Officer 4 Jonas Balbutin, 56, was due to retire in three months time, according to Iligan City Police Director Leony Roy Ga during a radio interview, moments after the incident.  

Balbutin died instantaneously from multiple gunshot wounds.

While being shot at, SPO4 Balbutin still managed to run a few meters away from where he was first shot and cautioned other joggers of the attack, "Dagan mo kay gipusil ko!" witnesses said.  But the armed men fired at him again and left him for dead.

At the face of death, SPO4 Balbutin remains your "Higalang Pulis," his fellow officers extol his virtues.

The gunmen were able to escape quickly, but police hope that the footage from a nearby resident's CCTV will be able to help them identify the gunmen.


Police City Director Ga said Balbutin was already on a non-duty status and was just waiting for his retirement from service.

The police are still gathering further pieces of evidence relative to the incident to determine the identities and motive of the assassins, Police City Director Leony Roy Ga further said.

The attack on SPO4 Balbutin is the second shooting incident in the city after the election gun ban was implemented.

'Vote for the right person' -- Regencia

ILIGAN CITY - As the Barangay election is fast approaching, Mayor Celso Gomera Regencia calls Iliganons to vote for the right person for the right offices.

President Duterte calls on newly sworn gov't officials to resist any temptation

MALACANANG, Manila - President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Tuesday, 17 Apr 2018, called on newly appointed government officials to stand up to any temptation that may hurt their good name.

Lanao Norte town officials yield loose firearms

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Iligan City LGU to file charges vs Bayanihan Village residents

The local government of Iligan City is set to file charges against Sendong beneficiaries and government employees who initiated the selling of housing units at the Bayanihan Village.

Task force slams 'thoughtless' opposition to Marawi rehab, denies non-consultation with residents

MANILA - TASK Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) on Tuesday denied that it did not consult residents in Marawi City on the government's rehabilitation efforts, saying it had coordinated with its officials.

Iligan City gov't padlocks illegally sold Bayanihan Village housing units

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (2 April 2018) - Some 1,300 houses involving the same number of families, mostly those who fled during the Marawi siege will be evicted, for buying a house funded by the government for typhoon Sendong victims.

Marawi residents want to rebuild the City by themselves

MARAWI CITY, Philippines - Residents of Marawi want to go home and build their own houses rather than avail of a relocation site which the government is offering.