New bill seeks to penalize use of sidewalks for commercial, personal use

MAGDALO partylist Rep. Gary Alejano has proposed to penalize the use of sidewalks for commercial and personal purposes.

He said adequate sidewalk areas must be maintained to allow safe pedestrian passage and for the safety and convenience of wheelchairs, strollers, and similar instruments.

“The country’s sidewalks have become so crowded with stores and stalls selling food or rendering various kinds of services, so much that pedestrians have no choice but to walk roadside, exposed to all kinds of road hazards. The end result is the exacerbation of the already dismal traffic situation and the overcrowding of roads, ” Alejano said.

He filed House Bill 8017 seeking to clear sidewalks from unauthorized commercial or personal use in order to facilitate the smooth passage of persons as well as to clear all obstructions to traffic and vehicular flow.

“As such, this bill aims to penalize the use of public roads and sidewalks for commercial and personal purposes,” the former Marine captain said.

HB 8017 or the proposed “Unobstructed Sidewalks Act” prohibits the use of streets, sidewalks, avenues, alleys, bridges, parks, and other public spaces for commercial and personal purposes.

Prohibited acts, under the bill, include vending or selling food, magazines, newspapers, cigarettes, brooms, watches or jewelries, shoes, and other items; conduct of shoe-shine occupation; washing clothes, hanging clothes and bathing; vehicle parking or repair; use of sidewalk for storage of construction materials for sale; house or stall/store extension; and installation of permanent or picket fence.

Violators of the proposed Act shall pay a fine ranging from P10,000 to P30,000 or face a penalty of six months to one year-imprisonment.

Officials of the local government units (LGUs) who fail to implement the proposed Act will be held administratively liable, Alejano warned.

Erring mayor, barangay chairperson or any designated local officer shall also be penalized by a fine ranging from P100,000 to P500,000, HB 8017 provides.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/08/27/new-bill-seeks-to-penalize-use-of-sidewalks-for-commercial-personal-use/

Duterte backs proposed renaming of Mactan airport

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Monday, August 27, that he is amenable to the proposal of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to rename Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Lapu-Lapu Airport.

During the commemoration of the National Heroes' Day in Taguig City, Duterte said it "deeply pains" him that Mactan valiant chieftain Lapu-Lapu did not get the proper recognition, reiterating that the country's hero was even demoted to a fish name.

"As a footnote, just a vignette of life, Lapu-Lapu was the first Filipino to kill a foreigner who invaded our country," the President said.

"But sadly -- he was a Visayan, I think he was a Moro, still in the Visayas -- history forgot him. He was the first hero and designated a certain species of fish and called it “lapu-lapu.” That is why it pains me deeply to see lapu-lapu being eaten every day, escabeche, fried, and all sorts of recipe," he added.

Duterte made the remark after NHCP chair suggested to change the name of Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Lapu-Lapu Airport.

Prior to the President's keynote speech, NHCP chair Rene Escalante proposed the renaming of the airport in Cebu, in an effort to "popularize and immortalize" Lapu-Lapu's name in the country and all over the world as well.

"In close coordination with local government units and legislators, the NHCP will support the renaming of Mactan International Airport into Lapu-Lapu Airport so his name will be popularized and immortalized here and abroad," Escalante said.

"We will also propose the creation of a national monument and park for Lapu-Lapu in Cebu," he added.

On April 27,1521, Lapu-Lapu led the tribal men who fought and won against Spanish invaders led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.

Escalante bewailed that despite Lapu-Lapu's efforts to defend the country from foreign rule, the Mactan valiant chieftain was one of the heroes who are "least appreciated and studied."

"He (Lapu-Lapu) remains among the least appreciated and studied heroes of the country. In fact, most of our textbooks nowadays have more pages about Magellan the loser than Lapu-Lapu the winner," Escalante said.

"With this in mind, the NHCP considers the celebration of the fifth centenary of the circumnavigation in the world in 1521 as the perfect opportunity to bring Lapu-Lapu in the limelight. On the part of NHCP, we shall follow the impetus of conducting historical studies and conferences on Lapu-Lapu," he added.

In a chance interview after the event, Duterte expressed support to Escalante's proposal.

"Yes," Duterte said, when asked if he is willing to rename Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Lapu-Lapu Airport.

"Why you...? Alam mo (You know), Magellan was the first invader to set foot here in the Philippines. It was Lapu-Lapu who fought him. Why is he (Magellan) more honored in this country?" he added. (SunStar Philippines)

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1760102/Manila/Local-News/Duterte-backs-proposed-renaming-of-Mactan-airport

“The Hows of Us: How to Love and Unlove”

The book “The Hows of Us: How to Love and Unlove” is being released by ABS-CBN Publishing and Star Cinema to coincide with the opening on Aug. 29 of the movie “The Hows of Us,” topbilled by the popular loveteam of Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo. Fans, who were titillated by Daniel’s admission that they’ve been an “official twosome” since five years ago, will certainly welcome the book as an apt “companion piece” to the movie directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina.

The book takes off from the plot of the movie and goes in-depth in the unsaid thoughts and feelings of a couple, Primo (Padilla) and George (Bernardo). What did they feel when they first saw each other? How did they fight for their love during the tough times? How did they cope when it’s time to give up?

Aside from Primo and George’s own stories of loving and unloving, fans also shared their stories through social media. Choosing to be featured in the book are the most moving stories and the most inspiring pieces of advice.

About the movie, KathNiel said the story is perfect for their growing maturity as artists. “As we grow older, naghahanap kami ng may laman na istorya, at ibang-iba itong movie na ito sa lahat ng nagawa na namin. Its worth watching by everyone, even the young kids,” Daniel said. From Kathryn, “hindi naman kami pinipilit na tumanda, tama lang sa edad namin ang roles namin sa ‘The Hows of us.”

* * *

Tidbits: Happy birthday greetings today, Aug. 27, go to erswhile “Movie Queen” Amalia Fuentes, Sen. Leila de Lima, Ogie Alcasid, Ben Chan, Liceria Soriano, Benjie Lim, Dra. Marilyn Marzan-Olalo, Marilou Lao, John Edgar Lara, Tessie C. Castro, John Delmer Go, Andrew Bryan Sapigao, Dr. Jose Benedicto, Jillianne Mohammad and Pokwang… Aug. 28: Ofie Jacomina, Mary Grace Santos, Miles Yulo, Rita Dee, Arnel Anasco, Mona Gonzalez, Patricia Culala, Domini Torrevillas, Luna Inocian, Frederick Miguel Lopez, Catherine Ong, Karleen Cabanes, Peaccy Nicole Roces, JC Paraon Diaz, Chinee Ocampo, Julio Veloso, Jover Laurio, Bore Sec, Janina Reyes-Firme, BJ Guerrero Nicolas, Monch Novales and Max Collins… Aug. 29: Jamie Rivera, Oskar Atendido, Jeric Mariano, Prof. Candida Agcaoili, Dr. Nellie Yu, Nita Trofeo, Teresa Arnaiz, Shelby Payne and Richard Suaco-Ante… Aug. 30: Ariel Inton, Carlos Palanca III, Edgar Mortiz, Anna Marie Baradi, Ed Sy, Andrea Ruth Robinson, Albert M. Gerilla, Priscilla Valdecanas, Jericho Ejercito, and Manny Garcia…

INC telecommunications franchise gets House OK

THE House of Representatives recently passed on third and final reading a bill extending the telecommunications franchise of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) by another 25 years.

With 224 affirmative votes and zero negative, House Bill 7753 will allow the INC to continue operating its private telecommunications or electronic communications services in the Philippines as well as with other countries.

The measure has been transmitted to the Senate.

In a statement, San Jose Del Monte City Rep. Florida P. Robes, principal author, said the INC as an “ever-expanding religious organization… needs to use and maintain a private telecommunications network to serve its proselytization.”

“Immediate accessibility to pastoral guidance and counselling on a regular basis is a must for such an organization conscious about direct implementation of religious instructions to its locale officers and members,” she added.

Under the measure, the INC will be required to secure a Certificate Public Convenience and Necessity and other necessary permits from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

The NTC has the authority to regulate the construction and operations of the INC’s telecommunications system.

The franchise to establish a radio stations for private telecommunication was first granted to the Iglesia ni Cristo through Republic Act (RA) 4339 in 1965. Its franchise was extended for another 25 years from 1994 through RA 7225.

Under the measure, the INC will be required to apply for the renewal or extension of its franchise five years before its expiration. Further, the franchise shall be deemed ipso facto in the event the grantee fails to operate continuously for two years. — C.A. Tadalan

http://www.bworldonline.com/inc-telecommunications-franchise-gets-house-ok/