Fariñas urge Juvenile Justice Act revision

BAGUIO CITY (Oct. 26) — Vice-mayor Daniel Fariñas urged the amendment of the Justice Welfare Act (RA 9344) to combat the growing gang-related crimes involving minors in the city.

Fariñas said “while the stature intends to increase protection of children in conflict with the law, it deviously encouraged kids to commit crimes, instead.” He added the Western-based laws are inapplicable to the Filipino culture.

Fariñas said RA 9344 is a virtual reproduction of Western juvenile laws penned by Senator Francis Pangilinan signed into law on April 28. # Isagani S Liporada/PIO

Sidewalk clearing drive on

BAGUIO CITY (Oct. 26) — Acting Mayor Daniel Farinas through Administrative Order No.177, ordered the inspection and immediate removal of obstructions in all national and city roads.

The inspection of national roads will be done by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) while the check up of city road will be done by the city engineering office.

The Baguio City Police Office and the Public Order and Safety Division will take charge of undertaking clearing operations after due notice to those responsible for the obstructions. # Aileen P.Refuerzo

Elderlies adopt rose garden

BAGUIO CITY (Oct. 26) — Several elderly groups here took Rose Garden at Burnham Park under their wing through the city’s Adopt-A-Park program.

The Baguio Association of Retired Persons Foundation Inc. (BARP), Philippine Retired Employees Association (PGREA), Federation of Baguio Senior Citizens Associations (FBASECA), Veterans Federation of the Philippines Cordillera (VFP-CAR), all under the umbrella of the Baguio Elderly Assembly (BEA) entered into a memorandum of understanding with the city government and City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEMPO) for the adoption of the Rose Garden for beautification and regreening and eventually for educational and outdoor recreation purposes.

The signing of the MOU was held during the Baguio Elderly Assembly Octoberfest program held Sunday. # Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

Waste segregation compliance improving

BAGUIO CITY (Oct. 26) — The level of compliance to the mandatory waste segregation in the barangays has improved but households need to exert more effort in segregating their trash said Vice-mayor Daniel Fariñas bared during the Ugnayang Panlungsod press briefing last Thursday.

According to Engr. Nazita Bañez, head of the Solid Waste Management Division of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEMPO), 90 percent of the 129 barangays have posted more than 50 percent compliance with the policy.

There are even barangays that posted more than 80 percent accomplishment and this is a good sign that the campaign is gaining its ground, Bañez added. # Aileen P. Refuerzo and Ramon Dacawi/PIO

Number coding suspended, road closure okayed

BAGUIO CITY(Oct. 26) — Vice-mayor Daniel Farinas last week approved Administrative Order 173 exempting all private vehicles from the traffic number coding scheme on October 29 to November 5.

Farñas said voters should be able to proceed to polling places for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on October 29 “devoid of delay”. He also mentioned the heavy influx of tourists due to the declared holidays on November 1 and 2.

Earlier, the road between Solibao and Ganza restaurant at Burnham Park was ordered closed on an experiment basis for 30 days, starting November 5. The temporary closure aims to aid the city council in “policy-making functions particularly in ensuring public welfare.” # Julie G. Fianza/PIO