#nationataglance Jardeleza still richest SC magistrate SUPREME COURT (SC) Associate Justice Francis H. Jardeleza, a former longtime corporate lawyer, remains the richest Magistrate for 2017 with a net worth of P261.08 million based on his statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN). — Vann Marlo M. Villegas IRR for occupational safety, health standards law out soon THE IMPLEMENTING guidelines for the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) Law is scheduled to be released as early as next month, Department of Labor. and Employment (DoLE) Secretary Silves- tre H. Bello said. — Gillian M. Cortez DA to allocate PISOM for ice-making facilities in fishing villages ‘THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) will al- locate at least PISO million as loan forice-mak- ing facilitiesin 50 fishing communities, target- ed for installation within the first two month of 2019, DA Secretary Emmanuel F. Pifiol said on Tuesday. — Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio Read the fll story by scanning the QR code with your smartahone or by typing the link i WESTERN VISAYAS: ILOILO CITY US-PHL fisheries project focuses on Palawan, Visayas waters API1.3-billion sustainable fisher- ies project has been launched by the US government in partner- ship with the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Typhoon Samuel disrupts sea, air travel before Tuesday night landfall TROPICAL DEPRESSION Samuel, the 19" typhoon to hit the country this year, disrupted sea and air travel in the Visayas, southern Luzon areas, and the northern parts of Mindanao before its expected landfall Tuesday evening. As of 8am. on Nov. 20, the Philippine Coast Guard reported 5,656 passen- gers stranded in various ports in the Visayas islands and the regions of Northern Mindanao and Bicol as more than 900. vessels were not allowed to go out to sea. Several domestic flights from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport were also cancelled. As of the 5 p.m., Nov. 20 bulletin from weather bureau PAGASA, Samuel was forecasted to make landfall “in the area between the southern portion of Eastern Samar. and Dinagat Islands...” Typhoon signal #1 was up over several. areas and PAGASA warned against potential flooding and landslides. The Department of Social Welfare and Develop- ment, meanwhile, reported that it has 374,104 family food packs worth P1.37 million and non-food items amounting to P879 million ready for distribution. A P11 billion standby fund is also available for quick response operations. Dubbed Fish Right, the five-year program under the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will focus on addressing biodiversity threats, improving marine ecosystem governance, and increasing number and weight of fish in the Calamianes Islands in Palawan, Visayan Seas, and south Negros. “We will continue to work together to advance human and ecological well-being in the Philippines and to support initiatives that enhance sustainable resource use and conserve biodiversity,” US Embassy in the Philippines Deputy Chief of Mission John C. Law said during the launch cer- emony held in lloilo City. BFAR Director Eduardo B. Gongona, for his part, said, “BFAR is pleased to continue its partnership with USAID through the Fish Right Program. We are at the forefront of the country’s fight against illegal, unreported, and unregu- lated fishing, which to this day continues to imperil marine and aquatic resources and the liveli- hood of hundreds of thousands of fisherfolk.” — CAAGUINALDO CENTRAL VISAYAS: SAN FERNANDO, CEBU Cebu town port project fails to get DENR clearance THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has returned the area clearance application for the reclamation component of a proposed international seaport in San Fernando town in Cebu. DENR-Central Visayas Re- gional Director Gilbert C. Gonzales, in a letter dated Sept. 17, 2018 to port developer Ruben Feliciano, said the application documents failed to comply with the recommendations of the Land Management Bureau. A memorandum dated June 8, 2018 issued by DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations Juan Miguel T. Cuna ordered the suspension of the process- ing of Mr. Feliciano’s application until compliance of recom- mendations of the LMB. “With the aforementioned directive, please be informed that this Office can no longer proceed with the processing of your application until compliance of the recommendations of the LMB Acting Director,” read Mr. Gonzales’ letter. The recommendations include the submis- sion of the environmental compliance certificate (ECC); evaluation and concurrence of the Biodiversity Management Bureau; and settlement of issues with the fishermen in the affected barangay, among others. Mr. Feliciano has pro- posed to build a multi-million international port at Barangay Sangat.— The Freeman SOCCSKSARGEN: MAGPET, COTABATO Military pursue NPA suspects in Magpet daycare center burning THE CONTINUED battle between the military and the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the communist movement in the Philippines, has been affecting community schools, with the latest victim a daycare center in Magpet, North Cotabato. The Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), in a statement, has pointed to the NPA as those behind the burning last week of the childcare facility in the town known as one of main rebel areas in the province. Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Madrigal Jr., EastMinCom commander, has or- dered soldiers to support the police in running after the perpetrators. “The incident is clearly a manifestation of a grave criminal act,” said Mr. Madrigal in the statement. The NPA, on the other hand, accuse the military of using force to take over community schools, particularly in Bukidnon, Sultan Kudarat and the Surigao provinces. — Carmelito Q. Francisco